25 books

Yesterday I read my 25th books read in 2013. That’s 1.66 books a week on average. We’re now in the about to start the 16th week of the year. I’m feeling quite confident that I can reach my pledge this year. So far this year I’ve read: Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn, Beyond the Sling by Mayim Bialik, Safe Haven by Nicholas Sparks, Where’d you go Bernadette by Maria Semple, The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky, Stolen Innocence by Elissa Wall and Sh*t My Dad Says and I Suck at Girls by Justin Halpern, Three Good Things by Wendy Francis, Mistaken Identity by Dan & Susie Van Ryan, Colleen Newell, Whitney Cerak and Mark Tabb, The Fault in Our Stars by John Green, Daring Greatly by Brene Brown, If You Ask Me by Betty White, I Like You by Amy Sedaris, Silver Linings Playbook by Matthew Quick, Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger, Taught by Jenna Owens, The Mominatrix's Guide To Sex: A No Surrender Advice Book For Naughty Moms by Kristen Chase, Famous, The Birthday, The Angel all 3 by Ashley Barron, The Twelve Tribes of Hattie by Ayana Mathis, Holy Crap, I'm Bathing in a Rose by D.J. Paris, Inside by Alix Ohlin, and The Hundred-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out of the Window and Disappeared by Jonas Jonasson.. When I posted my 25th book, the 50 Book Pledge let me know that I was on pace to read 89 books this year. I have posted all my reviews up on Goodreads.

15 Books

On Sunday I hit 15 books read in 2013. That’s 1.5 books a week on average. We’re now in the 10th week of the year. I’m feeling quite confident that I can reach my pledge this year. So far this year I’ve read: Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn, Beyond the Sling by Mayim Bialik, Safe Haven by Nicholas Sparks, Where’d you go Bernadette by Maria Semple, The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky, Stolen Innocence by Elissa Wall and Sh*t My Dad Says and I Suck at Girls by Justin Halpern, Three Good Things by Wendy Francis, Mistaken Identity by Dan & Susie Van Ryan, Colleen Newell, Whitney Cerak and Mark Tabb, The Fault in Our Stars by John Green, Daring Greatly by Brene Brown, If You Ask Me by Betty White, I Like You by Amy Sedaris & Silver Linings Playbook by Matthew Quick. When I posted my 15th book, the 50 Book Pledge let me know that I was on pace to read 86 books this year – which is FAR more than the 24 books goal I had set on Goodreads as my original goal, and way more than the 50 Book Pledge goal, as well as more than the 52 books, 52 weeks goal. I’m on a roll, and I can’t put these books down! (While not all the books I have been reading have been the greatest selections, I’ve been enjoying them anyhow, for what they are).

10 Books

Today I hit 10 books read in 2013. That’s 1.25 books a week. We’re now in the 8th week of the year. I’m feeling quite confident that I can reach my pledge this year. So far this year I’ve read: Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn, Beyond the Sling by Mayim Bialik, Safe Haven by Nicholas Sparks, Where’d you go Bernadette by Maria Semple, The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky, Stolen Innocence by Elissa Wall and Sh*t My Dad Says and I Suck at Girls by Justin Halpern, Three Good Things by Wendy Francis, and Mistaken Identity by Dan & Susie Van Ryan, Colleen Newell, Whitney Cerak and Mark Tabb. I just started reading The Fault in Our Stars by John Green. I’m addicted to getting lost in a good book!

50 Book Pledge

I decided to take the 50 book pledge for 2013. I also signed up for the 52 books, 52 weeks challenge with author Catherine McKenzie on Goodreads. (I’m here on there – if you’re on Goodreads, please feel free to add me as a friend). The 52 books, 52 weeks challenge though, I don’t like all the types of books that are chosen, so I’m only going to read the books I actually want to read, and the other weeks, I’ll chose something else. We are 8 weeks into the year, and I’ve read 7.5 books so far. I’m on track so far! According to the 50 books challenge, I’m on pace to read 52 books this year if I keep up my current pace. Last year, I tried to read 24 books, and was able to actually finish 22.5. This year, my knitting/crochet seems to be lacking but I’m on top of reading. I think I go through phases. There were times in the past where I’d devour books (that was also before I had kids). I missed reading so much, I think I’m over-compensating now. But that’s okay, reading is a good thing to do. So far this year I’ve read: Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn, Beyond the Sling by Mayim Bialik, Safe Haven by Nicholas Sparks, Where’d you go Bernadette by Maria Semple, The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky, Stolen Innocence by Elissa Wall and Sh*t My Dad Says by Justin Halpern. I’m also about a 3rd into I Suck at Girls by Justin Halpern, Almost 20% into Hopeless by Colleen Hoover, 15% into How to Talk So Kids with Listen & Listen so Kids Will Talk by Adele Faber, 60% done The Stuff That Never Happened by Maddie Dawson (which I’ve had started a long time ago, but have been struggling through it, but want to finish it, because I always finish a book once started, I’m stubborn like that), and 36% into The Mominatrix's Guide To Sex: A No Surrender Advice Book For Naughty Moms by Kristen Chase, which most of it doesn’t even apply to me, as it talks about you & your partner while pregnant, just after giving birth, and with young children, and I’m way past that stage now, so a lot of it is irrelevant and I’m reading it and glad I’m way past those stages too!

