I was given a yoga dvd in my Christmas stocking this year.
Since its raining outside, I figured I'd give it a try this morning.
I like the idea of yoga and releasing stress, stretching, controlling breathing ... it all looks so serene and calming.
And it would have been ... if MEG wasn't in the room!
What a joke! I made a couple of mistakes in my preparation time this morning.
To begin with, I'm not the most tech-savvy gal in the house. It took me at least 15 minutes to figure out how to get the X-box to play the dvd. I've probably screwed-up all the settings on the tv in the process too.
Also, Meg was prowling around, and in my face, and on my back, under, over, alongside - I'm sure you get the picture. She thought I was playing with her! The yoga mat smells good to her, so she wanted to curl up slap-bang in the middle of it. Me sitting, cross-legged on the floor = wrestle time! Me with my eyes closed laying flat out = kisses. Hair dangling in a stretch pose = bite my hair and ears!
She's a very affectionate (not small and severely hairy) dog! I didn't get mad at her, just frustrated at myself, which is not the right mind-set to have when one is trying to perform yoga.
We did eventually manage to reach a compromise - she could have half the yoga mat and lick my toes if I could get on with the dvd. It worked well - just in time for the final 5 minute cool-down stretch!
I feel kind of good:) Good enough to venture out in the rain and give Meg her exercise now. Next time, I'll know better and put her out of the room so that I can concentrate, relax and listen to half an hour of her protests.
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Monday, January 5, 2009
Bad Hair Rant
Over the years, I've had many hairstyles. I used to have it permed, used to colour it and tried highlights too. I've gone from shoulder-length curls to less than one inch long and spiky (and everywhere in between)!
During the past 5 years or so, I've enjoyed chin-length straight hair and the ability to tie it up has been a bonus for me. I've been happy with it, happy with my hairdresser and I've not given it much more thought than that ... until recently ...
Right now, I'm not loving my hair. There are several factors contributing to this.
One: the weather - I have fine, fly-away hair at the best of times, so I'm experiencing static hair because of the indoor heat and cold outside. I can't seem to style it without putting on a ton of gunk and goop and when I do, I go outside and it 'drops'.
Two: grey hairs seem to be sprouting in abundance - they're a different texture to my hair, so they're sticking up and waving their big silver strands which seem to be saying "hey! look at me!!" I want to grow old(er) gracefully, but I'm losing the battle of plucking out the greys with the tweezers!
I haven't coloured my hair for years and I'm kind of scared of doing so. Plus, I'm a tight-wad and I don't want to pay my hairdresser extortionate amounts of cash to camouflage the greys (I feel like I pay her enough to cut it). I have to do something - I feel a trip to the drugstore is possibly in order, if I can get over my fear of turning my hair mahogany or plum (I once turned it black by mistake).
But the main reason for not loving my hair is ...
Three: I had an appointment with my hairdresser just before Christmas. I must admit that I am the world's biggest procrastinator when it comes to getting my hair cut!
I've been thinking about finding a new hairdresser since the summer, but, since I procrastinate, I haven't done a single thing about it ... except for thinking ...
This is the third haircut I've had that I've not been too thrilled about.
She did have a very good reason this time though. Her doggy was dying. She was telling me this as I was sitting in the chair with shampoo up to my ears. I'm cringing, and thinking, I wish she'd have called and cancelled me.
She re-tells the story that she's probably told all her clients that day ... her friend arrives - she'd just returned from visiting the dog at the vets ... my hairdresser gets a phone call from the vet ... she gets upset ... she's still cutting my hair!
She's left long bits, given me short bits and even shorter bits - and I don't know what she's done with the back of my head - it doesn't look right. I daren't go back and complain because she'll only cut it shorter. And in the back of my mind, I remember that her hobby is playing on an all girl ice-hockey team (I'm not intimidated by her, but I'd hate to cross her). It takes me forever to style it now, which I HATE. I'm used to blow-drying, spraying hairspray - and I'm set for the day.
