Christmas Eve

12:11am - Christmas Eve 2010, the night before Xmas and all through the house, not a creature was stirring not even a mouse- oh crap, that doesn't work in my world...the cat is howling (yes howling, kind of a sick MEEEOOOOW sound that echo's through your brain, to which point I get up from what I'm doing to chase the cat to another area of the house at least 5 or 6 times a night)...I'm also listening to Greta moan in her sleep as the pounding wind against the house is ensuring we all have restless sleeps, so that little poem doesn't quite work...But WOW, it's Xmas Eve...it does not feel like it at all. I posted a comment earlier on Facebook that I wish I could return to childhood Christmas Days. It just seemed like Christmas meant a little bit more than what it does now: Dolls, Barbies, Cabbage Patch Kids have all been replaced with iPhones, iPads, Laptop computers and cell phones, who would have thought that parents and kids had the same wish list. As I was driving to the store the other night I was listening to the kids call Santa on the radio, I almost went off the road when one little guy asked for an iPhone, laptop and ping pong table - and Santa said the gifts would be under the tree...every kid that night but one asked for an electronic item and in my opinion "an adult toy"...The one little girl who didn't, asked for Lego, Silly Bandz and a surprise...I almost cried (and I'm not emotional at all). This new generation of kids won't know how to talk to people or communicate face to face, or know what it's like to play with real toys like Barbies and board games, sure they can do the virtual play world and play games online, but it's not the same...and this is coming from someone who LOVES the internet, facebook and email...I would be lost without them, but I had a lifetime of learning to talk to people, and to make eye contact and fun with games and toys, the kids now are missing out! So, that is my Xmas rant on the state of today's children! A friend was at the house this past week and asked where Greta's toys were, and I said, she really doesn't have many...she doesn't, honest, she is 6 months old (Today actually marks 6 months) she only needs a few things, and we are not going insane on Christmas Day either, I'm holding strong to not have a house over run with toys, I have to say, I'm quite proud of myself and the state of our house thus far. We did get her a few sweet toys, and a new toy shelf to put the new goodies on, but unless she grows 10 arms, I didn't think we would overload her with too many items to play with. And, there is not one clothing item under the tree...they all just went to the closet..ha! But back to Christmas past and present. Years ago, we were always running the roads, had family and friends to visit, people came to visit us, I entertained, had the house full with drinks and food throughout the month of December, but that doesn't happen anymore, it's a very lonely holiday now. If it wasn't for the Christmas House Tour, only a handful of people would have seen my Xmas Tree(s). Just sad, everyone assumes I love Xmas, but it's actually my least favorite holiday (well, Valentines Day is my least favorite, but I don't really class it as a holiday, just a stupid day - mind you, I did get engaged on V-day, but it was a weak moment, I may have said, wait until the 15th...ha). I do love the decorating, the shopping, the planning, but then Dec 20th arrives (give or take a day) and I'm ready for it to be over. It's my least favorite, because I hate to admit, it's a let down, and not with gifts, but with people. It's just so different and because it's so different, it just doesn't feel like Christmas is really here. Maybe (and by this I mean hope) as Greta gets older, we'll make Christmas fun again and she'll be able to have good memories of the holidays with our little family of three + the critters.

This year does mark a major change in my Christmas Tradition, for the 1st time since 1987 I will not be going to Port Elgin for Christmas Breakfast at my Aunt Pegs as they have moved the breakfast to Moncton and it's just too far to justify a trip for Eggs and Toast! For the past 9 years, I have spent Christmas on my own on the Island, but have driven over in the morning solo for breakfast and all my family from Moncton and Port Elgin and surrounding area arrived for an open house breakfast. It was at last years breakfast I broke the shocking and astounding news that Darren and I would be parents, my aunt and Haley were both given gifts with the "news" written out and neither of them could figure out what it meant as it just didn't make sense to them that Baby 2010 was saying, GAIL and DARREN were expecting...we finally had to actually tell them in plain language, at which point Haley stated, but you can't have a baby, you don't like kids! AHHH, the Christmas Memory from 2009. So, I'm sad I won't have a drive to Port Elgin this year, but a new tradition will begin - I'll be getting up at 7am like I have done for the past few months and feeding Miss Greta! I celebrate Christmas on Boxing Day, as Mom and my niece Haley come from Moncton for a 2nd Christmas. We have our Xmas dinner, and then open our gifts on the 26th...but this year, Darren wants to open presents on Christmas Day, so we will have Santa's presents, and we'll take a peak at the gifts from each other at least, then wait for the others. Darren will go to visit his family and do his Christmas in Rustico and Greta and I will play with her new toys and relax at home...I hope she will take a nice long nap, I really do like a quite Christmas Day, I'm afraid I'll be flying solo on Facebook though...that may be lonely..ha!

So, that is what we have to look forward to, an end of an era of Christmas traditions and the start of new ones to come.

And can you believe it, we have hit the 6 month mark, I'm astonished, I always heard friends say how quick time goes by, but WOW..Greta is 6 months old, I've been off work for 7 months, and my time no doubt will go twice as fast over the next 5 months and I'll be back to work. I originally thought there was no way I could survive 6 months off work, I must admit, I've gotten use to not working. I still need to work and when the time comes, I'll be happy to return to a work routine, friends and a social life with adults. Now, I do hope and have fingers crossed that the next 5 months are better then the past 6 health wise. Lord do I ever wish I could have just one week of feeling like a human being and not a lab rat who has the record of medical complications. I did think my round moon face was coming down, but after seeing a few people out the past few days who haven't seen me in awhile, by the looks on their faces I know I still look like a ballooned freak (for the record, for those who have seen me the past few days, the fact that I'm out in public means it looks 100% better than what it had a few weeks ago). If Santa is listening...please, please, just take some of this water from me.

And as Christmas 2010 approaches it does not look like a White Christmas will be here, instead, people will be lucky to not have the pumps going to clean out flooded basements. The wind, the storm surge and the rain has not stopped, I haven't seen anything like it. When I came home today after a rather pleasant trip to the grocery store, I noticed one of our huge trees on the side of our property was uprooted, and leaning...with each wind gust the earth was moving up and the tree was swaying....towards our neighbours roof! Oh my, do you know if our tree goes down due to natural causes, totally out of our control, and happens to go through their roof, we are responsible! We called Maritime Electric to ask for assistance as not only was the tree aiming for the neighbours home, but it would have taken out the power line on it's way down. They came to assess the "potential damage" and I'm not sure if the guy just heard our concerned voices or was feeling in the Christmas Spirit, but he called in the crew and our tree has been cut down. Sad to see such a huge tree go and it was in one of my favorite gardens, but I can't imagine how the neighbour would have felt with the new sky light for Christmas, nor do I think the neighbourhood would have been impressed with no power the day before Xmas. Of course, we are left with all the wood, not quite sure what we will do with it, hopefully we can give it away to someone with a wood stove.

So, this is a flip flop all over the place post. I must depart, now 1:01am, and we have a hectic and full Xmas Eve planned, with work for Darren, visits to work for Greta and I, visiting, gift deliveries, Church for Darren, sleep for Greta...and presto, Santa will be arriving.

Enjoy a lovely Christmas Eve, Toodles!

Christmas is Coming.

