1,001 Things I Did This Summer -- Part 9

Okay…let’s try this again.  I am going to try to capture everything I have been up to over the last several weeks.  It’s not a perfect or complete list, but it is a list nonetheless.

189.          Read High on Arrival by Mackenzie Phillips.  She is an amazing person with an equally amazing story.  It is a must read for everyone.  It made me count my blessings that I was raised in such a stable environment.

190.          Had a shopping date with my daughter.  I love Girl’s Day!

191.          Got our new iMac – it is absolutely delicious!

192.          Read Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson.  I realized I ordered the junior version from the library – didn’t care . . . read it anyway.

193.          Started reading The Book of Negroes by Lawrence Hill.  Such an amazing story – can’t put it down (except when I have to go to work, of course).

194.          Still working on knitting a shawl for my cousin’s wedding.  I realized today, sadly, it will not be completed for this weekend.  Grrrrrrrr.

195.          Celebrated my husband’s 40^th birthday and my MIL’s birthday (do I mention her age?  Better not . . .).  A great time visiting with old friends and catching up with family.  To my niece, Chloe – you are an amazing young woman with a vibrant personality.  Your sense of humour is extraordinary and your vocabulary is prodigious.  I wish we could have spent more time with you!!!  You must come visit us in our local FarmVille. (…p.s. i LOVE your hair!)

196.          Watched horse races.  Those animals are absolutely amazing!  It was incredible watching them.  We placed a few small wagers.  Some races we won . . . some were not so lucky.  Let’s just say we are not retiring any time soon.

197.          Went to my parents’ cabin for the weekend.  It is the one place where I truly feel at home.  I spent my summers there while growing up.  I marveled at the trees we once planted which now reach higher than the cabin itself.  I’m still kicking myself I forgot my camera.  However, I did a lot of knitting, reading, and playing games.

198.          Watched a couple of movies:  The Bounty Hunter starring Jennifer Aniston and Gerard Butler {swoon} and last night I watched Date Night starring Steve Carrel and Tina Fey.  Great date movies although I was alone for the last one . . . .

199.          Got my daughter off for first day back to school . . . can you believe she’s starting Grade 6?  I was watching her get ready and wondered, “So when did you grow up over the summer?”  How is it that she just looked like a kid last week, and now she’s looking more like a teen?!?!

200.          Ate ice cream . . . more than once!

I hope you all have a lovely week.  I will probably not be writing again until next week.  I have a busy week ahead and we leave Friday for a family wedding (God’s richest blessings to Meaghan and Mike). 

Thanks for checking in everyone!

...

Classic, originally uploaded by Knit Girl...(in & out).

I am not sure where the breakdown occurred. I'm not even sure how to pick the pieces up. I have dropped the blogging ball on my 1,001 Things I Did This Summer. Life has gotten so busy since I have began working F/T that I am still trying to keep my head above the water.

I am still here my lovely readers. I have just been a bit distant lately, even though you are always on my mind. I suppose I feel I have let you down. I see you check-in only to find nothing new has been written. I love writing on my little insignificant blog and, for some reason, many of you keep returning (to which I am eternally grateful!!!).

I try to imagine you as old friends who are checking in to see how I've been lately. Isn't it wonderful when you have friends who are in the exact same boat you are? Life seems to become so complicated with work, friends, keeping up on the housework (although I am currently surrounded by tufts of dog hair drifting around the hardwood flooring), extra curricular activities for you and the kids, church, getting your hair done...you name it. When did life become so unnecessarily complicated? You come home at the end of the day and your body indicates you are too stressed out. Your neck and back muscles cramp up so much that you physically have to turn your whole upper body to see who is talking to you. You can't seem to take deep cleansing breaths. You have become irritable with the whole world. And to top things off, some animal has gotten into your garbage and has pulled it from one end of the alley to the other. But a true friend understands because she is going through the exact same thing.

I look for simplicity in my life and, right now, I am really not seeing it too clearly. I have seemed to come to a crossroads in my life. I can keep heading straight which may continue to lead to stress and unnecessary busyness. I don't want to go back from where I came -- that's a whole train wreck that needs to be walked away from.

So I can go right or left. Either way, I don't know what I will find. That can be scary for a lot of people. For others, the unknown is embraced and relishing the thoughts of new experiences can be a real rush.

I am sitting with the engine idling wondering whether to signal left or right...

What would you do if you were me?

