Hallo Everyone,
Here is a Canadian website that has a lot of the baby items we're looking for:

http://registry.lcnd.ca/registry.asp?registry=MLF-JDZ

I will most likely adding to it...who knew that babies needed (and that parents wanted) so much stuff?!!!

Once again, no pressure to buy anything! Just for those who've asked!

Well, it seems Spring is here to stay now. The crocus have already bloomed just outside the Museum doorstep and it has been super sunny in these here parts. Me very happy!

On the menu tonight: 5 episodes of The Office, with a half-hour break in between for Kenny vs. Spenny. Talk about fun tv marathon! Woohoo! Hopefully we'll both be able to stay up to watch it all...turns out it was a demanding day for me and Matt too. Good night!

Limber Limbs

So I’ve joined a yoga class! It is really terrific, and the effects seem to last with me throughout the week. To anyone who has never taken a yoga class, I highly recommend it. Next weekend, Matt and I will be taking an intensive 3-hour yoga workshop for pregnancy and birthing, so I’m glad to be adding that to our “bag of tricks”. Feels very good.

I’m starting to get a bit freaked out that there are only approximately 9 weekends to go before our lives are completely transformed. Time to start nesting! We’ve finally moved into our “new” bedroom, and the rest of the place is s-l-o-w-l-y coming together. I think Roscoe is also a bit freaked out, but as far as cats go, I think we’re pretty lucky…I’ve heard about family pets going a bit berserk with large changes to their homes and lifestyles, and leaving little “presents” on the pillows or what not. Roscoe is taking things in stride, but is looking a little confused these days.

Just a quick update on our online baby registry…I have to apologize, I did not think of the charges being in U.S. $$. And because the company is located in California, there are some hefty shipping charges too. So I’ve taken off most of the items, and the only ones left are all the Zanzibar Collection items which I couldn’t find in Canada - yet. I’ll let you know if I locate them elsewhere. I will try to set up a good ol’ Canadian registry too. Thanks for your patience and understanding!

Museum Tidbit of the Week:

From the Collection of the Dundas Museum.

This is one of my favorite shots of King Street in Dundas (our main drag),
c. 1856

As a comparison to today:

Not the same vantage point, but you get the picture.

Porky Campbell, Bananas and Mozart

I'm so sorry I haven't given an explanation about Mr. Porky yet. So here it is:

William "Porky" McFarlane Campbell was a butcher in Dundas from 1868 to 1902. Apparently he was one of the best suppliers of bacon in the area.

The Museum recently held a Pub & Trivia Night, and we decided to use his photo for one of our questions - when challenged with deciding on Campbell's nickname from a list of four possibilities, just about everyone was stumped. The choices were Butcher Bill, Porky Campbell, Smokey Will or Whole Hog Campbell.

So. Now you know!

And an update on me? Well, I'm doing just fine. This Friday I will be 10 weeks away from my due date, so the countdown begins in earnest! I find myself becoming more calm about the idea of labour as time goes on...Special thanks go to bananas and Mozart for that (both lower the blood pressure!) My only complaint these days is swollen hands. They feel arthritic in the morning when I first wake up, and I've totally given up on wearing my wedding rings. So really, I can't complain (except that I just got a call from the midwife, and she's postponed me yet again because she's at a birth. The nerve of her!)

Matt and I are really looking forward to Easter weekend, when we'll be seeing Mom, Marc & Aurélie - who are coming down to Dundas. It should be a blast!

Museum Tidbit of the Week:

Photograph by Bernie Evans. From the Collection of the Dundas Museum.

This is a close-up detail of our model of the Desjardins Canal (reproduced to a very fine scale by the Dundas Model Railway Group) . Here in Dundas, it is pronounced "Dez Jardinz", which I tend to roll my eyes at.

Number Nine, Number Nine, Number Nine...

Me: Remember how I told you the number 9 is important in our relationship?
Matt: (Pause) Ummm, yes, I guess? What do you mean?
Me: The number 9.
Matt: Yeah?
Me: You know, how the number 9 is lucky for us?
Matt: (Pause) Uh huhhhh...what do you mean?
Me: Well, we got married on the 9th of June...My wedding and engagement rings both have 9 little diamonds in them (even though we didn't plan it that way), we conceived on the 9th day of the 9th month...
Matt: Oh, ok.
Me: So 9 is lucky for us....
Matt: (Pause) Uh huhhhh. What was your point again?
Me: Well, I thought of another...the baby is going to be born in 2007.
Matt: ...Right...
Me: (Looking at Matt expectantly)
Matt: Soooo?
Me: 2007.....Add up the numbers.....2....plus 7.....
Matt: (Pause) I think you're stretching it a little bit.
Me: Well, yeah, but still...
Matt: Uh huhhhh?
Me: Ummmmm. I like sudoku? That's got butt loads of nines in it!
Matt: Baby, you're crazy.
Me: (Laughing uncontrollably).

Later that night in bed:
Me: It's hard for me to believe that people refer to the early nineties as "a long time ago now" (a friend had spoken about an event that happened in 1993, and was talking about how long ago that was).
Matt: Yeah, it's true. In a few years it'll be 2011!
Me: (Pause) Or 4.
Matt: What?
Me: Or....4.
Matt: What the hell are you talking about?
Me: You know.....add up the numbers?....2+1+1?
Matt: Baby, you're crazy.
Me: (Laughing again) Yeah I know. Good night.

Speaking of Sudoku, here's a little poem that Ken Redish (a volunteer at the Museum) wrote:

All hail to thee Sudoku
Other games you are a-beating
I spend so much time with you
My husband's gone a-cheating.

Columns, rows and little squares
Digits running one to nine
Husband asks "Who really cares?"
While I think you're fine.

All hail again Sudoku
You cannot be denied
I will always play with you.
Though he hath me certified.