So this morning, March 31st there is a freezing rain/snow/hail/ice pellet/rain warning on the radio. But it's supposed to be +4 by lunchtime and I'm safe warm and dry in the office, so no drama.
A good weekend - finished Peter's boot socks (just in time, for all the rain forecast this week and his rubber boots DO leak), organized 1 of 5 bookshelves, did some household paperwork and cleaning and laundry. Spring is definitely in the air!
Looking forward to starting Mom's mother's day socks this week, I got the yarn out of the bin Friday and it's sooo pretty, nice warm caramel brown and soft grey with touches of purple. I will have Peter take a picture of the skein before we wind it up for knitting. I have 2 days on course this week so that should give me a good jump on the socks!
Mar 31, 2008
Mar 27, 2008
Looking WAY ahead...
Looking ahead to the 2010 Knitting Olympics - I was thinking about it driving in to work this morning. I am going to take the whole time off from work (2 weeks of hibernation and knitting in February? check!), and knit Peter his Fisherman Sweater. That gives me LOADS of time to work out the pattern (I'm going to design it myself) and to save up my pennies for the yarn. I've decided I'm going to use Marian's Freshisle Fibers natural Suffolk wool, and while it's not expensive, a sweater's worth will be a (reasonable) investment.
The extra-cool thing about this plan is that Peter's 40th birthday is within a couple of weeks after the Olympics, so I can give him this sweater for his birthday!
I love making big plans. :D
The extra-cool thing about this plan is that Peter's 40th birthday is within a couple of weeks after the Olympics, so I can give him this sweater for his birthday!
I love making big plans. :D
Mar 25, 2008
Easter review
I think Spring has arrived at last, and I think spending a good part of the long weekend with various family members helped enormously! Good Friday we had a nice lazy day at home and then spent the evening with Mom, Dad, Karen, and Michelle, eating finger foods and watching the HORRENDOUSLY BAD (but funny as heck) Stargate: SG1 movie which just came out. Bad movie, good times. I finished the Tequila Sunrise socks and presented them to Mom, and immediately started in on sock #2 of Peter's Suffolk Wool Boot Socks.
Saturday we noodled around the house a bit and in the midafternoon headed out to the country to spend the night with Peter's brother and sister-in-law. They have a lovely place in a conservation area, so loads of birds and squirrels and bunnies and deer in the backyard. Very cool and very restful, plus a fabulous Easter dinner of baked ham with all the trimmings. Mm good.
Sunday morning watched "The World's Fastest Indian" - terrific movie, Anthony Hopkins was wonderful in it and a great (true) story. Then home again, with a stop for brunch along the way, and some chores and such before a CSI marathon. Pretty much a perfect long weekend - I even got Jake (my WoW main) to level 68!
So now, back to work yesterday and today, and even though I am stupidly busy, I'm feeling good and in control. There's lots to get done but it's manageable. AND - the air *feels* like Spring. It's still cold, and blowing, and supposed to snow a bit tonight, but I can feel the Spring coming on. Is good.
Will post pictures of the socks and deer ASAP - meanwhile, have a terrific day!
Saturday we noodled around the house a bit and in the midafternoon headed out to the country to spend the night with Peter's brother and sister-in-law. They have a lovely place in a conservation area, so loads of birds and squirrels and bunnies and deer in the backyard. Very cool and very restful, plus a fabulous Easter dinner of baked ham with all the trimmings. Mm good.
Sunday morning watched "The World's Fastest Indian" - terrific movie, Anthony Hopkins was wonderful in it and a great (true) story. Then home again, with a stop for brunch along the way, and some chores and such before a CSI marathon. Pretty much a perfect long weekend - I even got Jake (my WoW main) to level 68!
So now, back to work yesterday and today, and even though I am stupidly busy, I'm feeling good and in control. There's lots to get done but it's manageable. AND - the air *feels* like Spring. It's still cold, and blowing, and supposed to snow a bit tonight, but I can feel the Spring coming on. Is good.
Will post pictures of the socks and deer ASAP - meanwhile, have a terrific day!
Mar 16, 2008
The cure for winter
The cure for winter is as follows:
Mix 9 good friends with one prima donna cat in a comfortable living room. Add finger foods in generous (but not gluttonous) amounts, sprinkle liberally with good stories and laughter. Finish with decadent desserts and hugs all round.
Winter is SO Yumi's bitch. She and Bundy kicked winter's ASS last night. What a lovely lovely party - I was having so much fun I forgot to knit.
Kudos, kiddo!
Mix 9 good friends with one prima donna cat in a comfortable living room. Add finger foods in generous (but not gluttonous) amounts, sprinkle liberally with good stories and laughter. Finish with decadent desserts and hugs all round.
Winter is SO Yumi's bitch. She and Bundy kicked winter's ASS last night. What a lovely lovely party - I was having so much fun I forgot to knit.
Kudos, kiddo!
Mar 13, 2008
Still not spring yet...
Ok, work and money stresses aside, I think I've got a serious case of the late-winter blues. I've been home all week and the longer I am here the less I feel like doing. Haven't knit in 2 days. Haven't done laundry since the weekend. Haven't cooked a real meal since Tuesday (and that was slow-cooker cooked, so hardly counts). Been in my PJs all week (yes, I'm bathing). And I just don't FEEL like doing anything. Been playing WoW yesterday and today and today I don't really even feel like doing that (besides I have a pounding headache again today).
I am catching up on rest, yes. But I feel like a lump, torn between the need to rest and recover and the need to actually get stuff done. At the same time I'm almost at the point of not caring if it gets done, which is BAD.
So I give myself the rest of today to wallow in whatever this funk is, and tomorrow morning I'm setting my alarm and Getting Things Done, enroute to getting back to social life and work. But for right now - maybe I'll find an old movie on TV and eat some popcorn. Peter's napping so I have to be quiet anyway.
How many days til Spring?
I am catching up on rest, yes. But I feel like a lump, torn between the need to rest and recover and the need to actually get stuff done. At the same time I'm almost at the point of not caring if it gets done, which is BAD.
So I give myself the rest of today to wallow in whatever this funk is, and tomorrow morning I'm setting my alarm and Getting Things Done, enroute to getting back to social life and work. But for right now - maybe I'll find an old movie on TV and eat some popcorn. Peter's napping so I have to be quiet anyway.
How many days til Spring?
Mar 11, 2008
Argh
Ok, this is going to be short and whiny. I had to frog mom's tequila sunrise sock #2 again - argh. I've got to take the rest of the week off work due to IBS flare-up of doom - argh. I can't have coffee due to the IBS so I've got an extended caffeine-deficiency headache, compounded by snow blindness every time I look out the stinkin' window. Argh ARGH ARRRGH!
That's all, I'm done. I'll be back when I'm in a better mood.
That's all, I'm done. I'll be back when I'm in a better mood.
Mar 9, 2008
We're still here
Well, the scary weather forecasts were right, and if I look out my back window, I see snow that is up to the tops of the 5' tiki torches around our back deck. I'm trying to not look, because frankly that's just too damn much snow.
So, happy thoughts. Sunday is a new week and that calls for new perspective, so I wll take a moment to review happy things from last week:
I need to finish the 2nd Tequila Sunrise sock by the end of this week to stay on schedule - I'm almost back at the heel turning so this should not be too difficult to manage. Then on to boot sock #2!
Happy Sunday everyone.
So, happy thoughts. Sunday is a new week and that calls for new perspective, so I wll take a moment to review happy things from last week:
- I got a raise at work, and assurances that they LOVE me and never ever want me to leave. Which is nice, because things are finally getting to a point where I can't really see wanting to leave, not for a good long time anyway.
- Had a lovely knitting lunch on Friday with Nancy and Kathy and Carol. Kathy is moving to Ottawa, her hubby just recently took a job at my company, so this was a "welcome-to-town" informative lunch. Nancy got a new job (yay!) and Carol finished her 2nd-ever project (1st ever FINISHED), and I worked on mom's Tequila Sunrise sock #2. A great lunch.
- Peter, also on the work front, has been told that he's in line for a promotion of sorts (change of run from local to daily linehaul) as soon as they can get the logistics of it worked out. They LOVE him there too.
- Leftover news - my niece is going on an archeological dig this summer in England. Hadrian's Wall! I'm beyond jealous and so very very proud of her. She's 20 and knows what she wants to do with her life. Who has that kind of certainty at that age these days?
I need to finish the 2nd Tequila Sunrise sock by the end of this week to stay on schedule - I'm almost back at the heel turning so this should not be too difficult to manage. Then on to boot sock #2!
Happy Sunday everyone.
Mar 7, 2008
Beware the "weather bomb"
Ok, Environment Canada and the Weather Network and all the local media outlets are conspiring to scare the bejeezus out of everyone with the upcoming weekend's forecast. Anywhere from 5-50cm of snow, wind, "storm that will make you re-think the word 'storm', " plagues of locusts, fire and brimstone... you get the idea.
Now, I admit that I am tired of winter and not a fan of blizzard-y type weather. HOWEVER - they've been tracking and "warning" about this storm for 2-3 days (since the last one, actually), and none of the numbers add up, or even come close to agreeing. It's like they're trying to cause a panic, but the kicker is THEY DON'T REALLY KNOW! Frustrating, scary, annoying - pick your negative adjective. I'm tired of it. Yes, I will pick up extra food on the way home tonight so that Peter has a full lunchbox for his overnight shift (stopping at a drive-through won't be an option, I suspect). Yes, the pot-luck of birfday goodness is being postponed a week for collective safety. However - I am not going to be panicked. I'm going to knit, and game, and cook, and blog, and watch TV like any other weekend. And I'm NOT watching the Weather Network. Phooey on them.
Now, I admit that I am tired of winter and not a fan of blizzard-y type weather. HOWEVER - they've been tracking and "warning" about this storm for 2-3 days (since the last one, actually), and none of the numbers add up, or even come close to agreeing. It's like they're trying to cause a panic, but the kicker is THEY DON'T REALLY KNOW! Frustrating, scary, annoying - pick your negative adjective. I'm tired of it. Yes, I will pick up extra food on the way home tonight so that Peter has a full lunchbox for his overnight shift (stopping at a drive-through won't be an option, I suspect). Yes, the pot-luck of birfday goodness is being postponed a week for collective safety. However - I am not going to be panicked. I'm going to knit, and game, and cook, and blog, and watch TV like any other weekend. And I'm NOT watching the Weather Network. Phooey on them.
Mar 3, 2008
March - ugh
Freezing rain, snow in the forecast, and all hell breaking loose at work again. *sigh* AND I had to frog the pink sock #2 back to zero 'cuz I messed up the heel. *sigh* On the bright side, Mom wants the pink socks, so they will be a belated birthday present - she still wants the other ones for Mother's day. They suit her much better than me, anyway, and will make her happy.
Other than that, let me see... well, N8an's birthday is this week and Peter's is next week, so those are happy things (and there will be a potluck-type dinner and movie on Saturday night). And Easter is this month, so we get another long weekend soon. And my raise (whatever it will be) takes effect on the First Day of Spring! There, nice positive happy thoughts.
In like a lion, out like a lamb... only 28 days 'til the "out" part. :D
Other than that, let me see... well, N8an's birthday is this week and Peter's is next week, so those are happy things (and there will be a potluck-type dinner and movie on Saturday night). And Easter is this month, so we get another long weekend soon. And my raise (whatever it will be) takes effect on the First Day of Spring! There, nice positive happy thoughts.
In like a lion, out like a lamb... only 28 days 'til the "out" part. :D
Feb 28, 2008
Woohoo on schedule!
All the February projects are finished on time, and there are two days left in the month. Woohoo! So, today and tomorrow lunch/evening will be blanket-square knitting, which makes me feel good. Then Saturday I tackle into that 2nd pink sock (yes, I am knitting *mostly* pink socks - for me. You may now giggle if you like).
That's the knitting update - the rest of life is being life... work is very busy right now, and I somehow pulled my IT band at the gym yesterday so it's VERY sore and I didn't work out today. Will try for tomorrow, and I'm scheduled for a 3-mile walk on Saturday. I think the trick may be some extra stretching and perhaps epsom salts baths after my long walk. Hoping to spend some quality time in the kitchen this weekend too, get some big-batch cooking and baking done, and Friday night we're taking my paladin and Dad's out for our Epic Mount quest! Woohoo! AND - tomorrow is the end of February. Yay for the end of February!
Happy weekend early!
That's the knitting update - the rest of life is being life... work is very busy right now, and I somehow pulled my IT band at the gym yesterday so it's VERY sore and I didn't work out today. Will try for tomorrow, and I'm scheduled for a 3-mile walk on Saturday. I think the trick may be some extra stretching and perhaps epsom salts baths after my long walk. Hoping to spend some quality time in the kitchen this weekend too, get some big-batch cooking and baking done, and Friday night we're taking my paladin and Dad's out for our Epic Mount quest! Woohoo! AND - tomorrow is the end of February. Yay for the end of February!
Happy weekend early!
Feb 23, 2008
Palindrome and getting back on track
Hey there hi there ho there, it's the weekend and there is knitting! First up, FO pictures of Neill's Palindrome, which he likes very much (yay!):
Again, a million thanks to Kraftie for her lovely handspun, which made the pattern really work up beautifully.
Next, I'm pretty well on track with the "schedule" for February - I did a whole one of Erika's slippers this morning and have the other one underway (frogged the original in LB Homespun, restarted in Patons Shetland Chunky), and Peter's first boot sock is heel turned and almost done the gusset, ready to get the foot rolling. Should be done in plenty of time for the slipper and sock classes, respectively.
The rest of February knitting is going to be blanket squares, and there's a reason why. Yesterday morning I dropped off another batch of blankets to the shelter, and one of the young men waiting outside (for breakfast, I believe) engaged me in a brief conversation:
"Good morning miss, bringing more blankets?" (he remembered me from a previous delivery)
"Yes, a few."
"Oh, I hope I get one this time..."
(Sound of my heart breaking)
It cannot be overstated how much these blankets (hell, ANY blankets) are needed, and more, how much they are APPRECIATED. So this weekend in addition to knitting more squares, I will be doing a linen-cupboard purge to pull out some extra 'commercial' blankets that we don't use/need, and they will go along with the next delivery. There's still a lot of winter left.
