Saturday, November 20, 2010
Friday, November 19, 2010
Yarn Pron Friday (and a bonus Sprog picture!)
So... I haven't started any of my holiday knitting yet. Earlier this year I had grand inspirations of finishing one Christmas present each month, but I will pre-empt my year end recap here and say that just didn't happen. I still have hopes of knocking out one or two things before Christmas rolls around, and this yarn below will be part of that:
Ooh! Pretty, right? It's a single skein of Malabrigo Silky Merino in the 'Archangel' colourway. I'm not normally a pink person, but I love how the different shades of pink in this skein play against the yellow. The person the gift is intended for is a pink person, so this will work well for her.
What is this skein destined to become? A pair of fingerless mittens. I have sort of half-heartedly picked out a pattern - but I hope to find a pattern I like better toute de suite. I have all next week off and plan to get some serious knitting project catch up done.
************************************
I had another ultrasound yesterday afternoon, so here is an updated picture of Sprog:
For the record (and I'm only stating this because people have asked), Sprog will not be the baby's ultimate name. When I was pregnant with Willow, we called her Sprout in an attempt to keep her gender neutral for those people who didn't want to know whether the baby was a boy or a girl.
Ooh! Pretty, right? It's a single skein of Malabrigo Silky Merino in the 'Archangel' colourway. I'm not normally a pink person, but I love how the different shades of pink in this skein play against the yellow. The person the gift is intended for is a pink person, so this will work well for her.
What is this skein destined to become? A pair of fingerless mittens. I have sort of half-heartedly picked out a pattern - but I hope to find a pattern I like better toute de suite. I have all next week off and plan to get some serious knitting project catch up done.
************************************
I had another ultrasound yesterday afternoon, so here is an updated picture of Sprog:
For the record (and I'm only stating this because people have asked), Sprog will not be the baby's ultimate name. When I was pregnant with Willow, we called her Sprout in an attempt to keep her gender neutral for those people who didn't want to know whether the baby was a boy or a girl.
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Victoria Recap (At Long Last!)
You didn't think I had forgotten, did you?
Part of the problem with vacation posts is that sometimes they get so picture heavy, you just don't know how you are going to do the trip justice. Last summer, Andrew's main request of our summer vacation was that we get to spend a day in Victoria, which I had absolutely no problem with at all. I spent five years in Victoria studying at the University of Victoria, and it is one of my favourite cities in the world.
We rented a car in Duncan, and drove into city, parking in the downtown area so we would have easy access to the touristy places and shopping. This is the view of the Parliament Buildings in the Inner Harbour. It's amazing to think that you look straight ahead and see this:
Then turn your head slightly to left and see this building: the Fairmont Empress Hotel (although, when I lived there it was just called the Empress Hotel):
Willow had never been on a horse and carriage ride before, so we decided to take a tour of the James Bay area - one of the oldest neighbourhoods in Victoria. I'm not sure why the photographer decided to cut the horse out of the picture...
Because he was a very nice horse, and stood very nicely while we all petted him.
I noticed this statue when we finished the carriage ride, so I had to go check it out - it's very interesting how she looks like she is standing on the rocks. I thought at first she was supposed to be a First Nations historical figure -
But it turns out I didn't have it quite right. Below is the plaque that was placed at her feet:
I'm still not entirely sure who she is supposed to represent, but the statue is to commemorate the Canadian volunteers who fought in the Spanish Civil War from 1936-1939.
Behind the Spanish Civil War statue was a large fountain that was surrounded by the Canadian coat of arms:
Did you know the unicorn represents Scotland? I learned that recently whilst watching the Monarchy television series on Netflix on demand. I'm not sure I understand the connection between the unicorn and Scotland - but there you have it.
Here is Willow in front of British Columbia's coat of arms:
Some random petunias. I don't normally like petunias, but the colours of these were lovely:
Another thing I love about Vancouver Island - random totem poles. It's odd, when you grow up seeing them everywhere, you don't pay them much attention. I find that I appreciate them much more now that I live far away from them.
We walked from the downtown core up to Chinatown to have lunch. We had wanted to have lunch at the Fan Tan Cafe, but there was a line up of people and a 50 minute wait for that one, so we walked around the corner to a nondescript Japanese restaurant, where we had a delicious lunch - and didn't have to wait for it. I had cold soba noodles - something I don't think I have eaten since I lived in Japan, and had forgotten how much I liked it.
