I'm not a hippie; I just like some natural things

There are a few things that I am a little passionate about that I have come to realize make me appear to be a hippie.  This is kind of alarming to me because I don't feel like I am a hippie in any way.  It is also surprising to me because I feel like I shouldn't be the abnormal one, because some of these things should be 'normal' or at least they used to be.

1.  Natural Child Birth

I gave birth to my two boys au natural.  I am kind of passionate about this for me, but I get that maybe this isn't for everyone.  This article articulates a bit about why. I also had a midwife deliver my first born, and LOVED it.  I would recommend a midwife to everyone, but no, I didn't have a home birth.  I probably never will (my sister didn't think she would either and she did... that's a crazy story though) but I do know lots of people that have had them successfully.  Maybe it is because I am Canadian and I feel there isn't as much intervention in labours there, I don't know, but I do know that picking a due date for my unborn child should not be the norm.  I understand there are situations that natural child birth is not recommended or feasible, however, where I live, I was the abnormal one.  The nurses thought I was crazy, it made me feel a little crazy. 



2.  Essential Oils
I love essential oils.  I am just learning how to use them more and so far, they work.  I am always a little skeptical, but they always end up doing what they should and so I guess, by default, I am a believer.  Headache relief, upset stomach solution, sleep aid, insect repellent etc., it works!  I like the idea that I can use something natural.  That being said, I love modern medicine, I think doctors are awesome, I am not against medicines at all, I just think that when a few drops of oil can do what pills can do, I'd rather go with the oils.  


3.  How I cook (sometimes)
Sometimes I enjoy making my own almond milk (and yes, I don't drink cows milk - I have just never liked it, and currently my breastfeeding baby doesn't do well with me consuming dairy), and sometimes I like to make kale chips, or eat spaghetti squash instead of pasta, or make cookies with no refined sugar.  I don't know why, but I do.  I feel a lot better physically and mentally when I limit my sugar intake, and eat a healthy chip instead of doritos - so I do it.  But, I don't do it all the time, and I love a Cool Ranch Dorito more than the average person, as well as anything smothered in cheese and/or deep fried.  I just need to protect myself.  I guess I cook and buy foods a certain way to protect myself because I know I would eat that entire package of oreos.  But the almond milk thing, it is a little bit cheaper and I seriously do enjoy it. 


*** This post needs a lot of revision and editing. 

How to be awkward (part 1)

I find myself in a myriad of situation where I feel awkward.  Usually these situations are due to the fact that I am quite the introvert, and putting me into situations that extroverts excel make my stomach churn.  Why not share my awkward ways?

How to be awkward part 1 -Work at a tuxedo rental store

In my younger days I was home from University for the summer and in need of a job.  I went to a few interviews and applied to many jobs and finally settled on working at a tuxedo rental store.  In my naive mind, this job would be awesome, think of all the men I would meet (and everyone looks better in a suit, so a tux would make them look even better, right? not at all) and it was pretty close to home.

This job was not at all what I thought it would be and after a summer there I determined a few things: guys are sweaty and they usually don't smell that great, tuxedos = lots of drinking and vomit smelling tuxedos, I have no idea what is an average weight for an average height and vice versa.  However, this is about being awkward, and this job taught me well.

The first way to be awkward is to call someone "Mike" after they just told you their name was "Michael" or call someone "David" after they just told you their name was "Dave".  Why did I feel like I was on a "Ty" basis with "Tyler" after putting a measuring tape around his neck is beyond me, but I did... repeatedly.  Usually the guys didn't say anything, but there were odd few (and a few add up when you continually do this) that would correct me, making things even more awkward.   When you feel like you really need to push the limits and make things even more awkward, when they are leaving the store be sure to say "you're welcome" before they say "thank you", or tell them you are doing good before they ask you how you are doing.

The next way to be awkward is to have to measure all kinds of members of the male race.  Get up close and personal with strangers, men with bad body odor, men that are sweating profusely and men that enjoyed a few too many donuts and your face is now plastered against their back as you try to reach the tape around to get a waist measurement.  My personal favorite way to be awkward was to be taking an outseam measurement (thank goodness we didn't do inseams) and kneeling behind a guy facing the mirror when he let one rip.  I was kneeling, so it was like my nose was the target, and he did not miss.  I thought I might pass out, and snuck a peek into the mirror and he was showing no emotion, and so I didn't either.  I awkwardly didn't say a word and finished up quickly (without breathing).  I love to tell that story, and I am sure he does to ("I farted right in her face and she didn't even flinch, and it was a good one too".)

The need to write

In the quiet hours minutes of my day, I think about what I should be doing with my free time. Luke has quite a few hobbies: he builds furniture, he shoots guns, he golfs, etc.  I feel like I have no hobbies, I can watch TV and movies for days, and I love to cook/bake (that has become a duty more than a hobby) and read, but I keep feeling like I just want to write.  I never thought I would see the day where I would miss the writing part of school, but alas, that day has come.  I guess what really stops me from writing is fear of being honest about topics, and finding topics to be honest about.  I am going to try to take the next few days to try to find answers to my need to write and my fears.  There has to be a compromise somewhere.

The things I do that I think are weird: Editing... kind of

I just spent the past 15-20 minutes going through old blog posts on my family blog (here) and editing and revising what I had written.  

I am by no means a punctuation and grammar whiz (ask me the difference between a noun and a verb, or don't, because I actually don't really know) but after spending so much time revising and re-writing things in university, I find I am constantly trying to change things and make them better.