Again, a million thanks to Kraftie for her lovely handspun, which made the pattern really work up beautifully.
Next, I'm pretty well on track with the "schedule" for February - I did a whole one of Erika's slippers this morning and have the other one underway (frogged the original in LB Homespun, restarted in Patons Shetland Chunky), and Peter's first boot sock is heel turned and almost done the gusset, ready to get the foot rolling. Should be done in plenty of time for the slipper and sock classes, respectively.
The rest of February knitting is going to be blanket squares, and there's a reason why. Yesterday morning I dropped off another batch of blankets to the shelter, and one of the young men waiting outside (for breakfast, I believe) engaged me in a brief conversation:
"Good morning miss, bringing more blankets?" (he remembered me from a previous delivery)
"Yes, a few."
"Oh, I hope I get one this time..."
(Sound of my heart breaking)
It cannot be overstated how much these blankets (hell, ANY blankets) are needed, and more, how much they are APPRECIATED. So this weekend in addition to knitting more squares, I will be doing a linen-cupboard purge to pull out some extra 'commercial' blankets that we don't use/need, and they will go along with the next delivery. There's still a lot of winter left.
Feb 20, 2008
It's alive!
Ok, I've managed to survive a whole day in the office and ready to head out for my sock class tonight. I even felt like eating real food today. All better!
Feb 16, 2008
Blargh...
Ok, I went to bed 8 hours ago feeling absolutely FINE. I've woken up with the BLARGH on me - can't breathe, drippy nose, sore throat, everything hurts, including my eyes to look at the computer. Crap crap crap. I may have to cancel going to the birthday party, I absolutely cannot make a cake, and I feel like curling up under a blankie and just sleeping all day.
Not fair - to be sick on a long weekend? - totally not fair. Everytime I sneeze it puts my back into spasm. OWIE!!!
I'm done.
Not fair - to be sick on a long weekend? - totally not fair. Everytime I sneeze it puts my back into spasm. OWIE!!!
I'm done.
Feb 15, 2008
The list is getting out of hand...
Ok so I'm sitting here tweaking format and updating sidebar and so forth and I see that my project list is growing daily. Which is normal of course for a knitter (hell, for a HUMAN - we're walking to-do lists, aren't we?). However, I fear it may be getting out of control. And since I like things to be reasonably well-organized, I am going to set a *gasp* SCHEDULE for the projects I've committed to, to date. So, here we go, starting from today - I am being good and setting only 2 per month (except for this month, which has 2 classes running and a scarf emergency). Anything above that will be a bonus!
FEBRUARY
FEBRUARY
- Complete Neill's Palindrome by 02/23/08
- From MP:2008 list, complete Slippers for Erika by 02/26/08 - class
- Complete Peter's Boot Sock #1 by 02/27/08 - class
- From MP:2008 list, complete My Tequila Sunrise Sock #2 by 03/15/08.
- If sock class @ Michaels or school board is a go, complete Peter's Boot Sock #2 by end of class - if not, complete by 03/31/08.
- From MP:2008 list, complete My Cotton Sweater by 04/15/08.
- From MP: 2008 list, complete Mom's Mother's Day Socks by 04/30/08.
- From MP:2008 list, complete My Globe Sock #2 by 05/15/08.
- Complete Golden Snitch Hat #1 (for Potterfiend) by 05/31/08. If, as anticipated, this is a quick knit, complete Golden Snitch Hat #2 (for Yumi) also.
- Complete Dad's Cardigan revised by Father's Day (date?)
- From MP:2008 list, complete My Wednesday's Cardigan by 06/30/08.
- Complete Carole's Shawl by her birthday (August).
- From MP:2008 list, START Michelle's shawl. Finish in September.
- Complete Michelle's Shawl by 09/30/08.
- Complete Carole's Sweater by 09/30/08.
- From MP:2008 list, complete Peter's Mega Boot sock #2 by 10/31/08. This sock will probably take a whole month.
- IF the sock does not take all month, complete Basic Cable for me by 10/31/08.
- From MP: 2008 list, complete Yumi's Fleece Artist Shawl.
- From MP: 2008 list, complete Angel for Donna.
- Complete Lilac Socks for Yumi by Yumi's birthday.
- Start Peter's EPS sweater.
Happy half-price chocolate day!
EDIT: New template. Like it? Hate it? Comment please!
Yes, it's the day after Valentine's, when you can buy twice the love-expressions for half the price. I may pick up a box of chocolates on the way home, not out of any romantic impulse but just so we have some in the house. :D
Things have been hectic this past week and the weekend is shaping up busy too, so grabbing a few minutes to update. Work's been crazy - one of our two co-managers quit last Friday so all this week it's been "what happened?" questions coming at me, over and over and over... here's a representative conversation:
Them: "Where'd he go?"
Me: (with a shrug) "Away."
Them: "He didn't say?"
Me: "No, he did not share that information with any of us."
Them: "Well, why did he leave?"
Me: "Why does anyone leave a job? He wasn't happy."
Them: "Why not?"
Me: "You'd have to ask him."
About 30 times this week I've had that time-wasting chat. I should have just posted a sign. *sigh* This too shall pass.
In other news, a dear friend and co-worker has gone in for surgery to remove what might possibly be a cancerous growth on his thyroid. So, in good knitterly response, I'm knitting him a Palindrome, out of the lovely handspun Kraftie sent me during SP10 last year. (Kraftie, if you're reading, what's the fiber content on that? It's deliciously sproingy and the stripes are coming out beautifully, I'll post pictures when it's done.) I just finished the first of three skeins, and I'm calculating it will come out to about 6 1/2 feet long x about 4.5" wide - a bit narrow, but long enough to wrap around a couple times. That's doing the pattern as written with 40 stitches on 5.5mm needles. It's pretty without being girly and I think he will like it very much.
Happy things - my niece and mom both have birthdays this month, so we're doing a family birthday party tomorrow, to which I will bring cake. I'm thinking marble cake with some pink and green springy-type colours for the frosting. And lots more knitting on the Palindrome.
Also this week I've had class #2 with both my Knitting 101 and Sock-knitting students, and they're both good groups - a couple of the ladies are struggling a bit but they're all determined and patient and very, very nice. I will miss having students when I stop teaching in April but will LOVE having all my evenings free to spend with Peter again. Speaking of whom, I started him a new pair of socks - the Hunter's Socks from Freshisle Fibers, in Marian's own hand-dyed Suffolk wool. They will have pale yellow (almost oatmeal-y) legs with mid-yellow feet - the Coreopsis 3-skein dye progression that I bought oh so long ago - finally it's getting turned into something! (well, 2/3 of it anyway). The darkest yellow I will hold in reserve for something else - probably a hat. The Suffolk wool is SO warm, and really lovely and fluffy once it's gone through the wash/dry cycle a couple of times. Hm, I bet it would cable beautifully... maybe I'll make myself a "Basic Cable" - I've been meaning to. Add it to the list!
Have a great weekend - pictures and things Sunday or Monday (yay long weekend!)
Yes, it's the day after Valentine's, when you can buy twice the love-expressions for half the price. I may pick up a box of chocolates on the way home, not out of any romantic impulse but just so we have some in the house. :D
Things have been hectic this past week and the weekend is shaping up busy too, so grabbing a few minutes to update. Work's been crazy - one of our two co-managers quit last Friday so all this week it's been "what happened?" questions coming at me, over and over and over... here's a representative conversation:
Them: "Where'd he go?"
Me: (with a shrug) "Away."
Them: "He didn't say?"
Me: "No, he did not share that information with any of us."
Them: "Well, why did he leave?"
Me: "Why does anyone leave a job? He wasn't happy."
Them: "Why not?"
Me: "You'd have to ask him."
About 30 times this week I've had that time-wasting chat. I should have just posted a sign. *sigh* This too shall pass.
In other news, a dear friend and co-worker has gone in for surgery to remove what might possibly be a cancerous growth on his thyroid. So, in good knitterly response, I'm knitting him a Palindrome, out of the lovely handspun Kraftie sent me during SP10 last year. (Kraftie, if you're reading, what's the fiber content on that? It's deliciously sproingy and the stripes are coming out beautifully, I'll post pictures when it's done.) I just finished the first of three skeins, and I'm calculating it will come out to about 6 1/2 feet long x about 4.5" wide - a bit narrow, but long enough to wrap around a couple times. That's doing the pattern as written with 40 stitches on 5.5mm needles. It's pretty without being girly and I think he will like it very much.
Happy things - my niece and mom both have birthdays this month, so we're doing a family birthday party tomorrow, to which I will bring cake. I'm thinking marble cake with some pink and green springy-type colours for the frosting. And lots more knitting on the Palindrome.
Also this week I've had class #2 with both my Knitting 101 and Sock-knitting students, and they're both good groups - a couple of the ladies are struggling a bit but they're all determined and patient and very, very nice. I will miss having students when I stop teaching in April but will LOVE having all my evenings free to spend with Peter again. Speaking of whom, I started him a new pair of socks - the Hunter's Socks from Freshisle Fibers, in Marian's own hand-dyed Suffolk wool. They will have pale yellow (almost oatmeal-y) legs with mid-yellow feet - the Coreopsis 3-skein dye progression that I bought oh so long ago - finally it's getting turned into something! (well, 2/3 of it anyway). The darkest yellow I will hold in reserve for something else - probably a hat. The Suffolk wool is SO warm, and really lovely and fluffy once it's gone through the wash/dry cycle a couple of times. Hm, I bet it would cable beautifully... maybe I'll make myself a "Basic Cable" - I've been meaning to. Add it to the list!
Have a great weekend - pictures and things Sunday or Monday (yay long weekend!)
Feb 7, 2008
Insomnia meme
Yes, I'm not sleepy - again. However, Yumi has provided me with entertainment. Yay! She says this:
1. Go to photobucket.com.
2. Type in your answer for each question into the PhotoBucket search bar.
3. Only use the first good answer.
4. Copy the html and paste it here.
5. You can only answer in picture form.
What is your first name?
What kind of car do you have?
Where did you go to school?
Who's your best friend?
Favourite colour?
Celebrity crush?
Favourite song?
Favourite movie?
Favourite clothing line?
Favourite vacation destination?
Favourite dessert?
Favourite letter?
Biggest fear?
What do you want to be when you grow up?
Who do you love most?
Fave accessory?
A word to describe yourself?
1. Go to photobucket.com.
2. Type in your answer for each question into the PhotoBucket search bar.
3. Only use the first good answer.
4. Copy the html and paste it here.
5. You can only answer in picture form.
What is your first name?
What kind of car do you have?
Where did you go to school?
Who's your best friend?
Favourite colour?
Celebrity crush?
Favourite song?
Favourite movie?
Favourite clothing line?
Favourite vacation destination?
Favourite dessert?
Favourite letter?
Biggest fear?
What do you want to be when you grow up?
Who do you love most?
Fave accessory?
A word to describe yourself?
Feb 5, 2008
Knitter down!
So I'm working merrily away this afternoon, reach for my calculator, and hear this "pop". Ow - my hand hurts! Put hand on mouse - hand REALLY hurts. go to clinic, sit around (Little Mermaid movie, start to finish), doctor confirms a "minor" sprain of the right hand. Rest it at least 48 hours. No typing (this is all being done left handed), no mousing, no KNITTING!
The kicker? I'm teaching a sock class tomorrow night. Going to be interesting talking my students through the "join, being careful not to twist, " etc. However, I will do as I'm told because if I don't it will hurt for longer. Argh.
On the bright side, at least I don't drive a standard. Gripping the gear shift would be brutal. And I have a good book-in-progress, Ken Follett's "The Third Twin" so I at least won't go insane for not knitting or playing WoW for a couple of days.
So, how was YOUR Tuesday?
The kicker? I'm teaching a sock class tomorrow night. Going to be interesting talking my students through the "join, being careful not to twist, " etc. However, I will do as I'm told because if I don't it will hurt for longer. Argh.
On the bright side, at least I don't drive a standard. Gripping the gear shift would be brutal. And I have a good book-in-progress, Ken Follett's "The Third Twin" so I at least won't go insane for not knitting or playing WoW for a couple of days.
So, how was YOUR Tuesday?
Feb 4, 2008
A few days late
Ok so I missed the silent poetry reading thingy on the weekend, but I just now wrote a poem. I used to do this a lot (teen angst, mid-20s angst), then just - stopped. Anyway:
It's getting past the point of going to sleep, that
Space
Between night and morning gets narrower each second
I stare at this screen
And read other people's thoughts
To avoid my own
Monday thoughts.
Karen Carpenter sang rainy days and Mondays always get me down;
She nailed it.
I feel the edge of Holly Golightly's Mean Reds
Creeping up -
There's that shiver -
But maybe I'm just cold because I'm tired
And I'm late for bed.
It's getting past the point of going to sleep, that
Space
Between night and morning gets narrower each second
I stare at this screen
And read other people's thoughts
To avoid my own
Monday thoughts.
Karen Carpenter sang rainy days and Mondays always get me down;
She nailed it.
I feel the edge of Holly Golightly's Mean Reds
Creeping up -
There's that shiver -
But maybe I'm just cold because I'm tired
And I'm late for bed.
Feb 3, 2008
It's February!
I admit it, I sort of missed Groundhog day. The past week at work was ... well, sometimes work gets - interesting? - and you can't talk about it. Plus it was busy, and I had only a 4-day week because of being on course Monday. One great thing I learned in this course:
Q Quit
T Taking
I It
P Personally
This has now become my office motto, because to be honest I am the QUEEN of taking stuff personally - my work, my coworkers, my company are all very important to me and I take things to heart. Trying to not do that so much. The theory was tested a few times this week, let me tell you!
Ok, so work is - work. Home is good. Peter and I are working out the numbers and timelines for a move in the Spring; it's time to get out of the Park (and away from the idiot landlord), and into something a little more convenient to our respective workplaces. And where the front porch won't collapse when you step on it. Etc. Been knitting steadily on blanket squares and this week took a batch of blankets down to one of the local shelters, where they were VERY glad to have them. Felt good. Also over 1/2 way done the shawl for Sandra's mom, which is AHEAD of schedule - yay me! - mostly because yesterday I spent a goodly amount of time just sittin' and knittin'. And reading, too - I've read two books this week, haven't done that in ages.