What are you currently reading?

08.28.10 :: 44 months old :: 23 weeks pregnant

23 weeks pregnant.

Sean is 44 months old today.
I can't believe his birthday is in 4 months.
(And Christmas is in 3 days shy of 4 months)
(Have you started your shopping yet?)

This morning we had my cousin's son's 4th birthday party.

A lady from the local eco-museum was there with some animals.

A really pretty owl.

A cute bunny rabbit.

Jennifer the snake.

A turtle.

We all had a great time. Sean touched all the animals. Mack wouldn't go near them to touch but enjoyed looking at them. Definitely a neat thing to do for a kid's birthday party. We even got coupons to go for free to the Ecomuseum, which is not far from our house, so I might just have to take the boys there sometime soon. They're open 364 days a year.

It was really nice this afternoon so we took the boys to the park.

They enjoyed sliding down.

And climbing up things too.

Caught my belly in the sun...!

I've been making good progress on Roar the 3rd. I should be able to have it finished very soon so I can start on the next sample knit for Knitting with Sandra. I have 2 more to do. (And then I have a whole other list of things I want to knit, of course).

Conversation with my 3 and a half year old:
Sean: "Mommy, when I'm older, will you teach me how to knit?"
Me: "Uhm, sure, what did you want to make?"
Sean: "I want to make hockey players."

This evening I got to enjoy a long nice bath, and read some more in my book. I'm about 60% through the book. I'm really enjoying it - review to come as soon as I finish it (also hoping to get that finished this week). I even tackled some of the laundry too - because well, you know... it just never ends. I've also been flipping through a couple of books of baby names I got from the library - though they're a little outdated unfortunately. I also worked on getting some of my contacts into my new cell phone - very happy that I now have a SIM card - (my first one!) so now I won't have to keep re-entering this info if in the future I ever get a new phone. I really enjoyed my evening... just the peace & quiet I needed (after the kids were in bed, of course).

08.24.10

Today is the waiting game. Waiting for the dealership to finalize the paperwork on my new car. Waiting to hear back from my supplier to see if I can get a replacement on my color laser printer that (I've apparently only had since May 2010) (I swear I've had it longer than May 2010, but Jamie's only ever ordered 2 of them, one for me, and one for my office at work, so mine at home has to be the earlier ordered one, though I feel like I got it way before then). My printer started with a simple paper jam just before we left for vacation. I thought I took out the jam, but every other sheet was still jamming. I thought maybe there was a spec of paper stuck somewhere where I can't see it. So I finally got around to bringing it in today to have one of my guys look at it. Well, there's nothing inside, but now it's telling me there is an error with the yellow ink toner cartridge. We put in a new toner, still doing it. So there's got to be a problem with the the contact or something. We tried cleaning it out with air, thinking maybe there was dust. Still showing the same error. Anyhow, I tossed an email to my supplier, (since that's my job at work anyhow) and I am waiting to hear back from them. Not sure what our warranty period is with this specific supplier on printers. If they reject it (outside of warranty period) then I'm going to just set up a return/servicing request with the manufacturer, it's no problem at all. Just upsetting that I have to be without a printer for a bit. For now, anything that I do need printed, I've been emailing myself at work, and printing there.

Besides waiting for the finalization on my new car, and to hear about my printer, I just feel like I've been doing a lot of waiting lately. Since being diagnosed with full placenta previa, I feel useless. I can't lift. I can't bend. I can't do this. I can't do that. It's nice having Jamie help out a lot more with the chores (we used to share them), but now all I'm doing is the laundry (he's carrying the baskets up and down the stairs though, I'm not doing any lifting, don't worry). But I feel useless. It sucks. I feel like I'm getting bored of not doing much.

I tend to not be a very patient person. I'm working on it. I think by the end of this pregnancy, maybe I'll learn some patience. Maybe that's actually a good thing.

Mackenzie moved up to the next class next Wednesday. I can't believe my baby is growing up! He really is turning into a real little man, and is far from my baby anymore. Sean will stay in the class he's in until sometime late spring/early summer next year (due to when his birthday is). He's got 2 "school years" left at the daycare. Either I'll have a 2-3 month overlap with 3 kids attending the same daycare, or baby number 3 will take Sean's spot (guaranteed) when Sean starts kindergarten (not sure if it's late August 2012, or early September 2012). Either way, if I don't get a spot at 18 months for baby number 3, he'll start around 20-21 months in September 2012 for sure.

I've been making progress on my Destroyed Cowl, I should have it done very soon. I think my next picture of it will be a finished one. It's so super hard to photograph it, as right now the edges are just curling up.

My nephew's 8th birthday is coming up. Sadly, I think my boys will be attending the party (out of town) without me this year (due to my placenta previa with this pregnancy). I can't figure out what to get my nephew this year, though, I think in addition to whatever I do get him, I'll knit him (providing there's enough time) this Robot hat. For his 6th birthday, I knit him this Skull hat, and he loved it. This past winter I saw that it was over loved, and had some holes in it. I think I'll knit him a new one. I have some Cascade Superwash that would be perfect for it. Must get on that. But what do I get him to go along with the hat? Anyone with an 8 year old have any suggestions? If I can't figure it out, I think I'll speak to my in-laws to see what they are doing for him. I don't have any 8 year old boys (yet)... so I have no idea what they are into these days.

