Keep on truckin'

Mom and I got talking about school tonight and how on earth I'm ever going to finish this degree. I want it more than anything. I hung up the phone and I cried because I want it so bad, but it's not going to pay for itself. Having taken a year off to have a baby makes it a little difficult to fork over so much money to keep going. OSAP is nice enough to give me dick all. Go figure. I don't qualify for a penny this year. Fuck you, OSAP. Thanks for nothing.

I will finish it. I will! I just want to do it RIGHTNOW. It's so frustrating. On top of money, distance education is just hard all-round. Registration is difficult, exam locations have to be set and paid for, only so many classes are available...the list goes on.

On top of that, of course, we have Addison to deal with. It'll be hard getting back into the swing-of-things, especially with a needy one year old attached to my boobs hip. If I need to go to campus (three hours away), I have to make sure someone is available to watch her, or get her into the school day care for a few hours while I write my final. While staying in Ottawa, I'd need to find a place that can accomodate both of us. Just thinking of this is already stressing me out.

I thought about seeing if the local college had anything to offer that I could transfer into my degree. Maybe the campus in Toronto close to the apartment has something? *sigh

I got caught up in it and looked at this semester's registration at CU on a whim. Somehow there are still two courses open that I need! The kicker? $1251.77 before books and correspondence exam fees. 1200 fucking dollars for TWO fucking courses. Give me a break. I just want to keep going. I need to keep going, but I can't afford it.

Fuck you, post-secondary education. Fuck your expensive self.

Time to get a job.

RIP Jack Layton

I was not happy initially when an election was called this year. When it was all said and done, I was shocked, as was the rest of the country. I was so proud of my party and its leader.

The "orange crush" made history. The NDP, led by Jack Layton, had won 103 seats, becoming the official Opposition for the first time in the party's history. They took 59/75 seats in Quebec, which led to the collapse of the Bloc Quebecois.

In July 2011, Layton announced that he would be taking a leave of absence as he fought a new form of cancer. This morning it was announced (link) that he passed away peacefully in his home with his family. He was 61.

RIP Jack Layton, the man who somehow managed to catch my interest in Politics. You were a brilliant, sweet man, and a great leader. This country will not be the same without you.

You're almost one!

And the brainstorming has begun for her fall-themed party. Here are some ideas:

• Make/mail cards (layout idea) by September 26
• BBQ dinner: Pulled pork, chicken, salads, cookies, cupcakes and ice cream for guests, smash cake for Addison
• Make pendant for high chair, flowers or pendant for back wall behind gift/treat table, make wreath with burgundy/brown/yellow flowers for front door (and leave up for Fall)
• Buy Addison a burgundy/brown/yellow outfit, birthday bib
• Gifts: Finish baby scraps quilt, books, Leapfrog Potsy? Picnic? Violet?
• Birthday photos (Meg?)/scrapbook pages

Hi ho, hi ho. It's off to work [he goes]

Isaac, that is. He ended his leave on a high note with the wedding August 6, then headed back to a brand new work project August 8. They're just starting to build a power plant in New Market, so it's a nice change for him, being out of the city. The downside - and it's a big down - is that he now works five days a week. 10 years into this damn company and he goes from four days to five. *sigh

It's already been hard to get used to having him gone. It's more difficult taking care of Addison on my own now than it was before his Pat Leave because she's so much more active. She doesn't take a breath, and only has one nap a day. She's crawling everywhere and reaching for everything. She puts everything she sees in her mouth and knows how to push her boundaries. Thankfully we have the pocket doors closed and one gate up, so we can easily keep her in the Living Room, but it's still exhausting. I'm constantly pulling her back from the TV stand, and picking her up when she tumbles backward from standing alongside the couch.

I need to start job hunting asap to get money for school, but there isn't much here. I'm hoping to find something casual/part-time in town so that I can leave Addison with her grandparents or my brother and not have to worry about paying for day care. God only knows how much that costs. I also don't want her to miss out on what little time she now has with Mommy AND Daddy together. With Isaac only being home Fri night - Sun night, I really don't want to be working all weekend. I want to enjoy being a family.

It will pay off in the end. It will pay off in the end. It will p...

NINE MONTHS

Weight: 16 lbs 14 oz (Aug 15)
Length: 70 cm
Recent milestones/new things: Crawling at high speeds, walking along the couch, walking around and over obstacles, making noises with her mouth, mimicking, one "Mama" (nothing since then), clapping, kisses, pushing a ball back to you if you roll it to her first
Favourite toy: Rubber ducks in the bath tub, Bruin stacking cups
Sleep: 9 pm - 7/8 am, quick bite to eat, and getting up for the day at 9/10 am
Diapers: Love Pampers Baby Dry (Still size 3)
Food: Never did catch on to cereal but has recently begun eating just about everything, and loving it all. When she first started solids she'd pick here and there, but not get overly excited about anything in particular. Slowly but surely, she's catching on. She loves feeding herself toast and cheerios. She likes all fruit, especially pears, mango, oranges and peaches. She likes strong flavours like garlic, so I often let her eat whatever we're eating. She recently stole a bite of my grilled cheese when I turned my back. She likes broccoli, zucchini, peas, turnip, steak, chicken, ground turkey, sweet potato fries and cheese. She loved trying pasta for the first time with a turkey meat and tomato sauce.

