Whiney Wednesday

So, I never really wanted to write a post about "poor sport officiating".  I've seen games at various sporting events where I've said "that ref/umpire/official was pretty bad", but I've never been prompted to rant about it..... until now.

After seeing the Canada vs. US women's Olympic soccer game the other day... I think alot of people can agree that the officiating left much to be desired.  But what really pushed me over the edge was reading this article this morning:

goo.gl/XSzuh

So, I know that no sport governing body is excited when players/coaches, etc are complaining about officiating... but if this results in any kind of punishment against the Canadian team, I think alot of Canadians, including myself, will be upset.

To rub salt in the wounds, rather than just graciously accept the win... some US players decide to make some negative comments about the Canadian team.  (See this link for details:  http://goo.gl/CTKMw)

Am I suggesting that I think making statements to the media about the horrible officiating was a good idea?  No, but I challenge anyone who can look objectively at that game to say that they wouldn't be upset after that game if they were Canadian. 

Anyway, that's enough of my whining for today.....

Truthful Tuesday

So, here's a post that's a spin off of "Random Confession Friday".  Some more random confessions for you:

1. I love Britney Spears.  Yup.  I don't care about all the crazy stuff she did.  I am always pulling for her.  When I heard she was going to be on X-Factor, I was excited for her.  I'm hoping she's amazing.  I'm also still secretly (or not so secretly) hoping that she will perform at the Billboard or MTV or American music awards some day and pull off a kick-butt dance routine (see how I stayed PG there... no swearing in my blog... or at least in this entry).  The likelihood of that happening is slim, but I'm still hoping. 

2. I am probably the worst eater I know.  My addiction to junk food is so bad that I have often hid sweets from my husband so I don't have to share.  Greedy and unhealthy.  That's who I am.  Don't judge.  Although, if I were you, I would judge me... harshly.  

3.  Sometimes I wish I could go back in time, just for a day (or a week) and re-live my university days.  It's not that I don't appreciate what I have now... I love my husband and daughter, enjoy my job, etc, etc.... but sometimes I do miss the days when all I had to worry about was exams and writing essays.  I ate out regularly, went to the movies often, went shopping pretty frequently, slept in as often as possible and lived with my best friends.  What more could you ask for?!  So... I have a solid business idea for people... as I believe I am not the only one with this kind of wish... you know how there are adult "Rock Camps" where people can go away for a week and pretend they are rock stars?  I think someone should have a "Re-live University/College Camp"... book some space at various university residences and allow people to re-live those days.  Granted I'm sure the actual university students in those cities/towns won't be excited about seeing a bunch of 30/40/50 year old people "partying it up" at the clubs they go to, but who cares.  I'm all for this.  If you start this business, sign me up... oh, and also, give me a cut of the profits... it was my idea and all.

I think that's enough of my confessions today... tune in next week for more (maybe)... or I may turn my attention to another topic.  I don't really have a great attention span.  Must be my lack of sleep.

Random Friday Confessions

So, what are these "Random Friday Confessions"?  I feel like doing a TMI post... but not in a gross way.  So here are a few random confessions:

1 - I have audtionned for more than one tv show/movie.  Nothing x-rated, so don't get excited... and I didn't get the parts either, so you'll never see them... haha.  I WAS an extra in a made for tv movie... ooo... but I turned down the biggest part I was ever offered... to be a "stand-in" for Mena Suvari (I'm not even sure if that's how you spell her name) when she filmed a movie here.  Why did I turn it down?  It started filming the day after my wedding.  Womp womp!

2 - I was a librarian.  Not exactly.. I was a "student page".  I worked in a library for 3 years.  And I used to think "I wonder what people would do if, when they were checking books out, I yelled 'THANK YOU'".  I'm sure they would have thought I was nuts.  And they would have been right... I mean, I'm already a little crazy thinking about such random things... right?

3 - When I worked in tourism, I wrote a song and sang it to tourists... to the tune of the Beverly Hillbillies theme song.  Cheezy, but the tourists loved it.

4 - I know WAY too much about "The Wiggles".  My daughter loves their music, and I find them more bareable than alot of kids music.  I know about their previous music groups, what lead them to start the group, and about some of the scandals a couple of them have faced.  Weird, I know.

5 - I did not know who Justin Bieber was until just before his "Never Say Never" movie came out.  I always considered myself pretty up to date on music, but he slipped through my radar.  I think I must have just dismissed his music as being like Hannah Montana, or any of those other Disney singers.  As another piece of this confession... I downloaded my first Justin Bieber song... Boyfriend.  But in my defense, I find that song sounds like something Justin Timberlake would have sang... when he used to make music.  I say that's my defense, but I know some people will say that's not any better... and to those people I say... we can never be friends... I love Justin Timberlake.  :)

So, not earth shattering confessions... just ramblings from an overtired mama.