Besides knitting, I've been reading too. I am working my way through the book, not as fast as I'd like but I'm getting there. I am still really enjoying this book though. I can't wait to see how it ends. I would say that I am just over half-way finished. (Can't remember what page I was at last). Definitely not my usual genre of books that I read, but I am glad that I decided to try this one out. I will be doing a review of the book once finished.

Here are some new Pampers Gifts to Grow Code that you can add to your account. Head on over to Pampers Gifts to Grow and enter these codes for 25 points added to your account.

Today’s free Pampers.ca (or dot com) points:
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Well, I'm off to go read some more in bed before falling asleep. I've been getting a good amount read lately as I've been going to bed quite early (from what I'm used to). I'm usually a night owl, but with 2 toddlers and being pregnant, I find myself extremely exhausted at night. Time to start a new routine, I think. It's overdue.

08.21.10 :: 22 weeks pregnant

22 weeks pregnant today.

It was too icky outside today to take any updated photos of my destroyed cowl. They're calling for more icky rain tomorrow too - so we'll see what the natural light situation outside is like tomorrow as well. That's what doing on the knitting front. As soon as this project is done, besides the WIPs I have outstanding, I have 3 test knits to do for a yarn shop in California, that I better get cracking on. I have everything ready to go - just need to right mojo to get that started.

I started doing a little organizing in baby boy's room, as the nursery has been used as a dumping zone for stuff that Mack has outgrown. I'm just about to change over the boys wardrobe as well. Sean is starting to outgrow his size 3 stuff as he is nearing his 4th birthday in 4 months from now. Mack's skinny waist is still holding up the size 2 pants nicely, but I think he's ready for size 3 shirts. I find that a lot of the stuff he's wearing is getting tight on him. (Especially the 24 month stuff). I will need to have Jamie bring up all the boxes of clothes that we have in storage (I've kept all Sean & Mack's outgrown stuff), so baby boy will have a full wardrobe. Hopefully we won't get too much in the clothing department, because I still have stuff that both Sean & Mack got as gifts that have never been warn, and the tags are still on it. Definitely do not need clothes. (I do need other stuff, but not clothing). Baby boy will have a bris shortly after he's born, and I hope people won't get me clothes for a third son. Diapers would be greatly appreciated! Gift cards too. I will eventually have to replace ALL bottles, as we have none. I got rid of them after Mackenzie used them as they weren't BPA free. I do need a new changing pad to go on the changing table as the one we have is completely warn after 2 boys. That type of thing. I don't think I got rid of anything from either boy if it was in good working condition, so I still have things like my baby tub, the bumbo, my slings to baby wear, etc. I am doing an inventory in his room to see what he'll need. All of the outgrown stuff from Sean & Mack were kinda just shoved into boxes after Mack was done with it, so I do need to have Jamie bring those all up so I can sort by size, and start washing the smallest stuff first. Luckily this baby is due around the same time Sean was born, so it's "same season" stuff.

Some people are lucky if they get twice the usage out of baby clothes. We're not only getting twice, but now THREE times the usage. Despite the fact that I would love to have a daughter of my own, one of my three sons will have to give me a girl one day, a granddaughter that I will spoil until there is no tomorrow.

And this baby boy still has no name. Sean & Mackenzie were named as soon as we found out the sex. We've known now for a while (since my Ultrasound on July 30th) that it's a boy (even though for 6 and a half weeks we thought we were having a girl - 12 week ultrasound sounds are NOT accurate for anatomy of a baby, as the boy parts don't drop until after 12 weeks. Everyone is having what looks like a girl at 12 weeks) and maybe this time around, we'll have to look at baby boy's face to see what he looks like and name him after he's born. We just cannot agree on anything we like. And maybe this is a sign that we'll be having our last child later this year, as if we try again for a girl, and have another boy, we will be 150% out of names.

I've been reading more in the book I am currently reading. I am really enjoying it. While it's not my usual 'genre' of reading (usual genre = chick lit), I am quite enjoying this author. Once I am done reading this book, I will review it, and then I have another book giveaway to do for you guys, so stay tuned! I know you all like contests!

Today's Link Love:
- I love these decals. Too bad my husband wouldn't like it, so I won't do that in our den.
- Oh, I heart these little spoon earrings!
- This sounds delicious even though it is soap!
- Love this pendant.
- This is such a cute gift idea for any mother!
- I love this photograph and the designs in Phydeaux shop are fun! I have a few patterns in mind that I want to knit!
- I love these shoes. And they are in my size.
- LOVE these boots!
- Love these cloud earrings.
- Too bad I am on a yarn diet - the Yarn Outlet looks like a fun place to shop!
- What a fun ring!
- I love method's foaming soap. We'd run out and I just got some more in a few scents.
- This print.

may eighteen

Sean helped me garden today, though, while being watched by my mother & sister. I don't know what I'd have done without their help, because all he wanted to do was touch everything that I was working with. My father helped Jamie install a drain off our roof, so that it wasn't going to drip off our slanted roof onto my vegetable garden.

