Crib & Bassinet: Check.

So today I took care of cleaning my office, but that didn't start until after lunch. I only got out of bed today, it was after noon. Last night I had really bad anxiety over a lost check (which I need to deposit, but it's gone!) I have no idea where it went. It got lost sometime in the last couple of days, and I don't know what happened to it. I am going to get another one written to me, but it's driving me mad as to where it is. It's not where I thought it was, nor anywhere else for that matter! I am sure it will turn up when I am NOT looking for it - but bills are due, and I was hoping to find it! Pregnancy brain.... geez!

I didn't leave my house today, until after dinner when my father-in-law and step-mother-in-law picked me up to go to the crib store. Today, I got baby Sean's crib and even a bassinet too (that I'm not supposed to know about - lol). The crib is from Jamie's dad & step-mom and the bassinet from Jamie's step-brother and his wife. (She won't be able to make it to my baby shower, as they live near Toronto).

Here is baby Sean's crib (to be delivered in about 4 weeks):

And this, my friends, is the exact bassinet I got. I just love it:
(It's in my 2nd two fave colors together, blue & yellow)
(First fave: PINK - which I can't have for a baby boy, of course not!)

It can even be a changing table:

And a bedside sleeper:

I painted our bedroom blue when we moved in, so this bassinet matching perfectly. I plan on having 3 children, so this bassinet will definitely get used. That is for sure. I think that is another reason I wanted a brand new one, and not a second hand one. I had the option to borrow one from my sister's boyfriend's sister, but she wanted hers back, so I figured this way, with my own, I can take my time, etc.

Nothing much else is going on here. Today was just a really rainy and dreary day. I've been knititng Jamie's socks, and they're just about done. I should be able to finish them tonight in bed, and then post pictures tomorrow! I'm also planning on seaming baby Sean's sweater tonight in bed, and then blocking it tomorrow, so I will try to take picture of it tomorrow, if I can get it to straighten out before washing it. If not, the pictures will come after blocking. Yey, two more finished objects!!! Pictures to come!

On tap for tomorrow is vaccuming and shampooing the baby's room carpet, also, groceries (must do, big time!)

SNB & Aggrevating Things

Remember back in June the UPS incident, where I had to pay taxes on a GIFT that I got from my One Skein Secret Pal? Well - what I thought was taken care of - because my secret pal said she got charged for it, and paid it on her discover card, turns out that it got declined and the charge was to me, so it went to collections. I thought months ago that this was taken care of - and now... a letter from collections. It's goddamn annoying! I can't believe that I had to pay 23.04$ for a GIFT from someone else. Unreal, eh? That's exactly why I do not like UPS. And UPS had all the documentation from my pal saying that it was a gift, so I don't know why it was sent to collections in the end - when the original problem was rectified. I think I am going to call UPS later and find out what happened. They told me not to worry about it - because they received the fax to rectify the problem. So why did it go to collections. I paid the bill. And Collections told me that the only way for me to get any of the money back would be through Canadian Customs (it has nothing to do with UPS) and that all I would get back is the taxes, not even anything else. So - for a 15$ or so ball of Trekking XXL yarn, which was a GIFT from my One Skein Secret Pal - I had to pay 23.04$ (which is not even worth the item amount!) Why does retarded things like this happen to me? And for reasons like this - I won't use UPS! Damn brokerage fees. I won't even order from anyone who uses UPS either.

Half an hour late, but my ex-tenant showed up today to pick up her stuff. If she stood me up again, I had every intention to throw her stuff out on garbage day (and give Karine her 13" Tv - Sorry Karine!) but... she showed up, and now, I NEVER have to deal with that woman again.

Today, some interesting things have happened:

My mother in law not coming to baby shower. Yeah, you read right. My own mother-in-law. The woman who gave birth to my husband. Am I surprised? No. This is the woman who showed up 2 and a half hours late to my engagement party to her son, because her and her lesbian partner (they were not married yet) FELL ASLEEP because they needed to nap. At least lie to us and say you had a flat tire or something? Nope, they fell asleep. They apparently have PLANS with friends out of town that weekend, and can't make it. Then when I mentioned my other baby shower, (which my step-mother-in-law got invited to, because I'm WAY closer with her and Jamie's dad), if she wanted to attend that one instead, her response: "No, that's okay". She asked if I'd be home this weekend so she could stop by with a gift for the baby. I am curious to know what she got. Only because her judgment of picking out gifts is derranged. For my bridal shower they got me a crock pot - which if she would have looked at my registry, which she knew about - she would have seen that I actually already got one (in the end - we ended up getting 7 crock pots in total - most which had a gift receipt for). And the one that I ended up keeping, was NOT the one they got us. (Thank goodness they don't come over for dinner). Anyhow, I'm curious now...!

Interesting thing that happened to me today:

I emailed my ex-boyfriend's mother without even realizing it. You see, I'm interested in learning how to quilt. So I found a group in the town next to mine, that has a Quilting Guild. There was a contact email that said to contact for more information. So I did. I wanted to know about lessons. I didn't know that the email address was hers! Anyhow, now she wants to catch up, and I don't know if I feel comfortable with that. VERY WEIRD! I knew she was into calligraphy, but did not know she was a quilter! I was just thinking about maybe making a quilt for Sean to play on in my office, instead of buying a rug, or such.... and a knitted blanket would just slide on the hardwood floors. I dated her son for over a year (my longest relationship before the one now to Jamie) and it was a bad break-up for me, so I don't know if I really want to go there!

