Sunday, January 31, 2010
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Hypnobabies Giveaway!
If you want a chance at winning a Hypnobabies Home Study Course, then check this out!
http://www.progressivepioneer.com/progressive-pioneer/2010/01/giveaway-hypnobabies-home-study-course.html#comment-6a01156f204526970c012877147569970c
http://www.progressivepioneer.com/progressive-pioneer/2010/01/giveaway-hypnobabies-home-study-course.html#comment-6a01156f204526970c012877147569970c
Monday, January 25, 2010
Winter Blues
These last two months have been tough. I am exhausted, stressed-out and irritable. I don't like winter. I really, really don't like winter.
I think it was a mistake for me to have been born in this part of the world. Surely I was meant to be in a warmer climate.
Yesterday it warmed up to a balmy 0 degrees celsius. I strapped on my snowshoes and for the first time this winter, I did something. I went for a walk. It took 3 breaks to get up the hill (seriously, can you say out of shape?) but I made it. I made a new trail through the woods, tried to identify the trees in their dead-state. It was unnaturally quiet. I saw no animals, no birds, no insects. I freaked out mildly over some dog tracks...or were they coyote? Maybe wolf?
I wonder if tanning would help. Do you get Vitamin D from tanning beds, or just skin cancer?
It's the 25th of January, and there are only 2 more formal months of winter. Honestly, there are probably about 3 before we hit some nice weather. I can't wait.
I think it was a mistake for me to have been born in this part of the world. Surely I was meant to be in a warmer climate.
Yesterday it warmed up to a balmy 0 degrees celsius. I strapped on my snowshoes and for the first time this winter, I did something. I went for a walk. It took 3 breaks to get up the hill (seriously, can you say out of shape?) but I made it. I made a new trail through the woods, tried to identify the trees in their dead-state. It was unnaturally quiet. I saw no animals, no birds, no insects. I freaked out mildly over some dog tracks...or were they coyote? Maybe wolf?
I wonder if tanning would help. Do you get Vitamin D from tanning beds, or just skin cancer?
It's the 25th of January, and there are only 2 more formal months of winter. Honestly, there are probably about 3 before we hit some nice weather. I can't wait.
Friday, January 22, 2010
Happy Birthday Graedon!!
My baby turned 2 this week! Where has the time gone?
I had high hopes for this cake - it's meant to be a big mountain with a road curving up the side, and real trucks "driving" up the mountain. Pretty close, right? I ran out of cake, ran out of space and ran out of energy, so I compromised. I don't think Graedon noticed. The kids were thrilled that I bought Froot-by-the-Foot (I refuse to write Fruit, since there's not a speck of real fruit in the blasted things) as a special decoration. Their lips were permanently blue for days.
I get this excited when I blow out my candles, too.
I had high hopes for this cake - it's meant to be a big mountain with a road curving up the side, and real trucks "driving" up the mountain. Pretty close, right? I ran out of cake, ran out of space and ran out of energy, so I compromised. I don't think Graedon noticed. The kids were thrilled that I bought Froot-by-the-Foot (I refuse to write Fruit, since there's not a speck of real fruit in the blasted things) as a special decoration. Their lips were permanently blue for days.
I get this excited when I blow out my candles, too.
Monday, January 18, 2010
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Nicaraguan Volcano
One of my favourite things to visit in Nicaragua was the volcano. It was dormant, but was still smoking! The last time it erupted was about 10 years ago, and the smoke was still billowing out of the crater. We drove into the national park and were given a list of warnings at the park entrance. Some examples of the safety rules:
*Park your car facing the exit in case you need to make a quick getaway.
*Don't stay longer than 20 minutes.
*Hide under your car if there's an eruption so that you don't get killed by flying rocks.
We were a bit apprehensive after reading through the list (!) but we did it anyway!
As soon as you step out of the airconditioned car, the smell hits you. It reeked of sulfur and smoke and some other unidentifiable gases. We had to climb up to the lookout point and it was so bad that we were all choking and gasping. Luckily it was a windy day and we didn't keel over.
You'd think the volcano would be ugly. It was dark, and sooty. The fields were ashed, and everything had a certain degree of death-look. Strangely enough, the best word to describe it would be "majestic". It was a fantastic feeling to be standing on the tip of something that could easily kill me in just a couple seconds.
I expect I'll get that feeling again when my sister gets her driver's license.
*Park your car facing the exit in case you need to make a quick getaway.
*Don't stay longer than 20 minutes.
*Hide under your car if there's an eruption so that you don't get killed by flying rocks.
We were a bit apprehensive after reading through the list (!) but we did it anyway!
As soon as you step out of the airconditioned car, the smell hits you. It reeked of sulfur and smoke and some other unidentifiable gases. We had to climb up to the lookout point and it was so bad that we were all choking and gasping. Luckily it was a windy day and we didn't keel over.
You'd think the volcano would be ugly. It was dark, and sooty. The fields were ashed, and everything had a certain degree of death-look. Strangely enough, the best word to describe it would be "majestic". It was a fantastic feeling to be standing on the tip of something that could easily kill me in just a couple seconds.
I expect I'll get that feeling again when my sister gets her driver's license.
Sunday, January 3, 2010
March Client
I have a client due in March! This is a really special birth for me because it's an Amish homebirth. This will be a completely new experience, but I'm hoping it will give me a much needed balance in doulaing.
It's difficult to find much about the Amish online, or at least, it's difficult to find accurate information. They keep to themselves for the most part and with their separation from the outside world, they aren't much into blogging or running a website about themselves. In my experience they are very welcoming, friendly and patient. Although they don't have electricity, they do have indoor plumbing. They use battery operated lamps and cook on the wood stove.
I did have a problem trying to put an outfit together for visiting them. Finally, I broke down and just asked the mom-to-be what would be appropriate for me to wear. Anything comfortable and modest is okay! Pants are fine, especially if they're loose, and they are preferable to wearing short skirts. I may need to go for a higher neckline next time, though. Ooops! I had thought that my long sleeve tee would be okay, but a turtleneck might be better.
I am impressed with the general attitude of my client. She seems so que sera, sera. Most of my clients hire me because they fear something about the birth - pain, hospital, doctors, surgery, etc. With her, there isn't any fear. It is simply a curiousity for the unknown and a healthy belief that her body can do it.
It's a good way to be!
It's difficult to find much about the Amish online, or at least, it's difficult to find accurate information. They keep to themselves for the most part and with their separation from the outside world, they aren't much into blogging or running a website about themselves. In my experience they are very welcoming, friendly and patient. Although they don't have electricity, they do have indoor plumbing. They use battery operated lamps and cook on the wood stove.
I did have a problem trying to put an outfit together for visiting them. Finally, I broke down and just asked the mom-to-be what would be appropriate for me to wear. Anything comfortable and modest is okay! Pants are fine, especially if they're loose, and they are preferable to wearing short skirts. I may need to go for a higher neckline next time, though. Ooops! I had thought that my long sleeve tee would be okay, but a turtleneck might be better.
I am impressed with the general attitude of my client. She seems so que sera, sera. Most of my clients hire me because they fear something about the birth - pain, hospital, doctors, surgery, etc. With her, there isn't any fear. It is simply a curiousity for the unknown and a healthy belief that her body can do it.
It's a good way to be!
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