Hi all,
I am back at work. I can't believe it has been a year! Well about 13 months now. We had a great time on the coast - Deb where were you! We should have gotten together. Anyway I am all tanned as I sit in my cubicle under the flourescent lights. I am sure I will turn a nice milky white in no time. Speaking of milk I am weaning during the day and it hurts! Poor Charlie gets no more nap time nursing.
It was hard to see the little guy watching at the window as I walked away to the bus, but easier because I know they are with their Dad.
Anyway thanks for all the chats and strawberries Heidi! I miss the sun, it is rainy here (what the ? isn't that backward? global warming to blame again?)
How is everyones summer going?
Cathy
Monday, July 6, 2009
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Cleaning Lady
There is the possibility of a new job in my near future. It's not my dream job, but it's a step or two up the paygrade from where I am now without being too much more challenging. The catch is: right now, I get every second Friday off. In the new job, I would be working five days a week, every week.
Trying to decide whether to trade those two days off (immensely convenient for things like dental appointments, doctor appointments, and grocery shopping) for a couple hundred dollars a month is a tough, tough choice.
But in discussing it with my husband this evening, I mentioned that if this new job did come to pass, I wanted to use $50 of that monthly increase to hire a cleaning lady twice a month. He was flat-out against the idea. It turns out that this challenges his territorial pride in some way: he believes that if we are grown-ups, we should be able to take care of our own home.
Well, he may be right that that's the way it SHOULD be. Of course, I immediately countered that I SHOULD be able to stay home and take care of our child, too, but I can't, and he seems fine with THAT!
So, an informal poll. Do you now or have you in the past had a cleaning lady? Would you have one now if you could afford it? Does your husband think that's weird?
Trying to decide whether to trade those two days off (immensely convenient for things like dental appointments, doctor appointments, and grocery shopping) for a couple hundred dollars a month is a tough, tough choice.
But in discussing it with my husband this evening, I mentioned that if this new job did come to pass, I wanted to use $50 of that monthly increase to hire a cleaning lady twice a month. He was flat-out against the idea. It turns out that this challenges his territorial pride in some way: he believes that if we are grown-ups, we should be able to take care of our own home.
Well, he may be right that that's the way it SHOULD be. Of course, I immediately countered that I SHOULD be able to stay home and take care of our child, too, but I can't, and he seems fine with THAT!
So, an informal poll. Do you now or have you in the past had a cleaning lady? Would you have one now if you could afford it? Does your husband think that's weird?
Monday, June 1, 2009
I'm ok, you're ok
Hi all:
My mother used to have a pad of paper called "The Working Woman's Behind Schedule" and on one side there was a column "Things I Should Have Done Yesterday" and on the other was "Things To Put Off Until Tomorrow". I used to have a polite appreciation for it... ha ha, good one. But now I think I've finally gotten the joke.
I have been dealing with a bout of anxiety, sometime last week. Preschool is wrapping up, so I thought of it as a "done deal". Only I kept finding things I needed to do. It seemed to crest when a mom called me to ask how my money collection was going. Long, uncomfortable silence. I had agreed to collect money for the teachers from my class, and not only had I not done it, I hadn't remembered that I had to do it at all. I don't mind procrastinating, but forgetting? That shook my confidence. Then the million other little things that I needed to do seemed much larger, more menacing.
Karate has been great, except (and its a very small except) Thane has been so knackered after work that he hasn't been going to the evening practices. Timber framing + heat = one tired husband. So I've been going instead (great!) but the time spent there takes me away from the million other things I need to do... Sigh. Then a class ago I had one black belt helping me with basic kata 4, which helped me feel good and strong about my kata. Then we spent time as a class doing some high level katas, and there went the confidence again. When it came time to demonstrate my kata at the end, I found I had no balance, my moves were wobbly, I wasn't rooted at all... overall not my best showing. So another little chip at the confidence. Sigh.