He just loves being outside. And I don't blame him. There is just so much to explore!

After a quick lunch at my parents house, my parents took Sean with them for a drive to my dad's friend who is a doctor. My sister needed a shot that she gets now every 2 weeks (for B12) and since tomorrow is a holiday in Canada, they went today to his office (which was nice of him to meet on a Sunday) and Sean wanted to see if he would be a doctor when he grows up. The picture my sister took of him in the doctor's coat is just too cute.

Today I finished working in my garden. ALL DONE! And you won't believe what I planted! My garden is HUGE!!!

We have:
Sweetie Tomatoes
San Marzano Tomatoes
Beefsteak Tomatoes
Early Cal wonder Peppers
Mixed Mini Bell Peppers
Cantaloupe
Zucchini
Cucumbers
Radish
Boston Lettuce
Paris Island Lettuce
Black Seed Lettuce (I think that's what it's called)
Stringless Beans
Peas
Corn
Pumpkin (Jack O'Lantern)
Broccoli
Red Globe Onions
Shallots (Onion)
Carrots

I think that's everything. I don't think I'm missing out on anything in my list above. I'm upset that I totally forgot about Cauliflower. I love cauliflower. There is always next year.

This year, is an experiment. Trial & Error. We'll see how it goes! I have no idea what will sprout, etc, so it's just a test. I ended up waiting on the watermelon (though the seeds were already started) but I'm going to wait until the fence is up, and I'm going to plant them by the Strawberry bushes that we're planting as well, in another area of the backyard. I also have a question.

I planted 1 Jack O'lantern pumpkin plant. Will that give me 1 pumpkin or more than 1 pumpkin? If it's only going to give me 1 pumpkin, then I'll have to plant another seed for Mackenzie. I want 1 pumpkin for each kid for Hallowe'en. If I will get more than 1 pumpkin in 1 plant, then I don't have to plant another one of the seeds that I started back in April. I have another plant "ready to go".... I just need an answer in regards to how many you get per plant. I tried googling the question, but got no where unfortunately.

Also, does anyone know, how many watermelons you get per seed planted? Is it just 1 watermelon per seed?

We'll see what works successfully in my garden, so I know for next year what to focus/concentrate on more. It's possible that there are things that won't grow at all, or be successful. I'm so excited to see what happens though.

Here is a view of one of the tomato plants. Isn't it really cute & tiny? I know I do not need the tomato trellis yet, but I put them there to mark the space around the tomato, and figured I'd leave it there. Why not. It's not causing any harm, that's for sure.

I also decided to plant 2 extra zucchini plants. I felt really bad to just toss them out. I had 2 left, and I didn't have any room left in my garden (there's 1 plant in my garden bed already). I plan on training them on a trellis in these plant pots. I love zucchini on the BBQ, and I'm sure I will know a ton of people that will take zucchini if we have an excess. I was told that zucchini once picked grows back and you get even more. That's okay with me! I don't mind! The more to give away to the neighbors (the nice neighbors that is) the better! Plus, I didn't have the heart to throw out the nice thriving plants into the garbage. Blame it on my pregnancy hormones.

The chalk was played with again today on the back patio. Sean had fun scribbling & I had fun coloring in tiles. Nothing wrong with chalk art to keep us both entertained!

This is not even half of my Iris plants. And do you see how many there are within this one plant in my backyard? There are still about 3 plants that were taking out when they dug up my backyard for the fence, and I plan on re-planting them in the backyard once the fence goes up (which is being started tomorrow, and promised to be finished by). Speaking of which, my father, Jamie & I re-measured the backyard from the Certificate of Location (which you need these days in order to sell a house - which is why we have one for our property luckily), and my fence will be put up properly on MY SIDE of my property line. My back neighbor, as I mentioned, doesn't want ANY ownership of the fence, so he does NOT want it touching his side of the property line. I am okay with this, since he's not paying a dime towards it, but he's stating that the electrical pole that is in the yard is not on my property, because the legend on my Certificate of Location seems to have a mistake on it. We measured twice my property, and the pole does fall in my property. (Though we're kinda doing the fence on an angle in that corner so that Hydro Quebec and the phone company DO NOT have to come onto my property in my backyard to service that pole). However, the annoying neighbor was saying that I shouldn't even be anywhere near it, because it's not on my property. He says that because he's an electrical engineer he knows how to read my paperwork. It seriously does NOT take an electrical engineer only to figure out how to measure so and so feet from the edge of the house to the end of my property. Anyone with an ELEMENTARY school degree can certainly use a tape measure with a measurement given to them. I really hope he does not cause me more issues. And he's leaving really annoying messages on my answering machine stating that "I shouldn't get heartbroken if it's done wrong and the fence needs to be ripped at MY cost".... glad he's so concerned about my money. A fence ain't cheap (over 3K), you'd think I'd get it done PROPERLY the first and only time??

