The hours are dragging today... why didn't we book an earlier flight? Waiting waiting to drive to the airport and fly to Winnipeg.
Abigail, Robin, Darla and I look forward to seeing family and friends. Fenwick and Monkey are stuck back at home, housesitting with a friend ;) They don't mind missing all the excitement.
To start off our vacation, we'll be heading straight to the Winnipeg zoo on Wednesday. No other solid plans after that until Sunday. You can reach us at Corey's.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Reflections on Acting
Yesterday I got to thinking, again, about my background in theatre and the impact it has had on my life.
I suppose it all began when I was 3 years old and in ballet class to help turn my hips out. That's when I first found myself on a stage. I continued with dance up until highschool when I decided I was a poor dancer. I still loved it but my classmates were increasingly competitive as I got into higher levels, understandably so. I wasn't a competitive dancer.
I moved on to theatre and another stage, another form of performance.
I should interject here that my childhood dream was to be a singer-dancer-actor-model-writer living on a ranch. I tried them all - except the ranch part - and eventually decided against them as a career.
I focused on theatre starting in grade 9 and continued on to an undergrad degree in theatre (double major with religious studies, and oh how I wish I'd known I could have designed my own program combining the two, but I hadn't gone in intending to study RS. I wonder if I would have studied performance theory instead...)
Sometimes I've wondered if my years in theatre were "wasted" since I have not continued with it. Always my response is No. I learned many valuable things from my experiences.
With my first years on stage I learned self confidence and accrued an ability to perform in front of an audience - whether that be dancing, acting, priestessing, or presenting a paper. I don't get nervous on stage so long as I feel prepared. This is a very valuable skill as an academic. The trick is to be prepared and that alone is a formidable task, but at least I am not hampered by a fear of speaking in front of others.
From theatre I learned a lot about group dynamics, energy raising, and living in the moment as well as theories that are applicable outside of the study of theatre. I have since learned that there is now an academic school of thought called Performance Theory, but I have long applied what I learned in theatre, both from experience and theory, to my academic studies (and life).
I am an introvert by nature (social situations are extremely draining for me and I require significant time alone... something I rarely get anymore with Abigail - right now is one of those rare periods), but I have been well trained as an extrovert. Many people would assume I am an extrovert, but I'm faking it - I act "as if" I am to the point that I am an extrovert in the moment. Now there's some good theatre training!
I suppose it all began when I was 3 years old and in ballet class to help turn my hips out. That's when I first found myself on a stage. I continued with dance up until highschool when I decided I was a poor dancer. I still loved it but my classmates were increasingly competitive as I got into higher levels, understandably so. I wasn't a competitive dancer.
I moved on to theatre and another stage, another form of performance.
I should interject here that my childhood dream was to be a singer-dancer-actor-model-writer living on a ranch. I tried them all - except the ranch part - and eventually decided against them as a career.
I focused on theatre starting in grade 9 and continued on to an undergrad degree in theatre (double major with religious studies, and oh how I wish I'd known I could have designed my own program combining the two, but I hadn't gone in intending to study RS. I wonder if I would have studied performance theory instead...)
Sometimes I've wondered if my years in theatre were "wasted" since I have not continued with it. Always my response is No. I learned many valuable things from my experiences.
With my first years on stage I learned self confidence and accrued an ability to perform in front of an audience - whether that be dancing, acting, priestessing, or presenting a paper. I don't get nervous on stage so long as I feel prepared. This is a very valuable skill as an academic. The trick is to be prepared and that alone is a formidable task, but at least I am not hampered by a fear of speaking in front of others.
From theatre I learned a lot about group dynamics, energy raising, and living in the moment as well as theories that are applicable outside of the study of theatre. I have since learned that there is now an academic school of thought called Performance Theory, but I have long applied what I learned in theatre, both from experience and theory, to my academic studies (and life).
I am an introvert by nature (social situations are extremely draining for me and I require significant time alone... something I rarely get anymore with Abigail - right now is one of those rare periods), but I have been well trained as an extrovert. Many people would assume I am an extrovert, but I'm faking it - I act "as if" I am to the point that I am an extrovert in the moment. Now there's some good theatre training!
