Doing stuff

A day off.  A big yellow sun shining in the sky.  A cup of coffee on the deck.  All good things for me today.

That is how my first day off began.  I went downtown and stopped in to visit a few friends, got my 2nd coffee fix from Flow Lifestyle Boutique, then grabbed a great Hummus and Chicken Toastie sandwich from the Art of Eating Deli, and retired to the deck again.

I had a nice cold Bud Light (just in case I got dehydrated ya know) and my Kindle for an afternoon of reading and relaxing.  Hmmm, battery low on the Kindle.  Well, I had no choice but to fully recline on the zero gravity chair and have a nap.  A girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do!!

Later this afternoon, I thought I should do at least one chore so I replaced the door knob and lock on one of the doors.   Since our beloved handyman Clayton passed away a few months ago, I don't have someone to do all those little chores.   I'm actually quite handy, but if you can get someone else to do that stuff - why do it yourself?

I have tools and I know how to use them BUT I pick and choose the types of chores or fix-it tasks I will admit to being able to do.  Basically if I have to get dirty to do it - forget it. 

No crafting today.  It was just too nice outside.   I hope Day Off #2 is just as good as today.



From head to toe

It won't take you long to realize I had difficulty coming up with a fascinating blog post tonight.  So instead you get this one.

My pal Robin (AKA The Cranky Crow) asked how my new fella was doing.  I introduced him here.  He is doing wonderful and I think it is almost time I suggest he needs a little haircut.  What do you think?

Speaking of haircuts - I am having a bit of a bang issue.  I painstakingly grew out my bangs last year and last week in a particularly bad hair day, I had them significantly trimmed.  Now they are just long enough to hang in my eyes, yet just too short to tuck behind my ears.  Now that is frustrating! 

Since this post is titled head to toe I should tell you the other stupid thing I did.  Last night I decided instead of a pricey professional pedicure, I would just re-paint my toes with that hot red nail polish.  I was in a hurry and in a poorly lit room.  This morning, in the stark light of day, it looks like the ends of my toes got caught in a meat grinder.  Seriously!  Might need to splurge on the pro pedicure after all. 

For those of you who suffered to the end of this post, I appreciate it :)   I'll do better next time!

Ends with Y

I have been quiet all week.  My Grandma used to say if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything.   So I thought of that often this week.

The week can be summed up with words that end in Y........

Grumpy, Crabby, Whiney, Bitchy (yes, I said it), Witchy, Moody, Yucky, Busy, Crabby (yes I said that one twice)

Then I took Friday afternoon off to relax and try to get back to normal.  I had plans!  Then by 2pm a mild headache had turned to migraine.  Spent the rest of my afternoon off in bed.  Arrrrgh!

By this morning I felt better and decided I needed to find another happier Y word to start my Saturday.  A quick trip outside to find.....

DAISY

A happy word that ends in Y. 

I may have turned the corner :)



Just a little random

There has been so much going on lately.  Both at work and at home. Unfortunately none of it is blog-able.    Sometime when I win the lottery and retire to a private tropical island, I'm going to write a book.  Sure thing bestseller! 

So instead you get my random thoughts today.  I tried to post last night but the second I opened up blogger, my mind went blank. 

Today was my Friday.  I have 4 days off in a row!  And as a bonus, the weather forecast is looking fabulous.  I think a little roadtrip might be in order tomorrow.

Today Auntie went out to lunch downtown with a friend.  When she got home she was laughing and told me the Cafe was packed.  She asked the waitress what was going on and she replied "Oh, they're all Hookers".   Now a few years ago, before I took up this craft, my dear prudish Auntie would have recoiled in horror.  But now that she is used to having "hookers" around, she just laughed and said "Oh Deanne must be having a class"

I'm reading Fifty Shades of Gray.  I'm blushing.  It is scandalous.  The critics said it was fairly explicit.  THAT was the understatement of the year.  (Still blushing)

For the next week or two, I will be trying to avoid going out after dark.  The June Bugs are insane this year.  Tuesday night poor Millie and I were under serious attack by those creepy hard shelled demons.  I have this fear of them getting stuck in my hair.  Millie is not a fan either.  She did not waste a minute doing her business.  It was in and out in record time.

Well, I feel that mind-blank thing happening again.  That's all for now.