Here's a shot of that bamboo looking plant, and how tall it's gotten! Soon, it's going to be well taller than me, I'm sure of it. It's nice to look at, and I can't wait to see how big the leaves get.

This evening Jamie & I took Sean to see his cousin who is in from Toronto. They're in very rarely, and Sean's cousin who is 8 years old (maybe 9 now, I don't know for sure), wanted to see Sean, so we went back to Jamie's step-sister's place to visit everyone. I got to sit on the couch there and put my feet up, and knit. It was a pleasure to have everyone want to hang out and watch Sean, so it was a great break for a bit. I got some knitting done on Judy's Grandmother's Baby Sweater, which looks like it may be done soon! I'm hoping so, as I have a ton of other projects to finish before Mackenzie is born. 50 days left til my due date.... it's getting down to crunch time! (I actually pulled out the boxes of preemie & 0-3 month clothing today. I want to be prepared with both preemie sized stuff & 0-3 month (newborn) items at the hospital, IN CASE Mack is born tiny like his brother was. Chances are that I have small babies, but we'll see. Though, I do have to tell you that I'm afraid to "push out" anything bigger than 5 lbs 5 oz, because that was rough as it was, with a small baby! Anything bigger than that scares me! I'm serious.

Just reminding you all that the July Sock Club kits are now listed in the shop.

Alright, I'm BEAT. Gardening all afternoon & getting sun has drained me. I'm going to see if I can keep my eyes open for a few pages in the book I'm reading, and then hit the sack for the night.

The Dress Fitting

Today, I started a new book. I'm on this reading frenzy! Nothing wrong with some good literature! I am not too sure (Yet) about this novel, but it's called Tales from the Crib by Jennifer Coburn.

I did not go to the gym today. By the time I got up, I had to leave to go to my dress fitting for the dress for my cousin's wedding which is coming up. I had ordered the dress before getting pregnant (or before the thought of getting pregnant even entered my mind)! (That was back in January). Anyhow, I am hoping the dress will come out nice in the end, it's a nice dress, and it fits me well, it just depends on how it looks with the way they are going to adjust it for it to fit me and my (as of this Thursday) 5 month pregnant belly! (Wow - 5 months already?? 20 weeks - that's HALF my pregnancy and 5 months! Where has time gone?) I will have to wait and see when I go back for my next fitting (in two weeks) to see how it all fits together (what they were describing that they were going to do to fix it). On top of it, they were supposed to order a size 12 (because of my bust) but instead, they decided to order a size 10. Which - back in January did fit me (tightly, but I was still losing weight back in January). And, anyhow, the guy who owns the shop, said because of my bust, he was going to order a size 12, and then they would "take in" whtever was necessary lower down, because that would be too loose (I had originally tried on a size 10 in the store, as it's the only size they had near my size). Anyhow, we get there today, and guess what size they ordered in the colour that I needed the dress in? A SIZE 10! This doesn't help the situation any better because of my pregnancy! Anyhow, if they decide to charge us more because of extra work they had to do between a size 10 and a size 12 difference, I am going to open my mouth when we go back, because they were supposed to order me size 12 to begin with... Ugh... what frustration. I wonder what kind of jewelry accessories my cousin wants us to wear.... I will ask her the next time I speak to her - this way - I can see if I own something already, or if I should go out and buy some more fun pieces! I'll let you know in two weeks how it turns out!

After the fitting, (I was with my mother & grandmother) we were supposed to go straight to lunch (Tasty Foods). And, my mom decided since she was in a certain area to stop off at a store, to check out tops (to go with her new pants for my cousin's wedding). They said they were going to be 5 minutes, but half an hour later, with my stomach rumbling, I had to call my mother's cell phone to see what was keeping them in there so long. I was famished. You don't keep a pregnant woman waiting! LOL. Half an hour later, and they didn't even buy anything! (My grumpiness was my hunger talking). Lunch was good - but note to self, bring sweater next time - Tasty Foods is FREEZING inside! And we didn't want to sit on the terrace, outside, because people were allowed to smoke there, and I didn't want to inhale ANY of that!

After lunch I was going to go to the gym (after letting my stomach rest for a bit), but I started doing things around the house, and taking care of chores, and slowly but surely organizing the baby's room - (it's slowly coming along) and I am in the mist of trying to half organize my stuff to take it out of the my office, and half organizing the baby's stuff, to bring stuff into the baby's future room. The walls - which we were going to paint yellow - are a cream colour, and I think in the end, we're just going to end up leaving it that colour. It's pretty much freshly painted (not too much before we moved in). I just need to see if my shampooing vaccum cleaner will take out the stains in the carpet (from the cats) or if we will have to call in a carpet cleaner, or if we will need new carpets. I have three spots of stains, that won't go away.... (someone suggested to me water and vinegar? I wonder if that will work?)

Tonight, I hung out with Jamie watching Sunday night & tonight's episode of Big Brother. I really didn't want Janelle to win HOH - I was hoping that she wouldn't and that she would get booted out of the house. I can't stand her anymore.

Alright, I'm going to go check on the laundry (I've been getting even baby stuff washed!) and I will check ya later.

Two Exams Done, 1 More To Go!

