Flirting in the Workplace

I came across an article in the Ottawa Citizen this morning called Flirt Away, which details some helpful tips for ladies who are interested in 'getting the guy' in the workplace.

I thought this article was particularly interesting because PC and I met at work... and eventually pursued a relationship outside of work, and a few years down the road, we were married, yida yida yada.

As cheesy at it sounds, when I first laid eyes on PC, I was hooked... and although I didn't know if he was 18 or 30, of if he was single, married, divorced, or had kids, that didn't stop me from pursuing him, just a bit!

The article offers a bit of a game plan for ladies who want to give into their workplace attraction... but it makes me laugh because I didn't exactly think about my game plan for pursuing PC, I think it just happened.

Nevertheless, I thought it might fun to see if I did follow the tips... and whether or not I think they are true to some extent.

The first tip given in the article is:
Flirt Verbally Rather than Non-verbally

I guess to some extent this is probably true, the article states that men are clueless when it comes nonverbal cues... and that is probably pretty accurate. However, I don't think I used any nonverbal cues on PC, other than a smile or two... he was actually king of the workplace wink at the time. I think most of our so-called flirting was verbal... either in person or over email, so its safe to say I agree with tip number one!

The second tip is:
If You Know He's Interested, Play Hard to Get

Ahhh... I can't say that really applied to me... when your attracted to someone I think you just go for it, or risk being mis-read by the other person as not interested. In PC's case... he was not single at the time we met, so playing hard to get would have not served me well as I think he may have just stayed with his girlfriend at the time, and our relationship may have never went anywhere (although doubtful, because as if he could resist this - LOL!). I think to sum it up, if the other person is attracted you, whether its the workplace or not, you should just be upfront about your feelings... and see where it goes from there!

The last tip in the article is:
Don't Make the First Move if You Are Not the Same Age

I don't know what being the same age has to do with making the first move. For PC and I, he was a bit older than me, and he did end up making the first move... so perhaps there is some truth to this tip, as I don't know if I would have ever had the nerve to be that forward with him. However, as our relationship progressed I think I made a few moves on him after that to keep the relationship going, and then as more time past and we officially became 'a couple' we both kept making the so-called moves one another, which eventually led to us getting married a few years later.

All of these tips are quite interesting... I find it humorous to think that someone - Helaine Olen - actually wrote an entire book on this (called Office Mate). For me, I think all meetings happen by chance... fate is always mixed into the equation, whether its at work, at a bar, or just a causal stroll in the neighbourhood park.

What do you think about relationships in the workplace? Have you dated someone from work before? Have you used any of these tips to pursue someone in the workplace? Do you think relationships in the workplace are even appropriate?

Grandparents are a gift.

Wednesday evening PC and I went to visit his Grandma Coleman, and while he has seen her recently, it has been quite some time since I have had a visit with her. I was sort of dreading the visit after work as I was tired, and just not in very good form, but nonetheless, we went, and I was so glad we did.


PC's grandma lives in a seniors complex... where she has access to nurses and staff who can look after her, but she is definitely still self-sufficient for the most part, and still very active. I always find visiting her a treat... she has a great sense of humour, and she tells it like it is! We spent almost 2 hours with her, and the time flew by... as its never hard to find things to talk about.


Visiting with her, reminded me so much of my own grandparents... especially my late Grandma Wilson. I think I specifically single out my Grandma Wilson because it wasn't until I became a young adult that I actually appreciated my Grandma, and treasured the time I had with her.


When I was younger and all of my grandparents were alive, I loved each of them, but never fully respected them as much as I did my Grandma Wilson. My grandfathers died while I was in public school... and while I have fond memories of both of them, I was not old enough to appreciate them as individuals and the contributions that they made to my life. My Grandma Bellerose, died at an unfortunate time in my life. It was early in my high school career - when I was 'too cool' to realize that she wasn't going to be around forever, and I always viewed going to visit her as more of a chore rather than a privilege. I have always regretted not making more of attempt to visit her and do things for her, especially in the latter stage of her life, but I guess these are the life lessons you learn as you grow up.


