Now that We are Expecting...

Isn't that neat? How I did that? How I explained something over the course of 2 different headings? (Actually, realized what I wrote on the first one, so it just kinda fell into place, and yes, I am a geek.) And yes, the timing is a little off (although technically speaking, we WILL be married first, by at least a month or two). And, well, we kinda wanted to have a house first. But life happens in mysterious ways.

We go for our "listen to that puppy beat" appointment tonight, then have our second "viewing"...lol...next Monday. (We already had one, due to previous issues that I was having, and them wanting to make sure that incorrect information passed along at the hospital hadn't had a negative effect.) At that viewing, at 8 and a half weeks, everything was good and the sparkly little heart was, well, sparkling.

For the moment, in addition to the name Sprodling, I have also dubbed it "Lord Sparkle Heart of the Uterus". The boy isn't impressed with that name, but while it is in me, I can call it what I want! hehehe

I am liking that I am finally starting to get some energy back. The only down side to that is that with it being SO close to Christmas, I am way behind on various knitted projects that I opted to sleep rather than work on. *sniff**sniff*

Well, I am off to spread my good cheer elsewhere (a.k.a. I need lunch now).

ttfn,
k

What to Expect...

Wow...going to be a crazy few weeks. Not only do I have the few odds and sods to finish up for the knitting that I am doing myself for Christmas, but I have also volunteered to do some knitting (simple things - hats, mittens, etc.) for my daughter's school's bazaar, as well as some baking for it too.

Nothing major, especially since I had planned on doing a bunch of Christmas baking again this year (remember last year? with all the yummy breads and sweets? yeah, that was good). We are also moving at the end of the month, so have all the packing and such for that.

So much going on. So very much.

But, I have my wedding dress all ordered, so that is one less thing on my plate. All the Christmas gifts that need buying have been bought. Almost everything is taken care of (even the tree is up and decorated)...I think (and hope and pray and will cross my fingers I am right about).

I even have everything for the Naughty Xmas Swap through Ravelry. WEE. Love feeling in control.

ttfn
k

Life, or Something Close To

This has definitely been an interesting week, if nothing else. I have learned that my body seems stuck in the time of last week...every morning, 5:40 a.m. on the dot, my internal alarm goes off. I have tried to lay back down and sleep the extra twenty minutes that I have before the alarm goes off...but the internal conversation goes something like this:

"ok, going back to sleep now"
"wait, do I have to pee"
"shit, now that I have thought of peeing, I have to pee really badly"

And thus I am awake...wide awake. There is really not much that you can do at 5:45 a.m. with a house full of sleeping people.

In other news, I have c/o'd the match to my hubby's sock. I realized I started getting really sloppy and had HUGE ladders. So, being the perfectionist that I can be some days, I pulled the whole thing out (I realize that technically, I could have only pulled back to where it started, but then I kept finding more things that I disliked about the way I had done it).

I have a ton of things in my queue to start soon, but none so important as the lacy thigh high stockings I recently found in a discounted (yay!!!) book at Chapters. I am planning on doing these for my wedding. They will be my "something slaved over but damn they look pretty". That has to be in the tradition somewhere...right??

Anywho, that's all really. Going out Christmas (no, it is not a bad word) shopping this weekend. Had a blast trick or treating with my princess the weekend past. Nothing much is going on other than that.

ttfn
k.

Happy Halloween

This is, by far, my favorite holiday. :) Happy Halloween everyone.

And in the knitting world, this is what I made for my munchkin for the holiday (and yes, it glows in the dark):


Have a happy and safe Halloween everyone!

ttfn
k.

Holy Sh*t!

I love when good things happen to good people. We just found out, tonight actually, that good friends of the boy's won $5 million on Friday. And honestly, it really couldn't have happened to nicer people. (Ok, it could have happened to me...lol) I know that they have had some hard times (seriously, though, who hasn't), and he has been off work for about 5 years due to a car accident. They are great people (very warm people when I did finally get to meet them), so it is wonderful. :)

Updates and the Late Birthday Gift

Well, haven't I just been a busy beaver...lol.

Had an amazing weekend just past. Saturday, spent the day at Bronte Provincial Park with my bud Christina, her son and my daughter. They have this amazing barn for kids to play in...jumping things, and tire swings...just awesome. Sadly, they also have a great big sign posted "Adults Not Permitted" by all the fun stuff. :( Seriously, we need a Dave and Busters up here, stat!

Sunday was a nice quiet day. Sadly, the little one seems to have picked up a cold, so Sunday was spent in pjs and bed watching movies. I, of course, spent the day cooking...made this kick ass apple cinnamon bread....yummy!

This week itself, I am slightly on tenderhooks waiting for all my goodies from eBay to arrive...including my new phone (cuz the one I have is becoming crap), my wedding cake topper (go Jack & Sally go), a new calendar (just because) and needles (which are a gift for a friend of mine...her birthday is only a few weeks away).

