Day 3 What Are Your Guilty Pleasures?

90210 –I’m not talking about the original show; I’m talking about the re-make. It’s one of two shows on my weekly “must see list” (the other is Glee). I wish I had a good excuse for watching it but I don’t. I wasn’t even a fan of the original!! Back when it was popular I was in middle school and it was on past my bedtime.

My Birth Club – As much as I have complained about the crazies over at Baby Center I still love reading my “December ’09 Birth Club” message board. I also read “Debate Team” and a few other boards occasionally. Baby Center will never be as good as it was a few years ago when there was a great LGBT community but it entertains me nonetheless.

Krispy Kreme Doughnuts – Original Glazed – 190 Calories (100 Calories from FAT). Mmm Doughnuts…num num.

Kanye West – Yeah, I know he’s an ASS but I don’t care, he’s my favourite Gay Fish. “I’mma disrobe you, than I’mma probe you, See I abducted you, so I tell ya what to do, I tell ya what to do, what to do, what to do…!!”

Jodi Picoult Books – I seriously love these books but I know they are all drama and no depth. Right now I’m reading “Sing You Home” which I’m going to warn you is NOT a book anyone reading this blog should probably ever read. SPOILER!!! It’s about a woman TTC who leaves her heterosexual marriage after a late term loss and ends up falling in love with a woman. They get married and they want to do a FET using embryos from her former relationship. Lawsuit ensues in typical Picoult fashion but this book has EVERY SINGLE TRIGGER a person TTC, PREGNANT and to a lesser extent PARENTING should probably avoid. Jodi Picoult books are like watching a train wreck… just can’t stop looking.

Edited to correct the wrong title of the book! I wrote "Sing Me Home"  but it's actually "Sing You Home". What can I say? I'm reading it on Kindle so I've never even seen the cover. (;

Day 2 - Describe you High School self

Who was I in high school?

I was an overachieving underachiever
I wasn’t popular but I knew a lot of people
I was weird, just like I am now.

I loved High School and I’m not just writing that because I haven’t been in 16 years and I’ve forgotten. It was a good time in my life. I didn’t have a lot of friends but that is kind of the same now. My High School self was constantly busy and I never felt left out. That hasn’t changed; I’ve always had a hard time fitting people into my schedule.

I was on a number of teams. I played Field Hockey, Ice Hockey, Tennis, Badminton, and Indoor Soccer. I was on the Girls Athletic Council, Grad Council and Yearbook Committee. I also volunteered as a “Peer Helper” and worked with students with Disabilities.

By far my favourite activity out of all of the above was being a Photographer on the Yearbook Committee. It was such a great opportunity to be involved in pretty much everything that went on at our school. I was the constant spectator. People would ask me to attend their events/games and would kiss up to me to take their pictures. I also never had to worry about a date to a dance or prom because I was there on “official business”. It was so great because I loved going but being a wallflower sucks. There was nothing better than purposefully wandering around with my camera and taking it all in (also taking pictures of the girls I had crushes on – haha).

Although I ended up graduating with a proficiency award (above 80% average) my high school academic career was shaky. I had a modified schedule of only 6 classes (3 per semester) because I have “an identified learning disability”, dyslexia. I also had/have ADD (which I think is a load of $&%, don’t get me started). Most people would probably think it would be more obvious that I was dyslexic but these days it mostly comes out with pen and paper communicating (I hate written forms). It’s also there when people give me directions verbally and want me to perform the actions immediately. When I played hockey (before TTC ) I had to wear a marker on my left glove to make sure I visually knew where on the ice to go for face off, and when we’d change sides. I’ve really adapted to using a computer, spell check is my friend, I can type well and I google worlds constantly. It was rough then, but it isn’t now. When I was in High School I spent a lot of time not going to class because I was in my own world.