I've been with this lady for 6 years or so. Usually, she's very good, but lately, not so good. She's a sweetheart, and yes, she had to have her dog put to sleep in the end (I can relate totally to what kind of emotional state she was in when she cut my hair, having gone through this experience myself - and I should be thankful that I still have both my ear-lobes).
If anybody can recommend a good LOCAL hairstylist - who is reasonably priced, PLEASE let me know ... I'm not going back ... well, at least for another 8 weeks.
During the past 5 years or so, I've enjoyed chin-length straight hair and the ability to tie it up has been a bonus for me. I've been happy with it, happy with my hairdresser and I've not given it much more thought than that ... until recently ...
Right now, I'm not loving my hair. There are several factors contributing to this.
One: the weather - I have fine, fly-away hair at the best of times, so I'm experiencing static hair because of the indoor heat and cold outside. I can't seem to style it without putting on a ton of gunk and goop and when I do, I go outside and it 'drops'.
Two: grey hairs seem to be sprouting in abundance - they're a different texture to my hair, so they're sticking up and waving their big silver strands which seem to be saying "hey! look at me!!" I want to grow old(er) gracefully, but I'm losing the battle of plucking out the greys with the tweezers!
I haven't coloured my hair for years and I'm kind of scared of doing so. Plus, I'm a tight-wad and I don't want to pay my hairdresser extortionate amounts of cash to camouflage the greys (I feel like I pay her enough to cut it). I have to do something - I feel a trip to the drugstore is possibly in order, if I can get over my fear of turning my hair mahogany or plum (I once turned it black by mistake).
But the main reason for not loving my hair is ...
Three: I had an appointment with my hairdresser just before Christmas. I must admit that I am the world's biggest procrastinator when it comes to getting my hair cut!
I've been thinking about finding a new hairdresser since the summer, but, since I procrastinate, I haven't done a single thing about it ... except for thinking ...
This is the third haircut I've had that I've not been too thrilled about.
She did have a very good reason this time though. Her doggy was dying. She was telling me this as I was sitting in the chair with shampoo up to my ears. I'm cringing, and thinking, I wish she'd have called and cancelled me.
She re-tells the story that she's probably told all her clients that day ... her friend arrives - she'd just returned from visiting the dog at the vets ... my hairdresser gets a phone call from the vet ... she gets upset ... she's still cutting my hair!
She's left long bits, given me short bits and even shorter bits - and I don't know what she's done with the back of my head - it doesn't look right. I daren't go back and complain because she'll only cut it shorter. And in the back of my mind, I remember that her hobby is playing on an all girl ice-hockey team (I'm not intimidated by her, but I'd hate to cross her). It takes me forever to style it now, which I HATE. I'm used to blow-drying, spraying hairspray - and I'm set for the day.
I've been with this lady for 6 years or so. Usually, she's very good, but lately, not so good. She's a sweetheart, and yes, she had to have her dog put to sleep in the end (I can relate totally to what kind of emotional state she was in when she cut my hair, having gone through this experience myself - and I should be thankful that I still have both my ear-lobes).
If anybody can recommend a good LOCAL hairstylist - who is reasonably priced, PLEASE let me know ... I'm not going back ... well, at least for another 8 weeks.
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Christmas Pics
Here are some pics from our little Christmas, and I'm sure that I'll post a few more in a couple of days.Curtis (and Craig) got a bag-full of Nirvana cds from Santa, Meg got a box of treats, I got a cashmere scarf all the way from Ireland. (I've never felt cashmere before - its like a little bunny's tail - I'm in LOVE, and Craig's bank balance may live to regret introducing me to this material). Cadence received too many gifts (its so easy to buy for girls:) but I think her fave was an ihome alarm clock and ipod player.