Can you believe it, 11 days and Christmas 2010 will be here. Amazing how a year can pass by so quickly and bring so many changes. This week coming, one year ago, Darren and I missed out on our Christmas luncheons to drive to the IWK for an assessment on little Allie Ann (the Alien that had invaded our lives who eventually turned in to sweet little Greta). It was a very scary time, one that we obviously did mostly on our own as we hadn't shared baby news with anyone but my immediate family. As I had been so very sick with H1N1 and pneumonia and took every drug known to man not realizing I was pregnant, I, as well as my family Doctor was quite concerned about the well being of the baby. So, an assessment was booked and tough decisions had to be made. Of course, when the assessment arrived the top of the page said, Advanced Maternal Age, how lovely, I was emotional enough and now you have to rub in that I'm old and pregnant. We however were informed that the alien looked fine - well, as far as alien's looks could be. I remember the technician printing me a picture and I looked at it with disbelief and said, that is scary!!! She looked at it and said, I'll print another - you are right!!! When the technicians start saying the baby looks like an alien, you really start to worry what the child will look like - believe me, that started months of me having panic attacks of the child looking like a martian (with lots of Gallant hair). I looked at the picture a few weeks ago, and I stand by my first assessment, oh my word, Greta who is beautiful as anything now, started off as one scary little creature.

The first person we shared baby news with was my life long friend Chris, who was expecting his first baby...I still remember Mom, Darren and I in Chris' kitchen in Halifax, along with his sister Gill, as he read our Xmas Card that announced a baby was on the way...there was a silent moment - okay, a long silent moment...then laughs, then HOLY SHIT ARE YOU KIDDING ME...Then we all went to supper and I am sure said, OH MY GOD 1000 times. Today, I received a Christmas Card from Chris' Mom, who obviously sent the card on Friday, as on Sunday she found herself in the hospital...I'm sending tons of good vibes your way Mary Jean - I know you will have some blog posts to catch up on, but from your card, I know you are always following and as requested, Greta will make an appearance in NB for a visit when you are feeling better!!! How wonderful after 22 years I can have such wonderful memories of such wonderful people.

So, a little look back to a year ago this week, and here I am, obviously with a healthy Greta, who thankfully was not affected by the meds I took, box of neocitran I drank, antibiotics I took and lets just throw in the boxes of sinu tab, tylenol, etc, etc...I wonder if it will make her smarter (I really do think she is quite brilliant, maybe there is something to all these meds). One thing that hasn't changed, I'm still seeing the Dr's and still popping pills (don't I sound like a druggie), or at least that is what I hear on Intervention. I actually was in to see my OWN Doctor today, you know a family physician, not a specialist for once. Reason being, the specialist just deal with the organ of the day, any other issues, you are sent back to the regular Doc. It's quite frustrating really, can't we have a one stop fits all scenarios. I had spoken to my specialist last week about pain, I have what I would consider an extremely high pain threshold, but lately, I can't bare it, I assumed it was my liver and having no desire to hear my steroids had to be increased, I didn't bother calling and just mentioned it at my appt, but he put his finger where my liver is (supposedly) and said, doesn't feel swollen and that was the end of the conversation. So, today. I visit my Dr, Greta in tow as I don't have a day time sitter to help out (lord, I really, really wish I did) and we are discussing the predinsone that is ruining my body, emotions, motivation, self esteem, and she is quite comforting, saying the weight will soon go, as it's mostly fluid, that it's a great drug but the list of side effects is pages long, and then it happens....she tells me I "LOOK CUTE WITH CHIPMUNK CHEEKS"... I started to cry! I actually thought my cheeks were starting to come down, but she has confirmed, I look like a damn chipmunk, no doubt with acorns in my cheeks for added bulk. She did feel bad as I wiped the tears from my fat chubby cheeks though!

Anyway, the result from today's appt, a trip to the hospital for Xrays, so another wait and see what is there or not there, all I know is because it's me we are talking about, something will come up that needs further investigation, I'll continue to look at the stupid online medical sites and freak myself even more and start pre-planning my NB themed, PEI funeral (aka. a meet and greet funeral where you send me lots of flowers, you are allowed to all wear cologne and perfume because if someone is bothered by it, oh well, play no church music, and there is no line up with name tags, you just mingle and see the people you want to say hi to - and I may request a bouncer at the door for the people who are two faced and were not nice to me alive but want to see me at my funeral)...okay, I guess I do have this planned out...ha! See, I'm planning my funeral because I googled rib pain and abdominal fluid - the diagnosis is not good, it will probably come back that I have gas.

Besides medical fun that never ends, my shopping has (for Xmas, don't you all start thinking I am a reformed shopaholic), I have everyone bought for, the gifts have all been wrapped in lovely paper and wired bows, the mess of wrapping has been put away for another year and I get to sit back and just look at all the gifts and wonder what is in them. I truly can't believe we are a week before Christmas, a week before Greta turns 6 months old and another year will soon be here. Our little gal has learned to laugh, wore her first hair bow in her hair, had her first tooth pop through the gums and her first pair of Baby Uggs look beyond adorable...so enjoy those pics and I thought you would all enjoy a little smile, so below is the Mom's version of Twas the Night before Christmas.

Twas the night before Christmas

When all thru the abode

Only one creature was stirring

And she was cleaning the commode.

The children were finally sleeping

All snug in their beds,

While visions of Nintendo 64 and Barbie flipped through their heads.

The dad was snoring in front of the TV

with a half-constructed bicycle on his knee.

So only the mom heard the reindeer hooves clatter

Which made her sigh, "Now what's the matter?"

With toilet bowl brush Still clutched in her hand

She descended the stairs and saw the old man.

He was covered with ashes and soot,

which fell with a shrug."Oh great," muttered the mom,

"Now I have to clean the rug."

"Ho-ho-ho!" cried Santa, "I'm glad you're awake."

"Your gift was especially difficult to make."

"Thanks, Santa, but all I want is some time alone."

"Exactly!" he chuckled, "I've made you a clone."

"A clone?" she asked, "What good is that? Run along, Santa, I've no time for chit-chat."

The mother's twin, Same hair, same eyes, Same double chin.

"She'll cook, she'll dust," she'll mop every mess.

You'll relax, take it easy, Watch The Young & the Restless."

"Fantastic!" the mom cheered."My dream come true! "

I'll shop. I'll read. I'll sleep a whole night through!"

From the room above the youngest began to fret.

"Mommy?! I scared... and I wet."

The clone replied,"I'm coming, sweetheart."

"Hey," the mom smiled,"She knows her part."

The clone changed the small one and hummed a tune

As she bundled the child in a blanket cocoon.

"You the best mommy ever. I really love you."

The clone smiled and sighed,"I love you, too."

The mom frowned and said,"Sorry, Santa, no deal. "

That's my child's love she's trying to steal."

Smiling wisely Santa said, "To me it is clear,"Only one loving mother is needed here."

The mom kissed her child and tucked her into bed.

"Thank you, Santa," for clearing my head.

I sometimes forget it won't be very long when they'll be too old for my cradle-song.

"The clock on the mantle began to chime.

Santa whispered to the clone, "It works every time."

With the clone by his side Santa said,

"Goodnight."Merry Christmas Mom. You'll be Alright!"

Toodles everyone, and to all a good night!

Laughter is the best medicine

"A smile starts on the lips, A grin spreads to the eyes, A chuckle comes from the belly; But a good laugh bursts forth from the soul, Overflows, and bubbles all around”

Greta and I have been on the move, not quite sure how I am moving as my back feels like it has been rolled over by a truck, I am soon going to need a walker to get around and a man servant to lift everything for me, but alas, we have been busy. Yesterday we struck out for a quick drive downtown to pick up her pictures from our Fall Photo Shoot with Rachel Peters. We ended up having a lovely visit at Rachel's new office and Greta looked so cute in her little owl hat, an impromptu photo shoot started happening! Always nice to have a photographer friend with an eye for cuteness! Now, I think everyone needs to have professional friends, Carpenter, Painter, Electrician, and Mechanic. Sadly, I don't so I have come to the conclusion, I need to expand my friend base!! Anyway, Greta and I ended up visiting and no doubt keeping Rachel from her work, on the way out, low and behold I pass by a window and two old co-workers - who now work together again are in the same building..so another visit! It was wonderful to see everyone and catch up. Since I'm down town and Greta is pretty wiped from all her visiting, I decide to head in the Confederation Court Mall...well, this bad back issue was not helped along by carrying a 14 pounder in a car seat on my hip, ouch! I did manage to find a few Xmas presents so it was worth the pain, but we quickly returned to the car and I was wishing my Deep Rub (smelly nursing home type liniment was with me!). And what do you know, we have been on the go for almost 3 hours, at this point, I'm getting close to starving the poor child, but she is still in a good agreeable mood so we are passing by Darren's office so we make a quick visit. Sorry to his co-workers who missed her...you should all stay at work until 4pm..ha! We tried! It was then off to home and we had a hungry little gal.