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Big Storm
You may have seen on the weather network today that we were hit by a big storm. We lost power for 4 hours at 1930h. The winds were whipping, the lightning was an incredible show, and the thunder was rolling across the sky. Fortunately, we are at the top of a hill. We never saw the flooding that we saw images of on TV, but we can imagine where it would have flooded.
The only damage around here is the wax dripped all over the carpet.
The only damage around here is the wax dripped all over the carpet.
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Ear Infection
Abbie has her first illness, an ear infection. It's not too bad - no fever or swollen lymph nodes - and she's happy enough when active, but don't even think of putting her down or expecting her to sleep for any extended period. I feel bad for her too when she puts her hand up to her ear in pain. Fortunately, we were able to see her doctor this morning and start treatment. We are hopeful this will be cleared up before our flight to Winnipeg.
Needless to say, she's up every 2 hours at night. I'd say "woe is me" but I really can't complain since some parents experience this since their baby's birth. Anyhow, I'm more concerned with helping Abbie get better than worrying about my sleep. I'll take a nap when Robin gets home from work. I had hoped she might sleep a little longer this morning, although it's just as well she didn't because we were able to see the doctor first thing this morning and we were able to have our bath and breakfast before leaving. I was trying to squeeze a few more winks in while she was content in her bed. I open my eyes and turn my head to find her staring at me. She'd rolled over and then wiggled herself 90 degrees to watch me. This should not have surprised me in the least (I've found her turned 180 in bed), but it was disconcerting to wake and have her intently watching me.
In funnier news, Abigail wiggled herself over to Fenwick yesterday (in one of those brief periods of being content on the floor - only because a cat/dog was nearby to watch) and got a hold of her tail. It was hilarious! I was already taking pictures of Abbie and Fenwick together and was fortunate enough to catch the tail-grabbing moment.
As a final note, we weighed Abbie at the doctor's this morning and she is 15lbs! (15lbs 4oz on the scale, but she was diapered and clothed.) Ear infection aside Abbie is doing well. Her doctor was (again) impressed by her health, growth, skin, etc.
Needless to say, she's up every 2 hours at night. I'd say "woe is me" but I really can't complain since some parents experience this since their baby's birth. Anyhow, I'm more concerned with helping Abbie get better than worrying about my sleep. I'll take a nap when Robin gets home from work. I had hoped she might sleep a little longer this morning, although it's just as well she didn't because we were able to see the doctor first thing this morning and we were able to have our bath and breakfast before leaving. I was trying to squeeze a few more winks in while she was content in her bed. I open my eyes and turn my head to find her staring at me. She'd rolled over and then wiggled herself 90 degrees to watch me. This should not have surprised me in the least (I've found her turned 180 in bed), but it was disconcerting to wake and have her intently watching me.
In funnier news, Abigail wiggled herself over to Fenwick yesterday (in one of those brief periods of being content on the floor - only because a cat/dog was nearby to watch) and got a hold of her tail. It was hilarious! I was already taking pictures of Abbie and Fenwick together and was fortunate enough to catch the tail-grabbing moment.
As a final note, we weighed Abbie at the doctor's this morning and she is 15lbs! (15lbs 4oz on the scale, but she was diapered and clothed.) Ear infection aside Abbie is doing well. Her doctor was (again) impressed by her health, growth, skin, etc.
Monday, July 21, 2008
Video Circus - 4 months
I have several videos uploading to youtube as I type. Which shall I post first? I'll just post them all since together they make up her 4 month video. I have so much footage that I simply can't combine it into one video anymore.
Perhaps the most significant is the Tummy Crawl. Abigail has mastered the roll over and advanced to the tummy crawl. She gets faster by the day (the video clips are old now!) You know when she's "done" by her cries.
As you have seen in photos, Abigail loves playing on her playmat. Usually (as with all things). Here is some video footage to accompany all those smiling photos (some clips are from before 4 months, around 3.5)
Abbie loves to play with toys off her mat too. Robin particularly wants to show her playing with her wooden rattle. You might think she would have given herself a few goose-eggs by now from flinging that thing around, but she is actually quite skilled at avoiding that.