Christmas just wouldn't be Christmas without Crackers just before our Dinner. Everybody has to wear the crown and tell the joke - and everybody gets one token Brussel Sprout with their meal ... and they MUST eat it! Between dinner and dessert, we do the dishes, then make room for dessert by 'jumping down the dinner' - something my dad started years ago. I unfortunately am banned from serving Christmas Pudding though, as I'm the only one who enjoys it, so apple pie and custard is what we serve.I hope your Christmas was sweet and filled with traditions and new memories.
The snow has almost gone now, Curtis has his car insurance (from Santa), so I'm going to be chauffeur-driven around town for the next week!
Thursday, December 18, 2008
The Food Nazi Strikes Again!
So, we're out buying winter boots in Everett yesterday. We visit K-Mart and the kids start whining ... yes, Curtis isn't to old to whine. They wanted soda pop and candy! I only allow diet soda pop, which they don't care for, so they opted for the candy ...I let them choose their sweeties, then we get sidetracked when we pass the entrance. A blizzard going on outside! We hurry and pay and take a short, but hazardous and very slow drive home.
We arrive safely, unpack the bags, get dinner, etc. and the candies get forgotten about. Good thing really, because I confiscated them until I could get at the kitchen scales and start looking at the stats on the package.
The kids are not impressed. The big bag of Starburst Jelly Beans would last Curtis a morning, usually. I split the bag up into servings - 9, yep folks NINE servings (won't necessarily last him 9 days, but oh well). I feel sorry for Cadey - she bought Reeces Pieces - only 3 servings :(
Yep, the Food Nazi is alive and kicking during the Holidays too!
Monday, December 15, 2008
A Day I Will Always Remember by Muriel Curtis (My Mum) c. 1977
My most memorable day was Christmas Eve, 1967. That was the day I arrived home from hospital with my new baby daughter.
I had spent 6 weeks in hospital prior to her birth and longed to be home again with my husband and two other children, Jonathan, just five years old and Sindee, seven and a half.
Because of complications, I knew my baby was going to be born prematurely, so it was no surprise when she was small at birth, weighing four and a half pounds. She was placed in an incubator, and for five days, her life hung in the balance. I could not give up hope, yet, every time the doctor came into the ward, I expected him to tell me the baby had died.
When she was five days old, I was able to go to the special baby unit to see her taken out of the incubator and to hold and feed her for the first time; she was so tiny I was almost afraid to hold her!
I went to feed her every three hours in the baby unit and could see she was beginning to gain weight, but was told I would not be able to take her home until she weighed five pounds.
We decided that because she was so small we would give her a short name. We named her Lisa.
Two days before Christmas Day, I decided I wanted to be at home with my other children. When the doctor came on his rounds that morning, I asked him if I could go home the following morning, which was Christmas Eve. He said I could, but that Lisa must be left in the hospital.
I was happy at the thought of going home after seven weeks, but not about leaving my baby behind.
On the morning of my discharge I was asked to go to see the pediatrician who had come to examine Lisa. After examination, he told me she had overcome her difficulties and, provided she weighed that magical number 5 pounds, I could take her home with me. I held my breath, I could not watch her being weighed, then sister (ward nurse) told me all was well, by baby had reached five pounds and half an ounce.
I was thrilled with the news and telephoned my husband and children at once. Just two hours later the three of them arrived, laden with baby clothes. We all went to the nursery to collect Lisa. Sindee and Jonathan helped the sister to dress the baby; they were thrilled with her. She looked beautiful in all her new white clothes, but everything was far too big for her.
After we arrived home, my children would not leave the site of the pram (baby carriage), they watched her every minute of that day, they even had their meals beside her. I don't think they could believe that at last they had the baby they had waited so long for, but there she lay, just nine days old, weighing five pounds and half an ounce.
It was Christmas Eve and five-year-old Jonathan had just learned his first carols at school. He sang Once in Royal David City as he rocked the pram. They thought that she was the best Christmas present they received that year, and I agreed with them.
When I look at my robust tomboy today, its difficult to believe that she is the same child that caused all the anxiety that Christmas ten years ago.
