Let's talk about the weather

Yesterday it was rather interesting, in my area the snow was falling fast and the wind was blowing it everywhere, but during last night's evening rush hour, other parts of the Greater Vancouver Area had nothing. AT 6am yesterday morning, it was +6 degrees Celsius, by noon it was 0 degrees, and this morning at 6am it's -6 degrees Celsius. That's a big deal for us.

This morning, we have this: Here's a link the the BC traffic cams - scroll down to "Lower Mainland" to see how little snow there is out there - definitely not like way out here! (Do realize the traffic cameras are 'live' so the longer it is after my posting that you look, the more different it'll be. )

The daffodils and other bulbs were just starting to come up in my garden - I sure hope this snow isn't going to kill them off. And I am wondering what kind of garden I'll have this year because we've had more days below zero/freezing - and more consecutive days below zero - than we've had in years. That mean there may be many plants which didn't survive this year's winter. Gardening's always a mystery though isn't it? I'm usually surprised. One year I had tomato plants galore. I guess the conditions were just right in my compost barrel to germinate the seeds, it was wonderful - but the years following, I didn't get any. Unless I weeded them out . In my early years of gardening, more than once I weeded the good plants with the bad.

I'm thinking spring thoughts, how about you?

The American Foreclosure Crisis

I'm a person who doesn't like to waste things. I would prefer to buy what I need and use it until it's empty or can't be repaired. I find this extremely sad and highly wasteful. If you have a few moments, please click on the link and watch the video - especially before your next trip to HomeSense or Pottery Barn.

And now I'll step off my soap box.

Jazz update

I had a tear filled and exhausting weekend. My body aches. I slept on the floor all of Saturday night but only for about 2 hours on Sunday night. I repeated conversations over and over again. I fought with Jp.

I dreaded Monday afternoon. I didn't want to do it but felt my hands were tied and I had to. Shortly after I made the decision Jazz seemed to getting worse and so I felt a bit better about my decision, but then I felt horrible when I booked the appointment.

This morning she seemed better, she had slept through the night (mainly) and seemed perkier than she had been the last few days. She chewed her bone.

I became tormented. I had a wonderful and insightful conversation with my loving brother, who even though he's told me all the same things before and listened to me say the same things, still had the compassion to listen again and to guide without telling me what to do.

I canceled the appointment.

I feel better. My brother had mentioned the word "doubt" and I recalled a phrase I had heard long ago "doubt means don't". So I'm not. For now.

I'll take it hour by hour, day by day - whichever one works.

Maybe I'm putting myself through unnecessary anguish. Maybe you're reading this and shaking your head thinking I'm making a big mistake. But, I need to feel that I did all I could, that I didn't give up and that I didn't quit. I don't know why - I can easily give up and quit on myself - but this feels worse.

I am so grateful for all the wonderful comments you left for me in my last post. I am truly blessed and loved. Thank you. I hope you understand my new decision. I hope I'm not being selfish. I know it will have to come sooner than later but it's just not the time yet.

Saying Goodbye to a friend

Jp and I met with the vet yesterday morning and we've decided that Jazz's last day will be Monday. It's an extremely difficult decision, however I believe she's not just dealing with her cancer anymore - there seems to be other issues as well.

She has her good moments and her bad. In the good moments I tell myself I'm making a horrible mistake, but in the bad moments I'm relieved that it's the right decision. I am forced to define "quality of life" not only for her, but for me and my husband and our relationship. It's all so very difficult.

(These photos were all taken Spring 2007 , which is why she looks so good. I had to use treats to perk her up in the top photos as it is typical for Jazz to act as if the camera is stealing her soul, otherwise she'd always look like she does in the last photo, with her ears down. )

Dirty Windows

As mentioned on Friday's post, we just so happened to take a drive to Chilliwack on Sunday and so I snapped this photo for you - it's taken through a dirty window at 120 km/hr (ssh, I know) - I can't believe I managed to tag it, it's in the middle of a row of billboards, so I had to act fast.

A picture really is better than a thousand words:

Along with their slogan, here are a couple other ones I like:

• seen on a tow truck : I want your body on my bed
• ad for 1-800 Got Junk: we want your crap.

And I found this collection.

What are your favourites, got any you'd like to share?

More on Family Day...

I received this message from an Alberta reader and thought I would share:

I read on your blog that you wondered about a family day for B.C. Let me tell you something: Back in the Seventies when I worked for the Federal Government, our union which was part of CUPE, tried everything they could and hauled in a lot of negotiators to get a holdiay in February. They stated sickness and absentee lists etc.etc. Yet the government wouldn't budge. The only province that started it was Alberta because Premier Ghetty felt that not enough people had time for their families and that the haul was too long from January 1 to Easter. I hear now that Ontario, P.E.I came aboard and Saskatchewan is coming in as well. I would think that people in B.C. should start over again with Campbell if he is still premier. There's really no reason not to allow it.
Typical leftists in B.C. always do stuff like that, labour and money is important to them, not family.