Tomorrow night I start my school board class of beginner knitting and Wednesday night I start my sock class, and those both run for 4 weeks. So for February I'm going to be pretty much hibernating on the weekends (except this coming Saturday, which is HOCKEY DAY IN CANADA and we'll be spending at B&K's).
Today - Peter is making homemade scratch pancakes for breakfast, then I'm going to start a batch of bread and get some chicken stew in the slow cooker before I get my course materials together and laundry away, etc. Good domestic-y stuff. Yesterday was mostly rest, did get out for groceries and some library-time with my niece (term paper hell, poor kid), so today is about gettin' er done.
I hope your weekend is going well!
Q Quit
T Taking
I It
P Personally
This has now become my office motto, because to be honest I am the QUEEN of taking stuff personally - my work, my coworkers, my company are all very important to me and I take things to heart. Trying to not do that so much. The theory was tested a few times this week, let me tell you!
Ok, so work is - work. Home is good. Peter and I are working out the numbers and timelines for a move in the Spring; it's time to get out of the Park (and away from the idiot landlord), and into something a little more convenient to our respective workplaces. And where the front porch won't collapse when you step on it. Etc. Been knitting steadily on blanket squares and this week took a batch of blankets down to one of the local shelters, where they were VERY glad to have them. Felt good. Also over 1/2 way done the shawl for Sandra's mom, which is AHEAD of schedule - yay me! - mostly because yesterday I spent a goodly amount of time just sittin' and knittin'. And reading, too - I've read two books this week, haven't done that in ages.
Tomorrow night I start my school board class of beginner knitting and Wednesday night I start my sock class, and those both run for 4 weeks. So for February I'm going to be pretty much hibernating on the weekends (except this coming Saturday, which is HOCKEY DAY IN CANADA and we'll be spending at B&K's).
Today - Peter is making homemade scratch pancakes for breakfast, then I'm going to start a batch of bread and get some chicken stew in the slow cooker before I get my course materials together and laundry away, etc. Good domestic-y stuff. Yesterday was mostly rest, did get out for groceries and some library-time with my niece (term paper hell, poor kid), so today is about gettin' er done.
I hope your weekend is going well!
Jan 24, 2008
It's Thursday, someone pass me a coffee!
So this morning, our whole department trooped off on a field trip. We left the office at 9 a.m. and returned about a quarter to noon. In that time there was (a) no coffee, (b) no bathroom breaks, and (c) a stupid amount of climbing up and down stairs. This is, in my universe, an unacceptable way to spend a morning. So now, returned and (somewhat) refreshed by pizza, chocolate cake, and coffee (lunch of champions!), I can tackle into the afternoon's to-do list. I'd rather be napping.
In knit news... well, squares are happening, and I am making progress on the lace scarf sample, though it's slow. I changed from the Heart pattern to the somewhat-simpler Crest of the Wave, but it's a slow grind. And I'm really wondering if it's worth it, because odds are pretty high no one will sign up for the dang lace class anyway. I'd rather be doing something else. Which reminds me, I need to add projects to the list. But - tomorrow is Friday (huzzah!), so let us be happy and enjoy the sunshine. And this last bite of chocolate cake. Yum.
EDIT: Got a note from the class coordinator at the store, need to get the sample in this weekend. Time for more lace knitting.
EDIT #2: You know, half a lace scarf is enough for a sample. If someone signs up for the class, I will finish the scarf, otherwise I will frog it and repurpose the yarn. It's not really my style, though a lovely pattern. What do you think? Note the ever-present charity-blanket square on the right. Computer knitting.
EDIT #3: Ok, picture time! Lots and lots...
This is my Winter 2007/2008 Toque - Patons Shetland Chunky, 84 sts on a 5mm (6mm?) needle, ribbed all the way up. Swirly!
These are the matching mittens (matching, in that I used the same yarn. Not Swirly).
A finished (but pretty unsatisfying) crochet scarf, Lion Brand Homespun. I swear by all the gods, aside from one current WIP, I will NEVER use this blasted yarn again. I hates it.
Cedar's Neckwarmer. Funky neon, perfect for a little boy. I wish I'd taken a shot of the matching mittens, they've got green lightning-bolts around them. Very fun. Mystery yarn.
Safety Baby Hat! You will NEVER lose your baby in a snowbank if they are wearing this hat. Originally intended for charity, this will be going along to some friends who are expecting in the fall.
Yes, I'm turning into one of those knitbloggers who posts pictures of their cat. Here is our Squeeky, very comfortable on top of my socks, which I had spread out on the headboard to warm and dry in the sun. They are now warm, dry, and covered in cat hair. Speaking of that, isn't it amazing how much our Squeeky looks like Laurie's Sobakowa? (scroll down to the January 10 post).
OK that's enough for one day. Now over to Ravelry to update my project page!
In knit news... well, squares are happening, and I am making progress on the lace scarf sample, though it's slow. I changed from the Heart pattern to the somewhat-simpler Crest of the Wave, but it's a slow grind. And I'm really wondering if it's worth it, because odds are pretty high no one will sign up for the dang lace class anyway. I'd rather be doing something else. Which reminds me, I need to add projects to the list. But - tomorrow is Friday (huzzah!), so let us be happy and enjoy the sunshine. And this last bite of chocolate cake. Yum.
EDIT: Got a note from the class coordinator at the store, need to get the sample in this weekend. Time for more lace knitting.
EDIT #2: You know, half a lace scarf is enough for a sample. If someone signs up for the class, I will finish the scarf, otherwise I will frog it and repurpose the yarn. It's not really my style, though a lovely pattern. What do you think? Note the ever-present charity-blanket square on the right. Computer knitting.
EDIT #3: Ok, picture time! Lots and lots...
This is my Winter 2007/2008 Toque - Patons Shetland Chunky, 84 sts on a 5mm (6mm?) needle, ribbed all the way up. Swirly!
These are the matching mittens (matching, in that I used the same yarn. Not Swirly).
A finished (but pretty unsatisfying) crochet scarf, Lion Brand Homespun. I swear by all the gods, aside from one current WIP, I will NEVER use this blasted yarn again. I hates it.
Cedar's Neckwarmer. Funky neon, perfect for a little boy. I wish I'd taken a shot of the matching mittens, they've got green lightning-bolts around them. Very fun. Mystery yarn.
Safety Baby Hat! You will NEVER lose your baby in a snowbank if they are wearing this hat. Originally intended for charity, this will be going along to some friends who are expecting in the fall.
Yes, I'm turning into one of those knitbloggers who posts pictures of their cat. Here is our Squeeky, very comfortable on top of my socks, which I had spread out on the headboard to warm and dry in the sun. They are now warm, dry, and covered in cat hair. Speaking of that, isn't it amazing how much our Squeeky looks like Laurie's Sobakowa? (scroll down to the January 10 post).OK that's enough for one day. Now over to Ravelry to update my project page!
Jan 22, 2008
Happiness Is...
- Sleeping in an extra hour on a workday
- Being woken by a kitty licking your hand
- Pants that didn't fit 2 weeks ago, fitting (yay weight loss!)
- Beethoven's 4th on the drive to work
- A *really* good cup of coffee
- Homemade bread with a schmear of Laughing Cow cheese for breakfast
So yeah, today is starting pretty well, for a Tuesday. Hope yours is, too!
- Being woken by a kitty licking your hand
- Pants that didn't fit 2 weeks ago, fitting (yay weight loss!)
- Beethoven's 4th on the drive to work
- A *really* good cup of coffee
- Homemade bread with a schmear of Laughing Cow cheese for breakfast
So yeah, today is starting pretty well, for a Tuesday. Hope yours is, too!
Jan 17, 2008
Blargh
Chest congestion, sinuses blocked so bad I can hardly hear, sneezing, freezing, everything aches, and running a fever.
And, I'm at work, because stuff is happening today I HAVE to be here for. Tomorrow, however, I intend to stay in bed, drink soup and tea, and sleep and knit and read.
Hm - maybe I caught it off Yumi's blog?
Blargh.
And, I'm at work, because stuff is happening today I HAVE to be here for. Tomorrow, however, I intend to stay in bed, drink soup and tea, and sleep and knit and read.
Hm - maybe I caught it off Yumi's blog?
Blargh.
Jan 15, 2008
Plan the work, adapt the plan, work the plan...
Two projects have to be added to the list and started right away - one due to a lack of foresight on my part, and one to help out a friend. See, I'm teaching a class on lace next month, and have given away both my previous lace samples. So since it's February, I found a nice lace scarf pattern with hearts in it which I think will work well - but I need to knit the sample, and by this time next week (if not sooner). Oops. So MP2008 will have to be on hold for a few days.
And then, a friend needs a Moebius shawl for her mother's birthday, 3rd week of February. She handed me the yarn tonight. Now I know I can knit this in a week if I'm dedicated to it, so that's not too bad, but still - that's another week away from the original "whip the WIPs / MP2008" plan. Argh.
Nevermind. I'm adaptable and I had an itching to start something new anyway (besides blanket squares, of course). I'll take the Zen attitude - "when the knitter is ready the project will appear"!
And then, a friend needs a Moebius shawl for her mother's birthday, 3rd week of February. She handed me the yarn tonight. Now I know I can knit this in a week if I'm dedicated to it, so that's not too bad, but still - that's another week away from the original "whip the WIPs / MP2008" plan. Argh.
Nevermind. I'm adaptable and I had an itching to start something new anyway (besides blanket squares, of course). I'll take the Zen attitude - "when the knitter is ready the project will appear"!
Getting things done
Three FO (ok 2 finished and 1 frogged) in 2 days!
Last night: finished the Crochet scarf, consulted with Peter on the neckwarmer and decided to frog it. Today at lunch: finished the baby hat. That's 4 projects in less than 1 week - go me!
Photos of the scarf and hat to be posted probably tomorrow evening - I'm teaching tonight, huzzah!
And, being a very good girl with the food and exercise. Go me - again!
Ok, enough rah rah. Back to work. Have a great day, all.
Last night: finished the Crochet scarf, consulted with Peter on the neckwarmer and decided to frog it. Today at lunch: finished the baby hat. That's 4 projects in less than 1 week - go me!
Photos of the scarf and hat to be posted probably tomorrow evening - I'm teaching tonight, huzzah!
And, being a very good girl with the food and exercise. Go me - again!
Ok, enough rah rah. Back to work. Have a great day, all.
Jan 13, 2008
Sunday photos!
Yes, I'm keeping my word and posting photos of my lovely FOs today - including the first FO of 2008, the Lilac Socks! (apologies if you don't have Ravelry, there are non-linked photos here also).
So, photos! First up, the aforementioned Lilac Socks. Started August 2007, finished January 12, 2008. *ahem* These are knit in Marian's Suffolk Wool, which is a real delight to work with - springy and yet firm - it's what I would call a "no-nonsense" yarn, you can tell it's going to stand up for a lot of abuse, and yet it's so pretty the way she dyes it! Look at the neat pink/purple/green/white going on here, just lovely!
Next up, the Wedgewood Socks - Patons Classic Merino, colourway "Wedgewood" - started April 2007, finished December 2007. *ahem* I've already raved about the Classic Merino for comfy socks, the only small drawback is that it tends to "fuzz" a bit after a few washings and wearings, but it's still warm and durable and comfy, so all good.
Third, the Rosewood Socks - also Patons Classic Merino, colourway "Rosewood" (gee, I'm original!) - started May 2007, finished December 2007. *ahem* Are we seeing a trend here? More warm happy feet.
And finally, yes you've waited over a year for this... Peter's v-neck cabled sweater. Front and back views here, there are a couple more shots on the Ravelry project page. I can honestly say I am VERY pleased with this sweater, not least of all because Peter is VERY pleased with it - it's his default "wear around the house because it's a bit chilly" sweater now. It's very comfortable due to the sweatshirt-type styling and he likes it a lot - immediately after putting it on he requested another, in a crewneck style. Not quite what I had planned for his next sweater (a Shetland Chunky sweatshirt-style), but there are many years ahead for many more sweaters. He also
wants a traditional Aran-style cabled cream wool fisherman-type sweater. Put it on the list.
Actually, thinking of lists, did I mention that I joined "Mission Possible" yesterday? Same basic idea as my UFO sidebar, but with a twist - you have to finish / deal with 12 knitting/yarn-related things from a list by the end of 2008, or else donate them to charity! Eek! So, more motivation, more accountability, more excuses to spend time on Ravelry... uh, did I just say that? Heck, I spent 3 hours reading knitblogs yesterday morning, so why not. I do LOVE LOVE LOVE not working weekends anymore!
Today is about laundry and taking down the tree and a raid on Sunken Temple at high noon. And knitting on a new blanket square for the charity project - one of my volunteer "joiners" has finished a whole blanket this week and started on a second. So we need more squares! Nice.
Have a lovely Sunday!
So, photos! First up, the aforementioned Lilac Socks. Started August 2007, finished January 12, 2008. *ahem* These are knit in Marian's Suffolk Wool, which is a real delight to work with - springy and yet firm - it's what I would call a "no-nonsense" yarn, you can tell it's going to stand up for a lot of abuse, and yet it's so pretty the way she dyes it! Look at the neat pink/purple/green/white going on here, just lovely!
Next up, the Wedgewood Socks - Patons Classic Merino, colourway "Wedgewood" - started April 2007, finished December 2007. *ahem* I've already raved about the Classic Merino for comfy socks, the only small drawback is that it tends to "fuzz" a bit after a few washings and wearings, but it's still warm and durable and comfy, so all good.
Third, the Rosewood Socks - also Patons Classic Merino, colourway "Rosewood" (gee, I'm original!) - started May 2007, finished December 2007. *ahem* Are we seeing a trend here? More warm happy feet.
