I just got off the phone with my dad. He called to tell me that my childhood dog, Nike, passed away today. Saying I’m sad doesn’t fully represent the emotions I’m having right now.

Nike came into my life via an ex-boyfriend. He showed up at my house one day with a pitbull puppy. He wanted to call her Dizzy (after Dizzy Devil the looney tunes character) and I thought she need a stonger more dignified name. We settled on Nike after the goddess of victory.

The ex-boyfriend didn’t have the means to take care of her so we adopted her into the family. Thankfully the ex (eventually) left the picture and we were left with this amazing creature.

Nike was one of my favourite teachers and I am thankful that she spent her ten years on this planet with us.
Here are some of the lessons she taught me.

Challenge your beliefs - When the ex first brought her home we were a bit concerned about having a pitbull. There are so many bad stories out there. I think part of her purpose on this planet was to challenge that stereotype. My dad trained her to sit in a bike trailer (see picture above) and they would go around town making people smile. She was patient and gentle with all of the people who came up to have their pictures taken with her.

Finish what you start - When I was house training Nike I thought it would be cool if she would ring a bell (hung by the backdoor) to go outside. Step one was to teach her to ring the bell. Everytime she did, she got a treat. Step two was to get her to ring the bell, put her outside, and give her a treat when she came back in. Step three was to have her ring the bell, go outside and do her business, and give her a treat when she came back in. The process stalled at step two. She got it into her head that whenever she wanted a cookie she would ring the bell. I would get up from whatever I was doing and put her out. She would walk around the deck and come back in. When I stopped giving her treats for this she would get upset, sit at the door, and incessantly ring the bell. She was stubborn and we loved her for it.

Be there for your friends - Nike was always there for us. She snuggled, cuddled and put her head in my lap when I was blue. Silent, no judgement, just the love that only a dog can give.

When you play, put your heart into it, and go all out

When it’s time for a nap, make sure to find a warm place in the sun

It’s ok to move at your own pace

Sometimes your future’s so bright, you have to wear shades

Don’t settle

Tenacity can pay off

Always do your best

Love full out until your last breath

Nike, thank you for being a wonderful friend. I will sorely miss you!

Today Baby Daddy turns thirty-five. He changes demographic groups. Wow…time sure does fly.

Baby Daddy, on your birthday (and everyday) I am grateful for:

1) the lifetime commitment that we have made to each other.
2) the morning cuddles that start my day off just right.
3) the long walks with our puppies where we talk about our hopes and dreams.
4) all the dates we have gone on.
5) the love songs you have written for me.
6) your desire to keep striving and be the best you.
7) how you make me laugh until I (almost) pee.
how you laugh at my silly puns and jokes.
9) your willingness to take on new adventures.
10) your love of news. It helps us position adaptively. On a swivel, on a swivel!
11) when you hold my hair and rub my back when the morning sickness has gotten to be too much.
12) all the times you have kept me accountable.
13) the random love notes that you send me.
14) all the times you have patiently waited for me as I pursue bookstores and quilt shops.
15) your love and support as I grow into the person I want to be.
16) all the wonderful meals we have shared.
17) all the times you stop me and remind me to enjoy our journey together.
18) all of the games of Scrabble we have played.
19) all of the new music you have introduced me to.
20) all of the nights you have read to me.
21) all the times you have held my hand hand when I am sick or hurt.
22) all of the times you have run my bubble baths.
23) your patient nature.
24) your passion.
25) all the times you do dishes (even though I know you HATE it!)
26) your no BS honesty.
27) all of the times you have helped me find the things I misplace.
28) for your willingness to do what is hard.
29) loving me no-matter-what
30) building a life and a family with me.
31) inspiring me to be better.
32) your inquisitive mind.
33) your funny songs.
34) your hugs. They make my world go around.
35) all of you. I wouldn’t change a thing!

Thank you for being an amazing partner, “husband”, and friend. I am looking forward to sharing this journey with you. Today and everyday, I am full of gratitude that you are in my life!

xo

I have been thinking a lot about marriage lately. What does this institution mean to me? Do I want to be married before the baby comes? Baby Daddy wants to get married but we need to make sure we are doing it for our own reasons. He has asked me to write him a letter about my thoughts on marriage. (We talk about important issues like this but we also write letters because it forces us to be clear and succinct about our thoughts and feelings.)

Background info
- My parents were married and they separated when I was six.
- Baby Daddy’s parents have been married for 36 years.

When I brought up marriage with my dad he said that we SHOULD be married before the baby arrives because then the baby will feel wanted. Right…..I told him that the baby IS wanted and having a piece of paper from the government isn’t going to make it feel more secure.