Some more aboriginal art (I have to say, Victoria has a lot of fountains):
Oh! I had to make a specific stop for this... now, my friend Tara may be the only person who reads this blog who knows what this pastry is...
It's called a honeybun, and you get them at Chinese bakeries. The pastry itself sort of looks like a hot dog bun with sesame seeds on top, but it is a sweet dough and it is filled with a buttery-coconut filling. I shared this with Andrew and Willow, neither who was all that enthused. Next time I won't share and will eat it all myself!
After this, we walked back to the car and drove the Dallas Road scenic route into Oak Bay, where I took this pretty picture of Willow:
Yes, my child likes to pose.
We drove through Uplands (a ritzy, old neighbourhood where they filmed the Winona Rider "Little Women" movie), and ended up in Cadboro Bay, where Willow conquered the resident sea monster:
And I will finish with a peaceful shot of Cadboro Bay:
This bay is just down the hill from the University of Victoria dormitories, and I used to walk down here frequently to spend time on the beach. I wish I had thought to remember to take a picture of the hill back up to the university - you would have thought I was a masochist for walking down so often!
Part of the problem with vacation posts is that sometimes they get so picture heavy, you just don't know how you are going to do the trip justice. Last summer, Andrew's main request of our summer vacation was that we get to spend a day in Victoria, which I had absolutely no problem with at all. I spent five years in Victoria studying at the University of Victoria, and it is one of my favourite cities in the world.
We rented a car in Duncan, and drove into city, parking in the downtown area so we would have easy access to the touristy places and shopping. This is the view of the Parliament Buildings in the Inner Harbour. It's amazing to think that you look straight ahead and see this:
Then turn your head slightly to left and see this building: the Fairmont Empress Hotel (although, when I lived there it was just called the Empress Hotel):
Willow had never been on a horse and carriage ride before, so we decided to take a tour of the James Bay area - one of the oldest neighbourhoods in Victoria. I'm not sure why the photographer decided to cut the horse out of the picture...
Because he was a very nice horse, and stood very nicely while we all petted him.
I noticed this statue when we finished the carriage ride, so I had to go check it out - it's very interesting how she looks like she is standing on the rocks. I thought at first she was supposed to be a First Nations historical figure -
But it turns out I didn't have it quite right. Below is the plaque that was placed at her feet:
I'm still not entirely sure who she is supposed to represent, but the statue is to commemorate the Canadian volunteers who fought in the Spanish Civil War from 1936-1939.
Behind the Spanish Civil War statue was a large fountain that was surrounded by the Canadian coat of arms:
Did you know the unicorn represents Scotland? I learned that recently whilst watching the Monarchy television series on Netflix on demand. I'm not sure I understand the connection between the unicorn and Scotland - but there you have it.
Here is Willow in front of British Columbia's coat of arms:
Some random petunias. I don't normally like petunias, but the colours of these were lovely:
Another thing I love about Vancouver Island - random totem poles. It's odd, when you grow up seeing them everywhere, you don't pay them much attention. I find that I appreciate them much more now that I live far away from them.
We walked from the downtown core up to Chinatown to have lunch. We had wanted to have lunch at the Fan Tan Cafe, but there was a line up of people and a 50 minute wait for that one, so we walked around the corner to a nondescript Japanese restaurant, where we had a delicious lunch - and didn't have to wait for it. I had cold soba noodles - something I don't think I have eaten since I lived in Japan, and had forgotten how much I liked it.
Some more aboriginal art (I have to say, Victoria has a lot of fountains):
Oh! I had to make a specific stop for this... now, my friend Tara may be the only person who reads this blog who knows what this pastry is...
It's called a honeybun, and you get them at Chinese bakeries. The pastry itself sort of looks like a hot dog bun with sesame seeds on top, but it is a sweet dough and it is filled with a buttery-coconut filling. I shared this with Andrew and Willow, neither who was all that enthused. Next time I won't share and will eat it all myself!
After this, we walked back to the car and drove the Dallas Road scenic route into Oak Bay, where I took this pretty picture of Willow:
Yes, my child likes to pose.
We drove through Uplands (a ritzy, old neighbourhood where they filmed the Winona Rider "Little Women" movie), and ended up in Cadboro Bay, where Willow conquered the resident sea monster:
And I will finish with a peaceful shot of Cadboro Bay:
This bay is just down the hill from the University of Victoria dormitories, and I used to walk down here frequently to spend time on the beach. I wish I had thought to remember to take a picture of the hill back up to the university - you would have thought I was a masochist for walking down so often!
