Hair

Olivia is two and a quarter now, and it has taken that long for her hair to grow to such lengths that it can be pulled up or back. YAY!
My jubilation comes from a childhood spend with shocking hair cuts - all short - and most humiliating of all, being constantly mistaken for a boy (oh the shame!!!!).
Olivia's little piggy tails managed to stay in for a good 3 hours before they were pulled out, but previous attempts at pulling her overgrown fringe back with pretty clips, sees them yanked out within seconds - and she looks so cute!
So with regret, I am resigning to the idea that I will have to cut her hair, particularly the fringe, which hangs in her beautiful big blue eyes.
Olivia is not a tomboy. She likes her dolls and doll stroller, her jewelry box and its contents and her pink things, but she is not a full on girly girl either, and likes to play with a broad range of things which is a nice balance. Maybe there is hope for long hair in this household, she might just be curious about those "things" stuck on her head. Fingers crossed......

more than sandwiches

A couple of months ago I was helping Ashley clear some of the sod and weeds from the front yard (in anticipation of some landscaping that has yet to eventuate), when our neighbour saunters over for a look-see. Ashley explains what we are planning to do, and how we are going to do it: bring in x-amount of soil and wheel barrowing it into the needed areas front and back, then add rollout lawn and ....basically do it all ourselves.
The neighbour's response was to scoff loudly and announce to Ashley that he was numb in the head if he was to be expecting "the wife" to help him. "You two ARE married, aren't you?" He mocked further laughing at something I certianly didn't find funny. In conclusion he advised Ashley not to expect too much and wished him "goooood luck", because you see (and I didn't actually know this beforehand), apparently when it comes to renovations and yard work "women are only good for bringing out the sandwiches". And yes, he was aware that I was standing right there.
Shamefully that day I didn't defend myself nor the sisterhood - quite honestly, I was flabbergasted that such comments should sprout forth in this day and age. Nevertheless, the neighbour's cutting remarks simmered away inside me - being told I am next to useless, is something I don't take kindly at all; but as is the case in most cases, actions speak louder than words.
During the week we found the neighbour, once again, sauntering in our direction while we were out the back doing the exterior painting. He was indeed surprised to find me up on the ladder doing my fair share for the cause. It was then that I deemed it appropriate to suggest that perhaps we women were capable of doing a little more than bringing out the odd sandwich.
I challenge any who beg to differ!

Am I a slacker?

A friend, who shall remain nameless, has suggested that I am a bit slack with my blogging.
On her own blog site, she pondered the reasons why people blogged less on the weekend, and questioned whether people were in fact out having a life and doing something better with their time. One word answer - YES.
Well, doing something else rather than something better is most probably the truth.
We, for example, painted - yep, still at it. In fact, we painted until it grew dark, which was after 10 pm. The kids were restless last night because it was a warm one and were still awake at 10:30pm. Unfortunately their late nigth didn't encourage them to sleep in this morning.
We went to the indoor pool for a few hours yesterday afternoon to give the kids a bit of respite from the boredom at home.
Eating late isn't helping the sleep pattern, so I have been up late reading until 1am or thinking hard as I toss and turn until 2am. Generally I am up late anyway so this isn't really an excuse.
We have been pretty busy, working into the wee small hours, trying desperately to knock this house fixer-up-er on its head (will we ever), and as this blog entry will attest, the whole caper doesn't really make for interesting reading. That IS my excuse and I am sticking to it.

encouragement

I like to encourage people. I would rather encourage people to follow their gut, and try to help someone reignite a spark they are trying to fan, than be the voice of doom. There are too many of those in this world - who needs another one (that was a retorical question).
I believe the only way to grow as a person is to push the limits of your own comfort zone - give it our best shots. It doesn't matter that we failed at something, as long as we learned from the expereince, as long as we gave it our all, our 100% - there is no failure in that. There is only failure when we have not tried, when we have not given birth to our dreams, when we abandoned something knowing we could have done better.
But I have to admit - I often wish I had half the courage of the people I am trying to encourage. The truth of my blog title is not that I think I am brave. Rather, it stands as an encouraging statement - a reminder, even a few words of advice to myself, that fortune does indeed favour the brave, so persist, stand up to the challenge - take the risk.
Oneday I hope to see the lion starring back at me.

