7 Quick Takes Friday

Posted on May 18, 2012 by jane

1.

Buying a house is stressful. Add in a mortgage company that sucks and the stress instantly becomes doubled (at least). That sums up the previous week. On the plus side, we now have a mortgage broker who, in two conversations, gave 100% more confidence to Andy and I than anyone at ING had done in 5 days. If we had left it in ING’s hands, I am nearly certain they would have lost the house on us. That, my friends, is a big NO-NO. They will be hearing about it.

2.

Our Cathedral Gala Week was amazing! We had such a great Carnival (Andy and I were on the committee that organised it) that kicked it off, and the events over that week were huge successes! An amazingly busy and successful week of celebrating…this week was supposed to be a week of relaxing for staff…

3.

…So instead of relaxing, Monday afternoon one of the solar-paneled windows (the highest ones in the building), cracked in half and fell to its doom in front of the sanctuary in the worship space. The biggest blessings in this: the space was completely empty when it happened. It wasn’t the actual stained glass that fell, but the clear glass that it’s sandwiched between. So instead of a week off for many of the staff, this required some emergency-situation response from a number of them. I just can’t even imagine how horrible it would have been if it had happened during any of our major celebrations, which ended just the day before! Blessed, truly blessed, that no one was injured at all. While we have a temporary-relief solution at the moment, making the space safe to continue our Masses in (and weddings), it will take awhile to assess and evaluate the state of the rest of the windows to make sure that they are not going to cause the same problem.

4.

I am so glad we’re getting sun again – the week of rain was really dreary. Saying that, I immediately think of some of the places I’ve lived…notably, Vancouver, Prince George, and Ottawa, and I simultaneously realise that I’ve been truly blessed with the amount of sun we get here in Saskatoon over clouds and rain. I still dislike a week of rain.

5.

We own a house. Officially. How crazy is that? I’m still not sure I fully believe it. Though every time I hear the neighbours beside us blast their music (ahem….as in, as I’ve been typing this), I so can’t wait to get out of here. June 22nd baby.

6.

We’re looking for recruits for helping pack. And move. Any takers?

7.

I have been desiring homemade cookies lately, but I’ve hit a significant problem: I don’t have a desire to make them, no matter how simple the recipe is. If anyone’s willing to contribute some homemade cookies to my cause, you would be forever remembered in a post here on my blog.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged | 1 Comment

Stress

Posted on May 8, 2012 by jane

Nothing like more stress to follow up a week of stress! We are currently making an attempt to get our mortgage in line so that we can fully agree to purchasing a house. We are hoping that by Friday we will be able to do this. But I must say, working with another time zone and people who are not in office when I call (for whatever reason), do not help contribute to the amounting stress that is building regarding getting all the paperwork we need organised and submitted in time so that the mortgage can be approved.

UGH!

As it is, I am sitting here waiting to receive phone calls back from two crucial people in this process. I have been waiting for an hour. At least Spencer is napping happily and carefree. The blessings of the ignorance of youth.

Any helpful/happy thoughts to get us through this week?

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , | 1 Comment

{This Moment}

Posted on May 4, 2012 by jane

{this moment} – A Friday ritual. A single photo – no words – capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Constant Craving

Posted on May 1, 2012 by jane

Something hit me hard over the weekend. Major, major craving. But it’s not what you might think it is; nothing specific, but just this: food. I cannot believe how hungry I’ve become! Holy carps!

I don’t know when it started when I had Spencer, but I do remember getting this burning feeling at the back of my throat, kind of like it’s starting on fire, whenever I got hungry. It would seem that this is a consistent trend at some point in my pregnancies. I sit here now stuffing my face with strawberries, bananas, yogurt and honey, as I couldn’t even finish this post without satisfying this hunger.

Just ask Andy – he’ll tell you that my appetite has increased to double what it was last week and beyond. Friday night at our youth event, I ate 4 pieces of pizza. I mean, I was full after them, but I can usually hardly eat 2. I guess this baby is on a growing kick…we shall see if it continues or lessens off for awhile..

So now my problem is this: trying to find healthy food to stuff my face with rather than all the carbs we have lying around the house. My craving for food isn’t usually limited to a specific type of food, I’m just looking for something to fill my belly. Though I’ll be honest, red peppers are really not appealing still (even though I’m not nauseous anymore), and we’re on a tight budget right now, as we’re trying to a) save for a good down payment on a house and b) for my mat leave.

So, any good suggestions out there for quick, healthy, less-carb snack foods?

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Gardening and Birthing

Posted on April 30, 2012 by jane

I couldn’t get my head to take the photos of the ‘garden’ on time, but here is the unfortunate reality:

Yes. Yes, that is snow on the window. You can probably get an idea where the photos might lead…
Basil & tomatoes on the left, chives and chives on the right. The chives are fine.
Sunflowers and green onions on the left, basil & tomatoes on the right. The green onions are fine.
My sweet peas. They seem to be reasonably okay.

It didn’t even get below 0 (C) when it snowed, and the forecast did not (conveniently) show snow for the forecast. But it seems to have killed my work in most pots. It was all of my basil, but not all of my tomatoes. Not by a long shot. So I’m disappointed, but not crushed.

Our sick pajama-clad boy

In other topics, I’m looking around for a doula for the birth of this babe. I have a lead, so I’ll hopefully hear from her soon and see if she’s taking clients at the time I’m due, as well as figure out what her fees for services are. I am sad that (so far) I won’t have a midwife this time. I cannot speak highly enough of the experience I had in Ottawa with the midwives, and I know that I won’t be getting that same care and attention with my doctor, as good as she is. It would be nice to have another advocate with us in the delivery room.

Doulas continue to intrigue me; while in Ottawa I remember thinking that profession can have such strong spiritual ties, it would be an interesting vocation to be called to, especially as a Christian. It still perks my interest, though I don’t know if I’d be much suited for it. Something to keep in mind, though.

Snuggle-time

If you’ve been following me on facebook, you probably know that Andy and I put an offer on a house. Unfortunately it wasn’t accepted, but we’re not too down on it. Basically what it came down to is that if it’s not in our financial scope, it’s not the right place for us, no matter how close it is. Though it was nice. We hardly expected to find something so nice in our price range. We’re okay with that though. Something better for us will come up when it’s time.

Wishing you a joy-filled day!

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 1 Comment