But this week, I thought to heck with it all. Am I not too old for this? Have I not earned the right to be confident simply by ageing? Historically, my youth was characterized with low self esteem and this led to self limiting behaviour. I would think "oh I can't do that, people will laugh at me, people won't like me" or "I deserve to be treated like crap, I'm lucky anyone wants to be with me". That kind of silly thing. I have watched that fade away with my 20's (and leaving my job / identity), and am grateful for it. I've always looked forward to growing older, like my personality had to catch up with my mind or something. I'm finally feeling good about myself and life, and that I don't have to hide my interests and activities. So I was surprised when forgetting something caused a mini crisis. I think I'm over it now.
Who knows what triggers these things? Its like there are secret land mines hidden throughout our psyches. I am definitely looking forward to a break over the summer, and I know that I will be eager to have the routine back at the end. It's win win.
Have a good one everybody!
Heidi
My mother used to have a pad of paper called "The Working Woman's Behind Schedule" and on one side there was a column "Things I Should Have Done Yesterday" and on the other was "Things To Put Off Until Tomorrow". I used to have a polite appreciation for it... ha ha, good one. But now I think I've finally gotten the joke.
I have been dealing with a bout of anxiety, sometime last week. Preschool is wrapping up, so I thought of it as a "done deal". Only I kept finding things I needed to do. It seemed to crest when a mom called me to ask how my money collection was going. Long, uncomfortable silence. I had agreed to collect money for the teachers from my class, and not only had I not done it, I hadn't remembered that I had to do it at all. I don't mind procrastinating, but forgetting? That shook my confidence. Then the million other little things that I needed to do seemed much larger, more menacing.
Karate has been great, except (and its a very small except) Thane has been so knackered after work that he hasn't been going to the evening practices. Timber framing + heat = one tired husband. So I've been going instead (great!) but the time spent there takes me away from the million other things I need to do... Sigh. Then a class ago I had one black belt helping me with basic kata 4, which helped me feel good and strong about my kata. Then we spent time as a class doing some high level katas, and there went the confidence again. When it came time to demonstrate my kata at the end, I found I had no balance, my moves were wobbly, I wasn't rooted at all... overall not my best showing. So another little chip at the confidence. Sigh.
But this week, I thought to heck with it all. Am I not too old for this? Have I not earned the right to be confident simply by ageing? Historically, my youth was characterized with low self esteem and this led to self limiting behaviour. I would think "oh I can't do that, people will laugh at me, people won't like me" or "I deserve to be treated like crap, I'm lucky anyone wants to be with me". That kind of silly thing. I have watched that fade away with my 20's (and leaving my job / identity), and am grateful for it. I've always looked forward to growing older, like my personality had to catch up with my mind or something. I'm finally feeling good about myself and life, and that I don't have to hide my interests and activities. So I was surprised when forgetting something caused a mini crisis. I think I'm over it now.
Who knows what triggers these things? Its like there are secret land mines hidden throughout our psyches. I am definitely looking forward to a break over the summer, and I know that I will be eager to have the routine back at the end. It's win win.
Have a good one everybody!
Heidi
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Fragrances to Avoid
Hi ladies:
I am a HATER of fabric softener.
I came across this article this morning (from care2.com - great site by the way). It's a long list... better go shopping without the kids :)
***
In products such as perfume, shampoo, fabric softener, bleach, air fresheners, dishwashing liquid, laundry detergent, soap, hairspray, shaving cream, aftershave, deodorants, nail polish remover, and more, synthetic ingredients are used to create fragrance. Many of these ingredients are toxic and can cause adverse reactions. Look for these ingredients in products containing fragrance and avoid them if you can:
Acetic acid, benzyl ester: Targets nerves and kidneys; possible carcinogen.
Benzyl alcohol: Central nervous system (CNS) depressant.
Diethyl phthalate: Possible risk of congenital malformation in the fetus; targets nerves.
Musk ketone: Increases carcinogenic effects of other materials. Remains stored in blood, fat tissue, and breast milk; crosses placental barrier.
Musk xylene: Carcinogenic in animal studies. Stored in blood, fat tissue, and breast milk; crosses placental barrier.