Today, I went to Walmart with Angela, and I got some funky material. I actually bought some patterns too, I want to make some pants.

I made Angela a needle case with some material she brought over today. I am really getting very GOOD with making them - I'm thinking about possibly making them and selling them on Etsy. Maybe be a good idea. I'm going to look into it tomorrow. See if they actually sell, and for how much (to see if it's worth my time). I am also thinking of possibly offering to make them for any Secret Pal who wants me to make it for their partner... I'll even offer to mail it directly to their partner. Could be a good business project to keep myself busy until Sean's born.

Tonight I went to the knitting meet-up in NDG. I had a really good time, and I literally JUST JUST walked in the door. It's late, but I don't get out much - lol, and enjoy just being with women and chatting. Tonight's conversations were completely here and there, and was very very interesting. We ended up staying late, (4 of us) and leaving just as 2nd Cup was closing! We didn't get kicked out of the place, because we were already standing around outside just talking. It was such good conversation, I just couldn't leave. (Not that I go to bed early anyhow, I'm a night owl!) I am really glad to have met all these wonderful people and people that I can actually call my friends!

Hockey Game Knitting

Today, my ex-tenant finally called me and she's supposed to pick up her stuff tomorrow at noon. Let's see if that actually happens. But tomorrow is her LAST straw. If she doesn't come to pick it up, I'm seriously throwing her stuff out. (And giving Karine her 13" TV, which I promised her, if it's unclaimed). I am not a storage facility, and I do not want to keep her stuff in my house anymore. I'm in the middle of preparing Sean's room for his arrival, and just don't want her crap laying around anymore.



Today I took care of almost all the laundry, including washing stuff hand-me-down stuffed rattles and toys for Sean. Those were from his cousin Merlyn, who outgrew those toys long ago! I can't believe Merlyn is turning 4 next month, it's unreal!


Tonight, Jamie and I went to the Habs game. I took some pictures. While I was there, I thought about my Secret Pal, who is not from North America, or even Canada, but is a Habs fan! (She picked the right team!!!) I got a postcard in the mail from her today, she wanted to test to see how long it would take from Europe to my house for regular mail. I think it was pretty quick, seeing as though she emailed me last week to tell me that she mailed something out as a test. The postcard above, is from Finland - the only information I know about my secret pal, and she says that it says "Winter is Coming - Are you Ready?" And on the back side of the postcard she translated the postcard which has some legal mumble jumble (her words exactly!) about that you must always have a reflector while walking in the dark. I think that I will put it on Sean's stroller, to protect us from any cars at night. (Should I be walking at night!) Secret Pal these photos and video footage below - are for you!

GO HABS GO!

Here is proof that knitting came with me to the hockey game!!



And this video - I can't believe I got! It was just fluke that while video-ing, the HABS scored. It was such an incredible game last night. We won, 5-4 and those NINE goals were all scored in the first two periods. There was penalty after penalty and fight after fight. The atmosphere felt like a playoff game! The crowd was intense! The couple sitting next to us, what was funny was that he was wearing a Habs jersey, and she - a Calgary jersey. So they would each be cheering for the opposite team. It was cute.

A baby update according to Pregnancy Weekly:

The good news is that babies born this week, though premature, have an excellent prognosis because their lungs have reached the point (for the most part) of maturity — so you too can breathe a little easier now. Of course, it's still best if a baby doesn't check out of that uterine hotel just yet — there's still a lot of growing and maturing to do over the next 11 weeks .

Good to know! I really hope that my baby doesn't check out of my uterus early, even as much as I want my old clothes to fit again!

So, this weekend is the Rhinebeck, Wool & Sheep Festival in Rhinebeck, NY and I wish I could go! If I didn't already have plans this weekend, I would have made the 4 hour and 45 minute drive down to Rhinebeck according to mapquest.ca. I missed the Vermont Wool & Sheep Festival while in Europe - so I guess there's always next year with a 9-10 month old strapped to my back! Anyone wanna come next year?? Vermont is obviously more reasonable because it's only about a 2 hour drive or so, than to Rhinebeck, almost 5 hours. Very jealous of anyone attending this weekend! If you are attending, be sure to let me know how it was and take lots of pictures!

Alright, I just finished watching Nip/Tuck and I'm zonked. Bed time! (And thanks to the body pillow that my mother loaned me - I am sleeping soooooo much better at night!)

Boo-ty Swap

This morning I worked on a poster for my father's company and then headed out to meet my cousin Jenn at the LYS by her, to pick out some yarn for the elephant she's knitting baby Sean. While there, I found these cute keychains. I picked up the green one for my Secret Pal, which I am putting in a card and mailing tomorrow - and the other one - for me! Too cute to resist not buying one!

While at the LYS - I saw that they had the Knit Lites in various sizes. I couldn't justify buying one for myself, even if I do want a pair BADLY! I don't even know what size I'd buy - but I liked the pink ones! Hee hee. I just kinda wanted a pair! Oh well - I'll put them on my wishlist. Maybe for Xmas/Chanukah or something!

Upon arriving home, I decided that I HAD to make curtains for my office. I do not want to see my neighbor anymore. I can see his garage door when standing up in my office and I don't want him looking into my office either. (My window goes into our driveway, which houses our garages). Anyhow, this is what I came up with:

Right now it's on a dowel (spelling?) that Jamie picked up at the hardware store the other day for another project, and had leftover. I had a pieces of material EXACTLY the right size (from a swap earlier on during the year with Jenn B. of Scissorspaperglue. I hemmed the bottom and made a slit at the top for the wood to pass through, so the material would stay. I think my sewing skills are improving a lot!