Our new favorite item these days is her new Jumperoo, this contraption was recommended by quite a few friends as the must have item, so of course, I assume I must have it and had bought it on sale before she was born and it has been just sitting and waiting for her to grow in to it. For those out of the baby lingo, it's the fancy version of a jolly jumper but instead of dangling from the door frame, it's a stand alone jumping seat that she sits in to and as she bounces she is rewarded with lights and music (the music is getting old, thankfully - as all toys that come in to the house, it was confirmed there is an on / off switch). Of course, Greta seems to be on the shorter side, well proportioned, but short at the moment, so her legs don't hit the ground so we have a quilt under her to give her some bouncing leverage. It's quite comical to watch and she is greatly improving from a few bobs up and down to this morning where I thought she was going to bounce out of the seat, she hasn't caught on to the fact that there is a bar she can hold on to, instead she seems to fly up and out of the seat if she gets a good knee bend. But as you can see from the video I have attached, last night had an added event...she laughed for the first time. She had giggled a few weeks ago, but it was a quiet little chuckle and she hasn't done it again, well, she went full force last night, laughing for 10 minutes over Scarlet running in the house after her toys. Nothing like a baby crying to make you laugh yourself, I was taping the video and was laughing so hard the camera was all over the place, so I hope you do enjoy watching and get a good laugh from it yourself.

After this happened, I was in rush mode. I had supper plans. I felt bad for Darren, we had originally planned to take Greta with us, as my oldest and dear friend Chris was in town and the 4 of us were going to strike out...but I'm not a huge fan of kids in nice restaurants (okay, it's my pet peeve, and without a guarantee of Greta's evening behavior, we chose not to risk it), so Darren yet again agreed to stay home with Greta when I got out for a lovely dinner. Probably one of the best dinners I have had in some time, so kudo's to the Merchantman Pub, you may have won be back, as I wasn't overly pleased with a few meals. Chris and I had a great time as we always do, laughing about life, people, events and now, we can add kiddies to the mix. Overall a great night and thanks to a great Daddy who wanted to stay home with Greta and relax I had a fun night out...almost forgot about the pain in my back, but it's still there and I'm paying now for all the running around I did yesterday. Oh, and good news, Darren's window that was accidentally smashed by a rock during my care can be fixed cheaply and put though insurance with no financial increase to his plan...so I may be off the hook! MAYBE!

Not sure what the weekend plans will include, we have tickets to the Stratford Choirs Christmas Concert on Sunday, a gift for participating in the home tour last weekend, and hoping to take Greta to see Santa, but everything may be a wait and see based on my mobility, Dr on Tuesday to see about my back - has anyone caught on that I'm falling apart. I feel more like an 80 year old, take no doubt more pills than most of them and I am starting to realize I don't have many body parts still fully operational. Crohns, liver disease, lumps, skin, scars, toes, sinuses, back, knees, ankles, ummm, I think my elbows may be okay and I still have my tonsils and appendix, everything else, yikes! I'm starting to think Darren married me for my life insurance policies, he may be in luck, although jokes on him, I'll leave him with enough debt to just have enough to pay off my bills, better hit up Ebay and check out the sales flyers, I have an inheritance to spend (HIS). No worries, Greta gets another policy, she'll be fine!

19 days to Christmas, get shopping!

Toodles.

Are you kidding me????

Just a little short note tonight...(well, short is the goal, we'll see how I do upon completion). I had a day off from parent duty today and headed "across" - did I sound like a real Islander??? For those away, that means I went to NB, the mainland, shopping destination, etc, etc. Our old neighbour Janet has been asking me for a few years now about coming with me on a trip, and this was the one that worked out. We left bright and early as I wanted to make an attempt of getting home by night fall, of course, this is 5pm at the latest, so a bit though of a goal to reach. I had convinced Darren to let me take his SUV on the trip, my windshield is in desperate need of being replaced and lately I'm finding it almost impossible to see out of if the sun beats down. For the record, it's very, very important to note that Darren hates people driving his truck, I'm surprised Greta and I get the okay once in a while to drive in it He takes very good care of his truck and I dare say it's one of his babies! Anyway, for some reason I had a convincing some story about my personal safety and he agreed to let me take his vehicle. As I was explaining to Janet the reason we had his truck over mine, we remarked a few times how interesting and shocking it was that Darren didn't seem to mind me driving his truck like he once did, but was still tentative. About 5 minutes after this conversation as we are rolling down the highway, a beautiful day of sunshine and excellent driving conditions my luck takes a turn...A damn rock smashed the windshield. It was a huge rock (well, as huge as a rock can be that is spun up from a truck passing by) It really was big, the size of a timbit, although it sounded like a damn bowling ball. It gave me quite the fright..as I drove down the highway gazing at the hole and damage this rock made, I honestly think to myself, who in the hell has luck like me...I also answer my own question NO ONE!!! So nice to be so social. I did call Darren to let him know, funny thing - he wasn't overly impressed! Janet I headed to Costco and met up Mom for a day of shopping, and besides suck up presents for Darren, I really bought nothing. The people on my Xmas list, still reqire gifts to be purchased. It was a rather poor display of shopping, just didn't see anything we needed and couldn't seem to find any Xmas presents, so looks like I have more shopping to do.

Well, just a quick check in, we survied the trip to Moncton, Darren played stay at home Daddy for the day and went to have a nap when I got home...also admitted to lying down in the afternoon when Greta had a nap. I do think he enjoyed his day with Greta tough.

I must sign off, I'm seeing double on the computer, very exhausted. Hopefully going to reach my family Dr tomorrow, my back is killing me, I've had a cyst for years and I'm afraid it's time that it is taken care of...Liver update - reducing the steroids slowly, very, very slowly.

Will write more another day....for now, have a great Thursday...Toodles.
PS> Sorry if this makes no sense, I'm so wiped out I can't even re-read.

Pictures and Videos

A few pics for friends and family away and for those not seeing them on Facebook!


Ella and GretaSitting under the tree

Greta's 1st Holiday Party with the 2010 crew.
Miss Scarlet O'Hara

Daddy trying to put Greta to sleep!

Kitchen is ready for the holidays.
Front entrance and my favorite wreath.

Master Bedroom is decked out.

Main Bathroom.

Greta's tree

Formal Living Room with my new train.

Great Room.

G

Ella singing Rudolph and Red Nosed Reindeer to Greta...too cute!

Hair - Scream - Sweets - Success - Tour - DUST

Well, well, well...here I am, an hour and a half after I thought I would head to bed and I am starting a blog post. Monday night, 10:25pm, Scarlet is curled up on the pillow beside me, Greta has been asleep for a few hours and I am watching (and greatly enjoying the Sing Off on TV). It was a full week, one that I am still recouping from. I am in desperate need of a massage, I would love an Alabama Slammer (maybe 2 - hell, I want a pitcher like they served at the Barn on Friday Afternoon Movie Pubs), I would love to find a Nanny to move in for a few weeks and get up with Greta in the morning so I can sleep until noon, and while I'm wishful thinking, maybe an unlimited VISA.

