Queen of Swords

Tour de Fleece 2010: Final output

2010-07-28T17:14:00.000-06:00

Well, that was certainly a long and interesting ride.

Tour de Fleece, Day 20

2010-07-22T13:37:00.000-06:00

Whoops. That whole going on vacation, traveling to Calgary, and visiting people really took a chunk out of my ability to post. And spin. But here's what I've been doing! A) Finished up the purple stuff. ~60 metres, nice and thin and even. B) Knitted the Swiss yarn into a bowl to felt. Couldn't find an appropriate pattern for 55 metres, so faked it. Knit from the centre out, with M1Ls and M1Rs at

Tour de Fleece, Day 13

2010-07-15T21:33:00.000-06:00

Spinning thin takes a long time! Still working on the random fibre, working on a thin single. Yesterday's photo included for comparison.

Tour de Fleece, Day 12

2010-07-14T21:32:00.000-06:00

Yoga at lunch and massage before knitting equals not a lot of spinning today. But I'm trying for a thin single, and so far succeeding. I've also discovered that thin single equals slow progress. :)

Tour de Fleece, Day 11

2010-07-13T22:05:00.000-06:00

What a dreary day. Luckily, this yarn turned out better than I'd hoped! I might even knit something with it! Random fibre, pink and light blue, plied together (and didn't have much of the light blue left!). Finished plying at North Edmonton knit night. :) I have some more of the random fibre in my bag for tomorrow, but this success has inclined me to ply it with another colour rather than onto

Tour de Fleece, Day 9: Team Talespinners Challenge Day

2010-07-11T21:48:00.001-06:00

Well, that was a long and busy day. Times that you can't see in the mosaic above:Start: 7:41 amWith breaks for talking to Mom, walking Priest, buying cookbooks at Chapters, and groceries, finished spinning one third of the bag by 5:00 pm. Given that I watched one full disc of Faery Tale Theatre, plus spun a little bit more, I'm estimating about 4.5 hours of spinning for this third of the bagWith

Tour de Fleece, Day 8

2010-07-10T20:37:00.000-06:00

Not a great amount of spinning today, but there wasn't a great amount of time either, and I did want to rest up a bit for tomorrow (Team Talespinners' challenge day!). I don't have spinning calluses yet, and my fingers are getting sore! Random fibre, pink is complete, blue to ply it with still in progress. I figured I might as well have some fun, since I can't think of anything else to do with

Tour de Fleece, Day 7

2010-07-09T22:20:00.000-06:00

Left: Random fibre, pink, spindle made by my dad. The spindle is a little light, and the shaft is a little short, but I'll muddle through. Something to keep me occupied until Talespinners Challenge Day (Sunday!).Right: Fleece Artist BFL Sliver in Moss, Andean plied. Resting on the niddy noddy overnight.

Tour de Fleece, Days 5 and 6

2010-07-08T21:26:00.001-06:00

Day 5, top: Swiss wool, chain plied. That was definitely interesting. It rested overnight as a ball, and I wound it onto the niddy noddy tonight to rest again. I'll set the twist tomorrow and count yardage.Day 6, bottom: Fleece Artist BFL Sliver in Moss. Great to spin, and making good progress. I should be able to ply it tomorrow. I can't decide if I'll chain ply again for a 3-ply, or Andean ply

Tour de Fleece, Day Four

2010-07-06T21:26:00.000-06:00

Left: Fleece Artist BFL in Moss. Really nice to spin.Right: Swiss wool, unknown fibre. All spun and ready to chain ply. Tomorrow, once I research how. :)

Tour de Fleece 2010: Day Three

2010-07-05T20:53:00.002-06:00

Top left, centre: Thistle, unknown fibre, plied today (badly), soaking now. 31.2 m. My dad made the niddy noddy.Bottom left, bottom centre: Swiss wool, unknown fibre, brought by my parents back from Switzerland last summer. Eight different colours, one handful of each. Spinning the single. Did the white (you can see it below the green) and the green today. Yellow and purple to go, then time to

What I did today...

2010-07-04T21:41:00.001-06:00

Turned the thistle and weed alley behind the garage into a full garbage bag of plant matter and a now-rakeable area, mowed the back yard and broke the electrical outlets on the outside of the house, made a tired puppy, put together a work bench, and spun up a spindle for the first day of the Tour de Fleece. What should I do tomorrow?

Almost June...

2010-05-29T19:06:00.002-06:00

...naturally.

Awww...

