miscellaneous musings of a quirky crafter

9:36pm: Lonely.... I'm Ms. Lonely...
Man, it's weird to come home to an empty house - and by empty, I mean EMPTY - Chris moved ahead to Welland today and left me and the cat with just the computer, one tv, the couch and my clothes (and knitting) - frankly, it's sort of scary. I came home from work to this hollow apartment. It echoes - and if you've ever been to my teeny, tiny apartment, then you know that's quite a feat!

I guess I'm going to have to get accustomed to this single gal thing for a few days - 16 to be precise. I've never lived alone - at least, not for any longer than a day or two. I thought at first that I might look forward to this, but to be honest, I'm not very good at being by myself.

So, in conclusion - I expect lots of emails and phone calls from y'all - otherwise I may start talking to the cat (more than usual) and become some crazy hermit cat lady who does nothing all day but watch the history channel and knit things.

10:36am: And Life Continues!
Okay, as y'all have noticed, I have been very, very bad at the email/livejournal thing the past few weeks - many apologies - life seems to be just streaming by me, and I haven't had time to think. Glad to say that the move is going well, and the job is also good - I have been transferred to the Welland store, so I don't have to be unemployed. We found an apartment - more on that drama later - and we're currently spending every available minute packing, much to the cat's dismay - she doesn't understand what is going on, and it's quite upsetting to her, I think. Just wait until she has to survive a five hour car ride and settling into a new apartment! She probably won't speak to either of us for days!

And just for the record, there are a lot of crappy, dirty apartments in Welland. I think C. and I saw them all.... ewwwww... I shudder just thinking about it!

10:55am: Just What the H*ll is Going On?
I'm feeling a little lost - I'm stuck at office job again today, even though there isn't much to do and I could be packing and cleaning at home. Truth is, I just don't know which way is up anymore. I honestly am just drifting through the days, waiting for the move and not being prepared for it. At first I thought I'd be monstrously homesick for G'rich, which I love, but the closer we get to moving day, the happier I am to put this place behind me. I feel like I'm on hold, and that life may just continue once I get settled in the new city. Between both jobs, I'm working (yet again) every day this month, and I can't even imagine where I'm going to find the time to pack and say goodbye to the friends we have here. Plus, I'll be all alone for two weeks, since C. is moving down next weekend (if we've found a place). I hate not knowing what is going to happen. I'm a planner/organizer by nature, and frankly, I'm anything but organized and well-planned at the moment. Perhaps that's where this drowning feeling is coming from.

7:49pm: So much left to accomplish....
(Borrowed from The Crochet Dude)

