Love, love this!

Check out Brawny Man!

Ahh, balm for the woman's soul.

Yes, we do get to see some nice things
















There are some spectacular sunsets in Toronto.

Mom time

A couple of weekends ago I got really sick. I mean, crawl on the floor sick. Now, I'm a grown woman with a husband and a child, but what did I really want? My mom. Well, I ended up getting mom time, though not what I had imagined. I had to go to the ER and my parents came to take me. My mom stayed with me in the waiting room and harrassed nurses to take me ahead of other patients (a totally pointless exercise, but I would have done the same in her place). I was in pain and nauseated and all kinds of yucky stuff, but I had my mom with me. We had some alone time and it was nice. Once they sent me home with a very uninspired diagnosis (it's a virus), I felt better, though tired and wanting nothing more but to lie down. My parents left immediately, but even though I had felt sick and had to wait for hours in the ER, I had a warm glow inside from mom time.

A meme from Glacia.

List seven songs you are into right now. No matter what the genre, whether they have words, or even if they are any good, but they must be songs you are really enjoying now. Post these instructions in your blog along with your seven songs. Then tag seven other people to see what they are listening to.

OK, my seven do not blog. Well, one does, but she hasn't in like forever.

Hmm. OK, this is really hard. I have not listened to music in a while and the music I listen to is generally a canned tune played by a stuffed dog.

Ou sont tous mes amants - Vanessa Paradis and some other chick
Beacause sometimes you want your past lovers to assemble and sing your praises and of course, lament the fact that you have left them. But it rarely happens.

Blackbird - Sarah Maclachlan
I am so sorry, I have clearly no idea how to spell this woman's name, but the first verses of her voice singing this song just give me shivers.

I need you tonight - INXS
The old version. Somehow I just don't like the new guy. Often want to sing it to Arthur.

That new Madonna song.
I don't even know the title, but I like, yes I like.

Feeling Good - Michael Buble
Just sooo mellloooowww.

That song from Oh, Brother Where Art Though.
Soggy bottom boys, man! And it's because I have a soggy bottom boy at home.

Beyond the Sea - Frank Sinatra
Yes, I know, but it's also my little pumpkin's fave.

I tag Emma, Frann, Maria, Vanessa, Carol Ann, Wendy, Lorena

A to Z Meme

Accent: Toronto Canuck with hint of Eastern European.
B - Breakfast Item: Cereal du jour
C - Chore you hate: Laundry
D - Dad's Name: Matthew
E - Essential everyday item: lip gloss
F - Flavour ice cream: Vanilla with chunks of fudge
G - Gold or Silver?: Both!
H - Hometown: Warsaw, Poland
I - Insomnia: Not lately, but yes, before I had a kid
J - Job Title: Technical Writer and Instructional Desiger
K - Kids: One, very cute one
L - Living arrangements: Husband, child
M - Mum's birthplace: Warsaw, Poland
N - Number of significant others you've had: hm, must I say?
O - Overnight hospital stays: One over night a few day surgeries
P - Phobia: Hate bugs
Q - Queer: Oooh, no!
R - Religious Affiliation: Catholic, but not very practicing
S - Siblings: One half sister who is incommunicado most of the time
T - Time you wake up: 6:00 am, sigh
U - Unnatural hair colours you've had: Too many to number
V - Vegetable you refuse to eat: Spinach
W - Worst habit: Bad money management
X - X-rays you've had: Knees, lungs and teeth.
Y - Yummy: Oranges and cherries and chocolate
Z - Zodiac sign: Taurus - bull in a China shop!

Hump day

We woke up to a Conservative government yesterday morning. Not that this was unexpected, but still, I am not a happy camper. And to boot, they will likely call anothe election within two years to try to get a majority government. Ugh. What a waste of time and money. There are way too many elections in this country lately.

Alex has a cold. The poor mite is coughing in a very deep and ugly way. I just want to hug and hold him every time this happens, but he's off happily in his little world, exploring, pulling things off the table and other baby things. The latest is that he has learned to jump. He stands on the sofa, holds on to the back and jumps. Does the same on my lap, which can get a trifle painful.