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
WiP It Wednesday: The Willow Version
Willow asked if she could do the WiP it Wednesday this week, so here goes:
Hi!!!!!! Willow here! I got this idea from my B.F(B est F riend) Amanda.The first one is something I like to
call strip-a-dooddle. Number two is a mix of one and "Chinese Staircase." They are bracelets - I hope you like them. Bye!
Hi!!!!!! Willow here! I got this idea from my B.F(B est F riend) Amanda.The first one is something I like to
call strip-a-dooddle. Number two is a mix of one and "Chinese Staircase." They are bracelets - I hope you like them. Bye!
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes...
If you could change one thing about your appearance, what would it be? Or would you change anything at all?
Honestly, not a whole lot. I've somewhat made peace with my size, and I know if I put effort into it I slim down and firm up easily enough - and I do feel much better when I do so. I would love to be taller - I never quite made it to five feet, and I find my lack of height to be much more of a physical detriment than being overweight. I'm cute, I've never had skin problems or needed braces, and the only plastic surgery I've really considered is breast reduction surgery - but that is more for my continued good back health as I age than any real need to look better.
Honestly, not a whole lot. I've somewhat made peace with my size, and I know if I put effort into it I slim down and firm up easily enough - and I do feel much better when I do so. I would love to be taller - I never quite made it to five feet, and I find my lack of height to be much more of a physical detriment than being overweight. I'm cute, I've never had skin problems or needed braces, and the only plastic surgery I've really considered is breast reduction surgery - but that is more for my continued good back health as I age than any real need to look better.
Monday, November 15, 2010
Laziest Blog Post Ever
I'm so exhausted, so had to go look for a blog prompt for today - and found one here.
Name 5 Things In My Freezer
1) An apple pie I made yesterday - intended for Thanksgiving.
2) Beef and Barley stew - intended for a day I don't have time to cook.
3) Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream (Willow's)
4) Blue Bunny fudgicles (Mine!)
5) Sirloin hamburger patties from Halda's Butcher Shop
Good night - I'm going to sleep now.
Name 5 Things In My Freezer
1) An apple pie I made yesterday - intended for Thanksgiving.
2) Beef and Barley stew - intended for a day I don't have time to cook.
3) Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream (Willow's)
4) Blue Bunny fudgicles (Mine!)
5) Sirloin hamburger patties from Halda's Butcher Shop
Good night - I'm going to sleep now.
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Happy Birthday To Me!
Look what I woke up to! A set of blocking boards (there are 9 puzzle pieces altogether), 2 sets of size 1 Harmony needles for socks, a set of sizes 0 through 3 Harmony dpns, T-pins, and a skein of Stroll sock yarn in 'Treefort.' Thank you Andrew and Willow!
It's been a great day - went out for ramen at Takumi for lunch, had a massage in the afternoon, my mother-in-law made salmon for dinner, and Andrew and Willow ordered a cake just how I wanted (yellow cake, white buttercream icing, lemon filling, and yellow and orange flowers on top). I'm on a bit of a sugar high right now, but am looking forward to watching a movie and snuggling with Andrew on the sofa.
Friday, November 12, 2010
Yarn Pron Friday - The Canadian Edition
Whenever I travel, I like to pick up some 'souvenir' yarn, and if it comes (whether spun or dyed) from the place I am visiting, so much the better. Now, I know I am stretching this concept a bit with this yarn - but then again, Canada is a pretty big country! Fleece Artist hails from Mineville, Nova Scotia - and I bought this skein from the Beehive Yarn Shop in Victoria, BC - about as far as you can get away from Nova Scotia and still be in the same country.
The yarn? Fleece Artist Trail Socks in the 'Fatrails' colourway.
It's a very skooshy feeling - and machine washable (probably my favourite trait in sock yarn)! It's mostly light and dark teal, but where the colours transition from one to the other there are hints of a purple. What shall I make with it...?
The yarn? Fleece Artist Trail Socks in the 'Fatrails' colourway.
It's a very skooshy feeling - and machine washable (probably my favourite trait in sock yarn)! It's mostly light and dark teal, but where the colours transition from one to the other there are hints of a purple. What shall I make with it...?
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Only 82 days to go...
Until we get to meet this beauty:
This scan looks so much like Willow when she was a newborn! The real life print out is better than this, but it is hard to get a scan of a scan.