Vanvouver sky

See! It doesn't ALWAYS rain here.
When there is not a cloud it is like heaven on earth and a pleasant 19 degrees. Although if you listen to the locals, anything over 20 is "so hot".
We are renovating (yeah still!!!), exterior painting at the moment. Apparently it is presently an unadvisable temperature for painting. Gee, between too hot and rain, I wonder when anyone ever gets their renovations done around here....but I think we will risk it.

Would butter melt in THIS mouth?

Olivia is such a sweet little girl - very funny, cuddly and happy, but she WILL insist on terrorizing our two terriers. When you hear her mimicking their howling in a back room somewhere you know she is about to strike. Patting them too hard and teasing them until they growl at her, her ultimate aim. She honestly thinks it is funny, but it drives me bezerk. I am afraid she is going to get bitten one day. I have tried everything to get her to stop, but she won't. I know my panicked reaction is part of her delight, but I don't know how it is going to get through to her. The dogs are very tolerant and will give her a chance to be nice everytime she approaches them (she feeds them scraps under the table - so there are pay-offs to being buds with Livvy!), but I tell the boys (Angus and Cobie) - I think they are seriously losing out on the deal - it ain't worth the pain.

Mr Cool

Alex is very proud of his new haircut. We went to the "Barbarque Shop" to get it yesterday. He likes it "spikey", and when I say spikey, that includes roll out of bed side mowhawk (not a good look - seriously!).

the playdate

Yesterday was the day - the playdate.
I am a bit surprised actually. I am not at all experienced in having other kids over and didn't really know what to expect.
Alex was REALLY excited about it and asked me twenty times a minute, "What time is Rilley coming?"
Prior to Rilley's arrival we talked behaviour; his shyness, his overwhelmed feelings, and appropriate play, i.e don't bring out every toy you own and dump it on the ground in a big heap in the first 2 minutes. (This was done recently with our neighbour - who suddenly felt it was time to go home when Alex brought out every piece of clothing he owned. The swift exit home came when the undies were dragged out).
When Rilley did arrive Alex was shy for the first minute - just like he promised. When Rilley's Mum and little sister left he relaxed and invited Rilley up to his room to show him - and I was alone.
Rilley, Alex and Olivia played up there for a good 30 minutes. I was a bit beside myself - I didn't know what to do - so I cleaned!!!!!
Rilley stayed for 4 hours and the three of them played exceptionally well the entire time. I lost one round however, because NO-ONE would help me pack the toys away. Next time (you hear that) next time, I will be stating at the beginning "whatever is dragged out, will be put away before anyone leaves this house". Despite the non-compliance on putting away, I declare the playdate.... a success.

Berries Berries Berries

Westham Island is reknown for its winter migratory bird sanctuary. It is also reknown for its berries. Berry season began at the beginning of June and was heralded in this weekend with the annual strawberry festival at Bissett Berry Farm and Winery.

The strawberry festival was a surprisingly small affair really - very country, with its homemade wares and cooking, a sausage sizzle and strawberry shortcake (sponge cake, stewed cold strawberries and ice cream). I also learnt a lot about bees from a representative form the Department of Agriculture (bee culture is very interesting I might add).

There was also a U-pick strawberries going, and the promise of raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, gooseberries, plums, tayberries and apples, as the season progressed. We managed to gather 6 pounds of fresh strawberries for $4.50 - very tasty tonight I am sure!