Today - I got my BOOTY swap in the mail that Marga Hosted! Makes me feel bad that I have not mailed out mine yet - but the deadline was not until October 28th, and so I still have time. I am just about done putting mine together, so I'll probably finish that up tomorrow and get to the post office probably on Wednesday to mail out mine.

Here's the AWESOME loot that I got from Lil-Rose-Thorn:

I got yarn, and chocolate, and a book for baby Sean, and 2 pairs of socks for me!

She handmade this paper thing. I LOVE IT. I have it hanging on my desk.

The absolute BEST part of this package was the two orange-y toned yarns!

This is handpainted yarn from a local Alberta artist.
I love, love, love, love, love, love, love it! I can't even describe my love for it!

And the awesome colours in this ball of Trekking XXL yarn. (My 2nd ball of Trekking XXL that I now own!) My sock yarn collection is expanding! (Giggle)!

Thank you very very much Lil-Rose-Thorn! I love love love love it! Marga did a good job matching you up with me. I am very happy! Thanks Marga! (Hee hee!)

Tonight I went to pre-natal aqua, and tonight we had a fuller class. We were about 6 of us, one girl pregnant due on Xmas, and I was the next in line. The other girls, due in February and March of 2007. The girl who is due 2 weeks before me, is smaller than me in the belly! I hope that doesn't mean that I am going to have a huge baby! LOL. I hope Sean is easy sliding out! I don't need a big baby to push out!

Speaking of Sean - while I was out with Jenn today - we stopped to grab something to eat (I was hungry, as usual) and after eating, I had my arms resting on my belly, and I guess Sean didn't like that I was pressing against my belly or something, and he kicked my arms off my belly! It was the first time he's done that; felt me and kicked me off! It was actually pretty cool.

I got some knitting done tonight on Jamie's 2nd sock. I have about 30 ish odd rows to knit before closing the toes and then I can move onto antoher WIP, so that I can finish all my UFO's. That's the plan before starting anything new! Even the purse for my mother-in-law's birthday. I can't start that until I'm done my started projects!

Office Moving Day

Today we moved my office. We got started on it as soon as we got up today. It was a lot of work. I emptied my shelves and my desk, and Jamie had two of his friends come over and help move the furniture. There wasn't much to move, which was good - but it was heavy. Jamie also totally re-organized our crawl space - which I think took him 3 hours, but everything in there is totally accessible (unlike how it was before when I tried organizing it!) and even my 3 huge tubs of yarn are completely accessible!

My old office is now empty:

It will be the baby's room!

I just need to vaccum and then use the shampooing vaccum cleaner to wash the carpets. I'll get to that this week at some point. Within the next few days, since on Thursday night, I'm going with Jamie's dad to order the crib.

When emptying out my book shelves (to bring them down stairs to my new office), I piled them up in the corner of the baby's room, and I didn't realize HOW many I actually owned. Holy crap! (Not all of them will be coming down to my office, I am going to be storing a lot of them, I don't need them all out on display anymore) but gosh - I own a lot of books!

It's quite colorful, eh???

I love books. I love to read. I started reading again since school has let out - and I was on a role of reading books, but then the last couple of weeks, since being back - things have been really busy around here - and I have not set down to read. I think now that my office has been moved - once I organize all my things into my new office space, and the baby's furniture gets moved into the room - then I can make more time to do things for me! I still have a huge list of things to do before baby Sean appears into this world! 11 and a half weeks to go - and let me tell you - it's going to pass really fast - I can just sense it!

I totally forgot about Desperate Housewives tonight, I'll just download it tomorrow. I tried watching that new shoe Ugly Betty that is on Thursdays nights. I downloaded the first three episodes, which I watched this morning while cleaning out and emptying my office (while my computer was still hooked up) and it's alright. It's cute, but nothing great. Anyone watching it? What do you think? I don't know if I will continue watching it - but Thursday nights are a big TV night with Survivor on (which Jamie and I both watch together) and Grey's Anatomy as well as CSI.

Tomorrow I will get some knitting done, as I'm getting together with my cousin Jenn, and we're going to the LYS by her, to pick out some yarn for an elephant she wants to knit for baby Sean. (Jenn - don't let me spend any money on my visa at the LYS tomorrow - LOL - that could be BAD BAD BAD! - Unless it's for my SP9!) Oh - speaking of yarn - does anyone know if 18-19$ US is good for 1 skein of STR (Socks that Rock)? My SP loves STR and I started looking into getting her some, and all I'm finding is online for about 18-19$ and plus. I don't know if this is reasonable, or what.... and I doubt that I can get STR in a yarn shop by me... I don't think it's sold here? Anyone have any? Where did you get it?? Please let me in on some info.

Sewing Day

Today I picked up Jennie and she came over. In return for helping me sew some stuff up - Jennie was able to use my washer and drier to do laundry. She did 3 loads at my house while we did some crafts!

First, she showed me tricks to make a bag with lining.....

And I made a little bag. I am not 100% happy with the handle (Ribbon) but, it'll do for now. Maybe it'll be a knitting bag - or something we'll see. Silky material is a biatch to work with!