I'm so bad at posting regularily.....

So, once again, it's been almost 2 months since my last post.  Sorry about that.  I apologize, but was there really anyone who was upset by that?  I'm sure you were all visiting the site regularly and saying "What?  No new post?!  What is wrong with her?????"  Hey, I get it, you live for my blog.  I'll try to update more often (spoiler alert: I probably won't... because I'm terrible).

So, what has motivated me to write today?  Random thoughts....

Random thought #1 - I really don't take an effort to appreciate my own city.  I'm always anticipating and excitedly waiting for my next trip out of town.  However, I took a fabulous walk in the few blocks that surround my office... it was awesome.  Part of it was the weather.... sunny and warm... my favourite.  The other part was the fantastic little shops that surround my work... I felt like a real hipster/poser/wannabe going in to a little shop and buying some loose tea... oooh lala!  I know... big spender.
So what's my point?  Relax, I'm getting to it!  I think we all do that... ignore what we have in our own backyards.  So, my recommendation?  Go out, go for a walk and appreciate what you have in your own city/town.  (I know, I'm bossy.... but DO IT)

Random thought #2 - So, I saw there is going to be a "Big Brother Canada".  Same idea as the American reality show.  When I was in University... I would have been ALL OVER that.  I always said that there were only 2 reality shows I would consider auditioning for: Amazing Race and Big Brother (although, if they were doing a "Real Housewives of Atlantic Canada" I might consider it...).  So, now that the Canadian Big Brother is going to happen, am I going to apply? No.  Why? A couple of reasons.... 1 - My little girl... I can't imagine being away from her for that long (Aw... isn't that sweet?  No? Ok)... And I guess I'd miss my husband too... haha!  2 - Nobody wants to see an overweight cranky mom lay around the pool (I assume they will have a pool).  3 - I have limited patience for jerks... and you know there will be at least one jerk in the house.  But as I wrote that, I thought "do jerks even know they're jerks"?  I think they do... they must... but if they don't... how do I know I"m not a jerk? In that case, maybe I'm perfect for the show.

Random thought #3 - So, I was reading some travel reviews the other day, and I noticed that (on the particular site I was on), in at  least 50% of the negative reviews the major complaint was the weather.  I get it.. bad weather on a vacation is kind of a downer, but you know what?  The town/city/village you are visiting cannot control the weather, so, to rate that place as an "awful place to visit" (that's an actual quote form a review I read) simply because of the weather, is ridiculous.  I used to work in tourism, and I can't even tell you how many people would ask me on a rainy, foggy and/or cold day "is it always like this here?"  Yes, yes it is... I've heard of this thing called 'the sun' but I've never seen it. 

Anyway, those are my random thoughts for today.  I hope you found it as thrilling as I did (note: I didn't find it thrilling at all).

Final note: Are you one of the few people who actually reads my blog?  Have something to say?  Want to fight about it? (Just kidding... or am I)  Feel free to leave a comment!  Or follow me on Twitter and "tweet me" (that doesn't sound right...)  @Zumba_KatieNB

Thanks for reading!

A serious post

I know, I know, no one every wants to read "downer" posts, but, I've never really posted on this topic before, and I think it's important.

It was around this date in 2009, when I was VERY pregnant (due April 10th to be exact), that I began ignoring some pain I was having in my lower ribs.  I shouldn't say I was ignoring it, because it was difficult to ignore, it was quite painful.  I hadn't had any problems with my pregnancy other than 1 doctor's appointment that week where my blood pressure had been high.  When the doctor took my blood pressure, she suggested we wait 15 minutes and try again... so we did, and it was "normal" again. (I will explain why I put that in quotations a little later).  At that time, my doctor said to me "if you experience any pain in your ribs, head up to the hospital and we'll look at your blood pressure again".

That week, I did start having pain in my ribs, but ... it's difficult to describe... but it didn't feel the way I thought "rib pain" would feel... it was low in my ribs, almost in my stomach... and it almost felt like indigestion, but much more intense.  So when I would feel that way, I would have a bath or lay down hoping the pain would subside.  What I didn't realize is that the "normal" blood pressure I was experiencing, was actually not normal for me.  Before my pregnancy, I didn't pay any attention to my blood pressure, so I had no idea what my blood pressure usually was, so, during my pregnancy, when my blood pressure was in the normal range (optimal is about 120/80), I didn't worry about it.  It slowly crept up over the next week or so, and by the time my due date rolled around, I was in the "mild hypertension" range (about 150/95), when April 12th came (Easter Sunday), I had alot of pain, I was dizzy, and my blood pressure had risen to about 170/100.  I was nervous to go to the hospital out of fear of being "that over reacting pregnant lady", but when my blood pressure reached 220/110, I went. 

