One Of Those Days

Wednesday was just one of those days.

The day before, I headed to the hospital to support one of my doula clients who was in labour. By Wednesday afternoon, I had been at the hospital nearly 20 hours -- the point where, if timing allows, I will take a break to catch an hour or two of sleep, a shower, a bite to eat. As I was able to take a moment from the hospital, I drove to my partner's work to grab lunch with him.

That's when he noticed the bulge in my car's front right side tire. A bulge creating a super thin bit of tire, which I'm still surprised didn't burst before I got to his office.

Since having my tire explode on the highway home isn't exactly something I care for, we made a trip to Canadian Tire, where thankfully they were able to change my front tires for two lovely new ones.

Fine and dandy. Not what I wanted to spend my hospital break doing, but that's life.

My partner and I did manage a bite to eat and a coffee, before I headed home to shower, picked up Gretchen from daycare and brought her to her father's, then made my way back to the hospital to rejoin my clients.

After finishing up at the hospital, I was riding on just a few hours sleep from the evening before, frustrated with the fact that births don't always play out the way we'd like, and craving some time to decompress.

I got to my car, took a deep breath, and blew it all out, nice and slow, just as I have my clients due during contractions. Deep. Cleansing. Breaths.

Then I turned my key in the ignition.

And the gas light came on.

Sigh.

Off to the gas station I went. Then to pick up groceries before finally making my way home.

Over the last week I've been keeping a close eye on my Neon's odometer because I was coming up on a milestone: 123,456kms. I really wanted to get a picture when it happened.

I parked in the lot at the Superstore, and suddenly remember to look down at my dash.

Yup. Just one of those days.

I Have Four Things To Tell You

Sometimes life gets exciting and busy and wonderful and I forget to share kind of big stuff on the blog. So today, I'm sharing four pieces of news that I've probably tweeted about, but haven't sat down at the keyboard long enough to really explain.

So here it goes!

01. I'm going to BlogHer'13.

Ok, so this you know because of the wee badge I've got up in the right hand corner... and it was sort of mentioned in this post, but really, I haven't dedicated a moment to it as I should have. I'll be attending BlogHer'13 in Chicago, and will be in the city July 25th-28th. The first and only blogging conference I've attended so far, was BlogHer'11 in San Diego -- and I had such an amazing experience. 

Honestly, meeting bloggy friends is one of my favourite things in the world. There's nothing like connecting with people after following their lives, and chatting online, and getting to really know one another before you ever meet. For example, I've contributed to the blog Child Mode in the past, and wrote with its founder, Nadia, over on another blog, and finally this weekend we had a chance to meet in person! She happened to be near Peterborough, check out Viamede Resort, so we met up and I got to meet her three gorgeous children too. Such a great visit!

Nadia and I are working on some blog ideas for later in the summer... can't wait to share!

Also, if you're going to be in Chicago next month, give me a shout! I'm hoping to meet even more of you lovelies!

02. I got glasses.

After months of thinking to myself, "Driving at night shouldn't be this hard", I went to get my eyes checked and walked away with a prescription to help deal with my deteriorating ability to see things that are far away. And WOW what a difference they make. It's a tiny prescription, but for driving and distance, I'm a much happier girl with my glasses on. I'm still a bit stunned at how much I can see with them on! Hello leaves on trees and far away billboards! The world is crisp and clear!

03. I started writing for The Inquisitr.

If you've been reading So Fawned for a while, you might know that I used to write full time for Celebrity Baby Scoop, and that I currently contribute to Mom Spark, a mama blog founded by the lovely Amy.

After making the decision to close my shop, I knew I'd be back writing and sure enough, was able to land myself a gig with The Inquisitr. Currently an intern and loving it!

04. We're moving to the country. 

Here's the big one. Earlier this year my mister and I moved in together, and this week, we'll be putting the condo on the market, and moving to the country, to a farmhouse owned by family. You've probably seen my Instagram feed filling up with images of fields and barns, orchards, and the most beautiful old home. I'm thrilled for the chance to have Gretchen experience what it's like to live in the country, with endless fields to play in, fresh air, and lazy summers days. 

