Friday, August 15, 2008
Fun and Excitement and then ZZZZZZZZZZZ
This was our trip to Niagara. My feet are still complaining and we could have used a couple more days just to chill out BUT quick and dirty has its merits (the kids don't have time to get bored and overly bitchy).
Summary:
Niagara Falls during the day : WOW! OH MY GOD! How much???!
Marineland: WOW! Holy moley! Whee! Hahahahahahaha!! OH MY GOD!
Niagara By The Lake: Ooooh pretty. Mmm fudge...Ooooh pretty.
Niagara Falls at night: WOW! OH MY GOD! OOOOOH! PRETTY! Yay fireworks!
Clifton Hill Tourist area: Holy F#$! How much???! Holy S#&% look at that!!!!
Saturday, August 09, 2008
Its August
I feel like the summer is practically over. We have a few days in Niagara, then the guys have a 5 day stint of day camp and then BLAM! The 26th is here. This thoroughly sucks in the summer vacation books, going to school before Labour Day. I don't think I'll ever get used to it.
We have had a lot of rain too so my gardens look like jungles, the grass is crazy, and there have been no great hikes or bike rides etc etc. On the plus side, the whole area is lush and green in a way almost unheard of in August, when dried out patchy grasses and dusty looking trees are the norm. Everything is thriving.
I have been out of commision thanks to our computer being hit with a virus. It took days and days for Hman to fix and things are not the way they were so I am still getting used to having things in different places.
Today I am cranky as can be with vacation preparations. I thought I had plenty of clean clothes for the boys thanks to my marathon laundry duties this week but Cam managed to dirty up enough to screw up the packing so here I am on a Saturday night, doing laundry so I can finish up the suitcase. I now hate getting ready for camping trips. The whole chore of finding the gear that gets put away willy nilly and checking through stuffs to find whats missing...the whole idea of MEALS while camping with the picky eater of the family just makes me want to cry actually. I managed to stream line things a little this go around. Hman thinks one should be making eggs and bacon etc while I am dead set against it because of the dishes involved ...in the morning...after a crappy nights sleep. I think he has seen the sense. Its cereal or a bagel for breakie for the next few days.
I'll just be glad when we get there.
Secret Pal Swap: I am pretty much finished with putting together my package. Ideally I'd like to make a few stitch markers and add some special candy or something.
I ripped out the cabled band I was making for the Mystery Shrug project. I'd made many mistakes. Its going better now but I am way behind since the second clue is now out and I am only fractionally through clue one. I don't think I am cut out for knit alongs.
We have had a lot of rain too so my gardens look like jungles, the grass is crazy, and there have been no great hikes or bike rides etc etc. On the plus side, the whole area is lush and green in a way almost unheard of in August, when dried out patchy grasses and dusty looking trees are the norm. Everything is thriving.
I have been out of commision thanks to our computer being hit with a virus. It took days and days for Hman to fix and things are not the way they were so I am still getting used to having things in different places.
Today I am cranky as can be with vacation preparations. I thought I had plenty of clean clothes for the boys thanks to my marathon laundry duties this week but Cam managed to dirty up enough to screw up the packing so here I am on a Saturday night, doing laundry so I can finish up the suitcase. I now hate getting ready for camping trips. The whole chore of finding the gear that gets put away willy nilly and checking through stuffs to find whats missing...the whole idea of MEALS while camping with the picky eater of the family just makes me want to cry actually. I managed to stream line things a little this go around. Hman thinks one should be making eggs and bacon etc while I am dead set against it because of the dishes involved ...in the morning...after a crappy nights sleep. I think he has seen the sense. Its cereal or a bagel for breakie for the next few days.
I'll just be glad when we get there.
Secret Pal Swap: I am pretty much finished with putting together my package. Ideally I'd like to make a few stitch markers and add some special candy or something.
I ripped out the cabled band I was making for the Mystery Shrug project. I'd made many mistakes. Its going better now but I am way behind since the second clue is now out and I am only fractionally through clue one. I don't think I am cut out for knit alongs.
Saturday, August 02, 2008
Friday, August 01, 2008
Itchy...
I spent the bulk of the afternoon out by the pool in the SUN which, for some one like me is not a wise move but how can something that is SO WRONG feel so right??? Now, I am itchy from the sun exposure and mildly radiating heat. I am my own nuclear reactor...
The kids however were VERY hard to pry out of the house. They went in the pool, got pissy with one another and then wen't back into the basement. No way was I going in. we ahve had quite a bit of rain and unsettled weather this summer so my usual indoorsy person has been wanting some sunlight. I lay back on a lounger type chair thingy with no arms...you know what I mean. they are adjustable to lay flat or gradually upright... Anyways, i mostly stayed upright working on the Mitred Mittens I am making For Ginette's shop.
Yesterday I abandoned my family to sit and knit at Effiloche. It was awesome. Dana and Ginette and I just hung out and chatted and knit. I got help with my provisional cast on and tried to start clue #1 for the Mystery shrug but was too distracted to follow the chart. I switched over to my mitred mitten in Paton's Classic Wool and G liked it so now I am knitting one in Berocco Jasper, and may I say Yowza! Thats some cushy, sexy feeling yarn. My complaint is that the skeins are quite small and pricey but the yarn feels soooo goood. The colour graduations are fairly subtle with the occassional loud colour to perk it up (in this colourway anyways). Oooh and G got in some yrn containing Bison fiber. Its from PEI ( I think) and there is this green that has this sheen and almost irridescence...like taffeta. From the silk content. Its Holy F#$%^ expensive but if you are a person who loves to knit crazy expensive lacy things, this is something for you to check out. You gotta see that green! LOL
So, yeah...not much has been done around here while I sunbathe, swim, and get my knit on. Oh, and had a couple of pina coladas. ( Those are sweeter than I remember. No more of them.)
Anyways, The house is starting to get shabby again and what does Hman spring on me? His brother is coming tomorrow. His brother who stated that since I don't go out to work that cleaning the house is my job. (TRUE kinda, but still....). Nice. When I threatened to tear Hman a new one for not tellinmg me earlier because I would have tidied and cleaned, he swore he'd do it tomorrow. Which I think is vaguely fair. After all I didn't see him cleaning out the garbage bin outside EVER!! which was my big gross chore of the day. Lotsa bleach and hosing... ugh...still gagging...
Its getting late so I'll take my big itchy self to bed and slap on some oatmeal moisturiser in an effort to soothe my sun ravaged hide.
The kids however were VERY hard to pry out of the house. They went in the pool, got pissy with one another and then wen't back into the basement. No way was I going in. we ahve had quite a bit of rain and unsettled weather this summer so my usual indoorsy person has been wanting some sunlight. I lay back on a lounger type chair thingy with no arms...you know what I mean. they are adjustable to lay flat or gradually upright... Anyways, i mostly stayed upright working on the Mitred Mittens I am making For Ginette's shop.
Yesterday I abandoned my family to sit and knit at Effiloche. It was awesome. Dana and Ginette and I just hung out and chatted and knit. I got help with my provisional cast on and tried to start clue #1 for the Mystery shrug but was too distracted to follow the chart. I switched over to my mitred mitten in Paton's Classic Wool and G liked it so now I am knitting one in Berocco Jasper, and may I say Yowza! Thats some cushy, sexy feeling yarn. My complaint is that the skeins are quite small and pricey but the yarn feels soooo goood. The colour graduations are fairly subtle with the occassional loud colour to perk it up (in this colourway anyways). Oooh and G got in some yrn containing Bison fiber. Its from PEI ( I think) and there is this green that has this sheen and almost irridescence...like taffeta. From the silk content. Its Holy F#$%^ expensive but if you are a person who loves to knit crazy expensive lacy things, this is something for you to check out. You gotta see that green! LOL
So, yeah...not much has been done around here while I sunbathe, swim, and get my knit on. Oh, and had a couple of pina coladas. ( Those are sweeter than I remember. No more of them.)
Anyways, The house is starting to get shabby again and what does Hman spring on me? His brother is coming tomorrow. His brother who stated that since I don't go out to work that cleaning the house is my job. (TRUE kinda, but still....). Nice. When I threatened to tear Hman a new one for not tellinmg me earlier because I would have tidied and cleaned, he swore he'd do it tomorrow. Which I think is vaguely fair. After all I didn't see him cleaning out the garbage bin outside EVER!! which was my big gross chore of the day. Lotsa bleach and hosing... ugh...still gagging...
Its getting late so I'll take my big itchy self to bed and slap on some oatmeal moisturiser in an effort to soothe my sun ravaged hide.
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Been awhile
I have been a tad busy and thought I had nothing to write.
But I was WRONG!!
Busy-ness breeds stuffs to blah blah about here on the blah-g so blah blah I shall. Cuz its my blah-g.
Starting in no particular order:
There was a water spout touch down in Montreal which is a kind of Holy F$ck kinda thingy. See video here> http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20080723/montreal_waterspout_080723/20080723?hub=TopStories .
That night, after the water spout that I had no knowledge of at the time, I was on a dinner cruise of the port. Yes, my husband took me into teeny tornado territory which again proves that he is trying to kill me ( I have a list of foiled "attempts"!!). I'm kidding. OR AMM I???
The dinner cruise was way more fun than I expected of a business function because A) there were more people than I expected and B) there was alcohol. I lost my voice too. Too much chatter over large noise. Wore my high wedge sandals too and had sore feet next day. Was much much fun.
THURSDAY: My friend J and C came over to knit eat and swim. We ate and talked. No knitting ensued because we were too busy noshing of yummies the gals prepared and no swimming happened because of crappy weather. But it was fun and we SHALL do it again as often as the chickies want. HINT HINT!
Friday: I went to Effilochee for some much needed chillin' with yarn fumes. J and C met up with me there and it was fun to sit and knit with Baby Ginette and Daniel and talk about everything under the sun. janet was our DJ for the evening after being shown how to work the store's Mac. Many '80's and obscure music requests. Fun and funny.
Weekend: I painted my front door with Ben while Hman and Cam were at the Rodgers Cup. Finished and dyed Xmas Instant Mittens pair #3. I "heart" instant mittens.