And finally, yes you've waited over a year for this... Peter's v-neck cabled sweater. Front and back views here, there are a couple more shots on the Ravelry project page. I can honestly say I am VERY pleased with this sweater, not least of all because Peter is VERY pleased with it - it's his default "wear around the house because it's a bit chilly" sweater now. It's very comfortable due to the sweatshirt-type styling and he likes it a lot - immediately after putting it on he requested another, in a crewneck style. Not quite what I had planned for his next sweater (a Shetland Chunky sweatshirt-style), but there are many years ahead for many more sweaters. He also
wants a traditional Aran-style cabled cream wool fisherman-type sweater. Put it on the list.Actually, thinking of lists, did I mention that I joined "Mission Possible" yesterday? Same basic idea as my UFO sidebar, but with a twist - you have to finish / deal with 12 knitting/yarn-related things from a list by the end of 2008, or else donate them to charity! Eek! So, more motivation, more accountability, more excuses to spend time on Ravelry... uh, did I just say that? Heck, I spent 3 hours reading knitblogs yesterday morning, so why not. I do LOVE LOVE LOVE not working weekends anymore!
Today is about laundry and taking down the tree and a raid on Sunken Temple at high noon. And knitting on a new blanket square for the charity project - one of my volunteer "joiners" has finished a whole blanket this week and started on a second. So we need more squares! Nice.
Have a lovely Sunday!
Jan 12, 2008
Saturday Morning...
What is this, the blog week of song titles? Apparently. "Saturday Morning" is one of my favourite Harry Chapin songs, let me give you an excerpt:
Saturday morning, and it's growing light.
I look out my window, and remember the night;
The story is starting, as this story ends,
And I feel like I need you again.
That about sums up this morning for me. It's quiet, I feel well rested and content, and it's the first of many Saturdays that I can spend on things that are important - household, family, friends, knitting, etc. Non-income-earning but important. And I can tell you, that feels pretty darn good. Today's agenda involves baking a simple white cake for my big sister's birthday (shh, she's 41!), which will be served unfrosted, with fresh strawberries and whipped cream. This comes AFTER the hoisin-bbq spare ribs, salad and baked potatoes. Oh man, I'm hungry already thinking about this dinner, and I'm still having breakfast! Then go fetch said sister, do the "girls' afternoon out" thing, and fetch hubby (and the food) before spending the evening with the rest of the (in Ottawa) family, with knitting and hockey. I expect to finish my 2nd Lilacs sock tonight, so Marian, stay tuned, pictures of your lovely yarn knit up to come tomorrow!
Oh, something I forgot to put in yesterday's post - about healthier eating and better food choices, etc. I can see where making small changes can make a big difference, but it's also important to ENJOY what I (you, anyone) eat, so certain concessions to "dammit, I like it that way" need to be made. For instance, coffee. I like coffee, I like being able to drink it again after not being able to for a couple of years due to the acid reflux/IBS combination. Now I can have it in moderation, and I like it with cream and sugar. Three of each. I tried cutting back on a sugar, I tried switching cream for milk, and I didn't enjoy my coffee. Blargh... heck with it, 3 and 3. Now, this is only at work. At home I have vanilla soymilk, which requires no sugar, and at mom & dad's I have milk & sugar, just a splash and one teaspoon full - because dad generally makes flavoured coffees which don't need much enhancement. But at work, where the coffee is free and (to be honest) diesel-strength, I like it with cream and sugar. So there. Over three cups in a day, that's 147 calories but I really ENJOY those 147 calories.
Peter heard something on the radio about the shift in our culture between food as food, and food as nutrients, and how we break things down to their component parts, yadda yadda. Sounds like it would have been interesting but unfortunately I missed it. Oh, and in case anyone's interested, I'm using www.myfooddiary.com for the food/exercise tracking. It's a good tool and I like it.
And now, I should get that cake happening, so I can get myself organized for the day. Tomorrow will have pictures of knitting, I promise! Have a great Saturday.
Saturday morning, and it's growing light.
I look out my window, and remember the night;
The story is starting, as this story ends,
And I feel like I need you again.
That about sums up this morning for me. It's quiet, I feel well rested and content, and it's the first of many Saturdays that I can spend on things that are important - household, family, friends, knitting, etc. Non-income-earning but important. And I can tell you, that feels pretty darn good. Today's agenda involves baking a simple white cake for my big sister's birthday (shh, she's 41!), which will be served unfrosted, with fresh strawberries and whipped cream. This comes AFTER the hoisin-bbq spare ribs, salad and baked potatoes. Oh man, I'm hungry already thinking about this dinner, and I'm still having breakfast! Then go fetch said sister, do the "girls' afternoon out" thing, and fetch hubby (and the food) before spending the evening with the rest of the (in Ottawa) family, with knitting and hockey. I expect to finish my 2nd Lilacs sock tonight, so Marian, stay tuned, pictures of your lovely yarn knit up to come tomorrow!
Oh, something I forgot to put in yesterday's post - about healthier eating and better food choices, etc. I can see where making small changes can make a big difference, but it's also important to ENJOY what I (you, anyone) eat, so certain concessions to "dammit, I like it that way" need to be made. For instance, coffee. I like coffee, I like being able to drink it again after not being able to for a couple of years due to the acid reflux/IBS combination. Now I can have it in moderation, and I like it with cream and sugar. Three of each. I tried cutting back on a sugar, I tried switching cream for milk, and I didn't enjoy my coffee. Blargh... heck with it, 3 and 3. Now, this is only at work. At home I have vanilla soymilk, which requires no sugar, and at mom & dad's I have milk & sugar, just a splash and one teaspoon full - because dad generally makes flavoured coffees which don't need much enhancement. But at work, where the coffee is free and (to be honest) diesel-strength, I like it with cream and sugar. So there. Over three cups in a day, that's 147 calories but I really ENJOY those 147 calories.
Peter heard something on the radio about the shift in our culture between food as food, and food as nutrients, and how we break things down to their component parts, yadda yadda. Sounds like it would have been interesting but unfortunately I missed it. Oh, and in case anyone's interested, I'm using www.myfooddiary.com for the food/exercise tracking. It's a good tool and I like it.
And now, I should get that cake happening, so I can get myself organized for the day. Tomorrow will have pictures of knitting, I promise! Have a great Saturday.
Jan 11, 2008
One Week...
(with apologies to the Barenaked Ladies)
It's been one week since I said "hm, I need to do something about this extra weight". Here's the progress report:
It's been one week since I said "hm, I need to do something about this extra weight". Here's the progress report:
- I've been following my training plan at the gym which feels good (a little sore on the muscles but it's the good sore that says I HAVE muscles, not the bad sore which says I've INJURED my muscles).
- I've been trying to add one serving of fruit and/or vegetable per day (so as not to shock my poor delicate system too much), and am currently having 4-5 where I used to have 1-2 (maybe, if Peter hid them in my dinner).
- I've been cutting back on sweets and other junk, not entirely, but to a more moderate level.
- I've upped my water intake to the point that I am wearing a path to the bathroom.
- I've been spending more time knitting and reading, and less time playing WoW (this is not STRICTLY a weight-loss thing, more of a "life-balance" thing).
Here's the results:
- I feel stronger and am sleeping like a log at night. Reward: I bought new Nike Air Pegasus for walking in. SOOO cushy!
- My system is, so far, happy with the changes and not rebelling.
- I'm very very tired in the late afternoons from not having had my 3:00 chocolate fix. Need to work on that.
- I haven't weighed myself but judging by the "pants test", I've peed out about 2-3 lbs. (ew, I know, but loss is loss!)
- I've finished a fabulous book (review on the weekend) and almost a whole sock (2nd of the pair, photos on the weekend), started another book (also pretty fabulous) and had a lot more quiet time with Peter. We've started listening to CBC Radio 2 in the evenings. We feel Smart. :D
So overall, it's been a good week. Tomorrow I take my big sister out for a round of birthday yarn shopping and a decadent dessert, then we have a big family dinner for her birthday and watch the Detroit/Ottawa game on Dad's big-screen TV. Sunday we take down the Christmas tree and do chores, and putter a bit. So tonight - ta da! - I'm playing WoW. It's my Re-Ward for being a (mostly) good girl all week.
More on the weekend. Stay warm and dry!
Jan 4, 2008
Oh dear...
Well, I went to the gym yesterday all full of motivation and vigor. Had a great workout, nice hot shower, and then got dressed... except my pants were very tight. Oh dear, perhaps not being sick over the holidays for a change has resulted in a slight weight gain? Hm.
Had a Dr.'s appointment in the afternoon (routine, nothing to worry about) and thought, "I'll just pop on the scale and see..." 167. Yikes. That's 22 lbs over my top-end "healthy" weight range. No wonder my size 10's were pinching!
So, rather than get all weird and depressed, I got more motivated. Signed up for My Food Diary.com, where I can track all my food and activity and get encouraging little smileys when I do good (and frownies if I do bad). It has pretty comprehensive reporting and a good interface, and the food database is much better than the one at Fitday.com (which I had used before with mixed results). Set a weight-loss goal of 1.3 lbs/week; HOWEVER, I do not have a scale at home, nor do I intend to buy one. I will go by how I feel (and how the pants fit) until I see the doctor again in 12 weeks. I should be down by about 15 lbs by then. Between now and then, it's all about following the training plan and making better food choices.
Oh, and no eating at the (home) computer. I've a sneaking suspicion that at least 5 lbs of the excess is "Gamer's Gut" from scarfing potato chips and cookies whilst playing Warcraft. Oops.
Have a great weekend all!
Had a Dr.'s appointment in the afternoon (routine, nothing to worry about) and thought, "I'll just pop on the scale and see..." 167. Yikes. That's 22 lbs over my top-end "healthy" weight range. No wonder my size 10's were pinching!
So, rather than get all weird and depressed, I got more motivated. Signed up for My Food Diary.com, where I can track all my food and activity and get encouraging little smileys when I do good (and frownies if I do bad). It has pretty comprehensive reporting and a good interface, and the food database is much better than the one at Fitday.com (which I had used before with mixed results). Set a weight-loss goal of 1.3 lbs/week; HOWEVER, I do not have a scale at home, nor do I intend to buy one. I will go by how I feel (and how the pants fit) until I see the doctor again in 12 weeks. I should be down by about 15 lbs by then. Between now and then, it's all about following the training plan and making better food choices.
Oh, and no eating at the (home) computer. I've a sneaking suspicion that at least 5 lbs of the excess is "Gamer's Gut" from scarfing potato chips and cookies whilst playing Warcraft. Oops.
Have a great weekend all!
Jan 1, 2008
The week of many posts...
Or, Kit goes back to work tomorrow. :(
Today was snowy and blowy and we spent it inside "in the warm". A little gaming, a little knitting, a major OH CRAP! as the Clapotis slipped off the needle and started to frog itself. CRAP CRAP CRAP! I took it as a sign and put it out of its misery. Frogged to zero and the yarn rewound and put away for a future sweater. I had intended it for a sweater in the first place, something slinky and v-necked, so maybe this was the yarn's way of telling me it didn't want to be a dang trendy shawl/scarf? Perhaps. Anyway, that takes it off the list too, ha ha!
Been knitting away at some garter stitch 'squares' for Blankets for Canada - actually one long strip, nice soothing garter stitch (albeit on 4mm needles which is a bit tight but it's prescribed gauge). The office group to put the blankets together is starting up next Monday, I'm really looking forward to that. Actually I'm looking forward to getting back to work and some semblance of a routine again. I hate to admit it, but I do need structure in my day/week/life or I get all weird and out of sorts.
Oh, a New Year's joke to share - this was SLAYING people last night:
Knock knock.
Who's there?
Interrupting Cow.
Interrupting cow -
MOO!
It's important to time your MoO! before they can say "who"? Got it? Share and enjoy!
Today was snowy and blowy and we spent it inside "in the warm". A little gaming, a little knitting, a major OH CRAP! as the Clapotis slipped off the needle and started to frog itself. CRAP CRAP CRAP! I took it as a sign and put it out of its misery. Frogged to zero and the yarn rewound and put away for a future sweater. I had intended it for a sweater in the first place, something slinky and v-necked, so maybe this was the yarn's way of telling me it didn't want to be a dang trendy shawl/scarf? Perhaps. Anyway, that takes it off the list too, ha ha!
Been knitting away at some garter stitch 'squares' for Blankets for Canada - actually one long strip, nice soothing garter stitch (albeit on 4mm needles which is a bit tight but it's prescribed gauge). The office group to put the blankets together is starting up next Monday, I'm really looking forward to that. Actually I'm looking forward to getting back to work and some semblance of a routine again. I hate to admit it, but I do need structure in my day/week/life or I get all weird and out of sorts.
Oh, a New Year's joke to share - this was SLAYING people last night:
Knock knock.
Who's there?
Interrupting Cow.
Interrupting cow -
MOO!
It's important to time your MoO! before they can say "who"? Got it? Share and enjoy!
Dec 31, 2007
Happy New Year!
Today, the last day of 2007, was good. Got up early (for a holiday, 7:30), had good breakfast, sewed the seams of Peter's sweater (finally, yes it's finished!) and got 2 repeats done on the straight section of my Clapotis while watching Kelly's Heroes and 1 1/2 of the Planet of the Apes movies. Did some gaming (Jake is now 51 and climbing), did some laundry, and just had a nice relaxed day with Peter.
Tomorrow we are starting the New Year right with some cleaning and organizing, and some more relaxation before we both head back to work and get our routines (re)-established. I'm looking forward to getting back but I have SO enjoyed this holiday break.
Pictures of the finished sweater and socks tomorrow (need to find batteries for the camera - again). Happy New Year everyone!
Tomorrow we are starting the New Year right with some cleaning and organizing, and some more relaxation before we both head back to work and get our routines (re)-established. I'm looking forward to getting back but I have SO enjoyed this holiday break.
Pictures of the finished sweater and socks tomorrow (need to find batteries for the camera - again). Happy New Year everyone!
Dec 30, 2007
Insomnia sucks
I went to bed at 8, read 'til 9, slept 'til 12, and have been awake from 12-2. My head hurts, my back hurts, and I have heartburn on my heartburn (thank you very much "mild" BBQ chicken wings). And I have to be at the store in 7 hours. Time for T1 and (hopefully) some sleep. Otherwise I'm gonna be mainlining caffeine tomorrow... ah well, 2 shifts to go.
Time to go "gently nudge" my snoring hubby. Yes, that's what woke me up. No, it's not his fault. However, this does not lessen the urge to either (a) kick him in the shin or (b) cover his face with a pillow, when he's buzz-sawing so blissfully. Now I'm past the violently-awake stage, I shall try again.