We can't wait to enjoy the peace and quiet of rural life -- something we both grew up loving. It's also just about 20 minutes out of town. A summer of bonfires and sipping tea on our wraparound porch is about to begin. That barn above? That'll be my view from my new office. Incredible. 

So there we have it. Four bits of news -- four things that are making me very, very happy. 

My next post will come to you from the farmhouse. Peace!

Happy Birthday, Mister

Thank you for being my best friend, and a wonderful figure in my daughter's life. Thank you for being my partner, for taking care of me when I was deliriously sick, for being so supportive and always believing in me. Thank you for making me laugh -- every single day. Thank you for wrapping my Christmas present like Rowan Atkinson. Thank you for knowing me so well, for finishing my sentences, and for tolerating my perpetual clumsiness. 

You mean the world to me. And I adore you. 

Happy birthday, my mister! I love you!

Recently (Camping & Back Home Again)

Our camping trip was an absolute success. Beautiful weather & cozy nights by the campfire. My mister and I are both a touch sunburned (my nose burns no matter how many SPFs I slather on), but even so, our weekend was fantastic -- a much needed, mellow vacation. And we can't wait to go again. We've already planned a trip for July... and are thinking about one for June as well. But this time, with Gretchen, of course! She can't wait to camp out in a tent. Last year she did a few backyard camp-outs with her gramma and she's excited to try it again!

After getting home from our weekend away, Rich and I felt especially productive -- we actually unpacked and did all of our laundry by mid-afternoon, picked up Gretchen & had dinner! Not too shabby for waking up in a tent that morning, 2 hours from home. I'm already anxious for our next trip. (I'm also trying to plan a little getaway for my mister and myself for his birthday that's coming up soon... I suspect he already knows I'm up to something, so I'm not too worried if he reads this. Hush, hush.)

PS. Those lilacs? Gretchen picked them for me at my mom's place this weekend, and brought them home. They are making our condo smell AMAZING. Yum!

Long Weekend Love

This weekend, my mister and I are taking off on a camping trip together. Not too far away, just about an hour or so's drive, and I'm so looking forward to mellow nights by the fire, relaxing days, and sleeping in, while the little miss is with family.

After my less than fun illness last month, I'm finally feeling much more like myself. I'm definitely looking forward to taking a few days of pure rejuvenation. Afternoon naps, lots of reading, and some quality time with my wonderful partner.

Wishing you all a beautiful long weekend!

Image spotted here. 

That Time I Missed A Week Of Life & My Birthday

Remember my last post... on the 13th? When Gretchen was just getting better and life was good again? Well, here's the Cliff's Notes version of what has been happening since:

Sunday April 14th: I woke up with achy muscles and within an hour or two was in so much pain I couldn't move. I stayed in bed, delirious, cold (actually very feverish), and in pain. By that night my partner convinced me a trip to emerg was in order. I spend the evening having blood taken and hooked up to fluids via IV. I was sent home with antibiotics for a possible sinus infection. 

Monday/Tuesday: Home, agony, could barely move or talk. Breathing was difficult and laboured.

Wednesday aka my birthday: Another day at home in bed, by that evening I made my second trip to emerg. I was sent home a few hours later with painkillers. The doc told me to wait out the antibiotics. 

Gretchen made me the sweetest card. Rich brought it to the hospital. I missed her so much.

Thursday: A day on the couch, couldn't move, face became numb after taking painkillers, nothing was helping. I booked in for a doctor's appointment that evening. During the appointment, I could hardly speak in full sentences, did my best to explain the week. He sent me back to the hospital. That night is a blur of IV fluids, being locked down in emerg, my friend and then my partner at my side. Antibiotics were started and I drifted in and out of sleep. Thank you pain meds. 

Friday: I woke up to my partner at my side & I was eventually moved from one part of emerg to another. Lots of resting. 

Saturday: Still at the hospital, though I had hoped to go home that morning. Starting to feel more human. I can breathe and speak much more easily. 

 Tea & The Hobbit.

Sunday: Good news. I can go home. I have to be sure my blood count improves this week. I'm so excited to see daylight again.

Goodbye, room no. 7.

So now, Monday. I am very week and easily tired. One more blood test Thursday with a follow-up appointment one week from today. I'm very happy to be out of the hospital. Working hard to stay positive while I get my appetite and energy levels back up to what they were. Today I came into work for just three hours & I even managed to get my plate stickers renewed since I missed doing that on my birthday. 