6-Octen-1-ol, 3,7-dimethyl: Extremely destructive to mucous membranes and upper respiratory tract tissues.
Toluene: Carcinogenic, Targets liver, kidneys, brain, or bladder. One of nine major starting materials for synthesis of fragrance chemicals. Addictive.
4-Vinylphenol: Toxic. May impair fertility. Toxic by inhalation. Respiratory and skin sensitizer.
2,6-Xylenol: Toxic. Harmful by inhalation. Material is extremely destructive to upper respiratory system, eyes, and skin. Corrosive.
Acetone: Inhalation causes dryness of the mouth and throat, dizziness, nausea, incoordination, slurred speech, drowsiness, coma in extreme cases. CNS depressant.
Benzaldehyde: Narcotic. Sensitizer. CNS depressant. May cause kidney damage and irritation to the mouth, throat, eyes, skin, lungs, and GI tract, leading to nausea and abdominal pain. Do not use with contact lenses.
Benzyl Acetate: Carcinogenic. Irritating to eyes and respiratory passages. Causes systemic effects through skin. Do not flush to sewer.
Camphor: Irritant and CNS stimulant. Readily absorbed through body tissues. Irritation of eyes, nose and throat, dizziness, confusion, nausea, twitching muscles, and convulsions.
Ethanol: EPA hazardous waste. May cause fatigue and irritating to eyes and upper respiratory tract even in low concentrations. Initial stimulatory effect followed by drowsiness, impaired vision, ataxia, stupor. Causes CNS disorder.
Ethyl Acetate: Narcotic. EPA hazardous waste. Irritating to eyes and respiratory tract; headache and narcosis (stupor); skin drying and cracking; anemia with leukocytosis; and damage to liver and kidneys.
Limolene: Carcinogenic. Irritant and sensitizer. Wash thoroughly after using and before eating, drinking, and applying cosmetics. Do not inhale.
Linalool: This narcotic causes respiratory disturbances and CNS disorder and attracts bees. In animal tests, it was found to cause ataxic gait; reduced spontaneous motor activity and depression; respiratory disturbances leading to death; and depressed frog-heart activity.
Methylene Chloride: On hazardous waste lists. Carcinogenic. Stored in body fat; metabolizes to carbon monoxide, reducing blood�s oxygen-carrying capacity. Headache, giddiness, stupor, irritability, fatigue, and tingling in the limbs. Causes CNS disorder.
a-Pinene: Sensitizer. Damaging to the immune system, irritant to skin, eyes, and mucous membranes.
g-Terpinene: Causes asthma and CNS disorders.
a-Terpineol: Highly irritating to mucous membranes. Aspiration into the lungs can produce pneumonitis or even fatal edema. Excitement, ataxia (loss of muscular coordination), hypothermia, CNS and respiratory depression, and headache.
I am a HATER of fabric softener.
I came across this article this morning (from care2.com - great site by the way). It's a long list... better go shopping without the kids :)
***
In products such as perfume, shampoo, fabric softener, bleach, air fresheners, dishwashing liquid, laundry detergent, soap, hairspray, shaving cream, aftershave, deodorants, nail polish remover, and more, synthetic ingredients are used to create fragrance. Many of these ingredients are toxic and can cause adverse reactions. Look for these ingredients in products containing fragrance and avoid them if you can:
Acetic acid, benzyl ester: Targets nerves and kidneys; possible carcinogen.
Benzyl alcohol: Central nervous system (CNS) depressant.
Diethyl phthalate: Possible risk of congenital malformation in the fetus; targets nerves.
Musk ketone: Increases carcinogenic effects of other materials. Remains stored in blood, fat tissue, and breast milk; crosses placental barrier.
Musk xylene: Carcinogenic in animal studies. Stored in blood, fat tissue, and breast milk; crosses placental barrier.
6-Octen-1-ol, 3,7-dimethyl: Extremely destructive to mucous membranes and upper respiratory tract tissues.