Monday: I painted my door again and tried real hard not to kill people.
Tuesday was fabulous weather and the kids were awesome and I was muuuuuch nicer to everyone. I cast on my first ever Mitered Mitten and cracked the code on the defunct baby booty that I kept screwing up over and over again due to my own stupidity. Yay me!
Today: Its HOT! I have vacuumed the pool already since Hman didn't have time this AM, due to leaving for Qc City at 6 AM. "Thats no excuse." he was informed last night. And then we laughed as if I was joking....better than divorce non?
Today' agenda is laying by the pool and in the pool and maybe clearing up the kitchen and knitting by the pool. The kids are donning swim gear as we speak so I guess its time to go.....
But I was WRONG!!
Busy-ness breeds stuffs to blah blah about here on the blah-g so blah blah I shall. Cuz its my blah-g.
Starting in no particular order:
There was a water spout touch down in Montreal which is a kind of Holy F$ck kinda thingy. See video here> http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20080723/montreal_waterspout_080723/20080723?hub=TopStories .
That night, after the water spout that I had no knowledge of at the time, I was on a dinner cruise of the port. Yes, my husband took me into teeny tornado territory which again proves that he is trying to kill me ( I have a list of foiled "attempts"!!). I'm kidding. OR AMM I???
The dinner cruise was way more fun than I expected of a business function because A) there were more people than I expected and B) there was alcohol. I lost my voice too. Too much chatter over large noise. Wore my high wedge sandals too and had sore feet next day. Was much much fun.
THURSDAY: My friend J and C came over to knit eat and swim. We ate and talked. No knitting ensued because we were too busy noshing of yummies the gals prepared and no swimming happened because of crappy weather. But it was fun and we SHALL do it again as often as the chickies want. HINT HINT!
Friday: I went to Effilochee for some much needed chillin' with yarn fumes. J and C met up with me there and it was fun to sit and knit with Baby Ginette and Daniel and talk about everything under the sun. janet was our DJ for the evening after being shown how to work the store's Mac. Many '80's and obscure music requests. Fun and funny.
Weekend: I painted my front door with Ben while Hman and Cam were at the Rodgers Cup. Finished and dyed Xmas Instant Mittens pair #3. I "heart" instant mittens.
Monday: I painted my door again and tried real hard not to kill people.
Tuesday was fabulous weather and the kids were awesome and I was muuuuuch nicer to everyone. I cast on my first ever Mitered Mitten and cracked the code on the defunct baby booty that I kept screwing up over and over again due to my own stupidity. Yay me!
Today: Its HOT! I have vacuumed the pool already since Hman didn't have time this AM, due to leaving for Qc City at 6 AM. "Thats no excuse." he was informed last night. And then we laughed as if I was joking....better than divorce non?
Today' agenda is laying by the pool and in the pool and maybe clearing up the kitchen and knitting by the pool. The kids are donning swim gear as we speak so I guess its time to go.....
Friday, July 25, 2008
A Mommying OOPS!
The kids have been at Tennis day camp all week which on the first day was hard on me but now I wish they'd just stay there.
Cameron has a problem with some kid. He says the kid mocks him..say the kids says he smells (Mommy I Took A Shower Last night!!! said Cameron mightily offended), barges in on C when he's getting changed to try and embarrass him, etc etc. I said that this kid obviously had issues and was just trying to get him going and not to let it get to him too much because jackasses abound in this mortal coil. So far Cameron says he has not retaliated. I said maybe he should. Sometimes irritating people can benefit from a good ol dose of sarcastic rejoinder no? To which I introduced the Jimmy Buffet song " Were You Born An Asshole?"
Mistake. Because when I came up with this brilliant response to his antagonist, I didn't edit it for juniors. We have since changed the song to "Were You Born A Butthead?" but really, the damage has been done.
Yet again, I strike out as a Good Mommy. As a slightly mischievous and malevolent Mommy I'm pretty great I think...but as a GOOD Mommy? I suck. And now I have Jimmy Buffett singing in my head ALL DAY LONG!!!
I think its an apt punishment for my crime, don't you?
Cameron has a problem with some kid. He says the kid mocks him..say the kids says he smells (Mommy I Took A Shower Last night!!! said Cameron mightily offended), barges in on C when he's getting changed to try and embarrass him, etc etc. I said that this kid obviously had issues and was just trying to get him going and not to let it get to him too much because jackasses abound in this mortal coil. So far Cameron says he has not retaliated. I said maybe he should. Sometimes irritating people can benefit from a good ol dose of sarcastic rejoinder no? To which I introduced the Jimmy Buffet song " Were You Born An Asshole?"
Mistake. Because when I came up with this brilliant response to his antagonist, I didn't edit it for juniors. We have since changed the song to "Were You Born A Butthead?" but really, the damage has been done.
Yet again, I strike out as a Good Mommy. As a slightly mischievous and malevolent Mommy I'm pretty great I think...but as a GOOD Mommy? I suck. And now I have Jimmy Buffett singing in my head ALL DAY LONG!!!
I think its an apt punishment for my crime, don't you?
Monday, July 21, 2008
Irritation.........
I signed on for my first ever knit along (KAL)which is also my first ever Mystery knit. The sweeties at Sweet Paprika Designs, Deborah in particular, are "hosting" this project. Deb designed a shrug and doles out the pattern "clues" one at a time until you end up with a finished object and go "Oh wow! So thats what I have been knitting!". All we know is that its a shrug, nothing else. (except i have seen the shrug and love it).
Friday I got my first "clue" and it was for working out how much DK weight yarn I will need to knit for my size. I did all the measuring and followed Deborah's brilliant formula and came up with a (large) number of how many yards of DK yarn I need.
The problem is that I am on a yarn fast and don't want to BUY yarn. I have made it a mission to knit FROM STASH ONLY until Rhinebeck..well Spain actually and then Rhinebeck. I thought that this KAL would be a great way to use up more stash!!
WRONG!!!! If I was (much)thinner it would be great but as it stands right now the only yarn that I have enough yardage of is an Aran weight that is much heavier and not at all complimentary to the project. Am I pissed off? Why yes I am thank you!!
Because of my shoddy yarn shopping skills ( a skein here, a skein there...) I can't knit this project from stash and will have to buy the yarn. ARGH!! I am so mad at myself!!!!!!!
I hereby vow that I will buy delicious yarns in larger more useable quantities from now on. I so vow!!!! No more "ooh its so pretty but pricey so I'll only buy one or two...enough for a hat maybe...". I won't get caught so short handed again.
Friday I got my first "clue" and it was for working out how much DK weight yarn I will need to knit for my size. I did all the measuring and followed Deborah's brilliant formula and came up with a (large) number of how many yards of DK yarn I need.
The problem is that I am on a yarn fast and don't want to BUY yarn. I have made it a mission to knit FROM STASH ONLY until Rhinebeck..well Spain actually and then Rhinebeck. I thought that this KAL would be a great way to use up more stash!!
WRONG!!!! If I was (much)thinner it would be great but as it stands right now the only yarn that I have enough yardage of is an Aran weight that is much heavier and not at all complimentary to the project. Am I pissed off? Why yes I am thank you!!
Because of my shoddy yarn shopping skills ( a skein here, a skein there...) I can't knit this project from stash and will have to buy the yarn. ARGH!! I am so mad at myself!!!!!!!
I hereby vow that I will buy delicious yarns in larger more useable quantities from now on. I so vow!!!! No more "ooh its so pretty but pricey so I'll only buy one or two...enough for a hat maybe...". I won't get caught so short handed again.
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Hair
I don't know WHAT possessed me and made me highlight my hair but the situation has been rectified. Brown I am and brown I'll stay...for now.
I got a hair cut at a place I have never been. My Nancy was too booked up and my alternative stylist as well. This meant someone new....sigh.
Its only hair and it grows back.
Friday, July 18, 2008
Friday
Wednesday night I went out knitting and scored a wicked cool green combination yarn. Thanks Josiane!!!!!!! Now if you could maybe remember what it is...? I could do a flame test I suppose, to check for wool fibers etc but i hate to waste an inch of such great yarn. I also cast on my second pair of xmas mittens and am almost done the second now. LOVING instant mittens. Very productive knitting.
This week has been pretty tame. I took the kids to Center de Nature in Laval on Tuesday and we had a really fun time exploring.
Tonight I took myself to the movies alone and saw Get Smart. Love Steve Carell. He's the best. The Rock was very funny in his role as Agent 23. LOVED the tech nerds Bruce and LLoyd...there is a dvd out of them and now I must rent it. A sequel with be sweet because Himie was introduced right at the end (Patrick Warburton...yum!).
Before going out I highlighted my hair. It looks ....okay.. I think.
I have done worse. Tomorrow I am getting a trim so that may help things and ease the bushyness from the damaged ends. I jusrt wanted a bit of a sun kissed look and I think its alright. We'll see if I get openly mocked when friend see it.
Monday, July 14, 2008
Dreams
You know yours are really good when you wake up your sleeping partner with your "sleep laughing".
And no, this is not the first time this has happened. I'm just lucky that way I guess. :oD
Unfortunately for Hman.......heh heh heh.
And no, this is not the first time this has happened. I'm just lucky that way I guess. :oD
Unfortunately for Hman.......heh heh heh.
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Oh they did have SOME fun.....
DETAILS: So....it was a beeeeeyooootiful Saturday afternoon. Seriously gorgeous with LOW humidity but HOT. We spent it in the pool goofing around and I also sat in the shade working on mitten #2 of red instant mitts. Then around 4 we decided to head for the boat and see what the wind was like.
It was good! Not too little a wind but we could have used a pinch more. Lac Deux Montagnes gets VERY choppy in big wind and its not a fun leisure sail. We had some chop both natural and asshole...I mean powerboat..sourced. Again thanks to over zealous large powerboats speeding by our wee sail boat I almost fell in. Grrr...
The breeze was heavenly on our hot selves and the sun was bright in the western sky when we started out. The moon had risen and appeared to be made of the same cirrus type high clouds that we were finding shapes in (rooster on an island, beautiful lady, laughing worm...). MANY boats on the water both sail and motor and big power boats. Lots of traffic.
