Crisis vs Crunch... an example of how language is so important

Things often get lost in translation but often times information is manipulated by language as well. When Andrea who is of course from London was here she was referring to the current world economical situation as the "Credit Crunch" which I found very interesting as here in Spain it's been labeled an ''Economic Crisis". Its all very well spun by the political leaders of each country. No doubt I'm missing a lot of fundamental understandings of how economies work, but I think its pretty safe to say that they way your leader refers to the current situation shows a lot about who they really are. I wonder what senor Bush refers to it as?

The rain came down in buckets this morning. Poor Lilli may never forgive me for subjecting her to the indecency of having to *gasp* walk in the rain... Sienna was snug in her plastic bubble that protects her pram and she quite honestly enjoyed watching the rain dribble down the plastic that surrounded her...

I'm hoping that Joey doesn't read by blog before she jets off to visit us tomorrow night. I've made her some red velvet cake for her Birthday which was a month ago but hey... any excuse right? I wonder if it will last over night in my fridge. I've instructed Eric to come by to collect his tonight to lower the risk of me eating the one I made for him!

What the devil does it all mean?

I've been having these re-occuring dreams lately and in them surfing is the main subject. I seem to find myself in places with huge waves. The kind like they have in Hawaii... big and blue but surprisingly friendly. The thing is, that I have never surfed before in my life... nor have I been anywhere where surfing of this kind takes place. I am not scared or anxious in the dream just excited to get out there... but in these dreams I have not yet managed to actually get out to surf them. Last night just as I was about to get in and give it a go the surf all of a sudden subsided like a wave pool that you would find in a water park being shut off?

Apparently the dreams don't mean much... I looked up surfing and waves and apparently this is what they represent...

Surfing

To dream that you are surfing, indicates the ups and downs of some emotional situation or relationship. You may feel overwhelmed. One minute you can be in control of your emotions and the next minute you are not.



Waves

To see clear, calm waves in your dream, signifies a calming of emotions. It may also signal an important decision to be made.

To hear waves crashing in your dream, indicates tenderness and relaxation. It also brings about feelings of sensuality and sexuality.

To be honest I'm pretty disapointed as if these dreams are supposed to be about emotions I mean d'huh isn't that what all dreams are about? I'm just going to go back to dreaming about birds that turn into lizards like I had before...

We had...

A lovely weekend with miss Andrea who came to visit. We chatted, had cocktails, jogged, dined, shopped (well she did) and had an all around fab time. It was such a treat to have her here especially since I've been feeling pretty low lately.


Andrea made sure to gansta-ize my baby... it was pretty funny. I'm hoping child services don't haul me up for this...


Her and I sipping wine after her 6k jog and my 4k jog (she's got more beans than I do) much shopping for her ensued.


A civilized shot of ladies that drink wine before lunch (but after jogging so that's okay right?) Sienna stuck with her milk of course.

I done didded a new painting

yup I did


My name is Sadie... like my curves?

My mum has been very busy...

clicking her fabulous knitting needles. Her latest creation was a commissioned piece for Sienna in the form of a flopy knitted hat to match the ones her daddy wears. The commission was so successful that it was snapped up by Isabella! Mum apparently has several new orders for more now... if you want one for your wee one send me a mail and I shall add you to the waiting list! We will hopefully have a clearer pic soon but consider this the pre-relase!


Isabella modeling the prototype

Forget my last posting...

If some parties don't want to be grandparents we can't force them... its their loss... Sienna's too of course but hey, she has a heck of a lot of love around anyway so she is well looked after. I guess I need to take all the bad energy and somehow distill it into good energy and maybe that might help the job search. I am just so anxious and excited to get back to working to get things rolling her financially again I can just taste it... it is however very difficult to muster up enthusiasm every day to keep hunting:)

Turkey day for the Cannucks in my family came and went, but because our phone as also decided to pack it in, we were not able to speak with them and take part by-proxy in the celebrations. Ne mind really as I hear mash and turkey don't bide so well when squeezed down phone lines...

The humidity here is approxing insanity. We were sweating buckets today on the way across town to return the dead DVD/TDT... I swear it must have got to near 30 Celsius today at its peack (including humidex although they don't really do that add-on here)... I tell you, with my summer wardrobe tucked away nicely its very likely that the nice weather has something to do with me!