Then, I cut out the Care Bears for Dummies pattern and sewed them up on my machine. Stuffed them, and Jennie helped me sew up the end. Angela got me this material for my birthday. The material is really neat, but the bears aren't printed to match, so it was a little difficult. They turned out great, and they'll be going in baby Sean's room.

Then, Jennie wrote me out instructions on how to make a needle case. The last time she was over, she made me one, but I wanted to try one on my own:

And this is what I came up with!
My secret pal likes dark greens, so I made the interior dark green. (With a little bit of the material that Angela got me for my birthday). I have plenty of material left over to make more stuff. It's a really nice dark green. I am thinking about making a mini quilt for baby Sean.

I realized AFTER ironing on my Homemade by Robyn labels, that by sending this to my Secret Pal, it'll have my name on it. I am wondering if I should wait and send her the needle case closer to the end of SP9 - or if I should not worry about her knowing just my first name...!? I am going to think about it - I am not mailing out the package tomorrow or anything - there are still things I want to buy and make for this package! I'll probably get it out in the next 2-3 weeks though, package number 1! I made her the needle case, because in her questionnaire, she says that she keeps them in a drawer. I can't have that! LOL - so I had to make her a needle case.

Tonight I started clearing out my desk/office, tomorrow is the big move! My new office in the basement will be smaller, so I will have to see how I will arrange everything. I also want to keep a corner to make a play area for baby Sean. This way, he can play and I will be able to work. (Though, the playing won't be for a couple of months....!)

I stopped by a baby store near my house today, and looked at cribs. The crib will be a gift from my father-in-law and step-mother-in-law. We'll probably go sometime this week to order it. I can't wait. The baby's room is the next step to preparing for the new exciting time in my life!

I got no knitting done today - but maybe tomorrow - if there is time (and energy) after the big move!

Thank you Jennie for your sewing help (so many more tricks and techniques I want to learn - but everything one-step at a time!)

Stitch 'N Bitch Time!

This morning I went out with my mother & grandmother to do some shopping. By the time we were not even half way through the afternoon, I decided that there is no way that I can do spend 3 days with the two of them in Albany, New York, as we were planning on going next month. I don't think it's because I was over tired and hungry - I think with me being 7 months pregnant (8 months next month when we actually go) that I won't be able to handle that much quality time! Not the way my mother & grandmother shop - LOL. Anyhow - we'll see as the time gets closer, it's not as if hotel reservations will be a problem or anything.

Tonight I went knitting with Angela & my cousin Jenn at the new yarn shop Effiloché. They were holding a little stitch & bitch for it's opening! It was a lot of fun! Effiloché is also a sewing shop, which is really cool, and I am curious to learn more about their sewing classes - as I'm learning my sewing machine. I actually have my friend Jennie coming over tomorrow to help me learn more on my sewing machine! I can't wait. Oh - an guess what? Effiloché has the ORIGINAL Clapotis in the shop window! Kate's original one! How damn cool is that?? I forgot to go look at it - maybe next time!

And - I fell in love tonight. I fell in love with Recycled Silk Yarn - iImported and distributed by the Wool Peddler. It is handspun in Nepal. And it's gorgeous. Just look below! (I just checked my bill - I thought it was 15.75$ a hank - but it was actually 19.75$ a hank (minus 10% discount for being a member of Montreal Knits). I am glad that I didn't know the price before buying - that may have made a difference. (LOL - okay, maybe not!)


I am absolutely IN LOVE with my new yarn. It's actually silk from Sari's and right now it's shedding everywhere. I *think* I am going to make a shawl with it - I just have to find the right pattern. (Oh and Kadi - on knitty.com it's a bag not a shawl pattern for this yarn - I looked). I have 3 hanks of this yarn, and it's approx. 175 yards per hank, at 200g per hank (they're kinda heavy!) But I think it will make a gorgeous shawl! Or scarf of some sort. Something warm and beautiful. But first - I must finish:

- Jamie's sock
- My Clapotis
- My first pair of socks ever (just the toes need to be closed on both socks!)
- Sewing & Blocking of baby Sean's sweater
- Matching booties for the sweater for baby Sean??

And I think that's it - and then I allow myself to use my recycled silk!!!! Oh - no - wait... I have a purse to knit for my mother-in-law's birthday as well. Her birthday is in just over 2 months. I have plenty of time - just gotta get working on that too.

So much to knit before the baby is born. I hope I will have enough time!

28 Weeks Pregnant; Third Trimester

So we're into the home stretch... my third trimester! Today marks 12 weeks left until my January 11th due date. The last three months of my pregnancy - months 7 -8 and 9! In honor of my last trimester, I had to take a picture! And of course, I had to do it in my Habs tshirt. (Well, actually it's Jamie's Habs tshirt - because I don't fit into mine for the moment - it's gotten too small. Okay, okay, my belly's gotten too big for it - hee hee!)

Love my red shirt & my pink pants, eh?? I'm soooo fashionable, let me tell you! That's what you get when you just sit around the house - outfits that just don't go - but hey - I love it!

I found this photo on the internet - and I find it weird - but yet cute at the same time. I wonder if I will be able to see my son's foot like that at any point during the rest of my pregnancy. Does it actually happen like that??

Today - I staying in until I went knitting with the girls in the Plateau. I really enjoy going - this is their 2nd meeting in that area so far - and well - my only one complaint is the lack of parking in the area. It takes me more time to find parking than it does to actually get there!

If you look closely, you can see beer on the tables - tonight - instead of having coffees and teas, it was beer! I personally stuck to having a banana milkshake that wasn't as good as I remember it being last time, but it was still good.

