Hookers Hookers Everywhere

Gee, last night in Downtown Amherst was just like midnight on the Vegas Strip - Hookers all over the place.    LOL  Why, you ask??

Deanne Fitzpatrick had her new book launch at her downtown studio.  The place was packed.  Seriously, it was almost shoulder to shoulder inside.  I didn't take any pictures because it was Deanne's night, not mine but I'm sure I wouldn't have been able to get a clear shot unless I stood on top of the counter.  And with the line of people at the counter to pay for things - not a chance.

It was a great evening and so nice to see so many people out to support Deanne.  Certainly well deserved!

And don't forget my giveaway, if you haven't already signed up.

GIVEAWAY time

Its GIVEAWAY time.  Its time to celebrate my favorite season Autumn.    So lets keep this simple - all you have to do is leave a comment on this post.  You don't even have to be a follower,  but if you are not just be sure to leave an email address so I can find you.

The prize........one of my little autumn themed mats.  Just tell me in your comment which one is your favorite.   Easy, right?

Here they are again

# 1  PUMPKIN

or  #2  OAK LEAVES

or #3  FUNKY FALL TREE

So tell me your favorite and I will draw the winner of one mat Saturday night.   I hope you like them.  Thank you all so much for supporting this blog and my often lunatic ramblings.   I really do appreciate it.
Hugs,  Kim

51 and a promise

Well, it happened a little quicker than expected but what a great treat to check the blog this morning and find 2 new followers.  It seemed like I was hanging on to 49 for awhile.  Followers ----- not my age!  lol  Welcome gals!

So I made a promise last night that when I got to 50 followers I would have a giveaway.  Well, its 8:15pm and I just got home from work and Dancing with the Stars is on at 9pm and you know I need to get comfy and organize my snacks for the show..........Soooooo, you will have to wait for my next post for details on the giveaway!

I look forward to comments from the other Dancing fans after the show.  Sorry for those of you who don't watch - It's addictive and one of my guilty pleasures!

2 mats done - 3rd started

I'm happy to report the rest of the weekend improved.  Saturday I laid pretty low and by this morning I was back to 100%.  So that meant I got back to my little fall projects.  If you remember I wanted to make a series of small fall mats, all incorporating some of that beautiful yarn I bought from Heidi and London-Wul.

Here is the 2nd one completed - Two Oak Leaves.

They each measure approximately 9x9 inches.  I am loving doing the smaller projects.  You actually get a finished project before you get tired of it!

Here is #3 I started late this afternoon - the funky autumn tree

My original plan was to complete 4 mats.  Now the question is......

What to do with them??

It would probably be an opportunity for a GIVEAWAY.  But you really should have a milestone of some kind......like 50 followers maybe???

So I'll just leave it to your imagination and if by some stroke of luck I get to 50 followers before Autumn themed mats become redundant, there just might be a GIVEAWAY in the future.

Subtle eh!!



A series of unfortunate events

Well, although I had the highest of hopes, my big day out yesterday ended a bit like the Thelma and Louise story - crashing off a cliff! 

It started fine - with a great drive and breakfast at Cora's.  Then off to the eye doctor.  After close to an hour of tests and trying multiple sample lenses I was finished.  He gave me a pair of a new type of contacts to try for 3 weeks and if they work ok we will order more.  So now I was free to enjoy the rest of my day!   yeah - right!!

Next stop, another one of those Pumpkin Lattes I raved about last week.  Hmmm, it doesn't seem as great as the first one, but maybe its because it feels like a bit of a headache starting.  I just figured it was from having someone poke their fingers in my eyes for the past 45 minutes and it would go away.

I had heard about a shop in the area  that was selling hand dyed wool for hooking.   Certainly that would turn my day around.  I had been communicating a bit with the owner and had sent a message several days before saying I would be in the area and asked for directions as she was a bit out of the way and I wasn't overly familiar with the area.    No response.  I found this a bit odd but asked someone at the coffee shop for directions to this community and I set out.  It was a bit further than I expected but since I wasn't in a hurry I left and did find it.   Now, I always thought the point of having a business was to serve customers, make money and encourage repeat business.   Apparently this shops philosphy is different....