Its probably one of the worst feelings in the world...

You know when you are frustrated upset angry and disappointed all wrapped up into one? Like that feeling when you're young and this person you like is supposed to call you and you wait and wait and the phone never rings and your brain and your heart wants to explode? Kind of like that. I was really hoping that simply going to bed would be the solution and I would wake up and be past it all... no such luck... Yes, its better today but still the uglies are simmering just under the surface. I guess I'm more angry now than anything but hey, such is life right? You can't control other people to make them do what you want no matter how much its bothering you.

Our TDT/DVD decided to explode this morning just before the Dog Whisperer came on. This did not help my mood much. I can't even imagine that we still have the receipt or the waranty for the darn thing. Damn it. Perhaps I should just try the whole going back to bed thing and see if that helps... oh wait, that is just not an option these days is it? Grumble grumble. Did I mention that it was grey and cold outside too? Quite fitting no?

A tiny snapshot of sightseeing for the weekend...


Sienna and pops and the emblematic Barcelona Lichtenstein statue

Not that we were actually sightseeing... but we took a touristic photo this Friday on our way back from dropping off our mountain of paper work to the Agencia Tributaria... The final battle to receive the 2500 baby bonus we are supposed to have received drudges onwards... this time it goes to the courts so lets just hope they are more sympathetic to our mountains of proof that I have indeed live, worked and paid taxes here for the last two years... I swear to God that if one day they actually agree to give it to us I may just fall over from shock. But back to the picture... it was so beautiful here on Friday that some of us were wearing their sundresses... while others sweated away with too many clothes on.

Lilli and I went for an evening jog in the park again last night. I just love the endorphins you get from running but I am just really rubbish at it. I think its all to do with mental focus... perhaps the million and one worries swriling around in my head don't help with that...

We were told to exect a long awaited visits from the inlaws this weekend who incidently have yet to meet their first grand child... I know I know (we all have different families) but its mid-afternoon and we've not heard a peep from them yet... They were struggling to find non insanely expensive flights from Paris at the last minute... not something that is very easy I must say... Barcelona is a very popular weekend destination for Northern Europeans as its usally sunny and at least 10 to 15 degrees warmer than the North and not so wet... thus its allure. And oh yes it is indeed a beautiful city and retail runs at approx 30% cheaper than the pound... but that was a while ago, I have no idea what the exchange is like now in these crazy times... It will be a pleasure to meet them finally when they do arrive, however now its not looking so likely that it will be today or this weekend. Disapointing is I guess the only way you can name it...

Winnings!

Mum has been on a bit of a winning streak lately. Sadly not the lotto but still she can't complain. She won a hundred dollars in flight voucher from a westjet online competition she had entered and then she won a thousand dollar gift basket from ebay via a competition she entered in Chatelaine magazine (its a Canadian monthly woman's mag). I guess all that rubbing of the Buddha's belly in her front hall is producing winnings this year instead of grandchildren. We're all very anxious to see what goodies arrive in the gift basket. I laughed with her as we discussed how that now she would no longer need to do xmas shopping, she could just dish out her winnings. That being said, you know that is exactly what she would do even if xmas wasn't quickly approaching. She is such a saint.

Things on this side of the pond plod on and the sun has been shining and we've been blessed with a bit of autumnal warmpth to keep our spirits up. The job hunt continues but we've been lucky to have some positive interviews in the last little while which is nice... nothing concrete but still nice to find something that would be great to get... time will tell!

I cleaned and organized the flat today for a good four hours today ... Fredu took the girls out this morning so I could indluge in my cleaning frenzy. I feel soooooo much better when things are in order... especially so when you live in such a tiny space. Now if I could only get the dog the baby and the boy to understand this concept...

Sureshee sent Sienna some fab pressies the other day. One of them is a little mobile phone which speaks in English and Spanish. Its so cute. What a sweet surprise to see it arrive one morning last week... I know she's only 8 months but we're sure enjoying playing with it... that's what is all about right? She's happy to just eat it... oh yes and he also sent a key chain that she can chew on that jingles when you shake it. Oh and a tiny pooh bear. We heart unkie Suresheeee!

