Lately I have realized that I have an attention span the size of a peanut, I would have to say roasted also. I’m pretty sure that I haven’t always been like this but I realize now that when I talk to someone my mind is either focusing on the fact that it is having a conversation and telling me to concentrate which as you might suspect leads to the fact that I am not altogether concentrating or my mind just flies away at the first hint of a subject. Such as if I was talking about potato chips with Mr. Humpty and he started telling me that his favourite chip was ketchup , I’ve noticed my mind will take ketchup and focus on it and start wondering what ketchup is, where it came from, what ingredients are in it and so on. Meanwhile a minute later Mr. humpty will be finishing his life changing story on ketchup chips and I will just have to nod because I have missed everything he has said. This seems to hamper my ability to finish books.
I have started a new book called zen and the art of motorcycle maintenance. I am on page 9 right now and about 2 hours in to the book. You might think I am a slow reader but that’s not really it. I have just read the first 9 pages about 5 times now and probably will have to read them again. I’ll be honest it’s not bad if you like old things being new again but sort of sucks in the realm of learning.
Right now Micaela and I are trying to buy our first home so I’ve taken a break from contacting lawyers and such to post this blog. I’ve also noticed that if I am really interested in something I can learn and concentrate much better. I feel it is this way with the house. I can focus on each conversation I’m having with the different parties and remember what I am supposed to do. I think these may be good things when buying a home.
Well I think I may have to eat more vegetables to improve my brain fog. I’m not sure which study i should listen to because there are about a billion different studies all suggesting something different. My name is Kent and my study suggests that your studies are a waste of my money.
My thoughts of today.
- I like racoons but I could shoot them.
- This chunky soup meat is probably really disgusting
- I’d like to live on a farm but would rather someone else did the work
- I’m not really nervous about buying a home
Thanks for listening
Kent
Today Kent and I went house hunting for the very first time! It was fun pretending we were on an episode of Property Virgins, except those shows make it look so easy because they only show three of the houses the couple looked at and they always end up getting one of them. Not so much in real life.
But, let’s pretend we’re on that show anyways! I’ll tell you about three houses we looked at and you can tell me which one we like the best right now. I won’t show you pictures though, because my mom told me not to. So rry!
House #1:
- 8 years old
- Newly developed neighbourhood (the kindwhere all the houses look the same)
- Two stories
- Bright and open concept main floor – big kitchen, small-ish living room, good sized dining room
- Freshly painted, new ceramic floor (can you tell I’m taking this right from the listings…)
- Wouldn’t need any work besides finishing the basement if we chose to
- 1 1/2 bathrooms
- Three decent sized bedrooms
- Unfinished basement
- One car garage
- Very small front and backyards, good sized deck, super close to neighbours
- Walking distance to a new school opening in 2010, new YMCA/Community Centre/Library
- Most expensive (by $30 000)
House #2:
- Older neighbourhood that I don’t really like
- 50 year old bungalow completely renovated open concept
- Beautiful living room with vaulted ceilings
- Big kitchen, only room for a very small kitchen table
- New hardwood flooring
- Good sized master bedroom, two very small bedrooms – only room for twin beds, much smaller house
- Unfinished basement
- Long concrete driveway, small shed/garage
- Big backyards and front yards – nice distance from neighbours
- Least expensive
House #3
- Beauuuutiful old neighbourhood, walking distance from downtown, that we looove, close to walking trails – Katelyn often takes her baby for walks here
- Sixty year old 1.5 story house, never renovated whatsoever
- Closed off, suuuuper tiny non renovated kitchen that would need lots of work, in fact the whole house would need an overhaul to get it how we want
- One bathroom
- Four bedrooms
- Close to the university so we could finish the basement and rent it to students – Nice big front and backyards
- Horrible driveway, no garage
- No one has lived there for 18 years…
- Our friends live next door 
- Priced between house #1 and house #2
Sooo, which one is our favourite? Take a guess!
Micaela.