2009-10-01T13:33:00.002-06:00

Seriously adorable. <3 Pixar. Cloud - The best free videos are right here

A post of shorts

2009-09-04T11:10:00.003-06:00

Best things I've ever bought at Ikea, bar none:Go buy them if you can. Totally awesome.I'm an aunt! And I get to see my nephew this weekend!I have a new appreciation and awe for people who work two jobs, or go to school and work. You are amazing people. I don't know how you do it.I am feeling so comfortable with the needleless cable now that I'm coming to the end (hopefully) of Sheila's nursing

One-Line Book Review #3

2009-08-18T13:00:00.003-06:00

New Moon by Stephenie Meyer: I dunno, seems like a no brainer to me: warm loving furry wolf guy v. cold guy who has to keep himself from killing her... Book was good until Edward came back into it.Will post about the new job later. So far it's good, except for remembering to use the option key on the Mac!

One-Line Book Review #2

2009-08-11T12:11:00.002-06:00

The Independence of Miss Mary Bennet by Colleen McCullough: Diverting, but too many errors in technique and far too many "WTF?", "You've got to be kidding...", and "Did you even read Pride and Prejudice?" moments to be truly enjoyable or worth recommending.

As my life implodes...

2009-08-06T09:51:00.005-06:00

Sorry for the silence. My life literally imploded, which made finding time to post, let alone inclination to expound bloggerly upon the happenings, nigh impossible.As most of my few remaining readers know, almost immediately from returning from the US, I interviewed for and was offered a new position. It is still in Edmonton, still in the pseudo-public sector, but has less all-encompassing

East Coast Trip

2009-07-09T11:49:00.002-06:00

NH/MA/PA TripSome photos from my trip to the Eastern seaboard of the US last week. It was an awesome time, and I wish I was still there (though I hear it's raining again, so maybe not, though it's raining here too... :) ), and I miss everyone! Come see us soon!Mike's pictures will be up as soon as he sends me the list of what he wants uploaded.

I'm alive... barely

2009-06-18T09:28:00.002-06:00

Hello! Do you remember me? My name is Vanessa, and you used to know me. I used to post here relatively frequently, and most of you have met me in real life too. I'm tall, with glasses and long curly hair. Am I ringing any bells?I am not without things to post about, but first work was sucking the creativity right out of me, and then I got sick (ugh for summer colds). Being in bed for five days,

Now Ended

2009-05-19T12:21:00.004-06:00

Dear Now-Ended Never-Ending Afghan,Let's not talk about it. We've had our ups and downs, come a long way since "Cast on 8 stitches," but now they're over, and we can both move on with our lives.I remember back in 2006. I restarted you from my painful beginner attempts of 2005, and we were both filled with hopes and dreams and promise. Intellectually, I knew where we were heading, with four

Saturday

2009-05-09T17:40:00.002-06:00

Breakfast: Yoghurt, muesli, frozen berries (mostly thawed)Lunch: Leftover pizzaDinner: Sushi, fake Moxie's Mayan SaladSnacks: noneLiquids: two pots black currant tea, iced tea, Booster JuiceTreats: noneExercise: Walk with PriestAhh... The first disc of Pride and Prejudice in the dvd player, my faithful dog snoozing on the couch, tea steeping, heating pad in easy reach, and 15/32 rows done on the

As the Purl Turns

2009-05-07T17:45:00.001-06:00

Things happen as I get crazy busy. My knitting has aspirations to stardom. Silly knitting.As the Purl Turns (WIPS 2009 05)

If the sun would only come out for good

2009-04-16T09:07:00.003-06:00

Breakfast: Berry smoothieLunch: Leftover stroganoff, appleDinner: Umm... Think it's going to be fake Moxie's Mayan Salad with shrimpSnacks: Turkey/Jarlsberg rollups, trail mixLiquids: We'll see; hopefully a litre herbal tea, 500ml iced tea, some waterTreats: ??Exercise: Walk with PriestLoneliness hit pretty hard yesterday. Strange, though, since I spent the evening surrounded by good people. When

I did not choose the name

2009-04-12T21:21:00.003-06:00

I swear. I did not do anything but build the look. The Hero Factory chose the name for me. I swear, really and truly... But I love it. :)

Not quite how I would have chosen to clean the laundry room

2009-04-12T18:43:00.002-06:00

Breakfast: Yoghurt, berries, muesliLunch: Rye crackers with jarlsberg and ricotta, mini cucumberDinner: Supper salad with whole wheat tortelloniSnacks: Not for lack of tryingLiquids: Not nearly enough by farTreats: Two Icy squares (read on; I'm justified)Exercise: 1/2 hour walk with Priest, some picking up in the backyard, and 1.5 hours of moppingI've been derelict, I know. The truth is, I've

Houston, we might just have something resembling ignition...