Exciting news...

From my friend Joanna today who just had her second scan and now knows she's having a girl. I'm so pleased for her as I think she really wanted one!

Time is marching on at a hurried pace and before you know it, it will be xmas again. Time is also running out on our final appeal for the 2500 euro baby bonus that we are STILL fighting for... I honestly pretty much have given up as they just won't budge... they are still convinced that I have not lived here for 2 years prior to Sienna's birth... Even though I have so much documentation to prove that I have... they are being really really difficult about it. I'm sure its just part of the whole fiscal frugality that is surely in place during these hard times. Needless to say, we would be VERY greatful for this but as now it looks unlikely I'm trying to come to terms with it. Sigh... sometimes the good guys loose.

Life goes on and yea you've got to see the good things right? Miss S is now crawling (well sort of as she drags one leg behind kind of but she's moving alright and at a great pace!) and she is standing and pulling herself up as often as she can which means a lot of bumps an bruises for her as she finds her balance and then looses it....


New trick... one of many.

Lilli and I have been jogging in the park in the evenings lately... people look at me strangely jogging next to a small dog but what they don't know is that she is quite the little runner and often is the one urging me to pick up the pace... Its a feable attempt at draining her energy so she is not so hyper... its a tough task. Lets hope at least my fitness levels will increase and we can both make some progress...

Wee one is changing so quickly and in some pictures you can really start to see her looking like me... but in other she looks sooooooooo much like Alfredo. I swear if you look at these pics you would think they were two different babies!?!?!


Looking quite like mum!?!?!?


More like dad?!?!

Good things happen in threes...

Based on this principle then we've had lots of bad things in multiples of threes too so surely we can hope for the same with good things yes?

We received two really sweet packages today for wee Sea... some cool english/spanish speaking toys from Sureshee and a lovely CD from Jackie. Very nice indeed.

The third good thing I'm not going to talk about because I don't want to jinx it... then it would become a bad thing and that is not a good thing. Ha!

I may find it kind of hard to walk or type for the next few days with my fingers and toes all crossed like they are right now....

Its Friday!!!!!!!!!

And its Fredu and Joey's birthdays today... in the goofy spirit of the festivities Sienna brings you her inspired pose of the day:

We are a long long way away from Yankee Doodle Land...

but much to my surprise I've been noticing lately a lot of presidential paraphernalia floating about the 'cuidad comptal'. I really have to admit staring down the people wearing the hats and shirts... All supporting Obama of course... not that I know much about American politics but I can't quite envision McCain supporters travelling to a city so far far away... The thing that astounds me most is quite honestly the garrish design of said hats and T shirts. I mean I think that's why I always find myself turning around to catch more of a look when i see someone sporting one walk by. The hats and T shirts are black and have huge text and I swear they've taken a design sheet straight from the Wrestling federation styleguide. I swear to god one of the T-shirts I saw this large bellied gentleman wearing featured a huge portrait of Obama on it... words can not describe... I really had the impression when I first saw one that someone was wearing one to be ironic but with further inspection of the wearer's footwear it was quickly confirmed that he was indeed American and that, yes - he wanted to be wearing it to show his support. I don't get it. Fashion is not an option people - and don't forget please that it is an obligation - regardless if its politics or not. I checked the Obama site to see if I could find the examples that I've seen but sadly they don't seem to be part of the 'official obama merchandise'... sigh... however I did find this little jem... I'm sure Sienna would just love to wear it!



*steps down off soap box*

Now who says I'm not political?

There are some things that are essential in this part of the world...

In Barcelona in specific, one of those things is 'Pan con Tomate' which is bread with tomato and olive oil. They prepare most sandwiches here with this as standard... no butter or marg... its oil and tomato! The Tomato they use is special its called 'tomate de rama' because the tomato comes off a vine that is like a branch... You can use a single one of these tomatoes to spread accross lots of sandwiches.

Sienna will show you how to eat this... please take note of my breakdown just before the end of the video... 'dear lord I need to wipe her hands!'



Because its friday and lets face it... we've been busy here today... I present to you a few other oscar contenders...

