Still Remembering

November 11th is a statutory holiday which means people like me get the day off. Although I don't join in memorials away from home, I do spend the morning remembering usually based on various programs on TV. On Tuesday evening I watched a really interesting documentary about the Liberation of the Netherlands and Canada's part in it. Some of the stories I had heard from my mom and some of course were new.

It still amazes me that my mom's family didn't loose anyone despite bombs destroying the building next to them and trigger happy Germans who shot at little kids. It also amazes me that even though the country was seriously affected by such a horrific event, my mother and her brother barely missed any school. I believe she said there were only something like 5 days missed. What a testament to the people of Holland as well as my mother's family.

 66 million people died during World War II, that seems so hard to believe yet it did. I wonder if there will ever be a time where there isn't a war. I wish we could follow John Lennon's plea to 'give peace a chance'. Don't you?

Coconut Confusion

One day when I was 6 years old, my family went to visit my aunt. The boys were all running around outside, but I was happily drawing and writing away (probably pretending I was a teacher) on a chalkboard.

My aunt called us into the kitchen and as a special treat she gave us all some fresh coconut. Oh it was so delicious, coconut is one of my favourite flavours. We all resumed whatever we were doing, so there I was, a fresh chunk of white coconut in one hand and a piece of white chalk in the other drawing and

writing away at the chalkboard. Suddenly I had the most horrible taste in my mouth as I ran to the toilet to spit out chalk. I guess I was so busy playing and wasn't paying attention and I got my hands mixed up. It was definitely a very memorable moment.

So you can imagine what came to mind this afternoon as I grabbed a handful of almonds with my left hand and then a handful of dog kibble for Eco with my right hand as I headed into the garden today. I made a very strong mental note to NOT get my hands mixed up! Because although the chalk tasted pretty bad, I really have no desire to find out what the dog kibble tastes like!

Cute Card

We recently had our wedding anniversary as you know but I forgot to show you this cute card from Jp to me:

I just love this girl's outfit, her stance and her facial expression!

I love the card and it will stay out where I can see it for a while. Jp, however, doesn't give a damn about cards and to prove my point, I pulled last year's card out and gave it to him. He pretended to read it and and thanked me for it. He didn't even notice that it had last year's number on it. I had a good chuckle. He picked up on it the next day.

Here's to 2014

Although I have never been a resolution's writer/keeper, there are things I plan for 2014. Manly to do with financial goals because they are linked with so many other goals.

How about you? Any plans?Any advice?

Health and fitness goals? Financial? Relationship? 

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Evolution of the arts and creativity

I was inspired by these lovely photos on  Art Symphony's  blog post this morning showcasing the lovely portraits of musicians and the emotions and feelings shown in the  photographs which brought to mind hearing people in the 80's say there was no point creating real music anymore because a computer could do it all when synthesizers and computers where coming on 'the scene'. I'm delighted to see that 30 years later, people are still picking up instruments and are still creating music with their own hands, voices and hearts. I see it first hand as my 15 year old step son is inspired by his best friend to play bass guitar, and inspired by his friend's garage band to practice several times a week. I'm so glad those old predictions didn't come true, aren't you?

I suppose this is also true with other art forms too - some felt there was no need for drawing or painting because a computer could create art, but yet man is still inspired to create his own pieces. And once you start thinking about it, it goes past the 80's, all the way back to the industrial revolution doesn't it? We've had machines and equipment doing the work for us not just in music and in art but also for food, clothing etc. Just as people say 'why make bread at home when you can buy it at the store" or "why make your own socks when you can buy a pair for $2"  - many of us still have the burning desire to do it ourselves.

"I think it's fair to say that personal computers have become the most empowering tool we've ever created. They're tools of communication, they're tools of creativity and they can be shaped by their user" ~ Bill Gates

"We need creativity in order to break free from the temporary structures that have been set up by a particular sequence of experience" ~ Edward de Bono 

End of Summer, or Beginning of Fall?

The beginning of September for many is like January 1st. For many it means new things - new pencils, books, clothes. For some, it's a new way of living as they start university living away from home in a dorm.

