Wanted: a Vacation

Maybe it's because I'm currently working a night shift and I'm pooped.

Maybe it's because I've been trying to work as much as I can without making myself exhausted.

Maybe it's knowing I've got about 11 more weeks of work and then I'll be on maternity leave.

Maybe it's because once I go on mat leave it'll be years before I take a vacation without having to think about a little one.

 

 

I want to relax and be pampered, eat good food, spend hours reading, and generally just enjoy the last little bit of my free time - while it's still my time.

 

Don't get me wrong, I'm incredibly excited to be a mom. I've wanted to be a mom for pretty much my entire life and I'm beyond ready to turn my time into baby's time.

I'm just being realistic because, from what I know and what I've heard, while being a parent is incredibly amazing, it can also be incredibly tough.

I just want to end 29 years of selfish existence with a bang.

 

And maybe a beach.

 

Then bring on the diapers, the smiles, the moments spent just staring at the perfect little life we created, and the every-2-hour-feedings.

 

Fall Wish List

Summer is still upon us though the cooler weather as of late has gotten me thinking about things I'd like to buy for the fall. 

Usually this consists of sweaters and warmer outfits.

This fall, however, I'm going to stay away from clothes because my size is expanding every day. 

I did get a gift certificate to Thyme for my birthday and plan on buying at least a few more maternity pieces. 

But thinking about other things to purchase, I came up with this small list below.

1. New Toms in black. I currently own a green pair that have seen better days. My big toes are starting to poke through the ends of both shoes. I love these shoes for work though. They're easy to slip on and so comfortable to wear. 

2. Sally Hansen Miracle Gel polish (in 'Wine Stock' and 'Dig Fig'). Yes, those shades are very similar. Yes, I still want them both. This miracle gel polish is supposed to be as good as shellac manicures without the need for a UV light to set it. Worth a try.

3. Asymmetrical 'E' necklace. For the ever-growing Baby E. Only probably not the one in the picture as that one is quite pricey. I took a quick peak on Etsy but was unable to find an asymmetrical E on my first hunt. I've got a few more night shifts to go during which I can spend searching in my down time. 

4. Kate Spade 18 month planner. My current planner is a small calendar I got from my nursing union. It does the job but I kind of want a big flashy one. Especially since at the start of 2015 I won't have any work shifts to put into it and it'll likely only be doctors appointments and maybe penciling in visits from friends (it'll give me something to put in the planner and make me feel like my days aren't just spent changing diapers every 2 hours in between regular feedings).  I can also keep track of sweet things like E's first non-gas/poo related smile, first giggle, when she can hold up her head, etc. 

And that's it.

That's all I've got so far. 

I'm currently on night 4 of a 7-in-8-nights string of night shifts (I know, I booked these shifts accidentally and will never do it again) so I'm thinking a shopping spree is going to be my reward for making it through the rest of these shifts alive!

Monday might just be Treat Yo' Self day.

Home Owners: A Someday Dream

It's been a full year since I've had steady employment in my career field.

I've been lucky in that there have been months where I feel over-worked and exhausted.

I mean, obviously I don't feel lucky at the time but afterwards seeing my bank accounts creep up and up is very satisfying.

A few months ago I set up a tax free savings account and have already put $1000 into it.

I switched my chequings  account to one where I don't pay per debit card transaction (which is huge because I use my debit card a lot) but I forgot to give the paperwork to HR at one place of employment so one of my paycheques goes into one account and the other goes into the old account that is no longer connected to my debit card.

Which means there are paycheques accumulating that I forget about, only to find this "extra" money when I do my banking.

It's fantastic.

For all the complaining I do about shift work, it's nice being able to regulate my schedule a bit and being able to pick up extra shifts when I need to.

I've put in full time hours (maybe full time plus) this month and I had planned on not working so many shifts in September.

But lately John and I have been talking more about when we could reasonably start looking at houses.

Which turned into right now.

We can't afford anything just yet but we've started looking and my goodness it's exciting!

I've watched a lot of those shows - House Hunters, etc - where people turn their noses up at everything and find all sorts of reasons not to love a house.

I know for a fact that each place we walk into I'm going to love.

I'm going to find reasons to want it to be our home.

I'll definitely need John to be the realist.

Anyway, it's given me more stuff to do during my night shifts, namely looking at properties and then going décor mad on Pinterest.

If I had an unlimited budget, here are some things I would include in my dream home:

1. A bright and cozy reading nook.

2. A deep bath tub for long soaks. 

A sunken tub vs. a claw-footed tub. Maybe one in each bathroom.

3. A backyard built for entertaining.

How AMAZING would this fire pit/sand pit be?

Also on my list of desirable features: an open kitchen preferably with island, lots of closet space, and lots of windows for natural light.

If money wasn't an issue, what 3 things would you want in your home?