Well, I hope you guys get it next year. How about all your bloggers starting up a protest? In the States people often don't let the wool pulled over their eyes. Their voices just become louder
and louder. And look they got President's Day. What does that mean anyway, but it is a day off
for them.You guys should get Premier day, that should flatter that old f..rt
butt!

So anyone feel passionate enough to start a protest?

****************

And speaking of family did you know :

...... that today is Bumstead's Wedding Day? In a 1933 comicstrip,
Blondie married Dagwood. Dagwood went on a hungerstrike to protest his parents'
opposition to his impendingmarriage to Blondie. The couple married and Dagwood
waspromptly disinherited. Blondie's maiden name had beenBoopadoop. Bet you
didn't know that! ;-)

Source: Audri and Jim Lanford

Tea for me and not for you

Last week when we were in Bellis Fair Mall, we visited a shop called TeaQuent Stops which sells loose teas. I didn't have a lot of time to read all the labels but I thought I was picking all herbal teas. This is very important as I'm not so good with caffeine these days (can you say 'wicked headaches"? I knew you could).

BUT.... I think some of the tea is caffeinated. I mean I know that Buddha's Chai is, but I didn't think the Rooibos Heaven was. So yesterday afternoon after having a late lunch/early dinner at Lou's Grill, I made myself a cup of tea around 6pm and all was fine. I mean, I didn't really fall asleep that quickly but that's pretty common for Sunday nights because I often go back to bed in the morning after letting Jazz out and get a bit more shut eye.

This morning Jazz woke me up at 3:35am and I went back to bed, but I didn't sleep too well. She woke me up again at 5:35 so I could give her breakfast (that was nice of her, wasn't it?) and should've gone back to sleep for another 1/2 hour but I just couldn't. I had such a headache and just didn't feel so well - and I think it's the tea!

When I am laying in bed trying to sleep, sometimes I create beautiful gardens in my mind, with lots of weeping willows and bamboo leaves fluttering in the wind or sometimes I compose my next blog post. I had a really good one last night, I think it was about 'sugar' but I just can't remember it.

That's probably okay because you probably didn't want to spend 5 minutes reading about sugar, although you just spent 5 minutes reading about TEA!

And one more thing.... how come Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Ontario get today off for Family Day and we don't? Aren't BC families important too?

But wait, there's more!

Okay, here are a bunch of photos showing things I've acquired in the past week (I know, I'm very fortunate). So pull up a chair and warm your hands with a hot mugga, you might be here for a while.

1. Coraline
My sweet husband has been busy on the internets buying Coraline items for me. Yesterday three dolls arrived:
...and today, the metal button key! Ah yes, the coveted button key. There's only 1 and it's very important to know where it is.
And then I received an email from the very sweet and wonderful Jo-Ann who spent the time rounding up the following links. Here's her message(posted with permission):

I know how much you loved Coraline, so when I found these this
morning I immediately wondered if you'd seen them.....this website talks about
Coraline's gloves........ http://www.limenviolet.com/blog/?p=5846
and then links here for the pattern.....
http://theyellowjournalist.blogspot.com/2009/02/coraline-gloves.html
and from there, there's a link for tiny, tiny knitting (I think I might go cross-eyed) ....... http://www.bugknits.com/.
There's a video of this miniature knitter on the Coraline website, which is a really cool website.
Have you seen it? ..... http://www.coraline.com/
There's even a pattern on the website for Coraline's sweater (I attached it)

The BugKnits link is particularly fascinating.
And let's hear a round of applause for Jo-Ann - isn't she the best?!

2. Shopping
From Tuesday's Bellingham trip - I don't normally mention prices, but really these are just too amazing to keep to myself; even after paying duty and the exchange they're still great deals.

Gloves: long knit black glove, long knit brown glove, long knit ruched wine gloves, black lace wrist warmers, black leather shorty zip gloves ($4.60 - $6.00 for the knit gloves, $16 for the leather)

Scarf: long knitted two tone green scarf with cables ($7 - who can resist)


Socks: I had to try the yoga socks. Have you every worn toe socks? It's kind of a weird feeling at first but then I got used to them. I found the socks don't slip on the floor, but my feet still slip inside the socks - so I'm not sold yet. But for keeping my toesy warm - I'll give it a thumbs up.
Shoes: one pair red gingham peep-toe wedges and one pair black gingham. They were $15 and I thought that was a good price, but I was even happier when they rang in at $5 each. FIVE BUCKS? You can't even buy a pack of smokes for that. I don't smoke but you know what I mean - I'll get more outta my $5 than most other things it could buy.