Tonight I worked on Jamie's socks. I had promised him that they would be done by October, and well - now it's October! I started them bac in June. I have the first sock done, and I'm now working on sock number two. (Oh - by the way - I finished the baby sweater, can't remember if I mentioned it. I just have to sew up the tops of the sleeves, and block it, and sew on the 2 buttons) I will post pictures as soon as I'm done sewing it up and it's blocked into proper shape!

Jamie's socks started out the evening on my bamboo DPN's - but then I realized that I had my new 12" Addi Turbo's on me, which are the exact same mm. So I moved them over to the 12" circs and boy what a difference:

They are knitting up soooo much faster on the circs than on DPN's. I think I am going to have to get my hands on another pair so I can get more than one sock going at the same time, as well as smaller sizes. The one I have is US2/3mm (For socks I usually use between 2mm and 3mm (even 2.75mm or 2.5mm but I dont think they make circs in those sizes for socks)....! Anyhow, they are just fantastic - let me tell you. I may even be able to knit the wrap & turn heel on the circs without having to go back on the DPN's - which I think may be fantastic - but I have not worked out the logistics of that yet. I don't know if it's even possible. This is my first time knitting socks on circulars.


I had a really good conversation with Kate Gilbert tonight, on doula's and natural birth. She gave me some really good information, tips, and will hopefully be loaning me some books to read up on birthing. I am not sure yet what type of birth I want - I need to start reading up on that stuff, and also speak to my OBGYN to see what his opinion is on things, and what he is open to. I know that the Jewish General has a great birthing center, and it's one of the better hospitals in Montreal to give birth at. I am glad it's conveniently located around the corner from my house. (But I definitely won't be walking there in the middle of January in -40 degree weather!) Thank you Kate for telling me everything you have - I did not think you were rambling at all....! Promise! (I was even a little geeky and showed her my Clapotis - which is her pattern! It's still in progress, but I plan on finishing it THIS YEAR. Before the baby is born!) It's on my list of things to do before baby! I am almost at the decreasing section - so I am glad). Kate approves of the colour I'm making it in - that makes me happy! I can't even remember the last time I worked on it. I know I've worked on it since being pregnant - but other knitting projects have come in the way - and I kind of put it aside. Well - she's back out - and she will get finished! I actually am thinking about using the pattern to make a smaller version - but as a scarf... if I can figure out how to shorten the pattern! (I'm still new to knitting - only been knitting since January of this year - so I'm getting there!) I wonder if it's even possible?

Anyhow, I am going to go plop myself on the couch, watch some tv (I am having problems getting to sleep these days - I think it's more because I'm uncomfortable and no position is comfy to sleep in - so I avoid it as much as possible!) But I will leave you with this:



By this week, your baby weighs a little over 2 pounds and measures about 14.8 inches from the top of his head to his heels. He can open his eyes -- which now sport lashes -- and he'll turn his head toward a continuous, bright light from the outside. His fat layers are beginning to form, too, as he gets ready for life outside the womb.

Bibs & The Stalker

The Sloganizer thanks to a link from Cynthia!

I got a postcard in the mail today that my favourite magazine, For Me Magazine, will have it's October 2006 issue be it's last one. LAST ONE??? Are you kidding me? I just renewed it. They mention that they will send Woman's Day Magazine for the rest of my subscription. I've never even heard of Woman's Day Magazine. The postcard also says to make my decision by October 10th, 2006 and respond. Uhm - that was yesterday. I think I am going to call the 1-800 number tomorrow to find out. I think I want a credit back on my credit card for the non-issues. Has anyone ever heard of Woman's Day? Apparently it's published 17 times a year - and I've never even heard of it?

Today I finally did a bib count. I weeded out all the girlie, non-unisex bibs and kept only the boy and unisex ones, and I have a total of 45 bibs (unless there are some that I have misplaced and didn't see today). I have a whole handful more - but those are for girls only, and those are in a box with other girl stuff, which will be stored until I have a girl! There's not much, but at least one box of stuff. I promised my sister's friend that I would keep it, and use it for a future child when I have a girl - or give it to my sister if and when she has children, and if it is a girl.

Here is the stack of bibs - which will go into the washing machine with Ivory Snow probably tomorrow. Today I washed baby hats and baby socks (sooo cute!) and I've got some onesies that are being de-stained as we speak. Do you think that 45 bibs is enough? I wonder how many more I'll get for my 2 baby showers. I'll keep you posted on the total tally of bibs once the two baby showers occur. I think it's kinda funny how many I have - but I guess now I have one for each day of the month, so I don't have to do laundry - and then some! But - I have a hunch that I'll end up going through more than just 1 per day....

So Paris & Nicole are friends again? Story here. Can the girls make up their mind?

Click here for my stalker story. It's password protected, so if you're lucky, I'll give you the password - email me or leave a comment for the password!

SP9 Contest #1

My fave.....

Actor.... is.... Mark Ruffalo - he's just sooo sexy. Also - an early John Travolta (Saturday Night Fever baby!)

Actress .... is.... Julia Roberts.

Animal .... is.... dogs, more in specific - Great Danes.

Band .... is.... Counting Crows - but, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, are also high up on my list.

Beverage .... is.... Diet Coke. (Can't be Diet Pepsi - I know the difference!)

Book.... is.... She's Come Undone by Wally Lamb.

