He's here!

Newman came home to us last night and is totally freaked by the whole situation. Its getting better though and he is lovely. He misses all his kitty peeps though and being in a house is a new experience...eeek furniture and people and loudness!

Pictures soon!

A hiccup in the plans

Newman can't come home this Friday after all due to needing some shots first for Feline Leukemia protection. This means he will be almost 6 months old when he can finally come home at the end of December after we get back from our Christmas trip, which was the original plan...but now its disappointing.

Health and well being come first though.

Meet Newman

For awhile now, something has been missing in my life. Something cuddly...soft..feline..

I have been without a fur baby. Monkey has been gone for over a year and that void has just not filled in at all. Miss Kitty and Flash are great cats, don't get me wrong. they are very furry and demanding but NEVER actually cuddly. They will lay on you or beside you but heaven help ya if you try to snuggle.

I met Marie Michele's maine Coon cats this past week and that episode, coupled with Jessie's getting her own fur baby of the Canine variety 3 weeks ago, set me to pining for my own hunka hunka furry love.

Now, being a family with bills and kids etc etc etc made the idea of a pure bred pet just silly and extravagant but after talking with Audrey and Teri Lynn about Rag Dolls I looked them up and lost my shit. These are the lovin'est cats there are and not teeny feather weights either. I started showing pictures and video to the Hman and he humoured me but told me to get real. This is where the plot thickens.

Yesterday that man contacted a Rag Doll breeder in the Eastern Townships wondering if she had any particularly coloured/marked ones available (blue lynx markings) with which he could shock and awe his beloved with come Xmas. Her reply, mistakenly sent to my email address where I then SAW it was in the affirmative. That was it for the surprise. Today we went to JoyMagic Ragdolls ( http://www.joymagicragdolls.com/index.html ) and met our 4 plus month old fur baby and all his relatives.

Meet Newman. He's named after the late Paul Newman of the electric blue sexy eyes. He comes home to us on Friday. I'm ...so...excited!!!!!!

Mildly Obsessive.

I have been thinking kittens since yeaterday. BIG kittens like Maine Coons or Rag Dolls. I know I know...I have 2 cats already why do I want more?

Thats a silly question. There are never too many cats. I was up to 4 kittehs before we moved here to the Qc and that move brought 3 here (Georgie got very very sick and had to be put down before the move). Then we lost Freckles. Got Monkey. Lost Monkey last year. I have had no kitteh luv in over a year. Miss Kitty and Flash are not luvverwuvvers. They are demanding in the "Give me my Greenies" and "Time to scratch my ears" department but don't even consider giving one a hug or snorgle. I wants a new fur baby. I'd have a hundred but Hman doesn't want to be known as The Cat Lady's Husband.

I had a dream this morning before the alarm went off. I was in a bed and pinning down the covers were TWO huge fluffy cats. One was brown tabby, long haired and up by my back but the one that was spawled along the backs of my legs kneading and purring up a storm was a silvery grey and white giant with blue blue eyes.

A big Rag Doll, now that I research. Possibly a Blue Lynx Rag Doll.

Wednesday

The knitting tedium continues with the sample swatch making. To make myself sit still and knit little squares or rectangles of truly luscious yarns, I have been listening to audio books. Right now Stephen King's Duma Key is rocking my audio book world. Its nice an LOOOONNNG too. The reader is excellent and delivers the humourous lines with a dead pan that makes them even funnier. The main character has a life altering accident with major head trauma that makes it hard for him to remember names and words. Some of his brain's substitutions make for some great nonsense phrasing "Sit on the buddy you dump birch!!" that are read with the emotion required which makes it even funnier. I think I may go to Hell for finding brain damage somewhat hilarious in this instance. The creepiness is just starting to warm up though.