Random Ramblings

Another pic-less post from me.  Sorry.  Today my bare legs got reaquainted with the sun.  It was warm enough to get out the cropped jeans.  I did notice the seasonal closet gremlins were at work again.  They seem to sneak in and shrink all the pants in the closet.  It's just mean and un-fair.  I laid down - I inhaled deeply - and I zipped them up.   Hahaha - take that!

The traditional sunday dinner took a little detour tonight.  The thought of peeling veggies, cooking some kind of meat etc was just too much.  I dialed 7 magic numbers and Chinese food appeared.  What a concept!

Apparently the "5 second" rule has actually been studied by some scientist.  So now you can all rest easy - if a cookie falls on the floor and you can grab it before the dog does - it's OK to eat it.  I found this to be extremly valuable information, as well as a sound use of research dollars.

I have been hearing about this new book "Fifty Shades of Grey".  It is supposedly the summer beach book of the year.  It is also referred to by some critics and media as "Mommy Porn".   If I'm not a Mommy and I read it - Is it just Porn?   I downloaded it.  (blush)

Only 2 episodes of Desperate Housewives left.  Better get the snacks ready.

Home again

I'm back home after my little work trip.  Just so you know, the hotel wasn't quite Norman Bates but still a little icky.   Did I mention there was no door on the bathroom??  Yeah, classy - just sayin.

Rebecca, my co-worker and I met for breakfast the next morning. Part way through breakfast (McDonald's bacon and egg biscuit) she says "I shouldn't tell you this, but when I went to bed last night I started thinking about bed bugs and couldn't sleep."   OMG, I did the same thing.  I got in bed, had that flash through my mind and then got all itchy!  By the way - there were none.  I checked.  

The mattress was like laying on marshmallows - too soft.  Between that and the bug thoughts, I didn't sleep well.  And in the morning my back was killing me from the mattress.  I took me several minutes to even get out of bed.  I must have looked like a 98 year old arthritic trying to get up.   So needless to say, we were both less than bright eyed and bushy tailed at breakfast. 

We did have a good day and a nice 3 hour drive home.  We were in the part of the province that is mainly agricultural.  So that meant lots of little farm markets and fruit and vegetable stands.  We stopped at several.  The highlight was finding the first batch of Spring Fiddlehead Greens.    I cooked them for tonight's supper with a piece of salmon.  Mmmmm, perfect.

I still haven't found my hooking mojo.  All I seem to do lately is knit.  I just packed up an order of cotton dishcloths.  I may find the strength later to list some on etsy.  I am missing the rug hooking, yet until you have that inspiration for a project you like, its a waste of time.  You will not like what you are doing and it will become another unfinished thing.  So for now its still knitting.    MOJO, where are you?

More of the same

Nothing new, just more of the same.  I am boring.  Well, lately I am boring :)

I have no new projects on the frame or in my head.  I did manage to get my hair fixed so that seems like a huge accomplishment.  At this point I will take any little crumb to talk about.

However, I do have an opportunity to get out of the office for a day and a half.  It is still work, just in a different location.   Oh well, a change is better than nothing!  The weather looks good so the drive tomrrow will be pleasant.

The nice hotel where the sessions are being held is booked.  So I am staying at a flea bag (not really but sort of) down the road.  So tonight I picked up a few gourmet snacks to take with me.  No point in completely roughing it. 

If anything earth shakingly exciting happens in the Valley, I will let you know.

Weekend Random

I wish I had something terribly fun and exciting to report on my weekend activities.  The truth is it was full of chores, appointments, and housework.

Yes, I can hear you yawning with me.  But the taxes have been sent in and there is a small refund coming my way.  Sadly, I already have it spent. 

I finally did get the winter clothes put away and the summer gear all washed.  I know I have been saying I was going to do that since Easter, but now it's really done.  I lost track of the number of loads of laundry I did today. 

There has been no hooking all weekend and I still have a few rugs waiting to be bound.  My etsy store needs a few more updated items so I will put that on the list for later this week.

In between everything I have been knitting instead.  I found a different pattern for those little dish/wash cloths.  I like making them. They are quick and actually quite useful around the house.

If anyone wants some, let me know. 

So, I bid goodbye to another weekend and brace myself for tomorrow and the round of meetings on my schedule.  I hope the evening meeting doesn't drag on too late.  Can't miss Dancing With The Stars!!