I walked in and was completely ignored.  I was the only customer there.  The owner just went about her business and didn't even acknowledge that I had walked in!!!!   Soooooo, I continued to browse around thinking any minute she would stick her head out of the hole in the back.  Nope.   I'm getting mildly annoyed and in hindsight I should have walked out but I am stubborn (and stupid).  I decided to buy a piece of wool - this would force her into a conversation, right??  (The wool she had for sale was lovely by the way)

So I go back to her little hole with my purchase - again no conversation - just tells me the price. So I put my money on the table.  She puts my wool in the bag, hands it to me  (no thanks was offered).  So I stood there for a minute - looking at my money.  She isn't giving me any change!!!!  It wasn't like it was a few cents --- it was a few dollars!   This whole thing is just getting ridiculous and I am quickly losing patience.   But I hold it together and said, while looking at my money "Oh - do you need exact change?".   She gave me a LOOK!  Then, in a manner that appeared somewhat reluctant, reached into the cash box and gave me the change!   OMG I could hardly belief the last 20 minutes were real!!!!

WOW - the whole experience was unreal.   And then on the way home I was ticked at myself for buying anything!  

The headache is now getting much worse and I am feeling slightly ill.  Stubborn - I don't want to give up on my day.  I go to The Shoe Company.  Hot red shoes or high sexy boots in an inappropriate color will turn things around.  I walked in and the smell of the leather was making my stomach flip - OMG this is NOT a good sign.   Migraine on the way.

Its time to pull the plug and head home.  Just as I was walking in the door a friend called and I almost hung up on him.  I ran upstairs and I spent the next few hours sick, sick, sick.  I swear I lost 7-8 pounds between the hours of 3-5pm.    I spent the rest of the night shivering under a blanket.  Not sure exactly was it was but I am feeling better today.

I guess my hopes for the day were too high.

Thelma and Louise?

Yesterday SUCKED.  Yes, it sucked from every angle.  I'm tired, I'm cranky, and I'm fed up.  So today I am pulling a "Thelma and Louise" -   I'm running away for the day!

Just for clarification - I'm not doing the part where they drive off the cliff, chased by cops!   Just hiding out for a me day.

I'm not going to work today - I took a vacation day - They can just deal with it!

I'm not coming home until I'm darn good and ready - They can just deal with it!

I might even have to buy new shoes - Deal with it!  (OK I just threw that in to make me feel better)

And the battle begins.....

It's the time of year again for me to enter the "Battle Zone".  It is an annual event.

The Battle Ground??  --- My house.

The Challengers?? ---- Me versus Auntie

The Weapon of Choice???  --- the thermostat

Auntie prefers to live in this environment.....

Me....I prefer a nice cool cozy fall type temperature.  Isn't that what comfy socks

and sweaters were invented for??

Now, don't get me wrong - I don't want them to freeze but there is something seriously wrong when I'm sweating in a tank top and there is frost outside on the ground!!

So, for the next few months it will be a game to see who can control the thermostat.  When she isn't looking I sneak it down a few degrees and as soon as she figures it out, she cranks it up! 

Welcome to the fun house!!  LOL

Cha cha cha and 2nd mat progress

OK, sorry but this has to be a quick post.  I am addicted to Dancing With The Stars and the premiere is tonight!

I did start the 2nd little autumn mat tonight.  This is as far I got when I had to put it away to concentrate all my attention on the dancing!  lol

After tonights episode Auntie and I will pick our top 3.  We always have a little side bet on the winner.  Not much - just bragging rights.



Fall Pumpkin

I'm in the mood to hook some little autumn rugs.  The fancy yarn I bought from Heidi at London-Wul last week put me in the mood.  I thought it might be fun to hook several small little mats, all incorporating this yarn in some way.

Here is the first little one.  It measures approx. 9x9 inches.

This is a large piece of burlap so I can probably get 4 across the same size.  I'm not sure what the next one will be yet.  I love these little projects.  I hooked this Saturday night and today. 

I had so much fun I thought I needed some more fall colored wool.  (I didn't but when has that ever stopped me)  I arranged to meet Corinne (Momz Wool) at her house in her new little studio.  She is getting it fixed up so cute.  I intended to buy 1 piece.  But she started telling me a story, and I don't know if she did it on purpose but the longer she talked - the bigger my pile got!   Nice strategy Corinne!  LOL

This is what I came home with.....