I imagine that last night there were many tears as parents tried to kid their young ones off to bed early for the first day of school after a summer of late nights. Which is why, I presume, the first day of school is also usually only a couple of hours - probably EVERYONE is exhausted.

But I too, like the beginning of September. Sometimes I take a new course. Or start a new hobby or journal. I take advantage of the cute notebooks and school supplies out there and pick up one or two items for myself. And each day I start my dog walk in the dark, waiting longer and longer for it to be light enough so I can put away my flashing light and to turn off Eco's collar light  - once I assume that people can see her (being dark brown has it's disadvantages in the dark).

I assume this time of year is meaningful to others when you hear songs like "September Morn" or "Try to Remember the First of September"  which longingly recall the glorious days at the end of summer. For us, we had a wonderful, textbook summer which was a little dry for our area, so even though it hasn't gotten cold yet (still no less than 12 degrees celsius) in the mornings there are some leaves falling due to our heat and the dryness. It's starting to feel like fall, and I'm starting to think of Thanksgiving and Halloween, and of course the fact that Christmas is only 3.5 months away -but I try not to get too far ahead of myself. And you? Does this time of year instill any great thoughts or memories?

Do you see the world?

When I was a kid, we didn't have the devices available today and so when my parents had to travel somewhere in the care we just stared out the windows. We nicknamed my dad "Old Eagle Eye" because he was always the first one to spot a deer or elk or bird so we'd have our eyes stuck on the road (and beyond) hoping to see something before he did. As we got older and moved from the wild North to the Vancouver area we looked out the window to see where we were going to and became very familiar with the streets. Each of us kids are great navigators and know the area extremely well. Our skills have also translated well when travelling as I can't tell you how many times I landed in a town, got into a rental car and arrived at my destination with relative ease (some preliminary research was done in advance of course). Nowadays I am amazed at the number of people who've spend many years here, but don't know their way around, and rely heavily on their GPS device. 

But that's not what  wanted to talk about. I was curious about your opinion of vacations - when I go somewhere new, I still like to look out the window and see all that I can see. It's a new place, I want to drink it all in. But if you've been in the car with a 90's or 2000's kid they are glued to their phone or game and never look out the window. In fact half the time they have no idea where they are, and when quizzed, they have absolutely no idea where they are. Sometimes they're only a few miles from their home. When I've asked them was city/town/municipality they are in, they couldn't even name that. 

A friend of mine just returned from a tropical vacation and mentioned several co-travellers sat by the pool or on the beach and read a book. And that's what tweaked my brain - when you travel would you just want to sit there and read? I know you can't walk and explore everyday  and I too have sat on the beach and read (and people watched) but when I like to go away I like to see as much of it as I can. I want to take walks or excursions and see as much as I can. And I'd much rather sit and look at the ocean because I'm not going to see that view again for a while. I don't want to sit by a pool because I can sit by a pool at home. I'm not criticizing others, it's just my different opinion. And I'm curious to hear what others think.

So. How do you like to travel? Are you a beach sitter or an explorer? Do you vacation to see the world or to get a break from it? 

BC's First Family Day

Today is a statutory holiday in BC - for many years workers in this province asked for a day off between New Years and Easter, especially when other provinces in Canada had a holiday. This year is our first one. Somewhere along the way there was a vote on when it should be (no one I know knew anything about this vote) and it was decided that since we are unique people we should have it the week before the rest of the country. For many this probably doesn't make much difference, but if you're a national business you have potentially lost two business days in the shortest month of the year   - one for our holiday and one the rest of the country. As well, my family is in another province. Perhaps if we had the holiday on the same weekend one of us would have travelled to see family? Nope, not gonna happen. 

Today is also a special day here at Way Out Wear headquarters because it's the 7th Blogaversary. Yes, I have been writing to you for seven years. Reflecting on that time  one of the biggest things that has changed is my readers - not one person who was with me in the beginning is here with me now - except family. That's just part of being a grown-up isn't it? As the saying goes "people come into your life for reason, a season or a lifetime". I hope you are with me for a long time as I really do enjoy your comments and your company. 