"I seldom end up where I wanted to go, but almost always end up where I need to be." ~ Douglas Adams

I've Been Gobsmacked

Hello everyone,

There will be no instalment this week of 1,001 Things I Did This Summer... {gasp}.  It has been a pretty busy week and to be honest, I didn't keep track of one thing.  It was a bit freeing, really.  It felt good not running to my notebook to jot down the latest thing I did.  If I could be forthright with you all, I really didn't do too much out of the ordinary.  I worked, I read, I knit.  I also cooked the occasional fabulous dish, but that is neither here nor there.

Speaking of cooking and all things culinary, I have discovered the joys of Gordon Ramsay.  I have never really found him to be anything but offensive.  I think I watched exactly half an episode of Hell's Kitchen.  I find his language offensive and his actions border on abusive with the contestants.

However, last night that all changed.  Masterchef has certainly caught my attention.  I found an episode last night on CTV.ca and I can't wait for tonight's episode to be uploaded.  I have seen a different side of Chef Ramsay...and me likey!

That's all for tonight -- I need to be up early in the a.m.  I have started a running program called Couch to 5K and I must admit the runner's high can be rather addictive.  Plus my pants are practically falling off...gotta love that!

Have a great evening everyone -- stay cool!

1,001 Things I Did This Summer -- Part 8

Hi folks,

Sorry I am a day late on this.  Yesterday was a holiday Monday here in Canada so we took advantage of the time off.  Also, you will note the list this week is not very long.  I worked full-time plus an extra seven hours so any free time was spent either sleeping, reading, or knitting.

I have been following Weight Watchers and had a great week.  I lost weight and increased activity -- gotta love that!

Okay...here we go...

182.  Watched Avatar.  I actually had to lay my knitting down to watch the movie which is what I was not expecting.  I had hoped to get at least half of the next repeat section completed while "watching" the movie.  It turned out to be an excellent movie -- looked fantastic on the big screen TV.   Very imaginative.
183.  Watched the Austin Powers trilogy (again).  I absolutely love Mike Myers...and he's Canadian to boot!
184.  Our town had a weekend-long festival.  We took in many events including the throne races (racing with a toilet, or "throne", mounted on a platform with bicycle wheels and two racers), beer gardens (although the only beer I drink is root beer), music, a parade, fireworks (but I didn't bring my camera), pet show (our dog Sam didn't win...but we'll keep him anyway), and a demolition derby (which technically I didn't attend -- hubby and daughter did -- but I definitely could hear it).
185.  Monday was a holiday here in Canada -- we went shopping.
186.  Started reading (second time) Kate Jacobs' The Friday Night Knitting Club.  I love this book...love it, love it, love it.
187.  Bought a fan -- it's stinkin' hot in our house.
188.  Started training for a 5K run (I have always wanted to run a marathon...this will be a great place to start).

Alright, ladies and gentlemen.  That's all she wrote -- hoping this coming week will be a bit more exciting.  Hard when you work full-time...didn't realize just how much free-time I had on my hands before my work hours changed.  Have a great week!

Look up...Look waaaay up

Look up...Look waaaay up, originally uploaded by Knit Girl...(in & out).

So this was taken about a month ago. We went to the local fair and had a fantastic time! I didn't have my camera with me so I snapped this one with my husband's phone camera.

There is something exciting about a fair. I really like going at night -- all the lights, the noise, the crowds. This year we went during the day. We rode rides that were dangerous, ate food that was bad for us (mmmm...elephant ears...), ignored "carnies" who wanted us to lose money on their games. It was great.

I haven't been on crazy rides for a few years now. When my daughter was younger, we stuck to the kiddie rides which was thrilling for her. Then.

Now she is eleven and is a pure adrenaline junkie. She wanted to do the rides that would make Evil Knievil shudder. Her daddy is a bit limited as to the rides he can partake in. He is one of the unfortunates who get nauseous just doing a donut in the car. So the responsibility was laid in my capable hands.

We first walked around and picked which rides we would definitely try so we knew how many tickets to purchase. We rode ride after ride -- some were delightful and made me giggle. Others were terrifying and my laughter sounded more like a deranged cat lady. But I would not let my adrenaline-seeking daughter know I had the slightest bit of fear. I wanted to be the cool mom who did all the crazy rides. The mom who looked death square in the eye and laughed out loud while shouting, Ïs that all you've got!"