Finally, here are all the oh-so-adorable laughing and talking clips, featuring the silliness of Rita and myself to entertain Abigail. Enjoy.
Perhaps the most significant is the Tummy Crawl. Abigail has mastered the roll over and advanced to the tummy crawl. She gets faster by the day (the video clips are old now!) You know when she's "done" by her cries.
As you have seen in photos, Abigail loves playing on her playmat. Usually (as with all things). Here is some video footage to accompany all those smiling photos (some clips are from before 4 months, around 3.5)
Abbie loves to play with toys off her mat too. Robin particularly wants to show her playing with her wooden rattle. You might think she would have given herself a few goose-eggs by now from flinging that thing around, but she is actually quite skilled at avoiding that.
Finally, here are all the oh-so-adorable laughing and talking clips, featuring the silliness of Rita and myself to entertain Abigail. Enjoy.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Puppy Love
Abigail loves her puppy. Darla is a good source of entertainment whether we're on a walk, in the garden, or doing housework. She's laughing at Darla right now! How delightful. I'm still working on convincing Darla to stay within Abigail's view. Darla and I demonstrated her tricks for Abbie today. And by tricks I mean simple commands like sit, lay down and shake paw ;)
In general, I'd say Abbie is an animal lover. (Below is her new piggy knit by a friend.)
Maybe she'll help me with the Grand River animal rescue when she is older.
We've also noticed that Darla is very much aware of Abigail's whereabouts. I don't want to say that she is protective, but she does keep a protective eye on Abigail when someone else is holding Abbie or she's napping in another room that people are passing near. It's not something we've had occassion to notice at home because Darla does not worry about us, but she demonstrated this behaviour while we were in Kincardine.
In Abigail news... that girl can motor around! Okay, so it's more of a snail's pace, but she will make her way across the floor or bed and surprise you if you're not looking. "That's not where I left you. Get out of the clean diaper stack." There is a video coming...
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Socks are not so evil after all
If you had asked me a week ago what I thought about knitting socks, I would have said that socks are evil little critters. That would have been when I was starting my first adult sock (not counting Abbie's too-small froggy sox) for the third time.
Now, after successfully completing my first sock and mostly finishing the second, I'm rather delighted with socks.
Abigail likes them also. I am hoping there is enough leftover yarn to make her a pair. Then she can match with her grandma.
[Edit - there was more than enough yarn! I'll share a photo of them wearing their socks together.]
After dealing with my gauge issue (I was knitting too tight, afraid of gaping ladders as I switched needles and because I was feeling tense knitting with DPNs), and after figuring out that the pattern isn't great and I had to use the "large" size option to make a sock that would fit over my (normal sized) heel [there were other obvious mistakes in the pattern too], I finally had success.
Mom had better like them too. If not, I or Rita will gladly take them off her feet. I know, however, that mom will love them. Darn.
Oh, you love them too?
If you buy the wool, I'll make them. And all it will cost you is more wool. One for you, one for me! But, uh, it may be a while before I get to them. You might just want to learn to knit them for yourself.
Now, after successfully completing my first sock and mostly finishing the second, I'm rather delighted with socks.
Abigail likes them also. I am hoping there is enough leftover yarn to make her a pair. Then she can match with her grandma.
[Edit - there was more than enough yarn! I'll share a photo of them wearing their socks together.]
After dealing with my gauge issue (I was knitting too tight, afraid of gaping ladders as I switched needles and because I was feeling tense knitting with DPNs), and after figuring out that the pattern isn't great and I had to use the "large" size option to make a sock that would fit over my (normal sized) heel [there were other obvious mistakes in the pattern too], I finally had success.
Mom had better like them too. If not, I or Rita will gladly take them off her feet. I know, however, that mom will love them. Darn.
Oh, you love them too?
If you buy the wool, I'll make them. And all it will cost you is more wool. One for you, one for me! But, uh, it may be a while before I get to them. You might just want to learn to knit them for yourself.
Monday, July 07, 2008
Scottish Family Weekend
The title may be misleading. The family with whom we attended the Kincardine Scottish Festival is not Scottish. No, we're French Canadian.