I saw two huge pike jump. I am serious, these bastards were enormous for lake fish (to my eyes). At least the length of my arm for the smaller of the two and when they jumped it was clear out of the water, into the air, and back down sideways like when whales breach. Very cool but made me mildly nervous for the safety of our toes hanging over the bow to get splashed by waves. Pike are toothy bitey fishies.
The sun was going down when we turned back. I think we docked around 8 pm or so. Once we were back in our "parking spot" at the club we headed homeward, stopping at the Mike's on St Martin, Laval for supper because I had a massive craving for spaghetti and meatballs caused by repeatedly singing "On Top Of Spaghetti" with Cameron and Ben on the way back to shore. Mmmmspaghetti and meatballs....
Today, being Sunday, it is rainy and hot. Fitting non?
Saturday, July 12, 2008
Friday recap
I had the bestest day. I really did. At 4 pm my fabulous babysitter arrived and I hit the road to St Hubert street. Plaza St Hubert is closed to traffic for a BIG sidewalk sale and boy was it a party! Music, sales, food, people...! It was fab. I bought high wedge heeled strappy sandals. Aerosoles so they are actually fairly comfortable.
But I had a mission...I was to meet Janet, Caroline, and Anna at Chaton Beads( http://www.chatonbeads.com/store/contactus.php )to pick out Swarovski crystal beads from their fantastic array of colours. Then we moseyed to C and M Textiles for some heavy silk fabric for Janet to line an lovely crochet bag.
THEN we sauntered south on St Hubert, back to the closed off portion (Plaza) and arrived at Effiloche. Ginette had one of the knit lounge sofas out on the sidewalk with some chairs and a table for snacks and drinks so knit night was a fresh air wonderful experience! Janet made my crystal pendant for me since I am all thumbs and will supply me with a pattern to make more. I LOVE it. So sparkly. Daniel sacrificed some heavy silver embroidery thread for me to wear it right away. Ginette was full of hugs and looked FABULOUS. She's been working out at the gym and running and good googly moogly ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=liAQCXeTl-s) its paying off in spades and abs!!! I am way jealous and proud of her.
THEN I left and met Hman at the theater for a movie. You know the one...the one with my boyfriend AND my girlfriend. Oh to be the center of a sexy sandwich with James MmmMmmmMmmMcAvoy and Angelina Jolie. They were HOT and it was a very actiony movie (Wanted) with never a dull minute.
Altogether a fantastic and fun filled Friday!!!!
But I had a mission...I was to meet Janet, Caroline, and Anna at Chaton Beads( http://www.chatonbeads.com/store/contactus.php )to pick out Swarovski crystal beads from their fantastic array of colours. Then we moseyed to C and M Textiles for some heavy silk fabric for Janet to line an lovely crochet bag.
THEN we sauntered south on St Hubert, back to the closed off portion (Plaza) and arrived at Effiloche. Ginette had one of the knit lounge sofas out on the sidewalk with some chairs and a table for snacks and drinks so knit night was a fresh air wonderful experience! Janet made my crystal pendant for me since I am all thumbs and will supply me with a pattern to make more. I LOVE it. So sparkly. Daniel sacrificed some heavy silver embroidery thread for me to wear it right away. Ginette was full of hugs and looked FABULOUS. She's been working out at the gym and running and good googly moogly ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=liAQCXeTl-s) its paying off in spades and abs!!! I am way jealous and proud of her.
THEN I left and met Hman at the theater for a movie. You know the one...the one with my boyfriend AND my girlfriend. Oh to be the center of a sexy sandwich with James MmmMmmmMmmMcAvoy and Angelina Jolie. They were HOT and it was a very actiony movie (Wanted) with never a dull minute.
Altogether a fantastic and fun filled Friday!!!!
Wednesday, July 09, 2008
In which we are meellltiiinng
Its very humid Chez Nous. We had rain through the night that cooled the air imperceptibly but the humidity is stil high and makes for a very drippy me. Yesterdays hotness was very much improved by staying in the pool as much as my day allowed.
Blossom was beautified beyond recognition at the groomers yesterday. I really need to keep her shaved I think. She's so sleek and stink free and when you pet her you don't come away thinking you now need a shower to get all the dog hair and dogginess off. Now we can't stop petting her and she's in heaven. 45$ well spent. I asked the groomer to use the Natural Concepts oatmeal bodywash I brought for bathing Blossom. Its the only thing I have found that doesn't make her flaky doggy skin worse, including some pricy oatmeal dog shampoos. Its a buck a bottle at the Dollarama and is great (for people AND dogs!!!) and the groomer liked it too. Pictures will come when I get around to it.
Tonight is Laval Knits night and I am so looking forward to it. My night OFF!!! WooHooo. I'm going to cast on another pair of Instant Mittens, now for Christmas girly gifts so maybe there will be clown coloured mohair...or sparkly yarn....
Blossom was beautified beyond recognition at the groomers yesterday. I really need to keep her shaved I think. She's so sleek and stink free and when you pet her you don't come away thinking you now need a shower to get all the dog hair and dogginess off. Now we can't stop petting her and she's in heaven. 45$ well spent. I asked the groomer to use the Natural Concepts oatmeal bodywash I brought for bathing Blossom. Its the only thing I have found that doesn't make her flaky doggy skin worse, including some pricy oatmeal dog shampoos. Its a buck a bottle at the Dollarama and is great (for people AND dogs!!!) and the groomer liked it too. Pictures will come when I get around to it.
Tonight is Laval Knits night and I am so looking forward to it. My night OFF!!! WooHooo. I'm going to cast on another pair of Instant Mittens, now for Christmas girly gifts so maybe there will be clown coloured mohair...or sparkly yarn....
Monday, July 07, 2008
Monday mania
Photo from Club Scott website.
It is the Monday after a weekend away and we all know what that means. LAUNDRY! Lots'n'lots of laundry. (I have NO clean shorts. >:o( )
And pool vacuuming. And house de-griming because it was mildly neglected during the pre weekend preparations. I did however strip off the couch and wash all the covers. Mmmmmmm fresh and clean.
Today I took Blossom, our shaggy deaf dog, to the groomers. Unfortunately her appointment is for tomorrow.
Why yes I am an idiot thank you very much. She remains shaggy for another day and counts herself lucky.
The fishing trip was lovely if not packed with fish. We came home with two wee trout that would have been better left in the lakes. Nice expensive trouts. We also saw beavers. I got a souvenir ball cap with the outfitter's logo on it as a momento of our first family fishing trip.
The weeds in the garden decided to go into growth overdrive over those two days but it is VERY hot today in my yard so I may wait until evening for pulling them. That and until I find my gloves because I keep getting a dermatitis from some of the weeds sap.
I did accomplish one thing while away. I finished a pair of Instant Mittens. Then I gave them away. Thus I have no proof so you just have to take my word for it. I am very pleased with myself. A whole functional pair of mittens. I will use the pattern again but it makes fairly small mittens so I need to up the cast on numbers by at least 4 OR increase by 4 after the wrist ribbing. The pattern designer must have slim hands.
Anyways,I am tired, hot, and hungry. Typical Monday afternoon, non?
Wednesday, July 02, 2008
Wednesday's Thoughts
I want...with a basket.
Discovered that mystery bug in house is a variety of assassin bug. Am now afraid for my life. Also afraid of bugs and so doubly afraid.
Does my fondness for funny/witty/profound bumper stickers make me tacky?
Mojitos are good.
Will I ever complete a pair of fully functional mittens?
Deep huh? Thats me. Deep waters run still. Because ,you see, to run actively makes me sore and sweaty.
Todays plans: take bike to repair shop because I can't get the bike I want SO BAD!!! Also buy more rum and some limes (see above Mojito comment). Tonight is knitting in NDG so I will get out of the house for awhile to chat with other humans of the non-male persuasion that actually sometimes find me and interesting conversationalist. And never do I have to order them to put on some friggin' pants.
Tuesday, July 01, 2008
HAPPY CANADA DAY
I am out by the pool in the low humidity sunshine, slathered with SPF 50. Possibly with something mildly alcoholic near by.
Hope your day is just a terriffic!!!!
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Chores For Pay
In the world of parenting you eventually get to the point/ages where the rug rats are fully capable of doing things on tehir own. At this point, with some preparation and encouragement, chore charts were introduced to my family. They worked for a little while but then novelty wore off and I became forgetful about pay and replacing full charts. Now that school is out and the childrens are currently unemployed, per se, I have come up with a new system of Chores For Pay designed to keep bored and broke children busy and less work for me. Genius non?.
Listed on a fairly short list are things like Wiping Down The Bathroom. I love Lysol disinfecting wipes....very UNgreen of me I know but they are fast, easy, and kill germs. Wiping down the bathroom includes wiping out the sink, the counters, the taps and the toilet area. Since they are the ones who miss I think they should take responsibility for it. This job, which I hate, is worth 50 cents.
Putting Away Laundry is worth 50 cents a basket.
Cleaning the Yard (which is code for cleaning up dog poo) is worth a whole buck.
Vacuuming an entire level of the house is worth 25 cents because lets face it, the vacuum cleaner does all the work on this one but having fewer things stick to my bare feet is valuable to me. Plus with the pet hair issues in this house it is a job that needs doing frequently.
Cleaning Up Bedroom including making beds and vacuuming is worth 50 cents because they rarely do it.
Garbage Duty 25 cents. Recycling also 25 cents. The theory is that maybe they will notice when trashes need emptying instead of just piling more in until it over flows.
I think its a pretty good plan so far though the kids have only done a few of the chores despite frequent reminders like "Gee...wonder what chores on the list need doing TODAY?" However I did mention the addition of Yard Cleaning for a dollar and Cameron jumped at it. And he's the LAZY one!!!!! Swweeeet.
If you tried this method of getting kids to do work around the home, what would you have on the list? Dishes don't work here as a chore because we mostly use the dishwasher and the kids can't reach some of the cupboards and I dislike broken dishes.