So, I shouldn't have any shortage of wool for the next 3 little projects.   Such great colors eh!

Behind schedule

The weather today was perfect - sunny, blue skies, just a few fluffy clouds.  I haven't had a lot of opportunity to get out with my camera lately so this morning I suggested a drive in the country.  I thought I'd be able to stop and take photos along the way and it would be good to get the girls out - you know "blow the stink off them" as my Grandma used to say!

But by the time I got everyone up, washed, dressed, fed and medicated.... it was 11:30am!  This should have been my first sign to scrap the plan.  Auntie must have got up on the wrong side of the bed because she was cranky and Mom....she was just plain "in a mood".

Stubborn, I refused to give in and we left.  We eventually got to Parrsboro and Mom was a real treat in the restaurant and then in the car she refused to keep her seatbelt on.  I actually heard myself say "Don't make me come back there".  LOL

Most years by mid September the trees are turning colors, which was what I planned to photograph.  But this year everything is behind schedule, thanks probably to an extended summer with that September heat wave.

I managed to take 4 photos and none all that spectacular but I'm showing you them anyway. 
This one is a blueberry field turning red.   They are not quite at the peak yet but hopefully I will get back soon for a better picture.

This is Newville Lake, just outside Parrsboro.  A gorgeous spot for a picnic.

An apple tree in the middle of the picnic area.  I took some great shots of this tree in the spring when the blossoms were out.

And this is as close as I could come to finding some fall colors on trees.  Hopefully the cooler weather will speed up the cycle.  I love the tree colors in fall.

Oh, by the way - no more bangs in the night.  I still don't know what happened but the suggestions that maybe a bird or bat flew into the house sounds good to me.  That's the explanation I'm sticking with.

The Mysterious "BANG"

Last night I had just nicely drifted off to sleep when I was jolted awake by a huge thud.  And I mean loud.
My first thought was that it sounded exactly like a few months ago when Mom got up in the dark and fell in her bedroom.  Noooooo.  I flew out into the hall, where I met Auntie who was also running out of her room.

We bolted into Mom's room and there she was, sound asleep in bed.   Hmmmm, a head scratcher right? 

Auntie and I looked at each other and at the same time said "OMG someone is in the house"........

Well, without a 2nd thought I fearlessly ran down the stairs - IN THE DARK.  A more accurate description would be "Brainlessly" because I was un-armed.  Not sure what I was thinking.....maybe that I would distract the intruder with my unfortunate choice of sleepwear that evening??

I went racing room to room - Nobody.  I looked out every window - Nobody in sight.  STRANGE.  So I go back upstairs and tell Auntie that there is nobody in the house.   Then I looked at her......

She is Wild Eyed Crazed!!  Totally freaking out and she won't listen.  She is ranting that "SOMEBODY fell".   I again repeat "There is NOBODY" in the house.  She is beyond hearing me.  Now, she is 80 and I'm sure it startled her, and this "would" have been a time for compassion and patience from me...
But Noooooo, I started to giggle and as you can imagine - this made the situation worse.  Which naturally made me laugh harder.

This morning I walked around the outside of the house to see if there was something that someone may have thrown at the house but nothing.  I guess it will remain a mystery. 

Spooky though.....

A morning visit to London-Wul

I had a busy and productive morning. It started early with a road trip to Moncton and an orthodontist appointment.  I got my braces tightened again and I decided to make the most of the few hours before the soreness set it.  There is a Chez Cora restaurant in the same building so I stopped at had this amazing Cinnamon Brioche covered in a mountain of fresh fruit.  So good.

Next stop - my little coffee stand to buy a few boxes for home and I smelled something yummy.  The lady at the counter said it was their new pumpkin flavors.  She recommended the pumpkin latte.  It was topped with whipped cream and OMG it was the BEST thing I have ever tasted.   Seriously I actually made a little involuntary noise (Ahhhh) after each sip!  LOL

Saving the best for last - my first visit to London-Wul and a visit with Heidi.  If you get the chance you have to go.  It is a beautiful cabin tucked in a wooded lot.  Inside is wall to wall eye candy.   And yes....I bought some goodies.  Along with the hooked rugs on the wall, Heidi also had some of her felted pieces displayed.  So I bought a little needle felting starter kit to try.

