rewind

special thanks to Amy's old lap top...I am now able to access my photos from my digital camera!! So.... here is a photo of my new hair 'do!

We're actually in Canada right now: Mont-Tremblant to be exact. We're having a great time!! We drove, and let me tell you: Julius was an absolute angel!!!!

before I post some pics from where we are right now, I need to post a couple of pics that I wasn't able to upload before...

1. Julius on his big boy bike!


2. Julius at the Air & Space Museum



Okay... I think we're up to date now... LOL

And now we're having a fabulous time in Mont-Tremblant!! Below is a photo of the view from our deck

I don't get it

I know I should be sleeping. It's after midnight, we're leaving to Canada in less than seven hours... yeah, I should be sleeping.

But I can't sleep because I can't stop thinking of a conversation I had with a friend of mine today, er, yesterday.

So my friend tells me that her friend just left her husband because he confessed to watching porn.

Okay, now are you as baffled as me? Because when she told me this, I was pretty grateful I had my sunglasses on because I'm sure my expression was "What the fuck?"

This woman iss married to this guy.. they have two kids together.. she thinks he's watching porn on the internet.. he denies it. She persists. They end up going to a priest and he confesses in front of the priest that he's been watching porn on the internet. So she takes the kids and leaves him.

WTF?

So I'm trying to take the conservative perspective here, since obviously that's the side of the fence this woman is on, and I still can't comprehend how this can end a marriage.

And the craziest thing, is that MY friend agrees with this woman.

Yes, I know. I'm baffled.

Not only does she agree with this woman, but she is revolted by this man. Outraged that he did this. Horrified because he's watched her children before.

Yes, I know. I don't get it.

And now my friend's husband is worried and wants to disconnect their computer. Why, you ask? Because of the tempation. Like the big, bad, voodoo porn demon is going to get them.

So I have to ask, what's so bad with porn? Okay, so in this particular family, porn is bad. And therefore, in a strict, religious household, by engaging in watching porn, the sancity of marriage is voided? Doesn't sound very Christian-like.

But I'm trying not to judge. I want to understand. How can this ruin a marriage? Were they ever in love to begin with?

I'm thinking. If I was against porn, and I found out my husband was watching it...would I leave him? No.

What would I do if my husband was watching porn? Well, I'd either see what he's watching for some fabulous new ideas, or decide, "hey, whatever floats the boat." I mean, really, it's not like he's having an affair. What's the freakin' big deal about porn?

I'm trying to get it...but I just don't. And it's past midnight... and I can't sleep because I'm racking my brain trying to figure out how my friend can agree with this logic.

Berry Fun

Today we went berry picking! I've never been berry picking before, so I was pretty excited about the thought. Julius and I had a great time. The rasberries weren't ripe, so we picked blackberries and blueberries instead...and I realized something. Not only had Julius never eated a blackberry or blueberry before...but I never had a blackberry before either!And quite honestly, I don't think I ever tried a blueberry either. Something or someone told me once that I didn't like them, so I avoided them. Well let me tell you... THEY ARE YUMMY!!! I think I prefer blackberries though. Julius liked them better too.

Oh he was so cute! This boy was covered in berry juice. He gobbled so many berries up! I never had offered him any berries before because the child hates strawberries, and Josh is allergic to black cherries... so I thought, with all the allergies my son has, let's try to avoid the berries for awhile But then my friend Nicole told me that black cherries were in a totally different category than berries, so I went ahead and drove over to the orchard and we HAD SO MUCH FUN!

I wish my camera was working. There would have been some great pics.

RED

Yesterday I finally did it. I dyed my hair red and had it cut. IT LOOKS GREAT!!!! I love it. Sadly, my Kodak Easyshare was disconnected from my comp, and when I tried to reconnect it, it wouldn't work! It doesn't use a standard USB cable, so I'm pretty flustered on what to do. LOL But I'll continue brainstorming and hopefully will have a pic of me up soon.