Speaking of Mononica's birthday, we had a loverly chat last night. I recently got her into knitting, and she has been enjoying it (even though she does it in some backassward way that I couldn't understand or explain even if I tried...it appears that she goes through the back loops all the time...both knitting and purling). She is very ambitious and has decided (well, decided a while ago...during the weekend of needles) that she wants to make socks. She has been working on the same purse for the last few months, and a dog's sweater (from a library book that she has yet to return) for the last about 3 months. But, I don't doubt that she will eventually make socks. Even though I can see her making one, and being happy and proud of that. (Yeah, I keep telling the boy that if he only had one foot, I would be done his socks by now.) So last night came the discussion of "ok, I know you want yarn for your birthday...what kind and colour? What are you planning on making? What do you want to make that I can supply the yarn for so you have no excuse?" Of course, no straight answer was ever provided...I think I might just take her out with me, and make things easier on myself. I still have a few weeks, so I am not going to worry overmuch...yet.

And last night, lo and behold, I finished the sweater for the boy. The fit is amazing. I still have to do the zipper, but we are going to head out to pick that up tonight.

That is about all...gotta start on the leg warmers for the cheesy ass retro slumber party...really gotta start that soon...I guess the boy's other sock will go back on to the backburner for now...hehe

ttfn
k.

MHS Kitten Adopt-a-thon

As many of you know, our beloved Ophelia was adopted from the Mississauga Humane Society. I subscribe to their newsletter (because I am good that way), and recently received the following:

We have too many kittens looking for a FOREVER home! We will be holding a KITTEN Adopt-a-thon at Petsmart this comong WEEKEND. There will be lots and lots of adorable kittens up for adoption. If you can give a homeless kitten a home, please come by. Please also help us spread out the word and hopefully we can get all of them adopted!

Date & Time : Saturday, October 4, 2008, 11- 3 pm.
Sunday, October 5, 2008, 11- 3 pm.
Location: PETSMART (not Petcetera!) - Mavis Rd. and Britannia

For any of you who are looking for a kitten (since people seem to want kittens as opposed to cats), I strongly suggest you try to make it out. They truly are one of the few humane societies that I have come in contact with that are actually really good and decent.

ttfn
k.

Go 80s Go

So, I have decided for no reason in particular, I am going to be throwing a girly ass 80s throw back slumber party. And as such, I will be making myself some leg warmers!!! Cuz nothing says 80s like leg warmers. :) And yes, I will likely make a few extras for others...

WEE!!!

ttfn
k.

Bits and Bobs and

I want one. This man is an evil genius in the form of a human.

Good lord has it been busy lately. Home and work. And with the little one starting senior kindergarten, I have been having to run interference with her and the learning books I got her. So, when I finally get her all settled down, after reading the 5 or so books that I have weedled her down to, I have barely enough time to knit. But c'est le vie. There are worse hardships in life.

Last night, I finished up the last mitten for kittens (WEE). :) I am going to idiot string them all (so that they don't get lost), but that shouldn't take any more than tonight to do. So, thankfully for the ones they are for, I can ship them out on Monday morning. I am also doing up another pair for one of the gals at work (well, for her son), but I have mastered them now to the point that they literally take me about an hour to complete. The bigger task? Making both the sweater and the vikings helmet for the boy before his birthday (2 weeks away) without him knowing! This weekend should provide me with ample opportunity to get a good chunk of one or both of these done, however, since the boys are all going out to do the tux thing on Sunday, followed by hitting up the bar for football. :)

UPDATE: And as an added bonus, my workplace husband wants me to make him the same sweater (but in different colours) that I am making for the other half, so I have the perfect cover for it over the next few weeks....AWESOMENESS!

It's Jack and Sally Day!!!

Yes folks. It is Jack and Sally day...WEEEEEE!!! (Can you take a wild guess what I will be tucking in and watching tonight???)

ttfn
k.

5 days and counting

WEEE!!! Finally booked my tattoo consult. Very excited.

And, as an added bonus, and because I am that damn good, wedding gown + 3 bridesmaid dress = $387....hot damn I am good!

ttfn
k.

Unexpected Hiatus

Well, time flies. It feels like we just returned yesterday from our vacation, and here I was promising to update this site with all my loverly pictures. Sorry for the delay. :S

Seems sometimes that time just gets away from you. Between work (where we are currently moving offices, so that has been absolutely insane), birthdays (not including planning my little girl's one, there have been 3 since our return), weddings (some ours, some others), time has just gotten away from me.

On the knitting/crochetting side of life: currently working on an afghan for Am (crochet - I admit I am a little scared). It is, of course, pink and purple. Setting a goal of September for that one. Finishing up a few pairs of mittens (got a great book from the local library with tons of patterns...), too. Just waiting for the arrival of my order from KnitPicks. Got a really nice Black silk-wool blend for a sweater I plan on doing for the boy. Also waiting on a Cotton Linen blend so that I can knit up Zelda for myself. Not sure how well that will go, as I have never used a CotLin blend, but we will see.

On the wedding side of things: it would seem that we are making good headway on our own nuptials. Got Ammy's flowergirl dress. I know it really should be her choice, but she is an affable one, and the dress is a great mix of cute and pretty. And most of the big details all taken care of, too. Now it will just be a matter of the small ones. Got my dress all picked out, going out with the girls in a few weeks to get their dresses picked out. Still have to get around to my ma, as she wants me to help her pick a dress and do her hair and makeup and so on...she really is going kinda crazy over it. It is cute. Oh, and we finally decided on our song. :)

Well, that is about all.

ttfn
k.

Back from Vacation

Hot Damn, had such a good time. It was loverly camping out, meeting everyone, meeting more people, managing to get together with some of the KGs that I have fallen for, seeing the sights, falling in love with the place...
All around, it was an awesome trip. Will definitely have to get some of the wonderful pictures from the trip up, and will do that soon (maybe even tonight).
The downside of it all being that it had to end...*sniff*
ttfn
k.