We had a fantastic weekend. As usual, Abbie entranced all wherever we went. She also had her first dip in a lake. Despite the cold water, she seems to have enjoyed it. Darla was also enjoying the water so long as she could touch bottom. She can swim, as we discovered when Robin tossed her into the deeper stream and she quickly made her way to shore again. Even her tennis ball couldn't entice her to swim.
We arrive and Abigail is greeted in French. It was purely coincidental that Elaine and Abigail are both wearing orange.
Rita entertains Abigail.
Waiting for the morning parade. My cousin on the left has the same birthday as me.
Hanging out with Daddy in Kincardine and at the highland games.
Enjoying the marching bands. She slept through the band competitions - bagpipes and all. There is video footage to prove this. Pa-pere will be proud!
Enjoying a late-night drool while watching the Ceilidh. Mom, you would have loved the Tartan Terrors. In the end, it was sort of like one day of Folk Fest - with more shade and a LOT more bagpipes. Okay, so not as good as the Winnipeg Folk Festival, but still a lot of fun. I'll take what I can get since we are missing Folk Fest again this year.
Relaxing on Sunday before we went swimming. Look who is sitting up all by herself.
Robin, Abigail, Darla and I drove up here for the weekend (Robin and Darla left Sunday) to join Rita, Ted and Elaine, Melanie, Samuel et Gabriel (who drove down from Montreal) at the local Scottish Festival. Abigail was made an official member of Clan Kincardine. We have the certificate to prove it.
We had a fantastic weekend. As usual, Abbie entranced all wherever we went. She also had her first dip in a lake. Despite the cold water, she seems to have enjoyed it. Darla was also enjoying the water so long as she could touch bottom. She can swim, as we discovered when Robin tossed her into the deeper stream and she quickly made her way to shore again. Even her tennis ball couldn't entice her to swim.
We arrive and Abigail is greeted in French. It was purely coincidental that Elaine and Abigail are both wearing orange.Rita entertains Abigail.Waiting for the morning parade. My cousin on the left has the same birthday as me.Hanging out with Daddy in Kincardine and at the highland games.Enjoying the marching bands. She slept through the band competitions - bagpipes and all. There is video footage to prove this. Pa-pere will be proud! Enjoying a late-night drool while watching the Ceilidh. Mom, you would have loved the Tartan Terrors. In the end, it was sort of like one day of Folk Fest - with more shade and a LOT more bagpipes. Okay, so not as good as the Winnipeg Folk Festival, but still a lot of fun. I'll take what I can get since we are missing Folk Fest again this year.Relaxing on Sunday before we went swimming. Look who is sitting up all by herself. As a final treat, I think we may have a future guitarist in the family :) Sorry it's sideways.
I hope you have enjoyed today's photo blog.
Thursday, July 03, 2008
Puppets
Puppets may just be the perfect gift for Abigail.
hint hint.
She finds them very entertaining when we animate them (and by them I mean it - the one puppet we have) and when she gets older she can put on puppet shows for us.
They are also plastic-free, thus meeting one of our gift criteria - the only one we are adamant about.
Abbie picked out her first puppet yesterday.
I was taking the long way home from University by getting off the bus at Vincenzos and walking home from there. After eating my [salivating - I know mom, Corey and Ericka are very jealous right now] sandwich, I stopped at the local toyshop to admire all the wooden and cloth toys I want for Abbie. While "testing" some puppets and deciding if I should buy one and if so which, Abigail grabbed the monkey from me and stuck it in her mouth. Sold. I think she likes red. I had the shopowner remove the tags so we could play on the walk home - Abigail was very entertained. Until she fell asleep.
Robin named it Dexter (we just watched Night in the Museum). I had wanted a girl name in defiance of the assumption that a monkey in red and blue is a boy (or SuperMonkey, and yes Robin tried naming it Clark).
One of the many great things about puppets is that people expect you to make them talk and dance around. This is very useful for someone like me who talks to her baby, cats, dog, self ALL the time in public. I will simply always have to have a puppet on hand (literally) and then I won't look like such a weirdo. Maybe.
We're off to the lake tomorrow. Robin has to come home to work, but I'm staying for the week, so I may not blog for a while. I shall leave you with an extra photo - I call it Bubbles.