Thank you so much to everyone for your support and well-wishes this week. Thank you to my partner for running all errands and helping make sure my daughter was where she needed to be. Thank you to Rich, and to my good friend Karen for bringing me food and driving me to/from the hospital and doctor's office. Thank you to the nurses who helped me get well. 

In the end, I think they decided I had some combination of blood infection, fungal infection in my esophagus and just some nasty complications from the fever. It was a bit of a scary week & I've absolutely never felt sicker. 

Looking forward to a 27th birthday re-do. Much love!

If I ever take a week off from life again, I hope it's for a nicer reason.

So happy to be HOME.

Our Easter Weekend Love List

I've been wanting to get back into writing Love Lists, which I used to do much more frequently, and I think Easter weekend seems like a beautiful place to begin. Here it goes...

♥ Visits to Maple Fest

♥ When my mister's hair makes him looks like a Flock of Seagulls enthusiast

♥ A dog wearing a bowtie

♥ Otters!

♥ Easter morning egg hunts

♥ Making devilled eggs for the second time

♥ Bacon

♥ A girl on her brand new bike

♥ A busy, busy weekend with my little fam

Happy Easter, mes amis! Much love and fingers crossed for a gorgeous Spring ahead. Peace.

A Local Legend, A Proud Hometown Moment

On March 6th, Stompin' Tom Conners, a Canadian legend, passed away. On March 13th, his memorial took place in my hometown, Peterborough, Ontario.

The celebration of life was broadcast live by a local station where my partner, Rich, is a producer. He had the honour of directing the entire ceremony and I couldn't be more proud of the amazing job he did. He, along with his co-workers and volunteers, gave the event such a special touch. 

A beautiful tribute to a fantastic Canadian. The line up of musical guests and speakers is just incredible... definitely take a peek through. G and I watched from home and she danced along:

So proud of my babe for being a part of this. Love you!

Springtime Ch-Ch-Changes

Springtime all about change, and this year, that couldn't be more true.

Mid-March, Gretchen and myself, will be living with my wonderful partner, Rich. A move across town & the start of a new phase in our lives. It is never a simple choice to begin a relationship with someone as a single mother -- and as we move towards growing our love into a life together, I feel nothing but happiness. Choosing Rich to be someone so important in my daughter's life has been an absolutely organic decision. Beginning as friends, I knew he would always be someone special in my life. We grew together, moved around each other and fell in love. My daughter is smitten and has developed such a fondness for this man -- the most kindhearted, generous, loving, caring, brilliant man. And I fall for him in new ways every single day.

Spring is all about change. Positive. Welcomed with an open heart. 

The 2nd Annual #PeterTweeter Awards!

It's that time of year again!

Last year, some fine folks in my beloved city came up with the idea to do a local awards show based on Twitter... and so, the #PeterTweeter Awards were born! It was a roaring success & such a fun night. I was nominated for a couple categories and ended up winning:

Mommy Tweeter!

It's actually on my fridge at home, haha. Sometimes I think about framing it... it probably belongs next to my university degree, eh? 

This year, I'm up for #PeterBreeder aaaaaaaaand @ShopTango has been nominated for Best Retail! My mister, @Ricwi, and I are also vying for #BarfiestCouple, because how hilarious is that? We've got some stiff competition, but your votes could push us to the top!

If you'd like to vote, check out the link here or here!

• @sofawned for #PeterBreeder!
• @ShopTango for Best Retail!
• @sofawned & @Ricwi for #BarfiestCouple!

I know you're not all local, but if you think we're rockin' the Twitter over here, your votes would make me smile! Thanks lovelies! Also, you can vote once per day if you get really into it.

Thanks friends!

{Wordless Wednesday} A Look Back At NYE

Happy Last Day Of 2012, Mes Amis!

So excited to see what 2013 will hold! Looking back, 2012 was a year of NEW and CHANGE and WHOA and HAPPY. Not a bad mix, methinks! I bought a store, G and I moved, and my best friend became my love, my partner. 2012 is a year to propel me forward, to move ahead, to keep the momentum.

Much love for the next year, mes amis. I have nothing but positivity in my heart.

Peace.