A nasty trifecta

Not your usual trifecta - not the triple threat you might hope for.  This particular

trifecta shakes down like this - a trio of D's

Delusional

I'm too busy.  Work is out of control and any thoughts I had of getting caught up

- simply Delusional. 

Delayed

This is the status of my life.  Do you know that I have not even had our taxes done yet?? 

Monday is the deadline.  I forced myself tonight to get our crap together

and I WILL deliver it to the accountant tomorrow.  I also have 2 packages sitting here

waiting to be mailed.  Maybe tomorrow.  I hope the recipients are forgiving.

Dishevelled

I'm a mess.  My hair needs to be done.  I have had 2 appointments booked

and had to cancel for last minute work committments. 

Today I worked through lunch (un-planned) to finish a last

minute emergency.  On my way home I ran my fingers through my hair.

I felt something.   I had a Post-it flag stuck in my hair......

For most of the afternoon, I'm guessing.

And no one told me.......Nice!

So the triple D trifecta makes me a triple threat.

And not in a good way.

Friday.......where are you??



Weekend update



The weekends seem to fly by so quickly.  This photo pretty much sums up what I'm feeling tonight.  Lol

I did survive the rest of the week after my little pie-hole incident.  Sorry Michelle, its not a story I dare blog about.  (but email me and I'll tell you :)  The neighborhood has temporarily calmed down.  And the piles of garbage were picked up on Friday so things are slowly settling down.

Saturday I went to a large indoor yard sale in support of the local Relay for Life teams.  The place was packed and it was nice to see so many people out in support of such a great cause.  Just another example of how our small town turns out to support each other.   And I came home with lots of goodies like homemade fudge and donuts. 

Next stop Saturday was a visit to Flow Lifestyle Boutique for an Eco-Fashion Show.  It was a combination of new clothes and vintage, pre-loved clothing.  But I wasn't there long when I started to feel bad.  It was a migraine starting and by 4pm I was miserable.   Thankfully I woke up this morning feeling much better.

It has been at least a week, if not two, since I picked up my hook.  Today I got back to the frame and managed to get a few little lavender sachets hooked.  I will get them assembled and delivered later this week.

They will look much better when they are sewn and stuffed.  I'll take another picture when they are finished.  These are fun to hook, but I drag my feet on the assembly.    I had another etsy sale today. Yay!  The summer fields rug will be headed to its new home this week. 

This post is getting a little random.  Sorry.  I just wanted you all to know I am still here and haven't been run out of the neighborhood. 

Have a great week.

Where am I......

Where have I been lately? 

Well it is Budget time at work.

Say a little prayer

And deliver me large cups of strong coffee
if you are in the neighborhood  :)

Chattin' on the Porch

With Patrice, of course.  But before we get into her questions I would like to report that my desk is still looking good.  I haven't let the paper creep back in.

I am slowly getting my head above water at the office.  Tonight was the first time I picked up my rug hooking for about a week.  I just couldn't get into it and I have lost interest in my current project.  But it is almost done so I will power through.  I took a quick pic tonight but when I downloaded it, there was a huge shadow over it - - Me.  I'll show you next time.

Well, I better get to the questions, as Dancing With The Stars is about to start.  My guilty pleasure.

Questions

1.  What was your favorite book as a child?

  That's a hard one.  I was a big reader as a child. Well, most of my life until I took up rug hooking.  I read whatever I could get my hands on, but I do remember enjoying The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe.

2.  Dark chocolate, Milk Chocolate, or White Chocolate?

Yes, yes, yes.   Dark chocolate with red wine.  Milk chocolate with anything.  White chocolate with coffee.

3.  What's your biggest "pet peeve" when it comes to your kitchen?

When people do not re-close the food packaging properly.  This drives me insane.  You buy a bag of cookies and someone just rips it open and leaves it.  The next day the cookies are all soft.  Or when they don't re-wrap the cheese.  Or when people go behind you are turn to oven or burners up or down while YOU are cooking.   Geez, don't get me started on kitchen pet peeves.

4.   Do you use any type of water filter in your home? (Whole house, faucet mount, or pitcher)

Nope.  We have great water.