Listed on a fairly short list are things like Wiping Down The Bathroom. I love Lysol disinfecting wipes....very UNgreen of me I know but they are fast, easy, and kill germs. Wiping down the bathroom includes wiping out the sink, the counters, the taps and the toilet area. Since they are the ones who miss I think they should take responsibility for it. This job, which I hate, is worth 50 cents.
Putting Away Laundry is worth 50 cents a basket.
Cleaning the Yard (which is code for cleaning up dog poo) is worth a whole buck.
Vacuuming an entire level of the house is worth 25 cents because lets face it, the vacuum cleaner does all the work on this one but having fewer things stick to my bare feet is valuable to me. Plus with the pet hair issues in this house it is a job that needs doing frequently.
Cleaning Up Bedroom including making beds and vacuuming is worth 50 cents because they rarely do it.
Garbage Duty 25 cents. Recycling also 25 cents. The theory is that maybe they will notice when trashes need emptying instead of just piling more in until it over flows.
I think its a pretty good plan so far though the kids have only done a few of the chores despite frequent reminders like "Gee...wonder what chores on the list need doing TODAY?" However I did mention the addition of Yard Cleaning for a dollar and Cameron jumped at it. And he's the LAZY one!!!!! Swweeeet.
If you tried this method of getting kids to do work around the home, what would you have on the list? Dishes don't work here as a chore because we mostly use the dishwasher and the kids can't reach some of the cupboards and I dislike broken dishes.
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Saturday
After Cameron telling me all week that daddy was taking him to the Rodger's Cup today I finally thought to ask Hman about it. "What time are you two leaving tomorrow?" I asked last night. He had no idea what I was referring to. I filled him in. Turns out the Rodger's Cup is later in July. This is why 9 year olds are not reliable sources of information or agenda keeping.
Its a good thing that they weren't sitting out watching major tennis matches because its been raining pretty much the whole day. Holy humidity, Batman! There are parts of the house that are getting decidely funky smelling from the heavy doses of moisture we've been having lately : ie the living room has a distinct dog like aroma thanks to, of course, the DOG. The basement has been a bone of contention since we moved in. While not a disgustingly damp icky place, it is damper than I'd like. Just right for mild cases of mildew. This is not a plus in a family room area where we tend to spend a lot of time. For 3 years I have been saying 'Need a Dehumidifier..." to be answered with the "Yeah yeah...." of the over burdened man of the house (snicker). Today I got my way!!!!!!!!!!!
There was no tantrumming....there was no pushing....there was no threatening of dire mildewy consequences.. I just said that it would be a good day to head to Sears and he said "OK!!!" GASP!
~~Digression: While there I totally got some new summer tshirts which were a point of wardrobe desperation at this point. The old ones were all either stained or too tight/short. It was becoming difficult to dress myself to leave the house. ~~
We are the proud operators of a Kenmore digital dehumidifier (with Energy Star sticker) now and I foresee the family room becomming a much less sticky/smelly place to hang out. Relative humidity is already down by 10%!!! Sweet. I thinks I'm in luuuuuv.
Its a good thing that they weren't sitting out watching major tennis matches because its been raining pretty much the whole day. Holy humidity, Batman! There are parts of the house that are getting decidely funky smelling from the heavy doses of moisture we've been having lately : ie the living room has a distinct dog like aroma thanks to, of course, the DOG. The basement has been a bone of contention since we moved in. While not a disgustingly damp icky place, it is damper than I'd like. Just right for mild cases of mildew. This is not a plus in a family room area where we tend to spend a lot of time. For 3 years I have been saying 'Need a Dehumidifier..." to be answered with the "Yeah yeah...." of the over burdened man of the house (snicker). Today I got my way!!!!!!!!!!!
There was no tantrumming....there was no pushing....there was no threatening of dire mildewy consequences.. I just said that it would be a good day to head to Sears and he said "OK!!!" GASP!
~~Digression: While there I totally got some new summer tshirts which were a point of wardrobe desperation at this point. The old ones were all either stained or too tight/short. It was becoming difficult to dress myself to leave the house. ~~
We are the proud operators of a Kenmore digital dehumidifier (with Energy Star sticker) now and I foresee the family room becomming a much less sticky/smelly place to hang out. Relative humidity is already down by 10%!!! Sweet. I thinks I'm in luuuuuv.
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Monday, June 23, 2008
Also,
I had a great idea this morning after much coffee and 3 hands of Uno with Ben.
Ben loves Uno. He gets me to play as often as I can tolerate but as games go, its one I enjoy. Now that its summer and days are lazy without lots of structure, the Uno will be played even more and thus the seed of a plan was planted.
The Family Summer Uno Championship! I will make up a chart for us to put in our points for the whole summer from every game we play this summer and at the end of the summer, the highest tally determines the Uno champion.
Yes it is mildly unfair for Cameron and Hman because they so rarely want to play but oh well sucks to be them. I think I will even invest in a trophy and do this each summer until it stops.
Heh heh...victory WILL be mine...heh heh heh
Ben loves Uno. He gets me to play as often as I can tolerate but as games go, its one I enjoy. Now that its summer and days are lazy without lots of structure, the Uno will be played even more and thus the seed of a plan was planted.
The Family Summer Uno Championship! I will make up a chart for us to put in our points for the whole summer from every game we play this summer and at the end of the summer, the highest tally determines the Uno champion.
Yes it is mildly unfair for Cameron and Hman because they so rarely want to play but oh well sucks to be them. I think I will even invest in a trophy and do this each summer until it stops.
Heh heh...victory WILL be mine...heh heh heh
Fishin'
"Plz 'member the bug spray if you take me out in nature,'k?"
I only fished once in my childhood and that was when a friend and her family took me along to their cottage in the New Germany area of Nova Scotia. It was down a dirt road on a lake...no idea which one. This was my first time fishing and I couldn't get enough.
Later in my early teens my sister and her husband took myself and my nephew on a few fishing outtings in Spring. That was when I got my first very own fishing rod and it was a pale blue metallic Shakespeare which was very pretty and I loved it so. That rod was lost when I went fishing with a friend's boyfriend for my first fishing from a canoe. The rod got left in his trunk and I ne'er saw it again. It had a lot of sentimental value for me so I was VERY BITTER. You know how attached I get to my presciousses especially if they are A) shiny or B) yarny.
My next fishing excursions were with my country girlfriend Edith. I would wait anxiously for Hman to get home from work, foist the small kids into his hands and say "SEE YA!" throwing my limited gear into the back of her truck and ruunning away from my frustrations. We would suck on gobstoppers, talk and come home with junk fish ( bullnose, yellow perch) to put in the gardens (under roses or tomato plants. Excellent fertiliser). Sometimes I ACTUALLY crawled out of bed in the very early to fish in the lake behind the house. Saw a beaver one time! mackeral fishing off the docks of Mahone Bay and Indian Point were wicked good fun too. I actually caught things then.
Then the kids got older and E got busier, divorcing etc,and we had our business, and the fishing didn't happen so much. I missed it desperately. Then we moved here.
Quebec has AWESOME fishing and I have not been once. In the 3 years I have been here not once. We went ice fishing on vacation BEFORE the boys and I moved here but that its and may I say HELL YES I did enjoy the ice fishing. I hooked them and then pretended to be tired and passed the rod to a kid to discover he had a bite and reel it in. this is how they get addicted see? So when they are older I will have fishing buddies to suck Gobstoppers and chat with. I digress.
So while my life has not been FILLED with fishing I do enjoy it quite a bit. I like the peace that comes with the boredom of not catching anything, taking the time to admire nature and let my mind wander. I also love paddling for its quiet and reflective qualities and if Hman fulfills his promise of a kayak ( we had a canoe but we find them uncomfortable and tippy)I will be very happy. Can you fish from a kayak I wonder?? Yes I was never a huge catcher of fish BUT when I do catch them I am so happy and excited it makes it all worth while. Hman has never loved fishing like me because as I may have mentioned he NEVER catches anything and has been known to jinx a whole excursion groups prospects (In Hawaii). this weeekend seems to have broken his curse and now he is willing to book us a weekend at a fishing camp. SWEET!!!! http://www.clubscott.com/english/inedx2.htm This is the place he wants to go to because we can take Blossom with us. He doesn't know of any places where you can just go and fish from shore etc to kill a couple hours and whiolewe can fish Lac Deux Montagne from our sail boat, the sailing part makes it tricky. "I wanna fish!" "No we are sailing!!" See what I mean? Anyways, my bitching that we never do the things I want to do (paddling, hiking, fishing) has paid off big time. Now...if only they have a weekend free for us. Hoping....hoping.....
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Sunday
So....
Yesterday I and my pal Dana took the guys to see Kung Fu Panda. It was great. Lots of fun!
Today Hman got home earlier than planned form his business fishing trip. He ACTUALLY CAUGHT FISH!!!!!! If there are any unexplained psychic and meteorological phenomena in this province, this would be why.
He called on the way home because he got my message about Ben's injury. The principal was supoosed to call me about it Friday afternoon and didn't so he is going to try the school tomorrow and talk to the vice who is the NEW principal. I foresee a change in our school with him at the helm instead of the Ice Queen. He's actually on the ball and CARES about the kids. Ice Queen stormed around on her stilettos and was an absolute beotch whenever you tried to discuss ANYTHING with her. I think the kid Francis was sent to a school counsellor or something for a time out for hurting Ben. Now, I have to say Ben is not a total angel in these happenings BUT this other kid just dogs him almost daily. Ben tries to keep away from him and tell him to leave him alone but francis just DOESN'T. It usually starts as teasing.."joking around"...but with Ben and his issues etc it usually escalates to fighting even though he tries (in his way) to keep his cool and avoid the whole thing. THIS is why we are pissed off. This other kid comes looking for the "fun" of agitating the problem child. Well this time, from what I understand, his actions scared him. I don't think he's ever caused an injury that drew blood and we know even minor head injuries bleed like a bastard. I hope he has a turn of heart about antagonising other kids after this. Hman wants to make sure they aren't in the same class next year and that ANY problems with Francis next year will not be tolerated at all by this family. he also wants to make sure the parents are aware of their brats hobbies. The vice principal and principal (Ice Queen) were aware of the problem all year from the beginning and not enough was done to diffuse the explosive problem. There was a change in teachers and the situation was not handled properly because the newbies didn't realise the history. They saw a bit of teasing and Ben overreacting. Anyways, Hman was way po'ed at the whole Friday incident and will deal with it en francaise ASAP.