This scan looks so much like Willow when she was a newborn! The real life print out is better than this, but it is hard to get a scan of a scan.
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
WiP It Wednesday
I had hoped to have better pictures taken in daylight to show off the current WiPs, but unfortunately, with the time change, I didn't get home until it was dark out. I think I need to set up one of those light boxes I have seen on some people's blogs to take better lit pictures.
WiP #1: Willow's Mi Escuelita sweater
The only things I have left to finish here is the shawl collar on the sweater, sew up the underarms, and sew on the buttons. If you look closely, you can probably see how the two sleeves are fraternal. Let's not tell Willow about that...
WiP #2: Autumn Socks
I have to say - I haven't liked these socks from the start. I started them when I was going away on a business trip - I needed some mindless plain jane socks to knit on the airplane, so I pulled out the first skein I could find in the stash that was already wound. I'll finish the socks - it's always good to have a fallback mindless knitting project - but I will definitely be giving these ones to charity.
WiP #3: Cheryl's Baby Sweater
I'll be finishing knitting this sweater tonight - the only thing left to finish is 12 rows of 2x2 ribbing on the sleeve. I still need to get some buttons, but I won't be able to get to Hayes until Friday at the earliest. Cheryl is a co-worker of mine whose baby girl is due 12/30, so I've made some good time here. I have plenty of yarn left over, so I think I should be able to come up with matching hat and booties as well.
WiP #1: Willow's Mi Escuelita sweater
The only things I have left to finish here is the shawl collar on the sweater, sew up the underarms, and sew on the buttons. If you look closely, you can probably see how the two sleeves are fraternal. Let's not tell Willow about that...
WiP #2: Autumn Socks
I have to say - I haven't liked these socks from the start. I started them when I was going away on a business trip - I needed some mindless plain jane socks to knit on the airplane, so I pulled out the first skein I could find in the stash that was already wound. I'll finish the socks - it's always good to have a fallback mindless knitting project - but I will definitely be giving these ones to charity.
WiP #3: Cheryl's Baby Sweater
I'll be finishing knitting this sweater tonight - the only thing left to finish is 12 rows of 2x2 ribbing on the sleeve. I still need to get some buttons, but I won't be able to get to Hayes until Friday at the earliest. Cheryl is a co-worker of mine whose baby girl is due 12/30, so I've made some good time here. I have plenty of yarn left over, so I think I should be able to come up with matching hat and booties as well.
Tuesday, November 09, 2010
Favourite Song
Today's Prompt:
What was your favorite song this year? Five years ago? Ten years ago? Twenty?
I'm just going to cover the beginning of this prompt - because in all honesty, I have no clue what was my favourite song 5, 10, or 20 years ago. I can hazard to guess that 20 years ago it may have been something from Phantom of the Opera or by Sinead O'Connor... but that is as close as an answer as I could get.
My music tastes are somewhat warped by the time that Andrew and I lived in Japan - not that our music tastes run heavily to JPop, although there is some of that in our music collection - it is more of an absence from knowledge of North American pop/rock from 1995 - 1998. We came back from Japan with absolutely no understanding of anything on the radio, and as a result, tended to look at alternate sources of music. And, because of that, we have a large assortment of movie soundtracks in our music collection. And what is a common element in many movie soundtracks? Covers!
One of my favourite songs right now is Pearl Jam's cover of The Who's 'Love Reign O'er Me' - and you can hear the song here at Yahoo Music. Not being terribly familiar with The Who, I didn't know the original - but I love the epic nature of the song - and the emotional wailing. I will admit to being very confused over the lyrics to begin with; I wanted to put the song on my MP3 player and kept looking for 'Love *Rain* O'er Me' - the lyrics may help explain it a bit:
Only love,
Can make it rain,
The way the beach is kissed by the sea.
Only love,
Can make it rain,
Like the sweat of lovers laying in the fields.
Love, Reign o'er me.
Love, Reign o'er me, Reign o'er me, Reign o'er me.
I ended up finding the song in a Rhapsody playlist called 'Pearl Jam Has You Covered,' and promptly added the whole playlist to my player.
What is your favourite song right now?
What was your favorite song this year? Five years ago? Ten years ago? Twenty?
I'm just going to cover the beginning of this prompt - because in all honesty, I have no clue what was my favourite song 5, 10, or 20 years ago. I can hazard to guess that 20 years ago it may have been something from Phantom of the Opera or by Sinead O'Connor... but that is as close as an answer as I could get.