Life's to do list - Completed items are followed by an astrisk

01. Bought everyone in the bar a drink*
02. Swam with wild dolphins
03. Climbed a mountain
04. Taken a Ferrari for a test drive
05. Been inside the Great Pyramid
06. Held a tarantula
07. Taken a candlelit bath with someone*
08. Said 'I love you' and meant it*
09. Hugged a tree*
10. Bungee jumped
11. Visited Paris
12. Watched a lightning storm at sea (does the lake count?)*
13. Stayed up all night long and saw the sun rise*
14. Seen the Northern Lights*
15. Gone to a huge sports game*
16. Walked the stairs to the top of the leaning Tower of Pisa
17. Grown and eaten your own vegetables*
18. Touched an iceberg
19. Slept under the stars*
20. Changed a baby's diaper*
21. Taken a trip in a hot air balloon
22. Watched a meteor shower*
23. Gotten drunk on champagne*
24. Given more than you can afford to charity*
25. Looked up at the night sky through a telescope*
26. Had an uncontrollable giggling fit at the worst possible moment*
27. Had a food fight*
28. Bet on a winning horse
29. Asked out a stranger*
30. Had a snowball fight*
31. Screamed as loudly as you possibly can*
32. Held a lamb*
33. Seen an eclipse*
34. Ridden a roller coaster*
35. Hit a home run
36. Danced like a fool and not cared who was looking
37. Adopted an accent for an entire day
38. Actually felt happy about your life, even for just a moment*
39. Had two hard drives for your computer
40. Visited all 10 provinces or all 50 states
41. Taken care of someone who was drunk*
42. Had amazing friends*
43. Danced with a stranger in a foreign country
44. Watched wild whales
45. Stolen a sign
46. Backpacked in Europe
47. Taken a road-trip*
48. Gone rock climbing*
49. Midnight walk on the beach*
50. Gone sky diving
51. Visited Ireland
52. Been heartbroken longer then you were actually in love
53. In a restaurant, sat at a stranger's table and had a meal with them
54. Visited Japan
55. Milked a cow*
56. Alphabetized your cds*
57. Pretended to be a superhero*
58. Sung karaoke
59. Lounged around in bed all day*
60. Posed nude in front of strangers
61. Gone scuba diving
62. Kissed in the rain*
63. Played in the mud*
64. Played in the rain*
65. Gone to a drive-in theater*
66. Visited the Great Wall of China
67. Started a business*
68. Fallen in love and not had your heart broken*
69. Toured ancient sites
70. Taken a martial arts class
71. Played D&D for 6 hours straight
72. Gotten married*
73. Been in a movie
74. Crashed a party*
75. Gotten divorced
76. Gone without food for 5 days
77. Made cookies from scratch*
78. Won first prize in a costume contest*
79. Ridden a gondola in Venice
80. Gotten a tattoo
81. Rafted the Dead River
82. Been on television news programs as an "expert"
83. Got flowers for no reason*
84. Performed on stage
85. Been to Las Vegas
86. Recorded music
87. Eaten shark*
88. Had a one-night stand
89. Gone to Thailand
90. Bought a house
91. Been in a combat zone
92. Buried one of your parents
93. Been on a cruise ship
94. Spoken more than one language fluently
95. Performed in aisles at Rocky Horror
96. Raised children.
97. Followed your favorite band/singer on tour
98. Created and named your own constellation of stars
99. Taken an exotic bicycle tour in a foreign country
100. Picked up and moved to another city to just start over
101. Walked the Golden Gate Bridge
102. Sang loudly in the car, and didn't stop when you knew someone was looking*
103. Had plastic surgery
104. Survived an illness that you shouldn't have survived
105. Wrote articles for a large publication
106. Lost over 100 pounds
107. Held someone while they were having a flashback*
108. Piloted an airplane
109. Petted a stingray
110. Broken someone's heart
111. Helped an animal give birth*
112. Won money on a T.V. game show
113. Broken a bone*
114. Gone on an African photo safari
115. Had a body part of yours below the neck pierced
116. Fired a rifle, shotgun, or pistol*
117. Eaten mushrooms that were gathered in the wild
118. Ridden a horse*
119. Had major surgery
120. Had a snake as a pet
121. Hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon
122. Slept for more than 30 hours over the course of 48 hours
123. Visited more foreign countries than U.S. states
124. Visited all 7 continents
125. Taken a canoe trip that lasted more than 2 days*
126. Eaten kangaroo meat
127. Eaten sushi*
128. Had your picture in the newspaper*
129. Changed someone's mind about something you care deeply about*
130. Gone back to school
131. Parasailed
132. Petted a cockroach
133. Eaten fried green tomatoes*
134. Read The Iliad - and the Odyssey*
135. Selected one "important" author who you missed in school, and read their books*
136. Killed and prepared an animal for eating*
137. Skipped all your school reunions*
138. Communicated with someone without sharing a common spoken language*
139. Been elected to public office
140. Written your own computer language
141. Thought to yourself that you're living your dream
142. Had to put someone you love into hospice care*
143. Built your own PC from parts
144. Sold your own artwork to someone who didn't know you*
145. Had a booth at a street fair*
146: Dyed your hair*
147: Been a DJ
148: Shaved your head
149: Caused a car accident*
150: Saved someone's life

9:31am: Life in Chicago....
Well, we're home... and happy to be back! Chicago was great - more than great, it was fantastic!! And here are my conclusions about the whole trip...

1. I AM A GEEK - I was a little concerned that I wouldn't have a good time at a comic book convention - after all, I don't actually read comic books - but after this weekend I am convinced that I know more than I thought - perhaps Chris is reading them to me in my sleep... The convention was a like a huge (60,000+) gettogether of all the geekiest kids from high school - and this time they were in their element - yes, there were people dressed up as Jedi and Captain America - quite a few of whom were very overweight, a little smelly, and probably still live in their mother's basement - I loved it! It was nice to see everyone having such a good time and meeting the people who draw or write their favourite comic books - we saw Kevin Smith speak - Chris got John Romita Jr.'s signature (among others) - I got hit on by a guy dressed as Wolverine - good times were had by all - and hell yes, I'd do it again!