2009-03-19T15:47:00.003-06:00

Breakfast: Berry smoothieLunch: Quinoa saladDinner: I have no idea yet; getting home late todaySnacks: Too much of that fabulous trail mixLiquids: 1 L herbal tea, water when I get homeTreats: XL Timmies' French Capp (I have to cut back on these...)Exercise: Walk with Priest planned after dinnerSo I've been playing with a really old idea for a story, turning it over in my head, working on a new

I vant to suck your blod

2009-03-18T16:28:00.003-06:00

Don't vorry; it von't hurt a bit.Vhy are you laughing? I am scarrrry vampire!/giggleErr... no meal plan today. It's just more of the same with a Booster Juice, since it's knitting night.

Priest's sweater

2009-03-18T10:59:00.003-06:00

Our funny dog. He does not like getting his picture taken. He looks away from the camera. But then it looks like, "Make sure you get my best side, Mummy!"I'm pleased with just about everything about this sweater. Where the buttons are curls a bit, but even with the curl, there's not too much of his side showing, so I'll live with it. Or maybe I can figure out how to pick up stitches on the border

The Great Canadian Sing-Along Song Search

2009-03-16T17:03:00.003-06:00

Breakfast: Berry smoothieLunch: Quinoa saladDinner: Beef kebabs with steamed vegetablesSnacks: Kiwi fruit, deli turkey with Jarlsberg cheese, the most amazing organic trail mix from Costco (darn it)Liquids: 1 l herbal tea, 500 ml waterTreats: 2x Icy Squares chocolate (Priest had an accident in the house; I'm allowed)Exercise: 0.5 hour walk with Priest after dinner (planned)The consensus on the

The real question

2009-03-13T18:31:00.004-06:00

Breakfast: Berry smoothieLunch: Mock Moxie's Mayan SaladDinner: More Mock Moxie's Mayan Salad, this time with shrimp!Snacks: Kiwi fruit, deli turkey with Jarlsberg cheeseLiquids: 1 l herbal teaTreats: XL Timmie's French Vanilla Cappucchino (again)Exercise: None (long walk with Priest planned for tomorrow morning, resting the shoulder today)So, I'm almost done knitting Priest's sweater. Two inches

The Winter That Was... I Hope

2009-03-12T18:42:00.003-06:00

Breakfast: Berry smoothieLunch: Turkey sandwich (Silver Hills sprouted grain bread, don't worry, haven't lost my mind yet)Dinner: Mock Moxie's Mayan Salad, California rollsSnacks: 4 slices Jarlsberg cheeseLiquids: 500 ml herbal tea, 1 L waterTreats: XL Timmie's French Vanilla CappucchinoExercise: 0.5 hour walk with PriestI've had about five posts in my head, but absolutely no inclination to post

So much for saving that...

2009-02-19T17:26:00.002-07:00

I came home today to this:So the Vanilla Chai soy milk that was going to be for my drive to Calgary tomorrow got cracked open. It's not as good as alcohol to take the edge off, but I still need to cook, cast off the rest of Lisa's shawl, wash and block it and five scarves, have a visitor, arrange the car to transport two dogs and some dog food, and pack, so alcohol is kind of out of the

Mini Bermuda Triangle

2009-02-16T16:23:00.005-07:00

Breakfast: Scrambled eggs, remains of V-day fruit platterLunch: Quinoa saladDinner: Shrimp and zucchini saute with green saladSnacks: 10-layer dip, rice crackersLiquids: ~0.5 L juice, so farTreats: NoneExercise: 0.5 hour walk with Priest and Darwin， housecleaningHas everyone found the new location for the blog? Post a comment or something so I know and can stop being paranoid, okay?So after

Spot five differences between the two pictures

2009-02-09T16:31:00.005-07:00

Breakfast: Berry smoothieLunch: Chicken salad, mini cucumberDinner: Buffalo meatloaf with vegetablesSnacks: Yoghurt cup, apple, cheeseLiquids: 1x 500ml herbal tea, whatever I have tonightTreats: NoneExercise: 0.5 hour walk with Priest and Darwin after dinnerHmm... Something's different.I can't quite put my finger on what it is...Can you spot it?No tree!Which means no more dozen to twenty bags of

To heck with it

2009-02-09T10:43:00.001-07:00

I was holding off on posting until I'd come up with a new and spiffy and customized banner image. Alas, inspiration, PhotoShop, and my paltry skills in that arena are not cooperating. So the banner may go through various phases of hideousness (like Priest's has done over the last week) before I settle on one. For now, it'll stay the stock image, and forgive me.