After my Grandma Bellerose past away, I slowly realized my Grandma Wilson was my only living grandparent left, and I think this is when it hit me - just how important grandparents are to their grandchildren. For me... visiting with my Grandma Wilson and hearing the stories she would tell about when she was younger, or about when my Mom was a little girl, are all conversations I will hold dear to my heart. After my Grandpa Wilson past away, I think her life really changed... she was not the same person, she did not have the same zest for life that she did when she was with him... but she was still a wonderful person, with a kind heart, who always thought of her family first, and herself second. I think she was lonely to an extent, which always made the surprise visits to see her much more special. Even on the days when either of us had much news to share, I never found it hard to talk to her... and for that I will always be grateful.


She is a person who I think of often, a person that I wish was around to see me get married, and to meet her great-grandchildren, because I know she would have been over-joyed to be apart of these experiences. I often remark to PC 'my Grandma Wilson would have really like you', because I know she would have - and deep down I feel like somehow she does know him, and she is very much apart of our lives, watching over us, and helping us make our way through life.


All of this thinking about grandparents has really made me think about what I want for my children, and how I hope my children will know how lucky they are to have living grandparents. I hope my parents and PC's parents live well into the future, and that someday my children will be able to fully appreciate the joy of having grandparents, and the gift they can bring to their lives. Not everyone has the privilege (and it is really a privilege) to have grandparents, and this is why I think its so important to value these relationships and treat the time you have with these special individuals in your life, as a gift.

Second look at Baby Coleman!

Yesterday I had my second ultrasound... and I was thrilled to see Baby Coleman kicking and moving about. All seems to be well with him/her... he/she is developing well and is looking good for a mere 17 weeks. Right now... this baby weighs7 ounces, and measures13 cms (give or take a few as she/he was a bit curled up)! Baby Coleman's heart rate was strong at 150 bpm... and everything looked great for the 20 minutes of viewing pleasure I had with my little one.

I think I am slowly starting to feel the baby move, but can't be sure yet if its just my uterus playing tricks on me, or if in fact it is the baby. Each day gets more and more exciting and every day I learn something new about pregnancy!

Here are two pictures from yesterday's ultrasound... PC and I are going back and forth on what we think the sex might be, I am leaning towards a girl, he is fairly certain its a boy. Only 23 weeks until we will be able to settle this one... but just for kicks, what do you think: Boy or Girl?

Baby Belly #1

First of the baby belly pics... this one is at 17 weeks and counting! Slowly but surely there is a little someone in there and he/she is starting to make a visual presence, as you can see!

Fragment Friday

It's been a while since my last installment of Tid-Bits Thursday ... so my apologies for those of you who have been visiting faithfully every Thursday only to find a post that is probably three or four days old. I wanted to do Tid-Bits Thursday but got side-tracked yesterday, so this post turned into Fragment Friday.


So... without further ado, here we go!

• The entire pregnancy thing has thrown my blogging dedication way off kilter...because of the fact that I am going to bed way earlier than I use to. No longer can I blog at night before bed... its now become something I try to cram into my lunch hour, or early in the morning before work. I also have far less energy than ever so even when I do have an ounce of free time, I have no kick start motivation that fires me up and allows me to accomplish anything. All of the books I am reading now say that I am entering the honeymoon trimester.... so let's hope its a little more blissful with far more energy than the first trimester!

• Welcome Spring... I absolutely love this season: warm days, cool nights, and frankly much better fashion out and about on the streets. Today its 23 degrees in the nation's capital, and people are loving it (me included). I spent yesterday's and today's lunch out and about on Merivale Road, just walking in the sunshine and pretending like I didn't have a care in the world. By the looks of forecast, I have feeling spring isn't going to last long... as summer temperatures are approaching by end of next week (30 degrees - yee-haw!).