2. SCHILLER PARK, ILLINOIS IS A DAMN FINE PLACE - since the comic-con was held at a convention centre out by O'Hare Airport, we didn't actually stay in Chicago proper and frankly, the only hotel that was close by and in my budget was a Motel 6 in Schiller Park. Schiller Park is a 'burb of Chicago which is pretty lower class and home to a large Latino community - what does this mean?? Well, our motel was the nicest, cleanest Motel 6 in America, the food at every restaurant we ate at was wonderful, and although the neighbourhood wasn't the fanciest in town, it was clean, quiet (despite close proximity to airport), and everyone drove a nice car. It was a weird juxtaposition - miles of tenement-like three-storey apartments with Honda CRVs parked out front. We're definitely going back! And if you're ever in Chicago we recommend Schiller Park - it's a happenin' place!

3. ILLINOIS IS UNDER CONSTRUCTION - every mile of interstate and major roadway is under construction - no word of a lie - as the chief navigator I have never been so confused in my entire life! On ramps ceased to exist, signage didn't indicate the proper route, eight lanes of traffic were constantly cut down to two - and the killer thing was the main highway through downtown Chicago - which you have to PAY to be on (tolls suck) was under so much construction and in such rough shape (hence the construction, I guess) that we basically paid $3 (AMERICAN) to sit in an idling car for a good part of the morning and breathe fumes. Chicago is a great city, Illinois is a pretty state, but their highways are the worst I've ever seen.

4. WE'VE MET THE OLDEST WAITRESS KNOWN TO MAN - honestly - we had dinner one night at the most typical of Chicago restaurants, Rog's Pub and Eatery - complete with dank, smokey interior and mustaschioed regulars drinking Bud Light - Chris and I sat in the dining room and were waited on by Delores, who was, I'm convinced, the waitress at the Last Supper - she was the oldest person I've ever seen working - she was the last of the old school proper waitresses - and I loved her - she was a little intimidating at first - in fact I ate everything on my plate because I was scared she'd chastise me for not doing so - but beneath her crusty exterior was a real sweetheart - she was the highlight of the trip for me.

5. AMERICA IS NOT CANADA - I don't get down to the States very often, but every time I do I'm struck by how different we are from them, despite the close proximity - I watch their television, shop at their major chain stores, eat at their fast food restaurants, but I don't understand them - American cities aren't like Canadian cities - here there is a dilineation between different areas, Commercial, Industrial, and Residential - even in a huge city like Toronto these dividing lines (mostly) exist - in America they don't - it was typical to see miles of factories interspersed with rows of homes - the area we were staying in was close to the airport, and was not unlike the area around Pearson International in T.O. - airport, hotels galore, and restaurants - but inbetween which were factories, and homes - many of which were right next door to said factories - it was weird.

6. WE MAY BE RUBBING OFF ON THEM - American Interstate highways are strange places - I don't know how the driver can concentrate there are so many billboards! For a country with a shockingly high illiteracy rate, there sure are a lot of things to read - it seems like every inch of skyline is occupied by brightly lit billboards advertising everything under the sun - every on/off ramp is crowded by the tallest signs for McDonalds and Shell that you've ever seen - it hurts the eyes! I didn't notice it so much on the drive to Chicago - but on the drive home it seemed like the closer we got to the border, the fewer billboards there were - in fact on the interstate outside of Port Huron there aren't any, just miles of highway surrounded by acres of farmland - it looked like home. I do think we're rubbing off on them!

CONCLUSION - we had a great time, met amazing people, and are going back again as soon as we can.