Goodnight!
Time to go "gently nudge" my snoring hubby. Yes, that's what woke me up. No, it's not his fault. However, this does not lessen the urge to either (a) kick him in the shin or (b) cover his face with a pillow, when he's buzz-sawing so blissfully. Now I'm past the violently-awake stage, I shall try again.
Goodnight!
Dec 28, 2007
One down! (and one to go...)
Finished my Wedgewood Socks - just needed the toe decreased and Kitchener'd shut and voila! However, also found Yumi's Fleece Artist shawl-in-progress, so the list changes slightly. Great morning of movies and knitting, now time for some gaming. Balance in all things!
Happy Friday!
Happy Friday!
Dec 27, 2007
Getting ready for 2008
So, as I was saying before, I've got some plans for the upcoming year:
Now, I have to figure out how to put my 2007 UFO / 2008 WIP list in the sidebar. Wish me luck, and Happy New Year!
- No more weekend work at Michael's (2 more to go, that's it!) so I have more time for home stuff.
- Training to walk the National Capital half-marathon at the end of May.
- Finishing UFO's from 2007 before starting anything new for 2008 (yes, I tried this in the fall, but I have made a list and it's now manageable).
- More and better rest / leisure.
- More and better time with family / friends (see #1).
Now, I have to figure out how to put my 2007 UFO / 2008 WIP list in the sidebar. Wish me luck, and Happy New Year!
Dec 24, 2007
24th
Twas the afternoon of the night before Christmas, and having just polished off a FABULOUS sandwich (using up the last of the pre-Christmas deli meat, ha ha), I am about to do the family and friends cookie-baking. (Funny, I just typed cookie BANKING. Maybe I need to keep a reserve of cookies?)
And merriment will ensue. I love the holidays. Probably no blogging until boxing day or later, when I am planning a big revamp of sidebars and things. stay tuned.
Happy holidays, be safe and warm and loving.
And merriment will ensue. I love the holidays. Probably no blogging until boxing day or later, when I am planning a big revamp of sidebars and things. stay tuned.
Happy holidays, be safe and warm and loving.
Dec 19, 2007
'twas the something before Christmas...
And all through the house, was a pile of dishes, unwashed by my spouse.
Ha ha, clever rhyme. TOTALLY not his fault - we have been without hot water for 48 hours. Heat - yes. Water - yes. Heated water - no. And since all the natural gas contractors are busy with people with no HEAT, we have 'low priority'. Argh.
Fortunately, I can shower at the gym at work. Which I would have done today had I not woken up with a raging migraine (that's 2 in less than a week, and I have no migraine meds. Must see doctor in new year). Spent half the day in bed and half on the couch finishing the Christmas knitting. No pictures, not because the gift-ees read this, but because I cleverly wrapped all the presents this evening whilst watching "The Year Without a Santa Claus" and "Rudolph". Nothing like stop-motion animation to make a person with throbbing brain pain feel festive.
And now there are two days of office work left, and two days of Michaels work left, before my Christmas holiday break. I can do this. Things have been a little more "interesting" than is strictly good for me, lately (long stories - family stuff mostly), and to be honest I really REALLY need the extended break. I have from suppertime Sunday the 23rd until the morning of the 29th with no (employment) work. That's the longest I've gone without working since... well, the fact I can't remember should be a clue I need the break.
Ok, enough whingeing. Stuff to look forward to (other than six days without working):
1) Christmas breakfast at work - we go to the buffet breakfast and have a good feed, then go back up to the office and goof off the rest of the day Friday before going home for the holiday break.
2) Dinner and movie at Bundy & Kid's - after 8 hours at Michaels' on Saturday, this is going to be HEAVEN.
3) Dinner and a good long visit with Peter's family - the non-evil brother and his lovely wife are kidnapping us from Sunday evening to Monday lunchtime, to spend at their new home. As a guest, I get to do NOTHING! I look forward to this an unimaginable amount.
4) Christmas Eve at Bundy & Kid's - the moms, the friends, the festivity, not to mention the food. All it lacks is my dad reading the pop-up "Night Before Christmas" but really, that tradition is kind of gone by now. Besides, B&K are 15 minutes from our house, so we can stay later than we would at Mom & Dad's anyway.
5) Christmas Day - yup, I'm a big sucker for it, and trying SO much this year to not stress about stuff. We have found a Starbucks that will be open Christmas Day that is (sort of) enroute from our house to the folks' place. We have gifts (mostly ready and wrapped, even). All I need to do is make my spiked cranberry sauce and a couple of pies, which I can do in the morning before we leave. Then we can have a nice relaxed afternoon of gifts, a good dinner, and still be home at a reasonable hour. And then...
6) THREE DAYS OF WHATEVER THE HECK I WANT TO DO!!! Boxing Day Peter and I will probably hibernate and/or visit with the neighbours. But then he goes back to work Thursday and Friday, and I don't. WoW and books and knitting and movies. And lots and lots of sleep.
And, after New Year's, well - a new year. I have some plans percolating. Well, actually they're at the "beans have been picked and roasted but not yet ground" stage, so not QUITE percolating. But they're in there.
Happy holidays all!
Ha ha, clever rhyme. TOTALLY not his fault - we have been without hot water for 48 hours. Heat - yes. Water - yes. Heated water - no. And since all the natural gas contractors are busy with people with no HEAT, we have 'low priority'. Argh.
Fortunately, I can shower at the gym at work. Which I would have done today had I not woken up with a raging migraine (that's 2 in less than a week, and I have no migraine meds. Must see doctor in new year). Spent half the day in bed and half on the couch finishing the Christmas knitting. No pictures, not because the gift-ees read this, but because I cleverly wrapped all the presents this evening whilst watching "The Year Without a Santa Claus" and "Rudolph". Nothing like stop-motion animation to make a person with throbbing brain pain feel festive.
And now there are two days of office work left, and two days of Michaels work left, before my Christmas holiday break. I can do this. Things have been a little more "interesting" than is strictly good for me, lately (long stories - family stuff mostly), and to be honest I really REALLY need the extended break. I have from suppertime Sunday the 23rd until the morning of the 29th with no (employment) work. That's the longest I've gone without working since... well, the fact I can't remember should be a clue I need the break.
Ok, enough whingeing. Stuff to look forward to (other than six days without working):
1) Christmas breakfast at work - we go to the buffet breakfast and have a good feed, then go back up to the office and goof off the rest of the day Friday before going home for the holiday break.
2) Dinner and movie at Bundy & Kid's - after 8 hours at Michaels' on Saturday, this is going to be HEAVEN.
3) Dinner and a good long visit with Peter's family - the non-evil brother and his lovely wife are kidnapping us from Sunday evening to Monday lunchtime, to spend at their new home. As a guest, I get to do NOTHING! I look forward to this an unimaginable amount.
4) Christmas Eve at Bundy & Kid's - the moms, the friends, the festivity, not to mention the food. All it lacks is my dad reading the pop-up "Night Before Christmas" but really, that tradition is kind of gone by now. Besides, B&K are 15 minutes from our house, so we can stay later than we would at Mom & Dad's anyway.
5) Christmas Day - yup, I'm a big sucker for it, and trying SO much this year to not stress about stuff. We have found a Starbucks that will be open Christmas Day that is (sort of) enroute from our house to the folks' place. We have gifts (mostly ready and wrapped, even). All I need to do is make my spiked cranberry sauce and a couple of pies, which I can do in the morning before we leave. Then we can have a nice relaxed afternoon of gifts, a good dinner, and still be home at a reasonable hour. And then...
6) THREE DAYS OF WHATEVER THE HECK I WANT TO DO!!! Boxing Day Peter and I will probably hibernate and/or visit with the neighbours. But then he goes back to work Thursday and Friday, and I don't. WoW and books and knitting and movies. And lots and lots of sleep.
And, after New Year's, well - a new year. I have some plans percolating. Well, actually they're at the "beans have been picked and roasted but not yet ground" stage, so not QUITE percolating. But they're in there.
Happy holidays all!
Dec 3, 2007
Snow Day!
20 cm on the ground, another 20 cm forecast to fall through the day. I am not going ANYWHERE! And, it's Peter's day off, so he's not going anywhere either. SNOW DAY! Books and knitting and hot soup and putting up the Christmas tree.
Woohoo! Snow Day!
Woohoo! Snow Day!
Nov 29, 2007
It's cookie day!
Or rather, it's "bake the cookies for cookie day, day." Also known as "I haven't updated my blog in three weeks day." What can I say? Things haven't been all that interesting lately. Frankly, that's kind of a nice change!
Life is continuing to be life. Peter's new job is good. My jobs are good (office is winding down 2007 and I've got a decent head start on 2008, store is in the midst of holiday insanity but I only work Saturday/Sunday days so I'm not really suffering the full brunt of retail hell). I've even been knitting! Made an adorable pair of mitts for a co-worker's little boy (black with neon green random lightning stripes, and a STRING no less!) and am about halfway through a new toque for Peter to match his new coat (black and navy, double-thick).
I was sick a few days last week (to the point of one day, lying in bed completely unable to do anything - not even knit, not even crochet!). But I'm better now. Glad to get that out of the way early... of course, the irony was that I was home sick in bed on the day our company had its Flu Shot clinic. Argh.
So today, as mentioned, I am going to bake cookies. I do this every year (last year of course didn't happen due to Peter's mom's sudden illness and death), make a whack of homemade goodies and distribute them to the people with whom I work - consultants, city staff, etc. They are a gift FROM ME, not from my company, so no one gets in trouble for accepting gifts (the rules on that kind of thing are stupidly rigid in some places). However, this year (at last!) my boss said I could take a day to 'work from home' and make the cookies instead of trying to squeeze them into a couple of evenings and exhausting myself. Good boss. He may get a cookie or three. :)
The plan, as it stands now (by the way, I'm already about 2 hours behind schedule, but MAN did I sleep well!) is to make 4 batches of gingersnaps (6 dozen per batch), an equal amount of sugar drop cookies, a tray of Rice Krispies squares, and two cake mixes' worth of mini cupcakes. Then sometime next week, do the cookie exchange baking (another batch of gingersnaps and a batch of nut-free toll house cookies). Finally, the evenings of December 21, 22, 23 do the "family" baking (another two batches of gingersnaps, a suet pudding, a lemon pie, a punkin pie, and maybe another batch of the sugar drop cookies).
The upside of all this is while a quality control sample is necessary for each batch, beyond that I have not much interest in actually eating the cookies. I am trying to stick to my tradition of actually LOSING weight over Christmas, which I've done the past few years. Portion control, careful selection of treats, etc. All the usual tactics. And not eating all my own cookies. :)
So now, I must finish my coffee (mm coffee!) and make my list for the grocery store. Which I intended to do last night but I was playing WoW with Peter instead. Quality time comes in many forms. :)
I send you all virtual cookies. Have a lovely day!
Life is continuing to be life. Peter's new job is good. My jobs are good (office is winding down 2007 and I've got a decent head start on 2008, store is in the midst of holiday insanity but I only work Saturday/Sunday days so I'm not really suffering the full brunt of retail hell). I've even been knitting! Made an adorable pair of mitts for a co-worker's little boy (black with neon green random lightning stripes, and a STRING no less!) and am about halfway through a new toque for Peter to match his new coat (black and navy, double-thick).
I was sick a few days last week (to the point of one day, lying in bed completely unable to do anything - not even knit, not even crochet!). But I'm better now. Glad to get that out of the way early... of course, the irony was that I was home sick in bed on the day our company had its Flu Shot clinic. Argh.
So today, as mentioned, I am going to bake cookies. I do this every year (last year of course didn't happen due to Peter's mom's sudden illness and death), make a whack of homemade goodies and distribute them to the people with whom I work - consultants, city staff, etc. They are a gift FROM ME, not from my company, so no one gets in trouble for accepting gifts (the rules on that kind of thing are stupidly rigid in some places). However, this year (at last!) my boss said I could take a day to 'work from home' and make the cookies instead of trying to squeeze them into a couple of evenings and exhausting myself. Good boss. He may get a cookie or three. :)
The plan, as it stands now (by the way, I'm already about 2 hours behind schedule, but MAN did I sleep well!) is to make 4 batches of gingersnaps (6 dozen per batch), an equal amount of sugar drop cookies, a tray of Rice Krispies squares, and two cake mixes' worth of mini cupcakes. Then sometime next week, do the cookie exchange baking (another batch of gingersnaps and a batch of nut-free toll house cookies). Finally, the evenings of December 21, 22, 23 do the "family" baking (another two batches of gingersnaps, a suet pudding, a lemon pie, a punkin pie, and maybe another batch of the sugar drop cookies).
The upside of all this is while a quality control sample is necessary for each batch, beyond that I have not much interest in actually eating the cookies. I am trying to stick to my tradition of actually LOSING weight over Christmas, which I've done the past few years. Portion control, careful selection of treats, etc. All the usual tactics. And not eating all my own cookies. :)
So now, I must finish my coffee (mm coffee!) and make my list for the grocery store. Which I intended to do last night but I was playing WoW with Peter instead. Quality time comes in many forms. :)
I send you all virtual cookies. Have a lovely day!
Nov 4, 2007
It's NovemBRR! - and, call for help!
Despite the fact that today's forecasted high is 10 degrees Celsius, it's definitely winter (or at least, late fall) now. This is evidenced by the fact that in the midst of all the things I have to do for work and home and other projects, I'm knitting (and crocheting!) myself a new hat/scarf/mitten combo that will go with both my late-fall navy football coat and my deep-winter red parka. The hat is done, one mitten is done (except the thumb), the other mitten is at the cuff stage, and the scarf is about halfway. I'm crocheting the scarf, partly for practice and partly for speed - using a Q-hook with Shetland Chunky yarn certainly does go quickly! It's lacy and open which means I need to make it long enough to wrap around at least twice. Two balls oughta do it.
Also in the works are Christmas-tree ornaments of my own design, sample demos for the Yarn Event next weekend at the store (more on that, please keep reading!), and other odds and ends.
Quick Personal Note: Peter is NOT going out driving long-haul after all. He's found work with a local company that has him home every day. We're very VERY happy about this!