• Senators Hockey.... the Sens have bit the dust hardcore this year! What a disappointing season after all of the excitement that was in the city last year. Today... coach/GM Brian Murray held a press conference in Ottawa and without making any formal announcements he did indicate that my man, Ray Emery will not be in a Sens uniform next year. That kind of breaks my heart... I knew it was coming, and its the best decision for the team, but I've always loved reading about Razor in the entertainment section of the Ottawa Sun! He was a flashy individual that created drama... and I loved that about him, although none of his off ice shenanigans ever helped the Sens on the ice. It looks like the Sens may have a hard time finding another team to take on the likes of Razor... but I hope someone steps up to the plate and does, as I will always love reading about him.

• Work.... since I have taken on a new challenge in a new team at work just over a month ago, I couldn't be happier. I am back to feeling confident about my work, and feeling that I actually bring an important piece of the puzzle to the table. The health-field is full of interesting people, a much different work dynamic than the tax-field... but almost a year since I made the move from tax to health, I am finally feeling settled in, and somewhat of an expert on a few issues I never thought I would ever grasp. Life is good at work... and that makes life outside of work even better!

• Blogging! The entire month of March has past, and I forgot to mention that I celebrated my second blog-o-versary! Two years and counting, I have been blogging. Time flies... doesn't it? When I first started blogging, I didn't know if this was something I would stick with, but I have come to love the world of blogging, and everything that it has to offer. The best reward for blogging is of course - you - the readers... your comments, your advice, and general care and concern are really what fuels my love for the blog. As we are in the second quarter of 2008, I have no idea how the blogging will go once the baby comes... but I do vow to blog as a new Mom... when the time comes. I hope you will be patient with me, and give me a chance to adjust to this very foreign world I am about to embark on, but hopefully by Christmas of this year, I will have figured out a way to blog and breastfeed like its my full-time job!

• Alright... sunny weekend ahead, and I have lots of spring cleaning on the agenda! Perhaps not everyone is enjoying this fabulous weather we are getting in the nation's capital, but is anyone doing anything exciting this weekend.... do share! You know how I love comments!

On the rise!

Gas prices are at $1.17 this morning and it doesn't sound like they are about to drop drastically anytime soon. In fact... word on the street is that they could rise as high $1.40/litre by the summer.

I am starting to wonder at what point gas becomes too expensive that we can't afford to do anything. In my situation I live about 40 minutes from my office, and public transit is not an option... (well I guess it is an option if I want to be to add an extra 3 and 1/2 hours to my day -- and trust me I don't). So... basically I am forced to drive to and from work everyday .... which requires me to fill up at least once or twice a week, depending on what else I do over the weekends, evenings, etc.

Perhaps I could me more cost-effective if I shopped around for a gas a bit, but I don't! I figure in the grand scheme of things, the difference between $1.14 and $1.17/litre is about 85 cents when its all said and done. If I need gas, I pull into the nearest gas station and around $60 later I pull out thinking nothing of it.

Gas is gas is gas.... but now as the prices rise... I will most likely go from paying around $60 a tank, to more like $75 or $80 a tank as the summer arrives. Perhaps this is when I should sit down and figure out just how much we can afford to be doing or not doing.

Living in Embrun, PC and I know that we are going to have to drive and pay for gas in order to do things. Embrun is a great place to live, but let's face it, there is no movie theatre, no big chain restaurants to eat at... and a lot of our friends don't live there - so it we want to do things we know we are going to have to pay a bit more to do them but that was all factored into the cost of living when we decided to buy there three years ago.

However, three years ago, gas was more like $0.87 a litre ... which seems like a steal these days, but was considered manageable at the time. I don't want to become one of those people that restricts her social life because of gas prices, but $1.17/litre and rising is really going to test my limits for sure.

As summer approaches, we get into high travel season for a lot families. Particularly for us, we have a cottage that is 4.5 hours away... and while we would usually pick a few weekends out of the year to just do some quick trips for relaxation... the price of gas will now force us to re-evaluate if these trips are cost effective for a day and half of sunbathing by the lake.