When I talked to my grandma, who is active in her church, she said she thought Baby Daddy and I were a great team and that we appeared to be married already. She thought that the legal part would come. Her and my grandfather were married for 50+ years before he passed away.

Baby Daddy’s parents are just excited they are going to have a grandbaby. They have never brought up marriage.

I’ve talked to my married friends and some say they felt a huge difference where others said it was the same for them. We are committed to each other, to this partnership, and to our life together. Will a ceremony change that?

Part of me wants to go to the court house, get married, and go out for a great dinner with friends and family to celebrate. Another part of me wants to get married outside in the mountains with all our friends and family.

Can I just wear a wedding ring as a symbol of my soul commitment? Or does the government own the marriage “brand”?

I want to get married because it is right for me not because I am bending to societal and family pressures.

Lots to think about

(picture credit - http://www.flickr.com/photos/angelslens/)

Just saw this ad on Ads of the World and laughed out loud.

Jazz Radio

I haven’t been blogging. Mostly because I’m pregnant and didn’t want to share it until I was past the “safe” date. All has been going well. I’ve been pretty tired and the nausea has gotten the better of me on some days but *fingers crossed* it will pass soon.

I’ve also been pretty wrapped up in the coming election. This was the first time I sat down, listed my priorities, and then compared the different parties. Since I am going to be in NY on election day, I went to the advance polls. Based on my analysis, I didn’t vote for who I typically support. Maybe it’s because I am growing up and my beliefs are shifting. Maybe it’s because I really thought about it this time….

Voting always makes me cry. Tears of gratitude of course. I think of Nellie McClung and the rest of the Famous Five. I feel really blessed to be living in Canada and that comes with a lot of responsibility.

That’s all for now

Bicycle bicycle bicycle
I want to ride my bicycle bicycle bicycle

I want to ride my bicycle
I want to ride my bike
I want to ride my bicycle
I want to ride it where I like

This song has bee stuck in my head since I bought my new bike last week. My new ride is an Electra Amsterdam

Things I love about my bike
- It has a wide seat so my tushy is comfortable
- The handles are made of leather and are molded to my hands
- It came with a bell

Sleep is eluding me tonight and I haven’t blogged in awhile so here I am. I’ve been thinking about how my “100 things about me” category only has 15 items in it. In 29 years of living there has to be at least 100 interesting factoids about my life. Problem is, it’s my life, so it seems ordinary.

To gain some inspiration I googled “100 things” and was surprised by the result. The TIME article How to live with just 100 things came up. Dave Bruno, an online entrepreneur, has pledged to reduce his clutter to 100 items and he is blogging about the process. What a fascinating challenge!

I have been looking for something like this. A socially conscious experiment that moves me closer to the life I desire. The two I thought about were:
1) the 100 mile diet - very challenging in Edmonton, AB where it seems to be freezing at least 8 months of the year
2) boycotting “Made in China” - then I did the research - almost everything seems to be made there!

My clutter seems out of control. Three weeks ago I took five boxes to the Salvation Army and I want to keep purging. This experiment is a great fit. So, where do I start?

Dave started with a his challenge rules, his goal, and his list. I’m going to think about it for a few days and blog about it again.

I googled “clutter” to find an image to go with this post and found this. Click on it to see the full size mindmap clutter illustration. Very cool!

My “mobster” betta fish Matty recently died. He will be missed.

Today was a picture perfect summer day. I’m in Jasper enjoying a few days off.
I woke up this morning, walked to the bakery, had a fresh croissant and coffee, and walked around town. After breakfast I took the Whistler sky tram to the top of the mountain. The view was awe inspiring. (Pictures to be posted soon)
Now I am sitting on the patio of my cabin, drinking a glass of red wine, listening to tunes, and watching the sun go down.

I went out for dinner and drinks with M&M last night and had a great time. I got home, changed into my yellow pajamas and snuggled into bed to finish reading Tuesday’s with Morrie. As soon as I was tucked in and turned to the right page, BLINK, the lights when out….blackout.

I got out of bed and went onto the patio. It was dark for as far as I could see. After a couple of minutes front doors started opening and my neighbours began making their way on to the street. I felt a bit guilty listening in to the conversations below but it didn’t stop me.

I went back into the house and dug out some candles and the solar/wind up radio my dad gave me for Christmas. (He gives great gifts that always come in handy.) The radio stations were still on the air, that was a good sign. I laid in bed and thought about the world without power. How would it change if we no longer had electricity?

- would be lose a good portion of our knowledge? A lot of it is digital now.
- gas pumps wouldn’t work anymore
- does CBC have backup power?

Last night made me realize I need to put together an emergency preparedness kit. Get prepared is a great site.