War! What is it good for??

In my house we have an ongoing war. Well a couple of them actually.. but I think I might be the only one fighting them. Unless my husband and son are NINJAS? I just thought of that. Or maybe covert agents. Anyways, I'm unsure how it works in other peoples' houses, but in mine, I am the only one who changes the toothpaste and puts the toilet paper on the holder. I can squeeze out the last minuscule drop of toothpaste and my husband will manage to get out a drip or drab and leave the tube there. Empty, broken, mocking me with it's flat-ness. Then I break down and get a fresh tube out. Maybe it's the re-cycling aspect. Both the box that the toothpaste comes in AND the loo roll need to get taken to the recycling bin in the back, So maybe that's why both of those particular things gets left to me? I'm not sure. But when I brought it up to Chris yesterday (well played sir, well played) he feigned ignorance of the whole thing. Yeah right.. let it rage.

I found this picture in a file. Chris must have taken it with his phone, I love that cartoon setting! It shows the mimping that Pickles does so well. He spent an hour on my lap as I surfed this am. Such a crybaby.

Til I am myself again...

Can you believe Jake is 19? Me either. I think of how long ago that is and it seems like no time has passed at all. I wish my Mom could see how awesome he is becoming. He is a very kind caring boy and I reckon that is in no small part to having such a super support system when he was small. He had love from all sides, and the great fortune to know his grandparents. He still has a special bond with my Dad. Oh time.. slow down a little for a while wouldja?

It was also Pickles birthday. He and Jake are birthday twins you know. He celebrated by trying to sleep on the bed with us. Um, sorry buddy, no go. Maybe one day when we have a king size bed.. of course having said that I have to fess up. He totally sleeps on the bed when Chris gets up for work and uh, well, all night long when Chris is gone away. Like now. Chris is in Oklahoma City and Pickles couldn't be happier. All bed, all night. Even little Max gets in on it in the mornings. How I love my dogs. Spoiled little gits.

I had a couple of girlfriends try to talk me into trying out the netflix. Since my computer had to go BACK TO THE SHOP AGAIN* and I am movie impaired I decided to give it a go. I mean come on, it's free for a month right? OMG I WAS WRONG. I may be a convert. At least until I exhaust their shitty horror selections. They have a lot of really good stuff, I was super surprised. For 8 bucks a month I reckon that this is a big ol' winner.

Blargh I am suffering from a general malaise today. Time to try to motivate. Or turn on the netflix and eat those strawberries in the fridge... hmmm....


Hey my nephew Mark had some rather big surgery yesterday, send him some good healing thoughts. Love you dude, feel better soon.











*fer fucks sake. they absolutely did not fix it. my wiggins resulted in prepaid shipping and actually getting to talk to someone in the US. we'll see if it's fixed this time. dicks.

Panic on the streets of London....

It happened. The worst computer thing of all. It crashed and burned and killed all my stuff. Pictures? Gone. Music? Gone .E-books? Gone. Data? Gone. KNITTING PATTERNS? GONE! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!! So the lesson is kiddos, back your shit up. At least it is under warranty, and is now on it's way to be fixed or replaced. Ugh.

In other happier news, I got a new drug from my Dr that seems to be knocking my pain down to more than manageable levels and has reduced my choking related anxiety (along with all the other anxiety) down to gone levels. Perhaps that is TMI, but it's my blog and as a gorgeous girl I know said, "It's my blog I am GOD here"*

I am writing this on the new netbook Chris bought. It's a dual core processor Acer thingy that is more powerful than 2 computers ago. Ridiculous.

The picture up there is of the roses Chris bought me for sweeties day. My phone has this awesome feature called cartoon that makes your pictures look like cel shaded cartoons. I love it.

We took this one at Market Mall in the food court. Sometimes we must look like over grown teenagers taking the goofy pictures we do. Live long and have fun.

*very paraphrased.

It's different for girls....