Today we’ve been staying at the Marriott in downtown Toronto in a pretty sweet room. At a discount price because of our future brother in law. I’ve spent the day trying to figure out what I could do to earn enough money where I wouldn’t have to work one day. Or find something where I would be absolutely pumped everyday to do my job. I’m not sure if that’s what the goal should be but it sounds just about right. So I threw around about 50 ideas to Micaela about different blogs we could do and you know what, I’m not that original because they’ve all been done. So I guess what we came up with is the idea of a couple’s blog where we could each document our day and write our blog seperately but on to the same site.
So the subject of my blog today is free. I’m not sure what the reasons are for my attitudes on finding the absolutely cheapest deal on somethings to being able to throw away money on others.
Micaela and I are hopefully on our way to buying our first home and we have saved up some money together and yet as it stands we do not have the necessary amount of money to put down the 20% necessary in order to avoid insurance payments from the bank. So that could cost us up to 10000 dollars over the course of our mortgage. My father has offered to help us out with some money to make up the 20% but we’ve declined his offer because we both would rather look at our house and realize we bought that ourselves. Now on the other hand on our way downtown Micaela informed me that we would have to pay $35 a night in order to park at the Marriott. I was shocked. I don’t think I’ve ever payed to park at a hotel before. It didn’t really make sense to me. Why should I pay for parking. I’m staying at your hotel. You pay for my parking. Period. But not period I guess. It seems that in large cities such as Toronto space is at such a premium that even hotels will charge you to park at the place your staying. So I decided to drive around downtown for half an hour and look for cheaper parking. I ended up finding a place at half the price. I felt better. Two days ago Micaela went to emergency in London because she had a serious bladder infection and was vomiting all night. I dropped her off and walked 10 minutes so I could park on the street and not pay for parking. I felt good. Micaela had to take an ambulance to another hospital (she was okay so don’t worry) and I met her there but again parked 15 minutes by walking away to park for free. I felt good. Tonight we were told that the hotel was having Indian hors d’oeuvres in the lobby so Micaela and I were going to have a few and then go to dinner. Guess what it was dinner. We had basmati rice, butter chicken, curry vegetables, naan bread and for dessert, Nanaimo bars. I don’t really get the nanaimos but who cares. My favourite dessert. So I felt great. Before work I usually get a pepsi to give me a little boost before I go and get my mind energized. Placebo or not I like it. I used to go to shoppers and spend $2.26 on a bottle but I found a little orintal run convenience store in the underground 10 minute walk out of my way and they only charge $2. So I go out of my way everyday to save the 26 cents. Whether my attitudes stem from the fact that if I can’t see the money then it doesn’t seem real or the fact that I can be stubborn at times is up for debate but that’s what I do for one reason or another.
We’ve also decided to ask other couples to write in and we would add which one we though was the best to our blog each day. So we welcome you to share with us.
The last thing I’d like to say is we are keeping a running tally of who people think has the better blog so cast your votes and we will tally up the winner at the end of each month.
I hate to lose.
Some passing thoughts of my day:
Why don’t people have the instinct to stop eating when they are overweight?
How much bacteria is in this hot tub?
I really like Indian food. Why do I only eat it 5 times a year?
I’m glad I’m not on those sailboats. I would be so sea sick right now.
The painting in the lobby looks like a Picasso but it seems to linear. Do I really know enough about Picasso to think I know his paintings and what the heck do I know about linear anyways.
Kent.
I’ve been pretty fortunate with this pregnancy and have been feeling good for the whole second trimester. I’ve thrown up maybe four times through my whole pregnancy… until Sunday morning. I was 22 weeks pregnant and woke up throughout the night at my sister Kate’s house with cramps, bad enough to wake me up, but not bad enough to keep me awake. Around 8:30am I woke up and still had them so I got up and googled it (not always the best idea) to see if it was something I should worry about. Google of course gave me mixed reviews but after throwing up twice and with the cramps getting worse, Kent drove me to Emergency.