Oh, another funny Julius story:

** Whenever we're trying to get Julius' attention and he isn't listening, we ask, "Are your listening ears on?" or "Where are your listening ears?" So.... this evening, Josh was asking Julius a question, and Julius was not responding. So Josh asked him, "Where are your listening ears?" Julius replied without missing a beat, "I lost them." **

HAHAHA!! He just cracks me up.

Oh, and being that I named this post "Red," it makes perfect sense for me to add
RED here.
If you haven't registered, you really should...

out of the mouth of...

so yesterday we go see Julius' allergist. I love this guy. He is the best doctor I've ever met. He is unbelievably amazing with kids and adults. Whenever Julius and I go see him, I spend so much time just LAUGHING!!! He cracks me up. And moreso, he knows what he's talking about. He is so calm one minute and then making Julius and I laugh the next. He rocks.

Anywho, so the doctor and Julius are conversing and then he asks my son, "Where are you from?" And of course, we are both expecting him to say the city that we live in... but instead he replies, "My mommy's tummy."

HAHAHAHA!! I never expected that answer. Julius is so awesome.

Live Earth 7-7-07

http://www.liveearth.org/

monday monday

we had a nice weekend...ending up going to the zoo. I know, I know, I had said that I hated the whole idea keeping animals in captivity and how horrible it is that people go there and gawk at these poor animals... BUT, Julius wanted to see a real monkey. How can I say 'no' to that? Of course when we finally see the monkeys, Julius exclaims, "That monkey is scratching his butt!" And that was the highlight of the entire trip for my son...and husband for that matter. I don't think I can decide who was more amused by the monkey: Julius or Josh.

I don't think I'll ever understand
MALE HUMOR

But nonetheless, everyone had fun.

stitch

it's been almost two weeks since I've had my lil' surgery. I'm feeling good. Sure I'm sore every night because I refuse to rest unless absolutely necessary, but I'm doing well... much better than my past five months of pain.

I've been told I have endometriosis. Surprisingly, there are so many myths surrounding this label. It seems to be quite an enigma to many people. And then there are others in the 'these women are just hysterical and weak' camp and therefore don't believe that the pain is actually real, or that if it is real, isn't as terrible as their patients claim. In other words, the medical field has an overwhelming amount of assholes working within them.

Endometriosis isn't an 'infertility' thing. Though many people do have fertility problems.. that's usually not the reason a woman goes to the doctor for. The woman goes to the doctor because she's in pain that doesn't seem to end. Funny that most people only know the label as "oh, so you can't get pregnant?"

One thing I've really been focusing on is alternative treatments...because being cut open (no matter how small the incisions are) fucking hurts. And though the pain is different than the chronic 5 months duration of pain I had previous...I wouldn't wish the new kind of pain of anyone either. Pain is bad. Very bad.

So I'm looking into acupuncture as well as an "alkaline" type diet that will promote a healthy chemical balance.

If anyone reading this knows someone with endometriosis, I really suggest they visit the Endometriosis Association website. It's very informative.

More celebrations

So on Saturday we had Julius' birthday party. It was a lot of fun: Julius had a great time!! And then on Sunday we had Josh's company picnic... more fun!! And lastly, Sunday evening we went to my in-laws house and Julius was given his birthday present from them... a race car of his very own. LOL!!!! The car even has a working radio! LOL I just can't believe the things Fisher Price makes. Anywho, I've attached a picture of my little racer boy.

Happy 3rd Birthday!

Julius turned three today!!!
He woke up to presents, then went to school (summer camp) where I brought cupcakes and everyone sang Happy Birthday and then went out for water play.... afterwards he went right to sleep in the car ;) When he woke up, we ran a few quick errands (I bought him another present) and then later Josh, Julius and I had dinner at his favorite resturant!
Tomorrow is his birthday party... hooray!

My Yaris

I got a car!! It's so cute... it's a little Yaris: pacific blue in color. LOVE IT!

okay... ow!

So for about five months, I've been in pain. Somedays it's been good, and somedays it's been really bad, but overall I'm functional. I'm supposedly scheduled for a follow-up sonogram mid-June, but I think I might have to change it to an earlier date because the past few days have been hell... and I know the signs: it's going to get worse before it settles down to a dull ache.