I commented in my last blog post that Greta hasn't given me much to talk about lately, her sweet angelic personality was kind of boring and there were no embarrassing moments to discuss, well, that is over...Greta came through for those blog followers looking for a giggle at my expense! We went to the hairdresser....and it was NOT GOOD!

Lets take you back to Thursday of last week, we had a wonderful morning. I had a house cleaner working doing an amazing job cleaning the floors, dusting, washing the tub and shower, Greta was so good that morning that she had a nap, watched Baby E and allowed me to bake cookies while the cleaner worked on the other rooms while I made a new mess in the kitchen. I packed Greta up and off we went to the hair shop. Now, this is not Greta's first visit, more like her 5th and each time she was so sweet and content, she either slept, or just watched the girls. Usually enjoyed sitting with the girls as I got my hair done and soaked in all the attention...The comments usually included : Does she ever cry...She is so content...She is so good.... Well, they won't be saying that again. I'm not quite sure why it started, but there was that pivotal moment, when angel baby became the devils. A customer startled her, mixed with exhaustion, mixed with the fact that she had yet to blow off her diaper, so stored up toxic waste, and possibly hitting the stage of making a bit strange lead to a blow out of a different kind...and it all started with the lungs..And let me tell you, did she ever use them. It was just about the time when I looked like a freak show (not the puffy faced freak show I have been the past few months), oh no, this was better, reddish orange hair dye, with foils all over and a crying baby. You just can't mess with hair dye, it has it's limits, it needs to get on and under the heater, as having green hair or worse, having clumps falling out because of a crying baby wasn't part of the plan. At one point I was still getting the dye rubbed in to my scalp and I'm trying to feed Greta, I looked down and there were two drops of hair dye on her head, whoops...guess I was dripping! Who else can say they dyed their 5 month old babies hair!

I had no choice I had to go under the heater, I'm pretty much stuck at this point, the girls are doing their best to console the screaming monkey, rocking her, even changing her diaper. The shop was sounding more like a nursery so I had to call in reinforcements...Daddy was called...a desperate plea - can you please come get this child!!! The answer - no...WTF..I don't care if you are working, I don't care if you are on call...I realize this was pathetic, but it was close to the end of the work day and he skipped coming home for lunch because of the house cleaner, so I needed him...Work won however! Well, after 15 more minutes of screaming, I called again this time he could hear the echo of her scream bouncing off the walls and he said he would come. As the girls walked Greta more, she eventually calmed down! I move to the sink to get my hair washed and guilt comes over me as I see a lady departing the estheticians room - no doubt her nice relaxing massage or facial was completely ruined by the screams of young Greta. I know the right thing to do would be to pay for her service Greta just ruined, but I just bowed my head in shame. I did apologize though...And of course, Murphys Law, Greta is sound asleep when Darren arrives, I should have told the girls to give her a little pinch, just so Darren would believe me that she was a screaming banshee for the better part of an hour. Alas, Darren packs her up, she doesn't move a muscle or an eyelash and off they go to home. That officially is the last visit Greta shall make to the hair shop with me!!! Night time appts for me from now on!

Gosh, this is going to be a long post...that incident took awhile to explain! Friday I can say fairly quick...I had a sweet exchange with Mama's and Babies, 7 babies, 7 Mom's....all together in one house, and if you can imagine, it actually went quite well. Now, everyone knows, I'm more of a one on one type person, the thought of 7 babies in a room takes me back to my first experience of a room full of babies and moms at the movie theatre which I did not enjoy in the least. But it really did go well and the babies entertained themselves and took turns in Greta's toys, all were so good, the sweets were amazing, and it was nice to get some adult time, entertain and see and hear how everyone was doing. So thanks ladies for attending, for the lovely sweets you shared and to all of Greta's little friends, she was happy you could come as well.

Now, timing perhaps was a bit ambitious...as I literally finished my visit with the Sweet Party gang and needed to "flip this house" in preparation for the Christmas House Tour. The house of course had just been cleaned, but honestly, cat hair appears within minutes of a room being cleaned, and I needed to start hiding the junk. I have cleaned for 2 weeks preparing for the house tour, but the papers, and magazines and just clutter that accumulates needed to be addressed...so I addressed it...it all went in to a tote and moved to the basement, or stuck in a drawer, or shoved in a closet..I'm afraid I'll be looking for items for the next year! I added a few more Xmas items, set the Dining Room table for Christmas Dinner, picked out an outfit that I could squeeze my predinsone bloated ass in to and around 2 am went to bed for a few hours...

7am...holy frig, the house tour starts in 6 hours, and I see junk everywhere. I am now in hide the junk mode, at 11:30 I start to think to myself, what in the hell was I thinking, 400 people are about to walk through my house, and I look at each room and I have cat fur balls still appearing. And holy lord, I have a baby....5 months old, who needs food. I don't have time to stop and feed a baby, I am still wearing a yoga outfit, need a shower, need to pack up the dog, hide the cat in the basement, pack Greta's Baby Bag so she can go for a drive with Daddy...holy heck, I need a few more hours. I have a 2 minute shower, Darren is feeding Greta, I'm starting to get my make up on and I hear the door bell...oh my. I'm not ready but here is the greeter who will be helping with the tour. I literally take big shopping bags at this point and start gathering anything and everything in sight that seems to not mix with the clean Christmas house people are expecting! Off to the closet it goes just in time for the first guests to arrive. I have to say, it was a lovely experience and would certainly do it again and recommend it to others if you are interested and like to decorate in November for Christmas...ha! The visitors were very kind with compliments, asked questions about the house renovations, colors, decorations on the tree's, how we chose Greta's name...really, sky was the limit. I really didn't know what to expect, but a few notable occurrences from the day!!! First, I am not use to wearing high heels anymore, 6 months of wearing bare feet or slippers has spoiled my feet that were conditioned to only wearing heels...lets just say, I had tears in my eyes at the end of the day - my feet were burning with pain! I think I better start practicing walking and standing in heels before I return to work, probably not too appropriate to wear bunny slippers with a suit to work. And I have to say, I thought the house was spotless, I mean, we hired a cleaner, plus we haven't stopped, I must have logged 40 hours cleaning for the holidays...but you know that one moment where you are chatting and feeling pretty good about the house, almost pat on the back type of feeling...well, I was there - and it came crashing down when I looked up and saw the biggest cob web / spider web of my life - INSIDE THE HOUSE.....This is at the 2 hour mark, so no doubt 200 people through already and here shining in the light, as if there was a spotlight on it, was this massive web, worthy of a tarantula, between the kitchen and the great room. I wanted to die...how in the hell am I going to get this thing down without being seen...gross, I had to take it down with my hand, as let me tell you, most likely would have been worse to take out the broom and sweep the thing down... So, web was gone, I have no doubt many got in their cars and said, can you imagine, that house had cob webs everywhere! And then there were the few old inspectors who were checking behind the shower curtain checking out the tub and if you can imagine, one lady swept her hand along my dresser looking for dust, actually moved her hands across the furniture and looked at her fingers! I didn't see this action, but the monitor did and couldn't believe it. And if the web and dust inspector were not enough for stories, I can add one more to the mix. The ladies who helped with the tour and assisted guiding people through our home were here for hours, so I made some apple cider and brought out some lovely sweets from the sweet party the day before. One delicious item was peppermint bark, I had the bag out for the ladies helping, it was off to the side and we were all at this point in the kitchen chatting as a few people still were visiting the house. As I moved across the room, a guest on the tour went over to the bag of peppermint bark and took a piece. I kind of watched in amazement, it's not that I wasn't willing to share, but pretty bold I thought for someone on a house tour to go to a bag of sweets and take a piece, as she was leaving, she did come up to me and said how good the peppermint bark was....GASP - I had nothing to say!!! Jaw hit the floor! I guess she thought it was a community treat bag - surprised she didn't help herself to my cupboards for a mug and joined in for cider as well...ha!