I was a King fan way back when he wrote good stories. Carrie was my first foray and I think I was still in elementary school when I first read it. Then I think Cujo was next. The first half of IT scared me silly but the second half sucked. I remember finding King's cameo in the movie version of Sleepwalkers as ridiculously funny. Misery was and excellent read as was Delores Clayborn. There are more I thoroughly enjoyed but I can't remember.
The man has HUGE comedic talent mixed in with the creepy and I sincerely enjoy it. Some of his later books have been kinda dull for me and I stopped reading him. Duma Key so far has me rivetted and was recommended by my friend Geeta. Thats the only reason why I picked it up at the library.

Today in knitting ,though, I am setting the samples aside to finish Cameron's flip topped Instant Mittens. Its cold up here! Its not going to climb above 0 Celcius this week and my baby's hands need cozies. Once the mitts are done I can finish up the 3 remaining samples for Saturday. then I'm free to continue the Xmas knits. I got a great blue Lett Lopi (itchy itchy but warm) for the blue Instant Mitts and I finally have a turquoise for the last pair. Also gotta finish Dad's mittens. Make a hat or two and I am thinking of a couple last minute knit toys for babies.

Gonna need more audiobooks....

Maybe its YOU

Because this quiz says I'M NORMAL dammit!

You Are 60% Normal

Otherwise known as the normal amount of normal You're like most people most of the time But you've got those quirks that make you endearing You're unique, yes... but not frighteningly so!

How Normal Are You?

Nov 14

I am so lazy today. After the kids went to school I went back to bed until after 11. Aaaahhh it was good. So far no walking or house work or anything. I am a lazy ass and I will not feel guilty. Much. Ok I feel guilty. BUT in my favour? Hman took a day to work at home, getting the tires put on my car for winter (plus a new tie rod...doh!) and now has gone to the movies to commune with his inner Bond...James Bond.

Cameron will be sleeping over at his buddy's house tonight. Its so weird that they are at that age of sleep overs, Cameron more so than Benoit. Ben has school friends and his social skills are getting better, but that hasn't directly translated to regular socialising outside of school. He has asked a couple of buddies over this weekend to play but so far one can't due to family obligations and we aren't sure about the other. I hope he can because it will make Ben so happy. We got a brochure for secondary schools from school and thats kinda freaking me out too. 2010 will see Ben enter Secondary One (7th grade) and attend a new school. Here, unlike anywhere else I have lived, a family is given choices of what school to send their kids to rather than just going to the one for that district. there are schools with intensive programs based on sports or the arts. In these programs the students cram a school years worth of curriculum into a shorter time span and then the rest of the school time is devoted to the specialty of the program such as music, skiing, hockey, football, or what have you. It takes a hard working student to succeed in these programs and to handle to pressure of the school work and also the elementary school has to recomment the student is up to it or not. I don't think we will be looking into any of these with Ben's difficulties. I have one I am most interested in seeing Ben attend but its not just up to us.

Tonight I will be going to Effiloche. I've been knitting yarn sample swatches for various luxury yarns in the shop. So far I think my favorite has been a merino silk blend by Mirasol. Got gauge with no problem and it whipped up super quick on 4 mm needles. I have 3 swatches finished and I think in all it took 3 1/2 to 4 hours. The Rowan yarn took longest because its tiny and I didn't get gauge and had to start over with larger needles. Bleah. Nice yarn but TOO TINY for me.
Anyways...look how dull we are today! Boring boring boring. ;oP

Thursday

Yesterday I weighed in at 207.8 lbs. I have walked 4 times this week, every day but Tuesday because I was at work for 9 1/2 hours ON MY FEET. Fuggedaboudit.
I have been strong. Hear me roar.