I told myself I would call to schedule the sonogram for this Wednesday... but I didn't. I took a nap instead. And so now, I'm downing Motrin and thinking to myself "okay Moron, call tomorrow!" But I'm sure I'll come up with another excuse. I'm so good at making them.

It's like, I want to get it done, but then I think: if I wait just a little longer... then maybe they'll see how much pain I'm in and agree to do surgery? It's stupid, I know. It makes little sense, I know. Everyone knows that if I bitch long enough my doctor will remove the cyst just to shut me up.

I think part of me wants to wait until I'm on my 2 week vacation... it would just be easier. I wouldn't have to find a substitute to teach my class, I wouldn't have to call and reschedule visits with families I work with... and I wouldn't have to take any sick leave!

So I guess I'll just see what happens tomorrow.

hola!

It's been a while since I've posted... and it's not because I've been away from the computer. Hardly!! Turns out my car is ready to 'visit the other side' and it will take more than the actual car's worth to get it fixed. So, yeah... Josh and I have been searching online for cars.

I'm not as picky as he is though. I just want something that will be safe for Julius to be in. And of course, it has to be good for the environment!

Oh, and since I am my parents' daughter,
I'm looking for the best deals too (wink!)

You have no idea what kind of restraint I had to muster NOT to tell some sales guy at a car place where he could stick his lousy appraisal for my car. I mean, dude, I know my car is falling apart, but even I know that the price he suggested to pay for my car was below it's actual worth. No, my car and I have more dignity that that. Hmfph!

ANYWAYS...!!

Tomorrow is Monday, and on Friday...Julius turns three!! OMG I cannot believe it, he's going to be three!!! It's just insane to fathom.

Snark

So today I've been in total bitch-mode. It's not very pretty. I was even snarky to my boss, which really wasn't a good idea, but I couldn't help it. And then when I finally decided to email her a 'thank you for the heads up' (since she 'reminded' me that I forgot to do something...which really wasn't my responsibility to do in the first place: like I don't have enough crap to balance?!!? But I digress...) so then she emails me a reply, that I dunno.. in my snarky mood sounded a little...holier than thou, and it took all my energy not to email her a bitchy response. GRRRRRRR!!! But I DID respond. I don't think I was bitchy in it. At least I tried to restrain myself. That has to count for something, right? LOL

I've never been good with authority. The whole concept causes me to have serious anger issues. Take that however you want to, but it's the truth. LOL

In any case, today is Friday: THANK GAWD!!!!!!!!!!!!

funny, isn't it?

In my last blog I complained that the week was going to slow, and now suddenly it's Tuesday again. See? There was a point for my bitching, really.


So I'm feeling crappy again. When don't I? Seriously it seems like I just can't catch a break. One of these days I will be 100% healthy and feeling fine for like... a month! That would be awesome. I'm sick and tired of feeling like crap. It's been, like, five months! Sure, I get a day or two when I'm actually feeling like myself again... and then BAM! I wake up feeling like shit once again. And the doctors? All sadists, I tell you. Each and every one of them: sadists.

Oh well, enough complaining.
I can't turn this blog into one huge rant-fest.

So in other news... Mother's Day weekend was wonderful!!! And to top it off, my mum-in-law, dad-in-law and both my parents actually hung out together with Josh and I! I know, I was just as shocked about it. LOL They haven't shared breathing space in...wow...a really, really, really long time. So that was pretty monumental.

Umm...what else to say? Julius loves ice skating. I'm so proud of his persistence in learning how to skate on the ice. He totally rocks. And his vocabulary is phenomenal! I mean, he easily switches tenses, uses -ing and -ed endings appropriatly, used he/she/him/her/they/them/me/I/mine appropriately... and no one sat him down and taught it to him. He just got it. I've met three year olds who still confuse the he/she/her/him, but Julius was doing it when he was like, 26 months old or something.

We got his progress report back from his nursery school. The report checks off all different areas of development, and Julius reached all his developmental goals... in December. Seriously, this kid is completing 24 piece interlocking puzzles right now. I have no concerns about his cognitive abilities.

