Books

Why can't books that are a series, be clear about that at the begining or on the cover? I read Alosha the past couple of days and at about half way through it was clear that it was going to be a series. Nothing was said about this on the cover or on the first pages! Fortunately the trilogy is out (but I know the library will only have this one or the third one). Yes its a "teen fiction" novel, but I enjoyed and will tear through the series.

In the mean time I've started A Brief History of the Dead (its a fiction novel) as Anne just finished it and told me to read it. Its very good and an interesting take on life after death and a great story to boot. The writing style really seems to suit me as I am having no trouble vividly seeing everything in my mind, something that I stuggle with in some books (that I usually don't finish thusly).

Names

Maya wants to the name the baby LollyPop, and now she wants a boy so you gota feel for the kid.

It's a Yolk Sac!

After much vomiting and peeing I had a ultra sound today to get some sort of gestational date, and it looks as if I am about seven weeks along. Thus we- as Luke likes to say- are due mid September which is great as the Midwives are full full full for August.

There was, thankfully ONE little yolk sac and a heart beating away at about 178 beats a minute. Too early to conform Mayas little sister but as per the Chinese chart I think we are all good.

Nausea is comical yet but some food aversions are popping up ie.coffee. Eating little. Baked food seems good.

OH I didn't see Lukes post before I did mine- both sides of the story eh.

Big love, a very very small heart

So today Anne and I got an ultrasound of our unexpected family member and everything looked great. Its totally amazing to see a little heart beating on this lump-thing that's only like 7 weeks old.

What's not amazing is Anne trying to drink a litre of water a couple of hours before hand (while trying to sleep because she is on nights) and barfing a couple of mugfuls all over our bed the towels made ready it anticipation of the rejection. Then she promptly asks for more water and then barfed it up again just before we left for the appointment. So it wasn't enough and we had to go back a little later again. Good thing things like this don't really bother me. (much anyway)

Games

So one of the fun things about have an Xbox now is some of the different types of games that I can try that don't show on on PC, that is once in a blue moon when I have a friend over or get a free rental.
So last a week a free rental came in the mail and since Anne is working 3 nights this week I decided to rent something, just for fun. Not a lot of selection at the local Movie Gallery, so I grabbed Ninety-Nine Nights. Don't rent this game it sucks. Can you say rushed out the door? The menus, voice acting, and controls are horrible. On top of that, there were issues with in game sound being only the right and crackly. Plus its fun for about 10 minutes and this is boring. At least the cinematics were cool. Anyway, I was disappointed and so took it back today and traded it for Rockstar Table Tennis which oozes quality and is quite fun the 15 minutes I have played so far.
Also picked up Ninja Gaiden for 5$ off of eBay! I loved this game about a year ago when I rented it for a borrowed xbox and have never gotten close to finishing it. Now I can at a nice resolution bump and sell if for a profit on eBay afterwards! Ooo the sweet ninja moves...

bleh

Well the nausea has stared along with the retching. Joy

Food seems very pointless. Smell of butter caused me to stop eating lunch and leave the room. It also could have been pictures of Nigeria from this months National geographic.

I must stay strong.....Half marathon coming.

opps didn't mean to link entire post oh well.

Huh?

I wasn't aware I was supposed to feel dirty.

Just so you all know....

........ I'm pregnant. I had the fear and bought a test to get rid of the fear but it was positive, and the back up test was positive as well so I guess that means either I have a fetus in uterus or something more sinister creating human growth hormone.

Nope it wasn't planned, and yes were were being quite careful thus we know it was Gods will, and I'm sure with his perfect planning we will be provided for. Not sure when I'm due so a ultra-sound will give some clues this week. A ultra sound will also calm my fears of one fetus vs two. Which would be scary- very scary.

I have been feeling mostly fine, some low level nausea, and a little fatigue. Not sure if the fatigue is related to the pregnancy or my half marathon training which I plan to do early march if all goes well.

Maya is overjoyed at the prospect of a little sister, she wants it to sleep in her bed and use her pajamas. She can't wait to change diapers, and to put it in a car seat.

Have told the grandparents- joy, joy, happy, happy.