Arthur is sick too. He sneezes and coughs all over the place and of course, I worry that it will go into his lungs. I've been knitting his sweater and am almost done the back. I have 7 inches to go.
I also bought some gorgeous yarn for a poncho and even began last night, but realized that I need larger needles. The yarn is sort of fuzzy and it's hard to work the pattern on it and it was the devil to take apart. I think this poncho will take a while or will become something else altogether.

Reflections for a Monday

Time is very relative. Right now on my computer, the time is 3:34 p.m. On my phone, it is 3:33 and on my old phone it's 3:31. My watch shows 3:32. This all shows very plainly that I am ready to go home and am watching the clock. Still an hour and 15 minutes to go though.

I have realized yesterday, as I was rocking my boy to sleep, that my life is about food. There is just way too much food in my life. The problem is that I like food, good food that is. If I can change the focus to something other than food, I bet I'll lose weight. But what? Of course, I can't remove food from my life completely or else I'll get very weak and die. It's a dilemma.

It's been cold as heck in TO the last few days. Today the temperature in the morning was -13 C, but it felt like -19. Brrr! For all you Fahrenheit folks, that's VERY COLD! There's a biting wind and even though it's sunny and beautiful, it's not fun to be outdoors. I'm sure I will feel that even more, as I wait for the bus later on.

And this brings us to 3:44. Still an hour to go.

Friday!

Ah, love Fridays. And it's pay day to boot. This means that I might be able to get the wools for my bag project. I have this felted bag pattern I got free from Bernat or some place and it only takes a four balls of wool to make. The pattern is very complicated, but this bag looks SO good! I really want to try it. Arthur's sweater is taking me so long and I need a break so I can make something that can be completed in less time.

Alex slept last night! Well, that is, slept relatively well. He woke up a couple of times, but went back to sleep in his crib, allowing his exhausted parents to get some sleep.

Had to conduct a training session this morning and it went well. Now just waiting for lunch and I will go off to the bank, unless it's raining. Hope it's not because I want to stop by the new Japanese store on the way back. They have gorgeous bowls and I know I'm not supposed to buy them, but if I did, I could throw away those blue cheapie ones, that I'm afraid are lead glazed. Really, I'm doing it for our health! Really!

What a difference a few years makes

Yesterday when I came home and was playing with bebe while listening to my hubby prepare dinner, I was thinking how different this same scene was three years ago. Three years ago, I was single and would have come home probably late, having stopped on the way to do some shopping. I would have been sitting on the couch, maybe eating some sort of dinner (probably steak and egg), maybe not, depending on what my stop on the way entailed. I would be watching some sort of TV show, reclining on the pillows, relaxing. Maybe I would do some bike riding on my stationary bike.
The scene today: rush home from work, curse if there is a delay on the subway. As soon as I arrive, tear my work clothes off and put on house clothes. Wash hands twice and rush to be with my little man. Then tickle, kiss, hug him while Arthur is making yummy smells in the kitchen. The TV may be on, but I can only hear about half of what is being said and therefore only get half of every news story. Eat dinner, do dishes, give Alex a bath and put him to bed. Collapse on the couch in a state of exhaustion and mental fog. Thank God for every moment and for the fact that knitting does not require thinking.

Good times...

In response to glacia's meme. Have you ever:

smoked a cigar: no
crashed a friend’s car: no
stolen a car: no
been in love: yes
been dumped: yes
dumped someone: yes
taken shots of alcohol: yes
been fired: no
been in a fist fight: no
snuck out of a/your house: yes
had feelings for someone who didn’t have them back: yes
been arrested: no
made out with a stranger: no
gone on a blind date: no
lied to a friend: yes
had a crush on a teacher: yes
seen someone die:no
been on a plane: yes
thrown up in a bar: no
miss someone right now: yes
laid on your back and watched cloud shapes go by: yes
made a snow angel: yes
played dress up: yes
cheated while playing a game: yes
been lonely: yes
fallen asleep at work/school: yes
used a fake id: no
felt an earthquake: yes
touched a snake: yes
run a red light: yes, but, but... OK, yes
had detention: yes
been in a car accident: yes
hated the way you look: yes
been lost: yes
been to the opposite side of the country: that depends which country. This one, no
felt like dying: yes
cried yourself to sleep: yes
played cops and robbers: no
karaoke: sigh, yes
done something you told yourself you wouldn’t: yes
laughed till some kind of beverage came out of your nose: yes
caught a snowflake on your tongue: yes
kissed in the rain: yes
sang in the shower: yes
made love in a park: no
had a dream that you married someone: yes
glued your hand to something: no
got your tongue stuck to a flag pole: no
worn the opposite sex’s clothes: yes
been a cheerleader: no
sat on a roof top: no
talked on the phone all night: no
ever too scared to watch scary movies alone: don't watch them at all!
played chicken fight: what the hell is that?
been pushed into a pool with all your clothes on: no
been told you’re hot by a complete stranger: yes
broken a bone: no
dipped snuff: what the hell does this mean?
lived overseas: well, I was born overseas, so technically am living overseas now
ever passed out/fainted: yes