10:20am: Did you know??
I'm stuck at the office on yet another unnaturally hot day - however, this time I actually do get to do something interesting. The boss has been hired to put together a report for the Architectural Conservancy of Ontario, which is a great organization dedicated to saving Ontario's architecturally significant sites - anyhoo, we're doing a report on the old CPR Station down at the harbour. It was built in 1907 by the Guelph Railway Junction Company, later renamed the Guelph & Goderich Railway - can you imagine?? A rail line that ran from Goderich to Guelph? Lillybet, how cool would that have been?? However, the last passenger train ran in 1956, and the last freight train in 1988, the tracks were removed a year later, and now the station sits empty, waiting for the ACO to pressure the Government to declare it a building of national historical significance and give us some money to fix it up. Truthfully, it's in pretty good shape, and is still used by various community groups for meetings, art gallery events, and such. It's prominent position down at the main beach has ensured that it has remained in the foremost thoughts of Goderich's citizens, and we're all pretty attached to the building, so hopefully this report allows us to get some money to restore it!

Why is this all so cool? Because, for once, I'm the one who gets to research and write this report - the boss made some notes on the architectural significance of the station, and then has let me do the rest - I'm thrilled! I've always been fascinated by history, love doing research, and can't wait to see my hard work actually result in the saving of a historically significant site! This is why I put up with all the bullsh*t around here - because this is the first job I've ever had that could result in something significant, really significant - saving a beautiful building from a fate of decay and neglect - that's pretty cool.

10:26am: Days off are like sweet, sweet candy...
Ahhh..... sittin' on my ass - it's wonderful - I have absolutely nothing planned today except drinking tea and knitting - perhaps I will watch Pride and Prejudice to top off my day home alone. I am not accustomed to this!

I would go to the beach, but it is going to rain :( actually, that's alright, since we could use the rain! I hear everyone else in the province have had lots of thunderstorms this week, but they just sort of skip over us on their way inland. Suckers!

On the very exciting news front - I think I have Chris convinced that we could buy a house - we spent some time last night going over the newspaper listings and then online looking at houses in G'rich in our price range - not that many of them!! But there is a really cute one two blocks north that is soooo cute - and only $140,000 - only! Ha! If you're interested in checking it out go to MLS.ca and it's number 061093 - freakin' cute! We haven't been to the bank yet to see what sort of mortgage we could get, but it's a promising step that Christopher is even considering it - after all, this is the man who takes YEARS to come to a decision - no word of a lie. I love him, but he's like a tortoise sometimes! So, keep you fingers crossed - I don't think we'll be buying anything this week, but perhaps before Christmas?!? Yippee! Renting is for shmucks!

Alright, I have a sweater that is just begging to be knitted!
Hope y'all have a nice day - I'll be thinking about you while I put my feet up ;)

8:52pm: Sunshine, Happiness, and Rainbows...
Not sure why, but I'm in a great mood - perhaps because this is what happened to me today... good day at work, it was busy and I got to be creative - the hubby has a job interview in a few days - my hair is damn cute - I'm down a dress size - the beer is cold - the weather is perfect - and tomorrow I'm going to the beach for the day! I can't wait! I think I'll log off, curl up with the cat and my book and relax before bedtime....

10:30am: Stolen from the rest of the sibs...
01. Elaborate on your default icon.
sweet little fairy - not sure where I found here, except that she's been on my computer forever - I really like the colours and the pose - have been thinking about making her a t-shirt

02. What's your current relationship status?
happily, blissfully married (yes, we're still newlyweds)

03. Ever have a near-death experience?
no, but I have had one life-altering afternoon that didn't involve me almost dying, but was still very profound

04. Name an obvious quality you have?
warm and fuzzy - and overly happy sometimes - the girls at work would say "maternal"

05. What's the name of the song that's stuck in your head right now?
bridge over troubled water - simon and garfunkel - I've been listening to them for a few days now

06. Any celeb you would marry?
hmmm.. that's a tough one, probably David Beckham, he's just so nice to look at

07. Who will cut and paste this first?
nobody, since I'm apparently the last to know

08. Name someone with the same birthday as you:
my lil bro!

09. Do you have a crush on someone?
does David Beckham count? how about Jim Caviezel? Johnny Depp? Brad Pitt in Fight Club?

10. Have you ever vandalized someone's private property?
no - I could never do that

11. Have you ever been in a fight?
no, although some drunk chick at a bar once tried to take a swing at me, I could have kicked her ass too!