Hello spring and summer!
Purse/tote: green fabric with tattoo styled image, so fun for spring and summer don't you think?

3. Gifts
Not only have a been receiving Coraline items this week, I've also received some early Valentines presents. Here are two t-shirts JP bought for me. So cute aren't they?
(the purple one has pieces of toast with the words "we be jammin", and the blue one has a piece of macaroni next to a piece of cheese and it says "soul mates")


4. Knitting
I have seen the lighted knitting needles for some time but just wasn't going to shell out the money for them. Some people like them for knitting in the theatre or late night subway knitting and others have mentioned they are good for lace, especially black. But at $80+ for a set of 4, I just wasn't going to do it. However, when they were on sale for $17 for 4 sets of knitting needles plus extra batteries well then I just couldn't resist

And last, something I didn't acquire this week, but still wanted to share with you. I know it's too late for Valentines, but ladies for the men in your life - they may like to know about this product: http://www.saxxapparel.com/.

And if you've traveled east on Highway 1 towards Chilliwack recently, you may have noticed the billboard - did you? Apparently it's stirred some debate because of the word "balls". I wish I had a photo of it, but it's a little dangerous to stop on a highway like that for a photo, well it is for me anyway.

Well, phew! I think that about sums it up. Wishing you a lucky Friday the 13th, a Happy Valentines Day and a great weekend!

Is it really me?

I know, it's a big shock right? I changed my blog template - no more black and dots.

I just thought that for my 4th year of blogging, a change would be good. Orange is my favourite colour, but is it too hard to look at since many people don't like orange? I'm still playing with things and don't mind if you'd like to make a suggestion or 2 or 3 or 4 or...

"Kittens, inspired by Kittens"

For my anniversary week (yup, it's not just one day), I think I'll go back into the archives of my life.

Now this is not me, but reminds me of me and okay, this little video makes me laugh - the creativity of this little girl is quite intriguing.

I had this book when I was little, but I also had the companion book, "Puppies" which I think I spent more time looking at - because I was a dog lover at a very early age. Enjoy:




Okay, this is not about kittens but another video I like. Oh and I haven't been there either, so it shouldn't be in my reminiscing post, but you know what? IT IS! ah ha ha!



I found the videos on BoingBoing.

3 Year Blogaversary!

Can you believe it? I've been posting for 3 years. I don't have time at the moment but I will do something to commemorate the event. Anything you'd like to see or hear about?

And last night we buzzed across the Canadian/US border for a trip to Bellingham, Washington. I got some great things so I'll have to take some pictures and share that as well. And had awesome ice cream at Cold Stone Creamery, mmm mmm mmm, that made the trip worth while too!

The good with the bad

Further to my last post where I mentioned about being up at 6am, let me just say that I don't necessarily choose to be up that early. Barb like you, I'd much rather still be in bed. But you see, now that the ol' pooch is feeling much better she's all energetic and all that. She starts at 4am by moaning and barking and I can't ignore it because her cancer medicine, Prednisone, produces more urine that her little bladder can handle (I know, TMI -right?), so I have to let her out. She's quiet for about 1/2 an hour and then she starts bugging me for food. Now that she's feeling better she could eat all day long if I let her. I do get out of bed and scold her for making noise but she's relentless. I can't put her in our bedroom because of her untrustworthy bladder and I can't yell from bed lest I wake the whole house up. So I get up. I know - you take the good with the bad, right?