On Vacation

WEEE!!! So in a few short hours, we will be on our way....WEEE. Not looking forward to the driving too much, but such is life. And, as an added bonus, I am going to be meeting up with a bunch of the knit girls. Very excited.

KB, over and out....have a great week everyone. :)

ttfn

Longest Three Day Work Week

Yes, it has been. Not feeling the greatest either. My boss has been in with a cold/flu type thing all week long, and I think that she has past that on to me. :( There is nothing going on here at work, either, so I am dead tired, and would like nothing more than to go to sleep, but alas, sleeping at your desk is frowned upon. le sigh.

On the up side, only a few more days until our vacation...WEE.

And this is what I do with an extra long weekend...

So, we started the wonderfully extra long weekend by adding to our family. May I introduce Molly:

She is 8 weeks old, and an absolute sweetheart, if a bit of an instigator. O pretty much hated that we brought another cat into her midst. She was disgruntled, and, oddly enough, sucking up to me the entire first day. If Molly came near me, O would have to jump up and cuddle. If the boy was home, she would make sure she was on my lap and giving him the cold shoulder. We have managed to go several days in a row without O attacking me. What a good influence Molly is. (They are finally getting along now, which is such a relief.)


I have also set myself some pretty interesting goals for the next week. We leave for NS next Wednesday, and so, of course, being the procrastinator that I am, as of Sunday, I still had not started anything that I was planning on making for the folks we are going to be out there visiting. But never fear...

My buddy Tina has been asking me to make her mittens since we first found each other. So yes, I looked like a tool sitting around at the park in the gorgeous weather we had going on, knitting mittens.

I am also making 3 of the Letter Have It purses from Stitch n' Bitch Nation for 2 of Tina's daughters, as well as my own little wonder. I have one of them almost completely done (finished both sides and just working on the garter stitch centre piece, which really shouldn't take very long at all). I am thinking that, if I have time, I might create some sort of a small toy for them all, but that will remain to be seen.

So it seems that my goals will be done, and I can take something fresh with me for the drive.

That is about all that is going on.
ttfn
k.

it is a 4 coffee morning, sir

so this morning, after about 3.5 hours of sleep because my body just wouldn't settle down no matter what I did, I discover a parking ticket on my windshield...in our underground parking...directly overtop of my parking permit...for parking on private property.

Now that, ladies and gentlemen, is how you start a morning off on the wrong foot.

ttfn.
k.

Time Flies for an Anal Retentive Person Such as Myself

So I have recently learned a lot about myself. For instance, I am horrendously anal retentive. Much more so than I actually thought I was. I mean, I was fully aware that I had A.R. tendencies, but wow. In the few weeks that we have been engaged, I have already picked my dress out (not ordered, which would be much worse, but picked out), have the ceremony booked and deposit down on it, have the reception hall booked and the deposit down on it, have the invitations done (but no, will not be mailing them for some time), have the bridal party decided and asked (and have our first outing booked), have a dj, decided on a menu....lol...I could go on, but it is almost sad. For those who find themselves suffering from A.R., I highly recommend Frugal Bride. Enough lists to make the most detail oriented person happy. :)

I am also much girlier than I thought. I am okay with that, and even I am finding the humor in it. But it is kinda odd. :S

I found out yesterday that, despite my thoughts to the contrary, our work has given us both Monday and Tuesday off. WEEEE!!! So, since my daughter`s daycare is open on Monday, we are dropping her off for a few hours, and partaking in some down and dirty golf. Can`t wait!!

We leave for Nova Scotia in less than 2 weeks. :) Can`t wait. There are some people that I am going to have to try to get in touch with before we leave to see if we can meet up (and yes, I am referring to you Hellcat, if you happen by here).

And finally, tomorrow I get to be engaged again...lol. My ring was slightly too big. Just a touch. So I had to drop it in on Saturday of last week. So, of course, I have been having a blast this week using the good old standby of I don`t see a ring on my finger with the boy...lol

Anywho, that is all.

ttfn
k.

When the Outlaws Come to Town

So, the outlaws flew in from Alberta for a few days last week, and we did more walking in the course of those few days than I think I have in the last 15 years...but it was a great time. Sunday, we went up to my daddy's boat:
swimming

Fishing:

best photo of the day:

Love the reflection in the water. And my babe did good...she caught 3 fish...the boys - 0.
We went to the zoo on Monday (where he proposed):
the yawning snake:

Ok, so I won't post all the pictures up here, since I got a whole s**tload, but the animals were fun. I forgot how much I loved the zoo.

ttfn
k.

WEEE

So, Monday just past, while outside the pavillion in Africa (at the zoo), the boy proposed!

I gush...

Lordy it is nice to feel this happy.

ttfn
k.

I Feel Accomplished

So, despite feeling horribly ill over the last few days (sinuses have decided to kick my bum), I have accomplished so much. Made the curtains for our livingroom, put a backer curtain on my daughter's bright pink ones (her bedroom faces the afternoon/evening sun, so bedtime has become an impossibility at the moment). Well...I will let the photos do the typing for me. So, without further ado:
Summer fun with Cherries!!!