All in all, there are three berry farms on Westham Island, all of which will be getting good patronage from us. We hope to freeze raspberries, when they are ready, and save some dollars over the winter when one bag of frozen raspberries cost over $6.

the worth of a smile

I managed to gather all strength and ask a mother of a pre-schooler whether she'd be up for her son having a play date with Alex.
Doesn't sound like much to you I am sure, but for me to ask, was a risk in experiencing a multitude of humiliated rejection scenarios.
In response to my surprising question, the mother's mouth formed a positive arc, her eyes lit up and her posture appeared to express relief. "Yes", came the resounding reply. "He would LOVE that".
Well releif was found in both sides of the conversation. Her smile was a blessing to my heart - a connection, at last. So what is the worth of a smile? My parents might say "too much" - they had to fork out hideous amounts of cash for orthodontics for two dentally challenged kids, but for me, in this situation- well it was priceless.

testimony to angels

Sometimes in life we are touched by the gestures of those unfamiliar to us, and it takes us so by surprised that we wonder whether we really deserved such kindnesses from strangers.
Since arriving to Canada we have been blessed by this phenomenon a couple of times:
There was Bruce, who offered us a fully furnished place to live for 5 weeks during the lapse between our time in the hotel and our house was being settled and renovated. Although Bruce is no longer a stranger to us, he is still an angel and has helped us out in amazing ways since that time.
Then there was Noel and Michelle: who invited Ashley to dinner and then to stay the night in their home, when he came over for his job interview ealy last year. They then invited us to a BBQ as soon as we arrived, as a welcome gesture. We met the whole family and they are the nicest kind of people you are ever likely to meet. They also invited us to their family Christmas, knowing we would be without our own.
Then there was an unlikely angel. Our Canadian real estate agent - yes they are rare but they happen to exisit - I have seen one!!!!! He sold us our house - that is their job hey. But he truely went above and beyond the call of duty, by offering his basement unit to us over the two month LLLOOOONNNNGGGG settlement on the house - it was unfurnished and all of our stuff was on a boat somewhere, so we had to decline, but that was ok. Bruce offered his place to us the next day. Our agent has previously worked in the building industry and recommended all kinds of excellent and reliable trades people to help us get our place habitable prior to moving in. As a new-comer to a town - let alone a whole country, recommendations like that are priceless.
Then there was the guy at Ashley's work who sold him a car for $500! Ok, it is a bit of a bomb and doesn't really match all the new Merks and BMW's in his work carpark, but we couldn't care less really. It runs and has never missed a beat since we acquired it, despite our earlier suspicions.
There was Patty, who remembered what it was like to be a new-comer to this small town, and invited me into her home and to her scrap-booking group - for that I was very grateful.
And last but not least, the inspiration for this entry- an Australian angel. One in particular, who barely knows me or my family. She has been so over-whelmingly generous to our family that I feel desperately unworthy of her kind deeds. She knows our situation here - as a new-comer to Canada. She has been in our shoes and walked this walk with a young family. We thank you dearly and truely for your generosity and kindness, and for the survival items you have sent - you are a blessing - thank you.

"Legals"

Yay, we are no longer illegal immigrants! We finally have our new temporary visas - extended until May 2008. Unfortunately we still have all the restrictions imposed upon us - or ME actually.
At any rate, now that we have the new visa, we can start the process of acquiring the permanent visa, which will put an end to those pesky work and study restrictions.