So, what a whirlwind...but I accomplished it all and still am ticking...of course, at times I think I'm barely hanging on but I think I thrive on having deadlines and things to do and organize.

The countdown is now on for Xmas, can you believe it, 19 days away...where is the time going. I feel like I'm all ready but have tons more to wrap, still some people to buy for and no doubt, more cleaning and baking to do. I'm heading to NB later this week to finish up some shopping and will then hopefully avoid the hustle and bustle of last minute shoppers. I don't seem to have the energy or patience I once did and the online shopping is now cutting too close for a guaranteed deliver, still awaiting a few things, so I may stop the fingers from shopping for a bit.

Quick Stat update:

Greta is sleeping through the night...YEAH, Hallelujah, Rejoice..Well, she has been sleeping through the night for over a month now, and always slept 5-6 hours, so I guess we never really complained too much, but she now clocks 10-11 hours a night.

I weighed her with me, I know it's not overly accurate, but looks like we have a 13lb 4oz little gal.

We'll leave my weight off the stat list, lets just say, this prednisone water balloon of a body I have is dreadful, and I can only say thank heavens I lost all my baby weight in the first 6 weeks because I gained it all back in fluid since taking these damn drugs. So the drugs are suppose to hold off a liver transplant, I'm telling you, there are days I would rather the transplant option. I asked the Dr today if he has to write prescriptions for prednisone and anti depressants on the same slip, he shook his head yes, and said, we are getting you off of them!!!! I'm not sure if it was the tears in my eyes, or me admitting I have been in sheer agony for 2 weeks but wouldn't call out of fear the drugs would be increased that made him realize I was at the end of my rope, but he told me I could skip the pills today and I have to call for my blood results tomorrow. Fingers and toes and every other water logged body part I have that may cross, in hopes I will hear the prednisone will be reduced more. I no longer look like myself and if you haven't seen me in 2 months, I dare say you will be astonished at the difference in my face and neck. The Dr said it will go away - of course, I want it to be a 24 hour type of go away time frame, but it took 2 months to go on, I hear it can take that long to see it disappear, if not longer!!! SIGH.

Hope everyone is doing well, get shopping if you are not done, or get started if you are like Darren...Toodles for now!

It is beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

End of November and the house is ready for the holidays...well, almost. I have always decorated early, usually after my November vacation to New Hampshire as I always return with great Christmas decorations that I don't want to store away so I have to get on display. The house literally could pass as a Christmas store, there is hardly a corner that doesn't have something related to the season - a tad of an over kill perhaps, but Darren said he was going to throw out / give away anything I didn't use - Well, I showed him. There are tree's in the bathrooms, every bedroom has something, and again, not a corner bare! That threat just worked in to a challenge to find a home for everything...HA! It's kind of like the silly comments about spending money or shopping too much - just makes me want to do it more. Maybe if he was smart he would tell me I'm not spending enough and I'd actually look in to things and realize - Holy Shit - there is a minus sign in my bank account...

This has been a tough year for Christmas shopping because I don't have a clue what to buy people, we all seem to buy what we want when we want it, so it makes buying gifts so much more difficult and I just don't like giving gift cards but may have to resort to that in a few weeks time. Greta was easy to buy for, we purchased big items for her that she'll need, High Chair, Walker (not the old lady walkers but the learn to walk walkers, this one is a baby carriage so dual purpose, and a few other well thought out toys that won't annoy me with screeching sounds, beeps, music and clutter. I'm mean, but I just don't want to have toys everywhere. We are actually giving her a toy room, that is the big gift, a room with two doors (my small office off the great room) that can hide all the items and a new toy shelf to keep everything. Currently however this room is Xmas central, where I am hiding all the wrapping paper, extra gifts, gifts to be wrapped and JUNK. Having a room like this allows my house to look clean and organized by allowing me to throw baskets, boxes and baby items in it.

I have actually been very busy preparing for the holidays, I was honoured that a friend thought of me and our home when looking for houses for an upcoming Christmas House Tour, a fundraiser for the Stratford Community Choir. I have decorated other peoples homes and tree's in the past but never was in a tour, but this coming Saturday our house will be on display for a few hundred people to walk through and visit. Ironically the night before I was asked to participate in the house tour I mentioned to Darren, as we sat looking at the Great Room decorations, that I do all this work and no one ever comes to visit, well, now they are coming. 99% of them will be strangers, but that is okay!!! I am looking forward to it, and I enjoyed having a deadline to work with and keep me motivated to get the house ready for the holidays, but it proved to be a challenge with a 5 month old. I don't like to stop a tree half way in, so I was timing decorating around food and play and boredom and definitely did a lot after she went to bed or when Darren got home from work. Greta thankfully has been quite good and thanks to Baby Einstein, she learned about the orchestra and all the different instruments as I decorated trees and cleaned. We have also discovered the she can ride around in the stroller room to room as I decorate and she watches or plays with toys. And better yet, she has been napping (in the stroller). When I see she is getting tired in the day now I put her in the stroller and drive it around the house a few times and off to sleep she goes, it's been wonderful. Why didn't we think of this before!!!

Time is definitely flying by and the individual days go by so quickly. I have managed to decorate 4 large trees, 5 small trees, cleaned, scrubbed, Xmas gifts bought / wrapped (well, still have gifts to buy for the impossible to buy for people on the list), baked, cooked, out for visits, out at least 3 days out of the week, kept up with Emails / Facebook all with a 5 month old and a failing liver that is causing a lot of pain and agony these days, and for annoyance, I'll add my puffed up body that is depressing as hell...Now, not saying it is always possible to do everything I want, I can't always attend things, and believe me this week I do have a lot on the go, but at the end of the day, it will all get done. Last night Darren and I were looking forward to a dinner out with our friends Garry and Gwen and a Christmas Fundraiser for Toys for Tots at the Confederation Centre. Well, Darren realizes he is on call, so Mom, who was going to babysit for us, came to the show with me, but we all, including Greta went out to supper beforehand. Successful dinner out for Greta, she just played in her seat and eventually fell asleep (phew). The show was good, but both Mom and I were exhausted, but the toys donated filled the lobby which was wonderful. I had bought some toys specific for the event, but I actually took toys I had planned to give away to kids on my Xmas list and donated them too. I figured all the kids I know have so many things that they can't possibly play with everything they own and will be spoiled by many, so I gathered 8 toys in total that I had purchased for the kids on my list and took them all to the event (In other words, don't be shocked when I'm not giving kids presents this year, I made a donation in their name!) On a separate note, I can't get over the Xmas Wish lists for kids nowadays...iPhones, iPads, DSIs (I think that is what they are called), laptops, cell phones...holy moly, I know a lot of adults who would like these gifts too, I can't wait to hear some of the calls to Santa this year, Santa needs to get stock in Apple or an electronics store to keep up. I guess we would have asked for this stuff if it was around when we were growing up too, although I'm sure if we asked for a $1000 gift on our Santa's Wish List growing up we would have been told to go get a job.

SO, I now find myself at 10:30am still in my pjs. I just put Greta in her stroller for a nap, her eyes are almost closed and I'm multi-tasking by moving the stroller with my foot and still typing this blog post, but I must get going. Mom is here for the week, I have gifts to deliver, hopefully some shopping this evening if Daddy wants to spend another night with Greta, I have a sweet party on Friday to prepare for, I have to check in on my flower arrangements that are being made for Saturdays open house (although I may just trust the florist, she told me to come in and see if I was happy with them, but I will be, so I don't think this is the top of my to do list), I have to clean the house (or find a house keeper who can come in on Thursday)...get my hair done, buy new clothes (mental breakdown yesterday when I realized my puffy body has made all my clothes shrink!!) And of course, have 200-400 people to the house on Saturday...Fun times! Phew, I'm tired out already.