Productivity

2009-02-02T21:47:00.002-07:00

Breakfast: Berry smoothieLunch: Salad, almondsDinner: Ham with ratatouilleSnacks: Yoghurt cup, mini cucumber, almondsLiquids: 1x 500ml herbal tea, 1x 500 ml waterTreats: NoneExercise: 0.5 hour walk with PriestPriest spent his evening doing this:I spent my evening doing this:(No before shot, but count yourself lucky. It was horrid. I discovered washed but unfolded sheets...)And turning this (looks

Sicilian Kiss = equal parts Southern Comfort and Amaretto -> good painkiller

2009-01-29T12:29:00.004-07:00

Breakfast: YoghurtLunch: Tim Horton's Chili w/ Trail Mix CookieDinner: Beef stroganoff with basmati rice, green saladSnacks: Apple with Saint Andre triple cream cheese, mini-cuke and yoghurt cupLiquids: 2x 500ml herbal tea, Treats: TBAExercise: TBAI know, I know. I was on a roll there. But trust me, ladies and gentlemen, Friday's post wouldn't have been worth reading, and it's been busy busy

2009-01-22T21:17:00.002-07:00

Breakfast: Pineapple, banana, berry soymilk shakeLunch: SaladDinner: Meatloaf with steamed veggies and red potatoesSnacks: Anjou pear, deli turkey with swiss cheese, yoghurtLiquids: 500ml herbal tea, 500ml waterTreats: NoneExercise: Driving my car homeI have a leak in my power steering fluid, and the dealership can't get me in until Tuesday. So my vehicle will sit at home with manual steering

Knitter's crack

2009-01-21T21:55:00.003-07:00

Breakfast: Yoghurt, fresh pineapple, slice swiss cheeseLunch: SaladDinner: White bean/mushroom soupSnacks: Banana, deli turkey with swiss cheese, tbsp peanut butterLiquids: 500ml herbal tea, venti passion flower shaken iced tea lemonade from Starbucks (that should probably go under treat...), 250ml grapefruit juice, Apple Cinnamon Booster JuiceTreats: NoneExercise: 45 minute walk with the dogs,

A tattoo! And I didn't mean it!

2009-01-20T14:04:00.005-07:00

Breakfast: Pineapple berry soymilk shakeLunch: Chicken salad with tomatoes and water chestnutsDinner: ChiliSnacks: Yogurt, almonds, kiwi fruitLiquids: 2x 500ml herbal tea, 300ml soy milkTreats: Tim Hortons yogurt and berry cup (vanilla - toooooo much sugar), piece chocolateExercise: 0.5 hour walk with the dogsSo I had a doctor's appointment today, and I finally caved to peer pressure and showed

Miffed dog

2009-01-19T21:47:00.002-07:00

Breakfast: YoghurtLunch: Romano and black beans with italian dressing and tomatoes, almondsDinner: New Mexican Chicken Soup with cheddar cheeseSnacks: Kiwi fruit, deli turkey with swiss cheeseLiquids: 500ml herbal tea, 500ml juice, 125ml soy milk, 600ml waterTreats: NoneExercise: 0.5 hour walk with dogs, 1.25 hours chipping ice on the driveway.Okay. I know this is very Bridget Jones' Diary.

It's a whole food revolution!

2009-01-17T21:51:00.002-07:00

Get it? Get it? It's a whole food revolution, or it's a whole food revolution! Ha ha ha ha! Ha...Okay, never mind.Truth is, we have switched to a more whole food diet, and currently are avoiding wheat/rice with an increase in fruits and veggies for carbohydrates. And you know what? I'm less tired, feeling less hungry or tied to strict mealtimes, and I'm feeling good. Like, good. Good. Not great,

It's December

2008-12-05T09:58:00.002-07:00

First, kudos to the Yarn Harlot for explaining what's going on in Canadian politics, because without newspapers, canada.com news not working on my work computer, and no real radio news, I've been completely baffled, but without much time to search out the news stories to inform myself. Now I know at least a bit, and can form my own opinion on the matter.It's December and I'm working on Christmas

Soft and furry

2008-11-19T10:27:00.002-07:00

My sleeve apparently tasted lovely, because this young alpaca couldn't stop nibbling on it! And on my bag, the bottom of my jacket, and I'm sure he would have nibble on my hair too, if he was tall enough! Thanks to Liz for taking the picture and letting me borrow it!So that was Sunday. A nice drive out to the country, visiting with alpacas, petting them when they got close enough because they

She got the shawl

2008-11-13T10:42:00.002-07:00

:D I feel all warm and wonderful. This is why I love giving gifts.

A word to the wise

2008-11-05T13:19:00.003-07:00

Take my advice. No matter how tired you are, how absent-minded you are, how stupid you might be, or how frustrated you are with your oven that won't cook completely thawed chicken breasts at 350 in 50 minutes, always remember to put the oven mitts back on your hands before you try to put the casserole dish back in the oven! ALWAYS!So, since I won't be knitting for a while, let me show you a

Welcome to the end of October

2008-10-22T09:27:00.002-06:00

The leaves and needles in the back yard and driveway will probably take a dozen bags to haul to the curb, and there's definitely a chill in the air on the morning walks, so I think we can officially say that Fall Has Arrived. With fall comes a variety of things, things that I have been derelict in talking about lately, due mostly to the fact that said things kind of are a Huge Time Sink, leaving