Bubble Bath .... is.... in a large tub that I can fit into (right now at 7 months pregnant - I got myself stuck in the tub last night, and I had to call my hubby to help me get out!)

Candy .... is.... anything cherry, watermelon, peach, cotton candy and cinnamon flavored. I don't have a specific kind of candy that I like.

Color .... is.... pink. (I DETEST purple).

Flower .... is.... tiger liles and sunflowers.

Food .... is.... anything italian.

Lip Balm .... is.... kiwi or berry or watermelon scented. No specific brand. I am not a fan of lip smackers though - I find they cake on to my lips. I perfer tubes over jars.

Lotion .... is.... anything peach, vanilla, watermelon, scented. However, for my dry skin, I'm addicted to St. Ives and a very expensive jar of Karite's from Jean Coutu. For face moisterizer I use only Clinique. I use moisterizer all the time!

Movies .... are .... Reality Bites, Pretty Woman, Breakfast Club, Party Girl, Lord of the Rings, Star Wars. Those are at the top of my list right now.

Song .... is.... Amazed by Lonestar.

TV Shows .... are.... Nip/Tuck, CSI, , Big Brother, Seinfeld, Sopranos, 24, Lost, Grey's Anatomy, Desperate Housewives.

Vacation Spot .... is.... Europe (where I just got back from!)

Piper & Registries

I had to sleep in a little bit today - even though it wasn't long enough. I was up until 2 am last night, waiting until the sink COMPLETELY unclogged - so that I could go to bed. So today - I'm tired. I had to get up though, I had stuff to do today. I didn't set my alarm though for any specific time - and even when it did go off - I think I hit snooze for over an hour for sure.

After getting up - I got ready and headed to the west island. My sister's friend had some more baby stuff for me to pick up - to clear out of her apartment. She gave me a baby bouncer (vibrating chair) as well as a diaper pale and also a car seat (which will go into Jamie's car because the stroller my parents are getting us next weekend comes with a car seat and that will go into my car)! She also gave me some more clothes and bibs - and my gosh - I think I will be okay for baby clothes for the first couple of months of my soon-to-be son's life! While I was over there, I noticed that her daughter was still using the pink baby blanket that I crochet, and made as a thank you for the last packages of hand-me-downs that I got - her daughter is inseperable with it! Made me feel good! Something that I made! Always a great feeling.

After my sister's friends house, I went to this store in the area that I wanted to go to for a while now. My secret Pal wrote on her questionnaire that she's interested in learning cables, and this store (not a yarn shop) has knitting accessories, and has cable needles. I actually got my last secret pal Lindsay some there - and wanted to get for my SP9 pal. I also found some awesome candles for my new pal - she loves a specific kind of scent, and they happened to have it! I can't wait to finish putting together package number 1 and mailing it out. I just need to organize the yarn selection for it - and pick up a few other items that I want - and SP9 will start with a bang! The person spoiling me has already contacted me, and I am very excited! She said she lives far - so she put something in the mail to test to see how long it takes to get to my mailbox.

I stopped by my parents house for lunch, and talked to my mom for a bit. I learned that my parents will be getting a 2nd great dane - but it's a little hush hush until it actually happens - which will be in November after I get back from a little road trip to Albany, NY with my mother & grandmother for a few days. Piper, below, is 4 months older than my parent's current great dane, Bosco, and she's fully trained. She actually currrently belongs to Bosco's co-owner, whom is going through a tough time right now, so he's convinced my mom to take 1 of his 4 danes. Here is Piper:

I think she's absolutely stunning!

This afternoon I went by my dad's store to get some files for a graphic job he wants me to do. And then I went by Sears with my mom - whom met me there, to look at a stroller. I ended up making a registry at Sears (which is accessible online to view - but not really to purchase). The stroller that I want - is going on sale next weekend, so my mom will get it then. If your child is born on their actual date that you've marked on your registry - you will win your entire already purchased items from the registry. This means, they'll match the amount that you're friends and family have spent - and send you gift certificates in the mail - which is great for more baby stuff! The lady told me that 1 in 4 registries end up winning their registry. I wonder if that's because their "due" dates are actually "scheduled c-section dates". I deleted my registry at Toysrus.ca because they are annoying to deal with - and I didn't like their prices nor their selection. Plus there isn't really a Toysrus close to me, and Sears is just better. So now I have one at Walmart & Sears. And that's that!

This evening I had dinner at my sister's place - it's the 2nd time I've been there. It was nice to hang out with her for a bit - and see her kittens - who got spayed and neutered recently, and the female cat has a cone on her head so she won't lick her stitches, the cat looks so sad in the cone - I felt bad... but if the stitches were to infect - that would be worse - so it's a good thing! I guess the reason that I don't go to my sister's house often is because she lives so far! I calculated it tonight, on my way home, and it was 25 km from her place to mine. Without traffic at 8pm, it took me 25 minutes to get home, but with traffic during the day, it would take me forever to get there.

Tonight - I decided to take a bath - for the first time in a long time. Only - there is 1 problem. I couldn't get out of the tub when I was done. I had to call my hubby to help me up. I was literally stuck in there! I wish I had a bigger tub - that's for one, and I don't think I will try bathing until after I give birth! (Note to self: Don't try that again. Note to others: Unless you have a spacious bath - don't try bathing at almost 28 weeks pregnant!

I am a Good Wife - A little Graphic - Be warned

I am a good wife.