coffee addiction

If Australia be the beer toting capital of the world, surely Canada is the coffee lugging capital of the world. There are some SERIOUS coffee drinkers in this country. They go EVERYWHERE with their travel mugs. Golly, I see more people wandering around with coffee than teenagers on mobile phones. In my town alone, people walk their dogs with their travel mug; they wait outside the pre-school with their travel mugs; teachers rush into school with an arm load of papers clutched to their chests, a bag of some kind swinging off one arm and either a travel mug or Star Bucks Coffee take-out cup in their free hand. I even saw a woman driving around today with an ordinary kitchen cup - they are becoming so expert they no longer need the spillage prevention top!!!!
At restaurants coffee always appears to be a bottomless deal - one cup must never be enough.
In the homes you can forget your cheapskate Bushells or International Roast rubbish, it is a plunger coffee with some sophistocated ground variety to be sipped at in your own sweet time - INSTANT!!!!! Oh Please, we will not hear such vulgar language THANK YOU! At the poker game I attended last month, a player brought her own coffee from home; she would drink nothing else but her "Starbucks whatever". I thought that a little rude, but the others didn't bat an eye lid.
I haven't gotten with the whole coffee obsessing program. Yes yes I don't mind the occassional cup, but on the VERY odd occassion that I have had someone over, I have had to apologise for my less than exotic range of coffee. There is alot of pressure to supply and drink an acceptable style of the hot brew. To be perfectly honest, I can't be bothered buying all the paraphenalia; the plunger, the right type of coffee, worrying about whether it is stored correctly, fresh enough, grown organically etc etc etc. So excuse me please, it might not be the best tasting coffee around, in fact it might even be the worst tasting coffee around, but it is instant and I don't know any better!

paint colours

As you may be aware(!!!!!), we have been undertaking some renovations of drastic propoprtions. We have now come the the exterior paint work (sigh). Ideally we would have loved to have painted the whole house, and this was our original intention, but "Budget" suggests otherwise. In an effort to compromise, and seeing reason, we have decided to down-scale our original plan to give the place a major colour overhaul, and just change the trim colour instead.
The past week we have gone back and forth to the paint shop toying with a variety of colour ideas.
The current paint colour is dark green trim on murky white - unfortunately the murky white stays.
I must laugh at the names invented for some of these colours, and I do sympathise with paint shops, there are soooo many colours. But come on,...where in the world do they get names like "Kingsport Gray", "green gables", "night owl", "muskoka dusk"? Are these names suppose to excite the imagination or stir some kind of familiar recollection?
We picked "cromwell gray" to begin with, but concluded that it looked less inspiring and more like "Wet Cement". Then we moved to "Fairview Taupe", but found it to be more like the undesireable "packing tape brown". Disillusioned by the gray/browns we entertained reds, but "gypsy love" seemed more like "zit pink" and "arroyo red" appeared more like "dried tomato sauce on a hot day".
Anyway....after much deliberation we seem to have made a decision, and have decided to go with "provincial park", or "duck poo green", which I think to be more representative of both its tone and fragrance.

a win for the under dog

I have a sore neck - a sore neck that begins at the nape of my neck, continues down through my shoulder and ends at the lower back. I did nothing to it but persist in wearing the same clapped out shoes over and over until the pain became unberaable.
Well enough is enough, and I managed to convince myself that I deserved a pair of new shoes. Friday was the day I would purchase these shoes and I was going to make a day of it, and travel to Richmond to shop! Until.......
I noticed an ad enticing people to make the trip to a warehouse for a once in a blue moon 50% off shoe sale to end all shoe sales.
I decided to put off the Richmond expedition and chance the warehouse sale, figuring the stock would either consist of some hideous variety of synthetic specials retrieved from a musty vault sometime last century, or some overly expensive "designer brand" marked down to an "unbeatable" $250. In either case, I can assure you, neither merchant would be seeing a dime from me.
But alas, something strange and fantastic occured; the blue moon appeared and the shoe sale to end all shoe sales was genuine.
Would you believe I managed to snare one pair of leather loathers for $10, and another more casual leather pair for $30, a cool pair of runners for $20 and some leather summer sandles for $40 - 4 pairs for $100 - I was budgeting one pair for that. Now I am set for a couple of years. Who would ever know that I actually detest shoe shopping ?