My music tastes are somewhat warped by the time that Andrew and I lived in Japan - not that our music tastes run heavily to JPop, although there is some of that in our music collection - it is more of an absence from knowledge of North American pop/rock from 1995 - 1998. We came back from Japan with absolutely no understanding of anything on the radio, and as a result, tended to look at alternate sources of music. And, because of that, we have a large assortment of movie soundtracks in our music collection. And what is a common element in many movie soundtracks? Covers!
One of my favourite songs right now is Pearl Jam's cover of The Who's 'Love Reign O'er Me' - and you can hear the song here at Yahoo Music. Not being terribly familiar with The Who, I didn't know the original - but I love the epic nature of the song - and the emotional wailing. I will admit to being very confused over the lyrics to begin with; I wanted to put the song on my MP3 player and kept looking for 'Love *Rain* O'er Me' - the lyrics may help explain it a bit:
Only love,
Can make it rain,
The way the beach is kissed by the sea.
Only love,
Can make it rain,
Like the sweat of lovers laying in the fields.
Love, Reign o'er me.
Love, Reign o'er me, Reign o'er me, Reign o'er me.
I ended up finding the song in a Rhapsody playlist called 'Pearl Jam Has You Covered,' and promptly added the whole playlist to my player.
What is your favourite song right now?
Monday, November 08, 2010
Dream Home
Today's Prompt: What would your dream home/apartment/condo/yurt look like? Where would it be? Who'd live in it with you?
Oh my - that last question is a loaded one depending on who I have been dealing with.
I've posted this picture before, but the house is so pretty it is worth posting again:
This house overlooks the beach in Rehoboth, DE - the only problem is that I would only want to live here in the off-season. I've seen pictures of what Rehoboth looks like in season and I don't want to be anywhere that many people. Mind you, I've never seen the inside of this house and probably never will, but I love all the windows that face the ocean and the natural light they let in.
What would my dream home have? A large kitchen with plenty of cabinet and counter space. Hidey-holes for all my appliances so that the counters are clear. A double sink! More than one bathroom! (Maybe you are correctly guessing here that some of these wants are directly connected to my complaints with my current home...) I would love to have a sitting room off my bedroom so I could read in peace. A library would be wonderful - or even just built in bookshelves! A fireplace...
Oh my. What do you want in your dream home?
Oh my - that last question is a loaded one depending on who I have been dealing with.
I've posted this picture before, but the house is so pretty it is worth posting again:
This house overlooks the beach in Rehoboth, DE - the only problem is that I would only want to live here in the off-season. I've seen pictures of what Rehoboth looks like in season and I don't want to be anywhere that many people. Mind you, I've never seen the inside of this house and probably never will, but I love all the windows that face the ocean and the natural light they let in.
What would my dream home have? A large kitchen with plenty of cabinet and counter space. Hidey-holes for all my appliances so that the counters are clear. A double sink! More than one bathroom! (Maybe you are correctly guessing here that some of these wants are directly connected to my complaints with my current home...) I would love to have a sitting room off my bedroom so I could read in peace. A library would be wonderful - or even just built in bookshelves! A fireplace...
Oh my. What do you want in your dream home?
Sunday, November 07, 2010
Something I Miss From Being A Kid
Big slides...
The picture above is from the Arden Fair earlier this year - and as big as this slide is, it pales in comparison to some of the big slides I remember at the PNE (Pacific National Exhibition) or Playland as a child. I did a search on Flickr for other people's slide pictures from PNE, and I found this one:
It isn't the one I remember - the one I remember had multiple slides going across and was all metal. And maybe it was just because I was seeing it from a child's reference point, but it seemed so much taller. I remember going down so fast that I was nearly airborne at times - a heady amount of adrenaline for a six year old.
Saturday, November 06, 2010
Friday, November 05, 2010
The Idiocy and Kindness of Strangers
What a strange day it has been. I had promised to get Willow this book she wanted to read, but she had to finish her school project first. The project was finished and handed in this week, so armed with my 33% off coupon for Borders, we headed out and bought the book.
Then we came back out to the car. No, no - don't worry - the car itself was fine. The problem was in the fact that some blind miscreant had parked his black Sienna minivan so close to mine that there was no way I could even get Willow in on the driver's side of the car. And what is even more assinine was that this is a good parking lot - there is a 8" wide double-lined no mans' land between the spots, so plenty of room to go around - but this idiot was parked about 3/4 in his spot, and 1/4 onto mine! Normally I would have just crawled over from the passenger side, but our console comes up between the two front seats - and there was no way I was going to be able to do this with the belly.