When we arrived at the hospital, they took my blood pressure and sent me up to Labour & Delivery "out of precaution".  We were there for about 6 hours, had my blood pressure taken lots of times, spoke to a couple doctors, and then the resident came in and said "well, I think we're going to send you home, but if the pain comes back, just come back up.  I'm just going to consult with one other doctor first".  She left, I started to get ready to go, then she came back in and said "we're going to induce you, we're a little concerned about your blood pressure".  I was surprised, but went with the flow.

I started on IV, they broke my water, and labour started at about 12 AM.... I won't go through the long process... but they monitored me the whole time.  My beautiful baby girl was born at about 7:15 on April 13th.  When she was born, I was tired, but happy she was here.  After all the nurses and doctors were done checking us over, a student nurse came in to help me to the shower, and I was left to shower.  My husband and I were alone for a long time, when finally a nurse came in to wheel me down to my room.  When I got there, I knew something was wrong... I wasn't feeling bad, but there seemed to be a lot of nurses and doctors around.  The doctor told me that my blood pressure was still a concern, and they had done some blood work and my platelets were going down (for those who don't know, platelets help your blood clot so you don't bleed a lot).  So I was going to have to stay in bed, no getting up for shower, bathroom, baby... nothing.  No lights on in the room. No visitors (my husband was allowed in).  I had to have a nurse with me 24 hours a day. 

In the end, I had 7 platelet transfusions that helped save my life.  I found out later that I had Class I HELLP syndrome.  Had I ignored the symptoms any longer, I likely would not be here. 

For more information about this condition, please visit: http://www.preeclampsia.org/health-information/hellp-syndrome.  This condition can be fatal, so it was a scary experience for all of us.

So why am I writing about this?  Not to scare anyone, I am hoping that by sharing my story I can encourage women who are concerned about how they're feeling in their pregnancy to seek help.  I am happy to chat with anyone that has questions or who would like to share their own experience.  Email me at katie.overtiredmama@gmail.com.

The Bachelor update

So, I haven't commented on any Reality TV in a while, but thought I would comment on the latest Bachelor episode.

As the weeks go by, I am becoming increasingly convinced that the Bachelor Ben is a little more superficial than what they are trying to portray on the show.  Don't get me wrong, I know all of the Bachelor & Bachelorettes are superficial to a degree... I mean, comon, your "first impression" cuts have to be primarily based on looks and the 3 words the contestants say to you as they exit the vehicle.

Courtney is just not a likeable person.  I know lots of people will say "but it's all about how she's edited"... ok, maybe if I met her in real life I would get along with her, but I doubt it.  Anyone who uses the "other women are jealous of me and that's why we dont' get along" defense is on my "I don't like you" list.  He has openly questioned her lack of being able to get along with other women... yet keeps her.  I don't get it.  The only logical explanation is that he must be blinded by her looks.

I remain puzzled.

I should also note that I did google who the "alleged" winner of this season is.  I am not surprised. 

Side note - my friends often ask me why I "read ahead".  I like to know the outcome... but it doesn't ruin the show for me because I continue to watch to see how they get there.  I am a fan of the show "Coronation Street" (before you ask, no, I am not 85... it is genuinely a good show).  Here in Canada we are a little over 4 months behind where they are in Brittain... so it is easy to find "spoilers" online.  I often read ahead.  But I continue to watch every episode here.

Anyway, after all that unnecessary information... I'm done for the day.

Snow Days

As I start to write this blog, I realized that this blog is turning in to somewhat of a "rant fest"... oh well, you're still reading it, so... on to the latest rant!

Ok, so I live in a climate with snow in the winter.  I have been dealing with snow my entire life.  Do I love it? No, I mostly just tolerate it.

So we had a little bit of snow yesterday... 10 cm to be exact (no, I didn't measure it myself, I am relying on "weather people" to give me this information).  When I drove to work, the streets were pretty well clear.  The sidewalks, however, were not.  Was I enraged at the lack of snow clearning on streets?  No. It's a part of life here.  But it appears there were many that were.

I read on many a Facebook page this disapproving rants of parents who raged about how awful it was for children to be expected to go to school after a 10 cm snowfall.  Many cited "school was cancelled previously for much less than this" and was it, yes.  Those few days that school was cancelled for less than 10 cm of snow was primarily because more was forcasted.  And on the days that happened, these same people, who were now complaining about the lack of cancellation, were complaining that school WAS cancelled.

OK people, what do you want? 

Several people cited "I can't believe they expect children to walk through these unplowed sidewalks"... Really?  Not to sound like an old coot, but "in my day" 10 cm was not a big deal... in fact, it still isn't in my books.  I still walk through 10 cm of unplowed snow... and miraculously, I am still alive.

I do not evny the decision makers at the school districts, no matter what you decide, you can't satisfy everyone.

Rant of the day... done.  :)