Sockies (they are so warm, and are keeping my feeties warm even right now):

Sexy rocking skirt:

One fetus sweater:

Pasties made for my partner from the Bad Knit Girl pasties swap (pattern provided by Bohoknitterchic:


Alas...I am now down to only 2 projects on the go. What has the world come to???

ttfn
k.

Ugh!

So this has been one weird ass week. It started Wednesday, when I had a bit of a bump in the road and now have to deal with some pretty crappy stuff. :( But it will work out in the end (despite the nagging voice in the back of my head which is telling me otherwise, I have to believe this). However, this slight bump was somewhat alleviated by the fact that that same evening, I got home to not only have the delivery of Hogfather sitting on my table, but the delivery of pasties from the recent Pasties Swap on Ravelry there too!!!

Everything seemed to be hunky dorey, until yesterday. I finally found a sitter for my daughter for the day of the concert we are going to (June 18...a Wednesday, so it was difficult), only to find out that that is the same day as my daughter's graduation. I know that it isn't something massive, and it is, to paraphrase Mr. Incredible, another way to celebrate mediocrity, but I can't not go. The kid's all decorate the room for the graduation...they make it a huge event...all the families will be there...I just can't not go, nor can I keep her from it, since it will be the major focal point for her entire class for about a week before, and a week after.

So fine, I sucked up the fact that the tickets we have had for the last 3 months are now useless to me...when suddenly my sinuses decided to attack from the inside. We had running around to do...nothing major, but stuff that needs to be done before the out-laws arrive, and suddenly out of nowhere, I am almost blind from the pain.

It calmed down a hell of a lot, but egad...this week is truly a rollercoaster. Wonder what the weekend will bring...lol

Will post new pictures of the loverly stuff I actually managed to get done sometime this weekend...when I think of it.

ttfn
k.

Damn, some days I amaze myself...

haha...okay, well, the fact that I can understand the ramblings of others amazes me. With much sloppy wet thanks to Hellcat, I have progress bars!!! (I covetted hers, and she was nice enough to show me how/where/etc.)

On to business, as you can see, all my projects are coming along nicely...I am super amazed at how quickly and easily Intolerable Cruelty is coming along. And here I was thinking it would take me a while, so I would not have to put any effort into figuring out what ribbon I wanted to use...Alas, that doesn't seem to be the case (but considering it means that I will have it finished, I really can't complain overmuch).

Had to order Hogfather. I don't mind, though. It will be here by Monday, June 2...SO VERY EXCITED!!! I am hoping against hope that it comes before then (maybe this Friday), and then I can spend the weekend drooling over the special effects and artistry of Terry Pratchett and his Discworld.

In an effort to get the place a little more organized before the in-laws come out next week, I have actually started playing kindergartener, and cutting and pasting the thousand and one projects that I have sitting around on loose paper and putting them into my big spiral book of knitting (I play around with patterns a lot...a whole lot...). It is a thankless task, but eventually it has to be done (because I know that if I didn't, and just threw them out, I would never find the patterns again).

Weekend was awesome. Weather was gorgeous! And on that note, I will leave you with a little flying:

ttfn

k.

Hogfather and other Ramblings

So, since I am a geeky kinda gal, I have a deep and passionate lourve of Terry Pratchett and Discworld. Therefore I was very upset (very upset) to find out that despite Hogfather having been released in Canada yesterday, the HMV by my work did not get any copies in. *sniff* *sniff*...cue sad violin music...

I have been working away on the kinderwhore sockies...and damn skippy if Nikol Lohr is not correct in the statement of zombie mode...haha. Will likely finish one of them off tonight while zoning out to National Treasure 2 (told ya...geeky kinda gal).

I have also made the startling discovery that my workplace is some sort of a conspiracy to drive me insane. First, they switched the milk cartons to those little single use cuppy things so you spend about 5 minutes just opening them to make your damn coffee, then they upgraded the lighting to a scary brightness (I hate actually being able to see everything as well as the fact that everyone has a yellow tinge), and proceeded to make us all move around for 3 month periods so they could renovate and provide every floor with scary bright lighting, and finally, along with the renovations, they "upgraded" our bathrooms. We have those motion sensor flush toilets...you know...the ones where if you breathe while you are on the toilet, it takes it as that is you moving and flushes, coating your bottom in a loverly film of freezing cold water. Fun, fun, fun.

Ok...rant off

Also, I post it once it is complete, but I am currently working on a pattern for tights for my daughter. I whipped up a pair last year, but really haven't a single clue what I did. I am using those ones as a jumping point for the new ones, though, so I will have to figure it out, and figured might as well write it down while I was at it.

ttfn
k.

Weekend Wedding Fun

So, the wedding yesterday was beautiful. I realize that they actually got married a month ago in the Bahamas, but it was a beautiful reception. Ammy was super excited to actually get all dressed up and know that she was going out somewhere fancy with adults. (I was happy that I didn't have to worry about her sitting through a few hours of a ceremony.) Look at the pretty girls...

And, as is obligatory, my daughter got her dance with the groom...

So, in short, one down, 2 to go. Don't get me wrong, I love weddings, I am just hoping that my kid doesn't grow too big to fit into this dress a few more times before the end of summer...lol

I have one of the sweaters for various fetuses almost completely done. Don't know how I found any time to work on it yesterday, between the getting ready for the wedding and the pounding headache...but lo and behold, this morning, it is almost done...just a hood and finishing to go!