5.   What's the herb you use the most in cooking?

My family's taste are pretty bland meat and potatoes stuff.  So sometimes I sneak in basic chives or parsley.   When cooking just for me - - anything goes.

Thanks Patrice for another Chat on the Farmhouse Porch.  If you have a few minutes, stop in and say hi to Patrice and this weeks participants.

Super What ??

I may be the only person not watching the Super Bowl today.  Quite frankly, I'm a little sick of hearing about it.  It's not that I'm anti-sports but I just don't get football.

And what is up with the 4 hours of pre-game coverage?  PRE- Game.....like the actual game isn't long enough already.   Oh well, it's almost over.



Instead of being glued to the TV all day I extended my burst of hooking energy I seem to be experiencing lately.  This morning I drew out a new pattern, scavenged through my wool stash and selected some colors and cut strips to my hearts content.

I have a question for my hooker readers.  What do you do with all your rugs once they are hooked?  Do you keep them, gift them, sell them??  Every time I start a new one lately I think I might try to sell it but then once its finished I chicken out.  Maybe one of these days I will open an etsy shop and see what happens. 

Have a great week.   

Groundhogs, Losers and Crazy Drivers

Cheers for our local weather predictor Shubenacadie Sam for predicting an early Spring.  I sure hope that weaselly rodent knows what he's talking about. 

But I'd rather believe he is correct than consider the alternative.  Winter is not my favorite season so any sign of an end to it makes me happy.

And today was the last offical weigh in at work for our wellness challenge.  I'm a loser.  Yay!!   Only a quarter pound this week but thats better than gaining.  So for the month my grand total was a  whopping 2 and a quarter pounds.  Not fabulous but still - down is down irregardless of the number.    Of our little group the total was 77 and a half pounds.   I think I'll celebrate tonight with a bag of chips :)

Now the driving part of this post.  This afternoon I was heading back to work after picking up Mom at her adult day care. I admit - I was in a hurry as usual.  I get to an intersection and I'm waiting for this black car to go.  Its just sitting there.  So I figure - If you're just gonna sit there and miss your turn, I'm gonna go.  So I whip out .......... and guess who it was?   Deanne.   And even worse, she knew it was me.   Ooops, sorry honey but she who hesitates is lost (or last)  Lol.      I'll buy you a glass of wine Friday night.

I admit it - I'm a crazy driver!

Happy Feet and very unhappy eyes

Today I got a nice surprise in the mail.   The contents of the envelope made my feet very happy.

These beautiful hand knit socks from my friend Meg.  They are so comfy and the color looks like Spring.  I love them.  Meg knits all kinds of beautiful things.  You can check them out at Little Bit of Knittery. 

Now for the 2nd part of this post title.  My eyes may be permanently damaged from what I saw tonight.  (If you are local and reading this - don't blab)   This is probably something I shouldn't share but I can't help myself.

I was working late tonight with a large group.  We had about a 5 minute break before the televised portion of the meeting.   It was the only opportunity for a bathroom break.  I headed to the other side of the building to the washroom.  I was wearing my high heel boots and clicked loudly all the way across the tile floors.  (This is important as it proves I was making noise - not sneaking) 

I got to the door and flung it open........and then IT HAPPENED

The door opened and the bathroom was not empty.  He yelled NO - (about 5 seconds too late I might add) at the same time I screamed (more like a traumatizing groan).  I slammed the door and ran to the end of the hall.  And then the giggles started - uncontrollable I might add.   I should note here - I saw nothing (just sayin)  But I am traumatized

Like seriously - - - who doesn't lock the door??

 
This will certainly be a meeting I won't soon forget.  I don't typically drink on a Monday night but I think tonight one is in order. 

Just a small town girl

Today I realized just how much of a small town girl I have become.   I had to travel into the "big city" today for a meeting. 

There was a time when I would use any excuse to go to Halifax.  It was vibrant, exciting and all that good stuff.  So many stores, specialty shops, cafes, restaurants, clubs etc.   But today I realized those feelings were from my 20's.

Today, in my 40's it was nothing like that.  It was crowded, chaotic and annoying.  Too much traffic, so many lanes, merging, turning, bicycles whizzing in and out of traffic and pedestrians who (apparently) think it's OK to just dash out in front of moving cars.    Oh and don't forget the maze of one-way streets downtown - so if you turn left one street too soon, you have to take 20 flippin minutes to loop back around the circle.  

