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.