middle.village

38 weeks

2009-06-30T23:01:00.003-04:00

almost there!

7 months

2009-05-04T21:01:00.003-04:00

it's a little blurry... but i don't get dressed up too often... i was on my way to a coworker's wedding.

6 months

2009-04-10T06:26:00.001-04:00

baby girl

2009-02-23T17:01:00.002-05:00

the ultrasound has confirmed that we're expecting a girl....!

is winter over yet?

2009-01-28T14:56:00.001-05:00

here's the first photo of our real-life venza... 1 day old...

dumb snow.

driving miss* baby...

2009-01-23T07:39:00.004-05:00

well, with the new baby comes the need for new wheels. our current lease was coming to an end this month and we had to find something new.

fortunately, all of our needs were met. for me: the right price. for the hubby: a car he's excited about driving and comfortable in. for baby: safety and scotchguarding.

toyota venza. it's pretty spectacular, well laid out, lots of cargo space, and fuel efficient.

so excited!!!

*we don't know what the baby is yet

little bean

2009-01-09T10:02:00.002-05:00

well, here's the most recent project i've been working on.

it should be finished by july 13 2009.

i can't even express how excited we are at the prospect of becoming parents for the first time. after 10 years together, this will be an interesting yet welcome change in our life. we're so happy and can't wait to meet the little one.

christmas spoiling

2008-12-30T07:55:00.002-05:00

hits the nail on the head each time, he does.

of purses

2008-12-03T12:14:00.001-05:00

yeah, i got another purse.

and i've been lazy - so no knitting updates.

and that's it. ouch. the lameness hurts!

PS22 sing 1000 oceans by tori amos

2008-11-15T14:58:00.001-05:00

this makes me cry.

birthday spoiling

2008-08-29T17:55:00.006-04:00

there's something i need to tell you.

my husband is bananas when he buys presents. he always goes waaaay over the top and loves to surprise me. this isn't a complaint...

for my birthday, i got:

an ipod docking station

a purse from roots

a kenneth cole watch

... hello kitty items, and tickets to see hawksley workman in november!!!!

i liked turning 30 a lot.

my mom sent me a generous cheque, so i picked up a necklace i have had my eye on for a while:

now i just need a pair of brown blundstones to go with the purse, and we're all set.

*thanks mister - you really know how to make a girl feel special and spoiled rotten

itching to knit

2008-08-25T14:23:00.002-04:00

i pumped out two of these hats, mostly because i had the yarn the pattern called for, didn't have to mess around with getting gauge and needed to knit.

the colours aren't ones i would normally choose - but the yarn was a gift from a secret knitting pal...

the first hat is for my little sis. i'll have to find a good home for this one.

fab finds this weekend

2008-08-17T00:28:00.007-04:00

this weekend has been a fruitful one for good finds.
jason is gone camping, and i had the urge to hunt. on my hunt, i gathered a few items that i am peachy-pleased about.

Value Village: $0.99

Zellers: on sale for $7.17

Zellers: on sale for $4.14

Zellers: on sale for $5.47

Ten Thousand Villages: bracelet $4.50 with matching necklace $7.50

Ten Thousand Villages: $6.00

Sears: super clearance sale - $42.00

Of course I went and fell in love with a deliciously gorgeous necklace at Ten Thousand Villages... which is more than the combined total of all of my purchases. This picture doesn't do it justice, it is stunning in person. Of course, I showed great restraint. But I am still thinking about it.

i can't believe i found jewelry at Zellers. i was there a while back when i got my new watch... and while waiting for jason to finish up in the dvd section i puttered arround the jewelry and saw the teardrop earrings. i didn't buy anything (other than the watch) at that time... but since i kept thinking about what a bargain they were, i went back. and everything rang in under the regular price, which i was not anticipating.

i'm pretty pleased with myself. excited for value village with mel tomorrow. we'll see what comes if it.

indolence & knitting

2008-08-17T00:14:00.004-04:00

first, i'll start off by saying i have been a lazy blogger.

also, since i've been less than committed in my physical fitness, i've somehow found more time to knit. funny how that is.

i've finished a pair of socks, which were a long time in the making. i also, finished a hat and am now working on another one (same pattern, different colours).

here is some photographic evidence:

pattern: basic sock recipe
yarn: Koigu Painter's Palette Premium Merino (KPPPM)
ravelink

pattern: sheep & wool hat (ravelry)
yarn: cascade 220
ravelink

Entertainment Weekly's list of 100 Classic Movies of past 25 years

2008-07-09T10:25:00.005-04:00

Below is Entertainment Weekly's list of 100 Classic Movies of the past 25 years. Bold the ones you've seen, underline the ones you plan to.