Toluene: Carcinogenic, Targets liver, kidneys, brain, or bladder. One of nine major starting materials for synthesis of fragrance chemicals. Addictive.
4-Vinylphenol: Toxic. May impair fertility. Toxic by inhalation. Respiratory and skin sensitizer.
2,6-Xylenol: Toxic. Harmful by inhalation. Material is extremely destructive to upper respiratory system, eyes, and skin. Corrosive.
Acetone: Inhalation causes dryness of the mouth and throat, dizziness, nausea, incoordination, slurred speech, drowsiness, coma in extreme cases. CNS depressant.
Benzaldehyde: Narcotic. Sensitizer. CNS depressant. May cause kidney damage and irritation to the mouth, throat, eyes, skin, lungs, and GI tract, leading to nausea and abdominal pain. Do not use with contact lenses.
Benzyl Acetate: Carcinogenic. Irritating to eyes and respiratory passages. Causes systemic effects through skin. Do not flush to sewer.
Camphor: Irritant and CNS stimulant. Readily absorbed through body tissues. Irritation of eyes, nose and throat, dizziness, confusion, nausea, twitching muscles, and convulsions.
Ethanol: EPA hazardous waste. May cause fatigue and irritating to eyes and upper respiratory tract even in low concentrations. Initial stimulatory effect followed by drowsiness, impaired vision, ataxia, stupor. Causes CNS disorder.
Ethyl Acetate: Narcotic. EPA hazardous waste. Irritating to eyes and respiratory tract; headache and narcosis (stupor); skin drying and cracking; anemia with leukocytosis; and damage to liver and kidneys.
Limolene: Carcinogenic. Irritant and sensitizer. Wash thoroughly after using and before eating, drinking, and applying cosmetics. Do not inhale.
Linalool: This narcotic causes respiratory disturbances and CNS disorder and attracts bees. In animal tests, it was found to cause ataxic gait; reduced spontaneous motor activity and depression; respiratory disturbances leading to death; and depressed frog-heart activity.
Methylene Chloride: On hazardous waste lists. Carcinogenic. Stored in body fat; metabolizes to carbon monoxide, reducing blood�s oxygen-carrying capacity. Headache, giddiness, stupor, irritability, fatigue, and tingling in the limbs. Causes CNS disorder.
a-Pinene: Sensitizer. Damaging to the immune system, irritant to skin, eyes, and mucous membranes.
g-Terpinene: Causes asthma and CNS disorders.
a-Terpineol: Highly irritating to mucous membranes. Aspiration into the lungs can produce pneumonitis or even fatal edema. Excitement, ataxia (loss of muscular coordination), hypothermia, CNS and respiratory depression, and headache.
Sunday, May 17, 2009
1 year old Nappers
This is a poll:
When did you switch your child to one nap? Or when do you think you did for those that have Mommy-memory..
Charlie has started getting up too early for me (6ish) and he is still having 2 naps, he sleeps for about 3-4 hours during the day. He is a good napper which is awesome. I feed him to sleep everytime, isn't that funny, I was so worried about falling into that pattern but it's so much better than letting him cry. He seems to know what's going on and wakes up a bit when I put him in his crib - it's like we have a deal - if I feed him to sleep he will have a good nap in his crib.
I can't believe he'll be 1 years old next week! I am sooo happy he is not a newborn anymore. Even now when I see a newborn I say to myself 'Thank god that's not mine'. To myself of course! Not that there isn't a small part of me that says aww, but most of me says 'noooo'.
Did you like your movie Heidi? Good job volunteering so much, I don' t know how you do it.
When did you switch your child to one nap? Or when do you think you did for those that have Mommy-memory..
Charlie has started getting up too early for me (6ish) and he is still having 2 naps, he sleeps for about 3-4 hours during the day. He is a good napper which is awesome. I feed him to sleep everytime, isn't that funny, I was so worried about falling into that pattern but it's so much better than letting him cry. He seems to know what's going on and wakes up a bit when I put him in his crib - it's like we have a deal - if I feed him to sleep he will have a good nap in his crib.
