Welcome to Rainbow's Gazebo. Why Rainbow? It's my Scout Leader name and I like to think of myself as a multi-facted person, having many colours (views, experiences, things to offer). Gazebos have always been to me a romantic refuge, a place to dream and just be yourself.
I'm starting this blog to somehow capture the life that is passing by so quickly...yes i have a child, Gabriel - he's 8 years old. Time only seems to fly once you have kids. So yes, he is the main reason I am starting this blog, so I can capture these years of childhood adventure and innocence and growth that will soon be gone. My interests, other than parenting, which is my favourite job in the world (I always said I liked challenges!)...are: Scouting, crafts, art, literature, baking, cooking (always trying new recipes), travelling, gardening, dogs, hiking, camping, and spending time with family and friends. As a by-product of documenting our lives, I hope to be able to have an exchange on issues that affect us and others - whether they be related to child development, schooling, creativity, Scouting, art, or anything else that we may bump into and find important. Here is a little more detail about each of the areas of my life I hope to offer humour, sentiment, support, creativity or just have a place to express myself.
Parenting and family: so many things come into this category - nutrition, sleeping habits, fitness, vitamins, ADHD, gluten-sensitivity, schooling, learning, the importance of creativity, playing Novice C hockey, friendships, discipline, responsibilities, Legos, homework...I’m sure this is just touching the surface of what I’ll be posting about.
Scouting: I am a Beaver Leader with the 28th Ottawa Scouting Group, starting my fourth year. I am LOVING it. I completely enjoy our weekly meetings, our camps, our outings. I will likely post some craft and activities that we do so that if others want to try them with their kids or Beaver colonies, they can!
Literature: I am currently taking a night class at the University of Ottawa - La femme et la littérature. Ce cours est donnée bien sûr en français et je vais partager avec vous les titres de nos lectures, mes pensées sur ce qu'on lit, et peut-être oserai-je même partager ma dissertation avec vous...mais déjà de vous écrire ici en ma langue maternelle mais dans laquelle je n'ai pas étudié de ma vie, c'est un vrai défi. J'ai un côté perfectionniste, voyez-vous, et de mettre tout à l'oeil, sans savoir comment ce sera reçu, ce n'est pas facile. Mais j'aime les défis...alors, voilà--je vous promets de partager ma dissertation avec vous. (J’ai déjà le trac!!!)
Photography: I have a fancy camera and don't know how to use it. I hope to learn how to use it and post some interesting pictures!
Crafts : I have always loved arts & crafts. I love painting, although I don’t have much time for it. This year, I hope to learn to do stained glass. I also hope to do a bit of simple sewing – following in my mother’s footsteps of seamstress/quilter extraordinaire, I hope to be able to gain a little confidence in this area. My mom is so gifted, and the perfectionist in me has always been too scared because I knew I wouldn’t measure up! But, I have to remind myself that we all start somewhere and we don’t all have to be geniuses at something to have fun doing it. Some crafts I have experience in are Ukrainian egg decorating, rolled beeswax candles, salt dough and polymer clay crafts, beading, and origami.
Here's hoping this blog is fun and useful for you and me!
Natalie