Other things that have changed over the past seven years, just to name a few: 

1) Both my dogs, Maxx and Jazz are no longer with me but now I share my life with my wonderful chocolate lab, Eco. There were lots of stories about Maxx's epilepsy and lots of stories about Jazz's noise phobia, and lots of puppy raising stories

2) I got married

3) I started a business

4) I've changed my page layout and background at least 20 times

5) We replaced our old cars with new ones

6) countless knitting, crochet and embroidery projects

7) multiple thrift store adventures

8) too many stories about the weather

9) lots of cooking/baking stories 

10) and funny things about the family. 

So thank you readers for sharing my journey with me, I'm glad you're part of my family. 

September love

I must admit that we've had an absolutely fabulous August and September (so far). I can't recall a September that has been so dry and sunny and I am really enjoying it. Most years our tomatoes would just be nice and big on the vine by the end of August and then the rains would start in September and they would never turn red or they'd just split and then the slugs would get into them and into the compost they'd go. And the grapes would be just about ready and then the rains would cause them to stay sour and get mouldy and then I'm busy keeping the dog away from all the fallen ones on the ground.

September does have a special appeal to it for me - even though it's now been YEARS since I've been in school, September still feels like a time to start again, a time for fresh paper and supplies and for new goals in the 'year' ahead, hope for what lies ahead. And even last night when our dance group met for our fall classes, it felt like the beginning of a school year (even though it had only been 4 weeks since most of us saw each other) There were several new hair cuts and even some new hair colour and of course, many were tanned from summer vacations. And we were all so happy to be together and get going for the fall and planning for the future.

September has always been special to me as my parents shared the same birthday and so it was special in my mind because of it. It reminds me of bouquets of asters and dahlias and those lovely orange chrysanthemums. My mom now lives far away from me, but I trust by brother and SIL to tak good care of her, they always have very lovely presents for her and a lovely meal with a special dessert. I'm envious that I can not be there.

I really love the summer because I love the heat and the sun but for some reason when I fondly recall dog walks, I always conjure up images of the fall walks (often all the way back to walking my Old English Sheepdog when I was in high school). I think about being bundled up in my coat, boots  and maybe even a scarf and mittens with my dog happily enjoying all the different smells and the cool air. And turning a corner on the walk and being surprised by a tree that seems to have suddenly turned red (or yellow) overnight!  And soon it will be time for me to switch our morning walks to midday as it's staying dark later and later and soon daylight savings will mean we'll be completely in the dark (it's just easier to walk in the daylight rather than outfitting both of us with flashy blinky lights and reflective gear). The midday walks are also quite enjoyable, it's a nice break during the workday and sometimes we end up walking past the local elementary school around lunch time and many of the little kids run to the fence to pet Eco and of course, Eco just LOVES children and can't wait to say 'hi' to all of them.

Other than the hour or so before and after school as the kids noisily walk to and from school, most of the days are quieter and there seems to be a calmness in the air. Slowly one by one the hummingbirds and other birds start to disappear  - the geese honking as they fly south, sometimes in groups as big as 50 and sometimes they can be seen and heard for miles. And there are less and less lawnmowers or other sounds during the days. September just seems to have it all: warm, sun, rain, cold, frost, flowers, colour, empty trees, ending of summer, beginnings of autumn to winter. Sigh, isn't it a wonderful time of year?

What's your favourite part about this time of year? 

A Conversation with Yourself?

This is a very interesting video, I think you should watch it. I think you'll enjoy it.






So? Did you?

6 years!

Today is my 6 year blog-a-versary. I don't think much has changed from last year, which you can read about here. Isn't that odd? Some years so much changes and then others it seems to be at a standstill.

I'd like to say I am calmer and wiser now except I'm still embarrassed about 'losing it' yesterday when I tried to rearrange my desk top. Part way through the process my monitor light went out and I had trouble tracing the cords because of the tangle behind my desk and the arrangement of things. Jp tried to help, but sometimes it's best if he's not around - that sounds mean but honestly we don't always work well together. I absolutely hate problem-solving with computers  and so I'm easily set off in to the land of grumpiness pretty darn quickly. Once it was resolved all the anger and frustration disappeared but I still feel bad for my family who had to listen to all my cursing.