Trigger Point Injection #1

2008-10-01T12:18:00.002-06:00

Urgh...I am at home today, as the nausea is really bad, and I just wasn't going to be effective at work because of it. I'm going to eat here in a little bit, and quickly post this, as the nausea is so much better when I'm lying down.The injections themselves were nothing, really. So as not to overwhelm me, the doctor only did my left side yesterday, four shots. The needle was no worse than an

Admitting defeat

2008-09-17T10:17:00.003-06:00

I have been trying to write a post about Monty. He died earlier this month, and I went to his funeral two weekends ago in Calgary. I've been trying to write something that does justice to him, and to my own grief. I've been trying to find the words to say how much I'll miss him, and the things I wish I'd been able to talk to him about, and how much he meant to me. But words aren't coming. Maybe

Quick photo post

2008-09-08T09:40:00.000-06:00

ARGH!

2008-09-05T08:53:00.002-06:00

It's not my birthday yet! Why is it not my birthday yet? I want these!Wednesday was definitely a misaligned day. Was it for you too? It started not for me, but for a friend, whose car broke down at a gas station in St. Albert (I boosted him), then again about two kilometres down St. Albert Trail (I boosted him again), at which point the car just wouldn't start at all (I drove him and his

XsoX

2008-08-28T10:45:00.002-06:00

I am starting to think I am not meant to knit socks. Being tired yesterday, I took my toe-up Mermaid Sock to knitting group, as it was mindless knitting, and I wanted to get a little further before I officially declared it Too Big and tore it back. So I knitted for about an hour, then took off my shoe, put my foot up on the table, and slipped it over my toe. We all looked at it forlornly. It

I got stung!

2008-08-12T14:52:00.004-06:00

So we went to pick up Mesa on Saturday morning. There was a wasp nest underneath their front door. When it came time to go out to the Priestmobile, the lady asked us if we wanted to go out through the garage, to avoid said nest. "Oh, no," says I. "I'm not afraid of them."I know. I totally jinxed myself.Thirty years of not being stung by bee or wasp came to an end within a few seconds of setting

More on dogs

2008-08-07T09:39:00.002-06:00

Priest and I went for our walk this morning, as Red once again declined to join us for our 5:30 am stroll. Priest was his regular self, sniffing, walking beside me, walking ahead of me. He knew the route, knew which places he wanted to use as washrooms, and wasn't waiting for or watching Red. It was a nice walk.We will foster Mesa. Mesa will stay in foster care until she's adopted, and while I

Possibly a bad idea...

2008-08-06T08:46:00.003-06:00

This may be a bad idea, or may be the best idea, but Mesa needs a foster home for two weeks starting this weekend, and then if she's not adopted, she will be transferred to Calgary, where there may be forever people who can look past the fact that she's always going to limp and see the amazing dog she is. And since Red goes home Thursday, and we're going to Calgary in two weeks, it seems rather

Yarn...

2008-08-05T14:36:00.002-06:00

Mmm... The actual called-for yarn for that poncho comes in a colourway called Fall Herbs... (you have to scroll down. Last one on the third row). And Red Cinnamon right next to it looks lovely too. Decisions, decisions.I'm a third of the way through the HEOPC Scarf, and now can't decide if the yarn is eye-burning yellow, or eye-burning green. Oh well. It's eye-burning. I'm also ready to start

Ups and Downs

2008-08-01T08:57:00.003-06:00

Downs:We had something stolen from our backyard: the LED stake that Mike's mom gave us for Easter. Rat-bastard neighbourhood children. I thought when the terrors moved away from two doors down, we'd be done with this kind of thing. Why even try to beautify your yard, then, if it's just going to get stolen? Are we supposed to lock our back gates now too?The house is an absolute mess. Between the

More adventures in three dimensions

2008-07-29T14:47:00.002-06:00

Elephant is happy that his legs hold him up this time! Unlike before...

Newness

2008-07-22T10:05:00.002-06:00

New furniture! Huge! Overstuffed!Comfy!New car! Huge! Shiny!Comfy!Thank you, Mormor and Morfar.