So... Willow and I went back into Borders, and they asked over the PA for the customer driving the black Sienna minivan with DE plates to come to the front desk. No one came forward. So, we went to the pizza place next door - same thing - no one came forward. The only other store it could have feasibly been was a toy store - but once again, no one came forward. I didn't know what I was going to do - until this twit moved, there didn't seem to be a way for me to get into the car.
Then this very nice woman in the toy store said if I was okay with it, she would manuever into my car and pull it out of the parking spot so I could drive. She came out with me and Willow to the car and did just that. Thank you, thank you, thank you! And to think - just yesterday I was trying to explain to Willow what 'pay it forward' meant. Now I have a prime example. Thank you!
Then we came back out to the car. No, no - don't worry - the car itself was fine. The problem was in the fact that some blind miscreant had parked his black Sienna minivan so close to mine that there was no way I could even get Willow in on the driver's side of the car. And what is even more assinine was that this is a good parking lot - there is a 8" wide double-lined no mans' land between the spots, so plenty of room to go around - but this idiot was parked about 3/4 in his spot, and 1/4 onto mine! Normally I would have just crawled over from the passenger side, but our console comes up between the two front seats - and there was no way I was going to be able to do this with the belly.
So... Willow and I went back into Borders, and they asked over the PA for the customer driving the black Sienna minivan with DE plates to come to the front desk. No one came forward. So, we went to the pizza place next door - same thing - no one came forward. The only other store it could have feasibly been was a toy store - but once again, no one came forward. I didn't know what I was going to do - until this twit moved, there didn't seem to be a way for me to get into the car.
Then this very nice woman in the toy store said if I was okay with it, she would manuever into my car and pull it out of the parking spot so I could drive. She came out with me and Willow to the car and did just that. Thank you, thank you, thank you! And to think - just yesterday I was trying to explain to Willow what 'pay it forward' meant. Now I have a prime example. Thank you!
Thursday, November 04, 2010
It's a Little Ironic, Don'tcha Think?
Sigh...
Do you ever go in and check out your blog's statistics? I think it is interesting to see who is coming to my blog and from where - and perhaps the most amusing of all, the searches that bring people to my blog. You know - the person who googles 'turkey baster happiness' and ends up on my blog is going to be awfully disappointed.
Anyhow - I looked at my statistics recently and came up with this graph:
Look at that banner day far to the left at the beginning of October - I was so shocked - I had to go to that day's blogpost to see what I had written about that day that had drawn in so many people. Imagine my disappointment when I realized that was the day I wrote about not being able to go to Rhinebeck. It wasn't me at all drawing people in...
********************************
DMV Postscript -
I have my new license! My father-in-law took me in at lunch today, and there were nowhere near the lines of the night before. I was only gone from the office for about 90 minutes, and we had no problems getting my documents checked or finding a place to sit. And a big thank you to David, the DMV guy who created my license! He was filling in my information, and asked if my height and weight had changed. I said, "My height, no - but I'm 7 months pregnant right now." He replied without a hitch that they would just continue to use the weight that was on my previous driver's license. Thank goodness for thoughtful DMV people!
Do you ever go in and check out your blog's statistics? I think it is interesting to see who is coming to my blog and from where - and perhaps the most amusing of all, the searches that bring people to my blog. You know - the person who googles 'turkey baster happiness' and ends up on my blog is going to be awfully disappointed.
Anyhow - I looked at my statistics recently and came up with this graph:
Look at that banner day far to the left at the beginning of October - I was so shocked - I had to go to that day's blogpost to see what I had written about that day that had drawn in so many people. Imagine my disappointment when I realized that was the day I wrote about not being able to go to Rhinebeck. It wasn't me at all drawing people in...
********************************
DMV Postscript -
I have my new license! My father-in-law took me in at lunch today, and there were nowhere near the lines of the night before. I was only gone from the office for about 90 minutes, and we had no problems getting my documents checked or finding a place to sit. And a big thank you to David, the DMV guy who created my license! He was filling in my information, and asked if my height and weight had changed. I said, "My height, no - but I'm 7 months pregnant right now." He replied without a hitch that they would just continue to use the weight that was on my previous driver's license. Thank goodness for thoughtful DMV people!