Back to yarn. A week from today (that would be Sunday November 11), from 1-6 p.m., Michaels is having a Yarn Event. Lots of yarn on sale, knitting and crochet demos, and a Blanket Joining Party for Blankets for Canada / Warm Up America. As I am the designated "Yarn Lady" at the South Keys (Ottawa, ON) Michaels, I am in charge of this event for our store. I've taken up the crochet hook to do the demos. I've laundered the squares that were donated for blankets last year that no one did anything with. :( I need HELP! I need people who can sew or crochet to help join all these donated squares into blankets to give to homeless people, because it's NovemBRR!
So, a call for help - if you have an hour or two or five to spare on the afternoon of Remembrance Day next week, I would really REALLY appreciate you stopping by the store to lend a hand. Of course, if you don't live in Ottawa, this will be going on at Michaels' stores all over Canada and the States, so visit your local store and pitch in there! And if you want to contribute squares, visit this link for some easy patterns.
And now, after a blissful extra hour of sleep (yay time change!), it's time for me to haul my ... squares ... to work and get some yarn downstocked. This week's yarn sale is not nearly as massive as next week's but we do have Patons SWS and Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick & Quick on for $5/ball!
Also in the works are Christmas-tree ornaments of my own design, sample demos for the Yarn Event next weekend at the store (more on that, please keep reading!), and other odds and ends.
Quick Personal Note: Peter is NOT going out driving long-haul after all. He's found work with a local company that has him home every day. We're very VERY happy about this!
Back to yarn. A week from today (that would be Sunday November 11), from 1-6 p.m., Michaels is having a Yarn Event. Lots of yarn on sale, knitting and crochet demos, and a Blanket Joining Party for Blankets for Canada / Warm Up America. As I am the designated "Yarn Lady" at the South Keys (Ottawa, ON) Michaels, I am in charge of this event for our store. I've taken up the crochet hook to do the demos. I've laundered the squares that were donated for blankets last year that no one did anything with. :( I need HELP! I need people who can sew or crochet to help join all these donated squares into blankets to give to homeless people, because it's NovemBRR!
So, a call for help - if you have an hour or two or five to spare on the afternoon of Remembrance Day next week, I would really REALLY appreciate you stopping by the store to lend a hand. Of course, if you don't live in Ottawa, this will be going on at Michaels' stores all over Canada and the States, so visit your local store and pitch in there! And if you want to contribute squares, visit this link for some easy patterns.
And now, after a blissful extra hour of sleep (yay time change!), it's time for me to haul my ... squares ... to work and get some yarn downstocked. This week's yarn sale is not nearly as massive as next week's but we do have Patons SWS and Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick & Quick on for $5/ball!
Oct 22, 2007
Three WEEKS?
Holy crap on a stick, I did not realize I'd gone three weeks without blogging. I am SORRY, world who reads this - I did not fall and hurt myself again or anything, just been insanely busy with work, work, and work (yes, I'm up to THREE jobs now, but only for a few weeks more), and trying to squeeze in time with Peter, and keeping food in the house for us and the cats, and... well, life, you know? And I've barely had ANY knitting time, so the "Knit Spot" side of things has kind of fallen away a bit.
I have, however, learned to crochet. *GASP!* I know. But I had to, for work - we're having a "Yarn Event" at the store on Nov. 11 and there are crochet demos and we didn't have anyone to do them, so since I'm the designated Yarn Guru of our store, I said I'd try to learn enough to do the demos. It's actually not as hard as I remembered it being when I tried before, and while not as fun as knitting, it's another fiber skill and that's all to the good. It does really REALLY eat yarn though. I don't know if it's the whole "3x as much" that the Harlot claims, but it is more than knitting uses for the same area. Ah well. I'm just doing squares for blankets with some Bernat Supersaver, so it's not like burning through stash or anything. I'll post a picture on the weekend maybe.
What else? Well, work work work. Office work is at an odd point - we're winding down 2007 and simultaneously getting ready to roll out 2008. This week and next are going to be totally In-Sane. But then things should even out a bit. Store work - well, Christmas is 2 months and 3 days away. Which means a ton of freight in, most of it covered in glitter and with U.S. price labels affixed that have to be removed before it can go to the floor. FUN way to spend a Saturday/Sunday morning, I can tell you... thank heavens I'm not vain about my nails like some of the girls! And store classes are going pretty well, wrapping up Socktoberfest tomorrow night and then November will be "Knitting Circle/Project Help" which I don't have to prepare anything for, just show up and knit and chat and help. That'll be fun. And this week is the last week of my school board class for the Fall - then I'm on hiatus until February, when I will be teaching 2 classes for them on Mon/Wed nights. Probably a good thing, because in February I tend to want to just crawl into fuzzy PJs and hide until April, and this will get me out and being social in the evenings.
Home - yes, I do TOO have a home life! Moush (our older cat) had to go to the kitty hospital last week, she's 15 years old and (was) full of crap. Digestive issues of the blocking kind. She's home and better now, got some better-quality kitty food (both the girls are loving the new food) and has had a personality transformation! Before, she was totally anti-social, and particularly did not like me one little bit. If our house were a street she'd jaywalk to get away from me, you know? Now, believe it or not, she's sleeping ON ME at night, or between Peter and I. Bizarre. I think it's because he took her to the vet and therefore is on her s**t list, whereas I did not and am hence the good one, at least for now. Squeeky is fine, out prowling and howling at night having a fine time with her harem of boyfriends. She's fixed, so it's just for fun. Bad kitty! :) She comes in at breakfast, naps all day, goes out after dinner. I swear, we've got a teenager on our hands, in kitty years.
Oh, and my hubby... yes, I still have him too. :D
However... well, things are going through a transitional period right now. (WE ARE FINE, this is not a relationship issue!!!) Peter's changed careers, closed his business and is now going to be driving long-haul transport truck. Which is great, the pay is amazingly good and it's work he's really enthusiastic about (what little boy doesn't want to be a truck driver, right?). But - there's a but, yes. This week he's on training so out of town until Friday. No problem, he'll be home on the weekend. Next week, though, he starts his three-month "break-in" period, where he will be on the road for two weeks at a stretch and then home for three days, then gone again. This rotation goes for three months, then he gets a regular route and shorter trip lengths.
I feel weird about it, to be honest. One, the money is GOOD, and we need it. Realistically after Christmas the Michaels' hours will fall off again and it will be nice not to be pinching pennies for a change. Two, we're both pretty independent and it's not like I will fall apart with him away. I will eat, the cats will eat, the house will be cleaned, the bills paid, etc. Knitting will be done, I can play Warcraft and blog and Ravelry and whatever. I'm also not a fraidy-cat about weird noises in the night or anything, and I do have some good friends and neighbours close at hand. BUT - (there's my but again!) I will miss him. Terribly, in fact - I know this because I miss him now and it's his first night away. However, we have phone and email and this is a TEMPORARY situation. And there's that little voice that says "Hey, he's not in the Forces or anything, he'll be home often, don't worry, it'll be fine." In fact I'm much better off than my sister, who only sees her hubby 2-3 times a YEAR, for a week or maybe two. (Of course, my hubby is better than hers, but that's a long story we won't get into).
So, we live, and we adjust, and we carry on. And if, after three months, we really HATE the long haul, he can always drive local for less money but more home time. And we can adjust to that too. Believe me, we as a couple are nothing if not adaptable. Hell, we dated for 5 1/2 years before moving in together, and for most of that time we only saw each other on weekends. Then when his mom got sick he was at her house more than ours. Then she died, and I finally got him to myself, but we've both been working such crazy hours to pay the bills sometimes we only see each other to fall into bed and sleep. So really, we can hack this.
And wow, was that a lengthy blargh of blogging! So now you're caught up. Miss me?
I have, however, learned to crochet. *GASP!* I know. But I had to, for work - we're having a "Yarn Event" at the store on Nov. 11 and there are crochet demos and we didn't have anyone to do them, so since I'm the designated Yarn Guru of our store, I said I'd try to learn enough to do the demos. It's actually not as hard as I remembered it being when I tried before, and while not as fun as knitting, it's another fiber skill and that's all to the good. It does really REALLY eat yarn though. I don't know if it's the whole "3x as much" that the Harlot claims, but it is more than knitting uses for the same area. Ah well. I'm just doing squares for blankets with some Bernat Supersaver, so it's not like burning through stash or anything. I'll post a picture on the weekend maybe.
What else? Well, work work work. Office work is at an odd point - we're winding down 2007 and simultaneously getting ready to roll out 2008. This week and next are going to be totally In-Sane. But then things should even out a bit. Store work - well, Christmas is 2 months and 3 days away. Which means a ton of freight in, most of it covered in glitter and with U.S. price labels affixed that have to be removed before it can go to the floor. FUN way to spend a Saturday/Sunday morning, I can tell you... thank heavens I'm not vain about my nails like some of the girls! And store classes are going pretty well, wrapping up Socktoberfest tomorrow night and then November will be "Knitting Circle/Project Help" which I don't have to prepare anything for, just show up and knit and chat and help. That'll be fun. And this week is the last week of my school board class for the Fall - then I'm on hiatus until February, when I will be teaching 2 classes for them on Mon/Wed nights. Probably a good thing, because in February I tend to want to just crawl into fuzzy PJs and hide until April, and this will get me out and being social in the evenings.
Home - yes, I do TOO have a home life! Moush (our older cat) had to go to the kitty hospital last week, she's 15 years old and (was) full of crap. Digestive issues of the blocking kind. She's home and better now, got some better-quality kitty food (both the girls are loving the new food) and has had a personality transformation! Before, she was totally anti-social, and particularly did not like me one little bit. If our house were a street she'd jaywalk to get away from me, you know? Now, believe it or not, she's sleeping ON ME at night, or between Peter and I. Bizarre. I think it's because he took her to the vet and therefore is on her s**t list, whereas I did not and am hence the good one, at least for now. Squeeky is fine, out prowling and howling at night having a fine time with her harem of boyfriends. She's fixed, so it's just for fun. Bad kitty! :) She comes in at breakfast, naps all day, goes out after dinner. I swear, we've got a teenager on our hands, in kitty years.
Oh, and my hubby... yes, I still have him too. :D
However... well, things are going through a transitional period right now. (WE ARE FINE, this is not a relationship issue!!!) Peter's changed careers, closed his business and is now going to be driving long-haul transport truck. Which is great, the pay is amazingly good and it's work he's really enthusiastic about (what little boy doesn't want to be a truck driver, right?). But - there's a but, yes. This week he's on training so out of town until Friday. No problem, he'll be home on the weekend. Next week, though, he starts his three-month "break-in" period, where he will be on the road for two weeks at a stretch and then home for three days, then gone again. This rotation goes for three months, then he gets a regular route and shorter trip lengths.
I feel weird about it, to be honest. One, the money is GOOD, and we need it. Realistically after Christmas the Michaels' hours will fall off again and it will be nice not to be pinching pennies for a change. Two, we're both pretty independent and it's not like I will fall apart with him away. I will eat, the cats will eat, the house will be cleaned, the bills paid, etc. Knitting will be done, I can play Warcraft and blog and Ravelry and whatever. I'm also not a fraidy-cat about weird noises in the night or anything, and I do have some good friends and neighbours close at hand. BUT - (there's my but again!) I will miss him. Terribly, in fact - I know this because I miss him now and it's his first night away. However, we have phone and email and this is a TEMPORARY situation. And there's that little voice that says "Hey, he's not in the Forces or anything, he'll be home often, don't worry, it'll be fine." In fact I'm much better off than my sister, who only sees her hubby 2-3 times a YEAR, for a week or maybe two. (Of course, my hubby is better than hers, but that's a long story we won't get into).
So, we live, and we adjust, and we carry on. And if, after three months, we really HATE the long haul, he can always drive local for less money but more home time. And we can adjust to that too. Believe me, we as a couple are nothing if not adaptable. Hell, we dated for 5 1/2 years before moving in together, and for most of that time we only saw each other on weekends. Then when his mom got sick he was at her house more than ours. Then she died, and I finally got him to myself, but we've both been working such crazy hours to pay the bills sometimes we only see each other to fall into bed and sleep. So really, we can hack this.
And wow, was that a lengthy blargh of blogging! So now you're caught up. Miss me?
Oct 1, 2007
Working from home...
So in my gimpiness, and with the marvels of technology at my fingertips, I spent my first day working from home. Got some stuff done. Not quite as productive as I'd hoped but it's still better than letting things pile up for a week while I veg on the couch, yes? (ok, no, but it's better for the company).
I did get some knitting done during my morning and afternoon "elevate and ice the leg" sessions. I will probably finish N8an and Dan's afghan this week - woohoo!
However, my back is shot and my eyes are developing little floaters from being at the computer all day. Blargh. Time for a movie - Chicago, maybe, I'm in a Queen Latifah mood - and some KD easymac with pizza sauce, then a hot bath and bed.
I so want chocolate. We have none in the house - like, NONE, except ice cream which I can't eat. I want a double-tall-hazelnut-soy-no-whip-mocha. And an espresso brownie. *sigh* And I will have to wait until tomorrow because I'm not allowed out today. *pout* Argh. Dinner. Yes, dinner. And I'm not even unloading the dishwasher, either! HA!
I did get some knitting done during my morning and afternoon "elevate and ice the leg" sessions. I will probably finish N8an and Dan's afghan this week - woohoo!
However, my back is shot and my eyes are developing little floaters from being at the computer all day. Blargh. Time for a movie - Chicago, maybe, I'm in a Queen Latifah mood - and some KD easymac with pizza sauce, then a hot bath and bed.
I so want chocolate. We have none in the house - like, NONE, except ice cream which I can't eat. I want a double-tall-hazelnut-soy-no-whip-mocha. And an espresso brownie. *sigh* And I will have to wait until tomorrow because I'm not allowed out today. *pout* Argh. Dinner. Yes, dinner. And I'm not even unloading the dishwasher, either! HA!
Sep 27, 2007
Return of the gimp
So it was around this time last year that I pulled my ACL (MCL? I can't remember) and was gimping about with a cane for a few weeks. This year I went for an upgrade - full crutches! See, Tuesday evening I was heading out to teach my knitting class, and had loaded all my gear in the car and had just locked the front door. I turned, put my right foot down - through the porch floor. Up to mid-thigh. And fell on my face (well, belly actually, no damage to the face!)