No furniture until Monday

2008-07-18T10:25:00.002-06:00

What a drama. I don't even want to talk about it. Living room will stay in a state of disarray until Monday. *sigh*

Blood from a stone and other adventures

2008-07-17T09:12:00.003-06:00

Finally got my blood taken on Tuesday. This time it took an hour and three needles, including one in my FOOT! Has anyone else had them try to take blood from your foot? For me, it was a try, didn't work. The successful poke came after I ran my hands under hot water for about four minutes, then we rushed back to the room and the nurse tourniqueted both my hands to see which one would give her a

A new backyard

2008-07-09T09:44:00.002-06:00

Backyard Landscaping - 5-6 July 2008With so much amazing help from Mom and Dad, we have a new, usable, functional, lovely, and almost finished back yard. If we hadn't been short-shipped on the blocks for the pine tree bed, then it would be done. I only hope when the blocks finally get in stock this week, that it'll have stopped raining. Unfortunately, I will be in Olds this weekend, and so won't

Bruised, Battered, but not Bloody

2008-07-08T13:13:00.002-06:00

So today I went for a blood test. I wondered if the not-panic-attack was a fluke. Well, turns out it wasn't. I even sat up. I even looked at the needle once it was in. But what I didn't get was blood taken. Despite the fact that I was calm, my veins decided to flatten out like cartoon bears sneaking into the ranger's house and pretending to be a bear rug, and decisively said, "No, thank you, no

I made this

2008-06-30T09:34:00.003-06:00

The colour, anyway; I didn't spin it. And the liquid? It was a milky white. All the Koolaid went into the yarn! It's drying now. I have to decide what to make with it. Ideas?

The Day the Physiotherapist Cured My Headache

2008-06-19T13:25:00.002-06:00

Okay, well, maybe not cured, but sure as heck made a difference.So this is my first week in the pain clinic program, and yesterday I had a bit of physiotherapy before the end of my scheduled time there. I was still fighting the barometric pressure headache left over from the day before, so that was what she wanted to talk about. She listened a bit to what I had to say about it, asked a few

Hutch and (not so) Useless Closet

2008-06-11T13:03:00.002-06:00

Just a quick photo post about this phase of new furniture. :)Before the hutch. But try and imagine it with a Humphrey Bogart picture on the right, and CDs and DVDs on the shelves.Delivered! Isn't it pretty?Now fully set up and packed.And now with doors closed and dog bed in place.Not so useless closet anymore!Stupid hallway; it's impossible to get a good picture without doors and such getting in

Demolition and Archaeology

2008-06-07T10:10:00.003-06:00

When the family came up for Family Weekend in late May, Mom and Dad decreed that we'd spend some time tearing out the old rotten deck in the back yard in preparation for doing more fun stuff to the yard in July. So bright and early (okay more like 9:30), out we went to do some demolition.Or more appropriately, Dad did the demolition, and Mom and I watched and did what he told us to.The tree had

The errant blogger returns

2008-06-02T16:51:00.002-06:00

There's some laundry beside me on the bed (I'm using Mike's laptop, which has found a semi-permanent home in the bedroom), more downstairs in the washer to be hung up, a useless closet to be vacuumed for dust, and dinner to get started soon, but I'm on vacation, so darn it, I'm gonna blog for a bit.And now I can't think of a thing to say. Or rather, a way to string it together coherently, so

Tinny energy

2008-05-20T14:08:00.002-06:00

Having been awake since three this morning with Mike, I find myself approaching the afternoon sort of oddly. I feel energetic, but behind the eyes, it's not quite right. It's like... electroplated. An image of precious metal, but layered on something more base. But since I only have three hours left in the office (though many more working) before my vacation, I'll take whatever semblance of

Playing with string

2008-05-16T14:45:00.003-06:00

Totally instant gratification. Crochet is great for that. And I love the colours!Blue... Gorgeous blue. It doesn't look like much right now (heck, it really isn't!), but someday, oh, someday...Guess what I'm going to be doing this weekend?

It's going to be a bright, bright bright sunshiny day...

2008-05-05T11:17:00.005-06:00

Well, here I am at work, fighting the third day of a headache that shades to migraine without quite getting there. The smoothie I brought for a snack has turned a very unappealing shade of brown (probably the banana) and is slightly more bitter than it should be, but I'm drinking it anyway, and there is little enough to do in this lull between tournament season and Summer Camp, so I think today I

Knit-Lits

2008-05-01T12:11:00.003-06:00

Priest had a great greyhound walk on Sunday, and my body seems to have finally recovered from Provincials, so last night I went out to Knit-Lits at the St. Albert Library. The class I helped teach a few weeks ago has turned into a once-a-week, come out and knit with people gathering. Last week we were four, and this week we were three, but I'm sure it'll grow. So this week I decided to bring my

Here comes another busy weekend...

2008-04-24T11:36:00.002-06:00

The snow is melting, even the stuff that keeps coming down overnight, and the weather is warmer, even at 5:45 in the morning. I am finished the FM Support Pack supplements, so now I can see whether or not it is those that are tiring me out. Priest is feeling a bit better, but still on a mix of rice and kibble, and he nicked his foot this morning on the ice, so he's now secured in his Xpen with a

It just so happens...

2008-04-22T11:20:00.002-06:00

Priest has played Houdini a couple of times and magically opened the door to his Xpen while we've been out. Nothing destroyed, no accidents. Yay for Priest! So I thought yesterday might be a good day to try to leave his Xpen open while we're at work. The look he gave me as I walked out the door said, "Um, Mum, aren't you forgetting something? Or are you going to seriously leave the door open?"