While waiting I threw up three more times and my cramps were still getting worse and worse. I didn’t have to wait too long before they brought me in, where I found out that this hospital didn’t have a Maternity ward, we should have gone to another hospital, and the nurse wasn’t used to pregnant people coming in. She was all excited for me and saying things like, “Wow your first baby! This is so exciting!” Meanwhile, I am in the worst pain of my life and scared that my baby will be born today and not survive. Probably not the most exciting time of my pregnancy! I could feel the baby moving a lot all morning so I wasn’t concerned that I had a miscarriage, more that the baby for some reason wanted out TODAY. The nurse gave Kent the job of timing when my cramps got really really bad (which was also every time I threw up), they started out about half an hour apart and gradually got closer together. This was scary too because it’s definitely something you associate with labour.
Finally after testing my urine, they thought that I had a bladder infection and maybe kidney stones so I was sent up for an ultrasound. This sounded like positive news. The technician said my bladder was empty (obviously since I’d thrown up everything I’d eaten or drank all day) and so she gave me water… which I then threw up about two minutes later. So I guess it wasn’t her most successful ultrasound. We had to wait so long to get the results and were kind of annoyed because they had discussed sending me to the hospital that has a maternity ward and we wished they would just do that. Finally I was told that I didn’t have kidney stones and ambulanced to the other hospital to the “Pre-term Labour and Delivery” ward… scary!!! I still wasn’t sure about the diagnosis at the first hospital since there was another time in my pregnancy when a nurse told me I had a bladder infection and I didn’t.
At hospital #2 they did all the same tests that I already had done at the other hospital… and came out with the same results (and of course the process took about four hours.)
By the time we took the two hour drive back to our city, twelve hours after we first got to the hospital, we were just happy that the baby was doing fine. I told Kent before we went to bed that I didn’t think there was any way the day would end with the baby still being inside me and okay. Hopefully it didn’t even realize anything was going on! Now I think I have three more weeks until “Viability Week” which my sister told me is the week where every day the baby has a better chance of surviving if it’s born. That week has a new meaning to me now!
Sleep Position
Pay attention to which way you lay down in bed tonight. If you prefer sleeping on your left side, you’ll have a boy. Right side? You’re pregnant with a girl.
Girl – I switch throughout the night but start out on my right.
Upset Stomach
Little girls aren’t always sweet. Extreme nausea means you are having a daughter.
Boy – I’ve barely had any nausea, just a little in the first trimester.
Soft or Dry Hands
If your hands are dry during pregnancy, you are having a boy; soft—expect a girl.
Boy
Food Cravings
Your favorite pregnancy foods may tell you what sex the baby is. If you’re craving citrus while pregnant, you’re having a girl.
Girl – Ahh all I eat is fruit, it feels like. I haven’t thought of it as a craving since I’ve always been a fruitaholic, but maybe it is.
Adult Acne
If altering hormones makes your skin break out, expect a girl.
Boy
Graceful or Clumsy Pregnancy
If you feel as though you’re gliding through they day, you’ll have a girl. Stumbling? It’s a boy.
Girl – Well maybe not exactly “gliding” but I don’t feel especially clumsy.
Face Weight Gain
If your face gets fuller, it means you’re having a girl.
Boy – This one scares me because my face is always the first place I gain weight but Kent says I haven’t (yet…)
Sugar and Spice Food Cravings
Craving salt during pregnancy? Potato chips, pretzels, and popcorn means a boy is on the way. Need a little something sweet? Ice cream, chocolate, and candy means you’re having a girl.
Both – Lately I’ve been eating popcorn every night and chocolate during the day.
Mood Changes
If you’re experiencing pregnant mood-swings, expect a baby girl to arrive soon.
Boy – Maybe I should ask Kent for sure but I feel pretty calm, and we’re planning some pretty life-altering events.
High or Low Pregnant Belly
If you’re carrying the baby low on your stomach, expect a boy. If it’s high, you’re having a girl.
GIRL- but I have also heard that carrying high means boy? (This was my sister Kate’s answer from when she took this quiz, but I agree with her.)
