So I was talking with my SIL Brooke today and she was telling me about this uber cool site that lets you download music for free onto your computer and create your own personal playlist. So... since I am always wanting some new proofing music I thought I would give this a try.

Here is my newest playlist... a very random mix

http://www.playlist.com/larajane

I finally know what I am!

So I was reading this running magazine yesterday morning with my coffee. I think I may actually me slightly addicted to theses mags because every time I finish reading one I feel the need to read more and more, like I can't get enough info. Anyway, so I was reading through this one magazine when I stumbled across an article called "The Ideal Runner's Diet."

Hmmm, perfect I thought; I need to know what a good running diet would consist of.

So the article began by talking about how many runners follow one of two philosophies. "You're either a carnivore or a vegetarian." I was like, shoot, I don't really like meat, but I'll eat it, although I secretly kind of wish I could call myself a vegetarian. Then the article went on to say that you can have the best of both worlds, and this is ideally what runner's should eat. Basically making plant foods (fruits, veggies, grain, and legumes) the mainstay of our meals, while still eating animal protein-just less of it. The person who follows this diet, actually has a name I discovered. They are called "flexitarians." Yes, flexitarians! I was sooo stoked to read that people like me actually have a label! Not that I like to be labeled, but this is a label I think I can live with. Actually, this is a label I am very excited about! And the best thing about being a flexitarian, is that it is the "ideal runner's diet!"

Anyway, just thought I would blog about how excited I am to be a flexitarian!!

9/11

The question I hear being thrown around lately is "what were doing when you first heard about the attacks?" So here I am eight years later thinking about that tragic day and all that has happened since.

I had just started a teaching job at a great Preschool in Vancouver. As I got into my Jeep that morning to drive to work I turned on the radio. A happy song was playing, the sun was shining, all seemed right with the world. Little did I know our world was changing, very fast. As the song ended, and I pulled into the parking lot of the school (yes I actually only worked like 6 blocks away) the news came on. The WTC had just been hit. I remember thinking "what, that can't be right." I was in a bit of a hurry to open the doors and get on with my day, so I pushed it to the back of my mind. It wasn't until parents started arriving with their children and were buzzing about this that I began to realize what was really going on. I went home that afternoon and was glued to the tv. I was in disbelief. I was sick, I was sad. My mind began to spin. I began wondering what our future held.

I was ten weeks pregnant with Elissa. I was scared for my baby. What kind of future will she have? How can I be bringing a child into this world, this world filled with hatred, bitterness, and war?

A lot has changed since then. A lot. Life went on, and life continues to go on. Joel was still in University. We lived in a one bedroom apartment on West 44th. We didn't go to church. We didn't see much family. I worked part time.

A lot has changed in 8 years. I wonder what the year 2017 will look like.

Our world is forever changing, as are we.

all in a day

Just when I thought life couldn't get more interesting, it did.

Last Wednesday my mom came over to give me a chance to get out kid-free and run some errands. I was greatly looking forward to this brief amount of freedom and wondered how much I could squeeze into a small frame of time. It all started at good old Costco, where I had planned to meet my MIL and SIL. We were on a mission to pick out a 40th birthday present for another SIL. With that task done, I desperately needed to continue on with some grocery shopping, as I had been putting it off all week. As I started loading my cart with the essentials, my cell rang. It was my mom. My mom never calls my cell, so I thought it was a bit odd. She was calling to say that she thought Connor had broken his arm after falling from the monkey bars. Now a few months ago, Connor had done the same thing, fell from the monkey bars, but his arm in the end hadn't been broken. Needless to say I ditched my cart and drove home. Once I got home, he was lying on the front grass in shock. Our wonderful neighbour had wrapped and iced his arm and said it was pretty bad.