Jo-Ann I agree. You'll have a shock if you had to move back! And another thing about the Costco's down here is the noise level. It's very noisy in the stores - well most of them anyway.

~~~~~~~

And now here are some things I worked on this weekend:

1. Yup, I did put some time into the Angel Project, but not as much as I should have. The problem was that I have to work so close to the edge. So I spent time assembling the stand my mum bought me to make my job easier. Now my hand doesn't fall asleep and it's easier to cover a larger area. The downside: it's difficult to get to the back of the fabric for the frequent colour changes (I know, I know - you take the good with the bad. I get it)

2. I like knitting socks. I especially like the idea of the pedicure socks. I often have cold feet and don't always feel like prettying up my toes if they have to freeze for an hour without socks. I'm hoping this is the solution. It's also the first time I've worked with stretch yarn and I'm hoping that will make the socks nice and comfy too.

So far I've only knit the ribbed cuff of the first sock.

3. On Sunday I put out a clean tea towel but the longer I looked at it, the more it just seemed so plain. So on a whim I decided to embroidery it. Shame on me, I didn't measure the centre of the towel and I free handed the design - but it actually came out pretty good. JP hates embroidery on checked fabric but I didn't care. The towel just needed something. What a cute little pot, she's all worried because she could boil over, see the drops escaping from under the lid? And all that steam?

Maybe I should have done a tomato or a strawberry instead? No worries, I have plenty more tea towels in my cupboard.
Note: This is not my idea, I copied the pattern, but I didn't trace it - that's what I mean by 'free hand'

And that's all I can update you on right now. Oh that and it's hailing right now - I'm not complaining though because it's much better than an Arkansas Ice Storm!

This weekend I...

- went to see the movie - Coraline - loved it! and want to see it again
- went out for Chinese food
- was served by the most zombie like waitress I have ever seen
- had drinks with a friend
- made apple strudel
- made 2 double batches of Maple and Brown Sugar Malt-O-Meal
- broke an antique plate
- found out what made my dog sick
- started knitting a new pair of socks
- haven't done any cross stitching yet
- went grocery shopping at 6:30am - love that - how easy is it to shop in an empty store when the cashier is waiting for me!
- listened to my favourite song a bunch of times (crappy sound quality on this one)

Magazine Madness

I'm sure I've mentioned this before, but yes Virginia, I'm a magazine-aholic. This has been acquired in the last couple of weeks (9 magazines):
And so it saddens me to find that many magazines are not longer being published : Home Companion, Cottage Living, Domino, Adorn, O at Home, Country Home, Blueprint, House & Garden. This is the explanation as per Mary Englebreit's site: "The sad fact is that home magazines are being hit harder than others because of the dismal housing industry - people aren't able to sell or buy homes, so fewer people are buying flooring, wallpaper, furniture, etc., so those companies don't feel they can afford to advertise. It's a vicious circle"

And then there are magazines like Knit.1 that seem to still be published but they aren't taking new, or renewing existing subscriptions. And it doesn't look like A Needle Pulling Thread is still publishing. I guess the first thing to go in people's budgets are magazines and I guess my little idea of opening a magazine store in the Valley may be ill timed at present. And please don't let Craft: go out of business - I 'lacey heart' that magazine!

Maybe instead of checking people's wrists to see what kind of watch they wear or what kind of car they drive, we should check their nightstands and coffee tables to see how current their collection and how many magazines they still have?

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In the "Finished Object" department - here is a Lucha Libra Mask altered by special request for The Kid. I'm not sure why he wants it, I think it's for when he plays paint ball. And thank you so much Endako Jo for sharing the pattern with me. This was knitted in about 2 days - the worst part about it is having lots of ends to weave in, otherwise it was a very good pattern.

How Jazz Got Her Groove Back

So for 1 week my dog, Jazz, was not well at all. She could barely move and would only get up 4 times a day- when I made her eat or take a bathroom break. She lost 7 pounds in 1 week (14% of her body weight). All her tests came back normal and the vets were baffled as to what was wrong with her. The first few days she would act completely normal at the vet's office but after 5 days of immobility, she was in extreme pain and by Friday she couldn't hide it any more. She couldn't walk but I couldn't touch her without her yelping - I carried her as carefully as I could into the vet. The vet took more blood tests and did a joint tap which was sent for analysis. They treated her for a type of arthritis set off by an infection. She was given antibiotics and pain killers. From the time I took her home mid-day Friday until 4am Saturday morning she moaned and whined. There was nothing I could do for her. The vet insisted she'd be better by the morning. We tried sleeping with the TV on but that didn't help. At 2am I went and slept on the floor in the laundry room where her bed with all the pillows is and tried to comfort her. By Saturday morning she was getting better.

Today she looks like she lost more weight but she's able to walk around and she wags her tail again! For those that know her know that her tail is notorious for whipping things like legs and banging doors and walls. To not have her wag her tail is like a day without sunshine. Her fur is no longer coming out at an alarming rate and her eyes seem bright again. My dog is back. I'm so relieved and I think she is too. She's going to take it easy for the next while but she's definitely on the mend.

Thanks to everyone for their support - I really appreciated all your kind words and well wishes.

Groundhog Day

Did you know...... that today, besides being Groundhog Day in the US, is National
Groundhog Job Shadow Day? Founded in 1996, many nonprofit groups work together to
provide half a million young people with the opportunity to shadow someone on the
job, to learn more about the job of someone they know. Celebrate by teaching
someone something new today!

brought to you by Audri and Jim Lanford