One ride in particular really tested my limits. I can't remember the name, but there are about three carts dangling off a long arm. There are approximately five or six arms that extend out from the centre. As the ride gets moving, the arms spin in a circle. The carts, dangling from this arm also spin in a circle. The music is loud and the wind is blowing through your hair. My feet, at this point, are glued to the floor of the cart and I cling to the flimsy bar across my lap. Okay, I smile to myself, "this ride rocks!" I catch the occasional glimpse of my hubby on the ground shaking his head and probably wondering what is wrong with me.

Now the ride is speeding up (if that is at all possible) and I have realized the cart we are in is now spinning perpendicular to the ground and the ride has now reached warp speed. I hear this manic giggle and realize it is me. I shout out to my daughter (over music which is ear-splittingly loud), Äre you okay?"

Äre you kidding? This is amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" I was hoping to be the stronger one. Clearly my role has been overtaken by an eleven year old. I am now the one needing consolation. I am the one who wants to get off this crazy ride.

Finally, after what seemed like an eternity of waiting for the cart to snap off and hurl through the air, I feel the ride slowing down. The kind ex-con operator of this contraption thanks us, ever so politely, for coming on the ride.

My legs hit the ground and they are pretty wobbly. Ökay. That's it for me. I am done!" I knew I just couldn't do another ride like that. It is at this point my daughter points across the crowd and says, "Let's finish with that one!" It is just as I have feared. The Drop of Doom.

Let me catch you up on this one. You are sitting in a chair, strapped in, and sitting in a circle around the center post. Click, click, click. The ride slowly inches you up, up, up until you reach the top. At the last second you are dropped about 20 or 30 feet back down to the ground in a two-second period of time.

Okay, I psych myself up, I have just done the worst ride ever. This is going to be a cakewalk. We all pile onto the ride and up we climb. Click, click, click. We climb higher and higher. At this point we are at least 15 feet higher than the next tallest ride. Oh Sugar Honey Iced Tea! Maybe now would be the point of the story where I tell you I am terrified of heights! I know we are almost at the top and there is nothing I can do. I can't even brace my feet on the floor of the ride because my legs are just dangling with nothing underneath them. Then I hear it. Snap. I am now free-falling through the air and I hear myself screaming out for my mommy. We reach the bottom and I swear to God, myself and my family that I will never ride that deathtrap again in my life.

Never again.

1,001 Things I Did This Summer -- Part 7

Good morning everyone. I hope you have all had a great week. Here’s how my week went:

162. Lovin’ this song.
163. Stayed at our friends’ cabin.
164. My work has now changed from very part-time to very full-time.
165. Spent some much need time returning phone calls and e-mail.
166. Practiced organ – I play at church this weekend. My dream would be able to sound like this.  I do not sound like that!
167. There are two movies coming out which I’d love to see starring Steve and Will – you gotta love those two guys. Check out this second trailer for the Schmucks!  They keep me laughing every time.
168. The shawl is coming along. Although, I find I do have to go downstairs by myself where it is quiet and I have nothing to distract me.
169. I love John Travolta when he plays a bad guy. Okay, I’ll say it . . . I am just in love with John Travolta. Warning – the language in this movie is pretty spicy if that sort of thing bothers you.
170. One of my new fillings came out while brushing my teeth. I called the dentist’s office. They couldn’t fit me in. “What do you mean you can’t fit me in? I’m walking around with a gaping hole in my mouth. I think you can fit me in! Hello? Hell-oo?” Bollocks!
171. Waiting for an appointment to get the hole in my head repaired. Which lends to great anxiety and extreme hyperventilation, because I just LOVE the dentist and wish I could go every day and have him poke around in my mouth with sharp needle-like objects. No, it doesn’t help when you show me the shiny instrument and what it does and how it will just “slip along the tooth”. It’s a bloody hook that you are putting in my mouth which is going to make me leap out of my chair and hang from the roof each time you touch a sensitive area! And, no, it doesn’t make a difference that you’re sporting a jaunty Hawaiian shirt – it doesn’t make you more approachable, you filthy hippie!
172. Organizing myself now that I’m working full-time. It’s almost fall. That’s when I usually buy my annual gigantic calendar that comes with fun graphics . . . and stickers. I think I’ll look for one a little earlier.
173. Last night we got home from town. One of my purchases was new underwear (not that you want to really know about that!). I hate buying underwear because of the sizing charts. One brand says this size will fit while another tells me something totally different. It’s all so very confusing. Anyhoo, I pulled out a pair when we got home and held them up. Surely I must have grabbed the wrong size. They look as large as the UNIVERSE!
174. I’m hitting the treadmill tomorrow . . . the panties fit!
175. I decided to forgo my usual night snack. I opted for a glass of water instead . . . {sigh}.
176. Woke up early before church. I really should put on my sneakers and take my dog for a long, long, long, long, long walk.
177. How do people fit in an adequate workout program when they work full-time? Okay, let’s be honest. I didn’t work out even when I wasn’t working full-time. Hence the reason I am walking around in panties that could house a whole indigenous tribe!
178. Privately wishing we had “The Biggest Loser” in Canada. I’m obviously not good at motivating myself to get moving. We don’t have a gym in town. I still haven’t moved my clothes rack out of the way of the treadmill (which reminds me – I have laundry that needs to be hung up . . . BRB).
179. Signed up for Weight Watchers Canada – yay me!
180. Attended an old-fashioned threshing show. They had 10 threshers running at the same time. I believe one of them dates back to the 1930's. Pretty impressive they still run so well. It was fun watching the older people whose families would have had something like them. They were all smiling and having a great time. There was even an 87 year old man out there pitching hay. Wow!
181. Watched So I Married an Axe Murderer. Now my daughter knows where my husband and I get so many quotes that we use in conversation from time to time. Such a great movie.

