$4,786........Awesome

This is the total raised last night at our little fundraiser. Not a bad total at all! So that brings the total for 2 years combined of over $8,000 donated to our local hospital in memory of a dear friend Tim.
His family and friends sponsor this fun night. What many people who attend don't understand is that we totally sponsor this event. Every penny that is donated through ticket sales, food sales and auction is all given to the charity. Our little group donates ALL the food, pays the rental for the venue, ALL expenses. I think this just goes to show the character of the man we honor.
He was the BEST!

Kim

Hooking Workshop with Deanne

Last night I attended a fun little Valentine themed hooking workshop at Deanne Fitzpatrick's Studio. The theme was "Chocolate and Roses" and involved hooking a primitive rose chairpad. One of the girls at work has been expressing some interest in learning to hook so I thought this would be a good opportunity to drag her along. And just to make sure Deanne wasn't teasing us with the title of the evening, when I called to register I made sure to ask "Is there REALLY going to be chocolate?" LOL And she did not disappoint!

Here is a picture of the absolutely delicious German Chocolate cupcakes and a bowl of biscotti. Here is our lovely hostess Deanne getting the tea and coffee ready to be served. She treats us quite well! This is Deanne's studio. Such a great place to inspire creativity with all the lovely "eye candy" all over the walls!We had lots of laughs and chatter. Actually, more of that than actual hooking but isn't that all part of the fun of a workshop? And here is Kim S., my new recruit! I think she really enjoyed herself and I'm almost positive she is "hooked". It will be fun for Corinne and I to have another "hooker" at the office!

Great fun. Today I'm off work for a vacation day. I woke early and put 2 giant pots of chili on to simmer. Tonight is our little fundraiser for the Palliative Care Program at the hospital. Curling, silent auction, and chili or chowder supper. My friend Terri, the event organizer and I are meeting for lunch to get organized and make sure we have all our little lists checked off.

I'm sure it will be a great night for a great cause.

I hope I am able to post next time that we exceeded our totals from last year!

Kim

A blank canvas and Handyman Redemption?

Here is a blank canvas. A piece of burlap waiting to become something. What will it be? Well, even I am not sure yet. I think its that "Gemini Factor" again. Too many random thoughts, not enough time or focus. But one way or another tonight it is going to become "something".

And, like most of my projects, it has a pre-determined destiny. For now, (briefly) that will remain a surprise.

Hopefully that peaks your interest for awhile!!

Now, Part 2 of my post - Handyman Redemption. As many of my followers know, every once in awhile I feel the need to rant or vent a little about handymen and their unique habits.

My story started last week after a small snowfall of a few inches overnight. When I got ready for work and took Millie out the back door for her morning pee I noticed my car and back step were clear of snow. Hmmm, cool. Was I visited by the "snow fairy" who maybe randomly performs acts of kindness on strangers?? Then within 5 minutes of arriving at "Chaos Central" - otherwise known as the office, the whole thing left my mind. (Must be the Gemini Factor again, as sometimes I have the attention span of a gnat)

Anyway, I woke this morning to another couple of inches of snow. I got up a little earlier than usual as I had an early morning meeting at work. Took Millie out the back door to do her business AND GUESS WHAT.........

I caught the Snow Fairy. My darling, sweet handyman was in the middle of cleaning all the snow off my car and the steps were already shovelled!!!! AWWWWWW, Sweet huh? I guess ya just never know. He can come through with the sweet random acts of kindness, yet where is he when the toilet is overflowing??? Hahahaha

Either way, it was a nice way to start my day. Thanks Clayton xoxo

Maybe tomorrow......

I've been saying "maybe tomorrow" all weekend. I want to start my new rug but I just dread the part about drawing it on the rug warp. Its all ready to go and I even have most of the wool picked out.
But I hate (yes, I know I'm whining) drawing out the pattern. My last rug - I totally winged it. Just hooked along with no guide. But I'll never pull that off again.
I've puttered away my weekend ---even resorting to housework (gasp!). Then in the ultimate procrastination - I started and finished knitting Auntie a big warm scarf.
One positive thing was that I brought my work laptop home for the weekend and got all my weekly reports done today. Thats a first. Starting a Monday with no lingering to-do's. (smile) Maybe I will get a gold star at Tuesday's Directors meeting......but not holding my breath!
Its a short week for me as I have Wednesday afternoon and all day Friday off. So, how much trouble can I really get in - in 3 1/2 days??? Oh oh, I hope I didn't just mess up my karma.

Blossoms and Butterflies

T.G.I.F. - Thank God Its Finished....... Tonight I finished the whipping. Whoopie!!!! But the down side is, that while I was whipping I started thinking about that old 80's song by Devo "Whip It, Whip It Good" and now I can't get it out of my head. Arrgh annoying but funny.



Now the only thing left to do is figure out how to tag this rug. I'll have to put my creative hat on for awhile and think of something crafty. I'm so proud I finished a whole week ahead of the event and plan to take a vacation day next Friday to help the organizers set up etc. (OK - set up is actually code for have a few afternoon drinks with Tim's family and friends) Last year we raised $3,333 in a couple of hours for the Palliative Care Program at the hospital in memory of Tim.



Do you think we can beat that total this year? I hope so. Its such a great cause for such a great friend.

Enjoy the weekend!!!

Double Yolk Bonanza and the Great French Fry Caper

Warning: If you have high cholesterol you shouldn't read any further. Today was just like winning the lottery. My friend Ben called me and told me he had bought me a present. ME........A PRESENT........its not my birthday, or Christmas or any holiday at all.........What could it be?? A DOZEN DOUBLE YOLK EGGS !!!!!

Wow, holy moly, I was seriously excited. All day I dreamed about my supper - 4 poached yolks on cheese toast. Mmmmmmmm!