No witty title ideas today

My brain has no wittiness this morning. I'm sorry. :oD
Yesterday I worked from 10 til 7:30 which meant I didn't get home for supper until after 8 pm so this also means that there was nightime eating. I will not feel guilty because I was super good all day.
Today I will endeavor to drag my tired bones out on a walk. Being on ones feet for the majority of 9 hours is hard on the hips and legs with this weight. I am wondering whether to take Blossom or not after Monday's scare. I seriously thought she was strokin' out on us! I have been dosing her with 100 mgs of ibuprofen at bed time as well as a glucosamine+ chondroiton supplement. She has the G+C in her seniors dog food but some more can't hurt. The ibuprofen at night is REALLY helping though. She is sleeping much better (less pacing and shifting abrubtly due to sudden pains(we think)). I slept on the sofa part of the night and I swear she barely moved and this morning she was so frisky trotting around and NO stairs trouble!!! Yay Blossom!! Maybe a 40 minute walk would be pushing it? She really likes it though and its good for both of us.

Dad's Thrummed Mittens: I am on mitten number two though #1 is still thumbless. I like to do the thumbs after the pair is made.

I have to set aside the xmas knits though because the shop needs sample swatches for several yarns. Great work if you can get it. Baby Suri alpaca and silk anyone? Laceweight 50/50 merino and tussah? Noro? Manos Del Uruguay? Rowan? Misti? hee hee I will squeeze as much in as I can between laundry etc. My house has exploded into grossness once again. How does this happen?? I mopped on Friday...you would NEVER know that floor had been mopped this month let alone this week. The ousides of my windows are dingy as can be and I really want them cleaned before snow sets in. Trouble is, I can't reach them!!! Oh well.

My weekend Saturday shifts may be starting on the 22nd for the Christmas yarn rush. Yes, there is such a thing.

Fun Stuff: The house we are renting for Xmas vacation has a hot tub. What does it say about me that when I hear "hot tub" I like to do a James Brown scream and ask if will "make me sweateh" and "rub a dub in da hot tub"? Thank you Eddie Murphy from the depths of my soul for this enduring image (20 years??). For a few short days I get to host my own Celebrity Hot Tub Party.

One week

I weighed in last week and started again. This week I weighed in again. 209.6!
I walked yesterday and today and will attempt to do so daily. Seems to be too much for Blossom though. Poor ol' girl. Today she had an adverse reaction after we got back. Her hindquarters have never been quite right since she was spayed when we got her from the shelter and today they REALLY acted up...shaking, collapsing, and she was staggering drunkenly and falling over. This was AFTER the walk not during. I am keeping an eye on her now and watching for improvement. If none, then its off to the vet we go.

Monday Monday and the joy of Pigs

Its is the morning and I have had my first cup. So. Good. Today. Isn't it funny how some days you can be all "meh" about your morning joe and other days its "oh sweetly bitter nectar of the Gods revive me now I love you so". Maybe its just me.

I don't know why but lately I have been pining for the country. As in rural life not pining for MY country even though we are governed by an android.

Yes I have missed living on the land but more so lately. Don't get me wrong...the 'burbs are grand for those that love them but I don't so much and feel like I am just putting in time until I am back in the dirt fo' reals.

I already know that I will have a pig. Debating the breed of the sow ( Probably Hampshire or Berkshire) but she will not be for the freezer as other pigs have been. She will be for producing pigs for the freezer but she will stay as a not quite pet. Pigs are awesome. Yeah their poops stink but so do ours! They are excellent animals for helping with some chores like clearing land or turning a manure pile or just taking a break and scratching behind someone's ears for a bit. They are always up for that. I enjoyed our pigs when we had them (except the mean ones that time) and felt sad when having them prepared for the freezer. Fascinating animals, pigs.

Let's see.... what else? Hman is not feeling well and as we speak is on the sofa dozing when usually he is rumbling around getting ready to go to work. The side of his left foot is numb..as in very little feeling and a bit pins and needlesy. Odd. Can one have carpal tunnel of the foot?

Tomorrow is Remembrance Day. Hug a veteran.

Saturday..not in the park...

