Saturday, May 31, 2008

A rainy Saturday

makes for knitting and time on the computer . Thanks for the kind words about Maggie . Sometimes you just get knocked for a loop . It should have been just a routine surgery (she was being neutered ) and it was just so unexpected . We still don't know exactly why or what went wrong . Even though she wasn't mine technically , she spent a lot of time here when the kids were at work . I doubt very much if Casey will go back there.



I've raised an even $400 for the Relay for Life so far. The cash donations had to be handed in Friday , but I'll leave the online donations open until June7 th . I 'll probably need that day to recover as we'll be up all night walking in shifts . If you can please donate , it's for a good cause .



I'm trying to get some knits off the needles and restrain myself from casting on something new . The baby sweater is done , just needs the buttons sewn on . I always procrastinate with the buttons , hopefully it'll have buttons before the baby is actually here. These are the socks currently in progress . I just love the pattern (cross hatch lace ) but not so much the yarn . It splits like the dickens .

Off to knit and watch the Sex and the City marathon on TV . Want to find out what I missed .
Have a good week-end wherever you are ...

Wednesday, May 28, 2008

Maggie


My creation
Originally uploaded by crzy4stchn
died unexpectedly yesterday following surgery . Our whole family is beyond upset, especially Casey and Chantal . They'd had her such a short time but she was just the sweetest puppy and she'd worked her way into everyone's heart . We are so going to miss her !

Monday, May 26, 2008

Bits and Pieces

We had a crazy busy week since my last blog post . I decided that the long week-end last week was the perfect time to paint the kitchen and dining area .Three days to paint one moderately large room was doable I thought , no stress . It was a long overdue project that required a lot of cleaning out and re-organizing of cupboards before the actual painting could begin . It seems that if you renovate or paint even one room ,your whole house is topsy turvy for the duration . The painting is done , but we've ( read " I") decided to tile the back splash around the counters . Mike is thinking , " there goes another week-end" . I'm still sorting out , trying to organize and simplify . Over time you tend to accumulate so much " stuff" that most of the time just sits at the back of a cupboard and collects dust . If I don't use it I will lose it ... one way or another .



This week-end the weather co-operated , sunny and cool , so we managed to get some yard work done . We're changing some of the landscaping in front of the house . I have some perennials that need dividing and trees that need chopping down or pruning . I'm hoping to get to the nursery some time this week to pick up some annuals for planting . It seems I'm running late with everything these days , but in reality the weather hasn't been great for planting flowers .



Casey and Chantal went for another ultrasound . She's about 10 days to 2 weeks further along in her pregnancy than she thought . The projected due date now is October 3rd . Everything is going well and the baby is moving a lot . This ultrasound was a 3D one so you could really "see" the little guy. Totally amazing !! Casey made a copy of the dvd as a keepsake .



On the knitting the Forest Canopy shoulder shawl is finished . Stef modeled it for me yesterday . I'll be giving this away for the Canadian Cancer Society's Relay for Life . ay
In truth I haven't had a great response to my request for donations online , my ego's a little bit battered (not really :-) ) . I don't have a whole lot of readers and I know that times are tough so that doesn't bother me too much . To date I've raised $305 which I think isn't too shabby . I'm still hoping to get to my goal of $500 eventually . That being said if you 've read this far please consider making a donation (click on the button at the top right hand corner ) if not please consider linking here on your own blog. More readers might mean more money to fight cancer . The other giveaways are some Fleece Artist merino sock yarn and a laceweight yarn from Knit One Crochet Two .

Oh and the particulars of the shawl - dimensions 52" X 26". The yarn used was Knit Picks Shadow laceweight ,colour Jewels .

Friday, May 16, 2008

Relay for life








Two wonderful women in our family have battled with and lost their lives to cancer.My mother, who would have been 75 yesterday , succumbed in 1996 . Mike's mom , Laurette, died 2 years later. Needless to say how much we miss them and what a big gap they've left in our families.They were both strong , generous , lovely and loving women who left us way too early. This year I've decided to honour their memories by walking in our local "Relay for Life " which is taking place on June 6th, 2008 . I'm participating as part of the team that is comprised of Chantal's family and friends, all of whom have been touched by this disease in one way or another .