Side note, when my daughter and I were out at the Winners to get her dress yesterday, we found a Strawberry Shortcake helmet with elbow and knee pads...and hot damn if it doesn't smell exactly like the old school Strawberry Shortcake dolls...like the ones I had when I was a kid. :) Ahhh...memories!

ttfn, and congrats to the happy couple!
k

It's a Head

Stash Bashing

So, it is May 24 weekend...and, as always, the weather is going to be crap. Rain, followed by rain and rain. Sounds fun, eh?

As such, I have decided to dedicate this weekend to stash bashing...in short, getting some of the stash gone so I can justify buying new yarn...

I currently have 2 sweaters for the fetus's in my life (or friend's lives, I guess I should say) mostly completed. By this I mean I kept jumping from one to the other to the other...so I currently have the backs of both done, the left and right fronts of both done, and one sleeve of each done. Go, me, go!!! (Both will be completed by the end of the weekend or so help me, I might just threaten to take away my needles...or not...)

However, I have a ton of patterns currently flagged or modded and waiting for their casting call...so I would very much like to get those started. I promised myself a while ago that I had to start finishing projects before starting new ones. So that is what this weekend will be. An excuse to start new ones because the UFOs are done! (Note, this is where many persons should be thinking "yes, but the road to hell is paved with good intentions"...lol)

ttfn, and Happy May 24 everyone!!!
k.

Look at Me...I'm Hooking Like a Pro

So, I have been forever interested in the bastard child of knitting, crocheting. But I could never seem to get my head around it...or rather my wrists. It was always awkward, and felt wrong...and normally I would end up pulling the yarn back out, and knitting up something sumptuous in it's stead. HOWEVER, that has all changed. :) I recently picked up The Happy Hooker (I like the way she writes...I find that it is actually interesting, and provides pictures when pictures are needed). Of course, the reason that I picked up this little beauty was because I also recently purchased an Amigurumi book (so darned cute...and I am utterly addicted to cute), so I had to learn.

Will have some pictures up soon of some of the stuff I plan on doing (starting with a tester set of pasties for the swap I have coming up...one pair is already done, just in the gaudy finalization stage...so I figured I would make a guinea pig of my partner...lol...sorry Winster).

In the meantime, since it has been a while since I have updated this page, here ya go:

The boy's mexican wrestling mask (obviously not the boy in it):


Finished coat (without the buttons yet...sorry):


I am also currently working on two different baby sweaters. One is the Baby's First Tattoo Sweater from Stitch n' Bitch Nation...about 1/2 way done at the moment...will post pictures soon. The other is a simple Bernat hoodie sweater in Baby Softee white with pastel colours throughout. Although the one that this sweater is for thinks she is having a boy, I am thinking differently (thankfully I am not the only one), and either way, with the colour combo, I don't much have to worry...White is not gender specific...lol.

I have an excessively busy (translates to less knitting/crocheting - I can't believe I can finally write that - time :( )next few months. From this weekend on....mother's day golf gathering this weekend, 2 weddings, one of which is on the east coast, the accompanying showers for the weddings, camping trips (3 so far...geesh), 3 baby showers, family day at my daughter's school, birthday parties, random summer parties, housewarming parties...wonder if it would be rude to knit while at a party...hmmmm....

Also recently purchased new dpns (5"...which I am hoping will be much easier for me with my sockies...I have found that, while I love working with my dpns for most every circular object, they are long (12 inches), and therefore if it is something smaller, or if I get down to the point where the stitches are less...it is difficult to work with). They should be arriving this week.

ttfn
k.

Growing Up Creepie

So, this weekend, I was treated to a wonderful cartoon show on Sunday mornings called "Growing up Creepie". It was awesome. And it came on right after Ruby Gloom. I think that Sunday mornings are going to become my favorite cartoon day after all. :)

Got a lot of work done on my coat this weekend. I now have a vest, complete with little hangy bits that need desperately to be hidden away....

I am working on sleeve #1, and am about halfway through, at that. Hopefully, it will be completely done by end of day today, and I can cast on the match tomorrow. Ideally, I would like to have it completely done and wearable by Monday of next week. And it seems like, despite the bugger up of making two left sides, this goal is very workable.

The only downside is that I won't have the buttons for at least another week or so. I found these absolutely awesome ones on eBay (after searching high and low for a set of 12 really nice buttons that were bigger than a nickel, and would actually go with the colour - impossible, I might add). But, I am okay with wearing it with just the zipper until they arrive. Besides, it is getting too warm out for me to keep wearing my winter coat...something I am very happy about.

Also, I have just heard about the knit jamboree in Mississauga in May. :) Not sure what all it entails, but I am thinking I might head out to it, you know, purely for scientific purposes...lol

ttfn
k.

I am sooooo weak

Yes. I am a big girl. I can admit that I am weak. I have a weakness for my daughter...and books...and purses...and shoes....and really nice and soft yarn...and coffee...good lord don't forget the coffee. Anyways, I am sure that you get the point.

So today, while taking a very much needed walk away from my cell during lunch, I stumbled upon a Coles Bookstore having a massive sale. And there...on the top of the first pile of the first table is Family Circle's Easy Baby Knits. Now, I have many friends who are currently expecting. And since they all know one another, I didn't want to do the whole making one thing several times over and have them all go "um, yeah, this would be the booties and hat and sweater" thing and not even bother opening the gift.