Tonight, my hubby was really sick and puked in the toilet, in the sink, everywhere..... it's the 2nd time he's done that since I've been pregnant (I haven't even done that....!) but it's like a massive amount, and now I'm worried. I told him if this happens again, then he's going to see someone about it. I can't remember the date of the last time it happened, but I definitely remember it was after I became pregnant, because the last time - I was not able to stomach it - but last time he got it all in the toilet. Not the sink!

Eventually the sink unclogged. I had to use Drain-o, a bottle of Coca Cola and as well - scoop most of it out of the sink and into the toilet. I do not know how I stomached this - but I was able to. I guess my mother-ly instincts are kicking in. Once I used the Draino, the bathroom smelled like that stuff, so it was actually tolerable to clean. But wow - I never realized that I would be able to stomach doing that for someone else.

I am a good wife. That's all I have to say!

What Were My Favourite Places?

This morning I got up early, as my friends Lauren & Seth were leaving to drive back to Philly. It was really awesome that they came in for the weekend, and were able to visit. I really hope that they had a great time. I hope that I am a good host and I hope that they were confortable sleeping in our den - on foutons. (Mental note: When I have money - buy pull out couch)....!

Before leaving, Seth lost his wallet. I will forever never let him live that one down. Well, it wasn't lost - it was in his suitcase - which was in the trunk of his car - which he apparently searched. It was funny and probably one of those you had to be there moments. He was convinced that one of my cats dragged it from inside his shoe (don't ask why it was there) to somewhere else in my house!

I never got to post pictures last night of the wonderful dinner Lauren & I made, so here is a table shot from my dinning room.

A nice candle lit dinner for 4, chicken stir-fry for everyone but Lauren (she's a vegetarian), and it was delicious, and a good time was had by all!

Oh - and guess what? We had PURPLE cauliflower in our stir-fry. This is the cauliflower, just after being cut up:


Yep - purple cauliflower. My least favourite colour in the world - BUT - I found it interesting that cauliflower comes in this colour - and it's Lauren's favourite colour - so I HAD to buy it for the stir-fry.

Today, Jamie and I chilled and watched 2 movies. First we watched X-Men: The Last Stand, and then we watched The Rocket: Maurice Richard. X-men was good, but the first two were better. The Rocket - was amazing. I highly recommend it to any Habs fan - who understands French. The movie is mainly in French. There are actually French subtitles for those few parts that are in English. I am wondering though - it's possible the movie had English subtitles, but we have a DVD player that has no remote control (need to ask my dad who gave us the machine, for the remote) so we couldn't access the subtitle menu. It was pretty cool seeing Vicent Lecavalier (Montrealer who plays for Tampa Bay) in the movie - as well as Stephane Quintal who used to play for the Habs..... as well as some other NHLers in the movie!

Tonight, I went to Pre-Natal Aqua. I was running 2 minutes late, and thought the class would be going on already once I got there, but I was the first one to arrive. Actually, I was the only pregnant one to arrive! I finally met Hendrica - whom I've spoken to so many times on the phone, (with the Pre-Natal Yoga business that never happened) and eventually this other girl who is not pregnant joined us, just because she loves water aqua and Hendrica told her that for today, she could stay, but for next week - not to come to the pre-natal class if she's not pregnant.

I really enjoyed my private class today. It was really awesome. I had a good chat with Hendrica about a lot of things, and the one piece of advice I left there today with - is - Hendrica told me to learn how to LET GO now... she said that if you don't let go - it will be hard later on in life. She says that as soon as the baby comes out of your stomach - that you need to learn how to let go to the life that you are giving birth to. I don't know if I am ready to let go in 12 weeks. This Thursday marks my 3rd trimester with only 12 weeks to go. Will 12 weeks be enough for me to be able to let go? Am I ready to not be pregnant anymore? OF COURSE I can't wait to meet baby Sean, but am I ready to let go from being pregnant? Am I ready to let this baby enter the world? I love love love being pregnant, and I am not sure I'm quite ready to not be anymore. (However, there are times when my feet are swollen and my back aches and I cant sit or sleep comfortably that I am ready to have baby Sean!)

I really like Hendrica. I am glad that she is teaching the class. The first pre-natal class I went to back in August (last Monday of August) she was on vacation and there was a sub for her class. So this is the first time I'm meeting her.

I took the Aquafitness schedule as I was leaving, and Hendrica allows pregnant women into her deep end water aqua class, and there is one on Thursday nights that she told me about. However, there is also one on Wednesday mornings, which I am going to see if I can occasionally take (because some Thursdays there is knitting on the Plateau that I want to attend!) but I want to maximize my Y membership, because of the missed month due to Jewish Holidays and the Y closing, Hendrica cancelling her class, and 2 weeks of me being away on our honeymoon. In the deep end water class Hendrica lets preggers attend, but she'll tell you if there is a move you shouldn't do while pregnant (there are a few apparently).

While talking to Hendrica - she asked me what my favourite spots of Europe were while the 2 weeks I was away. Jamie and I have made a list (verbally) of our top locations that we enjoyed the most on our trip. So - in NO particular order:

1. Amsterdam, Netherlands
2. Cadiz, Spain
3. Florence, Italy

Those were our fave parts of the honeymoon last month. I've linked the blog entry from that day, so that you can read about our day there if you missed it last month.

Something I bought baby Sean while in Amsterdam, and forgot to post it, but wanted to share it - because it's just too cute:

Under the little drawing it reads:

It is the tiniest thing ever - and it's just toooooo cute.