12. Have you ever sung in front of a large audience?
no - I'm as tone deaf as a rock

13. What's the first thing you notice about a member of the OPPOSITE sex?
shoulders and arms.... mmmm.... muscles...

14. What do you usually order from Starbucks?
don't go to Starbucks all that often, thank goodness they haven't invaded my pretty, little town - but I do enjoy the white hot chocolate, in season

15. Have you ever hurt yourself on purpose?
I'm too klutzy to hurt myself on purpose, I do it by accident every day!

16. Say something totally random about yourself.
I can read a book in a day.

17. Has anyone ever said you looked like a celebrity?
no, alas I am not celebrity material, being chubby, pale, and geeky - although apparently I look like Meg from Family Guy - that is not really a flattering comparison

18. Do you wear a watch? What kind?
most days - it's blue and brown and says "cute but psycho, things even out" - I bought it in one of those teeny-bopper accessory stores in the mall - it's juvenile, but it makes me laugh

19. Do you have anything pierced?
just my ears

20. Do you have any tattoos?
no - I dislike pain and am too easily bored to commit to something permanent (other than my hubby)

21. Do you like pain?
see above answer

22. Do you like to shop?
only if I have money - if I'm broke then I dislike it.

23. What was the last thing you paid for with cash?
bananas to make Chris a chocolate banana cream pie - yes, I'm that nice!

24. What was the last thing you paid for with a credit card?
I bought a cool necklace online - it should be here in a couple of days.

25. Who was the last person you spoke to on the phone?
my boss - of course he wants me to come in and work - and I was planning on taking a book down to the beach today! Obviously I am procrastinating

26. What is on your desktop background?
some stupid star wars cartoon Chris found - Princess Leia weilding a gun with her boobs all over the place - I'm thinking about changing it.

27. What is the background on your cell phone?
nothing - all the ones that came on the phone are ugly, and I refuse to pay for new ones.

28. Do you like redheads?
ummm... yeah - as a people I think they're quite pleasant - I used to want to be one, but I've embraced my brunette-ness.

29. Do you know any twins?
hell baby, I am one!

30. Do you have any weird relatives?
clearly, whoever wrote this has never met my family, the question should be "Do you have any normal relatives?"

31. What was the last movie you watched?
The Count of Monte Cristo last night with hubby, mmmm.... Jim Caviezel with a beard....

32. What was the last book you read?
"Hamlet: poem unlimited" by the venerable Harold Bloom - if you don't know who he is, you're not an English Major

33. Did you or are you planning to go to college?
Ahhh... the good ol' days of university - cute boys, interesting classes, horrible essays - some days I miss it, some days I don't.

34. What is your favorite pair of pants that you own?
cute new pair of jeans I just bought at work, they make my bum look fabulous!

35. Do you like to party?
I wouldn't say "party" - I like to hang out and drink beer with friends

36. Where do you see yourself in five years?
being in biz with the sisters and (hopefully) making some money at it.

10:32am: Simple Pleasures
I've just realized that my last few posts have been pretty bitchy, and that, in general, I complain a lot. Sorry about that! There are a multitude of things in life which put a smile on my face - more of those happy things really, than the things that piss me off - so in an effort to put us all in a better mood --

I love...

chunky peanut butter on toast
mornings when you roll over, look at the alarm clock, and can go back to sleep
kitty snores
cool, but sunny days at the beach
the smell of a new ball of wool
road trips with my hubby
birds singing outside my window
freshly washed dishes
sitting around the campfire with a Moosehead
warm laundry, especially towels
a cup of Earl Grey (two sugars, one milk)
cracking open a new book
hearing my family laugh
snowmen
being comfy on the couch
Christmas lights
a cool breeze
clean sheets
lazy Sundays
ice cream cones
the movements my hands make while knitting
drive-in movies
kids on bikes
that sleepy feeling you get after a day outside
hugs
this little giggle hubby gets when he laughs really hard
shopping therapy with my girls
lunching on the patio
thunderstorms (while snug in bed)
when jeans make your ass look fabulous
a new handbag
Steve Martin movies - he always makes me laugh
the smell of coffee in the morning
hanging out with hubby in comfortable silence
pictures of my family - we're always laughing in them
spaghetti and meatballs
having a shelf full of books to choose from
email from faraway family and friends
a new knitting pattern
proper grammer, spelling, and punctuation (geek!)
bookstores
cranking music up in the car and singing along