As you can see, I didn't build up many fun Greta stories in the past 2 weeks, she has been a very good little girl and didn't embarrass me in public along the way. She is growing, still fairly tiny but strong and determined, she gets annoyed if she can't do something like turn a page of a book or grab a toy on the exercauser, but she is so happy, she smiles all the time, still doesn't cry or fuss much and with a few exceptions, doesn't seem to make strange yet when new people come her way. She has a closet full of clothes ready to wear, I just need her to grow a tiny bit more, she is still wearing her 3 month wardrobe, but some items will be retired to the sell bin very soon and we'll make room for the 3-6 month items. I hope we have a long winter, I have a few 9 month outfits that are too cute and it will be pretty darn hot in the summer to wear a knit top and pants! And I am convinced she has worked out a secret code with Daddy - one that somehow allows him to escape toxic diapers, he is either in the shower, or just walked out the door and I can smell the child from across the room, he left for a coffee the other day, 5 minutes max...and lord, I was cleaning toxic waste out of her belly button, it was the worse so far...GAG, I can't even write about it, GAG....lord, I'm having a flashback.

So that is what is happening in our neck of the woods, if you have any interest in the Christmas Home Tour - tickets are $10, it's this coming Sat, Dec 4th, and I have a few tickets, but you can also purchase them at various locations in Stratford, just send me a note and I'll help give you the details. There are 5 homes in total, 4 in Stratford and ours in East Royalty, we are the "normal" house on the tour, we do have a large home, but we are the smallest on the tour and I would say the most realistic, one is my Vet's house...I'd love to go see his, I'm sure I must have paid for the granite kitchen with my vet bills from this past year alone...ha!!! Enjoy your week, get the Christmas decorations out, seems many are decorating early this year, I'm convinced it's because the stores start to decorate before the Halloween candy is put away. It's now 10:55, Greta has been sleeping for 25 minutes, may have another 5 for a quick shower...

Toodles....

PAINFUL and Good Memories!

Good ole Port E...

Overhead shot of Port Elgin...

Greta approving the Christmas Tree... Happy Girl...

Greta's Bedroom Tree, pink and brown of course!

First of all, I need to tell you all that I didn't think a Blog would happen again, I have just spent (or shall I say wasted)...TWO hours trying to reset my password through Google to access my blog, it was always within the "system" so I never had to type it since the day I entered the details and obviously I didn't have a clue what it was...Patience is not a virtue I have, especially when it comes to technology, I am proud of myself for not throwing the computer threw the window, believe me, the lap top was over the shoulder a few times ready to be whipped across the room. I think I only refrained because the smashing computer pieces and thud would wake the baby!

So...with that frustration, I'm not sure I should be writing, I am in a very, very sour mood. So, I could complain, lets see - I'm still puffy, it drives me insane and is very, very depressing. I see people out and they look at me as if I've eaten way too many french fries and they don't know what to say, this I hate as I read minds and I know they are thinking, holy sh%t, you have a triple chin and your look like you are squeezing your ass in to those pants. I was greatly looking forward to going out to supper tonight, a friend and I headed to one of my favorite spots, Mavors, and as I'm driving I know exactly what I'm going to order - couldn't wait - but, they changed their menu...and it's awful...they went all fine dining crazy prices, limited choices fancy...so, be forewarned, if you were going for a favorite, they are no longer there, you will however get veggies that are now displayed lovely, and full tomatoes still on the vine as pasta sauce and well, a much steeper bill...sadly, it will be my last visit. Lets see what else is going on...I am in pain again...which means my drugs probably need to be increased, but I'll live with the pain versus an increase in meds. ... gosh, I'm on a roll...lets see Greta is going to be 5 months and some friends and family have yet to lay eyes on her, that isn't so much of a frustration just an eye opener and a what can you do scenario...and I spent WAY, WAY too much in the USA and have banned myself from shopping (well, I set pay day as my release date). Oh yes, and our microwave blew up yesterday and needed to be replaced pronto and tonight it has been discovered the TV in our bedroom is dead....Okay, that little vent was fun, I should do that more often!

Now, on to life in the Edgett-Gallant Household...We had a successful trip to my second home, beautiful New Hampshire. As we crossed the state line, I said, as I do every time...why don't we just move to NH...I would be so happy, it's beautiful, people are nice, I could shop and shop and shop, we would probably see people more often then we do here because everyone seems to visit North Conway now, and well, it just makes me smile when I'm there. We have talked about a time share or a condo, but we do love where we stay each trip, so maybe we'll think more about a more permanent option, but for now, our visit to the Golden Gables a few times a year is just perfect. It was also our first trip as parents and leaving Greta behind - that too was a great success. Now, I know I'm going to sound mean (shocker I know)...but Darren had a much tougher time than I leaving her. I checked in daily and looked forward to seeing Facebook pics each night of her stay in Moncton with my sister, niece and parents, but I thought it was GREAT...for all of us. I highly recommend it actually. I know many haven't left there kids ever, and I hand it to you, but I just need that time, and feel deep down it will be good for Greta too. I don't want to sound overly pessimistic, but I'm a realist and know with my health and just life in general, we don't know what tomorrow will bring, I want Greta to know she can go to other people, and be well cared for and have fun and not miss us to the point that she is a wreck. The funny thing was, when we returned home, we were excited to see her and I went in to my sisters house to find her playing in an exercauser - I called her name and nothing, clapped my hands and nothing - I asked my sister if she lost her hearing over the weekend, and then literally moved Greta to make eye contact and nothing, the toys were more interesting. SIGH. It was rather funny, she had no interest in me nor Darren, but that borrowed exercauser was the cats meow! She eventually came around and shot off a smile, but I knew she was not too traumatized over her little sleep over. Scarlet did great too at the sitters...so all around...it was a relief, and makes me more eager to do it again. Now, my sister may not feel the same - Greta was very good, but the child doesn't nap and gets bored easy and with Haley now 11 years old, I think everyone in Moncton forgot how busy a little 4.5 month old can be. It was beyond appreciated that she could stay in Moncton, although next time, maybe I can offer a PEI vacation and the sitters can come to Greta, I had a truck filled for her - not to mention, we took 2 vehicles to NB so Greta could have her own limo...ha!

So, on to NH and Maine...this is simple - I spent WAY too much, have enough clothes for Greta that I could open a boutique (but they are all cute and I will wear them all even if I have to change her 5 times a day). The Christmas Tree Shop had so many goodies, and lets just say the puffy body didn't cooperate so I bought little as far as clothing for me, but did manage to give Coach a nice chunk of change and a few new pair of shoes have been added to the collection. We also had a great time with friends, our trivia partners, Garry and Gwen travelled to Maine and NH and we met each night for supper. We enjoyed lovely meals (all be it way too much food - the USA portions are nothing short of disgusting), but so nice to have friends to meet up with and talk about the days purchases, travels, weather, life, etc)...they had a bit more time and were off to Boston when we departed for home, believe me, if we had even a small amount of room left in the truck, I would have followed them. If you can imagine, I still have Christmas shopping to do, I just don't know what to buy people, it's not even the money, it's truly people need nothing. Today we all just seem to buy things for ourselves, if I need or want something, off I go to the store, and it seems all those on my Xmas list do the same, so it makes it very difficult to finish my Xmas shopping! Our house has exploded with festive decor over the past week I have a few rooms finished and a mess everywhere else, but I have to admit there is a peace about sitting in a lit room under a Christmas tree and a hot chocolate (that would be SOOO much better with Baileys but I can't) that is comforting. I enjoy this part of Christmas, I think that is one reason I decorate so early - that and the fact it takes me weeks to do all the rooms and I want time to enjoy it - but come Christmas Day - I'm ready for it to be over...I actually dislike Christmas a great deal and become quite the humbug. I love buying and wrapping and preparing, even baking and cooking - but I find it a let down of a holiday, perfect time for family arguments and fights, so I actually happily spend the day alone and celebrate Christmas on Boxing Day - although this year we will open some presents Xmas morning and little Greta will join me for the day as Darren heads to his family's place to open some gifts with them. Greta will have new toys to play with so I suspect and look forward to a new Christmas outlook, at least I hope.