(you can tell this list comes from entertainment weekly...)

1. Pulp Fiction (1994)

2. The Lord of the Rings trilogy (2001-03)

3. Titanic (1997)

4. Blue Velvet (1986)

5. Toy Story (1995)

6. Saving Private Ryan (1998)

7. Hannah and Her Sisters (1986)

8. The Silence of the Lambs (1991)

9. Die Hard (1988)

10. Moulin Rouge (2001)

11. This Is Spinal Tap (1984)

12. The Matrix (1999)

13. GoodFellas (1990)

14. Crumb (1995)

15. Edward Scissorhands (1990)

16. Boogie Nights (1997)

17. Jerry Maguire (1996)

18. Do the Right Thing (1989)

19. Casino Royale (2006)

20. The Lion King (1994)

21. Schindler's List (1993)

22. Rushmore (1998)

23. Memento (2001)

24. A Room With a View (1986)

25. Shrek (2001)

26. Hoop Dreams (1994)

27. Aliens (1986)

28. Wings of Desire (1988)

29. The Bourne Supremacy (2004)

30. When Harry Met Sally... (1989)

31. Brokeback Mountain (2005)

32. Fight Club (1999)

33. The Breakfast Club (1985)

34. Fargo (1996)

35. The Incredibles (2004)

36. Spider-Man 2 (2004)

37. Pretty Woman (1990)

38. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)

39. The Sixth Sense (1999)

40. Speed (1994)

41. Dazed and Confused (1993)

42. Clueless (1995)

43. Gladiator (2000)

44. The Player (1992)

45. Rain Man (1988)

46. Children of Men (2006)

47. Men in Black (1997)

48. Scarface (1983)

49. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000)

50. The Piano (1993)

51. There Will Be Blood (2007)

52. The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad (1988)

53. The Truman Show (1998)

54. Fatal Attraction (1987)

55. Risky Business (1983)

56. The Lives of Others (2006)

57. There’s Something About Mary (1998)

58. Ghostbusters (1984)

59. L.A. Confidential (1997)

60. Scream (1996)

61. Beverly Hills Cop (1984)

62. sex, lies and videotape (1989)

63. Big (1988)

64. No Country For Old Men (2007)

65. Dirty Dancing (1987)

66. Natural Born Killers (1994)

67. Donnie Brasco (1997)

68. Witness (1985)

69. All About My Mother (1999)

70. Broadcast News (1987)

71. Unforgiven (1992)

72. Thelma & Louise (1991)

73. Office Space (1999)

74. Drugstore Cowboy (1989)

75. Out of Africa (1985)

76. The Departed (2006)

77. Sid and Nancy (1986)

78. Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991)

79. Waiting for Guffman (1996)

80. Michael Clayton (2007)

81. Moonstruck (1987)

82. Lost in Translation (2003)

83. Evil Dead 2: Dead by Dawn (1987)

84. Sideways (2004)

85. The 40 Year-Old Virgin (2005)

86. Y Tu Mamá También (2002)

87. Swingers (1996)

88. Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery (1997)

89. Breaking the Waves (1996)

90. Napoleon Dynamite (2004)

91. Back to the Future (1985)

92. Menace II Society (1993)

93. Ed Wood (1994)

94. Full Metal Jacket (1987)

95. In the Mood for Love (2001)

96. Far From Heaven (2002)

97. Glory (1989)

98. The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999)

99. The Blair Witch Project (1999)

100. South Park: Bigger Longer & Uncut (1999)

hail!?!

2008-06-01T08:34:00.003-04:00

hail storm - may 31st.

10K

2008-05-24T23:53:00.003-04:00

triathlete!

2008-05-18T10:12:00.004-04:00

yep, that's me. and i'm proud.

the challenge: 100m swim, 11.4k bike, 2k run

the goal: under 1 hour

the reality: 1:03:59

the result: satisfied, yet more determined than ever to up my game. i can train harder and do better.

it was such a happy day for me. jason was there cheering me on when i finished each task... at the end i was just so elated... that i'd finished very strongly and that he was there for me. definitely one of the highlights in my life so far. now if i am have a crappy day - i just have to remind myself that i've finished a triathlon. boo-yah.

(eta photos from zoomphoto.ca)

triathlon, prepared!