Baby Weight
If you’re carrying baby in front, it’s a boy. Is the baby weight spaced all around your middle? It’s a girl.
Boy – My stomach is definitely out in front although I have gained some love handles.
Pendulum Test
Dangle a chain with a charm over your palm. If it swings back and forth: boy. In a circle: girl.
Girl
Model Your Hands
“Show me your hands.” If you would hold your hands palms up it’s a girl. Down? You’re having a boy.
Girl
Toddler Advice
Get baby advice from a nephew or friend’s little boy. If a toddler boy shows interest in your belly, you’ll have a girl. If he ignores you, it’s a boy.
Uhh… there are no toddler boys around right now so this one is neutral.
Eat Garlic
Guess the baby’s sex by eating garlic. If the smell seeps out of your pores it’s a boy. If there’s no scent it’s a little girl.
Boy
Key to Pregnancy
If you pick up a key by the round end, you’re having a boy. If it’s by the long end? A girl.
Girl
Even and Odd Numbers
If your age and year of conception are both even or odd, it’s girl. One even, one odd means a boy.
Girl- 26, 2010
Baby’s Heartbeat
If the baby’s heart beats more than 150 times per minute, you’re pregnant with a girl. Less than 150, it’s a boy.
I have no idea. As long as they tell me it’s a good rate then I don’t worry about the exact number.
Stress Test
A child tends to be of the same sex as the parent who is less stressed at the time of conception.
Girl
Dream Meanings
If you dream about having a girl while pregnant, you will wind up having a boy and vice versa.
Neutral – If I’ve dreamed about having either a boy or girl, I can’t remember it now.
Breast Size
If your right breast is larger than the left while pregnant, you are having a girl. If the left is larger, it’s a baby boy.
Boy
Results
Boy – 8
Girl -9
Uhh… guess that doesn’t help me too much! Guesses from family and friends seem to be about 50/50 too. Guess I’ll have to wait until January to find out for sure!
Kent and I had our one year anniversary on Sunday (August 15th) so I guess it’s time to start this blog up again. Because if I don’t now, I never will. Our life is about to go hurdling into a million directions and I would rather start this before all that happens so we have a nice record of that time we moved two hours away, bought our first house, both started new jobs, and had a baby.
August 15th, 2010 started out like a day out of my nightmares. First of all, it was about a million degrees plus humidity. Second of all, Kent dragged me out of bed and out of the house before I had time to get ready. Third, we were not going on an exciting anniversary adventure, we were going grocery shopping. I really hate grocery shopping but somehow we are the couple that must always grocery shop together.
After grocery shopping, instead of going home to put the groceries away, Kent drove us to the mall. This is the guy who wants to go to the mall approximately once a year when he needs to buy a whole bunch of new clothes, and I knew this was not one of these times. I knew he must have something up his sleeve so I didn’t ask questions, or even whine (too much) about my ice cream melting in the trunk of the car (but I’m pregnant, you know it was all I was thinking about.) Instead I just giggled to myself as I followed him through the mall and he tried to work out his secret plan while pretending that he didn’t have a secret plan. Finally we found ourselves on the top floor of The Bay among electronics, dishes, and furniture.
Kent: So… do you know what the first year anniversary gift is supposed to be?
Me: Yeah, it’s paper…
Kent: Well I was looking it up online and the modern version of paper is clocks. *see website*
Me: How does that even make sense?
Kent: Anyways, I thought we would buy an alarm clock together.
Me: An alarm clock??? Actually, ours is pretty ghetto.
Sooo, we looked around a little bit until we found a nice little alarm clock that plays our ipods for us when we wake up in the morning. HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!
As for the rest of the day, we went to watch an open mike, out for dinner, and went for a walk downtown that took us through the Fetish Fair in the gay district. But the alarm clock buying was my personal favourite part. Can’t wait until next year when we awkwardly go out and buy a piece of china for our second year “modern” anniversary gift.
Also, my ice cream survived. Although Kent has been eating way more of it than I would like. We need to have a chat about that one.