The other foot... or the truck, or whatever

You know, it was just at Christmastime that Peter and I were reveling in our new home, jobs secure, finances in order, kitties and family happy and healthy. And I said, "I'm scared. Things never go this well."

I should have shut up. Less than a week later my Granddad died. The stupid bus strike goes on and on and friggin' on. Every piece of knitting I pick up, I screw up. And now, turns out we made a MAJOR oversight in our finances and things are going to possibly be very ugly for the foreseeable future. Frak.

The upside is that we still have secure jobs, our home, our kitties and family (one less family person, sadly), and our health. But the money thing - that was a real kick in the danglies, when we really thought we had it together. Argh argh frickin' argh.

Heh. The funny thing? I quit smoking 2 weeks ago. I could REALLY go for one now, but I can't afford them. Lucky thing hey?

Saturday morning

Saturday morning is starting to become my favourite time of the week. I can sleep late if I want, hang out in my PJs and knit or surf or blog or read. I can listen to Radio 2 Morning on CBC, and have a fire in the fireplace, and cuddle my kitties, and just breathe. It's a terrific way to start the weekend.

Last night I went out for SnB with the gals down in Westboro and had a LOL-type fun, relaxed evening. A lovely bunch of ladies (and one charming young man!), who made me feel welcome right off the bat. Got to meet Yumi's buddy KY, who is as quirky and cool as advertised. And just so I keep them all fresh in my mind, hello to:

Miriam, Elizabeth, Emma, Kim, Alex, Fiona, Jen, Alicia, and Arden!

I also made good progress on Jamie's cowl, so I should be able to finish that today and get back to my poor neglected green Henley sweater. Peter said last night that this weekend is going to be "stay inside and be mostly lazy" time, so I'm all on board for that plan!

Oh, and for a fabulously funny start to the day, check out Simon's Cat on Youtube. If you have a cat, or know a cat, these cartoons will make you squirt tea out your nose. Trust me. (Thanks, Yumi, for reminding me!)

In which our heroine accomplishes a task

Sorry, been reading Robert Rankin's Brightonomicon today, and the narration style is a bit peculiar... actually the whole book is downright weird, but entertaining nonetheless. Especially when one has a head full of cold, as I do. And may I, just for a moment, digress to say that I strongly dislike those coworkers of mine who come in to work when they should clearly be home in bed, and not only do they come in, they refuse to take any symptom-suppressing medication, and therefore spread their noxiousness all about our poorly-ventilated offices? Because of three of such folk (yes, three separate and distinct sets of symptoms), I was forced to stay home today myself. First, to get the appropriate amount of rest, fluid, and Tylenol. Second, to not further spread the trifold plague. See? Considerate and thoughtful, that's me.

Despite my moderately-incapacitated state, however, I did manage to complete my first knitted FO of 2009 - Peter's Day & Ross socks. I must post a picture once I get Peter to take it, but right now he's taking down the Christmas tree (huzzah!), so I shan't disturb him and get him off-task. EDIT: Here they are!


Now, my Knitting Plan for the year involved a carefully-crafted schedule, based on certain gift-able occasions and a reasonable amount of apply-butt-to-chair knitting time. However, we in the world of generous stitchery all know that situations arise where we must absolutely set aside the current (or next) project and cast on for something urgent. This, my dear blogosphere friends, is one of those times. My dear friend Jamie, recently married and utterly charming, is one of the blessed souls who embraces our planet by walking to and from work each day. Good girl! However, she also has gorgeously long and thick hair, which completely fails to dry before she leaves for her 30-minute trek, and so she has been arriving at the office of late with a cold, somewhat-frozen coiffure. Not Good. So, in the spirit of friendship and avoiding the perils of going out with wet hair (I'm sure her mother, like mine, told her to Never Go Out With Wet Hair), I am going to knit for her a moebius-style scarf/headwrap, to keep her warm(er) and dry(er). This will be a simple garter stitch on big needles and I fully expect to bang it out over the weekend, provided that what I think is in my stash closet is actually in my stash closet.

So, this is what I need to go and check, now. As soon as I rescue Peter and the tree from the "assistance" of Mok, who is... helping? Oh dear.

My Granddad

Harry Lownds

1920-2009

LOWNDS, Harry Richard - 88, Halifax, passed away peacefully on Friday, January 2, 2009, in Camp Hill Veterans' Memorial Building, QEII. Born in Halifax, he was a son of the late, Walter and Blanche (Wambolt) Lownds. Throughout his life, Harry had dedicated his career to the Canadian Air Force as a firefighter, a profession he loved, retiring after 32 years of service. He was known to have been very politically involved at various capacities. He was a handyman who loved the outdoors, especially hunting and fishing. He had a passion for horses, and was once known for horse ice racing. In his retirement, Harry thoroughly enjoyed managing the Dartmouth Trap and Skeet Club. He is survived by his loving wife, Jean (Charlton); his son, The Rev. Jon Lownds (Ada), Fredericton, N.B.; daughters, Sandra Thurber (Arden), Ottawa, Ont.; and Terri Batt (John); and sisters, Margaret Graham (Jim), Edmonton, Alta.; and Florence Leech (Henry), Cornwall, P.E.I. He will also be sadly missed by his grandchildren, of whom he was so proud, Richard, Elizabeth, Karen, Beth, Kathy, Sarah, and William; and his great-grandchildren, Michelle, Anthony, Taylor, Gloria, and Abigail. He was predeceased by his parents; half-brother, Bill Lownds (Maura), and his uncle, Guy Wambolt, who was like a father to Harry. Cremation has taken place under the care of J.A. Walker Funeral Home (2005) Ltd., 149 Herring Cove Rd., Halifax, N.S. (477-5601). A memorial celebration of Harry's life will be held on Monday, January 5, at 1 p.m. in Bradford Hall, Parkland Estates, Fairfax Dr., Halifax, with a reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate remembrances to the Canadian Cancer Society or to Juvenile Diabetes. Words of comfort may be sent to the family by visiting: www.walkerfh.com

Something beautiful, on someone beautiful...

Here is lovely Yumi on Christmas Eve, wearing her very own (and finished 20-minutes-prior-to-party-time) Gryffindor Golden Snitch hat! Wasn't it good of her to wear a pashmina that just happened to colour-coordinate with the hat?

Pattern available FREE from Marian at Freshisle Fibers - go see it, and the other patterns, and buy her yarn! Really, it's awesome yarn. I could knit it FOREVER! And, it seems like I am right now, as I am nearly done the first sock of the pair of Peter's new work socks. 9" leg and 9" foot. SIGH... but, totally worth it for super-warm and machine-wash-dry 100% wool socks. Actually I think that I may cast on the second sock tomorrow morning (god knows I have enough sets of 4mm DPNs) and get the leg going on that one before I finish off the foot of the first. Gotta keep the momentum going!