I'm hoping to use this blog as away to fund raise a little extra money for the Canadian Cancer Society . I know that cancer has touched so many lives and thought that possibly some visitors to this blog might like to join me and our family in this effort. I'm usually a quiet , behind the scenes kind of person and find it difficult to ask for help , however this is a very good cause . I'm hoping to enlist some support from the online knitting community. My goal is to personally raise $500 for this event.






Did I mention that there's a draw for prizes as a thank you for your donation . Here's some pics of what I have to give away . For starters , a skein of Fleece Artist merino sock yarn (colour Renaissance ) . Then there's Knit One , Crochet Two Douceur Swirls , a gorgeous baby mohair, silk blend ( 3 skeins and one ball = 900 yds of luscious lace knitting ). Lastly and still on the needles , will be a finished Forest Canopy Shawl . I'll be finished knitting it this week-end and will take photos and post them once it's blocked . I'm sure my soon to be DIL (yay) Stefanie will model it for me .


If you'd like to donate just slick on the Canadian Cancer Society logo at the top right hand side of this blog. It should bring you to my personal page on their website. Then just follow the directions to make a donation.I'll be drawing the prizes on the week-end of the walk. We'll put all the names in a hat and pick the winners. Thank you a million times over for taking the time to read this and for donating .


p.s. in case you were wondering this is not ground hog day . I did post this yesterday but was having trouble getting the links to my personal page on the Cancer Society to work, so I deleted it and re-posted today. My computer guru (Casey) is supposed to come and fix it today . Fingers crossed ;-)) . Please let me know if it's still not working and you'd like to donate . Thanks !

Sunday, May 11, 2008

Backyard meeting


Backyard meeting
Originally uploaded by crzy4stchn
Casey and Max came for a visit yesterday afternnoon , bringing their dogs with them . Yup , 5 dogs , including mine . The two pooches missing from these pics are Bingo & Gizmo. They were too busy running around , chasing each other . They left the big boys & girl to getting acquainted .

Tuesday, May 6, 2008

Some good news ...

We have another wedding to plan ! Max proposed to Stefanie last Friday and she happily accepted . He took her completely by surprise , which was what he'd hoped to do. He picked his moment well . They were out walking the dogs at their favourite spot near their house , when he dropped down on one knee and pulled the ring out of his pocket and popped the question . She had her cell phone in her pocket and called her Mom and Dad and and then us. As you can imagine I'd been anxiously waiting for that call . I'd no doubt that she'd accept but it was wonderful to hear the happiness in her voice. I love her to bits, they are so good together . We had a celebratory brunch on Saturday morning and she was still smiling and smiling . Stef has a large family on both sides , so the wedding will definitely be here , not on a beach in the Caribbean . They haven't set a date but it looks like it will be late summer or early fall next year.

I was so excited and lately my brain and body don't seem to be on the same page , so I forgot to take pictures of the happy couple and the beautiful ring that Max picked out . Oh , well there will be other opportunities this week-end . Did I mention how happy we are , a grandson and another wedding !

Friday, May 2, 2008

Random Friday




Life has been an emotional roller coaster lately . One minute I feel on top of everything and the next I'm totally overwhelmed . Marie's home now and we had a meeting with her inhalation therapist yesterday. She's basically been in charge of Marie's file at the CLSC and has visited her at home for the last 8 years. Home care so far consists of her being visited at home by a doctor on a regular basis . Basically everything else is up to me. That's all the help that Marie is willing to accept at this point . She knows me and is comfortable with me and that's the way she wants it . One day at at a time ....






On a more happy note , Chantal and Casey went for her ultrasound and apparently we're going to have a grandson . I would have loved to cuddle and knit for a little girl, but as long as this baby is healthy , who cares ! Chantal called last night to share the news that she felt the little guy move for sure yesterday .






Today is going to be a mental health day for me . I plan on doing whatever I feel like doing , which right now consists of knitting and walking the dog . I will feel no guilt and ignore that little voice in my head that says "yeah, but the yard need some work , there's laundry in the hamper. etc , etc... ". There's always laundry in the hamper , so skipping it today is not the end of the world as we know it ! I will feel no guilt and embrace the day ...





and the knitting .