4:12pm: Pet Peeves
Everybody has 'em... those little things that people do or say that just drive you crazy - my list seems to get longer everyday.

people who don't signal their turns or who disregard pedestrians when they drive

that little old lady ahead of you in line at the checkout who is counting out the pennies

people who say "I seen 'em" or "youse guys"

loud children in the library

laundromats in general

but the biggest pet peeve for me has to be going to the bathroom at the office, because the toilet seat is ALWAYS up --- grrrr... this is a bad (and frankly, rude) habit that my brothers and husband were quickly broken of - there is nothing - I repeat - nothing - more unfavourable than sitting on the cold porcelain at 3am. At work you would think that it isn't an issue - after all - I'm usually fairly alert in the middle of the day - but having to put the seat down every time is hugely annoying.

I know what this toilet seat business is - my boss always leaves the seat up because he's gay. Short and simple - he hasn't co-habitated with a woman since he lived at home with his mommy 35 years ago - the concept of a woman and her washroom needs have completely ceased to exist in his brain. Now I'm not homophobic by any means, hell - a number of my friends are queer and I'm a-okay with it - some days when the hubby is being difficult (or leaves the toilet seat up) I think lesbianism is a great idea - but you'd think after 9 months of having to put the toilet seat UP before he uses the facilities that he'd figure out it didn't get into that position by some form of magic - little bathroom gnomes do not come in and change the alignment of the seat while we're not looking.

I know, I know - it's all a matter of perspective, after all - before I came into the office the seat was probably up for years at a time and no one cared - but it's such a simple little thing - a tiny courtesy that makes life so much easier - it looks nicer too - if God in her infinite wisdom didn't want the toilet seat down she wouldn't have invented them.



I feel so much better for having gotten that off of my chest - in the spirit of sharing and solidarity - after all, misery does love company - what makes you crazy??

12:56pm: Why???
Alright, another hot day and I'm stuck in my non-air-conditioned office - not only do we not have the modern miracle known as air-conditioning, we also do not have less modern (but no less important) miracle known as windows that actually freaking open! No word of lie. This office is sealed up tighter than a nun - I shudder to think of the germs that float around. Most of the year I ignore this lack of fresh air, but it's sooooo hot today, and even a little breeze off the lake would help the temperature in here immensely - I'm sweating buckets and I'm just sitting at my desk typing, not the most physical activity in the world (as the size of my ass will attest).

This job is really starting to piss me off. My boss, while being a general nice guy, and a very talented architect, also happens to be an old-fashioned fuddy-duddy who doesn't even know how to turn on a computer. He's like a throw back to the stone age - he likes to complain endlessly about everything, and thinks he knows better than anyone else.

The only term I can think up that aptly describes him is "busy body" - his new mission is to take down one of Canada's major banks because - get this - they no longer use those annoying paper deposit slips - apparently for the boss this is a problem, because without them he claims he cannot remember what he is at the bank to do -- (rereading this makes him sound like he's 90 - when in fact he's a babyboomer no older than my dear parental units. It's sort of sad how resistant to technology he is.) The fact of the matter is that said bank is not going to switch back to using paper slips from those handy little client cards, simply because a few people don't like it.

Personally I like the client card better - the teller swipes it, I tell her (ha!) what I want to deposit/transfer/withdraw and she does it - simple, fast, and convenient - and writing a million letters to the bank manager is never going to change that. Why am I so darned concerned about this?? - because it is apparently my job to type and edit this epic letter - which I'm fairly certain is not the job description -- I'm almost embarrassed to be a small part of this debacle, even if my name isn't on the letter - there are so many better things I could be doing with my time - like resting up at home while doing laundry and preparing for my other job - I have a shift tonight - instead I'm stuck here typing a letter which is the paper equivalent to banging your head against a brick wall.

Alright, rant over - I should get back to this damn letter - just bitching about it made me feel so much better. I wonder if there is a polite way to tell the boss to just suck it up?

8:48am: So Clearly An Early Morning Post...
Mmmmmmm.... coffee....