2008-05-12T18:30:00.004-04:00

try-a-tri, here i come!

5 more sleeps.

2 more swims.
2 more bikes.
2 more runs.

rob!

2008-05-09T06:20:00.002-04:00

okay... rob, you were wondering where your post was.

here it is.

my fellow east-coaster.... who enjoys the same degenerated humour as i do. i'm pretty happy i know you. there's less of me now than there was before i met you... you know what i mean. and it's all your fault.

poke.

wedding gift off the needles.... and new project already on the go

2008-04-19T08:58:00.006-04:00

I have finally completed the wedding gift I have been working on since last July. Because it's a surprise, I won't be posting any photos, but for ravelry users, click here.

I promised myself that I would not start any new projects until it was finished, so I wouldn't miss the deadline (this June). So, boy was I excited to start a new project. And guess what I started? Socks!

It was such a beautiful day yesterday... I took an early afternoon and headed to the Glebe and hung around in various places (Glebe Trotters, Miss Tiggy Winkles, Second Cup, The Sassy Bead Company) until my dinner date for my first stitch & bitch at the Arrow & Loon.

I was really excited to get invited by SquishyBlue to the knit club... and the pub was so happy to have us. The ladies were all so friendly and interesting... I can't wait for the next one.

Here are some shots of squishyblue's hands in action - look at the speed!

my new project... koigu socks (yarn courtesy of the ever generous squishyblue).

One Match

2008-04-09T16:23:00.004-04:00

I just signed up at One Match. I always feel the need to help people, but I don't know how. Well, now I can.

Click here for more info on donating bone marrow and signing up (you could save a life too):

i have been slacking...

2008-03-31T09:04:00.002-04:00

i've still been knitting... i am so close to being finished my current project... just a little bit left... and then i'm going to do some quick projects...

i've been busy loading new music to i-tunes... lately, i've added:

once
morcheeba
city & colour
sarah slean
pascale picard
tegan & sara

i've also signed up at twitter (see sideboard for my twitterpations).

well... i have a whole day off... so i am off to knit and read.... out for lunch with jason and our friends.... and perhaps even watch jason play some pick-up hockey. it really doesn't get much nicer.

now the good news!!!

2008-03-10T19:54:00.006-04:00

i trudged my sorry butt into work today. first off, the snow was piled high.... not to mention that it was my day off - so, not necessarily the happiest of circumstances...

but... i was lucky enough to have nabbed myself a new (to me) namaste messenger knitting bag.

i met squishyblue (whom i found through ravelry) from whom i've adopted my lovely new blue bag... and who so, so generously threw in a little present for me - of koigu!!! oh, i cannot wait to start my new pair of socks!

i'm so extcited, because the lovely teal colour of my bag feels like a harbinger of spring... she's also invited me to join her knitnite, which i cannot wait to attend.

i am so glad to have met a fellow ottawa knitter. squishy is amazing - she had the most beautiful entrelac shawl. and she is a knitting teacher! what more handy knitting pal to have then a teacher?

i love the interweb.

first the bad news....

2008-03-10T19:02:00.012-04:00

fifty-two

the amount, in centimetres, of snow we got over the weekend. however, perhaps also the new muscles i gained from all of the shovelling.

view from the front door (this remains unshovelled after saturday night's dump of snow... we're using the garage door for access):

the drift up to the door is about shoulder height on me. (husband for scale):

do you see the bank of snow that goes right up to the second floor deck? insane!

i feel really badly for these people - the driveway hadn't been touched the entire weekend:

look closely - he's shovelling his car off...

my neighbours enjoying a lovely stroll in their snowshoes

a little before & after

here's what the deck looked like saturday around one p.m. - after i'd shovelled a good metre or snow off:

and, here's the after... you'd never know i'd shovelled - another metre!

the barbeque is a lovely reminder that spring / summer / fall actually do exist.....

Dear ipod,

2008-03-08T14:26:00.002-05:00

i love you so much....

bus rides seem shorter

running is blissful

shovelling for 2 hours is much less awful

that is all.

my sentiments exactly

2008-03-07T09:53:00.002-05:00

my co-worker just sent me this... and it couldn't have expressed myself better:

Will it ever stop? Yo - I don't know.

2008-03-07T09:47:00.002-05:00

when will it be spring????

why, shoes, why?