*

I causally mentioned to Chris one day that the next TV we buy has to be significantly bigger than the previous ones to be worth getting. CASUALLY. While I'm chatting with him one day at work he mentions he has found a great deal on a tv and can he get it? Who am I to deny my dearest? Of course hon. Saturday was spent waiting waiting waiting. Finally at 8pm I corral the dogs and this MONSTER (60 inches of LCD goodness. And it can talk to my phone!) shows up. The box was freaky huge. FREAKY I SAY. We had to wait until Sunday to get it out as the tv had been in truck so long it was nearly frozen and the delivery guy said let it warm up or something would pop if we turned it on all frozen(!). So there it is. It dominates the room. A lovely wall of black. Movies will never be the same. It's bigger than some of the screens in the old multiplex we used to go to for 1.00 Tuesdays in highschool! This will make my HMOTD project that much more awesome. I love you baby.




*Actual unretouched photo of new TV. HOLY SHIT BIG.

No colours any more I want them to turn black...

 The saying goes if you want something done give it to a busy person. I think it's pretty much on the money. I'm hoping the movie a day project  kick starts some forward momentum. It's easy to slide back, to settle in. To make it easy and comfortable and go with the status quo. Let's kick it in the nuts and movie forward*. Slowly and kinda hobbling, but forward none the less.

Pickles Chewbacca goes all picture 'ho when I turn on t he camera. It makes a little chime and you can see his ears perk up, and he simply has to come investigate. I have to boot him off my knitting to take pictures of it, but of course after I take some pictures of him. You know for posterity. This is a test knit for a gal on Rav. I LOVE it! She doesn't have the pattern up yet, but you can check it out on my project page to see the details.

I think I chose the perfect yarn for this. Chris says it looks like a camo net you use in the jungle. It made the greatest scarf, breathable and super warm. Plus it looks lovely on! We've had such mild weather this last few days I've been going out with just a hoodie or sweater and a scarf. Perfect walking around gear. The roads are a slushy mess but +5?! I'll take it thanks.

Max can even take off his sweater now! I don't know how long this warm will last so let's enjoy it while we can alright?







*see what I did there? haha.

Public service announcement (with guitar!)

Please note, All the Horror movie of the day posts can now be found at:

Horror movie of the day!

we now return you to your regularly scheduled knitting and whinging posts. thanks for your cooperation!

Oh Baby I'm Dreaming of Monday...

Oh Monday, I'm awake far too early. Dammit Max, did you really have to go out this time? I guess so. These dogs they have it good. A quick pee outside than back to sleep. No thought to poor ol' Mom who is awake for good. I'm thinking this is a really good argument for having kids when you're young, it would KILL me now to be sleep deprived. And I'm far too lazy and apathetic. Raising kiddoes is too much work. Bless all you who do it now. Blergh.

Max found a nice snuggle nest in one of Chris' hoodies. If you leave anything on the couch one of the dogs will claim it as the perfect cuddle spot. They prefer Chris' clothes to mine, and if we let them have one of Jake's shoes up there, they'd never leave it alone.

It's been really cold here this weekend and Max needed a sweater on again. Poor old man, needs help down the stairs these days. It seems a little surreal sometimes to think I've had Max longer than I've known Chris. He still looks like a little puppy but has slowed down so much. I see him not engaging with Pickles as much as he used to. I wish our animals didn't have to age with us. Eternal puppies. That sounds good. :/

I haven't posted a picture of the piece Chris commissioned for me for Xmas. I needed a lucky koi I was told.

I'm sure I can get better pictures eventually, but for now, these will do. I love it so much. Traditional Japanese waves are one of my favourite things ever in all the art world. It's so amazing that this was made just for me. I'm a lucky lucky girl.

Caught up in a bad romance

I finally got around to photographing my knits today. I have been prolific as usual. :D

This is a gorgeous scarf called Saroyan that I did out of Malabrigo. I think the mal is like a fibre-form of Valium. It relaxes me just knitting with it. Which is nice as I have been quite nervy lately. A little likely to get a bit wigged out over not much. This helps. It really does.

This is a test knit for a gal on Rav who hasn't put the pattern up yet. You can check it out here on my project page where it will go live eventually. A fun little knit, and the yarn was quite nice too. I picked it up from Pudding a while back. Pretty pretty colour right?

It's super slushy here now.. and above 0! Yay chinook! Boo chinook headache!

Hell is around the corner.

