Treats for me!

One of the boxes JP shipped home from his trip arrived yesterday; I just have to share the treats he had for me, I hope you don't mind:

• 2 large 9 x 11 notebooks
• 1 5 x 8 notebook
• CherryWild/Wild Cherry - seatbelt protector and garbage bag (to match my steering wheel cover, seat covers and floor mats!)
• 4 tins of York Mints
• 1 set of Days of the Week Magnets
• Adorn Magazine
• 1 auto-feed mechanical pencil (you don't have to click it or anything)
• 1 purse sized note pad and pen with robin's egg blue vinyl cover
• 3 really cool key chains from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

And he's told me that more boxes are coming - but we didn't get any today because of the snow :-(

It's still winter

Just so we wouldn't feel left out and fool ourselves into thinking that Lotus Land (aka Vancouver) could escape the snow, we were given about 12 inches of the white stuff in the last 24 hours.

Luckily, at my house, we can work from home and do not have to drive even though we have good snow tires if we had to go some where. So it's time for tea and computers.


Did you go in to work today?

Mo-jay

JP was out of town at his corporate head office in the US for the past 3 weeks. On Sundays he'd do some shopping, and on his last Sunday I received this photo:



The sweet man shopped for me in Sephora and bought all these items. It's an even bigger deal because there isn't a Sephora in Vancouver and according to their website, many items can't be shipped to Canada. He phoned me from the store, and asked me to tell the girl in the store what I wanted and then he sent me that photo.

I think that's just about the sweetest thing a man could do, don't you? So, if you see me and I look different, that's because I've been playing with new makeup, and trying new face cream, etc. (don't worry, I'm not wearing it all at once like some teens do!)

And some boxes just arrived that he had shipped home, and I'm told there are things in there for me as well. It's fun having a present day half way between Christmas and Valentines!

~~~~~~

In the crafty side of things, I did finish a couple of projects but I can't show you because I'm planning on giving them for Valentines - so you'll have to wait. In the mean time, if you're looking to make a felted Easter basket, check out the pattern at Very Pink (scroll down a bit). I think it's pretty cool.

~~~~~~

Yesterday, I made the boys pancakes for brunch and while I was waiting for the last ones to cook, I asked the kid "would you like some O.J.?"

Kid: um, I'm trying to figure out what 'mo-jay' is
Dad: okay, we'll wait
Me: think about what I said "some O.J.
Kid (in about 3 minutes): ooooooooohhhhhhh. Orange Juice (pause, then politely chirps) No thank you.

Would you like some Mo-jay?

Novelty Yarn Fun and a "Scary" Rant

So the other night I was working on a project with novelty yarn and was about 1/2 way through the project. I was watching TV while I was knitting and all of a sudden I realized that I had cast off the whole row instead of just the first 4 stitches. I tried to tink (un-knit) it, but that yarn is so confusing. I pulled the needle out and tried to loop it all back on, but I know I had picked up more stitches than I should have. I knit part way and then went to sleep. Last night I picked it up and forgot I was half way through a row and pulled the needle out! Augh!

So I decided it was just too much of a mess and frogged (unraveled) the whole thing and started again. Bah! What can you do? It's a gift for someone, you can't pass them a jumbled mess, even if the yarn will hide most of it, right?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

While I was eating my lunch today, I was reading an article about the Vancouver-based sportswear company Oqoqo which is an offspring of the well-known company, lululemon. The article says the company stuffs a 'corporate manifesto' into each shopper's bag to encourage them with phrases such as "do one thing a day that scares you". Now how exactly does one go about that? Saying no to your boss? Stepping out in traffic? Running that extra 1/2 mile despite thinking you might be having a heart attack? Talking to a stranger?

Many scary things are scary for a reason - because they are unsafe or just not a wise thing to do. Walking up to strangers in Vancouver is not only scary, it can be stupid too. Never backing up your computer is very scary (among a whole bunch of other things). And can a person really keep up performing scary things on a daily basis? What scary things should you be doing on a daily basis?

Now I realize this was just a light hearted comment which perhaps the majority of shoppers ignore, but how do we know what advice to follow and what we shouldn't? And do people care when they find out the person giving them their advice has fallen too? Take Dr. Phil for example, allegedly he's on the brink of getting fired for visiting (or perhaps, ambushing) Britney Spears in the hospital. If he is fired, will people burn all his books and stop watching his re-runs, would they feel hurt or even betrayed? Or do people just move on and forget because as fast as some things come into our lives, even faster they are forgotten or replaced?