This morning I got up at 8 am, as Jamie was leaving to work. I literally sprung out of bed, and was READY to take my 2 exams today. I've been quizzing myself with the 30 questions (10 for my Adobe Illustrator CS2 written exam, and 20 for my QuarkXpress Exam). We had been given the questions and answers, and just had to study them. I know all thirty questions and answers OFF BY HEART!

Needless to say, I got 100% on both my exams. How do I know this? Because my teacher corrected both my exams infront of me, and then handed over her red pen, and I corrected the other exams for the other 10 students in my class. My teacher was busy trying to finish up over-due corrections and basically was thanking me for helping her out. It was my pleasure. I actually had a field day correcting. I love it. So, it turns out that Laura & I are the only two who got 20/20 on both exams (and that's because I let her look at my exams) though, other people did get 100% on at least 1 of the 2 exams. The marks were fairly good otherwise (between 16-19 on 20) and on one exam someone actually failed with a 58% (11.5/20) (12/20 is a 60% - which is a pass). I am sure he will still get a passing grade in the class, providing his other marks were good. The exams today were only worth 20% of each final mark. I am sooo happy that I got 100% on both those exams.

That gives me a 91% in my Quark Class (with my assignment marks & exam mark being= 9/10, 26/30, 36/40 and 20/20 - add them all up, it gives you 91/100). And in my Adobe Illustrator class I have a 92% as my final mark (with my assignment marks & exam marks being = 18/20, 19/20, 35/40, 20/20 - add them all up and you get 92/100). Boy, am I really happy with those two marks. In my final class with this one teacher, my Montage class, I am waiting on my final mark on the Die-cut assignment that has not yet been corrected. I am going to give it a week and then email my teacher (I have no idea how soon my final marks will be posted on the gradeline on the internet). So far, out of 60, I have a 52/60. I am assuming I'll probably get around a 36/40 on that final assignment (I know the way my teacher marks, Maybe even I'll get a 37 or 38 on 40). In that case, I'll get around an 88-90% in that class. Somewhere around there. Then, all I am waiting on, is my final assignment mark in my Photoshop class (the teacher is on vacation now, out of town for 3 weeks, so I wont be able to get my mark until it's posted as my final mark on the gradeline), but I know I definitely passed, all my other assignments from him average to around an 85%. For my other 2 classes, Estimation and Impostion, I'm just waiting on my exam mark for Imposition and my final Estimation assignment mark. In Estimation, I'm expecting a REALLY high mark on my final assignment, and with a 30/30 on my final assignment (which I know is very possible), I will have a 95% in Estimation. I will only be able to confirm that maybe mid-week, when I e-mail my teacher. (I so far have a 65/70 on the rest of my assignments in the class, and with 30/30 it brings me to a 95.) In my other class with her, which was a MUCH tougher class, I could possible have around an 85% in that class. (I so far have a 20/20 on all the exercises that were worth 5% each and 14/20 on her mid-term (It was HARD!) and a 35/40 on my final project - which is a 69/80, which is NOT bad at all. I'm GUESSING that I'll be able to aim for around 16/20 on her final exam, as it should be a little easier than her mid-term). I'll be able to confirm that mid-week and after tomorrow after I take her final exam. But all in all, I will DEFINITELY graduate, as I have excellent marks.

I am soooooo relived that it's all almost over. Tonight I went with Jamie over to the shiva house for the final night. They will get up tomorrow, sit shiva for 1 hour, then walk around the block. The mourners acknowledge that the shiva is over by leaving the shiva house publicly for the first time, taking a short walk around the block with those who have come to comfort them.The house that the mourners live in for the week of shiva becomes a house of mourning. It takes on an ambience of solemnity, filled with memory, contemplation, and meditation. But it is a house where people will continue to dwell. The concrete act of physically stepping outside, walking around the block, and coming back in, says that this house and our relationship with this house will now be renewed. That will happen tomorrow. Jamie's mom and one of his uncle's didn't actually live there for the week, they went home each night, to their own respective homes, and slept there, coming back for a full day each day. It's been a long week for them, and they are ready to finish the last day tomorrow.

Tonight, I'll look at a bit at my notes for the exam tomorrow, but I've been more interested in reading a the book that I started months ago! I finally have 20 weeks now before the baby is born, and want to catch up on ALL the books I've been meaning to read! So, tonight I've pulled out Diary of a Mad Mom-to-be by Laura Wolf.

Final Secret Pal 8 Package Arrived & Book Shopping Spree!