And, well, it is regularly $38.95 on sale for $4.99. I don't have the strength in me to walk away from that. I don't! I don't! I don't! So I splurged...lol...

And the most important news of the day:

Today is my favoritest Nana's 81st birthday!!! WEE!!! She rocks.

ttfn
k.

side note: WalMart, after word of their lack of human decency, has dropped the suit mentioned below.

And this, dear reader, is why you read first

I have recently been making good use of the whole "don't assume, because you only make an ass out of u and me" saying.

So, I have been diligently working on my Mod Coat. Ideally, I would like to have this finished for the spring weather that I am sure will eventually make an appearance. However...it would appear that I am a complete idiot worthy of being beaten with my knitting needles.

After having read through the entire design several times, I made the left side of the coat. Wonderful. Looks great. Even when I did the geeky "I am going to hold the left half that I have finished up to my body to see how it looks". The colour and shape rock.

So, very excited, thinking that I could definitely get this project done before spring weather, I casted on the right side...and proceeded to get about three quarters of the way through making a
SECOND
LEFT
SIDE!!!

le sigh. we live, we learn. but yes, the 40 some-odd minutes it took me to unravel that beast definitely drummed the whole "i must read a pattern *while* i am doing it" thing into my head...again...lol

all in all, though, it kind of went with the day. my daughter was burning up with a fever yesterday morning. she asked me if she could snuggle under my blankets and watch a movie. of course (there is nothing harder to say no to then a sick child). then she asked if she could draw too. no problem. she likes to use my bingo dabbers as stamps...along with many other things (i have the non-toxic ones, so when she dabs it all over her hand to make hand-prints, i don't have to worry about it or her). a little while later, i hear "oh no, oh no, MAMA!!!" i walk in to find my child, bed, floor, and many other things are an unnatural shade of bright pink! yes, she had somehow gotten the lid off of the dabber, and all over everything.

she was fine (a little traumatized by my stripping her and tossing her into the tub while I hosed her down with the showerhead). sadly, though, she is still a little pink...and due to my immediately checking her to make sure none was in her mouth or eyes or any other important extremity, a good portion of my arms and hands are pink as well. to which, of course, i got the standard response of "it is okay, mama. i like pink."

hope you all had a stellar weekend. i think after the events of yesterday, i am going to force the boy to come with us to the mall...i like walking with the option to purchase.

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Absolutely Heinous

I learned about this earlier today, and I have to say that, even though I work in the legal field, I am thoroughly disgusted by the actions of Walmart. There comes a point in time where morals and doing what is right should come before what you are legally allowed (and not obligated) to do.

http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/03/25/walmart.insurance.battle/index.html

Much as I love Walmart, I cannot say that I will be able to shop there again. Hello Zellers!!! (And that has the bonus of being Canadian, eh? lol).

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Sweet Weekend Update

Just thought that I would get caught up on the pics that I have been meaning to get up here.

Hope everyone is having a great long weekend.

Slink:


City Coat:


And the greatest catnap ever:

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Think Tank

I am so very happy to announce that I can see the grass. It is sort of yellowish...with a whole lotta brown...but it is there. I know, I know...we are still expecting more snow (or at least flurries), but I can be hopeful, can't I?

I have been working hard on so many different projects. I just haven't had any time to post things.

Will do so shortly soonish...promise.

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Fabulous, with a capital F

WEEE!!! I must say that I am feeling fabulous. Absolutely Fabulous (and yes, that deserves a capital F). I had a really great weekend. The weather on Saturday was horrible. It snowed...and snowed...and snowed. But I don't have a driveway to shovel, and with underground parking, I don't have to dig my car out, so really, I don't mind. Sat around watching the 6th season of Charmed and did my hair (which I lust...I will likely post pictures later, because I am that much in lust with the colour). Did nothing!!! It was wonderful.

Yesterday, I cleaned (I can still smell the cleaner on my hands, sadly enough), but made up for it by going out shopping. I love shopping. Especially when it is for my little girl. I got my taxes done nice and early (because I hate the mad scramble of doing them at the deadline), so with the sudden surge of funds in my bank account, out we went. Got her a bunch of clothes for the spring, which I am sure will EVENTUALLY come, and also got a new computer. Nothing big or fancy. I don't need big or fancy. Just something that would take less than an hour to boot up and open solitaire. I have found, however, that after the initial jubiliance of something new (something new, in this case, being Vista with its thousand and one "are you sure you want to do this" questions), it is getting a little harrowing. But such is life. It is shiny and new and mine. :) And I can boot it up in less than an hour. Also bought myself enough yarn in a colour I adore to make myself a nice coat for spring/summer. Will start on that tonight, since I am almost (just have the zipper to install) done the Cobra sweater, and just have the sleeves to complete on the Lil Red Riding Hoodie.

Woke up this morning to the loverly drunken text message "I am a pirate". Hehehehe....

And the day just keeps getting better. Got rid of an old debt that I have felt bad about having. It was a personal loan that a very wonderful soul was kind enough to provide to me when I needed it and had no one else to turn to. And I feel better for having that gone. Only one more left to go!!!