And parking downtown.........HA !  I arrive downtown just at lunch hour (when all the pedestrians are running freely through the streets oblivious to traffic laws).  I get to the hotel where my meeting is being held.  No apparent guest parking.  Directly across the street is a parking lot.  The signs say paid hourly parking but both entrances are wide open.  No toll booths or ticket machines.  I thought "this is just too good to be true".  I parked and as I walked across the street I started to get that nagging feeling.  "This can't be right. What if I come out a dusk and rush hour and my car has been towed??"

I walked into the hotel lobby where I was met by Mr. Snotty Concierge.  I told him I was at the hotel for a meeting and wanted to know where I could park.  (This is a reasonable question, Right?)
He looks at me and in a very bad faux british accent says..."Well, I don't know"............

Huh?  What do you mean you don't know?  Aren't you the Concierge for this hotel??  So I am a bit taken aback, so I tell him I have parked in the parking lot across the street.  Is that OK?  He scrunches up his stupid face and says "What parking lot?" 

Now people - - - the ONLY thing across the street from this hotel is a parking lot.  The-only-thing!! So now I am starting to get annoyed, like a lot.    We walk out the door and I point across the street like a moron.  As I am AGAIN asking him about this lot - TWICE he put a finger up in the air, then clutched his friggin headset and says (in that fake British accent) "ooh, I'm being summoned".    Seriously ??  He was prancing around with that headset like he was running The Plaza in New York City.   Its a flippin Marriott for pete's sake!

He's prancing around with that fake accent and that stupid headset like he is all that and a bag of chips!
Now I'm mad.  I ask him when they host meetings/conferences, where do people park?    Jeeves looks at me again.  Then he stumbles out some babble about having to contact the meeting organizer to ask about parking blah blah blah. 

Finally I'm so close to doing something really special with that headset - I take a deep breath and remind him - I am prepared to pay for parking - I expect to pay for parking - I know its the city - you pay to park - I JUST NEED TO KNOW WHERE

Sigh....Jeeves is now befuddled and I am just fed up.  I said never mind, I'll take my chances in the mystery lot.  If I get towed that would still be a better experience than this exchange.    I plopped my fed-up butt in the lobby lounge to wait for my session to start.  (Yes, bitchy I know)

A few minutes later Jeeves prances over and says.......(are you ready for this?)  "The valet can park your car underground for the afternoon for $10"    WELL, why didn't you friggin say that in the first place??

I was so happy to get back to my sweet little small town tonight.  When I was younger "they" said it would happen.  I didn't believe it.  As I get older I am becoming a cranky old woman!

Dangerous

Consider this a warning - especially if you are one of those trying

to drop a few pounds this month.

Do not go to the grocery store before lunch !!  There is danger around every corner.

I breezed past the fruits and vegetables and then saw these

Amazing!  And when it says on the label "bursting with flavors" - It is telling the truth.

And before you ask, I have no intention of reading the nutritional info on the back.  It will just ruin this fabulous new relationship. 

I just puttered around today and hooked a little.  I won't be finished this rug by tomorrow but I will show it to in tomorrows post.   And then I wasted some time on pinterest. 

I found this and it was too cute not to share.  Lauren, this is for you

Women

This was the 2nd rug I hooked several years ago.  It is a Deanne Fitzpatrick design - Coastal Girls.  I loved this pattern as soon as I saw it.  Having grown up along the Coast and being surrounded by some incredible women, I loved what this rug expressed.  This rug resides beside my bed.  It is the last thing I see at night and the first thing I step on in the morning.   As soon as I got up this morning, I knew how this post would develop.

It has been several days since I blogged.  There has been a lot going on - some good and some not so good.  But in all of it I experienced some extraordinary women.   There was an evening of laughter.  I sat and looked around at this particular group of women - all different in ages, personality, background etc however all extremely accomplished in their own lives.   It was an experience I am happy I allowed myself to participate in.  I am learning a lot about myself in the past few years.  I am more open to new experiences, to stepping outside of my comfort zone.  That is perhaps one of the things that struck me this weekend - the confidence and openness of women.