I love my morning cup of coffee. I don't know how I could live without it! I did try to quit drinking coffee on the advice of my doctor - apparently caffeine inhibits your body's ability to absorb iron, and I've always had a problem with my iron levels - Anyhoo... at that point I was drinking A LOT of coffee - pretty much constantly all day long. I've since cut back to one or two cups - just in the morning - I've found that I enjoy it more now that I only allow myself that little bit - it's back to being a sensual experience - the aroma, the warmth of the mug in your hands, the taste!

So, in the spirit of my favourite beverage (yes, even more than beer...)

You Are an Iced Coffee

At your best, you are: hyper, modern, and athletic At your worst, you are: cheap and angsty You drink coffee when: you're out with friends Your caffeine addiction level: medium

4:58pm: Me knew it...

You Are Cookie Monster

Misunderstood as a primal monster, you're a true hedonist with a huge sweet tooth. You are usually feeling: Hungry. Cookies are preferred, but you'll eat anything if cookies aren't around. You are famous for: Your slightly crazy eyes and usual way of speaking How you live your life: In the moment. "Me want COOKIE!"

11:10am: Yoinked from vert_knight.

Please leave a one-word comment that you think best describes me - it can only be one word long. Then copy and paste this in your journal so that I may leave a word about you!

8:15am: I wonder what the other 12% is??

You Are 88% Lady

No doubt about it, you are a lady with impeccable etiquette You know how to put others at ease, even if their manners aren't the greatest.

8:29pm: 10 Things My Dad Taught Me
1. How to drywall
2. That sitting still in church is necessary
3. The appreciation of a good glass of wine and a fine meal
4. That kindness matters
5. There are different kinds of beauty
6. Hugs are like oxygen, you can't live without them
7. To see and appreciate the humour in everyday situations
8. Grammar is important
9. To never be ashamed of being smart
10. That Family lasts, no matter how the years change it

4:47pm: I have a confession to make...
I don't like it, but I think it's time that I come clean. Confession is good for the soul, right? I mean, honesty is one of those principles I believe in quite highly - and I should practice it as much as I can, so here goes...



I'm going grey.


Yup. Not even thirty yet and the grey hair has started. I've stopped colouring my hair for the first time in ten years - so goodness knows how long this grey thing has been happening. Truthfully, I'd noticed a few a year or two ago and vainly plucked them out - but I've had to stop doing that for fear of going bald as well as grey.

I wish I could say that I was ready for this stage of my adult life, that grey hair is just a little speed bump on the road to maturity and some sort of enlightenment - but I'm just not ready. That's a confession of sorts too. My Mum only started on the grey hair thing after she hit fifty - but Dad, he's been grey for a while - of course, it suits him, looks dignified -- but I'm only 27. I'm not ready to be dignified and adult. I'm wearing bright pink socks today, for goodness sake! Adulthood seems like it is lightyears away still.

Every time I look in mirror I see another silver hair, glinting at me maliciously. I don't think it's something that you would notice if it wasn't pointed out, but a new grey hair everyday, and before you know it the other billion hairs on my head will follow suit. It's only a matter of time before I cease to recognize myself completely.... and then the wrinkles come... and one morning I'll wake up and be sixty.

So, I guess what I'm saying is this...

Please God, grant me the ability to age gracefully, not kicking and screaming like Cher.

10:08am: I'm in luv......
I am SO in love with my newest acquisition.... my sewing machine (and the also in love with the hubby who bought it for me!!!)

It's just a really basic model - the most basic you can get without being a needle and thread - but I love it!!! I think it was a pretty smart buy for my first - I was amazed at how quickly sewing came back to me - I used to watch and "help" Mum for hours when I was a wee tyke - and I'm pretty impressed with myself for being able to jump right in - mind you I'm not sewing complicated darts and pleats just yet - and buttonholes just frighten me - but I'll work my way up to that!

C. thinks this is just another fad of mine, and that the sewing machine will be collecting dust before too long - but I'm out to prove him wrong!! He thought knitting was just a phase too. I'll admit I've been pretty fickle with my hobbies over the years, but I still pick up the old favourites when I feel the urge. The beading, cross-stitch and scrapbooking have fallen way to the knitting and sewing. Still, he's not completely unsupportive, he did buy me the sewing machine, after all. I'm soooooo happy with it!