I guess I'll muddle along for another year posting about my yard, and my sweet little chocolate labrador and the little things I make or sew and hope that y'all still be around with me next year. Thank you for reading and supporting my blog, I really appreciated all the fun I've had reading your comments and reading your blogs as well. Let's raise our glasses - clink clink - here's to another year in Blog Land!!!!

It's been 5 years

Today is the 5 year anniversary of my blog.

Things have changed a lot since I started writing here - back then my dogs were older and more established and somehow I had more time for knitting and crafting. It seems that things were calmer and better back them but maybe my memories have been edited over time.

In the past 5 years: Jp got a new job, we got a new car, we got married, I did lots of knitting/crocheting/embroidery, lots of socks were knit, lots of baking done, lots of cool thrifty finds, gifts were sent and received, got lots of new shoes, changed computers 3 times,  my 14 year old canary died, lots of flowers came and went in my gardens, I started yoga and meditation, I started dancing, and some people came and went (luckily no deaths, some just passed through).

In the past two years I went through cancer with my aging dog Princess Jazz, mourned her and then waited for a puppy to be ready for adoption. On May 8, 2009 we got the most wonderful puppy, our chocolate lab, Eco. Labs are pretty smart dogs and they learn pretty fast, but still time had to be spent to corral her energy. Eleven days ago my brother and SIL got a chocolate lab puppy (Tonks) and I've helped them a little with the puppy steps that I went through to housetrain, and curb behaviours such as inappropriate biting and chewing. Because I enjoyed being with Eco so much, I went on to train her for Rally Obedience and multiple tricks (we're at about 60 something) putting down my knitting and crochet in favour of being with my loyal friend.

But lately things seem to have fallen apart for me. I've been at the same company for 11 years, doing the same job for 9. Prior to this employer I was always one who received promotions and new assignments on a regular basis and I think 9 years doing the same job is finally becoming more of chore than it should be. Maybe I'm having a mid-life crisis - I don't know. I've been trying to figure out what I need, what would make me happy and how to deal with things. I really enjoy my dance classes and find myself so occupied in the class that I have no time to think of the burdens of my everyday life and I feel better when I come out of the class. Maybe I should just take a class every night?

I want to thank all the readers who have stuck with me over the past 5 years and I'd like to thank the new readers who've recently discovered me and take the time to comment and let me know their presence. Thank you friends and family for your support.

Out of curiousity, is there anything I've done/said/posted  in the past 5 years of my blogging that springs to mind that you'd like to mention? Do you have any burning questions?

Happy Blogaversary to me!

It's not the end of the world, but....

Through the many computer crashes, and/or backups and/or computer changes and/or whatever, it seems that all my photos from 2009 are missing. This includes all the puppy photos for Eco. She was such an adorable little thing and although not my first dog - she was my first puppy.

Eco was born on a Friday and so every Friday until she was about 7 months old, I would take several body measurements, weigh her and take her photo in front of a yard stick to document her weekly growth. I thought it would be great to put all the photos together to demonstrate her weekly growth. (It was actually my brother's idea).

But now, I'm pretty sure that I don't have those photos. I've been through 2 hard drives, 2 thumb drives and countless DVDs and I can't find those photos. Friends and family,  if you have any photos you can send me I'd sure like to have some. It's not the end of the world, I know, but I'm very sad that I've lost all Eco's photos + plus whatever else I did in 2009.

so sad.....so sad.....so sad.....so sad.....so sad.....so sad.....so sad.....so sad.....so sad.....

Edit: My mom just sent me this one.

How I spent my Saturday mornings as a kid

When I was a kid we had one TV in the living room which,  like most households, the kids only had control of on Saturday morning before mom and dad were up. Being the youngest, I had to watch what my brothers watched..... unless I got up earlier than them. When that happened I would be glued to the set to watch my favourite show Run Joe Run


More here.