Renovations just keep on dragging on

There are some very odd and frustrating things that happen in this country; things you wouldn't necessarily expect from a first world nation, but then again, Canadians are a pretty laid back bunch, so maybe they just don't really care.
Take the tax return for instance. The financial year in Canada is Jan 1st - Dec 31st. In Australia we usually get our group certificate within a couple of weeks after the end of the financial year. In Canada it took them two months to distribute - fine. Now, since this was our first tax return, we had to submit it manually- Ok. Once a manual submission enters the system it takes 5 weeks -right. Well it took a further two months to enter the system and we have just been told that the first manual submission actaully takes 4 months to process after that - WHAT!!!!
So it looks like another muddy slush pit this winter, in the area earmarked for the backyard. Maybe we can hire the area out for some pigs to wallow in or something - at least it will be good for something. Planting anything after September is pointless here; the ground becomes too cold and nothing grows. Stay tuned for NEXT year's unvieling of the bloomin' backyard.
Getting any kind of money out of this country - owed or otherwise, is like beating your head against a brick wall...seriously.

hot dogs

Since the kids have come along, it has not been as easy to get out and go for a walk. This is doubly so since the move to Canada and having to endure the great deluge of rain and the entrapment indoors for a large proportion of that time.
Consequently, Angus and Cobie (our dogs, for those not in the know) have lucked out on their typical daily walk and with Angus getting on in age, he has become....well, is there a delicate way to put it....porky. He has always been a "stocky" little blighter, but stocky would be a kind way to describe him these days. Anyway, summer is just around the corner and we have been taking full advantage of the fine and lengthy days, with many walks around the town; to the park; around the block and elsewhere.
The walks themselves are not what you call brisk by any means - I do have a straggling 2 year old or a stroller to contend with, so Angus and Cobie haven't been challenged all that much in the old fitness department. Until today........
I had an idea to take them to the tennis courts behind our house, lock the gates and throw tennis balls around with them off their lead (which never happens since Cobie tends to do a runner). Well they had a great time of it, we chased them around, teased them with the balls and worked their rather low slung tummies off. They were stuffed by the time we got home, with tongues hung out so long you could have welcomed celebrities on them at the Oscars. We have been home for two hours now and I don't think our little hot dogs have moved. We will most certainly be repeating the drill in the very near future. 

Growing up fast

Olivia is growing up so fast I can hardly believe it. this time last year I was blogging that she had taken her first steps - the baby days are well behind us now, there is some sadness in that......but only a little! 

wild rumpus

Yesterday we were invited to a three year old birthday party. It was held at a friends house here in our town. Ashley works with teh little girls Dad and I have gotten to know the little girls mother a bit too, and have even looked after the little girl here and there. The party was a nice size, just 7 kids and their parents. It was a nice day out so the kdsi were able to play out in te back yard on the trampoline or whatever else they found. They served chips and veggie dip and pizza and a cake of course. There was music appropriate for little kids to dance to and the kids watched the little girl unwrap her presents. All the kids seemed to have fun and it was a nice atmosphere to talk to some adults and get to know people. Alex has been to a few birthday party's now and seems to like them alot. Now it is his birthday coming up next month and HE wants a party too. HELP! I am not really clued up on parties of any kind and try to avoid them, if humanly possible, which isn't, as a general rule. The whole idea of organising a little party and perhaps having some parents that I don't know over, is a little over-whelming, but I will suck it up for him and try my best: let the wild rumpus start! 

Apologies

The other day I was watching one of those comedy festivals on TV - I think it was the Winnipeg Comedy Festival or something. There was this one comedian whose routine discussed the politeness of Canadians and he remarked that Canadians are so polite that they will apologise even when it has nothing to do with them. Today I saw an example of that on a bus. You know how buses have a number displayed on the front of the vehicle showing the route number - it is usually elecctronic and displays the route number and then flashes up the destination in words i.e "418"... "Aberfoyle Hub to City", or something like that. Well this particular bus was not in service and flashed the typical "not in service" notification, followed by "sorry" on the next screen. I can never see an Australian bus driver offering an apology to waiting customers. In fact the second screen is more likely to say something like "shit happens".