(I am trying very hard right now to not go back and edit that run-on sentence I just wrote)

I don't know why I even care.  My writing is a mess, and I know it.  I don't always use capital letters (i like the idea of lower case letters), I use "..." where a simple "." or "," would suffice, and I like these ---> (   ).  My sentences are known to run farther than I ever could and I am serious when I say I don't know the difference between a noun and verb without Google.


But that is what makes it something that I do that is weird, and kind of a waste of time. 

Writing ideas...

THE LIST:

1. List 20 random facts about yourself.
2. Describe 3 legitimate fears you have and explain how they became fears.
3. Describe your relationship with your spouse.
4. List 10 things you would tell your 16 year-old self, if you could.
5. What are the 5 things that make you most happy right now?
6. If you could have three wishes, what would you wish for?
7. What is your dream job, and why?
8. What are 5 passions you have?
9. List 10 people who have influenced you and describe how.
10. Describe your most embarrassing moment.
11. Describe 10 pet peeves you have.
12. Describe a typical day in your current life.
13. What’s the hardest part of growing up?
14. Describe 5 and weaknesses strengths you have.
15. Describe when you knew your spouse was the one or how I fell in love.
16. What are your 5 greatest accomplishments?
17. What is the thing you most wish you were great at?
18. What do you think your spouse loves most about you?
19. How did you feel the moment you became a parent?
20. Describe 3 significant memories from your childhood.
21. Describe your relationship with your parents.
22. Where do you see yourself in 5 years? 10 years? 15 years?
23. What’s your favorite holiday and why?
24. What’s your favorite and least favorite thing about parenthood?
25. If you could have dinner with anyone in history, who would it be and what would you eat?
26. What popular notion do you think the world has most wrong?
27. What is your favorite part of your body and why?
28. What’s your favorite quality in your spouse?
29. What are your hopes and dreams for your prosperity?
30. List 10 things you would hope to be remembered for.


another list...

Day 1, Wednesday: The story of your life in 250 words or less (or one paragraph... no one will be counting your words... probably)
Day 2, Thursday: Educate us on something you know alot about or are good at. Take any approach you'd like (serious and educational or funny and sarcastic)
Day 3, Friday: Things that make you uncomfortable
Day 4, Saturday: Favorite quote (from a person, from a book, etc) and why you love it
Day 5, Sunday: Publicly profess your love and devotion for one of your blogger friends. What makes them great? Why do you love them? If you don't have blogger friends, talk about a real-life friend or even a family member
Day 6, Monday: If you couldn't answer with your job, how would you answer the question, 'what do you do'?
Day 7, Tuesday: The thing(s) you're most afraid of
Day 8, Wednesday: A piece of advice you have for others. Anything at all.
Day 9, Thursday: A moment in your day (this can be just a photo or both a photo and words)
Day 10, Friday: Most embarrassing moment (s). Spill. 
Day 11, Saturday: Sell yourself in 10 words or less
Day 12, Sunday: What do you miss? (a person, a thing, a place, a time of your life...)
Day 13, Monday: Issue a public apology. This can be as funny or as serious or as creative as you want it to be.
Day 14, Tuesday: Ten things that make you really happy
Day 15, Wednesday: A Day in the life (include photos from throughout your typical day - this could be "a photo an hour" if you'd like)
Day 16, Thursday: Something difficult about your "lot in life" and how you're working to overcome it
Day 17, Friday: A favorite photo of yourself and why
Day 18, Saturday: Tell a story from your childhood. Dig deep and try to be descriptive about what you remember and how you felt.
Day 19, Sunday: Five of your favorite blogs and what you love about them
Day 20, Monday: Get real. Share something you're struggling with right now.
Day 21, Tuesday: A list of links to your favorite posts in your archives
Day 22, Wednesday: Rant about something. Get up on your soapbox and tell us how you really feel. (a pet peeve, a current event, a controversial topic, something your husband or roommate or neighbor or boss does that really ticks you off)
Day 23, Thursday: Things you've learned that school won't teach you
Day 24, Friday: Your top 3 worst traits
Day 25, Saturday: Something someone told you about yourself that you'll never forget (good or bad)
Day 26, Sunday: Something you read online. Leave a link and discuss, if you'd like.
Day 27, Monday: A letter to your readers
Day 28, Tuesday: Only pictures
Day 29, Wednesday: Five songs or pieces of music that speak to you or bring back memories. Use Grooveshark or YouTube to include them in the post
Day 30, Thursday: React to this term: Letting Go
Day 31, Friday: A vivid memory
 

Now that I'm graduated

Not being a part of a new semester of school has been easy.  I like my new found freedom, and time to commit to other tasks that were lacking (wife, mother).  However, I miss writing. 

Wait - what? I actually miss writing?

I specifically remember thinking numerous times last semester (and previous semesters) about how I couldn't wait to not have to write anything anymore.  And now, I miss it, and created a blog solely for me to just write.

They say "if you write well, you'll eat well." I am not sure who "they" are, but I like food, and I would like to eat well.   I have made great strides with my writing, finding my voice and putting it into words and I want to try to keep that up. 

I am not even sure what I will write about yet, but I am thinking a mish-mash of life stories, childhood memories, opinions, thoughts, and maybe some of those blogger series that people fill blogs with (my friend Mariko is doing a GREAT one for her children).

This is for me entirely. A creative outlet.  Different than a journal, different than my family blog, no different than a lot of other blogs.