Perhaps just believing everything you see on TV each day would satisfy 'doing one thing a day that scares you". Could it really be as simple as that?

Frozen Strawberries

Today was a gloriously sunny day, which started out at minus 3 Celsius. Here are my some of frosty sweet little strawberry plants - just waiting for those sun filled days so it can create beautiful red juicy fruit and reward me with sugary sweet little presents... (which the slugs usually get to before me. )

Jazz's Progress

Jazz had a lumpectomy on Friday to remove some fat deposits and yesterday the bandages came off, here's what she looks like:

See the part that is pinkish? That's where they shaved her - and there is about a 5" incision on her shoulder. She's healing very fast and very well. And once her bandages came off she wanted to run - hard to believe she's a 12 year old dog, she acts likes she's 5. The only problem is that the incision is in just the right spot that she can reach it with her foot to scratch it and her tongue to lick it. But I am just so happy that the big lump is gone, I'm sure it will be easier for her to move her front leg now as well (as soon as she heals, of course)

And, did you see the big, bright full moon last night? It was soooooo very bright in the clear sky. When I opened the door to let the dogs out this morning, I was practically blinded by it! It was beautiful.

Invention of the Year

Knitting News - I'm naming this product - Invention of the Year. Thanks to Staci for breaking the news. Here's the concept, from the website:

A new concept in sock knitting? Yes!

There are no skeins, no balls, no tangles--and it's portable. You simply unravel as you knit. DO NOT WIND THE FLAT INTO A BALL, knit as it is presented into the sock of your choice. It's creative, it's fun and it's easy.Because each flat is hand-painted, no other pair will match the flats; these are "art socks", one-of-a-kind. The unique color pattern develops as the flat is knit. It is literally a color transformation at the needle tip. Depending the pattern selected, the colors may
yield diagonal colors, slight striping, or even bold color.Uniquely, the colors in the blank will not disclose the final result of the sock; it only indicates the colors that will be found within the sock. Your needles drip color as you, the artist, create socks that are solely(no pun intended) your own.

Quote of the month

Last night my brother was at a party and an acquaintance approached him and said, "Is that a new leather jacket ?"
To which my smart-ass brother replied, "No, some cow had it first".

I think that was brilliant, don't you?

Weekend Update

1. Only 4 more sleeps until JP comes home. Yay!

2. I finished this hat in under 2 hours with a 6.5mm crochet hook and some super bulky yarn.

It has an interesting cross stitch pattern along the sides and then a crocheted ribbed edge which I also like. I wasn't so into it when I started but when I put it on the completed hat I really like it. Working with bulky yarn is nice and fast but I found it split frequently which I wasn't so happy with.

3. Jazz's before and (early) after photos. The bandages will come off around Tuesday or Wednesday. This lump was tested twice and confirmed it was just fat which normally distributes itself throughout the body but for her it localized. Thank god that doesn't happen to humans, I would not want a third butt cheek or something!

See her big lump on her shoulder (above)?

This is only hours after the surgery. She came out of the anesthetic like people do - cold for a while, panting for a while. It's almost like lip0suction - first they removed the fat and then they applied a bandage to compress her so she doesn't swell. She's much better today, even stole and ate Maxx's bone yesterday (he didn't notice) and participated in a little walkies last night. Today she appears to be ready to run - but I won't let her!

4. Maxx is doing fine, we'll get his stitches out in the next day or so. The first night Jazz came home, he didn't seem to understand why he was not the centre of attention. Good thing I have 2 hands.

5. Is TV sucking because it just is, or because of the writer's strike? Why don't they get what they want - I can't believe the academy awards might be cancelled because of the strike - come on people...!!!!!

Now I think I'm going to make myself a cup of tea and sit in my PJs in bed and read for a bit. Ah the single life...... (only for a couple more days, whew! I did my time....)

Movin' On

Thank you to everyone who has sent their thoughts and warm wishes for me and Maxx - you have no idea how much it means to me. It means so much! (hugs to all)

Tomorrow my other dog, Jazz will have surgery on her shoulder to removed a fat lump. We've already checked this one - twice. We are concerned that the lump will impede her front leg movement and eventually worsen any arthritis she may get in that shoulder. Jazz will be 12 this year (she's the white one with brown spots).

Maxx is doing okay, his stitches are driving him crazy and so he's had to wear the cone collar more because the moment I turn my back on him, he's licking! He's not co-ordinated enough to wear it all the time and frequently gets stuck. I take it off so he can lay down and then put it back on him when he's in his bed - half the time it's not even tied.


