And no. I’m not even a wee bit overzealous.
Why do you ask?
Why do you ask?
© Crazy Bloggin’ Canuck–A Denver Mom’s Blog
Musings of a Mommy Blogger
September 11, 2008 by
Am I the only one out there who is dragging when it comes to blogging? I swear, getting even a few posts up the last few weeks has taken effort.
Or maybe because I want to internalize all my daily profundities such as how Fruity Cheerios blow up to look suspiciously like Fruit Loops when doused with water. Mind-blowing, I know.
One of the things that has cracked me up about this blog is I started it to keep in contact with friends and family and yet I feel more isolated from them than ever. Meaning: they read it but 99% of them refuse to admit to it or ever comment. And they don’t feel the need to email because HELLO, they read my blog that day so already know what is going on in my life. Voila, my empty inbox.
Oh, and maybe it’s also because I haven’t been too great with returning emails these days.
I started blogging a few years ago before it was really en vogue and I didn’t understand the community aspect of it. My initial blog was over at MSN and I remember when the first “stranger” left a comment. I was completely taken aback and promptly deleted it, equating them as a stalker.
Little did I know blogging is legalized stalking. And I have truly loved the community I am now a part of. But I have to admit I have been frequently tempted to turn my blog private and only admit entrance to those who are an active part of it.
And especially now that so much of time and attention has been turned to growing Colorado’s mommy blogger community at Mile High Mamas, I’m just trying to figure out my little Crazy Bloggin’ Canuck’s place in this big, bad blogging world.
Has anyone ever had any of the same thoughts? Have you been frustrated by the number of visitors who don’t give any feedback? Has the direction and purpose of your blog changed since you first started it? I guess what I am saying is I am going through a blogging mid-life crisis and need to be talked off the ledge. 🙂
© Crazy Bloggin’ Canuck–A Denver Mom’s Blog
Lord of the Gourds
September 9, 2008 by
It’s been quite the week here at Casa Canuck. I have been suffering from allergies and battling off a sinus infection for quite some time. I finally succumbed on Friday. Remember all of you who said you’d like to spend your Mental Health Day in bed reading a book? That is exactly what I proceeded to do for the next few days as I starting rereading that crack-cocaine Twilight series. So, it was Edward, me and more snot that should ever be humanly possible.
He’s just lucky to be a vampire.
And in love with that hussy Bella.
I am slowly on the mend but as my world turns, Bode has developed the sniffles. I am just waiting for Hadley and Jamie to succumb as well.
Evidently, my personality is not the only thing that is infectious.
In other news, Jamie’s pumpkin’s growth is slooooowing down. Of course, the orange beast is more than 600 lbs so don’t feel too badly for him. The glorious 70-degree temperatures have been wreaking havoc on its 30-lbs-a-day growth. His mistress allegedly grows best in lower 90s, one of the many things she and I disagree about.
Even though the growth is slowing down, Jamie’s obsession is not. A couple of weeks ago, we received a new video from PBS “Lord of the Gourds” (yes, you read correctly). And then, a few days later, the “best-selling” book How to Grow World Class Giant Pumpkins arrived on our doorstep.
I was shocked to discover the book is in its third edition. Which means more than two people read the previous editions.
In the book, there are some pretty funny pictures of those involved in the pumpkin craze. But none was more disturbing than the guy whose license plate read “PUMPKIN.”
“Jamie, please tell me you’re not going to get a personalized license plate that says that.”
“No, that would be ridiculous.”
“Whew! At least you are somewhat reasonable.”
“I just plan to paint my new car orange.”
© Crazy Bloggin’ Canuck–A Denver Mom’s Blog
The one and only time I’ll get political…without actually getting political
September 8, 2008 by
I have already established that I am NOT a political blogger. But there is a debate raging in the media that I feel we need to address: namely the nomination of Sarah Palin as Vice President.
Sure, there have been legitimate questions about her lack of experience. But really, if I wanted to go there (which I don’t), Barak Obama is running for President of the United States and his experience pales in comparison to McCain’s.
Let’s face it — the one with the most experience does not always win. I am also a firm believer that the people who make the most impact on the world are often those who don’t make the most sense on paper.