My final SP8 Package has arrived today! I love it! Thank you Maggie (Whom has revealed herself!) I plan on checking out her blog this weekend after I graduate! (And have time!) This package included: A LOT of Cherrie flavored and themed items. (Chocolate covered cherries, jello, gum, candies, Maranchino, keychains, iron-0n/sew on patch, bracelet, and 3 awesome keychains! Also a pair of earrings - and yes, Maggie, I have my ears pierced - MORE than once! Including a TRAGUS piercing - 18 guage) I got a Koala bear magnet from the school she attends, and an elephant bookmark. I love elephants!) I also got LOVE YOU FOREVER by Robert Munsch. I already own this one - Munsch is my FAVE children's author. I actually have The Paper Bag Princess signed to me from him, and I even got a picture taken with him at Chapters when he came to Montreal (he's from Ontario). There is actually NOTHING wrong with owning 2 copies of a Children's book. Now I can have a copy for home, and a copy to keep in the car or travel bag - kids always need to be entertained!) I got some AWESOME Peaches & Cream yarn (she wanted to get Vesper Yarn from Lettuce Knits - but they were all sold out! Oh well, maybe the next time I'm in Toronto, they'll have some in stock!) BUT - this Peaches & Cream is GORGEOUS - I love the colours. She also sent some Trekking XXL sock yarn (I love sock yarn!) Thank you again Maggie - and enjoy Seasons 1 through 4 of ER, which I sent her as a thank you for being my secret pal, as she is a HUGE fan of the show, and actually has never seen season 1.

Today, I decided to buy myself a little graduation present. I went a little nuts on Amazon.ca as well as Chapters.ca - I will have from next week until the baby is born to read, read, read.... (I can tell you that I have NOT read a single personal book (except a little of What to Expect While Expecting AND a little of Pregnancy for Dummies) since I started school in September 2005. I have NOT had any time. I love to read. I read, read, read... and I plan to read, read, read... lots of books!

I bought on Amazon.ca:

- Continuity Girl by Leah Mclaren
-20 Times a Lady by Karyn Bosnak
- Something Blue by Emily Giffin
- The Meaning of Wife: A Provocative Look at Women and Marriage in the Twenty-First Century by Anne Kingston
- The Book of Bright Ideas - Sandra Kring
- The Surrogate : A Novel - Judith Henry Wall

From Chapters.ca I bought:

- The Shop On Blossom Street by Debbie Macomber
- Girlbomb: A Halfway Homeless Memoir by Janice Erlbaum
- Baby Proof by Emily Giffin

I miss reading. I plan to get back into it starting Saturday! (Or maybe even Friday night!) Can't wait to get my new books in the mail! Oh - and I love getting mail - so that is a double whammy!

Today I ran around the city doing errands. I returned (recycled) 2 full garbage bags of bottles & cans back to the grocery store. I picked up a new jug of water for our water cooler. I went to Old Navy (they had no dresses or fancy things, just some tank tops and such on liquidation, which I picked up a bunch), I also went to 3 different Winners (TJ MAXX for you Americans) and found 3 skirts, and 2 are going back tomorrow or whenever I can do the return. I also did a bunch of things around my house, dropped off some stuff at my dad's office that I borrowed from my mom (so he could bring it to her tonight), went to the post office to mail my final SP8 package to my secret pal, as well as a swap pacakge to Lainie - and also my final One Skein Secret Pal package. (She requested yarn instead of something knitted - that was her choice - and fine by me, since I'm busy with graduating!) I even did groceries.

Today I got A LOT done. I even studied, and since my 2 exams tomorrow are 1 x 10 questions in multiple choice and 1 x 20 questions short answers, and our teacher gave us all the questions and all the answers (I KID YOU NOT!) I basically wrote them out on the computer, with no answers (even for the multiple choice - since I only know what the correct answer is - not what letter it'll correspond to on the exam) and I basically quized myself, by closing the answers, and actually "taking a fake test". I've tested myself 3 times already today, and each time I've gotten all the answers CORRECTLY on each exam! I am SOOOOOOOOOOOOO ready for tomorrow's exams. (It's Friday's exams I am a LITTLE worried about).

Last night at the shiva house I got bitten up by mosquitos. (I was sitting outside for most of the night, on the porch talking with people). I can't stand those fuckers. I'm bitten up all over, and them seem to have swollen up. Ugh, all I want to do is scratch, which will just make it worse. Benadryl cream works, but only for a certain amount of time. Ugh. I'm going nuts. I hate bugs. I hate being bitten by bugs.

Alright, wish me luck for my exmas tomorrow, and THANK YOU AGAIN MAGGIE FOR THE AWESOME PACKAGE!

Feeling Better - Close But No Cigar.

Today I was not able to sleep in past 9:30 am - which was fine by me - because I had stuff that I wanted to get accomplished today, in no particular order.

First - I got up and watched Rumor Has It - which was cute, but just okay. I LOVE Mark Ruffalo - so it was worth it just to see him. Then - after finishing that movie - I watched - still in bed - The Family Stone. This one - was a little bit slow - which I had been pre-warned, so I knew what I was getting myself into.

After putzing around in bed all morning, I finally got out of bed, went back to the video store, returned some movies and rented 4 more:

- Chronicles of Narnia
- I love your work
- Derailed
- Match Point

and now - with the exception of 1 or 2 movies, I've rented everything that I've wanted to rent for a while. I'm all caught up on recent movies that I've wanted to rent. There is pretty much NOTHING in the month of June that is coming out that I want to see. And there have been NO action movies either lately that have come out. Which sucks.