The UP side to his being away on a fishing trip is that he will finally take us all for a weekend fishing trip here in la belle province. I am stoked. I have no idea when it'll happen but I am still stoked. I do enjoy me some fishing.
Yesterday I and my pal Dana took the guys to see Kung Fu Panda. It was great. Lots of fun!
Today Hman got home earlier than planned form his business fishing trip. He ACTUALLY CAUGHT FISH!!!!!! If there are any unexplained psychic and meteorological phenomena in this province, this would be why.
He called on the way home because he got my message about Ben's injury. The principal was supoosed to call me about it Friday afternoon and didn't so he is going to try the school tomorrow and talk to the vice who is the NEW principal. I foresee a change in our school with him at the helm instead of the Ice Queen. He's actually on the ball and CARES about the kids. Ice Queen stormed around on her stilettos and was an absolute beotch whenever you tried to discuss ANYTHING with her. I think the kid Francis was sent to a school counsellor or something for a time out for hurting Ben. Now, I have to say Ben is not a total angel in these happenings BUT this other kid just dogs him almost daily. Ben tries to keep away from him and tell him to leave him alone but francis just DOESN'T. It usually starts as teasing.."joking around"...but with Ben and his issues etc it usually escalates to fighting even though he tries (in his way) to keep his cool and avoid the whole thing. THIS is why we are pissed off. This other kid comes looking for the "fun" of agitating the problem child. Well this time, from what I understand, his actions scared him. I don't think he's ever caused an injury that drew blood and we know even minor head injuries bleed like a bastard. I hope he has a turn of heart about antagonising other kids after this. Hman wants to make sure they aren't in the same class next year and that ANY problems with Francis next year will not be tolerated at all by this family. he also wants to make sure the parents are aware of their brats hobbies. The vice principal and principal (Ice Queen) were aware of the problem all year from the beginning and not enough was done to diffuse the explosive problem. There was a change in teachers and the situation was not handled properly because the newbies didn't realise the history. They saw a bit of teasing and Ben overreacting. Anyways, Hman was way po'ed at the whole Friday incident and will deal with it en francaise ASAP.
The UP side to his being away on a fishing trip is that he will finally take us all for a weekend fishing trip here in la belle province. I am stoked. I have no idea when it'll happen but I am still stoked. I do enjoy me some fishing.
Friday, June 20, 2008
Too late
School called me to come get Ben because of an "accident". A Francis originating accident which has left Ben with a hole in the side of his head from the corner of a cabinet connecting with said head.
Urge to kill is very high.....
Urge to kill is very high.....
Friday..THE DAY
Its the last day of school in this house....Ho! Hey!
The boys are pretty glad but sad too. Gonna miss their peeps I guess although I will not miss hearing about that F$%^ing Francis Whasisname picking on Ben for 2 whole months. Little as**ole.
Our celebratory plans include but are not limited to: KFC or McDonalds or Pizza Hut (gag) for supper tonight, new shorts!, new tshirts, gonna go see Kung Fu Panda tomorrow..
While shopping for said shorts and tshirts at The Children's Place because Cameron out grows everything OR destroys it, I also stopped in at HMV and a yarn store. At HMV I got Hman the new Coldplay CD because I didn't get it for him for Father's day and I got me the Katy Perry CD. Excellent. At the yarn store I only got ONE skein of wool because of the yarn diet but this was Alafoss Lopi at 25% off and I needed more for the future felted rug made with, you guessed it, Alafoss Lopi. I think I need 3 more colours and I'll have enough. I think...should double check that.
Yesterday I casted on a mitten....I knit and knit and started a double knit pattern iafter the ribbed writs and got half way through said double knit pattern when I decided it didn't look right and ripped it ALL out. Dude, thats like 4 inches of knitting (ribbing, increases, AND intarsia/fair isle/stranded/ choose your term ) my hands are sore today especially the left because I only use it alot when doing stranded knitting in the round.(I can't purl left handed) For a slowish knitter like me that ws a long time of knit.
Today I casted it back on again but in reverse order of the colours and I am adding stripes to the cuff. I didn't get all that far and I'm still not sure about the colour combination but will wait until well into the stranded work again to be sure. Yarns: Paton's classic wool variegated and Lismore sheep farm in a natural light gray.
Why do I have so much trouble with mittens? Its not like its friggin' rocket science but they never turn out how I want. I rip them out all the time. Even that gorgeous Latvian style one I was working on got ripped out. siiiiiggghhhh. I think this time I will succeed though because I HAVE ripped it but still want to make it and even if its "not quite it" I will keep going. Its a 40 stitch cast on and 2x2 rib on 4mm needles for the wrist..For the hand I will switch to 5 mm needles and increase by ten...sounds huge yes? Yes because then I want to felt it down a bit to fit! Mwahahahahaaaa Double knit AND felted. Can you say "Holy Warmness, Batman! Your son will love you forever!"? I knew you could.
I'm going to go listen to Katy Perry telling me about kissing a girl and liking it while I work on this wrist ribbing. I have 40 minutes until the guys get home.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
2 More Sleeps
School is finished on Friday. Can I get a whoop whoop? The kids are all "why do we have to gooooooo? We aren't learning anythiiiiiiiiing! Its boooooorrrriiiinnngggg!" I say you are now learning that life is not always interesting and does not always have a point. Git!!
Tonight Hman's dad is staying over and I has the stress. We all know how I'd rather take a nap than do housework so the house is dusty and cluttery as usual BUT Hman is an amazing tidier so he did a hurricane run through of clutter busting and I will follow it up with the actual cleaning of floors,disinfecting of bathrooms(ick), dusting, and fragrance enhancing. Wheeeee(not). I was saving it all up for today so that it actually LOOKS like someone does housework when his dad is here...if I did it yesterday I'd just have to do it aaaalll again. We know how we hates the redundancey...redundency...hmmm...dictionary plz?
Meanwhile I am becoming infected with the Mitten Lust. I am wanting to make mittens for this coming winter because, as you know, its F*cking cold and snowy here in winter and I have Mitten Misplacers also known as children. Seriously, they lose them all. Come summer I just throw a bunch of singles out. BUT I also am wanting to make PRETTY mittens that will have little to no appeal to the boys. Thanks to my Barb, I may have the answer...warmth and beauty for men..
http://www.freevintageknitting.com/mittens/620-mittens-pattern.html
I love me some free patterns. This is why I loves me the Internets.
Currently on the needles: Richard's 6 ply socks #1 is in the gusset stage, Jessie Belle Maman socks #2 in the leg stage, My wrap around shrug currently in the I am bored with it stage, Jessie's baby bootees for a friend will be done tomorrow or Friday and mailed out soon.
I think I am safe to cast on some mittens.
Spanish update: The tickets are bought...squeeee! We fly on Air France to Paris and then to Malaga. How exciting. I had travel books in my hands at Chapters the other day but just could NOT decide which one to buy. They all had excellent selling points like maps and info and they weren't all just repititions of one another. I think I need more than one for my Pre trip research on Spain, in particular the area we will be staying in. So exciting. We still feel like its a dream..US going to SPAIN!!
Gardens: weeds weeds weeds. Lottsa weeds. Blooming roses and weeds. My snap peas are non existant. The swiss chard also very sparse. The radishes are doing quite well and I see the carrots in amongst the larger radish leaves. The tomatoes are coming along as well and need some tying up. Cukes were replaced and the new plants are doing well if still small. I had some temporary insanity issues at the plant nursery and got some red pepper plants. I never have luck with peppers but Cammie loves them so I will try again. The Royal Burgundy beans seem to be doing ok this year. Last time I tried them here there wasn't enough sun in the spot I had them. Now the garden boxes are in full sun. In the herb bed/box the basil looks sickly, the cilantro is bolting, and the sage looks tiny but the dill seems happy and the parsley and lemon balm are thriving. Strawberry plants are forming berries and I hope we get them before Nature does.
Ok...that is all thats going on here. :oD
Tonight Hman's dad is staying over and I has the stress. We all know how I'd rather take a nap than do housework so the house is dusty and cluttery as usual BUT Hman is an amazing tidier so he did a hurricane run through of clutter busting and I will follow it up with the actual cleaning of floors,disinfecting of bathrooms(ick), dusting, and fragrance enhancing. Wheeeee(not). I was saving it all up for today so that it actually LOOKS like someone does housework when his dad is here...if I did it yesterday I'd just have to do it aaaalll again. We know how we hates the redundancey...redundency...hmmm...dictionary plz?
Meanwhile I am becoming infected with the Mitten Lust. I am wanting to make mittens for this coming winter because, as you know, its F*cking cold and snowy here in winter and I have Mitten Misplacers also known as children. Seriously, they lose them all. Come summer I just throw a bunch of singles out. BUT I also am wanting to make PRETTY mittens that will have little to no appeal to the boys. Thanks to my Barb, I may have the answer...warmth and beauty for men..
http://www.freevintageknitting.com/mittens/620-mittens-pattern.html
I love me some free patterns. This is why I loves me the Internets.
Currently on the needles: Richard's 6 ply socks #1 is in the gusset stage, Jessie Belle Maman socks #2 in the leg stage, My wrap around shrug currently in the I am bored with it stage, Jessie's baby bootees for a friend will be done tomorrow or Friday and mailed out soon.
I think I am safe to cast on some mittens.
Spanish update: The tickets are bought...squeeee! We fly on Air France to Paris and then to Malaga. How exciting. I had travel books in my hands at Chapters the other day but just could NOT decide which one to buy. They all had excellent selling points like maps and info and they weren't all just repititions of one another. I think I need more than one for my Pre trip research on Spain, in particular the area we will be staying in. So exciting. We still feel like its a dream..US going to SPAIN!!