I haven't felt much like crafting over the last couple of days but wanted to share with you a pair of fingerless gloves from the magazine Crochet Today which I made on Sunday. I thought these were interesting because of the straps, however, I haven't found the buckles yet - and according to a couple people on Ravelry, they are very hard to find. So for the time being, I have used a ribbon - this ribbon is very uplifting to me because of the different coloured polka-dots which remind me of the Wonderbread packaging - which I find is a "happy" pattern.

"To the world you might be one person, but to one person
you might be the world."-- Unknown

The Dreaded Phone Call

Maxx with a cone collar, post surgery

Last Thursday, I took Maxx in to the vet to have a mole/cyst removed on his hip. Maxx is my 14 year old Australian Cattle Dog (aka Blue Heeler) and has epilepsy. Twelve years ago Maxx suffered from a Grand Mal seizure which caused him to lose some brain function. He had to be learn everything - even his name - and be house trained all over again, but with the help of my other dog he came back pretty good. With medication we've controlled his epilepsy and he's been seizure free for 10 years. The old guy has been through a lot. Last year he had an operation to remove a fat lump from his armpit before it impeded his ability to walk.

Last Thursday he had that thing removed. His first night home was rough, he woke me up around midnight and when I turned on the light to check on him, he was crying! There were tears running down his face - the poor guy! I gave him some pain medication and he slept for about 5 hours. I never knew dogs could cry.

But then I got the call from the vet after the biopsy results came in and it's a Mast Cell tumor which is a low-grade malignant tumor. Unfortunately, since the vet didn't know what it was at the time of surgery, she didn't get all of it, and leaving parts behind will allow it to grow back. This type of tumour is part of the blood system and can be internal too, such as in the lymph system. He could have more. Due to his advanced age and condition, further surgery would not be good for him and so it looks like letting him go on day by day is his best option.

There are more factors that have aided my decision, I just didn't include them all here. After discussing this with my vet and family, I am confident I have made the best decision for him. He has been a faithful companion for me, and I hope to assist him with what lies ahead.

Sharing this with you was important to me and I appreciate your support. Thank you.

Happy Outcome & A Lesson Learned

As I am working my way through my stash, I am challenging myself to make something with each skein I pull out of the box. My last selection was a sizable skein of white acrylic which I had planned to use for a baby item. However, after making a gauge swatch I found that it was scratchy and I could never give anything made from it to a baby. So I somehow came up with the idea of mixing it with a skein of Bernat Frenzy (which is a novelty yarn) . The result was a bulky but very soft yarn. I started to make a shawl but the bottom started to curl and about halfway I decided I didn't like it, and came up with the idea of making a sweater for my dog, Jazz.

The first attempt was too small, so I ripped it out all over again and added 10 stitches here and 10 rows there and here's what it looks like:

And I also learned something. I took a break from knitting to talk on the phone, and while I was talking I was playing with the spare needle when all of a sudden *snap*. Yup, it broke. Wah! And I had several more rows to go. This was a 15mm needle and I didn't have another set! So I finished the sweater with one 12mm and one 15mm needle and tried to knit as loosely as I could. Lessons learned: big needles are hollow and needles from a second hand shop my be brittle and knitting needles should not be used for things other than knitting (although I know we're all guilty of using our needles for other things - especially sock needles, am I right?).

Now to pull out the next yarn for another challenge.

I had one skein of Cascade 220 wool which I wanted to try felting a purse, so I search around for a pattern but just couldn't find one that worked for the materials I had, so I invented one. I crocheted the bag and knitted the handles and then felted it. And I knew it would shrink at least 50% but wow - I think it went to about 70%!

Here it is, its still drying and waiting to be embellished - 6" across the bottom, 9 1/2" across the top and 6 1/2" deep. But it's nice and spring-y isn't it?

Today we had snow overnight again, but since this morning it's been raining heavily. I'm really getting tired of all the snow, and the rain and the cold. And we still have about 2 more months of this. I'll have to make more mittens and fingerless gloves and sweaters and socks I guess. Does the weather bother you at all?

This and That - It's Monday!

1. JP left for a business trip today and our drive in wasn't so easy - lots of ice/snow/rain. It was worse on the way home because it had been snow/raining longer. In fact, about 10 minutes after crawling through the snow and passing a smashed up PT Cruiser, reportedly a snow plow crashed in the same area and then several cars crashed and the road was closed. Scary! I am so grateful I was not a part of that. Then I was on the highway but the maximum speed was only 40 km/hr - except for some jerks who like to risk their lives and others. Thankfully, the last half of my trip was much better and I made it home without incident.