Its a chill rainy day...dark and dismal. Lots of TV and videogaming going on here by the guys. Hman is away to a funeral. I knit awhile on my Da's mittens (halfway through first mitt after 3 false starts). My left hand is complaianing though. The lowest joint in my thumb, just above that fat part of the hand, is very sensitive lately. To touch at it is to feel discomfort if not a flare of pain. The rest of the hand is showing the signs of Carpal Tunnel that was diagnosed as in its early stages 4 years ago when my Right hand was requiring surgery. Piss me off.
I binged a bit last night after knit night. Was just so munchy and the first sensible snack led to less sesible snacking. Oh well.
I am going to make a playlist for my iPod with peppy tunes for when I can get my ass in gear and move it (walking).


In happy knitting news, I set aside seven skeins of yarn at the shop last night for the creation of a patterned yoke cardigan sweater for my Mom, who has been taken off the xmas knits list. Instead, I will give her a nice card with the sweater promise inside. It will take a couple of months if I stay faithful...longer if I stray into other knitted territory. Thank gods she's such a tiny ol' lady. Medium sized will be plenty big. Isn't it weird that such a fat person (moi) came from such a tiny ol' lady? Mom never got terribly large. I think at her heaviest she got to a size 14 and size 14's were smaller then. I miss size 14...le sigh.

The colours are dusty rose for the main body since she wants a plain pink cardigan, and the yoke and other accents are done in ecru for the funky accent and work up through dark grey, dusty blue, pale blue, and pale pink for a subtle striping. Based on Elizabeth Zimmermann's pattern and percentage system and inspired by the sweater in this picture above, which was also based on The EZ pattern.

Its going to be made in Nashua's Creative Focus Superwash wool so that it's machine washable. The yarn is not especially sofy but it can soften up with wash and wear and will be excellent as an everyday cozy sweater. The collar will be a simple rounded collar, not a turtleneck because its going to be a cardi not a pull over and my Mom hates tnecks with a passion. Why suckh a fancy sweater when she has stated the desire for a plain pink cardi? There wasn't enough pink for the whole sweater and none of the other pinks were a Mom pink. This sweater may look super hard and fancy but in actuality it will be very simple. I get to play with colour again, work my first yoke style sweater, and do my first ever STEEKING!!! For those who know not of what I speak..steeking is a technique that freaks most knitters out because its the actual cutting into a garment with scissors to creat an opening like armholes or in this case, cutting the sweater right up the cfront to turn a pullover into a cardigan. Ooooooohhhh...the fear. Smell it! I'll need to cue up Jully Black's "Dj Play My Song" to work myself up to it (I change the lyrics to be about steeking rather than 'freaking').

This could either be the most lovely sweater I have ever made or well thought out and executed DISASTER. Tune in sometime in the new year for the outcome.

Day 3

So far so good. I appear to have lost some bloat weight even though I haven't been drinking as much as I should.

So Far:

2 coffees with Splenda and evap.
Oatmeal with applesauce and brown sugar.
Vanilla yogurt with granola and dried crans.

Morning weigh in: 210 lbs

YES!!!

I am really happy Obama won the American election. This is a radical move for America that I think has been long over due. He has the energy and vision the world needs in a leader of a super power. He is so unlike any other country's top official! This is not just a great day for America but also for the world that America takes part in. Change is good.
I am jealous we didn't get the change we needed in our election last month, but thats a whole nother subject.
Go 'bama! Go 'bama!! Whoot whoot!!!

Monday November 3rd, 2008

I weighed myself today. It ain't pretty.

Remember back in March I was all "gonna do it this time!!!", and then I didn't? Yeah. Its come back to bite me in the ass again.
3 of my knit friends are at various stages of the weightloss/getting into shape game and I have been resisting when they encourage me to do the same. Not actually resisting but thinking about starting again is so daunting...y'know what I mean? You get in your fat lazy rut and it gets comfy. Its easy. I am not made for hard. Hard makes me need pills or ice cream. Its just how I am wired.