Karen Comes Second

The other night I was looking for an old email...difficult as we have archives from 10years ago- not embellishing here- and I notice an old friends yahoo address.

Low and behold she still uses it and is alive and well and Calgary.

Say hello to Karen H.

She and I attended the same kindergarten class and so on. She was also stiff competition in the running department- as in she mosty was ahead of me. Melanie first, Karen second, and Anne third. I seriously have a box full of bronze ribbons. Although I think I beat her at CWOSSA once. My finest moment. Never did beat that Melanie- biggest shame.

Two Meaningless points

• I really appreciate when people shovel the sidewalk in front of their house.
• Why does the library have books 1, 4, 5,7 in a series and not the rest?

I'm a bear!

Maya is currently obsessed with dress-up. It is the one time of the day she will get dressed without a fight.

One more down....

Ian asked and Heather said yes....

I think everybody should get married- it is unnatural to be celibate.
hMMM certain brother- in -law of mine whose name starts with J, hmmmm

Skinned....

While at the meat display in a local big box grocery today I noticed that here in Hanover you can purchased a skinned rabbit for home consumption. Who knew such exotic treats were so easy to come by for us non-hunters?

Apple iPhone

http://www.apple.com/iphone/
Best desciption I have heard so far: "hot sex in a container"
Looks pretty cool to me. It would be more interesting if I was someone who had to carry a phone around all day. But I can appreciate it as a nice technological tool.

Goal

I'm stealing a goal from a complete strangers blog to run 2007km in 2007.

Grandad

Tonight we went to visit my Grandad who had a heart attack and is in the hospital. It looked as though he might die tonight, so we rushed there but further diagnosis showed that he will probably make the night. It was a nice visit though.
Other than some trouble breathing and clearly weak and tired, he was pretty much his normal self. He is 87 and is quite alright with the idea of passing away. His only concern was that Nana (his wife) was going to be okay if he was gone. We all assured him that she would be quite alright and the family was all there to help her out.
So we will see how he does over the weekend (if he makes it) and after that, see how my Nana, who is also sick right now, will deal with all of this.
He's a pretty robust guy and a very cool Grandad also well as Great Grandad to Maya. It would be nice if he hung around a few more years so she might have a few memories of him later in life.

New Shoes

Expert shoe people say that runners should replace their shoes every 500- 1000km, I get new ones when I start to get shin splints and do not resolve when i complete my run. Thus as I am limping about , today I bought a new pair.

Tried out the Runners Den in Owen Sound. Great service, Surprisingly good selection for a tiny (physical space) store. As I ran in a couple races sponsored by the store I felt I should give it my business. Purchased a Asics maxi um support shoe as my arches continue to fall. I would pronate worse if I wasn't wearing an orthotic. Mine are lilac in colour. Purchased 15% off- which still is flipping expensive. Should pray for a healing of my hips downwards so I can buy cheaper shoes.

Did my base 10km tonight in the ran- still with no reflective jacket. Amazed at the downhill performance. I had not realized how painful it has been to go downhills and how often I have walked them. Actually I have avoided hills knowing that the downwards movement would be a killer. Little concered about the amount of space in the toe box but movement in the ankle is limited- narrow feet are hard to fit.

July 14th 2007

Mark your calenders girls that is the day of Kincardine woman's triathlon. I'm undecided if I will try a tri or if I will try to better my duel time. I wish I could do both. Now before any of you start with your excesses know that only pregnancy and MAJOR trauma will be accepted. I'm giving you six months notice to clear your schedule. I co not care if you live far away- there are these amazing things called cars and airplanes. Everybody has enough time to train- just cut out Oprah three times a week. If child care is a problem I am committed to help. If you do not feel you could complete the whole thing put together a team. One swims, one bikes, and one runs.
Imagine crossing the finish line knowing you completed an amazing goal and you get a metal!!!!

Last guilt--- if you are my friend you at least try.

I'm looking for the following people specifically to get out there and do it.....

• Lisa G
• Julie S
• JeanetteDiane
• Meghan
• Kathie
• Lyndsey

For those Not on our Christmas list and those I forgot to send a card to.....