She's still small and skinny but staying on the same curves, so we're not worried. The doctor has given me the go-ahead for Homo milk any time between now and a year, so we'll slowly start that transition soon. Probably around 10 months, in an attempt to be fully switched over by a year.

Can you believe she's almost one?

41 weeks, 2 days

As of today, Addison has been on the outside for as long as she was on the inside. I was pregnant for 41 long weeks and two days, and she has now been alive that long. I can't believe it! How did time go slow slowly while I was pregnant, and yet it's flown by since Halloween?

Funny new talent

Hope this works. I've never uploaded a video here before. Sorry it's sideways.

Wedded bliss

YAY! My brother is now a married man. Okay technically he has been for a little while now, but only as of this weekend has the celebration begun. Mom's family came into town on Friday, and I was prepared with dinner we had cooked up for 16! Macaroni salad, pasta salad, caesar salad, corn on the cob, chicken, and pulled pork. And all the drinks you can imagine. They all met up here and got to meet Isaac, Nicole, and the girls.

I can't believe it had been ten years since we all saw each other last. My cousin's two girls are now 13 and 15, and exactly how you want your daughters to grow up. They're so polite and put together, fun, and helpful. They kept offering to help decorate and asking if anyone needed anything. They both have tons of friends and plenty of hobbies to keep them busy. We've since exchanged contacts so now we'll be making plans before another ten years passes!

Unfortunately the hair dresser cancelled at 9 pm Friday night. Whatabitch, I know. She said she no longer had time to come out for us, and expected everyone to go to her salon - and still wanted Nicole to fork over full price for everyone. I don't think so! It's too bad that Nicole was still stuck giving her her business, but thankfully the rest of us could say screw you and work it out on our own. Mom got a last minute spot on Saturday morning here in town and I did my own. It all looked perfectly fine and all was well again.

With plans having changed because of hair, we all had a bit more time in the morning on Saturday to do what we want. Some of us went for breakfast, and then immediate families met up at Nicole's mom's to get ready and take pictures. I can't wait to see them! The photographer was really nice and super casual. She wasn't afraid to get the silly shots as well as the put-together ones. Nicole had a lineup of who was getting their picture taken next, so it all went off quickly. I got mine done first, then Dad, so we could go back into town and let people into the hall.

6:30 rolled around and everyone got there, and the night began. Some people left earlier than anticipated, but - of course - the boys were still going strong well after midnight when I finally left.

I passed on breakfast Sunday morning so that Isaac and I could have a bit of time together with Addison before he had to pack up. Today's his first day back at work since February! We had to make sure he had everything and he headed out early to get everything sorted at the apartment in the city. I don't know how I'm going to do this without him five days a week, now that Addison is on the go!

Overall it was a great weekend. Everyone looked great and had fun, and it was SO good to finally see Mom's side of the family again. I didn't really take any pictures but I'll be sure to post one or two of the photographer's pics once I finally see them. I can't wait!

Congrats, big brother. I love you!! xoxo

Ranch House Crock Pot Pork Chops

Ranch House Crock Pot Pork Chops with Parmesan Mashed Potatoes

I love my crock pot.

Servings: 4
Time: 4-6 hours
Ease of difficulty: As easy as it gets. Throw three things in the crock pot and let it do its thing.
Variations:
Source: Real Mom Kitchen

• 6 pork chops, 1/2 inch thick
• 1 packet dry Ranch Dressing Seasoning
• 10 oz can Cream of Chicken Soup
• 4 lbs peeled, cubed potatoes
• 5 Tablespoons real butter
• 1 cup fresh grated Parmesan cheese
• 6 cloves roasted garlic (directions are below)
• 1- 1 1/2 Cups warm milk
• 1 Tablespoon salt, or to taste
• 1 teaspoon fresh cracked black pepper, or to taste

Place pork chops, Ranch seasoning and soup into a medium sized crock pot over high heat for 4 hours or low heat for 6 hours.

Scoop mashed potatoes onto serving plates and top with pork chops and soup gravy from crock pot. I put a little parsley on top to serve.

I didn't make the delicious-sounding potatoes that are listed with this recipe, but I will as soon as parmesan cheese goes on sale! The pork was great with whipped garlic potatoes. Even Addison loved it! Added bonus!