Sienna giggling with autie Becks (which finally uploaded to youtube)



Sienna clapping with me looking like a doofus sitting behind her... but thats what mums do no?



Sienna playing this morning in her crib before we went out for walkies

There is a very dark cloud...

Looming over the normally bright skies of Barcelona lately. I'm speaking factually and metaphorically. I swear I'm going to scream if one more news person mentions the word 'crisis'. I am convinced that its probably that but combined in some way with strange planetary alignment or the moon or something. So many people, not excluding myself are in really rough times right now for a foray of reasons... Some are lamenting lack of jobs, disillusionment, struggling marriages, trust issues, depression... all the heavies are there. My biggest fear is that I'm going to run out of steam soon trying to do whatever I can to help keep people positive... Me, I'm always last in that list of course, but its easier that way...

I guess as an interim measure I should aim to note a few things every day that should be observed as they are definitely not gloomy....

so lets give this a try

1) Seestor finally has a new fancy phone and her ankle is on the mend and the cast has been removed! (ooh that was like a hat trick)

2) Sienna's giggle fits (nuff said)

3) In a stupid attempt to distract myself today I tried on a size 29 pair of jeans. They fit! Not saying I would concede to wearing them but damn it if I wasn't so accustomed to everything hanging off me, I could in theory wear them... LOL... guess it does't count when the bellies cascade over the top eh? (just kidding i'm not quite at that point yet)

There, did that help?

Giggles with jo jo and becks

Ahh it was so nice to have the girls here for a visit... Fredu is back with his camera and thus the release of the pics that were stored on the camera he had with him...



Fredu also made this cute video of miss Sienna with the giggles... Becks was the source of the giggles of course... hmm its taken all day and the video is not cooperating... perhaps we can add it up later.

She sleeps like an angel (of course the sun beam helps the effect too!)

This morning walkies required hats and blankies. Barcelona is much chillier now but mostly only at 8h30 in the morning. Avoiding the muddy park we walked down to the Marina and stopped off to get a well deserved Soya latte for moi. While walking there I sneezed as I do a million times a day and bang. My old circus school neck injury jolted into action. So I went the rest of the way very delicately trying to steer the pram and handle the dog while trying desperately not to turn my neck. Not easy... the pain killers I took when I got home didn't help much so I'm now even more anxiously awaiting Fredu's return so he can help me function!

Outside right now a band of kids are belting their hearts out in a drum group. I guess you could describe it as like a brazillian marching band. Really nice and very uplifting but no so good for sleeping babies! I think its amazing that the kids here are so constructive. They've got the day off of school today and this bunch has chosen to do something so cool with it! We should ship some of my sister's little hellians here for an exchange program. Might do them the world of good!

Speaking of sleeping angels...


how beautiful is the tiny ray of sunlight on her face beaming in from the interior patio?


She's in her play pen and just drifted off... guess it was just all too exciting...

Photos of the guests before jojo and becks

Hon and Naoko were in town for their first trip ever to Barcelona just before the girls. They snapped a ton of pics and here are a few...


Me and my 'little brother', Hon


A stoic pose from my first baby...


Cuddles with the furry one

Time flies

and soon its time for jojo and becks to jet back to London... but someone got lots of playtime in!

I guess its for a number of reasons...

but I've just not been able to write much lately. Fredu is out of town for work until the end of the week thus fullt-time baby duty is tiring me out... Jo jo and Becks are here visiting which has been fabulous. They are both so good with the bub and have helped out tons. I'm blessed to know such wonderful people.

The job search continues but we're a long way from being out of the woods. I'm looking and looking but not a single interview yet. All in due time I supposed but I think time may be starting to be the biggest enemy (that and the bills of course). I think I falsely convinced myself a few weeks ago that it would all be sorted by now... finding that this was clearly not the case is a bit hard. I'm praying for some divine direction. We stopped into Santa Maria del Mar today to ask for help with just that.

So here I sit with a sad dog mourning the absence of her dad curled up in my lap and the tiny one fast asleep in her bed punching in the words to try and push through this. Its mad really as much as I crave financial infusion I also cringe at the thought of having to say good bye to this precious time with the girls... life gets tougher... why don't they tel you this?