I had spent 6 weeks in hospital prior to her birth and longed to be home again with my husband and two other children, Jonathan, just five years old and Sindee, seven and a half.
Because of complications, I knew my baby was going to be born prematurely, so it was no surprise when she was small at birth, weighing four and a half pounds. She was placed in an incubator, and for five days, her life hung in the balance. I could not give up hope, yet, every time the doctor came into the ward, I expected him to tell me the baby had died.
When she was five days old, I was able to go to the special baby unit to see her taken out of the incubator and to hold and feed her for the first time; she was so tiny I was almost afraid to hold her!
I went to feed her every three hours in the baby unit and could see she was beginning to gain weight, but was told I would not be able to take her home until she weighed five pounds.
We decided that because she was so small we would give her a short name. We named her Lisa.
Two days before Christmas Day, I decided I wanted to be at home with my other children. When the doctor came on his rounds that morning, I asked him if I could go home the following morning, which was Christmas Eve. He said I could, but that Lisa must be left in the hospital.
I was happy at the thought of going home after seven weeks, but not about leaving my baby behind.
On the morning of my discharge I was asked to go to see the pediatrician who had come to examine Lisa. After examination, he told me she had overcome her difficulties and, provided she weighed that magical number 5 pounds, I could take her home with me. I held my breath, I could not watch her being weighed, then sister (ward nurse) told me all was well, by baby had reached five pounds and half an ounce.
I was thrilled with the news and telephoned my husband and children at once. Just two hours later the three of them arrived, laden with baby clothes. We all went to the nursery to collect Lisa. Sindee and Jonathan helped the sister to dress the baby; they were thrilled with her. She looked beautiful in all her new white clothes, but everything was far too big for her.
After we arrived home, my children would not leave the site of the pram (baby carriage), they watched her every minute of that day, they even had their meals beside her. I don't think they could believe that at last they had the baby they had waited so long for, but there she lay, just nine days old, weighing five pounds and half an ounce.
It was Christmas Eve and five-year-old Jonathan had just learned his first carols at school. He sang Once in Royal David City as he rocked the pram. They thought that she was the best Christmas present they received that year, and I agreed with them.
When I look at my robust tomboy today, its difficult to believe that she is the same child that caused all the anxiety that Christmas ten years ago.
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Christmas Memory
Cadence and I were chatting about Christmas and my memories of when she was little this evening.
We were laughing about one memory, which happened on a very hot day in June 2000 (she was 4 1/2), I promise you that it is Christmas related.
We were visiting the Cougar Mountain Zoo. Cadey was wearing a Barbie Pink Cast on her leg as she'd broken it the month before on our neighbour's trampoline.
(Yes, I was wracked with guilt over this accident. I was less than 2 feet away from her when it happened - she simply fell on the tramp. with one leg tucked underneath her bum - and she broke her tibia, had her leg in cast for 8 weeks, then 2 days after the cast came off, she came down with Chicken Pox .... 2 weeks after that, Curtis came down with the Chicken Pox!!!).
Back to the story ... so, we're looking at the parrots, cougars, etc. then we get to the reindeer. They'd had babies (calfs ... ?) There was a lady Ranger at this viewing area, educating us on reindeer. She was very knowledgeable, explaining their natural habitat compared to WA state. Everybody was interested in the babies - they were so cute! At the end of her lecture, she asked if anybody had any questions.
Cadey raised her hand and she asked:
"Can they fly yet?"
Nobody laughed at her, but everybody sighed and said "Awwwww" I think she melted a few hearts with that question!
Seeing Christmas through the eyes of a child is such a thrill and making memories are even more thrilling! Looks like we may make some snowball fight memories this weekend!
We were laughing about one memory, which happened on a very hot day in June 2000 (she was 4 1/2), I promise you that it is Christmas related.
We were visiting the Cougar Mountain Zoo. Cadey was wearing a Barbie Pink Cast on her leg as she'd broken it the month before on our neighbour's trampoline.