I have the notion that I should try to watch a movie a day. More specifically a horror movie a day. Not that it hasn't been done before* but I rarely want to set goals for myself because I am lazy, afraid of failing, really really lazy not a goal oriented person.I've been thinking about it for a few days and the idea has stuck. Probably because we've watched nothing but horror movies for a week now. So I may not be able to make all 365 days, I'll try heartily, but will be super impressed if I hit 300. AND since I don't know if I can find 300+ (although I'll damn sure try)  HORROR movies I'm going to open the genre up a bit and include sci-fi, fantasy and thrillers. Sounds like I'm wussing out already...

I've decided to move this idea to another blog entirely:

Horror movie of the day!

(What's so funny about) Peace Love and Understanding?

It's the last night of the year and I can honestly say that this has been one hell of a year. I keep focusing on the negative which is truly unlike me, but a clean slate start tomorrow right?

Statistical recap:

1 incurable SYNDROME that I'll try to manage for the rest of my life. Good thing I like pills. Fuck you fibro.
2 old friends that died too young. We are all just into our 40's. I call not fair.
4 new tattoos. OH SO AWESOME.
2 new tricks I taught my doggie. Do a little dance, and roll over. see below.
1 new bathrobe. Sweet.
Too much nail polish to count. At least to mention to you normies anyways.
6 new drugs I got to try. Side effects are fun. NOT.
2 drinks is all it takes to interact with my meds. Learned that the hard way at a party. Which leads to
10 panic attacks in which I thought I may be having a stroke but fortunately didn't! HURRAY FOR THAT.
1 poker tournament that out of the 2 I played I won. Cool.
2 new pairs of shoes. Way less than Jake and Chris.
200+ awesome nights of sleep on the bed that dreams are made of.
1 earworm that WILL. NOT. DIE. see below.
100+ horror movies of pure joy. The grosser and nastier the better.
6 times I watched Kick Ass. I love that movie.
2 little doggies that give life meaning.
1 awesome kidlet that isn't a kidlet anymore.
1 fabulous husband. He knows it.
Too much time missing my Mom. Still do.

Happy New Year everyone. 2010, don't let the door hit you on the ass on your way out.

In the waiting line...

I am not known for for my X-mas spirit. I haven't been fussed about celebrating it for many years. You'd think this year would be the same and in many ways it is.. yet it's the first year I've had gifts wrapped, both of our little trees and lights up well before X-mas eve. Both of my BFF's have lost a parent too, and both have said that the first holiday is the worst. Just the worst. I can see that coming down the road, but am letting little lights shine on all day/night to combat that kind of dark. It seems to be working.

This little birdie is one of my favourite ornaments. My parents brought it to Canada after being stationed in Germany over 50 years ago. I think we started out with maybe 6 of these but you know how that goes.. kids+ornaments=smashy. This is the lone survivor. My Dad gave it to me this summer after my Mum died. I was super happy to have a place to put him this X-mas. Isn't he sweet? Why is he a he? I have no idea.

Last night Pickles decided to wear his toy as a hat as he sat there squeaking it. Over and over and over. He is truly the dog with the most personality I've ever had. This is a good representation of what evenings are like here. Chilled out with knitting on the couch, a big glass of water and dogs all lounge-y. I just noticed this is actually a decent picture of one of Chris' atom tattoos. He has the matching one on his other arm. I wondered as we were at his company X-mas party what his co-workers would think if saw us both in sleeveless shirts. ...

Aren't they quite the pair? In Pickles mind it's a trio there. Rocky is real to him I think sometimes.

I can see clearly now.....

Proof that I have been doing stuff besides the whinge. I actually have been super productive. Did some test knits, some holy shit I have no hat must knit hat now, knitting. Some more scarfy knits too. I have no desire to knit mittens but I need some more. Maybe I'll  (gasp) buy some. Also, proof that if there is any knitted objects laying about you can be sure Pickles is resting at least one body part on it. I had to take some pictures for the test knitting I did, and had to shoo him away repeatedly. He is such a cam whore.

I knit this Cordova out of some bulky yarn I had left over from a sweater fail. It looks smashing on, but dude, I am not subjecting anyone a picture of me right now. I really need to tint my brows. White eyebrows=ugh.

I knit 2 of these. One right after the other. How whack is that? Whipped has proved to be one of my fave things to knit this year. I can totally see doing another one out of worsted weight. It would be like a puffy cloud.