The other spectrum of the weekend involved laughter and tears.  I spent some time with a friend who was facing a different type of personal challenge.  Sometimes, through no fault of our own, we find ourselves at a crossroads.  And sometimes neither option is appealing. There are times when you get caught up in someone elses "Bat-Shit Crazy".   Over the past couple of days, we have had several conversations and I had tried to encourage the high road. 

I was so proud of her for chosing quiet dignity as opposed to a few moments of satisfaction.  We all know that sometimes the desire to "stick-it-to-someone" can be strong and alluring but it doesn't last.   It was just another reminder of the strength and power of women in our daily lives. 

Take some time to look around and appreciate the women in your lives.  You will see strength, kindness, support, generosity, compassion, knowledge, and leadership.  Surround yourself with good people and good things will follow.

First Chat of the Year

I'm joining in with Patrice over at Everyday Ruralty for another chat session.  It's always a fun way to  share and learn a little more about each other.

But first an update.  The foot is a little better today but still sore.  I haven't done much today and that seemed to help.  It's not bruised or swollen, so still kind of a mystery.

There is also the theory that it is psychological.  I am signed up to participate in a January weight loss/fitness challenge at work.  I wonder if my foot decided to save me from all the trouble ?   LOL  Probably not !  

The first weigh-in is Thursday morning so my strategy has been to eat like a demon for the past two weeks so I can have a heavy weigh-in for week one and then look like a star for week two.   I have been attacking the rest of the junk food in the house today.  The only flaw in my plan . . . . . .  I may have forgotten that it isn't as easy to take off the pounds as it is to put them on - especially when you are 40-something.   Dang it - there is always a glitch in my plans :)

Anyway, now on to Patrice's questions

1. What's your favorite kind of tree?

There are lots of beautiful flowering trees but the blooms never last long enough for me.  So I will say that my favorite is a red maple.  And the leaves are just as pretty on the ground as they are on the tree.

2.     How did you celebrate the New Year?

Sadly, I stayed home and fell asleep on the sofa sometime before 10pm.  Hopefully next year I will have a much more exciting answer to this question.

3.   Do you have any family traditions for the New Year?

Hmmm, another boring answer here.  I don't think we have any special New Years traditions except that everyone gets a small gift on the morning of January 1.  This year everyone got socks.  (We really didn't put a lot of thought into this year eh)

4.    I'm so glad I____________ in 2011.

I'm so glad for many things in my life.  I can't narrow it down to just one

5.     Did you have a nickname as a child?

My grandfather called me "The Baby".  The name stuck for years.  A few years ago my cousin told me her entire family always referred to me as "Baby Kim"

There are just  a few precious hours left of vacation.  Back to work tomorrow (big sigh)

A New Year Mystery

I stayed in last night and the highlight of New Years Eve was skyping with Baby Emerson in the Netherlands.  He is usually sleeping when I call (those 2 month olds are so lazy).  But last night he was wide awake and ready to party.  He has grown so much.  It is so amazing to be able to video chat half way around the world.    Then I fell asleep on the sofa.  I am a PAR-TAY  ANIMAL.

This morning I got up with the mission to wipe out Christmas decor from the house.  I'll probably find the odd nick-nack here or there for a few days but I think I made a pretty good sweep of the house.  Countless treks up and down the ricketty basement steps and super-hero feats of strength as I lifted large heavy totes up on the high shelves.  I was really missing the handy-man today.

Then sometime later in the afternoon (here is the mystery part) I got up from the sofa and my right foot hurt.  Each step a little worse.  ? ? ?   So, what happened . . .   I have no idea.  And before you say it - I had nothing to drink last night or today.   How can it be that you can barely walk on your foot and have absolutely no memory of hurting it ?

I don't know what happened but I can hardly put any weight on it tonight and the top and side and kind of burning a little now.  Sheesh.    I mean seriously, how can you hurt your foot by doing nothing?  I'm hobbling around tonight like I'm a 90 year old.

And not only am I starting the new year lame, I am also starting out looking like a sexy beast

 
Don't ya just love the sexy red jammies and super-hot purple socks.  I mean  really - - - - Lol

The outfit is partly due to the fact that it is just so darn comfortable but also because I did not do laundry today.  I read on someone's blog recently (sorry, I forget which one) that it is bad luck to do laundry on New Years Day.  Has anyone ever heard of this before ?   I didn't want to take any chances - my foot might actually fall off