While out - I went to pick up my photos from Vegas - which I ordered online. They were having a special - buy 20 photos get 20 free. I had about 3 orders - so I put one under my name, another under Jamie's name, and another under first name (my last name) and last name (Jamie's last name). So when I go there to pick up the photos - the girl gave me this lecture, and then told me that if I was going to do that in the future, to use a different telephone number for each. And then she told me that she's Christian, and she's going to feel guilty about giving me three orders when it's supposed to be 20 free photos per client!

I then on my way home headed to Walmart to pick up a piece that we needed to fix the flusher on the toilet (I broke it the other day - but Jamie said it wasn't my fault - but the cheap parts inside the toilet). I got myself 2 bathing suits for this summer - I am very excited about that. I'm dying to go swimming already! I need to find a pool nearby!

I read a few pages in my book - that I started - The Diary of a Mad Mom-To-Be by Laura Wolf.. So far - cute. I sat outside on my front steps to read - as it was BRUTALLY hot in my office. I finally got the window in here open, had to clear things out of the way to even get to the window. It was actually nicer to sit outside than to sit in my office - let me tell you!

I PROCRASTINATED my project that was due today, as I will have to hand it in on Thursday when I return to school from my sick leave. I really had no encouragement to do any of it in this heat. I hope to get a lot accomplished tomorrow - before I possible have people over for a knitting meet up at my house - a la impromptu style! I am really not impressed with myself for neglecting a huge project, but I just can't work unless I'm under pressure - lol.

Tonight was a self night - I really enjoyed just relaxing. I'm feeling a lot better (bronchitis) but still feeling not 100%. And now my nose is running - which sucks. Not too sure how that happened. It's deadly hot outside - and I'm sick. How does that make sense? I hope it rains tonight - because it's soooo damn hot outside - at least The Weather Network is predicting rain. Thank heavens. Get away this heat!

A Nice Day For the Park

This morning I was up really early - and now I am feeling the effects. I have been up since about 8:15 am, and what didn't help was the fact that I had a sore throat and a cough the entire night. Really bad. Not enjoyable.

At 8:45 I ran over to the grocery store to pick up some waffles as my nephew Merlyn requested it for breakfast. Since I didn't know (but now do) that the grocery store only opens at 9 am, I ran into the pharmacy to ask the pharmacist about taking robitussen while being pregnant - as I needed something for my cough. She gave me this pamphlet - a pregnancy pocket guide for medications and such, and it's ok, for me to take it - as long as it says DM on the package. I wasn't sure what I had in the medicine cabinet at home, and Jamie's sister was in the shower, so he couldn't really get into the bathroom - so to be safe, I picked up a small bottle of the syrup. In the end, it turns out I had the DM at home (as there are two versions) but that's okay. Not the end of the world.

The Bat Mitzvah we went to was nice. The Bat Mitzvah girl did a fantastic job, and it was nice. What I didn't know was that my mom's best friend Rachel was the president of the school - and was there as well. It was really nice to see her after the ceremony. Rachel was involved in the ceremony - handing out the certificates of Bat Mitzvah's to the girls.

After the ceremony was a lunch, and that was just okay. Kosher food. And it was nice, we took a family shot with everyone, I can't wait to either receive a copy or scan it from Jamie's Aunt. Jamie's grandmother even made it to the ceremony - she has been in the Montreal General Hospital for a while now.

After all the events, we headed over to the house to change, the ceremony and events were just 3 blocks from our house at the Spanish & Portuguese Synagogue (a very nice one) and then we headed over to the park.

Merlyn - my nephew wanted to skateboard a little bit on the skateboard he got for his 3rd birthday last November.

And then Uncle Jamie wanted to try out Merlyn's skateboard....

And Jamie took silly pictures of Robyn....

What was really nice about this park, is that they have the good swings, the ones where adult tushies fit into the swing. So - I got on to the swings for a bit, didn't swing too high, I didn't want to take the chance of falling off.


I haven't swung on a swing in years. It felt so good - and so refreshing - just to swing freely and not think about anything else for a change. The weather today has been INCREDIBLE and just wonderful. Hot too - but with a cool breeze.

Tonight, I caught Zeus sleeping with his paw over his face. I find it the funniest thing ever - and it's a usual position for him!

Tonight we had Jamie's dad and step-mom over for a BBQ - and I requested them to bring me some salad. As usual, it was so deliciously good - with her special touch on her salad dressing (it's all about the dressing - let me tell you!)

Everyone has left, Jamie is home from baseball and Merlyn is in bed. Andrea is downstairs watching Miss Congeniality on the dish, and Jamie's in the other room looking for munchie food. Actually he's right next to me now asking if I have any chocolate & I do, so I let him take a bite.

I've picked out a book to start reading - Diary of a Mad Mom-To-Be by Laura Wolf. Looks cute. The tag line on the book itself reads: "Once, she was a sane, secure professional woman - then the stick turned blue..." I have been meaning to start a book soon - hope this one is a good one! I need to get back into reading.. it's been a while since I've enjoyed a good book, or any book at all for that matter!

Alright, time for bed! I hope I make it alive to school tomorrow. My cough is worse, the Robitussen is just kicking in (for bed) and I'm EXHAUSTED! I really truly should have been in bed hours ago - but there was lunch to make and laundry to fold and things to take care of that I neglected the entire weekend.