2008-03-03T23:25:00.001-05:00

sooooo in love.

sushi + hawksley = happy

2008-02-29T22:29:00.004-05:00

my fabulous friend liz and i lucked out and scored tickets to the sold-out hawksley workman show.

first, we went for supper at sushi 88. probably my favourite sushi restaurant in ottawa. i have a few more to try, so i can't confirm yet if it's the best. but i shall research.

i purposely did not photograph the line outside the bronson centre... the line we waited 45 freezing minutes in. i think i'd like to forget that.

in all, it was worth all of the frozen nosies and toesies.

next up.... the stars, and city and colour (hopefully!)

hi leanne

2008-02-20T19:30:00.004-05:00

this entry is dedicated to my wonderful little sister, leanne.

i don't say enough nice things often enough... because i'm lazy and dumb... because those nice thoughts do actually enter my mind. i think about my little lee-lee pretty often. more often than she probably thinks i do.

in any case, she's a pretty unique and amazing character. she's got what many people would call cohones.

she has travelled accross canada 4 days on a bus to work on an organic farm (for free), and also to see bob dylan - i'll let you guess which one she found more exciting. she is vegan. she has been to china. she's lived in downtown vancouver as an urban agriculturer. she's been to peru with canada world youth. and now she's in the yukon on a dog sled farm. and, i think all of that is in the span of the last 2 years.

she's so adventurous, and free-spirited, and caring, and sensitive, and funny, and unencumbered with thoughts of pointless things. she's the real deal.

it's not that i don't think amazing things about my brother brent, or my other sister melissa - but leanne called me the other night... and i felt i needed to spill my guts out so that everyone (and hopefully this includes her) knows how great i think she is.

she is always the first person to tell me i can do something - and make me feel 100% like i could do it. this does not apply to bungee-jumping - although, she keeps trying. it is all her fault that i knit, and i love her so much for that. she is a gracious recipient of a few socks, mittens... and i'm hoping in the next 3 years, a shawl with a button.

i hope she never changes to 'fit in' with the rest of the world... because we're all searching for the life that she has now.

(love you kiddo)

oh my god, birkenstock too!

2008-01-21T17:53:00.000-05:00

they know we're out there....

damn you, converse

2008-01-21T17:50:00.001-05:00

why must you do this to me?

is it wrong that i want these so baaa-dly?

when knitters play scrabble

2008-01-18T23:26:00.000-05:00

2008-01-13T12:20:00.000-05:00

this book has been recommended by many. so far, the hook is in deep!

How It All Ends

2008-01-12T08:29:00.001-05:00

Fantastic!

stripy socks finished

2008-01-06T23:55:00.000-05:00

2008-01-06T19:08:00.000-05:00

okay, so i've stopped reading this... opinion enough?

more generosity

2008-01-05T19:28:00.001-05:00

thanks to more generous christmas gifting... this book is also on it's way to my mailbox.

i have just finished the knitting on the second sock and just have the weaving in to do. once i've got them on the blockers and our feisty little computer gets back to work i'll upload some photos. i'll get this knitting blog back on track.

christmas!

2007-12-26T11:56:00.000-05:00

i was generously gifted with one of my favourite gifts: a chapters giftcard.

i couldn't wait and have already made my order:

what a better combination than pride and prejudice (the real deal) and knitting. i am so excited.

we were also spoiled all over the place with other gifts and food and fun. and i spent a good portion of the day knitting. all in all, a fabulous time.

winter wonderland

2007-12-22T06:41:00.001-05:00

this year we've been dealing with incredible amounts of snow. i actually like snow - i can deal with lots of snow... cold on the other hand, not so much. so here we go...

december 3:

december 4:
december 8:
and............ december 16:

(when the airport measured a total snowfall of 55cm)

about 10 a.m.

about 1 p.m.

the terminator

phew, half the car is done

at 8 p.m. what happened?

look at that enormous pile of snow

can you see the trunk of the tree? of course not!

the walkway

Urban Ninja

2007-12-20T23:00:00.001-05:00

i think steph has a new crush!

2007-12-11T13:36:00.000-05:00

my opinion: heartbreaking. and beautiful.

2007-12-08T07:12:00.001-05:00

my opinion: everyone should read this book.

yeah

2007-12-06T22:19:00.001-05:00

jdot

2007-12-05T22:58:00.001-05:00

Europe is a country and everyone speaks french here

2007-11-30T19:03:00.001-05:00

well, now i don't feel so bad for not knowing england was an island.

special mention to the way jeff foxworthy pronounces "hungary"

socks for mom

2007-11-26T20:13:00.000-05:00

mirasol peru 100% hand dyed merino wool: habacho

mom picked out the colors... and i whipped those puppies off the needle like there was no tomorrow.

guess i should get back to working on the wedding blanket. or maybe another pair of socks... hrm.

sunday forest stroll socks

2007-11-25T10:09:00.000-05:00

these socks remind me of a lovely stroll in a forest... all of the colours of trees, dirt, babbling brooks.

i'm working away on a pair of socks for mom. pictures coming soon.

kiva!

