Quick update

There is so much that I should be posting about right now. Our trip to Australia was amazing; too much to mention here - or at least tonight. (Now when Gavin is playing in the backyard, he says, "I will be back soon, I am going to Australia.") The garden is growing bit by bit. Peas are up, broccoli, and some other things are starting. It's all very fun. I'll post pictures of both soon. Our fifth anniversary is tomorrow too. We are celebrating with a playoff hockey game and my yoga course. Romance... postponed.

Yoga is going well, but I missed the last weekend while we were gone. I feel a bit out of it. (This post is a break from yoga homework, to which I need to return... soon.)

The boys are doing well. Most of this post is the lead up to me wanting to let you know that Gavin is on the road to being potty trained. (Thank you Grandma Karen for starting the process!) He wore big kid underpants for two hours tonight... we'll get braver as he gets more consistent. And, Graeme (the little doll) is starting to talk like parrot, repeating everything you say. Tonight Craig was cooking spaghetti and I walked into the kitchen hearing Graeme say, "Uh-oh, spaghetti O! Uh-oh spaghetti O!" (Mind you the enunciation needs a little work.) But it made me smile, and I thought it might you too.

Just the beginning...

Ok, game on! I got a big envelope of seeds today. And, as excited as I am, I must admit that I'm way over my head! I bought SO much stuff, much of which has to be started early... and it's a little late for that. But whatever, it's all for fun, right? I'll probably end up buying some tomato and pepper plants, but what fun if my seedlings actually produce as they kind of did last year. Most likely, I'll run into the same problem, where the plants do alright, but don't get time to fully mature before the weather gets too cold.

In any case, I thought I'd share what I bought... mostly from Baker Creek Seeds, but two from the Chocolate Flower Farm (on Whidbey Island).

Chocolate Flower Farm: Chocolate Mini-bell pepper, chocolate nasturstiums

Baker Creek Seeds:
Old Homestead Bean
Purple Podded Pole Bean
Cosmic Purple Carrot
Delikatesse Cucumber
Marketmore 76 Cucumber
Mexican Sour Gherkin Cucumber
Di Firenze Fennel
Ground Cherry
Extra Dwarf Pak Choy
Wild Rocket Arugula
Strawberry Cabbage Lettuce
Tom Thumb Lettuce
Bianca di Maggio Onion
De Grace Snow Pea
Red Belgian Pepper
Tequila Sunrise Pepper
Long Scarlet Radish
Scallop Squash
Zucchini, Table Dainty
Black Cherry Tomato
Amish Paste Tomato
Picnic Watermelon
Basil - Genovese
Basil - Lettuce Leaf
Cilantro
Cosmos
Harlequin Marigold
Red Drummond Phlox
4 kinds of sunflower
2 kinds of zinnias

And, I've already planted snow peas and snap peas, a little lettuce, some broccoli, and 2 kinds of radishes. Plus, I bought mixed nasturtiums, and more lettuce... if you can't find me during the summer, I'll probably be working in the backyard. We are going to set up a better watering system this year, so it doesn't take an hour to water everything everyday.

If you have a birthday during the summer, you'll probably get some produce. And if you have a birthday later in the year, you'll probably get pickled produce. Just thought I should let you know ahead of time. Hee, hee.

Oh, and another note, I bought 2 small and one large pest nests to cover the veggie beds and the kids gravel pit to keep the umpteen neighborhood cats from pooping in our yard. As Gavin said to me today: "Mummy, you need to check for cat poop. It's your job."

Animal behavior

I've noticed that when I drive by myself, I end up watching my surroundings more than when I'm with the boys. I can take in the scenery, wonder what other drivers are thinking, look at landscaping, and pay a little more attention to the other cars. (Though I have to say that's not really what comes first.) What is funniest to me, though, is I've realized that I give the animals that I see human qualities or make up stories about what they are doing. Examples?

Yesterday a little black water bird (sorry, don't know the name) perched atop a street light as I was crossing the 520 bridge on the way to yoga. He looked both ways and then spread his wings to warm himself in the glorious sunlight. What I saw was a bird trying to flash the drivers as they passed by.

Then I noticed, as I merged onto the freeway, a poodle sticking his head out the back window of the car in front of me. I could almost hear him say, "Yup, you're clear! Go ahead and merge!"

I've always noticed that pigeons perched on a telephone wire or billboard most always have perfectly spaced perches, as if pigeons have the same silent cultural norms as people do. "Hey, don't invade my personal space buddy!"

These are the things that amuse me as I drive along by myself. Strange, but fun. Let's see what shows up on the drive to yoga today! I gotta go!!