Well, that’s my week in a nutshell. BTW, I just called the dentist’s office again this morning hoping to get in before my 12-hr shift at work. This is how the conversation went:

     “Hi this is Becky. I called on Friday about my filling that fell out. I would really like to get in this morning to have that repaired.”

     The receptionist snickered, rather rudely, and said, “I’m sorry. That’s not how it works. We are totally booked up for the rest of the summer. We’ll put you on a waiting list and see if there is a cancellation.”

     “Uh, but I just had the filling done a few months ago.”

     “Well, the dentist will warranty his work. However, we have absolutely no openings and not enough chairs. You are going to have to wait for a cancellation.”

Now, the thing that ticks me off is that I have to walk around with a hole in my mouth which is rather irritating and throbs from time to time. Why do they not have certain times reserved for emergencies or situations like mine. I mean it can’t be good to have this huge cavity exposed for God knows how many weeks I’ll have to wait.

You know what? Perhaps I’ll just go to YouTube and see if there is a video on how to repair one’s tooth at home. There has got to be a kit or something available at Wal-Mart or Costco.

Update:  The dental office just got me booked in for tomorrow morning.  Oh yeah {sniff}-- she could sense I was a coiled tiger inside just waiting to spring.  Yeah, I gots that kind of power over peoples.

True Blue

True Blue, originally uploaded by Knit Girl...(in & out).

There is something amazing about water. I love being near it -- it calms me. I think that's why this canoe caught my eye. The colour of it just popped out at me against the brown of the dock.

This week, my job went from part-time to full-time. Which lends itself to crazy work hours and reduced "me" time. It has forced me to re-organize my life and how I must spend the hours I do have free to its fullest.

I find when I am stressed, water relaxes me. The colour, the movement . . .and sometimes, the stillness. It leaves me feeling peaceful and rested. Like this image does. I'm so glad this canoe caught my eye. The boat seems to invite you in. To float on the water. To just drift and let the water carry you.

We have had a lot of flooding this summer in the area where I live. Many farmers were not able to plant crops. Homes and vehicles were ruined. Water is a very powerful force which has the ability to even carve paths through stone over time. We live in a country where we can just turn on the tap and pour a glass to refresh us. Even though there has been such devestation, there are many blessings.

Water is amazing.

"In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters." (Genesis 1:1-2)

I Am A Reality-Show Addict

“They include watery eyes, runny nose, yawning, loss of appetite, tremors, panic, chills, sweating, nausea, muscle cramps, and insomnia. Blood pressure, pulse, respiration, and temperature all elevate.” (Information found at http://www.watton.org/drugsinfo/aboutheroin.shtml)

Now, I don’t mean to negate the true effects of a person suffering from heroin withdrawal, but I have recently experienced several of these symptoms within a split second.  No, I do not do drugs, and I am not an alcoholic.

I am a reality-show junkie.

As many of you are aware, my family made the decision to cut off our satellite service for the summer months in order to use our free-time for good and not evil.  So far we have accomplished so much and tried new things that would have otherwise been avoided because we were always attached to the boob tube.

The other night, I was working at the group home and one of the participants wanted to watch a particular show.  So I grabbed the remote and started cruising through the channels.

As I breezed past channel 23 the oh-so-familiar theme song hit me.  It was like a sailor hearing the song of a siren, enticing me toward the rocky shoreline.  I kept surfing through the channels, but the seed was sown.  My heart began to race, my palms got all sweaty, and I felt my temperature rising.