This is what happens... and miscellanea

2008-04-10T10:42:00.002-06:00

I am sleeping better, but still not fabulously, so I'm still very tired, and have only so much energy to give before I start sucking it from other places. Yesterday was a prime example, so let me describe it to you. At 2 pm I did my employee's performance review. Usually I leave work at 3, which means that in terms of hard mental work, I'm done by then and can just go home and do not so hard

A note for when it occurs

2008-04-01T18:45:00.002-06:00

I spent about an hour today trying to find a bridal shower gift for a shower this weekend. The trouble with buying a shower gift is that I know what I would want as shower gifts, but I don't know if that's necessarily what other people would want. I settled on something that fell kind of in the middle, and I hope it'll be acceptable.Someday, Mike and I will actually set a date, and when that

Easeter goodness and gauge revelation

2008-03-27T09:19:00.002-06:00

We were down in Calgary for Easter, and Mom and I had a very successful shopping trip to North Hill Mall for Mike's birthday presents (one stop! No need to go anywhere else! Yay!). While we were waiting in line at Safeway, suddenly a woman pushed her cart to the end of the till. She addressed the cashier with quick, clipped words, her eastern European accent quite thick with distress. The cashier

Priest's busy weekend

2008-03-17T09:56:00.004-06:00

Saturday, Priest's first meet and greet!So many greyhound friends!Hanging out being a good boySmoothie and Priest. I love this picture! Priest has such a goofy grin...And Sunday, the St. Patrick's Day Greyhound Walk!Heading out!Group shot! Look at all the happy greyhounds!Of course, he felt silly in his snood, but I had to try it out. There are some adjustments to be made for the next one! But

Knitting pictures

2008-03-14T12:13:00.003-06:00

Finished baby blanket in "Ice Mint"/"Natural" colours of Bernat Baby Coordinates. Pattern is Rock-A-Bye from Quick Knit Baby Afghans. Bear is there for scale.Snood for Priest, day 2. Knit in Pingouin Le Knit 3 in "Fog."Oooo... Ahhhh... I'm planning to get a lot done (hopefully...) at the M&G on Saturday.

Thank you, I have my own bag

2008-03-13T13:13:00.004-06:00

This weekend, we went to pick up the yarn I needed to finish the baby blanket, and as has become my custom, I slung my Dumbledore's Army messenger bag over my shoulder. I've been doing this lately when headed out to get things-other-than-groceries (for which I have other reusable bags), in my ongoing effort to reduce the number of plastic bags we collect. So off we went in the car, to Michael's,

In which I keep convincing myself it isn't spring

2008-03-07T10:04:00.002-07:00

It's not. It's not it's not it's not it's not. But it's warm, and the snow is melting, and after all the equinox is coming up... No! It's not spring, I tell you!But spring may account for some things. Spring may account for me not needing sweaters at work, or the real desire I have to just sit and look out the window. Spring may account for my frantic knitting before it gets too warm to really do

All I can say is, thank heaven for centre-pull skeins...

2008-03-01T07:41:00.003-07:00

At least he had fun, and it's not ruined (just slobbery, but I have to wash the blanket before giving it anyway). It was probably my fault, as not only did I close his Xpen so he couldn't get at his toys, but I also piqued his interest in yarn again by having the two elephant skeins on the stairs briefly to bring back up. I need more secure storage for my knitting, apparently!

Tired

2008-02-20T09:21:00.002-07:00

I'm exhausted. Alberta Winter Games is great, but exhausting. Thankfully, it was only one 15-hour day.I think because my ankles are so achingly sore, and also my left shin where the bruise from slamming my leg with a bench is still swollen, I'm not getting really good sleep. Which doesn't help matters.Okay, going to try and pull my brain out of fog.

Food. Fooooooooooodddddd

2008-02-12T12:35:00.000-07:00

I'll admit it. The quinoa salad I have for lunch every day is really tasty. And the cereal is delicious, even with plain soy milk. And even some of the new recipes we're trying are pretty good. But here's a list of things not to mention in my company, because if I'm feeling slightly off that day, chances are I'm going to burst into tears. ;)Cheese. Don't even talk to me about cheese. There's a

The Gods Laugh

2008-02-05T10:01:00.000-07:00

Monday morning I was flipping through the flyers while eating breakfast, and came across the Canadian Tire flyer. Before I even opened it, I thought to myself, "You know, I just bet, BET, that tool bench we want is on sale this week." And what was on the front page? The blue Mastercraft tool bench with light and two drawers. 55% off. Naturally.Why, you ask, was I so sure? Because every time that

It's so cold...