This was nice to knit too. I know part of it is the yarn choice but Chinook was a great TV knit. The Punta Yarn was an absolute joy to knit. I'd like to do something a little tighter gauge wise next time with it. Also, OMG CHEAP. I got it at Pudding for 10$. Yeah 460 yards for 10$. I picked up a red a green too. Good deal!

This was the test knit. Isn't it gorgeous? I used up some Rowan Silky Wool I had and it was a great pairing with the pattern (Intermediate Scarf in Silk Rhapsody Glitter) and blocked out like a dream. Lucky me to be able to test something so freaking lovely!

In other news, Chris and I got new phones!! I have a pal who has an android phone that I have been secretly coveting for some time now, and I have to say it was that covet-ness that made me do it. We weren't eligible for a hardware upgrade from rogers yet (2 months for me, 12 for Chris) but I managed to persevere*and get us both upgraded now!

AHHHHHHHHH!! It's the proper internets in my phone!! Fantastic thing this technology! It's so pretty, and shiny and oh my gracious!

Pickles says stay warm and beware the gummi bears... they are 3 days from taking over the world.

*stay on the phone for 45 mins on hold to the retention dept. Once I got a service rep, she rather unhappily told me since I was sent there by a shop she couldn't refuse my request. So I said "um.. yay for me? and boo for you.. sorry" BUT YAY NEW SEXY PHONE!!!

Monster Hospital

This is hard to write about. I mean come on, we all have it sofa king good here. How can a whinge from a person who never has to worry about where I'll sleep, if I can eat or if I will be safe count? By accident of birth, I live in the best country in the world*, where my standard of living is ridiculous compared to most everywhere else in world. Yet here it is, the incessant voice of pain, banging at my door. Some days are easier than others not to open that door, sometimes the damn door is already open by the time I get to it, and sometimes, I can't NOT open it. Know what? I've come to realise that my life is changed, forever marked differently than it was. Get over yourself Karen.

Things I love:
-cashmere yarn
-new tea mugs
-my husband who will sit up with me until all hours. And think it's awesome.
-dogs. all dogs but especially mine.
-video games. I'm looking at you Dragon Age. and um, Alistair.
-my kiddo who is one of the funniest people I know. Kind and sweet. He'll roll his eyes when he reads this. But you are, so there.
-my sheepskin on the couch. Why did I wait so long to get one of these? WHY?
-pink lady apples.
-my friends.
-especially well produced singles. music and yarns.

This list could go on to be gigantor, but I'll keep some things for another day. I keep them in a little chest in my mind and bring them out to turn around in my hands when I"m feeling like this. Hold fast, the ride can get bumpy!







* true fact

I'm a picture that I'm holding of someone who is cool..

Don't know where the time is going. This year is sliding by like crazy. Not being measured by happy moments this time, but things that leave a red mark on my heart. Hope they will fade, and with time and liberal applications of love, nail polish and puppies that they won't scar. Another friend from the olden days has died. Too young and tragic to forget, it makes me lay down and fall backwards into the past. It makes me sit up and take stock of what I got and know it's all good. Let the lovin' come back to me..

So what makes everything better? This. I try to explain that it's pain with a purpose, productive pain. Chris sees it too now. It's a moment frozen.

Sometimes all you want to do is shine, and now it will be that way forever. I love my tattoo artist. Rick. Fits us in like old friends and bangs out minimal ideas into full fledged art.

I said on Facebook that old friends know the best stories and they really do. I was lucky enough to get a flying visit with a friend and it felt like we were 15 still. With older more real life stuff, but still lying on the couch, it was 1984 again. Lou Reed says "You're going to reap just what you sow". I am trying to sow the seeds of a better year. Let the planting start.

The bed's too big without you...

My side of the bed when Chris is gone. Like now. He is on his way to West Virginia via Columbus Ohio. Usually I can think of heaps of things to do when I'm alone. The weather though, she sucks right now. Cold, snowy, blowy grossness. I dug out once and that was enough. I made sure I had provisions to keep me going (yogurt? check! lots of fizzy water? check! enough random stuff to keep me going? check! menus for good Thai delivery? check!) and snuggled down. I did manage to sneak in a haircut, and just like in the 80's wore a leather jacket that was completely inappropriate for the weather. So maybe that explained the hair? Sure. Let's go with that.

Rock on my bitches, rock on.