I feel like a fresh breeze has blown through my life - I'm excited about something again and it's a nice change. I have my lovely sisters to thank for that - as well as C's unfailing support - I don't know what I'd do without my family!

And now, enough gushing - I've got to go and gaze adoringly at my newest toy.

8:33pm: You're getting sleepy.... very sleepy...
You know you're tired when you're too exhausted to knit. It's true. I had a very long day at both jobs, and I think that all the fun with the sisters this weekend wore me out - it's a little strange around here without them - quiet and lonely - even though I still have hubby and kitty-cat - both of whom are presently ignoring me! I liked having the girls around - always someone to talk to!!

We didn't just goof off the whole four days though - we got a lot accomplished - we're going in to business -- the crafty business, as if that were a surprise - so we're knitting/painting/crocheting/sewing our little buns off - trying to be ready for our craft show debut (which I'm probably not going to be able to attend --- boo!!)

So... wish us luck - and keep your eyes peeled for our crafty bits (and then buy some!)

10:07am: Sis-tah's!!
Okay, once again I have neglected y'all -- so I apologize - this time I really do have a good excuse - the sisters are visiting for a few days - so we've been busy hanging out at the beach, shopping, and eating ice cream -- nothing but fun for us!!!

I promise I'll be more forthcoming with the posts after they leave - I'm sure I have many interesting things to say.

Keep your eyes peeled for the hilarious writing, later in the week!

10:53am: 10 Things I Should Do More Often
1. Sweep
2. Balance my chequebook
3. Call family and friends
4. Dust
5. Go to the beach
6. Borrow books from the library
7. Spend time alone
8. Get my bangs trimmed
9. Pet the cat
10. Blog

9:21am: I'm a bad, bad blogger...
How neglectful I've been!! What have I been doing that's been keeping me from y'all?? Strangely, absolutely nothing! I spent Thursday shopping with my best friend, and I worked Saturday afternoon for a few hours, but other than that -- nothing. I've hardly left the house!

I did, however finish two knitting projects - two! Pretty amazing considering I haven't finished anything in a month. Unfortunately they're winter accessories - a toque and mitts - so I can't get much use out of them now - although it is pretty chilly this weekend... still, it felt nice to accomplish something.

So now I feel I'm ready for a new project (never mind that I still have a ton of unfinished ones on the go!!) I just can't make up my mind as to what it is I should make. So I'm open to suggestions!

12:33pm: Am I Surprised??

Gummy Bears

You may be smooshie and taste unnatural, but you're so darn cute.

11:42am: D*mned if you do.... d*mned if you don't...
So here's my dilemma... I love Goderich - absolutely love living here. It's exactly the sort of place I would choose to raise a family and live the next sixty years of my life. The problem is that C has other plans. His dream job would take us far away from here - to the god-awful big city - I dread the possibility of it.

A small, selfish part of me wants him to finally accept and embrace what he's currently doing for a living so we can stay here forever. I like walking down the street and always seeing someone I know. I like the atmosphere. I love our neighbourhood. Toronto will never be like that - it can't possibly be. It's so friendly here, you can strike up a conversation with any one. This is the place where I became an adult, where I started my marriage, where I want to start my family, and it breaks my heart to think that if C had his way we would leave it all at the drop of a hat.

I'm not sure he sees the possibilities of this place, how lucky we are to live here. People really do leave their doors unlocked. On warm nights the kids play up and down the street while their parents sit on front porches and visit. I know the bank tellers, the store clerks, the mail-carrier. I can leave the house at any time of day, any day of the week, and bump into someone I know. I've always felt safe here - even walking home at 3 a.m. after a long night of waitressing. I can walk from one end of town to another in less than an hour - I can go to the beach whenever I want. Goderich has all the amenities a girl could ask for (except a decent shoe store).

Sure, it's a backwards town at times, but it has a great community theatre, a blossoming music scene, and a lively pub with my favourite beer on tap.

But I guess the only thing I can do is support C and his ambitions. I chose him and everything that comes along with that. I really do want him to be happy - and I know the farm doesn't make him happy. I'm sure there are some nice neighbourhoods in Toronto - and there will be new friends to make and a new career to start.

We'll get that bungalow in the 'burbs with a big backyard for the kids someday, and whether that's here in Goderich or in some big city, as long as we're together that's all the happiness I need.