Well, that is all. So far, this month rocks!! (Touch wood)

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L'il (not so red) Riding Hoodie

So, because I don't quite have enough on my plate between the moving, prepping for a housewarming party, work, motherhood, cat ownership, knitting 3 sweaters, a blanket and a cape, I have started yet another sweater (this one for myself). I have been thoroughly frustrated with the damn sleeves on the Cobra sweater, so that has kinda moved to the back burner until such time as I can figure out what to do with them without the sweater looking absolutely ridiculous. The two other sweaters are both small ones, so really, I am not overly worried about them. The cape, well, that one is coming along, but given how plain the pattern is, I have found that I am not overly eager to do it all the time. And, well, since I have had Domaknitrix sitting in my knitting basket, taunting me, haunting me, for almost 2 months, I had to crack her open and give her a spin.

So, as I have a great affection for hoodies, the L'il Red Riding Hoodie fit the bill. Yes, I didn't do it in red, however I am loving how easily this is knitting up, and there is a good likelihood that I will end up doing this pattern again in a few colours...or incorporate the design as indicated in the pattern itself. Who knows...only time will tell.

In the meantime, tada:


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Wow

It is amazing, after taking a few steps back, and a few really deep breaths, the amount of crap you see from people who would constantly denounce any and all who give the impression that things were not what they seemed.

Hmmmm...interesting.

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A Hard Day

So Ophelia has definitely made herself at home. :) Not yet sure which of the two (Ammy or Ophelia) it is that is now running the household, but I know for certain that neither Tony nor I have that title.
And the best moment of the weekend:

This actually started with Ophelia making herself nice and comfortable on my daughter's head...not the most ideal sleeping arrangement.
And, thankfully, she has yet to attack my knitting. (Of course, one of the small balls which was left over from a previous project has become her play toy, which I am thinking is the main reason for this small mercy.)
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Here Kitty Kitty Kitty Kitty

This is the little girl we got last night.

Her name is Ophelia (which I am sure will become "O").

She is sweet, and nothing at all like what either of us stipulated.

We adopted her through the Mississauga Humane Society (which I must say is the most reasonable of the humane societies which I contacted regarding adoption).

We pick her up on Friday (although we had the option to take her home last night, we felt it would be best to leave her where she has others - both people and cats - to interact with until such time as we can give her focused attention as opposed to leaving her in a new home all alone for her first few days there).

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The House I Have Missed

Wow...without cable, I have forgotten some of the shows that I used to love. So, for the first time in ages, I got to watch House. I have missed him and his jackholeness.

And I have found another show which will pander to my love of the paranormal. Paranormal State. WEEEE...go cable go.

cheers!

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A Lovely State of Disarray

Well, it has been a rough week, but I finally feel like I am making some progress.


The move went. Despite all the running around and last minute items which crept up on me Wednesday, I somehow got it all done, and more. I had to make 2 different trips to the mechanic (wonderfully honest people, so I am going to miss them), so that cut back some of my time, but lo and behold, we got packed and....


moved it all on Thursday...weee!!!! (Yes, I am fully aware that I have used entirely too many exclamation points to get across the energy and thrill I feel at having successfully completed our move, but tough nouggies...it is my blog and I can over-use exclamation points if I want to.)

We went out on the weekend, looking for an addition to our family. Well, I understand and appreciate what humane societies do. But for all that is good in the world...could they make it anymore difficult for someone to adopt and animal???

Meh...we have figured a few courses of actions.

Hope you are all well.

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It's Almost Moving Day...WEEE

So the countdown has begun. I have about 36 hours until I move, give or take...

Oddly enough, I feel very relaxed. I feel like I have everything in order, despite the snags that keep coming up. I have a sizable amount of the packing done, so I am comfortable with that. But I still have to rent a steam cleaner and clean the carpet (thankfully there is just one, in the livingroom), I have an appointment to get an oil change (horribly overdue) and, because of an "unforeseen circumstance", my dr.'s appointment which was scheduled for this evening has now been changed to tomorrow afternoon. So in short, the one day that I took off to get all the rest of the packing finished has now been divvied up due to (a) a 9:00 a.m. break to go get steam cleaner, (b) a 10:00 a.m. break for the oil change and (c) a 3:00 p.m. break to go to my doctor's. I have a feeling that, as always, I will be up until the wee hours of the morning packing and moving things around...damn!

On an up note, I have made some great progress with the Skully Cobra. :) Look:


I have finished the body of the sweater, and am now on the sleeves. :)

And just because I can, in all her perfection:



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Sweater for the Boy

So, here is the start of the sweater (oh, update, it is based on Cobra from Son of Stitch n' Bitch, but will, as previously mentioned, have the skull patch on the front):

So happy the boy humoured me and "modeled" it for me...hehe

I am actually further along than this, since I worked on it on the train in to work today, as well as during my lunch hour, but for now, these are the pictures you get.

Tis all.

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The (Almost) Perfect Skull Sweater Pattern

So, I have recently become the proud owner and peruser of Son of Stitch n' Bitch (a book which I am sure I will abuse the hell out of before the pages run in terror). And I found the following pattern throughout the colourful pages:

This pattern is wonderful. It is for a boy. It has SKULLS!!! It is about one margarita away from perfection. Or so I thought. Sadly, upon actually taking the time to review the pattern BEFORE starting (see, I am learning...lol...damn DIY knitters), I realized that the sleeves taper. And, while completely understandable and useful for a bike messenger or anyone who would use said garment for working type purposes and not just because it has skulls and their girlfriend made it for them so that have to wear it or she will throw a tantrum and speak to you only in one word answers, like FINE, which you know is dangerous territory, these type of sleeves would likely cause problems. And, since I kinda like my boy, I am thinking that I should be nice to him, and NOT put him in a position of having to decide whether to wear it and feel strange with tapered arms, or dealing with a girly who is FINE, I am planning on using the skull patch part of the pattern on a different sweater. I have chosen another sweater from the book which I will use as a base, but damned if I can remember which one...lol.