My sister has met her 10% off goal and I am so f%^$#ing proud of her. It was very difficult for her because as a kid and younger woman, she didn't have any weight problems and so had no idea really how to deal with the weight gains that poor eating habits and age and thyroid dysfunction threw at her. Now she has the tools and she is building herself a healthier happier lifestyle and that is terriffic.

My niece inspires me because she went from low to no activity to running 10Ks and playing hockey in less than a year. She began with visiting a Curves...then trying the Couch to 5K program and having running friends. Now there is no holding her back.

Ginette has taken it to a whole nother level that may be bordering on obsessive but she is HAPPY and thats what matters in the long run. She also looks amazing and can run 10K in a hour and very little sugar passes her lips nowadays. Wow. That is strong.

Dana took daunting numbers and has made them smaller, quietly with little fanfare. She is doing it bit by bit one week at a time and though she doesn't say much about it, its showing.

Tara...if anyone didn't NEED to lose its her, but she was seeing the ravages of children and age and gravity and she is having NONE of it. She makes me laugh because she is basically the anti-Me. She's so capable she's a little scary and its a GOOD thing. You go girl. You will be the foxiest lady in the seniors home in 60 years, fo sho, because to be other than your best is simply not on. You rock.


Its depressing to think of myself as less capable...less strong...less determined...simply LESS. Very hard. Am I? Intellectually I would have to say NO. I am just as : strong, smart, capable etc etc. But emotionally, where the self esteem lives, its a wee voice squeaking out a tiny "yes" and for some reason thats LOUDER and more believable than any amount of self promotion my ego may drum up.


SO. I am bending down and grabbing my bootstraps once again. Again. Just thinking about it makes me feel tired/sad/ugly/fat/pissed off/needing of more Paxil. But I am going to try it. Again.

Today is another weight loss DAY ONE. Wouldn't it be nice if it was my last?

Weight in Lbs: 212.0
Inspirations: Dana, Ginette, Tara, Wanda, Teri-Lynn. I love you all and am crazy proud of you all for taking control.

5 Minute Cake

My sister Wanda sent me a cake recipe that you bake in the microwave using a coffee mug as the pan. I was skeptical! I thought "Girlfriend has lost her mind sending this out...no way this works!!"

Then I Googled it. It does work. Its not very GOOD cake but if you are in the throes of chocolate deficiency or having a comfort chocolate seizure of some sort, it will fill the bill. I tried it out on Thursday night in my usual slap dash cooking methods (wherein I don't actually measure things but eyeball it and call it GOOD...Like God, non?). I mixed it in a separate bowl and I also oil sprayed my mug.
The result was definitely chocolate cakelike but the texture leaves a lot to be desired...somewhere between brownie and chocolate elastic bands. Like I said, if you are in the throes and willing to eat unsweetened baking chocolate to make it through, this is the recipe for YOU!

The recipe as I recieved it:



5 MINUTE CHOCOLATE MUG CAKE

4 tablespoons flour
4 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons cocoa
1 egg
3 tablespoons milk
3 tablespoons oil
3 tablespoons chocolate chips (optional)
a small splash of vanilla extract
1 large coffee mug

Add dry ingredients to mug, and mix well. Add the egg and mix
thoroughly. Pour in the milk and oil and mix well. Add the chocolate
chips (if using) and vanilla extract, and mix again. Put your mug in
the microwave and cook for 3 minutes at 1000 watts. The cake will
rise over the top of the mug, but don't be alarmed! Allow to cool a
little, and tip out onto a plate if desired. EAT! (this can serve 2
if you want to feel slightly more virtuous). And why is this the most
dangerous cake recipe in the world? Because now we are all only 5
minutes away from chocolate cake at any time of the day or night!

Interesting!!

Felted Dryer Balls to combat static cling in your dryer.
For the DIY instructions go to Casa Sugar http://casasugar.com/1807230



Super easy and cheaps and better for the environment than PVC plastic varieties.