Then, I got lost in the choices of wool yarns.  It was tough for a gal like me who has trouble making up her mind!!!  But I couldn't take my eyes off this bundle on a table...

Isn't this beautiful, with the sparkly thread running through it.  I don't know what I'm going to use it for but I'm sure something will come to me.  For now I just like looking at it!!

Thanks for the hospitality Heidi.  I will be back again soon.

Re-visiting some past wool worms

I don't really have a very organized way to keep track of my wool.  As I have mentioned previously I seem to have little stashes of wool tucked away all over the house.
Sometimes it is a nice surprise to open up a drawer or cupboard and find a piece of yardage I had forgotten about.  Makes it a little like Christmas morning sometimes!

But other times it can be frustrating when you are looking for a little bit of something you know is leftover from an old project.

This morning I found this bag full of worms and bits.  It was kind of a fun walk down memory lane.  All nicely seperated in ziploc bags.  (OK so I do have a tiny bit of organization, but that's where it stops)

Each little bag reminded me of a past rug.  There was the rose shade from the angel dress I made for Carries Mom last Christmas, the tiny #3 cut accents from the butterfly I completed in February, and it went on and on.  It was fun to stroll down memory lane.

I'm hoping that the volume of various worms will be diminished and find new life in my new Bunny project. 

I did complete hooking the pillow but have not yet felt the urge to sew up the backing.  Hopefully the urge will come over me this week.  I hate to have too many unfinished things hanging around.

Thanks for stopping by.

Company, Drama, and Brain Farts

What a week!  You should never be excited after a long weekend.  All it really means is that you have 4 days to do 5 days worth of work.  It has been like a zoo at the office and home hasn't been much better.

It seems like I just get out of bed, have breakfast and BOOM its nightime again.  Last night I barely finished the supper dishes when a car pulled in the yard.  Company (it was barely 6:30pm).  Not long after ANOTHER car full arrives.  Now its standing room only and they didn't leave until 10:40pm!!!  I think that's a little much.  I still had the garbage to get out to the curb and then I was faced with another sink full of dishes after all their tea and crumpets!  (OK, I was a little cranky, but it was mid week, I had to get up for work in the morning and they left me no time to wind down....)  Alright -- rant finished.

I really want to finish hooking that pillow.  I am tired of working on it and I'm sure you are tired of seeing it.   This little patch is all that is left.

All I need is less than an hour to complete the hooking.  I'm doing it tonight.....I don't care what else happens.  I need to be done with this project!!

Then the drama unfolded.  I quickly checked my emails just before everyone left and there is one from family in Vermont.  Poppy (now 80) was in a car accident.  He is OK - bumps and bruises but the car is totalled.  Then I opened the attached photo......WOW I can hardly believe he walked away from it.  Now I have absolutely no doubt that guardian angels do exist!   She warned me that he doesn't want me to know about the accident.  Kind of cute that he doesn't want me to worry.  But tonight I will call them and just let on that I'm just randomly checking in.    Silly man - doesn't he know by now that there are no secrets in this family?  LOL   He will spill the beans once we are on the phone!

Now an explanation on the brain fart.  Yesterday it was such a beautiful fall day I thought I should change the background of the blog to something more seasonal.  It would take 2 minutes.  Well..........I could not do it.  The darn daisies would not go away.  I got more and more frustrated and kept clicking different settings and then the whole blog was all wonky with fall colors at the top and the stupid daisies in the background.  Arrgh, I lost it and posted up a rant to explain why the blog now looked stupid.  About 15 minutes later I had a brain fart....and suddenly realized how to fix it.  So I quickly deleted the post, because now it wouldn't make much sense.

LOL  But apparently some of you read it.  I had a couple of cute comments.  Serves me right.  I should count to 10 before I post if I'm in a bad mood!

White after Labor Day??

OK, I admit I am a little traditional and old fashioned.  Well, my dear Auntie says I'm only old fashioned when the situation suits me....but lets not go there!   LOL

But, when I was growing up there were hard and fast rules about white. 