It's definitely about to get interesting... and I am interested to see how our summer shapes up if we are dependent on gas to fuel our fun!

Is anyone else concerned about the rising gas prices.... is it going to affect how you spend your summer, where you travel to, or what plans you make?

Random Grocery Store Sighting

Earlier in the week I was picking up some groceries to make an appetizer for a spring potluck at work. As I was navigating my way through the my local grocery store in Embrun... I did notice a mother with her young son.

The little boy was being like what I am imagine any pre-schooler to be like... excited by the thought of all the colourful products at eye level... and wanting to touch and try everything in sight. As I observed this, I was thinking to myself 'get ready for this'!

As I finished up my shopping, I got in line and was waiting to pay while browsing through the weekly Soap Opera digest. The same mother and her son were in line ahead of me paying. Just as they are finished, the mother and I have the following conversation:

Mother: Excuse me? Do you have a blog?
Me: (totally taken off guard, and much to my surprise) Ah... yes I do.

Mother: I thought I recognized you.
Me: Ah... I guess you read it.

Mother: Yes...
Me: (speechless.... people in Embrun are reading my blog, oh god!).

Mother: By the way, Congratulations!
Me: (blushing) Oh... thank you.

Mother: This is pretty random eh...?
Me: (laughing) yes for sure.

And just like that she and her son exited the grocery store while I paid for my groceries.

What a random sighting it was.... I could not believe it. I was in complete shock that people (okay - one person that I know of) from Embrun are reading my blog... I will have to be careful now, as I like to cut up the neighbourhood every once and while - and hopefully when I have done that I haven't offended her in the past!

I think what shocked me the most was that.... when she asked if I had a blog, I contemplated saying no... as I thought she might put me on the spot on a certain issue I had covered... but thankfully she was super nice, and more complimentary than anything!

I feel so badly that I didn't even think to ask this woman her name. So... if you are by chance reading this post today random shopper lady, please do leave a comment and let me know who you are... perhaps you've commented before and now I will be able to attach a face to a name.

As a side note, when I got home to PC.... this is how the story went:

Me: Guess What?

PC: No idea.

Me: I'm a celebrity....!!!

My pants are too tight!

Not very often would I openly admit that my pants are too tight... in fact everything is getting a little snug on me. Whether I like it or not, my belly is expanding, and I am slowly going to have give into those horrendous looking maternity pants ... whether I like it or not!

I guess I should clarify, not all maternity pants are horrendous looking, but I tried to do some shopping this past weekend for work pants (dressy ones), and they were less than flattering. The styles just aren't me... my legs and butt don't seem to fit the shape of these maternity pants (well they fit, but they leave nothing to the imagination) - its all very depressing.

I guess the other issue I have with maternity clothes is that they are pricey considering that they aren't something that you are going to be wearing in 9 months time. Normally I don't mind paying more for clothes that I consider to be staples in my wardrobe... but in this case, I need some expandable staples, but by the time my belly has come and gone (hopefully) these clothes will be useless to me, and I will need to go out and by new clothes again (not that I am really complaining about getting new clothes at anytime).

I am trying to make due as long as possible... I haven't gained any weight on the scale, but I feel like I've put on about 10 pounds in my pants. The sad part is that right now I am down to three pairs of 'tight' work pants for a five day week. Every time I sit down at my desk, my pants immediately fold over and dig into my stomach. I envision the baby giving me the finger and cursing at me for constantly cramping his/her space - (after all this PC's child child we are talking about, he or she would definitely be cursing)!!!

The upside about being preggers in the summer is going to be that less clothing is required, and capris and skirts and shorts are much more flattering than the skin-tight maternity dress pants they have out there now. I shouldn't really throw in the towel on all dressy maternity pants just yet, as I've only been to one store ... so I think I may put in another effort to find something work appropriate this weekend.

What I have discovered for more causal clothes is Old Navy Maternity... I am so wishing that Old Navy Online delivered to Canada... because there are lots of sales on things on their website and I would definitely order up some of their styles. The good news is that I am going to NYC in May and hoping that I will be able to find something trendy (although probably pricey)... which could at least make me feel a little better about this so-called wardrobe I need to obtain, and soon!