My past life

Your past life diagnosis:
I don't know how you feel about it, but you were male in your last earthly incarnation.You were born somewhere in the territory of modern South China around the year 1700.Your profession was that of a trainer or holder of fine animals, such as birds..
Your brief psychological profile in your past life:Revolutionary type. You inspired changes in any sphere - politics, business, religion, housekeeping. You could have been a leader.
The lesson that your last past life brought to your present incarnation:You are bound to solve problems of pollution of environment, recycling, misuse of raw materials, elimination of radioactivity by all means including psychological methods.

Find yours at:

http://www.thebigview.com/pastlife

'Tis a time for looking back

At the end of each year I try to take stock of what I have accomplished. This year is not bad though it does not compare with the last (had a child last year!). This year I got a new job. I got my full G drivers' license. I got into debt. I got to attend some very cool psych training and meet some very interesting people. I got to spend four months taking care of my baby full time.

Things that will be transferred from my 'to do' list for next year:

• get a car
• get a house

Those pretty much make it on the list every year, but there were many years when 'get a good job' was on the list and voila, this year I did. I am hopeful.

And now for something completely different...

You know you are bored out of your tree when... you learn how to see auras on an internet site. I'm not kidding. I've been indexing a book for a few days and feel that my inventiveness is draining so I am off in the pursuit of something new, weird, different. Well, I managed to see an aura of a red circle, but have not had the opportunity to practice on a person yet. I am quite intrigued though.

Post Christmas Thoughts

It was a good one this year, possums. The food was yum, the gifts were nice and a good time was had by all. Alex cleaned up, as expected. I think his favourite so far is a talking dog that when poked in various places says things like 'blue ear' and 'hand' and 'hug me'. We were a little spooked when the dog, left aside for a few minutes, said 'I can see you!' Can you say horror movie?

I got lovely things, a work basket and a cute mug from Arthur. I immediately put all my wool in the basket and it all fits! Love it! The mug has Eyore on it. :) I got him some nice Dolce & Gabbana cologne and a South Park t-shirt. My friend Charlotte gave me a gorgeous Roots leather bag and some lovely Fruits and Passion products. I still have to redeem my Sephora gift certificate that I got from my not-so-secret santa at work.

Now I need to shop for Arthur's birthday, which is on the 2nd of January and for Emma's, which is on the 14th.

Slowly getting back into the swing of things at work. That is, not really. Just basically putting in the time. I have to work two days this week. Well, really. No point in starting anything big.

Thinking about New Year's resolutions, I think I will carry over last year's - to clear up clutter and add to it. Will keep you posted.

Ahh, love the hols.

It's Christmas time...

Christmas at the Burdick home (the young Burdicks that is) means sleeping an hour later than normal. Oh, how I relish ... but I am being very practical.

Seriously though, Christmas has always had a mystique about it for me. I just love this holiday. This year we will be going to Oakville once again. So, it will go something like this.

Christmas Eve

11:43 a.m.
Board train for the ville, after an hour on the subway and bus. Alex's carriage filled to capacity and us carrying his gear (which seems to be the most bulky) and pressies, pressies.

12:30 p.m.
Arrive Oakville and stuff everything and everyone into my dad's car for the 15 minute ride from the station.