Outside of school hours I had a part time job as a “Community Sports Leader”. I taught the red cross babysitting course (you need zero qualification to teach this, FYI), a cooking class and a craft class. I also worked basketball games on the weekend, eventually coaching my own team of 6 and 7 year old girls. It was pretty awesome. In the summers I worked as a camp counsellor and I also played field hockey on a recreational travelling team.

As far as dating during High School, I dated a couple of guys. I barely even want to talk about it. Guys are great when you’re playing basketball and rollerblading but the thing about dating a boy is they eventually want to hold your hand or kiss you and then you need to cut them loose. It didn’t work out well.

I think that pretty much sums up High School.

Where I Blog

I can't be alone, right?
In case you hadn't already noticed, I mobile blog 99.9% of the time, and THIS is my only sanctuary. That's right, sitting on the toilet is pretty much the only time I have to myself.
Before you completely recoil in horror you should know that I often seek santuary just to have a few minutes to myself. It feels like High School all over again when I'd excuse myself and go to stare out the bathroom window, count to 100, and walk back to class.

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June non-challenge

Credit to:
S: http://anofferingoflove.wordpress.com
And
Strawberry: http://1invermillion.wordpress.com

I'm going to participate because who doesn't LOVE a non-challenge (motivates me well) and because I really need a swift kick in the ass or I'm closing the blog, I mean, what's the point if I don't write anything?

Here's the non-challenge:

Day 1 – Provide a picture of the space where you normally blog
Day 2 -Describe your high school self. What extracurricular activities, if any, did you participate in during high school?
Day 3 -What are your guilty pleasures?
Day 4 – (for parents) What has most surprised you about parenthood?
(for parents-to-be) What has most surprised you about ttc?
Day 5 -What do you prefer to do on your birthday? If you have children, what do you prefer to do for their birthday?
Day 6 – When was the last time you tried something new? What was it and what was the result?
Day 7 – What’s your favorite thing to eat for breakfast, lunch and dinner? If you have children, what are their favorites?
Day 8 – If you had to teach something, what would you teach? (If you DO teach, when did you discover your love for teaching/the subject?)
Day 9 – What is the most important lesson you learned from your own mother (or other primary caretaker)?
Day 10 – Share your favorite recipe (or two)
Day 11 – In what ways does being a lesbian/2-mom family impact your experience of parenting?
Day 12 – Tell us about the first time you got drunk (as far as you can remember…)
Day 13 – Tell us about the best job you ever had, and the worst
Day 14 – How do you typically dress? How do you (or would you) like to dress your kid(s)?
Day 15 – What was your college experience like? Were you involved in any clubs, groups, etc?
Day 16 – How many friends do you have in real life that you talk to regularly? How many friends do you have that you feel are ‘true blue’ and how long have you known them?
Day 17 – (for parents) What is your favorite thing about parenthood? Your least favorite?
(for parents-to-be) What are you most looking forward to about parenthood?
Day 18 – How do you feel about astrology? What’s your sign, baby, and do you think it matches your personality?
Day 19 – How do you (and your partner if applicable) feel about PDA?
Day 20 – What is the kindest thing anyone has ever done for you? Did you repay the kindness?
Day 21. What child(ren)’s names do you like that your partner hates and thus you could never use?
Day 22 – What is your most beloved childhood memory? What memories are you trying to create (or will you try to create) for your child(ren)?
Day 23 – What are your favorite activities to do with your kid(s)?
Day 24 – What are your favorite activities to do without your kid(s)? (keep it clean!)
Day 25 – What did you want to be when you grew up? Why and/or how did that change over time?
Day 26 – What is/are the best piece(s) of parenting advice you’ve gotten or can give others?
Day 27 – Which movies or tv shows do you think are the most accurate portrayals of parenthood?
Day 28 – What size family do you come from, what size family do you want, and why?
Day 29 – What do you think about giving kids an allowance, and what chores do you or would you expect your child(ren) to help out with?
Day 30 – What is/are the most memorable questions or reactions you’ve gotten in regards to being a two-mom family?