2008-01-28T19:15:00.000-07:00

As I sat in my car facing into oncoming traffic this morning on the Yellowhead, waiting for a break in traffic where I could extricate my car from the snowbank it had spun into, I cursed winter. Especially when, between snow and cold, getting anywhere gets quite sketchy. I mean, it's really winter right now. Nastily winter. Then I thought, Hmm... Maybe I can make this a community thing. So

Turtlephant revisited

2008-01-23T09:13:00.001-07:00

Done!

The world is not flat

2008-01-22T09:02:00.000-07:00

Priest likes yarn. Which would be fine, except now I have to figure out how to protect my knitting and crocheting projects when he has free reign in the house. I confirmed this yesterday, when I brought down a skein of black yarn and he picked it up and took it to his Xpen as a toy. I had an inkling of his yarn fetish earlier, as he was inordinately fascinated by my knitting and crocheting, but

May you live in interesting times

2008-01-18T10:40:00.000-07:00

Was it a good idea to do everything at once? Maybe not. But that's the situation, so we have to live.Priest is settling in pretty well. He's only had one accident so far, but we'll (meaning I'll) be a bit more strict about letting him out often. He hangs out in his Xpen more often than not (we had to put the crate away 'cause he just wouldn't go in it), and eats like it's his last meal despite

Welcome Priest

2008-01-13T20:50:00.000-07:00

We're glad you're here, even if you aren't sure yet.

Slightly nuts...

2008-01-08T11:02:00.000-07:00

The past two weeks (two weeks? Is that it?) have been dominated by preparations. We have a nice house, but it isn't dog-proof by any stretch of the imagination.A dog. I haven't had too many "Oh my goodness, what are we doing" moments, and not in the last two weeks, as that's the time since we met our first greyhound. Wanda came into the house, found the blanket we'd set out for her almost

Merry Christmas! Almost...

2007-12-19T12:17:00.000-07:00

Merry Wednesday-before-Christmas, anyway!I'm ready. Mike and I opened our presents on Monday during the power outage, even though his last hadn't come yet (it did yesterday, so I let him open the box). The last of Mom and Dad's presents is wrapped and sitting by the Christmas snowman (yes, I will post a picture!). The house is nearly clean, and should be by Thursday, if I have my way. I need to

Who can resist a face like this?

2007-12-17T14:41:00.000-07:00

Not this exact face, naturally, but something like it. Well, the answer is, clearly, not us. Stay tuned.

Off. Very, very off.

2007-12-14T12:00:00.000-07:00

It's not as bad as yesterday. Yesterday I'd call people and they'd answer the phone, or they'd call me, or walk by and speak, and I know it was English. I do. But for the life of me, I couldn't understand them. At least that hasn't happened today. Yet.It's probably a combination of stupid work stress and starting the supplements. Actually, it's probably mostly the supplements. I started on

The Times, They are A'Changing...

2007-12-06T09:55:00.000-07:00

Nearly three months to the day since I filled out the assessment form, yesterday night I finally had the conversation with the holistic nutritionist that I've been wanting to have. This is the conversation that talks about what's going on with me, and what we can do to try to resolve things. And here is what I gleaned from the conversation. Please forgive how disjointed it's going to be, but the

Christmas, or Is It Really That Close/Far Away?

2007-12-05T15:23:00.000-07:00

The last few days, Mike's been asking me if we can open presents yet. I keep telling him that a) I don't have all of his yet, b) he doesn't have all of mine yet, and (perhaps most importantly) c) he hasn't wrapped mine yet! Darling, darling, darling. An essential component in the opening of presents is to actually have something to open. A gift bag to peek into, wrapping paper to tear off (and

Singin' dallah dallah bill, y'all

2007-12-03T21:43:00.000-07:00

I'm listening as Mike tries to pick songs for a driving CD for my dad, and I remark internally how my taste in music has changed, yet stayed the same. Perhaps broadened is a better word. Or perhaps the different styles of music have come closer and closer together, so that there isn't so much a difference between rock, pop, country, and any of the others you might choose to mention. Not sure. Now

Hair

2007-11-21T10:27:00.000-07:00

The last time that Dad was up, one of the first things he said to me was, "Your hair is getting long!" Was it? I hadn't really noticed, but I suppose you don't when you live with it every day. But comparing it now to the "engagement" picture, yeah, it's a ton longer. So today, I'm going to get it cut (and highlighted again). But I don't want it to be too much shorter. To be honest, I like it long

What's new?

2007-11-16T13:07:00.001-07:00

Once again, I see a dearth of new content in my favourite blogs. Oh, Gill keeps posting things, but more and more I just want to give her a great big hug and forward her job ads that I get via the sport contacts I have up here... And the Yarn Harlot is always posting about something new, and last week was filled with hilarious server issues ("SMACK MY SERVER!" I can totally relate to that!). But