She's really loving the play mat I borrowed from a friend. We change up the toys that hang down, but Squid and Zebra are definitely her favourites. Oh, and the turtle mirror of course.
hint hint.
She finds them very entertaining when we animate them (and by them I mean it - the one puppet we have) and when she gets older she can put on puppet shows for us.
They are also plastic-free, thus meeting one of our gift criteria - the only one we are adamant about.
Abbie picked out her first puppet yesterday.
I was taking the long way home from University by getting off the bus at Vincenzos and walking home from there. After eating my [salivating - I know mom, Corey and Ericka are very jealous right now] sandwich, I stopped at the local toyshop to admire all the wooden and cloth toys I want for Abbie. While "testing" some puppets and deciding if I should buy one and if so which, Abigail grabbed the monkey from me and stuck it in her mouth. Sold. I think she likes red. I had the shopowner remove the tags so we could play on the walk home - Abigail was very entertained. Until she fell asleep.
Robin named it Dexter (we just watched Night in the Museum). I had wanted a girl name in defiance of the assumption that a monkey in red and blue is a boy (or SuperMonkey, and yes Robin tried naming it Clark).
One of the many great things about puppets is that people expect you to make them talk and dance around. This is very useful for someone like me who talks to her baby, cats, dog, self ALL the time in public. I will simply always have to have a puppet on hand (literally) and then I won't look like such a weirdo. Maybe.
We're off to the lake tomorrow. Robin has to come home to work, but I'm staying for the week, so I may not blog for a while. I shall leave you with an extra photo - I call it Bubbles.
She's really loving the play mat I borrowed from a friend. We change up the toys that hang down, but Squid and Zebra are definitely her favourites. Oh, and the turtle mirror of course.
Wednesday, July 02, 2008
Canada Day was Yesterday
I suppose I should have said something about our national holiday yesterday. But, I didn't really do anything in celebration this year. Abigail and I didn't even wear any red and white clothing. (For shame!) I did try to make several long-distance calls because they were free within Canada, but nobody was home! Which just made me feel like a big loser - lol. Ericka was home with her four girls enjoying a summer day, so I did manage to reach one person.
When Robin got home we decided to go out for dinner for a celebration of sorts (food). Called up our friends Tay and Mike to see if they'd like to join us last minute. Tay and Mike are expecting their first child in early October, a daughter. I'm very excited for them! And for us - a new friend for Abigail and another mom to share experiences with in my circle.
Abigail and I are heading out on our first bus ride today as I have a meeting at the university regarding my TA-ship next term. She's not a happy camper this morning. Woke early, for her, at 7 and now she's tired but not sleeping. I'm sure she'll fall asleep once we head out soon and she's nestled snug in her Moby wrap. I'm going with the Moby this morning because it's brown and matches her outfit. Seriously. Yesterday we sported the orange wrap I made, which, now that I think about it, matched her spring yellow summersuit.
Two of my girls hanging out on Canada Day.
Abigail loves this playmat that we are borrowing from a friend. Darla is happy and exhausted from her romp through the park as we took the long-way to return a video rental. Darla running is always a good source of entertainment for Abigail.
When Robin got home we decided to go out for dinner for a celebration of sorts (food). Called up our friends Tay and Mike to see if they'd like to join us last minute. Tay and Mike are expecting their first child in early October, a daughter. I'm very excited for them! And for us - a new friend for Abigail and another mom to share experiences with in my circle.
Abigail and I are heading out on our first bus ride today as I have a meeting at the university regarding my TA-ship next term. She's not a happy camper this morning. Woke early, for her, at 7 and now she's tired but not sleeping. I'm sure she'll fall asleep once we head out soon and she's nestled snug in her Moby wrap. I'm going with the Moby this morning because it's brown and matches her outfit. Seriously. Yesterday we sported the orange wrap I made, which, now that I think about it, matched her spring yellow summersuit.
Two of my girls hanging out on Canada Day.
Abigail loves this playmat that we are borrowing from a friend. Darla is happy and exhausted from her romp through the park as we took the long-way to return a video rental. Darla running is always a good source of entertainment for Abigail.