Wednesday, November 03, 2010
Holy DMV Misadventures, Batman.
Well.
I had hoped to have a funnier story for you, but the gist of it is:
I had hoped to have a funnier story for you, but the gist of it is:
- I need to renew my driver's license
- Delaware has new document requirements for licenses (passports, birth certificates, green cards, etc.)
- Wednesday is the only day of the week they are open past the time I get off work
- We got lost on our way to the DMV (not horrendously lost, but got there later than we planned)
- We arrived 90 minutes before they closed
- My ticket number was 183
- They were serving 50
- No one was particularly interested in giving a 7 month pregnant woman a seat
- We gave up 15 minutes before they closed... because there was still 83 people ahead of me in line.
Tuesday, November 02, 2010
Tuesday Randomness and Half a Prompt
This is one of the trees outside of my local public library, and I love how the colours change on these trees. At any given time there are 5-6 colours involved, and each tree seems to change at a different rate. And for some reason, the leaves don't tend to fall off these trees unless there is a very strong wind, so in the end you get the spooky sound of the wind whistling through the paper-dry leaves.
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I was going to try the NaBloPoMo blog prompt this morning, but find I won't have much to say about it. This is the prompt:
Tell us the story of a piece of jewelry you own. Where did it come from, and what does it mean to you?
Other than my wedding band, I don't wear jewelry. I like my wedding band - I picked it out since Andrew was having breathing fits every time we went into a jewelry store and saw the prices. We have matching gold and platinum striped bands - very plain, and that's just the way I like it. The odd thing about it is since the band was purchased in Japan, on the inside it says the size is 17. And, while my fingers are short and stubby, my fingers aren't quite that sausage-like. That Japanese size 17 equates to about a size 7 (I believe) in North American ring sizes.
Monday, November 01, 2010
And November NaBloPoMo begins
I've tried to post on the blog more frequently in the last few weeks, mostly because I was depressed to see that we were 3/4 through the year and I only had some seventy-odd posts for 2010. I looked back at 2008, and I had 185 posts!
So, what am I doing to rectify that? Well, participate in NaBloPoMo, National Blog Posting Month, for starters. NaBloPoMo used to be only in November, a response to the NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month), but it has since expanded to continue year round. They provide themes or writing prompts you if you need one, and also a list of many blogs of other people who are participating to read.
So, my goal right now is to beat the 110 blogposts from 2009. Think I can do it? If I can get through November, that will bring me up to 119 - still a paltry one post for every three days, but something I could live with for now.
In the meantime, I will leave you with one more Hallowe'en costume picture:
We were at the Y Fall Festival a few weeks back, and I saw this cute little dog dressed up as a lobster. I asked his owners if I could take a picture, and as soon as I squatted down, the little dog went up on two legs and started dancing around! I just wanted to stuff him in my pocket and walk away...
So, what am I doing to rectify that? Well, participate in NaBloPoMo, National Blog Posting Month, for starters. NaBloPoMo used to be only in November, a response to the NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month), but it has since expanded to continue year round. They provide themes or writing prompts you if you need one, and also a list of many blogs of other people who are participating to read.
So, my goal right now is to beat the 110 blogposts from 2009. Think I can do it? If I can get through November, that will bring me up to 119 - still a paltry one post for every three days, but something I could live with for now.
In the meantime, I will leave you with one more Hallowe'en costume picture:
We were at the Y Fall Festival a few weeks back, and I saw this cute little dog dressed up as a lobster. I asked his owners if I could take a picture, and as soon as I squatted down, the little dog went up on two legs and started dancing around! I just wanted to stuff him in my pocket and walk away...
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Happy Hallowe'en!
I'm telling everyone that Willow is playing against type this year...
Costume courtesy of Grandma H, who has made almost all of Willow's Hallowe'en costumes so far.
Halo courtesy of my friend, Gail, whose son had dressed up as an angel for a Christmas pageant and no longer needed the halo.
It was a great night for Hallowe'en - clear skies, dry, not too cold - and my little angel made out like a veritable bandit with the candy.
Costume courtesy of Grandma H, who has made almost all of Willow's Hallowe'en costumes so far.
Halo courtesy of my friend, Gail, whose son had dressed up as an angel for a Christmas pageant and no longer needed the halo.
It was a great night for Hallowe'en - clear skies, dry, not too cold - and my little angel made out like a veritable bandit with the candy.