As we were driving to NH, all along the way I had thoughts, memories about my life, it was strange, almost as if I was having flashbacks and they were memories brought about by signs, or songs, or comments...I wish I had written them all down as I thought at the time I should do a full blog about them, but I'll end with just a few that happened just 75 minutes from our house....

As Greta and I headed to Moncton last Wednesday, I was driving towards Port Elgin and saw the "Circle Sign"...that sign may not mean much to many of you, but that sign meant everything to me...my family is from Port Elgin - yes, that little traffic circle is actually more than a round about, there is a Village where my relatives are from (I never lived there, but Mom grew up in Port E)...I'm sure most know about Port Elgin because it was the closest spot to get canned beer before the can ban was lifted, and many years ago, many probably stopped at my Great Grandparents store Allens, it was located in the Village where the gas station now is, but there were a lot of great times at that traffic circle. My grandparents lived in the white house on the traffic circle, you will all head to Moncton now and be able to look over and say - hey, that was the house Gail spoke about...if you look up the road, it is my Aunt Peg's house and the next house was my Great Grandmothers...yes, the family road....Port Elgin is small, lets say 500 and that includes the graveyard residents, and no doubt, I'm related to a large majority. Our family sadly has gotten much smaller over the years, but as I was driving with Greta in the back seat (asleep I may add) I looked down at the clock and remembered a trip that Wayne and I took with our Aunt Mona to Moncton...We would always guess the time we would drive in my Grandparents drive way, I don't recall what we got, if anything, as a prize for being the closest but I found myself guessing what time I would roll in the driveway and telling Greta to make a guess. I also remembered as much as I couldn't wait to get to my Nana and Grampie's house, we would say a quick hello and run through the path between their house and my Aunt and Uncles and go see them and enjoy a cookie that was freshly waiting for us. I was also reminded how kind and thoughtful and giving my grandparents were, to us but also to strangers. I remembered the numerous people who pulled in their driveway and walked in to the porch to ask for directions and then the next thing I know my Nana was serving them food and drinks and offering them a place to stay for the night. I remember my grandfather picking up hitch hikers and giving them money to make sure they had a good meal and extra cash in their pocket even though they never asked for a dime - just a drive. I remember my grandfather buying a bottle for the town drunk (well, maybe there were a few of them) on more occasions than I can count. I recalled a couple asking if they could pitch a tent on the lawn because they were backpacking and just couldn't go any further -they ended up in the house for most of the night playing cards and probably having the best meal of their life. There was always a game of Scat on the go, and we learned to be good gamblers at a very young age, but we had to really play, none of this sitting at the table and being annoying kids, we had money to play with and we played with no assistance nor sympathy. If we lost our quarters, we were out, although Nana always compensated us for our losses after the games!!!

Anyway a few nice memories all from that traffic circle sign. I have been called materialistic, I have been called an over spender...but I am also a giver...I enjoy giving and buying for people, and believe me, it's not because I have extra cash, but I enjoy it and when I am out I think of other people and what they may like or what I can do for others...and I think I was reminded who I learned this from by seeing that sign.

That's all for tonight - only took 4 full hours to get to the end of this blog...a special hello to my university roomie Andrea who I saw this evening at the grocery store ( I swear, I was picking up essentials - it didn't count against the no shopping ban)...and thanks to Krista Dykstra who was at the Colonel Gray Craft Fair selling the sweet head bands that Greta has a dazzling collection of - if you are in Ch'town, the craft fair runs all day tomorrow and the bands are perfect for all little girls - get shopping gals - little girls need pretty flowers in their hair and if there are some left that means I will need to get more - and we can't have that...so go buy some itty bitty bands!!!

The time has come...

Little Tutu....
4 Month Old Greta Claire

Smiling girl tonight - November 9, 2010

How will you Remember?

Less than 48 hours...yes folks, the time has finally arrived, the long awaited moment when I'll be relaxing in my hotel room after helping the USA economy rebound and President Obama signing my name and Hallelujah that I arrived to boost the Maine and New Hampshire retail sectors. Can't friggin wait. Darren and I are heading on our first baby free vacation...So, she is only 4 months old and I know many out there reading have teenagers you have never left, but I can't follow in your footsteps. I know for me, it is a healthy move and Greta will be much better off having a Mommy who can shop stress free and have a little me time, us time, sleep time, etc, etc! She may be cute, but no one is cute enough to take shopping - I marathon shop - this means I don't stop to eat, maybe a bathroom break if I really, really have to, but when you don't eat and barely drink, this is even a rare occurence! Eating is for he weak, and can be done when the stores close! Greta instead is off for a little vacation of her own, lord knows she is travelling as if she is going on a month long excursion to Europe. Good grief, the child is requiring her own vehicle to lug her stuff. Yes, you read correctly, her own truck is going to NB. Greta and I are leaving for New Brunswick tomorrow to get her settled, along with her STUFF, and the stuff is just regular stuff, thanks to a friend of my sisters, all the toys, swing, chairs, strollers, gadgets have been provided, so I just have to bring Greta and clothes / diapers / daily essentials. Well, these daily essentials are taking up my entire trunk and back seat, (15 bibs and receiving blankets (which may not be enough) take up a lot of room). And people question why she isn't coming to New Hampshire...There isn't room and I'm pretty sure it would be frowned upon to have a baby sit on my lap in the front seat or tied to the roof rack. I am starting to question why I didn't offer a lovely Island vacation to the NB babysitters, it may have been easier, but alas, Greta I know will do splendid and we will have a much needed and relaxing holiday filled with shop til you drop evenings, grossly large USA portioned size meals at yummy restaurants and I am hoping some amazing deals. And the animals seem healthy (knock on wood) so our pet sitter will give them lots of extra love and attention and hopefully not have to make a visit to the vet!

So, that is what is coming up...the past week has been rather uneventful. It has rained for 5 days now, quite depressing, grey and gloomy. It is the type of weather where you realize you wasted a days worth of make up because you are not going to bother leaving the house. We didn't have any visitors, or any wild get togethers to go to and even the Dr's appointments were at a minimum. I sadly returned to my specialist and it was confirmed that the old liver is fighting a good fight but not quite there...my numbers went up instead of down, so disappointing as they were going down so steadily...but alas, it could be worse so I guess I should be thankful there are pills I can take. Sometimes hard to think that when I look in the mirror and push around the water that has taken up residence in my face and neck, and now shoulders I get so frustrated I could scream, I hope my December appt proves to be a bit more successful and the steroid meds will be replaced with another treatment option. I need this water to leave my body - pronto! I told the Dr that it's a cruel med to give a woman immediately after losing all the baby weight, he agreed and said the goal is to have me off the predisone as soon as possible. I wonder if that means he is afraid for my mental health...just a guess, I go in with a list of "things" of how this drug is affecting me, and I think he looks scared. He is also teaching me how to give my own needles, I am suppose to have B12 shots every 3 weeks, but since my family Dr no longer has a nurse, this requires I go to the walk in clinic to have the nurse give them...well, sitting for an hour to get a needle - with a baby - not my cup of tea. I'm not sure if I am going to like giving my own needles, but at least they will be on time.