The real heart of this debate (and where I want your honest opinion) is can a mom of five with a son being deployed to Iraq, a pregnant teen-aged daughter and a special needs baby be up for the task? There. I said it.
I was not sure what rubbed me the wrong way about Sarah Palin’s nomination. Sure, I felt pandered to but a brave post written by Angela at Segullah blog really nailed it:
…If Palin were a man, the family situation would still give me pause. But as much as it (kinda?) troubles me to admit it . . . not as long a pause. Because, dang it, Sarah Palin is a mother, and I’m a mother, and I know how it *feels* to be a mother, and these feelings lead me to wonder two things. First, is it really possible for Palin to give her full time and attention to the monumental task of running the country when she has so much going on in her family life?
And second (and this is the REALLY tricky one, and I’m not trying to offend anyone
© Crazy Bloggin’ Canuck–A Denver Mom’s Blog
Mental Health Day for this CRAZY Bloggin’ Canuck
September 4, 2008 by
I took a Mental Health Day yesterday. In an ideal world, a person does not almost end up in the psych ward trying to plan their mental reprieve but that is what happened when Haddie’s playgroup almost fell though and then my bike’s tire went flat and no one had the correct-sized nozzle to pump it up.
Oh, and did I mention I am a single parent this week because Jamie is back East on business? Hence the reason for the Mental Health Day. It may come as a surprise to those who know what a social being I am but I looooove to be alone. But marriage + kids = alone no more.
Fortunately, everything came together at the last minute and I had seven blissful hours all to myself. And what did I do? Why, I’m glad you asked!
1) I went to Boulder, Colorado’s outdoorsy, green-living Mecca. Where residents are freakishly athletic and the dreg-locked CU students can pass as homeless people.
And where I finally conquered something on my dying-to-do list: I biked up (and up and up) Boulder Canyon and then cruised down along the Boulder Creek Trail.
It was a killer 2-hour ride and I thought I had put in a respectable effort until two GRANDMAS cruised past me.
Mind you, these are Boulder Grannies, which makes them superior among their blue-haired species.
2) After my ride, I showered. And shaved. These alone should warrant recognition of some kind.
3) I grabbed lunch and went to see Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2. Alone. Ever been to a movie alone? When I was single, I used to do it all the time. And I loooooove it because I don’t have anyone asking me questions or begging me to take them to the bathroom.
Other than those two annoyances, Jamie was certainly missed.
Though exhausting, I was thrilled with how much I was able to do. Not that we’re ever lackadaisical. When Haddie is in preschool, Bode and I always cram a lot into our three-hour window–from biking to hiking to going for walks.
One of the other mothers at preschool is amazed by this and last week, I relayed a conversation I had with her to Jamie:
“And then I asked her what she does while her kids are in school.”
“And what did she say?”
“She cleans. BWHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!”
“Amber, I encourage you to pursue friendships with women who are great examples like this.”
So, here’s your question: you have seven hours to yourself. What do you do? Play? Shop? Sleep? Or [gulp] Clean? (Though if you answer affirmatively to the latter point, I don’t think we can be friends. 🙂 Let’s hear about your ideal Mental Health Day!
© Crazy Bloggin’ Canuck–A Denver Mom’s Blog
I Love My Life
September 2, 2008 by
“I love my life.”
This is the title of a blog post Stephanie Nielson wrote on July 22nd. And why shouldn’t she love her life? She is gorgeous, inspiring, has a handsome husband and beautiful children.
Her blog is a place where she captures the wonderment of simple day-to-day living. Where she writes love letters to her beloved “Mr. Nielsen.” Where every moment is treasured and every child celebrated.
A month later, she was in critical condition in a burn unit clinging to her life.
As many of you have already heard, the blogsophere has rallied around her and her husband’s recovery with auctions and prayers.
Even though I had never heard of her until the plane crash, her story has resonated with me. And it should resonate with all of us. How one day, our life as we know it can slip between our fingers.
The past couple of weeks, our little family’s pace has slowed and moments have lengthened.
© Crazy Bloggin’ Canuck–A Denver Mom’s Blog
Let’s get P-O-L-I-T-I-C-A-L, POLITICAL, I wanna get POLITICALLLLL
August 30, 2008 by
OK, so maybe those weren’t exactly the words (but can you name that classic Olivia Newton-John tune?)