Gardens: weeds weeds weeds. Lottsa weeds. Blooming roses and weeds. My snap peas are non existant. The swiss chard also very sparse. The radishes are doing quite well and I see the carrots in amongst the larger radish leaves. The tomatoes are coming along as well and need some tying up. Cukes were replaced and the new plants are doing well if still small. I had some temporary insanity issues at the plant nursery and got some red pepper plants. I never have luck with peppers but Cammie loves them so I will try again. The Royal Burgundy beans seem to be doing ok this year. Last time I tried them here there wasn't enough sun in the spot I had them. Now the garden boxes are in full sun. In the herb bed/box the basil looks sickly, the cilantro is bolting, and the sage looks tiny but the dill seems happy and the parsley and lemon balm are thriving. Strawberry plants are forming berries and I hope we get them before Nature does.
Ok...that is all thats going on here. :oD
Saturday, June 14, 2008
WWKIP Day...
Happy World Wide Knit In Public Day! Check out your town or city to observe knitters doing what they do in public. Down with shame of sticks and string!! It does not mean we are boring or old or mental! Well, we could be those things but the love of yarny goodness has nothing to do with THAT.
Knitting is good. TRy it.
My KIP in the Parc Lafontaine has been relocated to indoors thanks to threat of rain and thunder showers. Not good to be a knitter with metal needles (yuk) when lightning decides to strike. Anyways, I will go to Effiloche for a cozy afternoon of knit and chat.
Knitting is good. TRy it.
My KIP in the Parc Lafontaine has been relocated to indoors thanks to threat of rain and thunder showers. Not good to be a knitter with metal needles (yuk) when lightning decides to strike. Anyways, I will go to Effiloche for a cozy afternoon of knit and chat.
Friday, June 13, 2008
Friday
Thanks go out to my anniversary well wishers. Its very sweet of you to take the time and send a sweet comment and I really appreciate them.
We had no plans for our anniversary because HMan had been away for 5 days and on the day of the anniversary he was having to spend time with his boss rather than me. My whole outlook was "well...whatever...its been 14 years so maybe we don't need to celebrate so much..." so I was very surprised when Hman returned Wednesday night. He presented me with a card, Godiva chocolates, and a British knitting magazine he knows I like. How sweet is that!? I felt bad because I had done all kinds of nothing in the way of gifts and cards for him. Ooops.
The card contained an invitation to go out for dinner and a movie this weekend. He's going to try and get a reservation at Chez Dodo, a French restaurant on Metcalfe, for tomorrow night. Isn't that nice?
Tomorrow is also World Wide Knit In Public day. Montreal Knits is loosely hosting a gathering in Parc Lafontaine. Basically show up and knit as a group in the parc. Some KIPs in other cities are super organised with games and prizes and celebrity attendees. Its wild!! Maybe we will get it together for next year. If it rains I'm just going to go hang with Ginette at Effiloche for the afternoon. Which is VERY hard because there is yarn for sale there and I am trying to NOT buy any yarn until Rhinebeck. I have plenty of yarn. More than I can knit up anytime soon. Some of which I regret buying..hello skein of baby blue silk for baby sunhat which I didn't knit because the pattern was too hard with non-stretchy yarn.
Having startitis issues again. The shrug is coming along slowly as are the two pairs of socks..one pair is half done and the other is at the heel flap of sock one. Now I want to start something new......
We had no plans for our anniversary because HMan had been away for 5 days and on the day of the anniversary he was having to spend time with his boss rather than me. My whole outlook was "well...whatever...its been 14 years so maybe we don't need to celebrate so much..." so I was very surprised when Hman returned Wednesday night. He presented me with a card, Godiva chocolates, and a British knitting magazine he knows I like. How sweet is that!? I felt bad because I had done all kinds of nothing in the way of gifts and cards for him. Ooops.
The card contained an invitation to go out for dinner and a movie this weekend. He's going to try and get a reservation at Chez Dodo, a French restaurant on Metcalfe, for tomorrow night. Isn't that nice?
Tomorrow is also World Wide Knit In Public day. Montreal Knits is loosely hosting a gathering in Parc Lafontaine. Basically show up and knit as a group in the parc. Some KIPs in other cities are super organised with games and prizes and celebrity attendees. Its wild!! Maybe we will get it together for next year. If it rains I'm just going to go hang with Ginette at Effiloche for the afternoon. Which is VERY hard because there is yarn for sale there and I am trying to NOT buy any yarn until Rhinebeck. I have plenty of yarn. More than I can knit up anytime soon. Some of which I regret buying..hello skein of baby blue silk for baby sunhat which I didn't knit because the pattern was too hard with non-stretchy yarn.
Having startitis issues again. The shrug is coming along slowly as are the two pairs of socks..one pair is half done and the other is at the heel flap of sock one. Now I want to start something new......
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
June 11
1509- King Henry the 8th marries Catherine of Aragon.
1927- Babe Ruth hits 19 and 20 of his 60 home runs.
1966- Janos Joplin performs her first gig in San Fransico.
1978- The movie "Grease" opens.
1994- Marriage of Me and Him. Also Hell froze over. Sorry about that. :oD
14 years married, 17 years together. Wowee wee wah. It doth boggle the mind.
There are no exciting plans or plans of any other type because the boss is in town today. Stupid boss. Maybe on the weekend but I doubt it since Hman has been away and not had time to make any, Sunday is Father's Day, and Saturday I am WWKIPing.
1927- Babe Ruth hits 19 and 20 of his 60 home runs.
1966- Janos Joplin performs her first gig in San Fransico.
1978- The movie "Grease" opens.
1994- Marriage of Me and Him. Also Hell froze over. Sorry about that. :oD
14 years married, 17 years together. Wowee wee wah. It doth boggle the mind.
There are no exciting plans or plans of any other type because the boss is in town today. Stupid boss. Maybe on the weekend but I doubt it since Hman has been away and not had time to make any, Sunday is Father's Day, and Saturday I am WWKIPing.
Monday, June 09, 2008
How Much Do We Pay?
In the demand for cheap mass markerted goods, people overlook the unseen costs until they smack them in the face with a board.
Cheap plastic toys are great! OOpps! Now we know that the contain lead.
Cheaper/better cans for food are great! Ooops! Now we know they leach Bisphenol A into the "nutritious" foods they hold.
Durable cheap water bottles are great!! Ooops...now we know that they too leach chemicals intothe fluids they hold.
Cheap durable carpets...Ooops! Off gassing!
Affordable cashmere!!! Ooops!
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/specials/chi-china-cashmere-htmlstory,1,1760776.htmlstory?coll=chi_news_custom_photos_util_2
Cheap plastic toys are great! OOpps! Now we know that the contain lead.
Cheaper/better cans for food are great! Ooops! Now we know they leach Bisphenol A into the "nutritious" foods they hold.
Durable cheap water bottles are great!! Ooops...now we know that they too leach chemicals intothe fluids they hold.
Cheap durable carpets...Ooops! Off gassing!
Affordable cashmere!!! Ooops!
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/specials/chi-china-cashmere-htmlstory,1,1760776.htmlstory?coll=chi_news_custom_photos_util_2
Saturday, June 07, 2008
Hot and Sticky
And not the fun kind either. The weather took a complete about face and went from wet and chilly to humid and hot. It was 30 C in the shade Chez Nous and its still not exactly cool tonight. Windows upstairs are flung wide open in the hopes of evacuating the hot and replacing it with cooler night air.
Unfortunately the pool is shockingly refreshing...not exactly stay in and swim temperature but one dip'll do ya for awhile!!
The neighbor better hurry up and get his garage built so that our yard has privacy again. Its skinny dip season.
Unfortunately the pool is shockingly refreshing...not exactly stay in and swim temperature but one dip'll do ya for awhile!!
The neighbor better hurry up and get his garage built so that our yard has privacy again. Its skinny dip season.
Friday, June 06, 2008
Friday
Its cloudy and not hot and we have had rain over night for which I am not complaining. Hman made it to his destination safely yesterday and I hope his weather is good today for golf etc.
Today the plan is :strip beds, wash linens, go to park to feed ducks and get a treat, maybe hit Chapters in Pointe Claire. It so sucks that to go to a Chapters I need to go so far. Plus we'll get caught in traffic so that would be a bad idea. Maybe no Chapters today. It is already mid afternoon and I'm still in my jammies....
Chatted with big sister for a bit on the phone, flipped through National Geographic's Green Guide magazine, and have imbibed some iced coffee so maybe Its time to get my ass in gear.
Today the plan is :strip beds, wash linens, go to park to feed ducks and get a treat, maybe hit Chapters in Pointe Claire. It so sucks that to go to a Chapters I need to go so far. Plus we'll get caught in traffic so that would be a bad idea. Maybe no Chapters today. It is already mid afternoon and I'm still in my jammies....
Chatted with big sister for a bit on the phone, flipped through National Geographic's Green Guide magazine, and have imbibed some iced coffee so maybe Its time to get my ass in gear.
Thursday, June 05, 2008
Musings on a Thursday Morning
It is a glorious Thursday morning Chez Nous. The sun is shining, the new fence is almost finished, the kids are at school, I have done SFA so far except indulge in iced coffee and Dreamgirls. Life is good. So why am I feeling a touch of melancholy?
Part of it is that I really really want to go home for a visit. I miss Jessie and Julie and my mom. I haven't seen my new grand nephew yet. I want to give my grand nieces and other important offsprings hugs and kisses so that they don't forget their Aunty. Unfortunately a trip home isn't in the budget financially or temporally at this moment in time. Not that Hman hasn't tried to work it out but its either a whiz-bang-no-time-to-settle-in-and-visit-for-real long weekend or we break a solemn promise to the terrors and change our vacation plans and thats just not cool. You cannot expect your children to believe in you if you break promises and this was a big one that they have been counting on so I said no to the idea of changing plans. It sucks hard to be a grown up some times.
Part of the blue is that Hman has been quite absent family wise for the last month or so. He's had business trips, client obligations on weekends, yacht club obligations etc etc etc and when he IS here, he is either exhausted and testy or busy as a bee doing his yard projects.