And, amazingly...it's Remembrance Day Week again. I cannot believe how quickly the time flies. This time last year I was sick wit H1N1, had just found out I was expecting a baby and was being tested as discussions began on how all the drugs I had taken could affect a baby. I was MENTAL ...and I mean that with every serious bone in my body. I had to cancel my trip to New Hampshire that had been planned on Dr's advice, I just wasn't physically able to do the trip. I now find myself packing a year later to do the friends and family weekend again, this time healthy (well, my form of healthy) and will be missing out on the Remembrance Day services in Canada but will be in the USA for Veterans Day. I do think we will hit St. Stephen during their service however...one great thing about being an employee of Veterans Affairs Canada is every day is Veterans Day...but this year the Department is asking ... How will you Remember?

Veterans’ Week 2010, November 5 to 11. This year’s poster, which is above, uses a modern tag cloud or word cloud to show what remembrance words come to mind when we remember. The “How will you Remember?” image reflects this year’s call to action to all Canadians which asks you to think about your participation in remembrance activities. Take the remembrance challenge.Your challenge is to make remembrance more than something you feel. Make it something you do. There are many ways you can show that you remember and honour our Veterans.Pin a poppy above your heart. Attend a local Remembrance Day ceremony. Visit a friend or relative who just returned home from Afghanistan or who served elsewhere in the world. Listen to Veterans talk about their experiences. Create a mashup and share it on the YouTube channel. Visit the Veterans Affairs Canada fan page on Facebook, write on our wall and share how you remember. Change your Facebook profile picture to a poppy, write on your wall about how you remember or create your own remembrance fan page. However you choose to remember, don’t forget to tag it, link it, share it.Tag it. Once you have made a remembrance creation, don’t forget to tag it. This will also help friends and others find what you have made.Link It, Link your creation to vac.gc.ca. Share it. Be sure you share with a friend.Visit http://www.vac-acc.gc.ca/ to learn more, to get interactive and share your thoughts or to find remembrance events in your community.

So, thank you - to all those serving our country (Hello my friends serving right now and to their wives who are home waiting for their safe return), to those Veterans who will walk in the Remembrance Day celebrations and to those who have served and sacrificed.

Have a great week, Toodles!

Is that a trick mirror....

Have to first add a quick video of Greta's latest trick...She is trying to blow bubbles, or shall I say, try to humm (you know the sound we can make with our lips without spitting)...well, she is making the sound, just has the spit flying. It is our fault, we taught her, as we were always making this sound to get her attention for pictures and lord knows, she has the camera in her face enough. It does crack us up, and is funny to watch - for a few minutes - but she does it now NON STOP!!! I had a friend and her little guy over today (thanks Tanya and Ryder) and at some points it was hard to hear over the humm and flying spit! So, enjoy the video...then read on to our latest adventures!

So, you know the little line on the car mirror - Objects may be closer than they appear, well, I need one in every mirror in the house, Objects in mirror may be bigger than they appear. Holy my face...I'm down to 3 steroids and the puffy face is still with me. Depending on the time of day it goes from pudgy to down right inflated. It must stop, it's driving me insane, I sometimes catch myself in front of the mirror pushing my double and triple chin out of the way and thinking what type of complications someone like me would have from plastic surgery (no need for responses to that - I can really imagine the complications), but I would still risk it. I think my skin has stretched enough that even when the water leaves my body, I'm going to be left with saggy skin. I went 9 months without a damn stretch mark and now my face is going to droop...AHHH... Well, if plastic surgery is required, I'm getting it all done, my slightly crooked nose, my thighs, ugly knees, can they build in abs...I'm doing it up.. All this beauty in the eye of the beholder - bull...find me a good plastic surgeon, make sure I get it paid for because of mental distress and I'm there..ha!

I'm still suffering from hot flashes, I convince myself there is some other disease within me, thankfully I'm off to the specialist again this week and going to ask for the full meal deal blood special. I want ever little box checked off on that requisition...and I mean everything. It just can't be normal at 36 (fine, 36.5) to have hot flashes 20 times a day. I feel for those in menopause, I'm with you...it sucks. At least if it was menopause and I was in my 50's or 60's when it was happening I wouldn't be changing smelly, stinky, knock your socks off diapers...because let me tell you, when you feel weak and sweaty from a hot flash, a toxic hot diaper is the last thing you want to add to the mix! I'm starting to wonder if my weak spell last week was more this combo then my meds and inner ear infection!

I have to admit, I'm finding things with Greta a bit easier. I know everyone said the 6 week mark was when they noticed things getting easier...well, it took me a bit longer, lets say 12 weeks, but now at 4 months, she is a little bit more fun and entertaining - which includes entertaining us and able to entertain herself and seems to have gained a little bit of independence, so we are all happier. She was never extremely needy or anything but she is just very content to play now on her own while I manage to cook or clean or shop on ebay...She does love cartoons (right or wrong)...it works and it's quite cute for her to watch and listen to the songs and characters dancing on the screen. She sleeps quite good too, she went to bed at 7:30 tonight, as of midnight, still sound asleep, I suspect she'll get up sometime for a bottle, but we have discussed this routine and are happy with it....it's nice for her to go to bed so early, as we'll either rest and relax or sleep ourselves, or just do things we want to around the house. She does sleep in late if she does get up during the night, today was 9:30...and what do I do...I sleep in too! I really should try to get up earlier, but she is my alarm clock and who am I to fight it. I do have a Dr's appt at 10 later this week, so I'll have to ensure I set the real alarm, as I did find myself late last week for an appt, as getting up at 9, and trying to get both of us ready to face the public, and get her fed all within an hour takes one big miracle!

And can you believe it's November...unbelievable to me! The months are flying by, this time last year I was still in complete shock that I was pregnant and calling Dr's, being put off work - a mix between H1N1 and psycho tendencies, and my guess (although I can't quite remember) not speaking to Darren..ha! This year on November 1st, I am thinking...I have a lot of Halloween and Fall decor to pack away for another year and the Christmas planning must get started. I always decorate early, I'm a perfectionist when it comes to my Xmas tree's and I put up a lot of tree's in the house and each tree can take a full day if not two...I am not measuring the ornaments distance from each other ... BUT... it does appear that I did. If I don't like the tree - I start over! It's painful. Darren's contribution is bringing up all the decorations from the basement and not touching any of the trees. He did try once, I sat in agony watching the few ornaments he placed on the tree go in to a spot I wouldn't have chosen, tried to bite my tongue and finally agreed - there will be no sitting around the fire and trimming the tree as a couple...nope, it's my job! As kids, we always had our own tree in our rooms, I think because my mother always had taken the time to place ornies in a pattern as well...Greta will have her own tree each year...not that she will decorate it this year, but down the road, she can decorate her tree ( I may have to bite my tongue better than I did with Darren) - but it will hopefully mean hands off the others in the house. This always worked for us as kids, we never touched the "adult trees", no need for us to have a Xmas tree where the bottom 3 feet had no ornies...I'm looking forward to decorating Greta's tree - pink and brown of course, with white teddy bears! Hope it will look as cute as what is in my head! I also always decorated early because I always hosted a sweet exchange as a first celebration to the holiday season although I have after a lot of thought and consideration decided not to go forward with it this year. I will miss doing it, but for quite a few reasons won't be hosting one this year. Will have to come up with another way to see a few friends over the holiday season and get them over to the house this year. One good thing this decision has on my planning, I won't need to have everything done for the end of November. Of course, there will hopefully be great deals in Maine and New Hampshire and I'll add to my Xmas collection! Can I say HOW MUCH I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO GOING AWAY...My travel curse better not surface, I am leaving this province and this country one way or another....lord help the person to mess with that!!! Well, a bunch of nothing in tonights blog, and I must depart, the hot flashes are returning and the hot lap top isn't helping, I must go find a freezie to cool me off.

Toodles!