Oscar curse?

I should be doing yoga homework right now, but I can't start work without a little down time, right? Of course, last two weeks have been "down time" for me... in that strange way that chasing two toddlers is "down time". Anyway, I couldn't help noticing a MSN headline post about the Oscar curse for best actress. Really? I don't have much to say about this (ok, maybe I have a lot to say, but am not sure how to say it), but it does seem a bit strange to me that people make that correlation. Or, at least, that even though relationships everywhere end up not working -- and, seemingly, especially in the entertainment industry -- media must find something bad about the highest honor (so they say) in one's profession. Let the women be successful for God's sake! It's silly, yet it really does speak to me about expectations. Can women not be successful without their life falling apart?

There was recently an article in More magazine (yes, I know I'm not in their demographic yet, but doesn't hurt to plan ahead) about women being less happy than they were 40 years ago. The author, Naomi Wolf, mentioned that "happy" was seen to be the same thing as "satisfied". Since women have more options and more responsibilities, than they did 40 years ago, it makes sense that life may be more complicated and that women may be less satisfied... they are ever striving for something more or better. (Even the magazine title falls right in line... More!) And it may be common practice, as the author states, to downplay success or focus on the troubles in one's life. Maybe women (and men too) have forgotten a little bit about simple pleasures, family moments, and appreciating life itself wit all it's little (and big) challenges. So, is it really necessary to take one's shining moment and rip it to shreds as the cause of one's life falling apart? What message does that send to younger girls? Whisper: don't be too successful or your relationships will not work out... better to work in a sexy outfitted coffee bar as a barista....

I mean really.

Yippee for Spring!

While my husband and parents are watching downhill ice racing through Quebec City (on CBC), I'm at the computer lusting after heirloom seeds and getting excited about planting! This weekend I splurged on two Green Johanna compost cones (on Craigslist). I'm pretty stoked! (Craig? Not so much.) But, I'm excited to see how the whole process works... go worms, go!

Anyway, I am eagerly awaiting the planting days and, more so, the harvesting of veggies, and berries, and herbs! Oh my! The compost bins are currently empty, as they were just put together yesterday thanks to my parents who had no idea they'd be slave labor. At least it was a nice day to be outside! Gavin had a great time using the two cardboard boxes (that they came in) as a big bike ramp for his Skuut bike. And Graeme slept through the whole process.

I've got daffodils and tulips inside and outside... can't wait for more. Yippee for Spring!

Appreciating Moments

For whatever reason, I've got a wellspring of ideas and energy bubbling up from somewhere inside. Maybe it's that Spring is upon us and everything seems new. Maybe it is the sweet stress of over-commitment. My brain is spinning and I'm trying to settle it by focusing on two things 1) the wonderful moments of my everyday, and 2) the knowledge that everything doesn't have to happen at once. (And that's preferable, actually.)

I gave my day yesterday too little recognition. Yes, it was a challenging day with many tantrums and time outs (only a couple were mine). But, really, there were some amazing moments. (One of those moment certainly wasn't the realization that Graeme was potentially sucking on cat poop rocks.) The amazing moments, for the most part, remain unrecognized and unappreciated. It is on these moments that I'm trying (trying, trying) to focus my attention. For instance, Graeme in the bath exploring the bubbles. Pop, pop. Full face dunk coming up with a big bubbly smile. Gavin singing the "Cars" song (Life is a Highway) or "On Top of Old Smokey" when he's playing cars. The way that Graeme, though he only has seven teeth, can devour an orange slice in a glance. And then say, "Mo pees!"


It is those moments that I want to keep in my memory bank. Then the tantrums and whatnot won't get as much space. And, of course, some misbehaving just makes you smile.

(Gavin was supposed to be brushing his teeth... I think he even tried to roll some back on.)

As for the other stuff -- the plans and aspirations -- they will happen when they do. I am excited for that time, but I'm also in love with the snuggles, eye kisses, and puppy dog licks that mean I am loved and doing an ok job.

Today's Highlights

Since I should be doing yoga homework, I'll just post a few highlights from today:

1) Finding cat poop in the boys' gravel pit. Lovely. (Even lovelier when you realize that Graeme still puts all the little rocks in his mouth.)

Not the pit, but our bike track/hiking trail in our backyard.

2) Remembered to turn on slow cooker this time when making favorite chicken.

3) Checking on tulips and little pea sprouts -- yep, still alive despite chilly temps again.


4) Hmmm... that might be it for today.

Let's hope tomorrow is more exciting. Good exciting though; we don't need any bad excitement.