2007-11-22T20:52:00.000-05:00

I made my first loan at kiva.org today! I am so excited to begin what I hope is the first of many.

The fantastic thing about this is that it is not a charity. It's a small amount to pay but makes a huge difference to the borrower. Once the loan is repaid you can re-loan to a new borrower. And the cycle goes.

i dare you to check it out and not be compelled to join: http://www.kiva.org/app.php

monday night soccer club

2007-11-21T17:51:00.000-05:00

knitting content to arrive in a short while...

but in the meantime, i scored my first goal at indoor soccer monday night. we played a double header, and i scored during the second game - which is amazing since i was unable to take any breaks (other than half time) and i was pooped!

the other team said it had be about the best celebration they'd ever seen - like i had won the lotto or something. and i felt like i had.

2007-11-17T09:36:00.000-05:00

home improvement

2007-11-17T09:33:00.000-05:00

right now we are in the middle of reorganizing some rooms. we're moving the office into what is now the craft room. the old office will become the guest bedroom and a pared down version of the craft room.

on a whim we decided to pain the old craft room which was painted in an awful minty-green colour. off we headed to home depot and out we came with a gallon of primer and a gallon of paint in "horizon blue" from C.I.L.

so far the room is taped and primed. today we'll focus on both coats of paint.

so much for a quick change!

home.... november 15th

2007-11-17T09:30:00.001-05:00

jason's shepherd's pie
mmm.... tastes as good as it looks

briggs and little - november 13th

2007-11-17T09:07:00.000-05:00

described by one of my friends as my version of mecca:

be still my heart....
the damage.... only two bags full.....

oh deer - november 12th

2007-11-17T07:58:00.000-05:00

this is at my aunt and uncle's home... look how close the deer come.

reconnecting in moncton - november 11th

2007-11-17T07:41:00.000-05:00

look at all that snow!

here is my friend shannon from high school, and her bf dave. i hadn't seen shannon in about 10 year, and thanks to good ol' facebook, we reconnected. it was such a nice visit - waaaaaay too short! so invited her to come visit me in ottawa. it was great - it felt as though no time had passed (except the obvious changes like being married or having a degree). that's the true test of friendship. 10 years can pass and you wouldn't even know it.
here's jon, also from highschool - also a reconnect from facebook. He helped Kamécha make a snow man. He promptly crumbled once we were all inside.
Tammy's daughter Kamécha. Tammy is Shannon's sister. I can't believe I didn't get a picture of her - wtf!
there were drawing lessons - here is Kaméchas' version of vache. my brother - in't he adorable?
for supper.... chinese food at the buffet in fredericton.

to market, to market... and to amherst - november 10th

2007-11-17T07:24:00.001-05:00

saturday morning was market day at boyce's farmers' market

honeycrisp apples... mmmmmm!
woolsmoke woolworks - look at all of those hats! here are her patterns. unfortunately, i couldn't wait, so i bought one. here is the author of the patterns wearing the hat i bought.
and this is a photo of me taken by a local photographer and posted at justfred.ca. it happened so fast i didn't get to snap a picture of her.
the line up for samosas....

heading to amherst.... this is just past moncton. look at that... SNOW!! wait, it gets worse.

my uncles' remote control. he assures me they no longer lose it in the cushions. my father's beer for scale.

see.... worse! bleh.

fredericton - november 9th

2007-11-17T07:10:00.001-05:00

first stop, dollarama - where i found this: yes, ladies and gentlemen, they sell pregnancy tests at the dollar store.
we stopped at the local yarn / sewing machine store. i picked up two skeins of habacho to make socks for my mummy. (shade #301)

lunch was indian food at chez riz.... delicious!
a church
a building

one of four frenchy's visited. i brought home a ton of fantastic finds. it took a garbage bag to hold the purchases from the frenchy's in amherst. it took a carboard box to get the finds home. and all of them wearable - i only got one sweater to take apart - 100% cashmere - in pink - 3$. woot!

heading to fredericton (novmeber 8th)

2007-11-17T07:06:00.000-05:00

vacation reading

2007-11-06T22:17:00.000-05:00

i finished up the weight of water... i gave it four stars on facebook.

my vacation starts thursday at 3 p.m. - and i'll be hopping into a plane sometime around 6:30 p.m. when i'll start reading this:

my ipod is all ready - charged and filled up.

i'm almost completely packed.

i know i'll blink and it'll be over.