Then - I hollered. I may have hollered on the way down, but I know I definitely screamed HELP HELP HELP MEEEE! HELP ME I NEED HELP AT # XX! For about 10 minutes. No one came. So I pulled myself out of the hole in the porch (wrenching and scraping as I went), dragged myself down to the car (where my cellphone and everything was already, and the door open), and drove to the hospital, calling (1) the store, (2) my husband, (3) my Yumi, and (4) my parents as I came to stoplights.
Hospital emergency parking - park the car. By this point I can hardly move the leg, but nothing went SNAP! so I'm pretty sure it's not broken. Got out of the car. Nearly fell down, held on to the car and the adjacent car and started dragging towards the door. Nice policeman sitting in his car directly across asks me if I need help. (um, duh?) He gets me a guy with a wheelchair, guy (who's name is Gordon, and who I have to find out who he works for, he's a freaking angel) gets me into the wheelchair, into emergency, into the triage station, gets me a box of Kleenex and tells me - repeatedly - that I did the right thing, I'm in the right place, and I'm not an idiot. This helped much, because I was pretty much hysterical by this point.
Nice triage nurse checks the leg out (I was wearing a long skirt, so easy to look), takes my BP/temp and asks me to rate my pain out of 10. 10 is the worst pain imaginable. I'm feeling eight-ish. She gets me Percoset and something else, which I take, and then I get wheeled down to Urgent Care. And I sit. And I wheel over to the payphone (fifty cents for a freakin' pay phone call now!), and call my mommy, who is enroute, and call back my Yumi, who does not now need to be enroute because Mommy and Daddy are coming (see, someone was going to have to take my car back home for me - smart, yes?)
And I talk to the nice lady waiting at Urgent Care, and I try to read my book because I'm too stoned off the Percoset to knit. (DAMMIT!) And I feel sleepy, and I read, and then Mom and Dad are there, then I go get checked (nice nurse D'arcy looks after me), and then I go for x-rays (nice x-ray lady Diana), and then I come back and Doctor (what's her name? dunno) says nothing's broken but no weight for 72 hours and go see my family doctor on Thursday. And by then Peter is there but by the time we get home we've missed House. Damn.
Yesterday I did basically nothing. Go pee, ice the knee, take the pills and sit and try to knit. It takes 10 minutes to get from the recliner in the living room to the bathroom and back. Today (it's Thursday now) Peter drops me at the folks' for the day and Mom takes me to the doctor. Congratulations! It's not the knee, the knee is (surprisingly) ok. But Surprise! I have a torn hamstring. TORN. Yeah, that would explain the searing pain every time I sit down. No going in to work until after Thanksgiving. No driving. Start physio tomorrow.
So tomorrow (and next week), Peter will drop me at mom & dad's on the way to work, I will somehow get into the corporate network from their place (tomorrow morning I talk to the IT guys) to get work done, I will go for physio in the afternoons and in the evening I will sleep. And I will get better, and it could have been much much worse.
So, how's your week going?
Then - I hollered. I may have hollered on the way down, but I know I definitely screamed HELP HELP HELP MEEEE! HELP ME I NEED HELP AT # XX! For about 10 minutes. No one came. So I pulled myself out of the hole in the porch (wrenching and scraping as I went), dragged myself down to the car (where my cellphone and everything was already, and the door open), and drove to the hospital, calling (1) the store, (2) my husband, (3) my Yumi, and (4) my parents as I came to stoplights.
Hospital emergency parking - park the car. By this point I can hardly move the leg, but nothing went SNAP! so I'm pretty sure it's not broken. Got out of the car. Nearly fell down, held on to the car and the adjacent car and started dragging towards the door. Nice policeman sitting in his car directly across asks me if I need help. (um, duh?) He gets me a guy with a wheelchair, guy (who's name is Gordon, and who I have to find out who he works for, he's a freaking angel) gets me into the wheelchair, into emergency, into the triage station, gets me a box of Kleenex and tells me - repeatedly - that I did the right thing, I'm in the right place, and I'm not an idiot. This helped much, because I was pretty much hysterical by this point.
Nice triage nurse checks the leg out (I was wearing a long skirt, so easy to look), takes my BP/temp and asks me to rate my pain out of 10. 10 is the worst pain imaginable. I'm feeling eight-ish. She gets me Percoset and something else, which I take, and then I get wheeled down to Urgent Care. And I sit. And I wheel over to the payphone (fifty cents for a freakin' pay phone call now!), and call my mommy, who is enroute, and call back my Yumi, who does not now need to be enroute because Mommy and Daddy are coming (see, someone was going to have to take my car back home for me - smart, yes?)
And I talk to the nice lady waiting at Urgent Care, and I try to read my book because I'm too stoned off the Percoset to knit. (DAMMIT!) And I feel sleepy, and I read, and then Mom and Dad are there, then I go get checked (nice nurse D'arcy looks after me), and then I go for x-rays (nice x-ray lady Diana), and then I come back and Doctor (what's her name? dunno) says nothing's broken but no weight for 72 hours and go see my family doctor on Thursday. And by then Peter is there but by the time we get home we've missed House. Damn.
Yesterday I did basically nothing. Go pee, ice the knee, take the pills and sit and try to knit. It takes 10 minutes to get from the recliner in the living room to the bathroom and back. Today (it's Thursday now) Peter drops me at the folks' for the day and Mom takes me to the doctor. Congratulations! It's not the knee, the knee is (surprisingly) ok. But Surprise! I have a torn hamstring. TORN. Yeah, that would explain the searing pain every time I sit down. No going in to work until after Thanksgiving. No driving. Start physio tomorrow.
So tomorrow (and next week), Peter will drop me at mom & dad's on the way to work, I will somehow get into the corporate network from their place (tomorrow morning I talk to the IT guys) to get work done, I will go for physio in the afternoons and in the evening I will sleep. And I will get better, and it could have been much much worse.
So, how's your week going?
Sep 24, 2007
Mmmmonday!
I just ate a really sticky cinnamon roll with a lovely cup of ginger tea, I feel fabulous. :) And so, a happy post! (but no pictures, my camera has gone into hiding, dammit!)
Things are going to start getting busy(busier) around here for me as I kick off my five-week learn to knit class with the school board on Wednesday night. Store classes are still going strong, with next month being SOCKTOBERFEST! (Yeah, it's cheesy. Tough!) I even got a compliment from our district manager recently on how well the knitting classes / yarn sales have been lately. Yay me! Seriously thinking about launching a class schedule / student help site for my class people, but I want to make sure I've got the time to update it before I get it out in the world. In the meantime they can email me, or phone when I'm home, it's all good!
I have been knitting, and even finished some stuff. The Rosewood socks are done, but I can't post a picture because one of the pair is hanging in my Socktoberfest display at the store. The 2nd of the Wedgewood socks is nearly done also, just need to do the toe decreases and Kitchener it off.
Got the back and front of my "silk" sweater done and shoulders joined, and I picked up for the first sleeve but it's supposed to have 79 picked up stitches and I only had 51. Oops. Knit bravely on until I could actually see if the thing would go around my upper arm - no dice. Rrrip! Thinking about picking up the 51 and then doing a whack of increases on the first row to get the number right... either it will work brilliantly or look like crap and I'll rip it out again. Either way I'm going to try it because I really don't fancy redoing the back and front to make the armholes deeper... they're deep enough when there are no sleeves attached so stands to reason they should be correct with sleeves - we shall see. It's in timeout until next weekend.
What else? Ah yes, started knitting up the lovely handspun that Kraftie sent me for SP10 - it's deliciously sproingy and the colours are striping up in nice muted tones. I'm making it into a simple triangle shawl on 6mm needles, which is a loose but not floppy gauge with this yarn. Going more for warmth than size - a shawl'ette, I guess. May be gifted, may be kept, I haven't decided yet. Still lots of UFOs in the bin, working slowly through the pile. I'm trying to reduce stress (who isn't right?) so I'm not pressuring myself about WIPs and finishing anymore. They won't go bad.
Well, I must go prep my student packages for Wednesday and get samples and things together... so excited for this class, I get these nice folks for five whole weeks!
Have a lovely rest of the week!
Things are going to start getting busy(busier) around here for me as I kick off my five-week learn to knit class with the school board on Wednesday night. Store classes are still going strong, with next month being SOCKTOBERFEST! (Yeah, it's cheesy. Tough!) I even got a compliment from our district manager recently on how well the knitting classes / yarn sales have been lately. Yay me! Seriously thinking about launching a class schedule / student help site for my class people, but I want to make sure I've got the time to update it before I get it out in the world. In the meantime they can email me, or phone when I'm home, it's all good!
I have been knitting, and even finished some stuff. The Rosewood socks are done, but I can't post a picture because one of the pair is hanging in my Socktoberfest display at the store. The 2nd of the Wedgewood socks is nearly done also, just need to do the toe decreases and Kitchener it off.
Got the back and front of my "silk" sweater done and shoulders joined, and I picked up for the first sleeve but it's supposed to have 79 picked up stitches and I only had 51. Oops. Knit bravely on until I could actually see if the thing would go around my upper arm - no dice. Rrrip! Thinking about picking up the 51 and then doing a whack of increases on the first row to get the number right... either it will work brilliantly or look like crap and I'll rip it out again. Either way I'm going to try it because I really don't fancy redoing the back and front to make the armholes deeper... they're deep enough when there are no sleeves attached so stands to reason they should be correct with sleeves - we shall see. It's in timeout until next weekend.
What else? Ah yes, started knitting up the lovely handspun that Kraftie sent me for SP10 - it's deliciously sproingy and the colours are striping up in nice muted tones. I'm making it into a simple triangle shawl on 6mm needles, which is a loose but not floppy gauge with this yarn. Going more for warmth than size - a shawl'ette, I guess. May be gifted, may be kept, I haven't decided yet. Still lots of UFOs in the bin, working slowly through the pile. I'm trying to reduce stress (who isn't right?) so I'm not pressuring myself about WIPs and finishing anymore. They won't go bad.
Well, I must go prep my student packages for Wednesday and get samples and things together... so excited for this class, I get these nice folks for five whole weeks!
Have a lovely rest of the week!
Sep 21, 2007
Meme-time Friday!
Picked this one up from Yumi...
1. Do you have a tattoo? Five of them.
2. How old are you? 36.
3. Are you single or taken? Taken happily (and often, heh he he...)
4. Eat with your hands or utensils? Depends on the food...
5. Do you dream at night? Vividly and weirdly.
6. Ever seen a corpse? Yup.
7. George Strait or Jay Z? George Strait.
8. How did we meet? Either at the GLBTC or a party... I don't actually remember *blush*
9. What's your philosophy on life and death? Life - I'm for it. Death - not so much.
10. If you could do anything with me, and have no one know, what would it be? If I told here, they would know! Nothing illegal. Probably a trip somewhere.
11. Do you trust the police? Yes.
12. Do you like Country music? Yes!
13. What is your fondest memory of me? Probably in the early days of you and Mr. B., when you stayed over at the house for the first time and were in our living room in PJs on a Saturday morning.
14. If you could change anything about yourself what would it be? Give up my automatic guilt reflex.
15. Would you cheat? On hubby - never. On taxes - maybe. On tests - used to, not anymore.
16. What do you wear to sleep? PJ pants and t-shirt, fleece PJs in winter.
17. Have you ever peed in a pool? As a child, probably.
18. Would you hide evidence for me if I asked you to? Yes, but not in my bodily cavities.
19. If I only had one day to live, what would we do together? Breakfast of homemade everything, and no dishes to wash. Early morning walk through the Market. Lunch somewhere expensive, dressed to the nines. Afternoon drive to the Hershey's factory. Pizza dinner on the couch with a classic movie. Crowd show, drinks and dancing until wee small hours. After-bar breakfast at Elgin Street Diner. No tears.
20. Which do you prefer - short or long hair? On me? Short. On you? Hell, anything works on you, you've got good hair.
21. Do you sing in the shower? At home, not at the gym.
22. What's your favorite color? Blue, especially watery-oceany blues.
23. If you could bring back anyone that has passed, who would it be? Grampie Thurber. I think I missed out on knowing him, I'd have a lot more to talk about with him now.
24. Tell me one interesting/odd fact about you? I am obsessively organized at work and the exact opposite at home. And I'm occasionally afraid of the dark.
25. What was your first impression of me? Damn. I wish I could wear my hair in braids like that - it's beyond cute.
26. Have you ever done drugs? Yes.
27. Will you post this so I can fill it out for you? Yup!
And now, back to my Excel Intermediate course. Yay.
1. Do you have a tattoo? Five of them.
2. How old are you? 36.
3. Are you single or taken? Taken happily (and often, heh he he...)
4. Eat with your hands or utensils? Depends on the food...
5. Do you dream at night? Vividly and weirdly.
6. Ever seen a corpse? Yup.
7. George Strait or Jay Z? George Strait.
8. How did we meet? Either at the GLBTC or a party... I don't actually remember *blush*
9. What's your philosophy on life and death? Life - I'm for it. Death - not so much.
10. If you could do anything with me, and have no one know, what would it be? If I told here, they would know! Nothing illegal. Probably a trip somewhere.
11. Do you trust the police? Yes.
12. Do you like Country music? Yes!
13. What is your fondest memory of me? Probably in the early days of you and Mr. B., when you stayed over at the house for the first time and were in our living room in PJs on a Saturday morning.
14. If you could change anything about yourself what would it be? Give up my automatic guilt reflex.
15. Would you cheat? On hubby - never. On taxes - maybe. On tests - used to, not anymore.
16. What do you wear to sleep? PJ pants and t-shirt, fleece PJs in winter.
17. Have you ever peed in a pool? As a child, probably.
18. Would you hide evidence for me if I asked you to? Yes, but not in my bodily cavities.
19. If I only had one day to live, what would we do together? Breakfast of homemade everything, and no dishes to wash. Early morning walk through the Market. Lunch somewhere expensive, dressed to the nines. Afternoon drive to the Hershey's factory. Pizza dinner on the couch with a classic movie. Crowd show, drinks and dancing until wee small hours. After-bar breakfast at Elgin Street Diner. No tears.