I can't believe he'll be 1 years old next week! I am sooo happy he is not a newborn anymore. Even now when I see a newborn I say to myself 'Thank god that's not mine'. To myself of course! Not that there isn't a small part of me that says aww, but most of me says 'noooo'.
Did you like your movie Heidi? Good job volunteering so much, I don' t know how you do it.
Friday, May 15, 2009
Back to Basics
Hello ladies!
Well, I'm mad at my husband again, but whatever. We all knew it had to happen sometime. I just wish he could say "you know, I see your point." The bastard won't ever apologize. Not for anything. And if, as you know I do, I bring whatever event up that hasn't been apologized for, he goes into "Let's not bring that up". Jerk. He'll start feeling bad and then buy me something. Which just makes me madder. Don't buy me anything. Kalle Lasn will kick me out of the club.
However, I have an evening by myself tonight, and I'm not going to sully it. I'm going to watch some british movie I found at the library (fabulous Mrs. Ritchie). Has promise.
I have been pleasantly busy with my groups - I've lost count now. Four? Two schools, scca, and dojo. That sounds right. I was going through the president's box, and found an old lease. As I flipped through the lease, I discovered that it runs out June 30th. Oops. Plus I hadn't filed my constitution changes. What kind of a preschool president am I??? But lucky enough, I found it before it was too late. I've also heard rumblings in the wind about a new grant, so maybe tonight, as I'm watching my movie, I'll surf around and see what I can find.
In other news, I am sorely disappointed at the return of Campbell and the failure of the STV. I can't even talk about it. The only good thing was the return of Nicholas Simons, my favourite politician (closely followed by Donna Shugar) to mla status. I was a scrutineer for his campaign, and that was actually kind of fun. I got to see the gentle folk of Roberts Creek come out in their "good clothes" (I myself was dressed to the nines. Okay, eights. I was wearing mascara for goodness sake!) It was great to see so many friends and neighbours. And kids. And, I suspect, so many supporters of NS.
Kids are up! I'm off to make cereal. Like that's so tough. Matt can make cereal now, kind of nice. But if I'm up, he likes me to do it. The personal touch. All three have been sick, but looks like Matt may be coming out of it today. YAY!!!
C'est tout. Ciao for niao...
Heidi
Well, I'm mad at my husband again, but whatever. We all knew it had to happen sometime. I just wish he could say "you know, I see your point." The bastard won't ever apologize. Not for anything. And if, as you know I do, I bring whatever event up that hasn't been apologized for, he goes into "Let's not bring that up".
However, I have an evening by myself tonight, and I'm not going to sully it. I'm going to watch some british movie I found at the library (fabulous Mrs. Ritchie). Has promise.
I have been pleasantly busy with my groups - I've lost count now. Four? Two schools, scca, and dojo. That sounds right. I was going through the president's box, and found an old lease. As I flipped through the lease, I discovered that it runs out June 30th. Oops. Plus I hadn't filed my constitution changes. What kind of a preschool president am I??? But lucky enough, I found it before it was too late.
In other news, I am sorely disappointed at the return of Campbell and the failure of the STV. I can't even talk about it. The only good thing was the return of Nicholas Simons, my favourite politician (closely followed by Donna Shugar) to mla status. I was a scrutineer for his campaign, and that was actually kind of fun. I got to see the gentle folk of Roberts Creek come out in their "good clothes" (I myself was dressed to the nines. Okay, eights. I was wearing mascara for goodness sake!) It was great to see so many friends and neighbours. And kids. And, I suspect, so many supporters of NS.
Kids are up! I'm off to make cereal. Like that's so tough
C'est tout. Ciao for niao...
Heidi
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Little chuckle
Hi all:
Here's a little giggle. I have started going to karate training, and SIGH am I ever out of shape. The first day we did some sprints... I'll leave the rest to your imagination. The good news is that it has left me very determined. Shame is a good motivator *grin*
So when I came across this little gem, I had to smile. My poor little scale!
Heidi
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