So yeah, he rocks.

And speaking of rock. I totally need to get a video of him singing at the top of his lungs, "I am iron toddler!!!" It is hilarious!

is it really only Tuesday?

this has been the slowest week ever. How can it only be Tuesday? I'm flabbergasted. It's not like I'm dragging my feet or anything... I've been busy; I've been productive... so what the hell? LOL I can't believe it's only Tuesday.

...I've been busy; I've been productive... so what the hell?

There is so much construction going on right now. Every road I take has either a lane closed or there's a detour, or it's just incredibly slow to drive on because of all the construction trucks everywhere.

This county is over-populated. I just can't get over how many people keep moving in. New homes, townhomes and apartments are constantly being built: and the prices are just ridiculous! But people keep buying and therefore more trees are being cut down, more pollution is being brought out into our air... it's just crazy. And though I don't live in California, this article really hit home: 'Pollution from diesel construction equipment has been taking a heavy toll on the health and economic well-being of California residents. The equipments contribute to particulate and ozone pollution that can cause severe cardiovascular and respiratory illnesses, asthma attacks, acute bronchitis, and even premature death. Lagging emission standards and very old equipment have made construction equipment one of the largest sources of toxic diesel particulate matter pollution in the state, necessitating an accelerated cleanup program to protect the health of all Californians.' (The Health Risks of Construction Pollution in California: http://www.ucsusa.org/clean_vehicles/california_driving/digging-up-trouble.html)

I try to do my part for the environment, and then I see all these construction trucks and the dust, noise, etc. ... it's just so frustrating.

So anyways, thank you, Gillian, for showing me Madarian Design. I'm going to have a lot of fun with that site!

what a fun day!

Today Julius skated on the ice FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER!!! He had a blast, it was awesome! And I was so proud of how persistent he was! He kept wanting to try again and again. He would fall and get right back up... he was never discouraged or even the slightest bit frustrated! In fact, he didn't want to LEAVE the ice rink *LOL* But after an hour on the ice, we knew he was exhausted... the little boy ended up falling asleep on the car ride home... but woke up very upset because he wanted to go back to the rink! LOL

Yummy

I'm not a big fan of ice cream, but sometimes I get sooo in the mood for that yummy, sweet goodness... like today.

Chocolate syrup, sprinkles, ice cream and a chocolate chip cookie on top. SIGH. If I had a sliced up banana it would be perfect... but this is pretty close to perfection. :)

It's the little things that make life so worthwhile....

Pain

Pain: Pain is a feeling triggered in the nervous system. Pain may be sharp or dull. It may come and go, or it may be constant.
The word "pain" comes from the Latin poena meaning punishment, a fine, a penalty. Pain is an unpleasant sensation; nociception or nociperception is a measurable physiological event of a type usually associated with pain and agony and suffering.
Pain may range in intensity from slight through severe to agonizing. It is experienced as having qualities such as sharp, throbbing, dull, nauseating, burning and shooting. It often has both an emotional quality and a sensed bodily location. Medical professionals will sometimes ask patients to rate their pain on a scale of zero through ten, where ten is consistent with screaming and thrashing about.
Pain can be classified as acute or chronic. The distinction between acute and chronic pain is not based on its duration of sensation, but rather the nature of the pain itself. The primary distinction is this: acute pain serves to protect one after an injury. Chronic pain does not serve this or any other purpose. Acute pain is the symptom of pain. Chronic pain is the disease of pain.

The concept of pain has played an important part in the study of philosophy, particularly in the philosphy of mind. The question of what pain actually consists in is still open since any evaluation is dependent upon what subject one approaches the question from. Identity theorists assert that the mental state of pain is completely identical with some physical state caused by various physiological causes. Functionalist consider pain to be defined completely by its causual role (ie in the role it has in bringing about various effects) and nothing else. Some theologians and other spiritual traditions have much to say about the nature of pain and its various spiritual consequences, especially its role in growth, understanding, compassion, and in providing an aspect of life to be overcome.

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His first pair of hockey skates