2006...Affectionitly known as the year of …2006 in this household. Life changes, life stays the same and there was a little of both this year.

On the how we make money to buy food front, Anne continues to be employed at the Chesley hospital. After a long hiatus from continuing education she traveled once weekly to complete a course in patient assessment. Luke continues to be an executive within the home focusing Maya. This time at home has also allowed him the opportunity to hone his culinary skills by regularly providing excellent well balanced tasty meals to our family. When time allows he acts as a technical consultant, working on individual and small businesses computers. God continues to direct him towards full time employment.

Maya continues to grow and develop to be her own person with a unique personality. She has worked hard at learning to express herself verbally, letting us know her likes and her dislikes. She likes babies, dolls, kitties, books, gymnastics, slides, parks. Her love of babies was demonstrated on Halloween by dressing up as one. Her dislikes include mushrooms, swings, and brushing her hair. Maya is now fully potty trained, has a fully head of curly hair, and the most vivid imagination possible. She is looking forward to starting swimming lessons whenever we sign her up for them.

New to our household this year are Mango and Carrots, orange tabby cats. While they keep us awake with their insane playing, they are also cuddlers of which we have never had. Maya is quite fond of her brothers and demonstrates her love rather physically. She only has a few minor scratches. Another family member was added- a furnace. The 25years+ model finally reached its limit, Unfortunately it was February when it did so.

Anne’s newest hobby is leaving the house at all hours of the day, in rain, snow, and boiling heat to go running. For some reason it was the year to get in better shape. To demonstrate to the world her new found talents she competed in several local races such as the Wiarton’s Shore to Shore, the Sauble Beach road race, Chesley’s Community Classic, and the Kincardine Woman’s dualathalon. Respectable finishes in all of them even with incredibly hot weather. To complete well in the dualathalon a new Trek hybrid bike was needed, which Anne loves. Luke continues to mountain bike and bought a bike trainer for indoor exercise during the winter. We play soccer together, both indoor and outdoor, which is something we enjoy a great deal.

This year has been tough on some of our family members. Anne’s father fell off of a roof in February and suffered a basilar skull fracture requiring extensive rehabilitation. We said goodbye to Anne Poppa Cramp and Luke’s Grandma Bellamy. The both had lived long lives. Our beloved beta fish felix was ate by the cats. We hope he tasted good.

Have a Merry Christmas and Fabulous 2007

Games...notes on

• Andrea and I are Pictonary masters....not cheaters
• Sea farers of Catan is a good expansion.

To be a better person I must.....

Official List Anne

• Drink more H20. Develop larger bladder to hold it all as if not may have to take up pernant residence in the bathroom
• Do more fun things with Maya
• Run a two hour half marathon
• Pray more, Read bible more, Devolp a more in deapth relationship with God
• Keep track of running mileage
• Be more social

Official List Luke

• "I think resolutions are dumb"

Edit: Added a couple of more resolutions.

Resolution Run Barrie

Last night I completed the 5km resolution run with the Barrie Running Room. I had only decided to run it a week before so of course it was sold out but the organizers assured me that was OK and many people crash the race. Other then not receiving the hat and vest I am glad I didn't spend the money on the registration as it was poorly organized- from a competitive point of view.
There was no timers and no official finish times, as the turn around point official was late getting to the proper spot so I almost lost time with extra distance.
As I had not registered I was not to concerned about the details like where it started so after a rather loud search ( Luke and I fighting) I only had enough time to jump out of the car and find a spot in line before the horn blew.
It was a flat out and back along the shore of Lake Simcoe, I quickly moved to the front of the pack passing many people. I pased myself with some men, but soon moved on thinking 'Isn't this to be somewhat competitive?' I had a good finish - timed on my watch of about 24min. I lost time at the start line as I should have started at the head of the pack. Luke says I finished in the top12-15people, second or third girl. There were 217 registered running/walkers unsure of actual numbers. My goal was 30min. So I'm pleased. Eventually I would like to have a personal best of 21min.

Oh and Lisa it was me and the old guy without a refective jacket. I looked sooo un refective- like a blur in the night. Thinking about baby blue now.Or navy......perhaps yellow.....