It was the theme song for Big Brother.  As I write that last statement,  I feel slight shame that I, an educated woman, would like a racy reality-show like BB.  I could tell you that I only watch it because I find the social dynamics of people trapped in the same house interesting and intriguing (which I do).  I could tell you that I watch it because I always cheer for the underdog (which I generally do).  I could even tell you I watch it because I want to see dysfunctional people work out their issues (which I do).

But the reality is this.  It is one of my favourite summertime indulgences.  I like the cat fights.  I want to see if I can figure out which one is the saint and which is the sinner.  But what I really want to see is which couple will heat up the screen with a summer showmance.

Petty.  I know.  Adolescent.  Absolutely. 

It’s my vice . . .

Hi.  My name is Becky . . . and I’m addicted to reality TV.

1,001 Things I Did This Summer -- Part 6

This week’s installment is brought to you by the number three . . .

137.  Played a round of golf and had a lovely lunch with the family.
138.  Discovered, with much horror, my dog has fleas!  Off we go to the vet’s office so as to arm myself with everything necessary in decimating these unwanted creatures.
139.  A big addition added to my ever increasing laundry pile, Mt. Washmore, because of #138.
140.  Started my shawl and ripped it out a total of four times.
141.  Became increasingly frustrated with my lace shawl. It is now in the garbage.
142.  Started my shawl with a thicker wool.  What is up with cobweb lace weight???  I believe I have actually suffered about 25% vision loss due to the uncanny belief that I could actually complete such a large project with such teeny-tiny strands of wool.  Silly me.
143.  Did more laundry because of #138.
144.  Took a break from vacuuming, laundry, washing, and fumigating the house to go to the art gallery.
145.  I think hubby was a bit concerned for my sanity (because of #138) so he took us for dinner.
146.  Went to Wal-Mart and bought a bunch of movies on sale for $5.00 each.
147.  Did more laundry (because of #138).
148.  Unraveled the above-mentioned shawl.  I think I am not supposed to complete this one.  NEV-AH!  I will complete it!  I’ll be the mad woman screaming at her non-existent cats – but, hey, my shawl will be rockin’.
149.  Watched Memoirs of a Geisha.  Such an amazing visual movie.  Beautifully filmed.  I even almost enjoyed it as much as the book . . . almost.
150.  Weeded the front flowerbeds today which have been sorrily neglected this summer.
151.  Took about a case of Advil after spending 2 ½ hours bent over weeding the aforementioned flower beds.
152.  Having some trouble sleeping since it was about 29 degrees (Celsius) today which means inside the house, at midnight, it is approximately +60 degrees.  Crazy hot.
153.  Awoke at 2:21 a.m. to the most amazing (and terrifying) thunderstorm.  The wind was crazy, rain was flying in the window horizontally, we had a bit of hail, and there were about 100 lightning strikes per minute.  As the sky lit up, I would look for signs of tornados – thankfully there was nothing.  But I was sure ready to grab my daughter, hubby, and head downstairs to safety.
154. Had a great visit today with friends passing through town.
155.  Ate a creamsicle . . . yum!
156.  Sat out on our deck tonight until the mosquitos chased us back in.  For awhile is was lovely with the candles burning and the twinkle lights twinkling.
157.  Worked on a pair of knitted socks which watching Men in Black II.
158.  Frogged my lace shawl . . . again.
159.  Started my lace shawl . . . again.
160.  Attended a 25th wedding anniversary party.
161.  Played Keesdrow (my favourite game ever) with the family.  I am sad to report my hubby has currently taken the lead.  Rematch tonight!

That is it for now my lovely readers.  I hope you all have a great week!

We Have Fleas!

Or more specifically, Ctenocephalides canis -- dog fleas.


Our dog, Sam, has blessed us with a lovely infestation of fleas.  I saw a couple crawling on him this morning and so I promptly went to the vet who gave me a topical treatment for Sam and a spray to use on his dog bed, his kennel area, and our furniture.  The good news is we pretty much confine him to the living room/kitchen area and he spends much of his day outside.  The bad news is that fleas can jump around and lay eggs.


So disgusting!  If anyone has some home remedies for ridding the house of fleas, please let me know.  I've been searching online and have found some useful information.  


So today I will be so happy as I have to wash even more laundry!


Grrrrrrrr ........ what a great finish to my holidays -- housework and laundry to the max.  So not happy right now.


P.S.  not sure why Blogger is inserting so many spaces between paragraphs...