(Yes, I was wracked with guilt over this accident. I was less than 2 feet away from her when it happened - she simply fell on the tramp. with one leg tucked underneath her bum - and she broke her tibia, had her leg in cast for 8 weeks, then 2 days after the cast came off, she came down with Chicken Pox .... 2 weeks after that, Curtis came down with the Chicken Pox!!!).
Back to the story ... so, we're looking at the parrots, cougars, etc. then we get to the reindeer. They'd had babies (calfs ... ?) There was a lady Ranger at this viewing area, educating us on reindeer. She was very knowledgeable, explaining their natural habitat compared to WA state. Everybody was interested in the babies - they were so cute! At the end of her lecture, she asked if anybody had any questions.
Cadey raised her hand and she asked:
"Can they fly yet?"
Nobody laughed at her, but everybody sighed and said "Awwwww" I think she melted a few hearts with that question!
Seeing Christmas through the eyes of a child is such a thrill and making memories are even more thrilling! Looks like we may make some snowball fight memories this weekend!
Monday, December 8, 2008
Where's Your Christmas Card ...?
Craig and I sometimes wonder how many Starbucks Gift Cards, spa products and novelty socks one person can actually possess and gain enjoyment from at Christmas-time?
It seems like everywhere I turn, the commercial Christmas theme is trying to sell me $5.00's worth of and $10.00's worth of crap, which I can't live without, or which would be perfect for my friend, a great thank you gift or teacher gift. It's all a bunch of baloney! I feel the same way about Hallmark cards too.
With this in mind, plus a few other reasons like: wanting to simplify Christmas, enjoying our children and remembering the true meaning of Christmas, ie, Christ's birth ... we have decided to make a purchase of a farm animal through World Concern to be given to a family in Africa - for everyone we know who is on the 'card and present worthy' list.
We're going to purchase a goat - they are one of the best sources of milk (which can then made into cheese and yogurt and sold at market) and they eat virtually anything. A goat can turn a family's life around, improving their health and wealth and giving them a hope for the future.
If you're like us - you see the need in the world, you see the hunger in the world and you feel overwhelmed by it all ... wondering how your small donation can help these desperate families.
We have figured out that by not buying Christmas Cards, little insignificant token gifts and paying for the postage that we can use the money we would usually spend to do this instead!
Good warm, fuzzy feelings are what Christmas is all about! We hope that you feel this way about learning why you haven't received a card from us this year.
So, Merry Christmas! And please ... if you feel inspired to do the same ... we won't miss your card either! www.worldvisiongifts.org
With much love at Christmas-time,
Lisa, Craig, Curtis & Cadence xoxo
It seems like everywhere I turn, the commercial Christmas theme is trying to sell me $5.00's worth of and $10.00's worth of crap, which I can't live without, or which would be perfect for my friend, a great thank you gift or teacher gift. It's all a bunch of baloney! I feel the same way about Hallmark cards too.
With this in mind, plus a few other reasons like: wanting to simplify Christmas, enjoying our children and remembering the true meaning of Christmas, ie, Christ's birth ... we have decided to make a purchase of a farm animal through World Concern to be given to a family in Africa - for everyone we know who is on the 'card and present worthy' list.
We're going to purchase a goat - they are one of the best sources of milk (which can then made into cheese and yogurt and sold at market) and they eat virtually anything. A goat can turn a family's life around, improving their health and wealth and giving them a hope for the future.
If you're like us - you see the need in the world, you see the hunger in the world and you feel overwhelmed by it all ... wondering how your small donation can help these desperate families.
We have figured out that by not buying Christmas Cards, little insignificant token gifts and paying for the postage that we can use the money we would usually spend to do this instead!
Good warm, fuzzy feelings are what Christmas is all about! We hope that you feel this way about learning why you haven't received a card from us this year.
So, Merry Christmas! And please ... if you feel inspired to do the same ... we won't miss your card either! www.worldvisiongifts.org
With much love at Christmas-time,
Lisa, Craig, Curtis & Cadence xoxo
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