Tuesday, July 01, 2008
Sunny Days are back again
Farewell rain (for today at least).
Hello Sunshine!
We've actually had a fair amount of sunshine, but it's always bracketed by thick clouds and thunderstorms.
Now, there was something I intended to write about... darn. I've forgotten.
One item is this cute and geeky as can be baby toy which I simply MUST knit for Abigail. Every Buffy fan should have their own Mr. Pointy! But until she's old enough to play safely with a sharp stake, Abigail will have to settle for a knit Mr. Pointy.
Speaking of knit toys, Ms. Kaylee Koigu (the new name of the knit bear) is currently residing in the freezer. All my wool will be taking its turn in the freezer because it seems that I have some micromoth larvae chewing holes in my precious wool :( grrrrr. So, all the wool is being frozen and then stored in ziploc bags. Take that!!!! Ms. Koigu's crocheted dress has a hole in it that I will need to fix since something chewed through the wool. I know how to fix knitting easily, but it looks like I may have to undo part of the dress and re-crochet it. It's not so bad since the hole is near the bottom and I made the skirt top-down.
Incase you have not yet heard, we have our flight to Winnipeg booked. So we'll see you in August!
Our visit to Kincardine has grown even more exciting. My aunt Elaine, cousin Melanie (who shares my birthday, but not year) and her sons are also visiting. I haven't seen Melanie since I was about 11 and attending a NKOTB concert in Montreal. She gave me some pictures of the NKOTB that she had drawn. I may still have them somewhere. (may go dig those up)
I haven't seen aunt Elaine since our wedding 4 years ago, and before that when I was 11, and before that... when I was too young to remember. We see eachother about once a decade or so.
I'm betting Diane and Lynne and mom are going to be VERY jealous when they hear of this ;) It's bad enough Rita gets to visit frequently and see Abigail. Rita's taking advantage of the fact that we currently reside in Ontario. Eventually we'll be gone and she'll be back to seeing little of us and it may be Lynne, Diane and mom who are with Abigail frequently. And, of course, they'll see Abigail soon enough.
We're off for a walk to enjoy the day.
Bye-Bye.
Hello Sunshine!
We've actually had a fair amount of sunshine, but it's always bracketed by thick clouds and thunderstorms.
Now, there was something I intended to write about... darn. I've forgotten.
One item is this cute and geeky as can be baby toy which I simply MUST knit for Abigail. Every Buffy fan should have their own Mr. Pointy! But until she's old enough to play safely with a sharp stake, Abigail will have to settle for a knit Mr. Pointy.
Speaking of knit toys, Ms. Kaylee Koigu (the new name of the knit bear) is currently residing in the freezer. All my wool will be taking its turn in the freezer because it seems that I have some micromoth larvae chewing holes in my precious wool :( grrrrr. So, all the wool is being frozen and then stored in ziploc bags. Take that!!!! Ms. Koigu's crocheted dress has a hole in it that I will need to fix since something chewed through the wool. I know how to fix knitting easily, but it looks like I may have to undo part of the dress and re-crochet it. It's not so bad since the hole is near the bottom and I made the skirt top-down.
Incase you have not yet heard, we have our flight to Winnipeg booked. So we'll see you in August!
Our visit to Kincardine has grown even more exciting. My aunt Elaine, cousin Melanie (who shares my birthday, but not year) and her sons are also visiting. I haven't seen Melanie since I was about 11 and attending a NKOTB concert in Montreal. She gave me some pictures of the NKOTB that she had drawn. I may still have them somewhere. (may go dig those up)
I haven't seen aunt Elaine since our wedding 4 years ago, and before that when I was 11, and before that... when I was too young to remember. We see eachother about once a decade or so.
I'm betting Diane and Lynne and mom are going to be VERY jealous when they hear of this ;) It's bad enough Rita gets to visit frequently and see Abigail. Rita's taking advantage of the fact that we currently reside in Ontario. Eventually we'll be gone and she'll be back to seeing little of us and it may be Lynne, Diane and mom who are with Abigail frequently. And, of course, they'll see Abigail soon enough.
We're off for a walk to enjoy the day.
Bye-Bye.
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