For now.... I will sit at my desk, with my pants unbuttoned, unzipped, and hope to god that no one summons me to a meeting on short notice, as its quite embarrassing to stand up in your office, do up your pants, and follow someone down the hall to a meeting room!

If your a man, you probably haven't made it this far in the post, but for all of you experienced pregnant ladies out there... any good tips for shopping for maternity clothes?

Throwing Caution to the Wind

Editor's Note: This is a post that I wrote several months ago just documenting some thoughts I had at the time about getting in the frame of mind of starting a family. I knew I wouldn't post it the day I wrote it, but now that we are expecting our first child, I thought it might be neat to share it.

Written October 3, 2007

This is a post I have been wanting to write for a while, one that I have been thinking about pretty regularly over the past few weeks, but yet one that I know I will not post for a while.

For the record, I am not pregnant, but I believe I am in that state of pre-pregnancy that I refer to as 'throwing caution to the wind'. As I like to say, we are now being 'cautiously uncautious'.

PC and I have actively stopped using any form of birth control (please Mom and Dad, stick with me here!), which means that we are somewhat comfortable with the fact that if I was to get pregnant we wouldn't be shocked or upset, but as I said, comfortable with the thought of becoming parents.

It's a time in my life that is exciting... mentally. I feel really content to think that, although scared of the thought of child birth, I want to be a Mom to a baby conceived out of love and commitment and all those sappy things that come along with a good marriage. The fact that I can nurture a baby in my own body is something that is exciting and many of my thoughts these days drift towards what our baby would be like - what type of parents we would be - what type of relationship we would have as parents.

My excitement is of course much different from PC's, because with this decision, his sex life just got a whole better - which is pretty much every man's dream. We are both excited, but I can see his excitement is different from mine.

It's scary to think that in my life I have reached this point of maturity where I actually think I can be a parent. Of course, I often second guess myself when I see a kid in our neighbourhood walk past the house with jet black hair, shaved up into a mohawk, leather coat with studs all over it, and a smoke hanging out of his mouth at the tender age of 15... all the while I am thinking: what is stopping my kid from turning out like that?

Parenting, and becoming parents isn't a cake walk, but beyond seeing those kids that you wonder: who are their parents? - I think we are ready for this challenge, and this is a type of excitement that exceeds any other in my lifetime.

It's scary to think of the heartache and misfortunes that are very possible with pregnancy, but I am from the belief system that says: everything that happens, happens for a reason. I believe the saying goes 'it's by taking chances that we learn to brave' - and I would hate to close off this option in my life for fear of the unknown. In this situation, if misfortunes arise, I know that PC and I will get through it together - because we are brave individuals, and together we are even stronger.

Yes... as we now actively throw caution to the wind - I am giddy, the wondering and the guessing of if/when I will become pregnant is a whole new chapter in my life - the first of very long book that I have yet to write, or a few thousands post that I have yet to compose.

I know today, no one will read this, but I really wanted to put my thoughts together in a post for me, just for me now, but hopefully for all of you later - to support the announcement of a baby on the way! Yay!

I need a t-shirt that says...

I am quickly finding out that when you tell people you are pregnant you get some standard questions... so I think I need a t-shirt that says:

1. I am feeling great - no morning sickness at all.

2. We aren't going to find out the sex.

3. My exact due date is September 29th.

4. Both sets of parents were very excited to hear the news.

I laugh because these are the answers to questions I always ask people when I hear they are expecting, but it doesn't register with me that they already been asked the same questions by 150 other people who also just found out!

I am not complaining though... all the warm wishes from friends and family has been overwhelming, we are super excited, and all of the emails, comments, and facebook messages are very sweet!

Now that the news is out in the open you can expect many posts to come on pregnancy, kids, and how clueless I am about the very big world of all things baby.

Stay tuned.... and thanks again for all of the nice comments!