12:45
Arrive at parents' home to find mom in the kitchen with a wild look on her face, trying to prepare the Christmas Eve feast (no other way of describing it). There are 12 courses in the traditional Polish Christmas Eve dinner. We have cheated along the years by calling each piece of dessert a 'course' because seriously, who can eat 12 courses! We throw ourselves into helping. Alex romps on the carpet in the living room, tearing any and all papers that come into his hands.

4:40
We can't sit down to the table until the first star appears in the sky. So, much time is spent on looking for said star. Luckily, Venus usually shows up pretty early.
We have a special Christmas wafer (note to self, go and buy wafer) that we share before dinner. Each person breaks off a piece and then goes around to everyone else with their wishes. Then you break off a piece of their wafer and they break a piece of yours. That ensures that the good wishes come true.
We then sit down to dinner, which is vegetable salad, hot sauercraut, cod or some other such fish, herring, mushroom soup. While we have an apple compote, we open the presents. Then there are cakes - cheesecake, poppyseed loaf, babka, and of course, chocolate. There is wine with dinner and then brandy or whisky after.

7:00
Happy laziness after a filling dinner, the trying on of gifts, playing any new CDs or DVDs, leafing through books.

10:00
Bedtime.

Christmas Day

8:00 a.m.
Christmas breakfast, with ham, veggie salad, eggs and all kinds of goodies.

3:00 p.m.
TURKEY!!!

Now, all this said, things might be completely different this year because of Alex.

Glacia and I remember...

Well, there was that time we went to see Mamma Mia. We had had some vodkatinis before that at Zoom so we were in a great mood. We sang and danced to all our fave ABBA songs. There was a man with a beard sitting next to us. He just sat there and looked on. We were pretty sloshed and demanded to know why he was not participating in the greatest musical event ever. He turned to us and we realized it was Bjorn Ulvaues! He thanked us for our enthusiasm and asked that we perform a cameo in the next performance. We did. Unfortunately, by then we were sober. There ended our career as musical performers, but it was GOOD TIMES!

Trouble

I am having a lot of trouble posting lately. Something in Blogger doesn't like pengirl. Very sad. Also sad and also trouble - our ferret, named Trouble is sick and will possibly not see the spring. She's losing hair down the back and is sluggish and sometimes doesn't eat. Poor little thing.

Now, about the election foolishness. I already made my views known about the fact that it's a waste of time and money, however, the opposition parties seemed not to have heeded what I said because there was a vote of non-confidence last night and the election will be officially called this morning. Hello, another minorty government! I feel for Emma whose hubby will be in the midst of it all, being a party employee.

In knitting news... yes, you thought I gave up, didn't you! I finished soft fluffy scarf for me and made small scarf for baby and now back to Arthur's sweater. This will take a while because the wool is pretty thin and the sweater needs to be big. Hopefully he can wear it next winter. :)

7 Seconds

We watched a documentary on the Passionate Eye last night about a man who has almost total amnesia. He can remember things for 7 seconds. This is as a result of a virus that attacked his brain 20 years ago. He used to be a brilliant orchestra director and now cannot remember anything. He can't go out because he would never be able to return. He doesn't know if he saw his wife that day or his children. It's a kind of death and a horrible way to live. Makes me very grateful that though I don't have money, I have lots of other blessings - my wonderful husband and lovely boy and all my faculties intact.

365 Days

52 bags of diapers, 200 cans of formula and I don't know how many boxes of baby cereal and baby food later, we have a one year old! Alex celebrated his birthday yesterday. We had my parents over as well as Emma and Simon. Alex was SO excited all day that he would not nap. As a result he was so tired after Emma and Simon left that he fell asleep as I was feeding him cereal with pears and mango. He got lots of toys, two new outfits and a snow suit. Of course, he played with the cardboard box his Barney came in the most.

I can't believe it's been a year already. It doesn't seem possible. He's so adorable. I'm sure every mother says that, but in my case it's actually true. :)

Rememberance Day

To all the Veterans: Thank you. We remember.

Snow White


The Traditional Princess

You are generous, graceful, and practical with both
feet planted firmly on the ground. You tend to
be a little on the old-fashioned side. You
value home, hearth, and family life and love to
be of service to others.

Role Models: Snow White, Maid Marian

You are most likely to: Discover a hidden talent
for spinning straw into gold.


What Kind of Princess are You? - Beautiful Artwork (Original Music is BACK!!!)
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