Tuesday

Sweet, wonderful, relaxing Tuesday - oh, how I love you!

It was a full, fun day. Sunshine, Granville Island, playground, dog walk, gardening, kids in bed at a decent time, knitting, the last slice of still-moist chocolate cake from my neighbour... It's one of those days that I envisioned life as a parent would be like, where you push your kids in the swings and then share a sandwich in on a sun-warmed bench.

Sure, there were mishaps. Naked screaming kid on the deck wanting a cookie instead of lunch. Toddler pooping in the bathtub. Dog refusing to heel and wandering dangerously amongst people on bikes. Spilled soapy bubble-making water causing everyone to careen and swerve across the deck. The bruised bum cheeks that resulted.

But the world didn't come to a crashing halt. And everyone was still smiling.

Jason called me tonight, away on a three-night camping trip with his class. It was just after 8pm and the kids were already in bed. The house was quiet, and I was relaxed. I think he was expecting me to be a bit more frazzled, and was pleasantly surprised. It felt good, to not feel like I was at the end of my rope by bedtime.

It's amazing what Tuesday can do.



I didn't have an appropriate photo to share, since I ditched the camera and cell phone for the day. So instead, here is a photo of Keira eating one of the dollhouse dolls.

Spring Constant

My mental and emotional health requires me to move. I NEED physical activity. Without regular exercise I am a tightly coiled spring, full of potential energy and ready to unleash at the slightest provocation.

Personally, I am not a social exerciser. I seek out solitary sports like swimming, biking and running. It may seem strange that I love being a group fitness instructor, and most people that have been to my classes would comment that I am a ridiculously social chatterbox while I am teaching, but then I'm there to teach and motivate my participants, and not for my own workout... Aside from my husband, there are few people that can lull me into conversation while I am in the zone. I crank the volume and sing to the music. Loudly. If you are on a treadmill beside me, unbeknownst to you, I am probably having a secret race with you. This would lead you to believe that I am an accomplished athlete or something, and while I'm happy with my long-ago race times, they are not going to make the news. Mostly I'm just ridiculously competitive. Not sure why. It's not something I'm proud of - I'm just being honest.

It's 6am and I can't sleep because my body is rebelling. My right hand is suspended in a splint for a flare-up of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, and my left knee is being iced for a recurrent injury. My right foot throbs. My hips are out of alignment. I am not trying to garner sympathy, as I know that there are people out there with bigger problems! But as I think and type this, I wonder if this is my new physical reality?

Yesterday I went for a hilly jaunt to JJ Bean for 'coffee and a muffin' with my girls... girls that, coupled with a giant double stroller, are very closely approaching my body weight. I was tired. I wore stupid shoes. I was not 'moving mindfully' when the dog was pulling on her leash, nor when I was trying to balance my coffee mug in one hand and push the stroller with the other. I didn't do my physio corrections for my back that morning. It was my first week back teaching full time, and my first week back into my own workout regime.

There are a million and one reasons why I am feeling like this right now, and things that I could have done to prevent it. I should know better. Believe me, this irony is not lost. But I've never had to think, or prepare so much, just to go get a damned coffee!

I've seen my body go through two pregnancies, three years of breast feeding, major abdominal surgery, and many kid-related repetitive strain injuries. I have a few battle scars. I'm not solely blaming motherhood, but it has taken its toll, along with aging, agressive training, etc. Every once in a while I hear a story about a mother of four who ran her best marathon ever a few months after her youngest babe was born. If this was you, I want to give you the biggest congratulatory hug, and thank you for empowering women everywhere! It also means that my ridiculous competitive streak has probably flared up, and I am suddenly in a secret race with you. It's not something I'm proud of - I'm just being honest.

Do we all hurt? Is that marathon mommy sleeping with heating pads and special pillows and the perfect position to increase the likelihood of a decent sleep? Am I the only one that relies on chiropractors and massage therapists and physiotherapists (thankyouthankyouthankyou) to get through the month?

And am I always going to be fearful that going for a coffee is going to bite me in the bum?

This is a hard post for me, because of what I do for a living. But again, it's not something I'm proud of - I'm just being honest.

Mama Renewed

Well, it's been a while since I've last blogged - in fact, my poor second daughter Keira hasn't even had a name mention on the blogosphere yet! So I've decided to retire the old 'Lil Tri Girl' blog, but maintain the old post list so I don't lose all the writing I've done during life before kids, and Carmen's early days...

There are a few reasons I'm back.

I recently attended a relaxing, rejuvenating Mama Renew retreat held at the beautiful Rolling Earth centre on the Sunshine Coast. There was dancing, singing, EATING, naked hottubbing, visualizing, journalling, creating... I went there without a solid intention, but returned with a ton of energy and creative inspiration. We made beautiful prayer flags, which were hung lovingly over my patio door (thanks Jason!) to remind me of a few promises I made to myself.



Upon my return, I found an email in my inbox from the lovely Bonnie, requesting my presence at her monthly 'Homespun Salon' creative circle. I excitedly 'Craigslist'-ed a few baby items to put some cash together for what some might see as frivolity... I bought 2 beautiful hanks of hand-dyed merino for a sweater FOR MYSELF. To wear. In public. Crazy, I know... this is the gorgeous Whisper Cardigan by Hannah Fettig, and I am knitting it in 'Valkyrie' from Socks that Rock - 'Reds, from poppy to rust darkened with black. Midwife of change. She will walk with you up to that door and be your witness as you walk through it.' Cool, no?



And at both lovely gatherings, amazing women chatted excitedly about their blogs. Some about parenting, some about creativity, some about simply capturing their lives. And I remembered how I used to do that too... and I don't want to be a 'used-to' anymore.

And so my solid intention was born, and here I am. Stay tuned.