And imagine----he always says I'm high maintenance. I think this level of excitement over eggs just proves my point that I am LOW maintenance! Hehehehe

Is there anything better than finding a double yolk egg? (Well, yeah...getting a dozen) Personally I think that eggs should be all yolk. That white crappy goo is just there to protect the yummy golden center! When I hear about people eating an "egg white" omelet I have to wonder.....were they held at gunpoint and forced into it?? Thanks again Ben. You made my day!

I had to include this picture of Millie. She is so funny. At lunch time a french fry accidently fell on the floor. Before you know it, she grabbed it and ran to try and find a hiding place. She looked so funny with both ends sticking out her little mouth. I grabbed the camera and cornered her in the living room. She looks both guilty and quite pleased with herself at the same time. Within seconds of me snapping the picture she buried the fry under her blankie and sat on it until I backed off and then she happily chowed down.

Weekend woes and chilly toes

I don't normally get excited for Mondays, but I'm glad the weekend is over. Friday we had a snowstorm. While most businesses in town closed up by 1pm, we kept our offices open until 2:30pm. Snow plows were just starting to head out so roads, streets and our parking lot were not in the best shape. I managed to get home OK but I saw a few of our guys push some co-workers out of the parking lot.

It was kind of nice to get home early and cuddle up on the sofa for a snowday, and I fell asleep. Now I almost never am able to take a midday nap, so it was a pleasant surprise. Auntie woke me up in time for supper and I was exhausted. Like a soggy noodle. (Most people feel refreshed after a nap, or so I hear) And this seems to be the trigger for the downward spiral........

I couldn't stay awake after that. Almost felt like I had been drugged or something. I woke up Saturday feeling terrible with a nasty persistent cough. (Yes, for those of you keeping track, this is the THIRD time I have been sick this winter) And AGAIN, could not stay awake, and slept on the sofa for most of the day. Reports indicate there was even some snoring!!

Sunday morning.........woke up feeling alert......WOW this is a good sign. Jumped out of bed and was stunned by a feeling of waking in the frozen tundra. Ran downstairs to turn up the furnace and NOTHING.............CRAP its minus 18 degrees and the furnace is broken. Hmmm repair guys charge double on Sunday. Double CRAP!

Called the company and luckily the repair guy arrived in 15 minutes! What a sweetheart. Apparently it was just a fuse, but you couldn't tell without checking them all because it didn't blow out and turn black. (Because I DID check the fuse box before I called)

Still not quite feeling up to par but at least I can stay awake for longer than a hour at a time. Corinne has dyed some sample wool for my next rug, so hopefully will get a look at it later and start the new project in a day or so. Still contemplating the butterfly finishing technique.

By the skin of my teeth

I just pulled the last loop on the "Blossoms and Butterflies" rug. The last half hour of hooking was a little tense. The background color strips were getting dangerously low in the bag. With every new strip I pulled from the bag I thought ....."what if I run out.......I hate to pull out and re-adjust....I don't want to buy another piece for a few inches...." As the exposed linen space began to shrink, I started to think I just might make it.......

Whoopie.....I pulled the last loop and had 2 strips left about 6 inches long each. Can you believe it???

Sorry, but no completed picture yet. I'm still trying to decide on my finishing method. I like the idea of framing it but have never done that before. I would love to hear from any of you who have framed a rug before.

There is fairly high stakes involved here. A teeny tiny competition that I MUST win. As I mentioned before, this rug is going in a charity auction. Last year my friend Terri's husband donated one of his paintings and I donated a rug. My rug sold for more than his painting. (insert Cheer here) Ever since then we have had a hilarious rivalry. Terri says he is driving her crazy. LOL I would hate to lose my title!! Sooooo, the finishing method I choose is very important.
The pride and bragging rights for all hookers is at stake girls!!!!

Heading towards the finish line

I can see the finish line in a couple of different areas. One major project has been a somewhat large scale re-organization at my workplace. This has been hanging around for close to a year and seems to be almost reading for launch. I enjoy change, so I am looking forward to it more than others. But since nothing is final yet, the uncertainty is causing considerable stress to many. I have been trying to be the "cheerleader" but after awhile it just gets to be "Rah, Rah, BLAH!"

On a more positive note, I only have one corner left to hook on the "Blossoms and Butterflies" rug! "Rah, Rah, Rah!!!"

And I actually have an idea for the next rug and even have a working sketch. It needs a little tweaking, so I may be asking for your help in the future. I have a blank spot that needs "something" but no idea what... The design will feature a crow and some blueberries and that darn empty spot. Hmmmm, just once I would like to have a complete thought....

Sunday Already??

Again another weekend has flown by in a blur. There is company coming over for supper and I got up early and have a Sirloin Tip slow roasting on the oven. Smells great so far.

I have to tell you about the amazing facial I had Friday after work. Now, I have only had 2 other facials, many years ago and they were OK, but from what I remember I spent at least half of the hour in the room alone. However, after my last massage session, I allowed myself to be convinced to try the services of the new esthetician, as the massage business is expanding. WELL......I was not disappointed.

There was not 2 minutes that she was idle. There were 2 points during the session that a lotion or "goo" has to stay on your face for 10-15 minutes. So, I expected her to either leave the room (as they usually do) or putter around. Nooooo, she gave me a foot and leg massage. IMAGINE! (I'm so glad I bothered to shave my legs that morning!) Then, as if that wasn't a nice enough surprise, while the mask was setting she did a scalp and shoulder massage! WOW

Definately worth it and was a great start to the weekend.

The butterfly rug is coming along. Probably about 3/4 hooked and I am hating it a little less. Maybe its because I know its almost finished.