I am not politically active. And really, how could I be? I moved away from Canada when I was 18 and have lived in an alien land ever since. The most political I’ve ever been was when watching that one show that was named after me.
You know. Politically Incorrect.
So, when I was invited by Mr. Lady (she who is half-man, half-woman and half-Canuck, half-American) to the Rocky Mountain Blogger Bash for the DNC, I had absolutely no intentions of waxing political. In fact, I probably would not have watched Obama’s speech had I not been herded in there with everyone else. The reactions were across the board–from those inspired souls who were weeping, to the Republican poli blogger who was making catcalls to Obama’s promises that included, “Yeah, and you’ll give every little girl a pony, right?”
But no matter what end of the spectrum you were on, there was a common energy and kinship that radiated. Why? Because whether Democratic, Republican or Alien, we were all blogging geeks who, for a few hours, felt cool.
As I was signing in, four beautifully dressed and giggling women came up behind me. My first thought was, “These have got to be moms who are out of the town together for the first time without kids.” I was right. And Amy of Crunchy Domestic Goddess, Heather of A Mama’s Blog, Julie of Chez Artz and Melissa of Nature Deva were every bit as delightful in person as they are on their blogs.
More lovelies were added to the list before long: Aimee of Greeblemonkey, Julie of Mothergoosemouse, Amy of Inherent Passion, Suzanne of Crunchy Green Mom, Laura of LaLa Girl, not to mention Marge in Real Life. Really.
(Julie, me, Melissa (front), Laura, Suzanne, Amy and Heather)Lijit was one of the sponsors and their lovely televangelist evangelist Tara Anderson was there to take my hand (no, it wasn’t that kind of party) and guide me through the ins and outs of this Boulder-based company. Lijit allows bloggers to create their own own search engines that can be based just upon their blog or across multiple social networking services.
I now heart Lijit because 1) This means I no longer have to feel self-absorbed by Googling myself to reference past stories and 2) You, my dear friends, can type in something like “pumpkins” in my site’s little Lijit Search Wijit and find out just how deep my husband’s obsession runs. In one sitting.
Another highlight was meeting ‘Twas Brillig. If she was a man and named Jamie Johnson, I would totally be all over her. If it was that kind of party. Which it definitely wasn’t. Seriously though, this gal is hilarious, just moved from Utah, speaks about 90 different languages and described me as sparkling. How could I not be in girl love (of the innocent variety).
We left the party with her two friends and strolled 16th Street Mall taking in all the revelries. Bands were playing in the streets, Obama action figures were everywhere and Denver came alive as it shone in the national limelight.
So, whether or not you are a believer, I was so glad that for a few short hours this week, I was a taker.
Are you political? What do you think of McCain’s choice in VP? Are you swept away by Obama-rama? What are your views of this political season?
© Crazy Bloggin’ Canuck–A Denver Mom’s Blog
A Family In Deep
August 27, 2008 by
Deeeeeeeeep Thoughts: By Bode
“Mommy mommy mommmy mommy mommy mommy mommy mommy?”
“Yes, Bode.”
“Choo Choo Train!” [Then repeat 1,000,000 times per day, substituting the occasional truck and ball.]
Deeeeeeeeep Thoughts: By Hadley
Part I: “Mommy, do you wish I could be ice and you could be the water to make me?”
Part II: When driving past Colorado University, I schooled Hadley on the benefits of a good education. After a mind-numbing lecture of how she can study to be anything she wants, I queried,
“So, what do you want to be when you grow up?”
“A princess.”
“Gee, that’s nice. But what is your back-up plan if the princess gig doesn’t work out?”
“A queen.”
Deeeeeeeeep Thoughts: By Amber
It was a rare afternoon of leisure. Hadley was at a playdate and Bode was napping.
I sank into Jamie’s large leather chair in front of the computer, stretched lazily, reached for a black marker and sniffed, long and deep.
But then I wondered–
Is this normal?
Deeeeeeeeep Thoughts: By Jamie
In Case You Missed It Part I, this was part of the post that I wrote from my deathbed when I had salmonella:
If you don’t hear from me for a while, blame the pumpkin. I don’t know why. It just seems appropriate. As my last request, I plead with you not to let Jamie put one on my tombstone. Because he’s just kind of obsessed like that….