Will update soon.

P.S. The cape is coming along nicely, but I have found that the pattern is very, VERY staid, and my ADD seems to act up whenever I pick it up. Good thing I get cable back in a few weeks.

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Need a Weekend to Recover...

First, despite the title, my weekend was amazing. It really was. Friday was a nice, low-key evening. Got home from work early, did the dinner thing and such with no problemo at all. Went to Walmart to scope out a new dresser for my daughter (figured now would be a good time to get it, since I wouldn't have to worry about unpacking it or anything else, just leave the box with the other things to be moved). While there, the bane of my existence, my daughter's hair (she despises having it brushed, and with all the curl that she has, it just meant that more and more it would become tangled and knotted and such...to the point that she would start crying and hiding the minute I picked up a hairbrush), was removed. As we were wandering around Walmart, I noticed that the Magicuts or whatever the hair place in there is called was still open. So, after putting it in terms Ammy could understand ("don't you want to have a cute little hairdo just like Dora??"), mission #1 for the weekend was accomplished. She looks adorable (yes, I am partial). And it is nice to actually be able to brush her hair now without having to figure out where she has hidden the brush, the hair ties or herself. Didn't get a dresser while we were there - but I did get decals for her new room, and managed to pick up some of the cheapie $4.99 art stuff that they have that is actually quite nice. Just all in all a good day.

Saturday was equally as good. My daughter and I spent the day grubbing about the house. Cleaned...vegetated...not much of anything. And I had a wonderful "date night" Saturday night. We went out for dinner, followed by Bingo. Yes, I said Bingo. :) And we won, too. It would appear that, despite the boy insisting on paying for everything during our date night, my winnings at bingo covered the entire cost, and then some...and that was after our splitting what we won. WEEEE!!!!

Yesterday, we painted my daughter's room. We move in 24 days, and I did tell my landlord that I would take care of the painting (all the paint was actually in the cubby under the stairs....just a matter of putting it on the walls - and the walls looked hideous from the state that the previous tenants left it in). So, in the morning, after being woken up at an hour that should not exist during the weekends by my loverly little angel and after getting a sufficient amount of liquid caffiene into my system to function in a somewhat normal manner, I set up the room to paint. That is when the boy woke up. And went to get coffees, as I had drained the pot. :) Between the two of us, the entire painting of her room took about an hour in total...not bad, if you ask me. And, well, this is my blog, so really, that is the only opinion that matters at the moment.

Then, one of my not-oft seen loves was mentioned...IKEA. We wandered, and played, and goofed off, and played, and wandered, and ended up getting a very nice, very cheap dresser for my daughter ($87) which I have promised her we will go to Home Depot and pick up some knobs (wholly unneccessary but she wants big pink ones) as well as a new TV stand (found the matching coffee table, but we don't really need one right now, so...). Since both of us were lazy (the boy and I, that is) and neither of us felt like cooking, we went to a restaurant for linner (had a very late breakfast, so this was sort of lunch/dinner) and somehow, on the way back to the car, my daugher and I sort of veered off course and ended up outside of Chapters. Honest, I have no clue how it happened. :p

So I now proudly own and will likely peruse and abuse with glee and joy, DomaKNITrix and Son of a Stitch n' Bitch. Wee!!!

Hope you all had a productive and enjoyable weekend.

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Technical Issues

Welcome to the third day of the new year!!! My New Year's resolution was quite successful. I did, as I resolved to do, wake up on New Year's Day. Wee...

What an interesting few days it has been. I ended last year with a tired, nearly asleep, crawl. Yes, I live such an exciting life. Movies on the couch in my (new - from Christmas - love them) togs and slippers. Got to sleep in a little on New Years Day (my daughter is so good to me some days), followed by a horrendously stupid drive to my sister's for our annual family brunch which, with the exception of the other members of her family, I was the only one in attendance.

I did learned, however, that though we are in a new year, it appears all the stupid drivers from last year made it here too. :(

I actually must say, though, that even though it was the smallest brunch (father was in California, complaining that the weather "only" hovered in the high 50s his whole trip, everyone else...well, I don't really know...), we did have a good time. Played poker, watched the kiddlings all play, free food...fun, fun, fun.

Just before the dawn of 2008, I got confirmation on my new place. Wee!!! Only 28 more days until I move. And yesterday, I got confirmation of a daycare position for my daughter. You would not believe (unless you have been there yourself before) how friggin difficult it is to find care for a kindergarten child. Everywhere has full day programs, or before and after school programs...but no one seems to want the kids if they are just every other day, and alternate Fridays. But alas, it is done. She has a spot.

The rest, well, that can all come in due time...I still have, after all, 28 more days to go.

And then, of course, my monitor exploded. :(

Okay, maybe not exploded. But it crackled, then it popped, then it went black and made a high pitch squeal. I am guessing this is not a good thing. Thankfully, I put in many overtime hours over the last little while, and *should* have enough left over this pay to buy a monitor. There are some good deals going on, and even though I had originally planned to do nothing more than save with this money, I can sacrifice $150...

Hope you are all having a great new year so far.

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