A day of firsts

I just want to jot these down, before I forget.

• Bertram peed in the potty today!  I'd been trying to have his sit, which he didn't like.  So I put him on the step stool, and he peed on the second try.  (Then on the floor, I guess he wasn't done).  I was so excited.  He hasn't done it again, but it's a start!  (Yay!)
• Today was the first time we played in the backyard.  Up until now, it's been the dogs' toilet.  But I've been more diligent about mowing, weeding, and picking up the poop.  So we played back there all together.  At one point Fiona grabbed Charlie bear and ran around the yard with him.  We all chased her, and Bertie thought it was hilarious.
• While playing in the yard, we had the bubbles out.  Bertie blew some.  He'd never done that before.
• Later in the day, all the kids were in the bath tub at Grandma's house.  Bertie bit Michael.  He's never bitten anyone (other than me) before.  But to be fair, Michael did put his finger in Bertram's mouth.

Random things from high school

• Unlike many, I didn't have a bad high school experience.  I was, by no means, popular.  But I wasn't unpopular either.  I got along with most everyone.
• I was the only white person in my group of friends.  They were all Asian (Vietnamese, Chinese, Filipino, and Japanese).  We were fairly nerdy and good (no drinking, drugs and we were all good students).  
• I loved art and science.  I still do.  There weren't a ton of art classes available, but I took all the ones I could.  
• The only AP class I took was English.  I didn't pass the test.
• In spite of that, I was a good student and got all As and Bs.
• I played badminton every year.  I love(d) playing badminton, but was terrible at it.  I was usually one of two white people on the team.  It didn't matter, it was fun.
• I had the same math teacher freshman and sophomore year, Mr Hoover.  He was the best math teacher that I've ever had.  My senior year of school he committed suicide.  He always seemed like a happy guy.  I felt sad that I never told him what a great teacher he was.
• I wish I had tried harder and paid more attention in Spanish.  (Also, Spanish was the only language my school offered.  Isn't that odd?)  I always got good grades, but I only learned to the tests, and once the test was done, I forgot everything I'd learned.
• We didn't have lockers, which was awful.
• Sometimes I think about the kids who got tattoos during senior year (mostly tramp stamps and tribal arm bands).  I wonder if they still like their tattoos.
• I got into almost all the colleges I applied to, but went to the local school instead.  I often regret not going away to school.  But I think there was to much change already.  My parents split and my sisters and mom moved away.  Aaron was only going to be in town until October, when he left on his mission.  And a lot of my friends went away to school too.  I needed something to stay the same.  But I think maybe I should have stretched myself more.  2001 was a terrible year.
• I wish home EC still existed.

Random Musings

• I would love to have two washers and dryers.  Even though I don't really have need for them.
• I have been binge-watching Law and Order SVU.  It gives me bad dream sometimes.  
• Last week I did all new recipes.  This week I've made all convenience food: spaghetti, tacos, breakfast sandwiches and Mandarin Orange Chik'en and sticky rice.
• I've been working on an easy quilt for Bertie's birthday.  Thomas the Train print on the front and yellow flannel on the back.  I'm just machine stitching around each box.  It's looking cute, and again, is super easy.
• I like working on sewing projects, but it makes my neck hurt.
• On Saturday I'm getting my hair done.  I wonder what colour it will be.
• Bertie took two baths today.  Mostly, because he was grumpy, and baths help.
• My house often looks like it was hit by a tornado.
• Since Bertie is sick we've been watching a lot of cartoons (or gargoons as he says).  I wish we could watch something other than train cartoons.  Ugh.
• I don't think Aaron and I have been in sync lately.  It happens.  :-/
• I had a piece of pie tonight.  I still need to eat less sugar.

Laid off.

I knew it was coming.  Not sure how, but sometimes you can just tell.  My tasks were getting lighter, some different cross-training had been going on.

I'm always the first one in.  6:30 is an early start.  I saw Shauna's (my supervisor) car, and I knew.  She said nothing personal, we loved having you, we wish there were a way to keep you, etc.  I got my final cheque, a small box with my stuff, and by 6:45 I was back in my car and headed home.

It isn't a terrible thing.  I only worked 8 hours a week, so it wasn't a lot of money.  We can tighten our belts.  But I liked my job.  I'd been there 6.5 years.  It was my break from baby, and time in the adult world.

I looked at unemployment, and it's just not worth it.  It would get something like $40 a week, and I need to apply to 10+ jobs (ones that I wouldn't want or wouldn't be a good fit), not to mention all the other hoops you need to jump through.

And so, I feel sad.  I had a milkshake.  For the first time in 33 days.  I went on a long walk.  It didn't help.  So I mostly took today to wallow.  Tomorrow is another day.

The January

I made some big changes for January.  Not resolutions, per say, but changes for a month, with re-evaluation at the end.

No soda
After 2 or 3 days the caffeine headaches went away.  After 4 or 5 days the cravings went away.  Occasionally, when things were stressful, I wanted a fresh, icy Diet Coke.  But I didn't cave.  Today is February 1st.  I didn't run right out and get one, or have one at all.  I think it will be a rare treat.  I like not needing the caffeine.  I may get a caffeine-free one, but that will probably be it.  We'll see.  I'm not dedicated to sticking to "no soda" anymore.

No sugar
This was way harder.  WAY harder.  I knew I had a sweet tooth, but I'm pretty sure I have a straight out sugar addiction.  The craving, and jonesing didn't stop until day 20!  I put myself to the test around day 25, and made a batch of cookies for Aaron to take to a meeting.  I didn't eat any, and more amazingly, I didn't have any of the dough (which may be my favourite thing).  I didn't lick my finger when I accidentally touched the beater.
Now, here we are, February 1st.  I was thinking I'd have one sweet treat a week.  But I'm a bit dubious.  If I really am an addict (which seems like a good possibility), then introducing sugar again is like playing with fire.  So, for now, I'm going to keep things the same.  But I am going to have a little piece of cake on Bertie's birthday.  Maybe sugar will just be for special occasions...  Time will tell.

No Meat
I sort of failed this.  I'm going back to vegetarian, but I had some shrimp.  So I think I'll be mainly veg, and flex to pesce when the spirit moves me.

Yoga
I did yoga everyday in January.  I LOVED it.  I'm not fit, and I'm not super flexible.  But there is something about doing yoga regularly that really makes you appreciate and love your body.  I'm so grateful for the things I can do, I'm not going to fixate on what I can't.  Plus, you see improvements in strength and flexibility so quickly.  I'm going to mix it up for February.  2 days of cardio, 2 days of strength and 2 days of yoga.  And Sunday... well, I'm not sure yet, a rest day?  More yoga?  The real challenge will be when my mom comes to visit.  Mom, make sure I exercise!