In Case You Missed It Part II, this was the comment Jamie left on my blog:
I actually plan on burying Amber in the big pumpkin. I expect to grow one big enough that she can easily fit inside. That way my two great loves can be together for eternity. What can I say? I’m a romantic. – Hunky Hubby
Side note: we are miraculously not in deep for Labor Day and have absolutely NO PLANS. What are yours?!
© Crazy Bloggin’ Canuck–A Denver Mom’s Blog
Potty Training Mayday. AGAIN!!
August 26, 2008 by
First, thank you for all your great insights in what became an unexpectedly heated debate yesterday. If you missed all the “fun,” make sure to check it out.
Second, I am pleading for your help. My 4-year-old daughter Hurricane Hadley has fallen off the wagon.
No, she’s not drinking again but this is in direct correlation to the beverages she consumes because she is peeing again. And not in the potty.
For those who have descended into the very depths of potty training hell with me know, it took a long time for her to be potty trained. Three years and nine months to be exact. And ‘ner was there an accident after she finally started doing it.
Until this summer.
It started when we were in Canada at the beginning of July and continued throughout all our travels. I tried not to make a big deal about it because of our lack of schedule but now that we have been home for a few weeks, she is still doing it. Every. Stinkin’. Day.
This time is different. Before, it was a power trip not to go on the potty. Now, she sneaks around and changes her clothes not wanting to draw attention to herself. Her only excuse is she forgot because she’s so busy.
Perhaps I should get her a Palm Pilot so she can schedule it in.
When we were on a trip to Yellowstone a few weeks ago, Jamie threatened to put her back in diapers. This worked temporarily but any subsequent threats have almost brought the house down with great kicking, wailing and gnashing of teeth.
Now, let me establish that she is otherwise completely delightful these days. She still goes on the potty most of the time and after an eruption of poop (that resulted in my own eruption ) at the Calgary Stampede that forced us to go home early, she has never had one of those accidents again.
And so my dear friends, I am putting this out to you: have you ever had this happen? How would you handle it?
Oh, and as for those folks who have been asking how Bode is coming along, any mention of the potty draws one emphatic response: “NO.”
They say boys are tougher than girls. Please shoot me now.
© Crazy Bloggin’ Canuck–A Denver Mom’s Blog
Career vs. Stay at Home: How Did You Decide?
August 25, 2008 by
I was contacted a couple of months ago by a book publisher. I know. Me.
The email appeared as I was being forced to get jiggy with my daughter and her favorite movie, The 12 Dancing Princesses. As I strained to read the email’s contents, Hadley reprimanded me I was not “keeping form” with my pirouettes. This, from the girl who performed an impromptu solo at her dance recital.
The query came from a leading publisher in the outdoor industry. The company was looking for someone with a travel writing background to write a guidebook on hiking with children in Colorado.
I went through my mental checklist:
Hiking? Love it.
Children? Have them.
Colorado? Live there.
It was the perfect fit! Or was it? After the initial euphoria wore off, I sat down to weigh the pros and cons of accepting an assignment of this magnitude. And after a lot of self-reflection, my answer was no.
This still floors me. Ten years ago when I was hot on my career path, I would have jumped at such an opportunity.
Well, except that I was single and living in Utah so I likely would not have been a viable candidate.
When I got married, I made the decision to stay at home with my children. It was not something I always dreamed of doing but it was the right choice for me. My transition from a wanderlust life to a stay-at-home mom of a colicky newborn was not a smooth one.
But after four years, I have finally come into my own and have a pretty great gig. I freelance part-time from home, drag my kids on a new adventure every day, shower once a week and blog about poop. I am living the dream. Or at least my dream. And right now, I just don’t want to take on a gargantuan new project to mix everything up.
Women’s libbers say we can have it all. I do not believe that we can have it all at the same time. Life is give and take. For me, I cannot immerse myself in my career without falling short in other areas. This is not a pessimistic approach or a judgment against those who chose their careers over staying at home. This is my reality and I would not change it for the world.
Well, except for being forced to do all those pirouettes….
(Originally published at Mile High Mamas).
© Crazy Bloggin’ Canuck–A Denver Mom’s Blog