2007-11-05T08:15:00.000-05:00

2007-10-31T22:00:00.001-04:00

guilt and content

2007-10-27T21:03:00.000-04:00

you know, for what should be primarily a knitting blog.... there has been a distinct absence of knitting content for the last few weeks. a fairly decent explanation for this occurence would be the fact that i have been ignoring my knitting for my other passion... reading. at one time i was troubled that i would not be able to maintain both of my favourite passtimes - but soon discovered the library carries audio-books. i think i felt the same elation george did on seinfeld when he realized he could watch tv and, ahem, get it on.

on the first day of my vacation (which has since, dreadfully, come to an end) i stopped at the library on my way home and checked out five books. i've been on a roll - reading this month alone: the memory keeper's daughter (meh), life of pi (great!), suite francaise (great!), continuity girl (bleh).... and i'm now starting the elephant vanishes by haruki murakami.

all of this makes me happy, but i am feeling... what is it... pangs of guilt... is this how a mother feels when she spends more time with one child than the other?

i intend to get back on the knitting wagon. i would like to finish the blanket i'm knitting as a gift during the winter... and any of the ideas i had for fall knitting, they will have to wait until next fall... because fall is now almost over.

well, off to crack the spine of yet another library book.

day of shopping

2007-10-20T20:02:00.000-04:00

my sister and i decided to get our christmas shopping done a little early this year - mostly because i'll be flying home in november and i can bring it all then.

breakfast at eggspectations...

my sis and her bf...
be still my heart....

we finished of shopping with a pedicure (our gifts to each other - how about that!) and this lovely woman let me take pictures of her haircut... i have been wanting to change my hair - and saw hers and thought -damn, that is awesome. she was so nice to let me do that, and actually got the business card of the hairdresser (which i promptly took pictures of as well).

shake hands with a hero

2007-10-17T06:58:00.000-04:00

i met l.gen. roméo dallaire (a true canadian hero) at the rally today.

i also bought this guide.... i'm planning to hike the inca trail next year to machu pichu...

final day of vacation

2007-10-16T09:52:00.000-04:00

running (4:1 interval!)

followed by a double bill at the mayfair theatre

can you tell i'm squeezing as much as i can into what's left of my vacation?

i can't believe i have to go back to work tomorrow.

vacation day 10

2007-10-16T09:50:00.000-04:00

finished the book - life of pi...

and saw elizabeth: the golden age. i would highly recommend seeing this movie in the theatre

vacation day 10

2007-10-16T09:48:00.001-04:00

reading

and knitting

and nothing else

vacation day 9

2007-10-14T12:23:00.000-04:00

on our way back home we stopped to pick up george's tastee bakery & deli and picked up a couple of boxes of jamaican patties. we also stopped in markham on our way back to ottawa at tsukiji restaurant.

vacation day 8

2007-10-14T12:19:00.000-04:00

vacation day 7

2007-10-14T12:12:00.001-04:00

vacation day 6

2007-10-14T12:07:00.001-04:00

vacation day 5

2007-10-09T17:38:00.000-04:00

relaxing....

and soaking...

and reading....

doesn't get much sweeter.

vacation day 4

2007-10-09T17:35:00.000-04:00

vacation day 3

2007-10-09T17:30:00.001-04:00

vacation day 2

2007-10-09T17:25:00.000-04:00

vacation - day 1

2007-10-05T17:26:00.000-04:00

so far, the first day of my vacation has been beautiful! these are some photos from my current favourite hike - skyline trail in gatineau park.

fall colours socks

2007-10-05T17:23:00.000-04:00

one more day of work....