I rushed him to Emergency where we sat for 7 hours. Nothing really prepared me for what his arm looked like though. I literally felt sick to my stomach when the nurse took his sling and ice off. During that time he had an IV put in him and was pumped full morphine and gravol. He drifted in and out of sleep all afternoon. They brought in a portable x-ray machine because they didn't want to move him. He had dislocated a bone as well as fractured three others. The ER Dr. said he had never seen anything like this. At that point it was decided he needed surgery. I spent the rest of the afternoon in the ER with him waiting for the Orthopedic surgeon to come and take a look. He came in and said it was pretty bad and he definitely needed surgery that night. I have to admit, by this time I was both physically and emotionally exhausted. I hadn't eaten anything all day aside from a smoothie that morning, and Joel was away on business. They had to cut off his shirt and put him in a little gown. He was then wheeled up to the OR where I had to get scrubs on as well. I sat with Connor in this little curtained off room waiting for them to come and get us. I looked down at his little body. His arm looking so wrong and so painful. He had an IV in his other arm. He looked up at me with his big brown eyes and said "Jesus is in the room right mom?" I had been strong for him all day, but when I heard him say that I began to weep. I thought of all the other mothers who had been in this same situation. The fear that had gripped them before sending their precious babies into the unknown. I said a prayer through my tears with him. He told me he loved me. They came to get us, and it was time. They hooked him up to all sorts of monitors and put a mask on his face. He went out really fast, kind of scary. Now it was a waiting game.

I waited alone for over an hour. My SIL came and sat with me for a bit since she had just finished her shift on a different floor. It was nice to have company. She left and I was alone again. It was a rather lonely day, even though I had been surrounded by nurses and Dr's. Another SIL came just as I was allowed to go be with Connor. I sat with him and waited for him to wake up. He gradually came to. The surgery had gone well. Connor seemed okay, but had some trouble breathing. They had put a tube down his throat during surgery and it seemed to hinder his breathing a bit. We were then taken to the Pediatric ward where he spent the night recovering. It had been a long couple of days. Joel did finally arrived late Wednesday night, which was a relief.

Connor is adjusting well, but is still on Tylenol 3 at night.

It was quite the experience, one I hope to never re-live.

life

I am going through some really tough stuff in my life right now. I am dealing with a lot of hurt and a lot of loss. The nights seem to last forever and mind is forever spinning. I have to admit I have been really quite self absorbed this past week. Only thinking about my problems and trying to deal with a lot of heartache.

Last night Joel and I spent the night downtown in a fabulous 4 star hotel and spent the morning at Starbucks and shopping a bit on Robson. I love the city. I love how I could just get lost there. So many different people, each with their own incredible stories. As we were heading home, we drove through East Hastings. Wow, what an eye opener. We saw numerous homeless people, prostitutes, and a handful of police and ambulances. People who were hungary, lonely, and without shelter. It was tragic to see. How easy it is for me to be stuck in my own little world, with what seems like such hopeless situations. It made me realize that this world is so much bigger than me. That there are so many people out there who have no hope and no love. My heart ached. It ached for them. There is so much need, but really no one to help them. I am thankful for my home, my health, and my family. Although I am struggling with a huge loss right now, I am still holding on to hope. Hold your loved ones tonight.

Okay, so being constantly inspired, artsy, and creative is impossible, maybe not for everyone, but it is for me. And it is sooo frustrating! So what do I usually do? First I stalk all my favourite blogs, then I flip through countless magazines, and then I scour my photography boards. I went through this struggle today, and then I turned on some music. I love music, it can change my mood so quickly. It can make me super happy and energetic (and creative) or it can also make me sad, thoughtful and leave me reminiscing of what I once had. So I'm listening to this great song by Colbie Callait when I remember how much I loved her first music video "Bubbly." So I went onto You Tube, found the video for Falling For You and fell in love with it. So I thought I would share it, I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!

Falling For You video

Here I am again

It has been many months since my last post. I just spent the last half hour putting one together, and then realized I posted it to the wrong blog. Now I'm getting an "error" sign.

My head is spinning right now. Too many thoughts and emotions going on. I will be back to blog later, I promise.