Yet another part is the reconnecting with old friends. It makes you look back and look hard at who you were and who they were, why people grew apart, things said or unsaid that maybe should have been said, things done or undone that could have been better, loss of years with true and wonderful friends because of fears or self esteem, forgiving yourself and others for being young and impressionable and YOUNG. Doesn't that some up the foilble of youth succinctly? There is a lot of joy but a lot of regrets as well. Holy emotional roller coaster.
And lastly, HMan is on yet another trip with another to come later in the month and I guess I just miss his annoying person. I miss us together as a family relaxing and not losing patience and these days will return with the end of school and more evening/weekends outdoors together in the yard or out and about.
There is no school tomorrow so maybe my babies and I will take a LONG bike ride to the old town and stroll the park feeding ducks have a treat from the cremerie. Saturday is fencing day and the weekend forecast is for hot so the pool may have its first action of the season. This is something to look forward to.
Part of it is that I really really want to go home for a visit. I miss Jessie and Julie and my mom. I haven't seen my new grand nephew yet. I want to give my grand nieces and other important offsprings hugs and kisses so that they don't forget their Aunty. Unfortunately a trip home isn't in the budget financially or temporally at this moment in time. Not that Hman hasn't tried to work it out but its either a whiz-bang-no-time-to-settle-in-and-visit-for-real long weekend or we break a solemn promise to the terrors and change our vacation plans and thats just not cool. You cannot expect your children to believe in you if you break promises and this was a big one that they have been counting on so I said no to the idea of changing plans. It sucks hard to be a grown up some times.
Part of the blue is that Hman has been quite absent family wise for the last month or so. He's had business trips, client obligations on weekends, yacht club obligations etc etc etc and when he IS here, he is either exhausted and testy or busy as a bee doing his yard projects.
Yet another part is the reconnecting with old friends. It makes you look back and look hard at who you were and who they were, why people grew apart, things said or unsaid that maybe should have been said, things done or undone that could have been better, loss of years with true and wonderful friends because of fears or self esteem, forgiving yourself and others for being young and impressionable and YOUNG. Doesn't that some up the foilble of youth succinctly? There is a lot of joy but a lot of regrets as well. Holy emotional roller coaster.
And lastly, HMan is on yet another trip with another to come later in the month and I guess I just miss his annoying person. I miss us together as a family relaxing and not losing patience and these days will return with the end of school and more evening/weekends outdoors together in the yard or out and about.
There is no school tomorrow so maybe my babies and I will take a LONG bike ride to the old town and stroll the park feeding ducks have a treat from the cremerie. Saturday is fencing day and the weekend forecast is for hot so the pool may have its first action of the season. This is something to look forward to.
Tuesday, June 03, 2008
And now...the back yard.
And my yarn...hahahahahaha..
This is my new bird feeder post that was crooked but now is kinda straight. Yay handy me and the Hman. My raised bed potager is doing well. Lost one cucumber plant so far. The new deck area by the pool rocks with the new swing for cuddling, napping, knitting, etc...
Shrug
I could not resist the lure of my new yarn and wound it yesterday, casting on 90 stitches and commencing to knit while watching one of the worst movies I have seen in awhile Strange Wilderness.
After about 20 rows I decided the stitch pattern and the yarn were not (NOT) compatible. It was FUGLY!! Rip rip rip. Now I have 90 stitches with a seed stitch border (10) on each side and plain ol' stockingette in the middle and its VERY pleasing to me.
I just knew the world was waiting to know, and now you do.
After about 20 rows I decided the stitch pattern and the yarn were not (NOT) compatible. It was FUGLY!! Rip rip rip. Now I have 90 stitches with a seed stitch border (10) on each side and plain ol' stockingette in the middle and its VERY pleasing to me.
I just knew the world was waiting to know, and now you do.
Monday, June 02, 2008
Sunday, June 01, 2008
My Boyfriend+My Girlfriend= Must See Movie
I have to see Wanted simply for the hotness. I know it makes me a shallow pathetic human being but I am okay with that.
Saturday, May 31, 2008
OH My Frakking Gods!
Facebook finally earned its keep with me. I found my old bestest friend from highschool, probably the only person I would have wanted to find from highschool actually! LOL I'm so happy.
Now I order all my family that visits our hometown to buy lots of goodies at the Canape Cafe on Front Street. Its Cathie's cafe!! I think thats so cool!
I feel a bit giddy...I have also had a lot of caffeine! Therefore I AM giddy and highly caffienated and we all know how that gets me going! Scary.
Ok...what else....
The radishes are up. The Sweet peas are planted and netting hung for them. The swing arrived and awaits assembly. I fell off the yarn diet last night and bought 5 skeins of Berroco's new Peruvia Colours in colour way # 7220. Its not on the website colour chart yet so I couldn't snag a photo. Its pretty..trust.;op I want to make a wrap around shrug for myself with this and probably a contrasting neutral like beige or natural grey.
This will be our little secret, non?
Now I order all my family that visits our hometown to buy lots of goodies at the Canape Cafe on Front Street. Its Cathie's cafe!! I think thats so cool!
I feel a bit giddy...I have also had a lot of caffeine! Therefore I AM giddy and highly caffienated and we all know how that gets me going! Scary.
Ok...what else....
The radishes are up. The Sweet peas are planted and netting hung for them. The swing arrived and awaits assembly. I fell off the yarn diet last night and bought 5 skeins of Berroco's new Peruvia Colours in colour way # 7220. Its not on the website colour chart yet so I couldn't snag a photo. Its pretty..trust.;op I want to make a wrap around shrug for myself with this and probably a contrasting neutral like beige or natural grey.
This will be our little secret, non?
Monday, May 26, 2008
More Gardening
The grass in the back yard is MUCH healthier than that of teh front yard so its really really hard to dig up. Especially with my gimpy groin (strained something). So my darling HusbandMan built me 3 more 4x8 raised-bed frames for our "potager" (vegetable or kitchen garden). That make 4 beds altogether. The previously existing bed was filled and planted with culinary herbs. The other 3 frames are laid out so we have two rows of two. The intersecting spaces for walking will be paved with flagstonesque patio pavers and crushed gravel. Where the 4 paths come together centrally I have planted a sweet cherry tree. YAY! Cherries! This particular variety is self pollinating so colour me happy.
Today I got bagged soil, chicken manure, and compost and filled a frame. Mostly. It coulda used a couple more bags so next bed will get a couple more bags. I am also trying that MYKE growing supplement for veggie gardens for the first time. This first bed is now heavily planted with blocks of carrots, radishes, peas, bush beans, mesclun mix, and swiss chard. I am thinking I will still get another bag of soil and scatter it over top thinly.
Next bed will have the cuke(trellised) and tomato transplants and I am not sure what else. More carrots for sure.
The last bed is held in reserve for my poor over crowded strawberry plants that need moving from their current spot. That over crowded bed can then be dedicated to the raspberries that are taking it over. I have that bed planted with the strawberries but then I was gifted with a raspberry cane that I stuck in the groud in the autumn to over winter it (never got it properly planted. THEN when spring came and we were spending the summer in NS, I popped it into the end of the strawberry bed until I could make a good spot for it. It went BESERK and is now many raspberry canes and is actually escaping the bed. It will be brought to heel this summer for sure and I will also top up that bed with a sack of compost.
Sunflower sprout count: 22. Wowee!
4 oclock sprout count: 10 ? Grrr.
Morning Glory volunteers: I yank a few daily. I only NEED 3 vines for that spot.
HM also built me a planter by his new deck. I need to fill it and Plant my sweet pea seeds. They can then climb trellising and cover the side of the Rubbermaid shed. Pretty AND smell glorious. LOOOOVE sweet peas.
I found a transplant of catnip at Home Depot yesterday and bought it for Miss Kitty. She loves her some home grown 'nip and I have it in a big pot now. Still no mouse scultures though. I gotta draw the line somewhere.
Pictures when I have some.
Today I got bagged soil, chicken manure, and compost and filled a frame. Mostly. It coulda used a couple more bags so next bed will get a couple more bags. I am also trying that MYKE growing supplement for veggie gardens for the first time. This first bed is now heavily planted with blocks of carrots, radishes, peas, bush beans, mesclun mix, and swiss chard. I am thinking I will still get another bag of soil and scatter it over top thinly.
Next bed will have the cuke(trellised) and tomato transplants and I am not sure what else. More carrots for sure.
The last bed is held in reserve for my poor over crowded strawberry plants that need moving from their current spot. That over crowded bed can then be dedicated to the raspberries that are taking it over. I have that bed planted with the strawberries but then I was gifted with a raspberry cane that I stuck in the groud in the autumn to over winter it (never got it properly planted. THEN when spring came and we were spending the summer in NS, I popped it into the end of the strawberry bed until I could make a good spot for it. It went BESERK and is now many raspberry canes and is actually escaping the bed. It will be brought to heel this summer for sure and I will also top up that bed with a sack of compost.
Sunflower sprout count: 22. Wowee!
4 oclock sprout count: 10 ? Grrr.
Morning Glory volunteers: I yank a few daily. I only NEED 3 vines for that spot.
HM also built me a planter by his new deck. I need to fill it and Plant my sweet pea seeds. They can then climb trellising and cover the side of the Rubbermaid shed. Pretty AND smell glorious. LOOOOVE sweet peas.
I found a transplant of catnip at Home Depot yesterday and bought it for Miss Kitty. She loves her some home grown 'nip and I have it in a big pot now. Still no mouse scultures though. I gotta draw the line somewhere.
Pictures when I have some.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Stupid things people do......
On the commercials for a news program tonight, a story they will broadcast is about teens buying up Morning Glory seeds at garden centers to use them as a hallucinogenic drug.
I'm filing this under Stupidest Things I Have Ever Heard.
I wonder if you told them that smoking dog shit would make one high, would they come clean up my yard for me? Blossom would be the most popular dog on the street because she goes ALOT.
Does this mean that I could be arrested for growing Morning Glories soon??? I feel so guilty tempting youngsters with my rampant vines right out there in the front yard for the whole world to see. Its like a grow op right under everyone's noses when you think about it. AND they are organically grown....I'm just sayin'...
I'm filing this under Stupidest Things I Have Ever Heard.
I wonder if you told them that smoking dog shit would make one high, would they come clean up my yard for me? Blossom would be the most popular dog on the street because she goes ALOT.
