Saturday, February 28, 2015

all 28 days of february (every single one)


another family outing with the boys
Looking back at February's blog stats and I find that I've posted more than I though. I was prepared to see a blanker of silence but hey! - you guys got ten posts out of me, and not all photo reblogs from Instagram.

February is short anyway, but this year's February has been packed with good, could be better, busy, improved and sad. So it's no wonder there hasn't been much flying off my fingertips and onto the screen.

That's not to say that I haven't been writing - I recently completed a review of a 95-page EU Scientific Opinion (on berries and pathogens, since you ask - stay tuned) and there have been at least two posts a week on biobanking or proteomics since the beginning of January.

ah spa! my retreat unavailable for an entire month :(
But domestically it's been renovations (bathroom), recuperations (a head) and reminiscing (about a life well lived). Next month there's certainly uncertainty. There's also more renovation (floors), recuperation (head - ongoing) and renewal (studio, self - ongoing).

One constant companion this month has been Opus Daily Practice challenge - only one rule = create everyday! It's been amazingly rewarding, both with setting aside time to create and with seeing what the rest of the community has been up to. I've received wonderful encouragement and 'met' some amazing artists online. You can check out some of my pieces on Flickr.
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All in all - February. Here's to March :)

Wednesday, February 25, 2015

wordless wednesday: #opusdailypractice

daily digital: griz

Monday, February 16, 2015

#portmoody sunset



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spring, sprung



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Sunday, February 15, 2015

reno, schmeno! now it's flooring



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Wednesday, February 11, 2015

wordless wednesday: sounds and wonder



chez moi

Tuesday, February 10, 2015

this week, we will mostly be dealing with ...

out with the old; in with the improved
(no more squint bath)

bathroom renos - we're ripping out mouldering drywall and repairing a water leak, and taking advantage of the necessary repairs to install a walk-in shower, close off an unnecessary doorway and upgrade the tiling.
Relax - we're in good hands!


a functioning dishwasher - we now have a working dishwwasher, no more handwashing ... our realtor, the amazing Monet handled compensation from the sellers in response to our discovery that no, the appliance sold with the house was not as stated in working condition. We now have a new dishwasher :)


getting back to a work routine after last week's er, excitement.
It's all good !

Little signs of spring in my new garden make me very happy this morning



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Sunday, February 08, 2015

sunday scribbling

wearing "that helmet" - yes the one that saved his life

So - there's a backlog of brags about my work, published - stay tuned for an almighty splurge sometime in the near future aka, when I run out of content.

I've fallen a little behind in blogging. I've been getting used to being employed :)
It's also been a leetle stressful this week.

Last weekend, we were all set for a family break at Manning Park to enjoy some of the snow that the North Shore mountains haven't managed to bag this year (so far!). After a tasty dinner, peaceful night and a satisfyingly enormous breakfast, the Wee Guy, mr ebb and myself managed a grand total of zero runs on the slopes before returning home.

On the download from our first chair up the mountain, mr ebb and the Wee Guy collided. The Wee Guy was knocked unconscious and stayed out cold for a good thirty minutes. During that thirty minutes of dealing with an ashen, unresponsive and floppy child, the ski patrol and paramedics made the wise decision to summon not only an ambulance but a helicopter to get the patient to expert medical care.

The mountain staff were amazing. In addition to looking after the Wee Guy, they also made sure we parents were doing OK, and kept an eye on our various bits of equipment so we didn't have to worry about anything other than our son. I made my first (and hopefully only) high speed journey backward down a mountain in the first aid toboggan, holding onto a delirious Wee Guy intent on jumping out of said toboggan as it whizzed along.

At the bottom of the slope, we were met by more Manning staff, and taken to the first aid hut for further evaluation. Again, we were all cared for so that all we as parents had to do was answer questions and be with the Wee Guy.

BC ambulance service turned up, agreed with the air ambulance suggestion, and escorted us to the waiting helicopter. Wee Guy was gently strapped into the air ambulance, checked over and stabilised, and then we flew off up the Fraser Valley. Again, I had nothing to worry about apart from watching my Wee Guy and wondering how mr ebb was doing packing up our gear to drive back home. Wee Guy stabilised so quickly, as if nothing really had happened apart from a headache, that he took a few selfies with one of the paramedics.

At BC Children's he passed all the neuro exams, so we were discharged to concussion watch at home - no sports, take it easy, no computer or video games ... We've had a week of half days at school, no after-school activities, car drop-off and pick-up and early nights. It has been well worth it - Wee Guy is fine :)

However, I am frazzled with working my hours in, around and in spite of my family ... but I wouldn't have it any other way. This is the kind of work life I imagined - it has been stressful and tiring trying to complete assignments on reduced days in addition to "staying present" for my son. His half days and school runs have seriously impacted my working days, but the result is so worthwhile - he seems fine, has loads of energy, no headaches or learning/concentration problems, is very vocal about missing out on computer time ... and so on.

But he is fine :) and that, dear reader, is all that matters.

I wish I could remember all the names - you will understand me if I don't - but huge thanks to;

  • all the staff we came into contact with at Manning Ski Area, especially Tim who was on ski patrol at the top of the lift and saw us through everything, from start to finish - you were amazing! and paramedic Adam and his wife, who looked after our son and ourselves on our high-speed ride down the mountain
  • staff at Manning Park Lodge, who dealt with mr ebb's early checkout (and only charged us for one night)
  • BC ambulance staff and air ambulance personnel, who cared for our son and made sure we knew what was going on - I did see your name badges but in the whirl, have forgotten them - and thanks for making sure Wee Guy got to take some photos/selfies during his trip!
  • BC Children's - as always :)
  • Wee Guy's teachers and staff at school who have kept him off computers, away from PE, kept an eye on him and sent back progress reports, dealing with all our concerns
  • and finally Eve, at Talk Science To Me, who continues to give me just the kind of job that fits with my domestic circumstances - I didn't expect to appreciate it (again) so soon (back on track this week!)


Thursday, February 05, 2015

SPT 5feb15: he and me


This shot. You cannot imagine how happy this shot makes me.
The mere fact that he is sitting alert, upright, happy, active in the back seat.
We're off to school - since the weekend, we've been taking things real slow.
And he's getting impatient, especially since 'real slow' means 'no computer games' - 'half days at school' - 'really overprotective mum' - 'early bedtimes' - you get the drift.
It's not what an 11-year-old needs, but it's what a recently concussed brain needs, and it's what a mum needs too.
He's fine; I'm working on it.
He and me.
:)
A photo posted by pomomama (@ebbandflo) on

Wednesday, February 04, 2015

wordless wednesday: coming apart, coming together



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ebb and flo by pomo mama design click to shop pomo mama design online!