2007-10-03T21:23:00.000-04:00

and i'm on vacation! twelve full days of vacation!

you know what that means.... knitting!

camping 2007

2007-09-30T21:12:00.000-04:00

camping this weekend was at mal's campground. the weather was a bit warmer than two weeks ago at bon echo.

we've added this puppy to our camping arsenal - we are really happy with the addition. now if we would just remember to bring the burgers next time! luckily we have generous friends.

here are some photographic highlights:

unless we are blessed with an amazingly warm last few weeks of october, i expect this will be our last camping trip this year. i'm just disappointed we didn't start sooner this summer.

next summer we're planning for at least every third weekend camping. i can't wait. now to plan for winter events. knitting is a winter event, right?

day 6

2007-09-30T21:09:00.000-04:00

this was the worst day of all. today is day seven and the coloring has begun to slowly fade away...

day 4

2007-09-27T21:34:00.000-04:00

These are the new shoes i got to prevent future rolling of the ankle... (the indoor non-spiky version)

soccer

2007-09-26T21:46:00.000-04:00

I am very happy that i've come to this place in my life where i am excited about being healthy.

recently i joined soccer. although i enjoy myself, it certainly reinforces the fact that i am a klutz. the 2nd game i got kicked at full force (yeah, my leg kinda does look like a soccer ball), and for good measure stopped the ball with my freshly acquired bruise. i then rolled on my ankle - the opposite way that people usually do. while doing that, i fell on my ass. i am something to see. people should pay... for a comedy of errors.

DAY 1:

DAY 3:

That whitish / red spot in the middle is where the shoe made contact with my leg.

the new bruise on the front of my leg may possibly be from tripping while getting into the bus this morning.

jason thinks i should start taking the shortbus. i kinda have to agree.

okay cold...

2007-09-26T09:34:00.000-04:00

the gloves are off!

highlights of balderdash...

2007-09-25T22:37:00.000-04:00

my friend liz and her bf ryan were over for a bbq this weekend. much steak was eaten, and much beer and wine was imbibed.

and then we broke out the balderdash.

here are some highlights:

douter: doubting someone who let it go (liz)
makebate: slang for cougars (liz)
faggotist: a bassoon player (actual definition)
shapoo: 1. an arabic hat not so dissimilar to a fez (ryan) 2. shampoo the bum area of a cat (liz)
titbow: another word for a fancy brassiere (me)
bibby: 1. slang for an english law enforcement trainee (jason) 2. what you have to wear if you drooly (me)

thanks for all of the laughs... and the wine.

skyline trail, take 2

2007-09-22T15:38:00.001-04:00

finished object(s)

2007-09-22T11:01:00.001-04:00

i finished the socks i've been knitting...

The Stats:
Yarn: Sandnes Garn Sisu - teal
Pattern: My own, for size 6.5 feetsies. i slipped every 4th stitch on one round, plain knit the next.
Started: August 2007
Finished: September 19, 2007

Verdict: i love them

my goal is to replace all of my store bought socks with handknit socks.

camping - bon echo provincial park

2007-09-20T21:14:00.000-04:00

we went camping last weekend at bon echo provincial park

here's our tent... see anything missing? poles you say? yeah... we forgot to pack them

pre-testosterone

post-testosterone

did i mention it rained whilst we set up camp?

the much smaller tent we slept in instead of our palace.

luckily, saturday morning started off well...

we went on the lovely shield trail hike and took in the lovely scenery

later we looked at the cliffs... this picture doesn't really do it justice.

the rest of the weekend was filled with lots of food (tacos and burgers and marshmallows...) and lots of sleeping...! it was so cold we kept sleeping in until almost noon.

can't wait to go camping again in 2 weekends!

Feist - 1234 (Director's Version)

2007-09-20T21:10:00.001-04:00

something to make you happier

hiking

2007-09-08T17:57:00.000-04:00

my friend dana and i went hiking in gatineau park today. we took the skyline trail.

we got our butts kicked... some of the inclines were pretty steep... but in the end it was really fun. there were three lookouts along the way that showcased the ottawa valley. we stopped for a light lunch (edamame, crackers, fruit and vegetables) on a rock overlooking the valley. it was very peaceful... except the moment a mosquito decided to fly into my ear.... i was annoyed and told it to "feck off" as a group of people were walking by. explanantions ensued.

we're planning on returning in october to see the fall foliage - i expect it to be breathtaking.

followed by a snack of pita chips and hummus....

next weekend, we're all camping at bon echo park. i love camping... i get so much knitting done!

be still my heart: oh, how i love you keen!