Does this mean that I could be arrested for growing Morning Glories soon??? I feel so guilty tempting youngsters with my rampant vines right out there in the front yard for the whole world to see. Its like a grow op right under everyone's noses when you think about it. AND they are organically grown....I'm just sayin'...
Monday, May 19, 2008
Continuation........
After much more groin straining work and additional consultations with Miss Kitty, the front yard is more or less complete. There is some mulch to lay on that landscape fabric as soon as my body is up to it and yes I keep buying plants to tuck in here and there. The 4 o'clock seeds are FINALLY sprouting in the long dirt strip at the front of the garden too.
Pictorial
In the beginning, there was a yard with mucho dead grass thanks to white grubs. I worked and I worked and had a meeting with my landscape consultant, Miss Kitty. In the above photo we are discussing the plans: She thinks there is a marked lack of catnip and that the design cries out for mouse sculptures and low lying bird feeders. I think she was being just a little catty with her comments.
Monday, May 12, 2008
This is what I bought....this is what I thought it was...
I accidentally bought a Ligularia 'Britt Marie Crawford'(not a Euphorbia..my memory isn't great) which is yellowy orange. I thought I was buying a Meadow Rue. See the difference? Me no happy but the Ligularia iiiisss kinda innerestin' isn't it? I still want meadow rue tho.
Mother's Day...the day after
Last years tulips but this year they look exactly the same!
Saturday evening sipping drinks on the stoop, I asked HM what his plans were for Sunday. He started blathering about working in the yard etc when I clarified "I mean, what are your plans for Mother's Day?". I am nothing if not subtle.
He laughed and said he didn't have any and besides hadn't I just bought new lip gloss and a lady bug keychain for myself for mother's day and he gave me my rain barrel last weekend? Eye brow raised archly, I stated that I put up with a lot of shit in the run of a year and is being treated like a queen for a day too much to f$cking ask?? Huh? HUH? Is it??!
Apparently it is not. :oD
I awoke to quiet. Yay! I read in bed for awhile and then heard HM return home from somewhere. Hmmm...mysterious. Then when I went downstairs I was sent back up.
After awhile my men arrived in my bedroom with coffee, cards(Ben's stated he was my slave for the day and Cameron's came with a strung beads book mark), flowers, and golf balls. Pink ones and white ones. Uh-oh.....
Down stairs waiting was my very own set of Wilson ladies clubs in the Breast Cancer theme of pink in a navy and cream with hot pink embroidery. ( Walmart $246...I spotted the flyer). Now, I am not a golfer but I had stated in a fit of delusion that I thought I should take it up this year so that we could all go golfing together as a family, with dreamy visions of sunlit meadows and butterflies and us all laughing and happy as we walk the links.. Now I am committed. They are very pretty though and I really like my pale pink Hope balls.
The gifting was followed by smoked salmon for breakfast (YUM) and lazing around reading the paper and drinking my coffee. Fortified, I hit the garden ( or jardin as we call it here). I am making great progress and if I REALLY put myself into it I could be finished today! But its hard on the back so maybe not. We also positioned out former raised bed in a new spot so it can become the herb garden foundation of the planned vegetable pathch in the back yard. I bought 21 bags of black earth, gypsum, and herbs this morning.
After I wore myself out in the garden I headed to the nursery for more plants ( I know I know...small fortune in my yard already). One of the plants I bought is the wrong one. I thought I got Meadow Rue but this is some kind of euphorbia. DOH! Good cause to go back though, non?
I came home, planted, showered, and we headed to the par 3 course as a family for a sunlit evening of 9 holes. I'm not quite as awful as I could have been and even got par on one hole (we were playing best ball anyways but I putted it into the hole when even the two experienced golfers MISSED! Yay me!) and when I drove one time, my ball was the one we played from! Yay me again! And I have never had a lesson and HM landed in the sand trap...again. HA!
You just wait. If I learn how to actually golf I will KICK HIS A$$! Yeah baby.
Then we went out to the chinese buffet for supper because I wanted dumplings.
Yup my mother's day RAWKED the party, man. I am training these guys soooo well.
Friday, May 09, 2008
Sunday I Tidied
On Sunday afternoon I tidied the stash. It was getting to messy behind the chair and I had planned on moving the stash upstairs to the hall landing and into a bureau I have there.
The 3 drawers available for stash are now full, I have a box with JUST Briggs and Little anniversary twist (a sweater's worth), and I still have a zippered blanket storage bag full of yarn. Except for the ziplock hefty bag of worsted for Cully's planned sweater with the Squirrel Nutkin theme. I finally printed off the sizing information that I needed to do my maths for a pattern. I digress....
Holy sh!t. How did this happen??? Ok...we know how this happened... But seriously. There is stuff there that I forgot I had! Its official...my stash has reached a size that I am thinking is plenty big and I am now on a yarn diet. I will only knit from stash for the foreseeable future and will NOT add to the stash until it is reduced. At my rate thats gonna be some time.
Compared to some stashes (Barb) that are known as SABLE ( stash accumulation beyond life expectancy), this its not even a real stash...its a stashlette...a baby stash. Drop in the knitting basket. But for me, who does not want to be like my mother the pack rat, this is plenty frikkin' big. For me its scary. I have many pounds..POUNDS..of yarn. I can no longer lift my stash. Busting is called for and will be done.
I bought yarn for projects that I haven't gotten to, and bought yarn just because it was pretty or scrumptious, and bought yarn because it was on sale. The bulk of the stash is worsted weight 100% wool.
I have a lot of mitten and sock and hat knitting to do I am thinking. I'm glad I found this pattern http://members.home.nl/tdpj/Patronen/Noro_hat/Noro%20hat.htm for a scrap friendly hat and/or tea cozy.
The 3 drawers available for stash are now full, I have a box with JUST Briggs and Little anniversary twist (a sweater's worth), and I still have a zippered blanket storage bag full of yarn. Except for the ziplock hefty bag of worsted for Cully's planned sweater with the Squirrel Nutkin theme. I finally printed off the sizing information that I needed to do my maths for a pattern. I digress....
Holy sh!t. How did this happen??? Ok...we know how this happened... But seriously. There is stuff there that I forgot I had! Its official...my stash has reached a size that I am thinking is plenty big and I am now on a yarn diet. I will only knit from stash for the foreseeable future and will NOT add to the stash until it is reduced. At my rate thats gonna be some time.
Compared to some stashes (Barb) that are known as SABLE ( stash accumulation beyond life expectancy), this its not even a real stash...its a stashlette...a baby stash. Drop in the knitting basket. But for me, who does not want to be like my mother the pack rat, this is plenty frikkin' big. For me its scary. I have many pounds..POUNDS..of yarn. I can no longer lift my stash. Busting is called for and will be done.
I bought yarn for projects that I haven't gotten to, and bought yarn just because it was pretty or scrumptious, and bought yarn because it was on sale. The bulk of the stash is worsted weight 100% wool.
I have a lot of mitten and sock and hat knitting to do I am thinking. I'm glad I found this pattern http://members.home.nl/tdpj/Patronen/Noro_hat/Noro%20hat.htm for a scrap friendly hat and/or tea cozy.
Thursday, May 08, 2008
Slacky McSlackerson...
...should be my name. I have been remiss with the blogging and my friend Barb called me on it today.
I have been busy...well...busy for me. Garden creation continues and I am telling you its starting to look hhhhhhawesome!! Its slow though because its been a bit rainy and also, much garden work makes my back hate me. I repeat, its truly looking very nice. When not gardening or doing laundry I have been napping, as per usual.
Knitwise, still slowly slogging on the socks. On the foot now of sock one of the Belle Maman pair. Can I just say again what a great sock this is? Love it. Knitting would go faster with less napping I am sure.
We have been having vehicular misadventures lately. 3 weeks ago I backed into a car's bumper, breaking the bottom of said bumper with my trailer hitch. A week or so ago HM got hit in the windshield with a flying rock on the highway. Friday I scraped the side of his Acura making a right hand turn around what I THOUGHT was a parked taxi at a taxi stand but seems was a non-parked taxi. Sunday HM almost ran into a vehicle while pulling out of a parking lot. Yesterday, he broke MY windshield while loading lumber into the stationwagon at RONA (I think the boards were too long maybe?). I am now afraid to leave my home.
Kidswise: Ben is still having problems with the 4 little motherfrakkers...I mean..naughty boys...in his class. I know I should not want to beat other peoples children? But seriously, I'm getting pissed. Very very pissed. Mama Bear is going to rip off your head pissed. Little f$ckers.
Cameron is fine but going through a whiney "nobody loves me my life is horrible I hate everything" phase. Its great. Fun abounds.
Yup. Life is good.
I have been busy...well...busy for me. Garden creation continues and I am telling you its starting to look hhhhhhawesome!! Its slow though because its been a bit rainy and also, much garden work makes my back hate me. I repeat, its truly looking very nice. When not gardening or doing laundry I have been napping, as per usual.
Knitwise, still slowly slogging on the socks. On the foot now of sock one of the Belle Maman pair. Can I just say again what a great sock this is? Love it. Knitting would go faster with less napping I am sure.
We have been having vehicular misadventures lately. 3 weeks ago I backed into a car's bumper, breaking the bottom of said bumper with my trailer hitch. A week or so ago HM got hit in the windshield with a flying rock on the highway. Friday I scraped the side of his Acura making a right hand turn around what I THOUGHT was a parked taxi at a taxi stand but seems was a non-parked taxi. Sunday HM almost ran into a vehicle while pulling out of a parking lot. Yesterday, he broke MY windshield while loading lumber into the stationwagon at RONA (I think the boards were too long maybe?). I am now afraid to leave my home.
Kidswise: Ben is still having problems with the 4 little motherfrakkers...I mean..naughty boys...in his class. I know I should not want to beat other peoples children? But seriously, I'm getting pissed. Very very pissed. Mama Bear is going to rip off your head pissed. Little f$ckers.
Cameron is fine but going through a whiney "nobody loves me my life is horrible I hate everything" phase. Its great. Fun abounds.
Yup. Life is good.
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