1.  Never wear white before the long weekend in May

2. NEVER wear white after Labor Day

Now I realize that, like many things, these rules have changed with the times but I can't seem to change. 

This morning at work one of the young girls (mid 20's) came into my office with a huge grin.  She said "Look what I wore just for you"  Yup, she had on white pants, white shoes and a white purse!!!

She was laughing so hard, she said she had been planning this for weeks and was hoping I hadn't taken the day off!

Then, to make it worse, she said she couldn't wait to go show her Mother after work because she would be horrified too.   

HER MOTHER.........

OMG, I thought I was young but apparently I'm like their mothers!!!  That part was hard to take!  LOL

So what is your stand on White after Labor Day???

Fresh as a daisy but grumpy as a bear

Sometimes a picture is worth a thousand words....

Yesterday Millie got a bath.  Does she look happy??

Noooooo

As soon as I unwrapped her from the towel she ran away and tried to hide from me.  I grabbed the camera and eventually cornered her in her bed.

Look at the expression on her face....

I'm betting that the words on her mind at the time were not pleasant ones!  LOL

But now she smells like a garden of flowers instead of an old mangy mutt!

Counting my blessings and hooking too

Today I am counting my blessings.

1. Hurricane Earl changed course at the last minute and we had an un-eventful day.  However the Atlantic coast of Nova Scotia was not so lucky.  They received the storm instead of the Bay of Fundy side.  Tons of downed trees, property damage and approx 200,000 homes without power.  

2.  All my family and friends - safe and sound.

3. The temperature has dropped from 32 degrees to a comfortable 19 degrees this evening.  Oh happy day!!!

4. I have had several new followers in the past few weeks and have been getting lots of comments.  I especially want to thank all my blog buddies who expressed concern for us as the storm approached.  I really do appreciate all the comments from followers and occasional visitors.  Its just nice to know I'm not talking to myself!   LOL

There are many more blessings but this is not a novel!

Since today was a normal day, I decided to defer the bunny project and work towards finishing hooking the 2nd pillow.  A little more progress

As anxious as I am to get going on that adorable little bunny (a Deanne Fitzpatrick pattern) I don't need another half finished project hanging around.   If I am lucky I might have the hooking done by the end of the weekend.

Thanks again for visiting!

Hit or Miss

Well, that has been the question for days. Will Hurricane Earl hit us or miss us?  It seems like he is going to hit us but luckily he is weakening as the evening progresses.  However, even a strong tropical storm will very likely knock out our power for awhile.

So just in case I am without the luxury of electronics tomorrow I thought I might start a new little rug. 

My thoughts are that hooking a cute little cuddly bunny might help me forget the torrential rain and winds that we will be experiencing when I wake up.   Plus, I have about 3 or 4 grocery bags full of leftover wool worms from other projects.  So I hope to make a dent in the pile with this little guy.

I spent my day doing pre-storm prep.  Earl was still a category 2 this morning, so I hit the grocery store and stocked up on some supplies and then took all the patio furniture apart and dragged it into the basement.   NOT a fun chore will all this darn humidity we have been having all week.  That is the upside of Earl --- he will take the heat wave with him! 

Now I guess all that is left to do is wait and ride it out.

Hot and bothered

At the risk of repeating myself and sharing an often unpopular sentiment ----- Its just too HOT.   Today was 32 degrees and the forecast tomorrow is 34 degrees.  My house is an oven and my poor Mom and Auntie are really struggling. 

Its such a worry, especially as Mom has lost alot of her communication skills and so I just have to try and guess what she needs.  She wouldn't eat any meals today (hard to blame her as I had no appetite either) so it was ice cream again.  I tried to add a little variety at supper time with a root beer float.   And to complicate things just a bit more, she is having a bit of breathing trouble with this weather so all the fans are on and pointed at her.  Seems to be helping.

I have managed to get about a half hour of hooking done the last 2 evenings.  That is about all I can stand of anything draped across my legs.

There is a little progress on Pillow #2.  Not as much as I had hoped but at least it is started.
On another note it looks like Hurricane Earl is barrelling straight at us this weekend.  More about that in the next post.