20. Which do you prefer - short or long hair? On me? Short. On you? Hell, anything works on you, you've got good hair.
21. Do you sing in the shower? At home, not at the gym.
22. What's your favorite color? Blue, especially watery-oceany blues.
23. If you could bring back anyone that has passed, who would it be? Grampie Thurber. I think I missed out on knowing him, I'd have a lot more to talk about with him now.
24. Tell me one interesting/odd fact about you? I am obsessively organized at work and the exact opposite at home. And I'm occasionally afraid of the dark.
25. What was your first impression of me? Damn. I wish I could wear my hair in braids like that - it's beyond cute.
26. Have you ever done drugs? Yes.
27. Will you post this so I can fill it out for you? Yup!
And now, back to my Excel Intermediate course. Yay.
Sep 20, 2007
And we carry on...
So it's Thursday night, and life has continued / is continuing to be ... life. After that incredibly harsh start, the week has actually shaped up to be not too overwhelmingly evil. I did (a bit) of knitting. I read one really terrific book (No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency - I know I'm late to the bandwagon, but DAMN that's a great book!), and started another (The Great Gatsby - yup, I'm 36 and never read it. It's a boring plot but incredibly well-written so I don't care it's a boring plot). I've cooked some meals, done lots of work, watched some hockey, played some WoW, and even paid (most of) the bills. Of course, I got kicked by an IBS attack this evening but nothing I can't handle. Tea and a bagel is a perfectly acceptable dinner.
Tomorrow will be a Good Day! I'm going in to the office ungodly early to get my day's work cleared off in an hour and a half before I traipse off to Excel-2000-Intermediate training for the day. Woot! School day! And me with a half-knit sock, woohoo! And then, and then - BLISS - I'm spending the evening with Yumi. Yumi is like the original Coca-Cola of friends - life is better with Yumi (also mildly addictive... ok, that needs a side note).
Side Note: Coca-Cola is made in part from coca leaves. Nowadays they extract the cocaine part and just keep the flavouring. For more information on this and other neat ethno-botanical stuff, read "One River" by Wade Davis. It's cool.
And then it will be the weekend, with all that entails. And we carry on.
Tomorrow will be a Good Day! I'm going in to the office ungodly early to get my day's work cleared off in an hour and a half before I traipse off to Excel-2000-Intermediate training for the day. Woot! School day! And me with a half-knit sock, woohoo! And then, and then - BLISS - I'm spending the evening with Yumi. Yumi is like the original Coca-Cola of friends - life is better with Yumi (also mildly addictive... ok, that needs a side note).
Side Note: Coca-Cola is made in part from coca leaves. Nowadays they extract the cocaine part and just keep the flavouring. For more information on this and other neat ethno-botanical stuff, read "One River" by Wade Davis. It's cool.
And then it will be the weekend, with all that entails. And we carry on.
Sep 16, 2007
Last words...
"That was some good steak," she said, and went into her room. 15 minutes later her heart stopped. The paramedics came and then neighbours drifted over to gather on the lawn, to offer support to the family and each other. We needed sweaters; we wore sandals. Tomorrow I will walk the dog while her brother and sister-in-law go do the things that have to be done. I'll make a casserole; that's what we do. That was some good steak, she said.
Damn. When did I get competent at dealing with death? We lost a neighbour - more, a friend. Nine months ago we were the bereaved, now we are the support system, but still bereaved. I keep thinking, at 36, I'm too young to be at this stage of life, where people die. But the truth is that they die all the time. They're just dying closer, it seems.
I will, in all likelihood, knit a shawl, as much for my own comfort as for theirs. But it's what we do.
Damn. When did I get competent at dealing with death? We lost a neighbour - more, a friend. Nine months ago we were the bereaved, now we are the support system, but still bereaved. I keep thinking, at 36, I'm too young to be at this stage of life, where people die. But the truth is that they die all the time. They're just dying closer, it seems.
I will, in all likelihood, knit a shawl, as much for my own comfort as for theirs. But it's what we do.
Sep 11, 2007
I'm still here...
Vacation was swift and now I'm back to work and work and work... ah well, it was fun while it lasted! I did finish two pair of socks and got the back and front of my sweater done, but the sleeves require picking up stitches at the armholes so that will have to wait for the weekend. Loads of teaching coming up, I have a class at Michaels the next three weeks for sure and then I'm starting the Wednesday night evening class through the school board on the 26 - eeks, that's two weeks from tomorrow! I need to plan and prepare. I also need to eat dinner.
Bye for now!
Bye for now!
Aug 31, 2007
Vacation Time!
As of 1:00 this afternoon, I'm on vacation from my day job until September 10. WOOHOO! I'm still working Sat/Sun days at the store but that doesn't really feel like "work" at this time of year, besides it's stress free, so all good.
I have many plans for things I want to do, a few things scheduled, but I'm also going to keep a fair chunk of time for just plain RELAXING. Mmm. Naps, movies, books, naps...
And to kick it off, I got a new haircut. Pixie me, baby! Maybe I'll get Peter to take a picture of it over the weekend. It's short and easy and I love it.
And now, it's time for Friday night gaming. Think I'll take my Night Elf hunter out for a run, see if I can get him up to the teens.
Knit stuff and other things later. VACATION!
I have many plans for things I want to do, a few things scheduled, but I'm also going to keep a fair chunk of time for just plain RELAXING. Mmm. Naps, movies, books, naps...
And to kick it off, I got a new haircut. Pixie me, baby! Maybe I'll get Peter to take a picture of it over the weekend. It's short and easy and I love it.
And now, it's time for Friday night gaming. Think I'll take my Night Elf hunter out for a run, see if I can get him up to the teens.
Knit stuff and other things later. VACATION!
Aug 20, 2007
A wee post - an idea!
Hello, it's Monday, and I'm feeling finish-y. I've started a separate blog for this because it's not just knitting (I know, this isn't just knitting either) and I want to try a "group blog" like I've seen around.
Interested? Go check out http://fif-2007.blogspot.com/
And, spread the word! Share and enjoy, if we all encourage each other there's nothing we can't accomplish!
Interested? Go check out http://fif-2007.blogspot.com/
And, spread the word! Share and enjoy, if we all encourage each other there's nothing we can't accomplish!
Aug 16, 2007
He Knits!
So tonight, finally, we got around to Peter's knitting lesson. In five minutes he got the long-tail cast on. In five minutes more he was knitting WITHOUT LOOKING. And five minutes more (with a bit of confusion), he could purl.
Dang, my man's a Knatural Knitter. I am beyond impressed. However, he does not want to finish for himself all the half-pairs of socks I've started for him... I don't know why. ;D
Dang, my man's a Knatural Knitter. I am beyond impressed. However, he does not want to finish for himself all the half-pairs of socks I've started for him... I don't know why. ;D
Aug 12, 2007
Pictures! We have pictures!
They're not knitting pictures, they're cakes, but hey, at least it's something visual (that's not too abysmal...) heh heh.
First up, the Rubber Ducky cake. I made this last weekend for the Masonic Lodge Peter is a member of; they were having a duck race to raise money for the Heart and Stroke Foundation and we raffled off this cake as an extra fundraiser.
Amazingly, we raised $70 from a fairly small crowd of people for this cute little guy! Next year I'll make 2. :)
Then yesterday, our favourite hang-out buddies came over for dinner and a movie, so I whipped up a quick "Happy Saturday" cake for dessert.
Devil's food cake, Shrek-green icing and a big yellow smiley (recognize the yellow? it's leftover duck feathers). Happy yummy.
And now that I've finished my Sunday morning procrastinating, I have to go to work (store work, which is also happy). Have a lovely day everyone!
First up, the Rubber Ducky cake. I made this last weekend for the Masonic Lodge Peter is a member of; they were having a duck race to raise money for the Heart and Stroke Foundation and we raffled off this cake as an extra fundraiser.
Amazingly, we raised $70 from a fairly small crowd of people for this cute little guy! Next year I'll make 2. :)
Then yesterday, our favourite hang-out buddies came over for dinner and a movie, so I whipped up a quick "Happy Saturday" cake for dessert.
Devil's food cake, Shrek-green icing and a big yellow smiley (recognize the yellow? it's leftover duck feathers). Happy yummy.
And now that I've finished my Sunday morning procrastinating, I have to go to work (store work, which is also happy). Have a lovely day everyone!
Aug 11, 2007
Attitude adjustment
Ok, so this week at work sucked. As did last week, and the week before, and pretty near every week since the middle of June. HOWEVER - work is not my whole life, and there are many good things in my life now, so I will (at least until Monday morning) "stay on the happy side", as the song says, and focus on the positive. Our garden is flourishing. I have been knitting socks and am within an hour or two of finishing a pair (finally - I've been orphaning the poor things left and right). Peter and I are having loads of quality "together" time, playing WoW and watching movies and generally just hanging out (the advantage of being brain-dead after work, it allows for hang-out time).
Today we are doing some minimal chores, having two of our favourite people over for BBQ and firepit relaxation this evening, and yeah, hanging out. Tomorrow I'm working at the store from 9-3 and I'm actually greatly looking forward to it, because I like the morning shifts and I feel really productive in that environment (stark contrast to the world of hell at my office for the last two months). Then tomorrow evening, quiet Sunday night hangout with my hubby, which is also going to be (if all goes according to plan) his first knitting lesson! I'm excited. My hubby with knitting. Ah, life is good.
Today we are doing some minimal chores, having two of our favourite people over for BBQ and firepit relaxation this evening, and yeah, hanging out. Tomorrow I'm working at the store from 9-3 and I'm actually greatly looking forward to it, because I like the morning shifts and I feel really productive in that environment (stark contrast to the world of hell at my office for the last two months). Then tomorrow evening, quiet Sunday night hangout with my hubby, which is also going to be (if all goes according to plan) his first knitting lesson! I'm excited. My hubby with knitting. Ah, life is good.
Aug 7, 2007
Someone buy me a lotto ticket...
...'cuz I'm broke and I hate my job.
That's pretty much it for today.
That's pretty much it for today.
Aug 4, 2007
My 2nd Knitaversary
Actually, it's around midafternoon today but we're off doing Duck Race prep with the Masons today so I'll post now. Two years ago, on the August long weekend (forever known in my heart as Natal Day Weekend, for Halifax/Dartmouth Natal Day), I taught myself to knit. And since then, what a long strange trip it's been (thank you, Jerry Garcia!).
Peter and I had planned this getaway on pretty short notice and ended up booking a totally secluded cabin in the woods on Manitoulin Island. As I recall, we were supposed to be visiting some acquaintances of his over at the big Wiki pow-wow that weekend. However, it rained. A lot. So we spent a big chunk of the weekend in the secluded cabin, him reading and napping and me teaching myself to knit. And I knit a wee Red Heart acrylic potholder, and left it in the cabin, and started a scarf on the way home. And I've been knitting pretty near every day ever since, and it's a part of my life that makes me feel whole, and creative, and relaxed (mostly), and industrious, because it makes my leisure time productive. I can make pretty things, and practical things, and odd things, with the two-sticks-and-string (ok, sometimes four sticks) that have endless possibilities.
The best part is that nearly every time I pick up my knitting, a wee bit of my mind/heart/soul is transported back to that secluded cabin, just me and my man and no "civilization". I ache for it at times. We will go back one day soon. But for now, I've got my knitting.
In honour of today's Knitaversary, I will start a new project. I will start a pair of socks in yarn I purchased from Marian of Freshisle Fibers, on Manitoulin Island. (Yes, I bought it online through the mail but it still counts, dammit.) Marian and I correspond sometimes and check in on each other's blogs here and there, and I count her as an important Net-friend. She's sweet and creative and we share a lot of the same fixations (although I have not yet knit Horcrux socks, I did do all 4 house scarves!). And of course, she supplies me with a tangible link back to Manitoulin, one I can hold in my hands and smell and squish and make lovely things of. And in my mind, for a little while today, I will be back on the Island.
Happy Natal Day Weekend everyone!
Edit: 8:54 p.m. What a busy day! Knit half a sock in Marian's "Lilacs" colourway, helped tag rubber ducks for an hour or so, ran errands with Peter, decorated two more cakes, watched a movie, finished a book, and got my Dwarf Paladin up to level 20 on WoW (he was 19 before, but I got gakked several times trying to finish one quest...) Now, book and bed. Tomorrow is race day and housecleaning day.
Peter and I had planned this getaway on pretty short notice and ended up booking a totally secluded cabin in the woods on Manitoulin Island. As I recall, we were supposed to be visiting some acquaintances of his over at the big Wiki pow-wow that weekend. However, it rained. A lot. So we spent a big chunk of the weekend in the secluded cabin, him reading and napping and me teaching myself to knit. And I knit a wee Red Heart acrylic potholder, and left it in the cabin, and started a scarf on the way home. And I've been knitting pretty near every day ever since, and it's a part of my life that makes me feel whole, and creative, and relaxed (mostly), and industrious, because it makes my leisure time productive. I can make pretty things, and practical things, and odd things, with the two-sticks-and-string (ok, sometimes four sticks) that have endless possibilities.
The best part is that nearly every time I pick up my knitting, a wee bit of my mind/heart/soul is transported back to that secluded cabin, just me and my man and no "civilization". I ache for it at times. We will go back one day soon. But for now, I've got my knitting.
In honour of today's Knitaversary, I will start a new project. I will start a pair of socks in yarn I purchased from Marian of Freshisle Fibers, on Manitoulin Island. (Yes, I bought it online through the mail but it still counts, dammit.) Marian and I correspond sometimes and check in on each other's blogs here and there, and I count her as an important Net-friend. She's sweet and creative and we share a lot of the same fixations (although I have not yet knit Horcrux socks, I did do all 4 house scarves!). And of course, she supplies me with a tangible link back to Manitoulin, one I can hold in my hands and smell and squish and make lovely things of. And in my mind, for a little while today, I will be back on the Island.
Happy Natal Day Weekend everyone!
Edit: 8:54 p.m. What a busy day! Knit half a sock in Marian's "Lilacs" colourway, helped tag rubber ducks for an hour or so, ran errands with Peter, decorated two more cakes, watched a movie, finished a book, and got my Dwarf Paladin up to level 20 on WoW (he was 19 before, but I got gakked several times trying to finish one quest...) Now, book and bed. Tomorrow is race day and housecleaning day.
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