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Do you LOVE your stroller?

I know this is a rather vapid topic considering my recent silence but I need to get back into blogging.

So, do you, have a stroller you LOVE?

I'm asking because we don't love ours, or it's replacement and I'm only so-so about the replacement's replacement. If you're counting, that's three strollers and one 16 month old.

The first stroller, our Peg Perego Pliko Switch, seemed awesome. You could face the seat in either forward or backward direction and the seat was removable so it could be swapped with a carseat. It was awsome when we were using only the base for the carseat. Something that could have been accomplished with a snap-n-go (for less than 1/4 the price). Once the stroller seat was added it was a beast. Too big.


One day last summer I'd finally had enough. I went to Once Upon a Child and bought a Rock Star Baby umbrella stroller on impulse, the Pliko has been in our basement ever since. I think it would be harsh to say I hate this stroller. I just think it's annoying. The buckle bursts into 5 pieces (that Sadie always seems to be sitting on) when undone, the recline makes her slouch and the wheels suck indoors. Nevertheless we've used it - A LOT.

Stroller number three has come to us by way of an awesome deal. We'd been casually looking at strollers and had wanted a new lightweight. We were pretty set on a Joovy Kooper until we saw a Phil and Teds Smart buggy. It's stylish, compact but it's reviews were very mixed if not leaning more towards negative. D fell in love with it yet the basic stroller was $250 and not in stock. I honestly thought it was off our list (too expensive) until D called all excited to say it was on sale at a store in North York. The bundle + accesories for $150! It was a deal that was so good that I had to agree. We got the stroller, a bassinet, travel bag, seat cushion and raincover. Total price before discount, $500. Holy shit. So now we have a 3rd stroller. It's OK but still not our
"dream stroller" but it's fun!

Now our next stroller issue is going to be Florida. We're flying on an airline with strict Gate Check rules and will only allow umbrella strollers. We're going to have to check the Phil & Teds for $50/direction, take the Rock Star or rent from Disney ($13/day). Or maybe we'll just buy a 4th stroller!! Just kidding.


Sort of. (;



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Sadie and the Easter Bunny

From our trip to Binghamton (Thanks to Laurie from Creating a Miracle for taking these great pics):

Don't call me crazy, thankyouverymuch

OSHA REGULATORY STATUS
This material is considered hazardous under the OSHA Hazard Communications Standard (29 CFR 910.1200).

POTENTIAL HEALTH EFFECTS:

a. Silicosis Respirable crystalline silica (quartz) can cause silicosis, a fibrosis (scarring) of the lungs. Silicosis may be progressive; it may lead to disability and death.
b. Lung Cancer Crystalline silica (quartz) inhaled from occupational sources is classified as carcinogenic to humans.
c. Tuberculosis Silicosis increases the risk of tuberculosis.
d. Autoimmune and Chronic Kidney Diseases Some studies show excess numbers of cases of scleroderma, connective tissue disorders, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, chronic kidney diseases and end-stage kidney disease in workers exposed to respirable crystalline silica.

Would you guess that the above text comes from a product labelled as "Play Sand" and/or "Natural Lake Sand"? If you knew this warning BEFORE purchasing the sand, would you buy it? I didn't seek out this info, I found it when I was trying to find sand to fill our new sandbox and apparently in the state of California there is a law to lable carcinogenic products and SAND is one of those products. Of course, this makes me the "paranoid freak parent who is going to deny her daugher a childhood" but I can't take back this knowledge.
The only sand that I've been able to find that seems to be OK is Crayola sand which even in California does not carry the typical warning. It appears that it's been processed in a way that reduces the dust (which is the dangerous part of the sand) significantly, and is asbestos free (yeah, that's in Sand too). It has been lab tested at Duke University to qualify for its safety rating.
So, Pink sand, no sand or Rice. I haven't decided yet.

ETA: This relates to a backyard sandbox. No, I'm not going to keep Sadie away from playgrounds and beaches.