2007-09-07T22:57:00.000-04:00

why so many pretty pairs?

imagine how great hand-knit socks would look with these killer mary-janes.

from japan

2007-09-07T21:08:00.000-04:00

i got the best package from my friend masako in japan. she has a talent for choosing things she knows i will love. this is one of many parcels she's sent me. i am ashamed to say... i am sooo behind on sending her a parcel, which i have the best intentions of doing. ah, best laid plans.

gohan (food):

tabi:

Nohohon-zoku

i am now searching for nice sandals so that i can wear my tabi socks! proudly!

is it me, or is everything from japan cuter?

update: j is feeling and looking better, bootcamp is finished

2007-09-07T17:29:00.000-04:00

two days later and the swelling is almost gone. i'm relieved he's feeling better - i was getting a little worried for a while.

in other news, bootcamp is done. finally. it has done great things for me. i am motivated, i feel better about myself, i feel strong. i am relieved it's finished so that i can incorporate activities into my life, instead of just being stuck with that time each day. i joined a recreational soccer team... and a gym... and i'm planning on doing rock climbing with my sis.

there is an ottawa knit nite meet up tonight in westboro... and i am seriously considering attending.... but i'm kind of pooped. i won't know for a little bit if i'm going to go or not... hmmm.

tomorrow i'm going for a hike in gatineau park at the champlain lookout. an hour in and an hour out. i hope the weather is decent.

visit: emergency room

2007-09-05T23:07:00.000-04:00

i showed up to bootcamp today (off the bus from work) and met my husband who told me he wouldn't be able to participate today.... he sounded incredibly congested... and i wondered how he'd contracted a severe cold so quickly... until i caught sight of his eye from the corner (he was wearing sunglasses).... it looked kind of puffy. when he took his sunglasses off... his eyes were red, wattery, and one was puffed almost closed.

if you don't know this... i hate to drive. it terrifies me... but there was no way around it today and off we went to the walk in clinic. on our way there.. j cracked jokes and i freaked out because all i could think is his throat is going to close up and then i'll panic and crash the car. his right eye was so bad it puffed all the way shut.

in any case, we got to the walk in clinic (who weren't taking anymore patients) and i told her to take a look at j's eyes. her eyes got really wide and she gasped and said "oh my god, you have to go to emergency".

off to emergency at the queensway-carleton we went. we got checked in, and they called a "level 2" for jason because his lips started to swell. he was in there in no time. they pumped him full of benadryl, gave him ice for his eyes and we hung around for about 2 hours while they monitored him. the swelling reduced quite well after the benadryl. they were all really nice there... and it was interesting for me to hear the goings on. one patient had been admitted for consuming too many of some sort of pills. certainly not pleasant. once i felt sure jason was okay, the only other thing i thought is that i wished i'd packed some knitting in my purse that day.

here are some pictures, post ice & benadryl:

the whole thing kind of reminded me of this scene from hitch:

(note panicked look on eva mendes' face.... that was me - calm, cool, and collected... hah)

more birthday goodness!

2007-09-03T20:58:00.000-04:00

i met up with my sister upon my return from our visit to the cottage in the muskokas. she brought me birthday goodies from my mom whom she'd visited earlier this summer... a beautiful necklace from aitken pewter (from fredericton, nb)

my sister got me a gift too... a gift certificate from chapters which i promptly turned into this:

a wonderful weekend all around.
oh, and the ipod will be getting much use. the bus ride home was not boring!!! i enjoyed it!!! yay, ipod!

labor day weekend... muskoka style!

2007-09-03T20:47:00.000-04:00

lots of food.... boating... and knitting. couldn't think of a better way to spend time relaxing.

aaahhhh

out of the mouths of babes

2007-09-03T20:39:00.001-04:00

my was showing people photos on our digital camera and said this was a picture of me. i asked my 5 year old niece if that really was me and she said no... and i proceeded to grin. she continued by adding "you have curly hair"

my sister in law (on the left) commented that this showed off my husbands "feminine attributes". my niece said "no, mommy, it shows off his belly"...

ah, kids.

my husband, the master of surprises

2007-08-29T06:43:00.000-04:00

so... i go to bed, and on my pillow is a third card (a card with the dishes - the first present, then a card with the soccer ball - a second surprise present when i went upstairs to the computer)... and a third present... this!!!!!!!

don't i just have the best husband ever!?!

birthday goodness

2007-08-28T21:51:00.001-04:00

well, i have to say i had a great birthday!

i got to leave early to go on the ottawa river cruise boat with my co-workers and then on to blue cactus for a lovely dinner (caramelized onions & poblano quesadillas with salad).

and then i came home to all of this:

dishes with sheep from my man!

a cookbook from my neighbours

dishes from my in-laws

soccer ball!

and a video game... although i'm pretty sure it was more for him than for me.