Friday, October 29, 2010
Friday Finished Object: Jo Is A Sheep Hat
I love me a good hat - and I have to say with all due pride, Jo Is A Sheep Hat is a damn fine hat.
I started this hat because I saw so many cool versions of it on my friends' blogs, and Lord knows I have an excess of sock yarn in my stash (which in itself is a little silly because I wear sandals as long as I can physically get away with it). I bought this Noro Silk Garden sock yarn a few years ago because I love the autumnal tone of the colours.
But of course, being Noro, you are going to have your requisite wtfuckery with the shades. After all the beautiful green, rusts, and grey, we segue into... teal and purple. Of course.
Oh well. What are you going to do?
The Particulars:
Pattern: Sockhead Hat (Rav link)
Yarn: Noro Silk Garden Sock Yarn colourway 245
Needles: Knitpicks Size 4 circulars and dpns
Modifications: Not much - I took Cristi's suggestion and went with size 4 needles without worrying about gauge, and my hat is a little shorter than called for by about an inch because I was worried about running out of yarn.
Would I make this pattern again? Most definitely. The pattern was beyond easy, and it was nice to have a lightweight slouchy hat made from sock yarn.
And I want to say something - I don't know whether that top shot was just a lucky one, but I will be 38 in less than 3 weeks, I'm 6+ months pregnant, and I am not wearing any make up other than chapstick in these pictures. Yay me :)
With the exception of the first photo (whichi was taken in my driveway), the rest of the pics in the post were taken in Talley Day Park. The fall foliage here in Delaware is at its peak right now and I am in awe of all the reds, golds, and oranges wherever I go. Here are some examples.
I started this hat because I saw so many cool versions of it on my friends' blogs, and Lord knows I have an excess of sock yarn in my stash (which in itself is a little silly because I wear sandals as long as I can physically get away with it). I bought this Noro Silk Garden sock yarn a few years ago because I love the autumnal tone of the colours.
But of course, being Noro, you are going to have your requisite wtfuckery with the shades. After all the beautiful green, rusts, and grey, we segue into... teal and purple. Of course.
Oh well. What are you going to do?
The Particulars:
Pattern: Sockhead Hat (Rav link)
Yarn: Noro Silk Garden Sock Yarn colourway 245
Needles: Knitpicks Size 4 circulars and dpns
Modifications: Not much - I took Cristi's suggestion and went with size 4 needles without worrying about gauge, and my hat is a little shorter than called for by about an inch because I was worried about running out of yarn.
Would I make this pattern again? Most definitely. The pattern was beyond easy, and it was nice to have a lightweight slouchy hat made from sock yarn.
And I want to say something - I don't know whether that top shot was just a lucky one, but I will be 38 in less than 3 weeks, I'm 6+ months pregnant, and I am not wearing any make up other than chapstick in these pictures. Yay me :)
With the exception of the first photo (whichi was taken in my driveway), the rest of the pics in the post were taken in Talley Day Park. The fall foliage here in Delaware is at its peak right now and I am in awe of all the reds, golds, and oranges wherever I go. Here are some examples.
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
WiP It Wednesday
I'm in the home stretch now - Willow's Mi Escuelita sweater is almost finished!
The front:
The back:
All I have left to do is the neck shaping, which I should finish tonight, and then the button band/shawl collar. Cristi was right - once you join the sleeves to the body, the sweater speeds up considerably. The miles and miles of 2x2 ribbing on the sleeves is enough to make one put down the sweater and pick up quickie projects for a while, but I'm really happy at how it is coming along now.
The front:
The back:
All I have left to do is the neck shaping, which I should finish tonight, and then the button band/shawl collar. Cristi was right - once you join the sleeves to the body, the sweater speeds up considerably. The miles and miles of 2x2 ribbing on the sleeves is enough to make one put down the sweater and pick up quickie projects for a while, but I'm really happy at how it is coming along now.
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
The Coziest Place To Be
There is no doubt at all that Lucky is a lapcat. He may be pushing 16 pounds, but if anyone sits on the sofa he will become velcro cat within seconds.
What is Willow reading? Warriors: Into the Wild by Erin Hunter. This is the book she chose for her book report project - Booklist says it is for kids in grades 6-9. Willow is in grade 3. It's been a struggle to get her to finish it - the book has 288 pages and 25 chapters, so it is easily the longest book she has ever read. I don't think the content is above her - just maybe that the book isn't over in 100 pages and 10 chapters. Less than three chapters to read now!
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