And the kicker? JP's plane would have flown over our house before I even got home!


Finally, after getting up at 4:00am and then driving through those tense conditions, I am now super tired. But I will not take a nap, I must work. I will just have to have lots of strong tea.



2. I just heard on the news that Bif Naked has breast cancer and will be going through treatment immediately. As a long time fan, and to all suffering from this - I wish her (and all) the best health and a speedy recovery.



3. I didn't get much/any crocheting or knitting done this weekend. I had all the laundry to do before JPs trip, and then I ironed all his dress shirts and some pants (aren't I a good wifey?) plus we had to go get snow tires put on the car - good thing too - see above. Is that intuition or what?


After I take down the Christmas decorations, I do have lots of clean up and organizing plans and will definitely work in some crafts. Especially because I can leave my sewing machine out on the kitchen table for as long as I need while he is away. Plus, I would like to put together a scrapbook for our wedding. We just passed our six month anniversary so I'd better get a crackin'.


How was your weekend?

What fiber are you?

Want to have some fun? Take this test and see what fiber you are. Go on, I know you want to. We women love quizzes.

More FOs

I wanted to share another Christmas project I made. This is a set of embroidered napkins. All the patterns came from Sublime Stitching except the pink feet which I had to draw myself (they are to represent Big Girl Feet). I forgot to take a photo before I shipped them, but thankfully Cynthia took this photo and sent it to me so I could share with you.

And this is a baby hat I made for some friend who are expecting. The pattern is called "Baby Bobbles" from the Jan/Feb2008 issue of Crochet Today and the year is Bernat Cottontots.

I am very pleased with it, except JP tells me it's too big for a baby and will fit a toddler. I have no idea how big a baby's head is; I'm either making things too small or too big. I'll have to see if I have a chart with head sizes so I can figure it out once and for all.

And speaking of Crochet Today, I am not very happy with them. When I subscribed back in September, the online order form offered me a set of crochet hooks. I have received two issues of the magazine so far, but not the hooks despite several phone calls and some faxes, I get either the royal run around or no response at all. Bah - I think that's pretty crappy.

End of the Year meme

Well I sorta was tagged by Cynthia, so here goes:

1. What did you do in 2007 that you’d never done before?
Went to San Antonio where I went to Fiesta, Luchenback and Seaworld (Shamu!Shamu!)

2. Did you keep your New Year’s Resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I don't make New Year's Resolutions, but I always have goals I am working on.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Not that I know of

4. Did anyone close to you die?
Not that I know of

5. What countries did you visit?
USA

6. What would you like to have in 2008 that you lacked in 2007?
To lose weight, to be able to spend more time on the things I love

7. What dates from 2007 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
July 5th - when we got married

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Planning a wedding out of province

9. What was your biggest failure?
Stopping my dog's noise phobia

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Thankfully not

11. What was the best thing someone bought you?
Any gift from someone else is the best

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
My brother and SIL for doing a wonderful job looking after our mother

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
No one

14. Where did most of your money go?
Car repairs - anyone want to buy an Audi?

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Traveling with JP

16. What song will always remind you of 2007?
Soulja Boy

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:

a) happier or sadder? Happier 

b) thinner or fatter? Fatter, sadly - but working on changing that
c) richer or poorer? richer

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Made more money; lived healthier

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Lazing around

20. How did you spend Christmas?
With my husband, very quiet.

21. Did you fall in love in 2007?
Oh I did that years ago.

22. What was your favorite TV program?
Mad Men and then The Office and 30 Rock

23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
Hating is too much wasted energy....

24. What was the best book you read?
Richistan

25. What was your greatest musical discovery?
None

26. What did you want and get?
Pretty earrings for Christmas

27. What did you want and not get?
I did not try hard enough to obtain my exercise goals

28. What was your favorite film of this year?
Lots of good ones, can't think of a favourite though

29. What did you do on your birthday?
JP and I went shopping

30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
If I obtained my dream job

31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2007?
Casual, and trying hard not to give up...

32. What kept you sane?
JP and hugging my dogs, especially Maxx - he's just the right size

33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Well I'm warming up to Victoria Beckham

34. What political issue stirred you the most?
The 2010 Vancouver Olympics - don't get me started

35. Who do you miss?
My dad, and not being able to visit my mum more frequently.

36. Who was the best new person you met?
Cynthia

37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2007?
We must strive every day towards defining our goals first and then achieving our goals

38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:
Raindrops keep falling on my head

And for fun, read BodaLorna's list, she's got really good answers.