Weird stuff that happened to me this evening upon returning my movies that I rented - I went out to get drive thru for dinner, and first, a girl employee comes out of the restaurant, while I'm waiting in line to pay in my car, and she is tapping on my window asking me if I had a light for her smoke. Me - almost 7 months pregnant - have a light? Are you kidding me??? Wrong person to ask - lol. She eventually knocks on three more cars until she gets a light. Weird.

Then, I ask when I get to the cash I ask the girl if everything is there, because she gave me this big bag, and when I get home...... Jamie's fries are missing from the bag. It was only a 1.39$ - but still! That was NOT cool. It's even on my bill that I paid for them. Not cool. I was mad. I tried calling a few times, but kept getting an annoying fax sound whenever I tried calling. So I gave up. I'll try them again tomorrow.

Alright, I'm going to go to bed and watch some TV.

Countries Visited

create your own visited countries map

I've been to 17 Countries. (7% of the world).

Countries Visited:

Canada

USA

Israel

Morocco

Carribean

Austria

Germany

Netherlands

Belgium

Italy

Portugal

Switzerland

France

Gibraltar

Spain

Greece

United Kingdom

Tam's & Cooking

Today, after getting up - Lauren & I went to get a couple of things at the Pharmacy. Jamie's been sniffling lately, and we have ran out of kleenex. I also wanted to get my hands on some Colgate Max Fresh - which Lauren & Seth have introduced me to - it's the newest greatest toothpaste available.

My mouth just feels sooooo clean after brushing with it - that I had to pick some up - and the good news is - it was on sale at the pharmacy by my house - which was even more fantastic! The Arm & Hammer Cinnamon flavored stuff I've been using - not so good. My mouth - just doesn't feel clean using it.

Oh--- guess what? I got my swift on Friday. I forgot to mention it - how could I forget!! Lauren brought it in for me - as I had it shipped to her house in Philly - as Joann.com would only ship UPS to an American address. They didn't mind taking a Canadian credit card though! I can't wait to figure out how to use it properly (it came with absolutely no instructions whatsoever. Now, I can figure out the jist of how to use it - but as far as the exact usage - and to place the yarn, etc... and if there are any tricks to using it - I have no idea at the moment. I am sure it's not difficult - but still!

Anyhow, this afternoon I took Lauren on a tour of the city. Seth wanted to stay back at my house and watch NFL games with Jamie all afternoon. Jamie is a huge Philadelphia Eagles fan - and that is Seth's home team! I am so glad that the two of them get along great! They watched football and we went out on the town! First, we stopped by the mountain, and I showed her the "lookout" area, and then we headed down to where Tam's was being held - and that was great.

Here is some video footage of how cool Tam's is - and why I love just sitting there listening. Make sure your speakers are on!!! This video footage was taken on Lauren's digi cam - since my Canon Rebel XT does not take video and I didn't have Jamie's Fuji Z1 on me - which was charging on the charger at home. I guess I used up all the battery power - oops! (Nothing wrong with that).

It was nice to see all the crafty vendors and they stuff they were selling. I didn't buy anything today - as I didn't see anything that I wanted. We had sat down by Tam's for about 30 minutes, and it was just a GORGEOUS day today.

After leaving Tam's I gave Lauren a tour of downtown, the old port, china town (the small area that it is) and then to the Orange Julep. Lauren DID NOT like the drink, but I do - so I had one, but I am glad she at least tried it. I think the egg inside the drink may have turned her off. Maybe I should NOT have told her what was in there - lol - just kidding!

This afternoon Lauren & I watched the movie The Lakehouse. I like Sandra Bullock, but I am not that big of a Keanu Reeves fan. The movie - while cute - was not realistic at all - nor believable. It was just too far fetched - but for a 'chick' flick - it was cute, and entertaining. I worked on my knitting during the movie - I've only got about 20 more rows of baby Sean's v-neck cardigan to go - before I can block it and put it away for his arrival. Next project - I think I am going to work on the purse that I will either knit or crochet for my mother-in-law for her birthday. I just haven't decided yet on a pattern and if it will be knit or crochet. I have a really nice yarn picked out for it - I will get you the details when I start working on it!

This evening Lauren & I cooked the boys dinner. (They enjoyed life today - watched football, sat back and relaxed while the wives cooked dinner)... what could be better? We made stir-fry and a salad, and it was delicious. We ate for the first time on our fine Mikasa china that we got as wedding presents. We figured that if we don't use it now - what the heck are we waiting for? I am in love with our china - for it's uniqueness and it's moderness....!

This evening Lauren & I chilled and the boys watched more football. Lauren & Seth are leaving tomorrow morning to get home (it's about an 8 hour drive home) and they have classes to teach on Tuesday (Monday - tomorrow is both Canadian Thanksgiving and American Columbus Day) and so they don't want to get in too late. It was Fantastic having them stay with us for the weekend, and we look forward to seeing them again in the future. As of this week, I enter my 3rd trimester - and I won't be doing any traveling until after the baby is born (except a small drive to my sister-in-law's for the weekend for my nephew's 4th birthday party in November - can't miss that!)

I got emailed my SP9 partner - I can't wait for it to begin. The cool thing - the woman I am spoiling - her birthday is the day after mine (not the same year though). How wicked is that??

Biodome, Dinner & Spun

Today, I went to the Biodome with my out of town guests from Philly - my friends Lauren & Seth. We had a really good time, and I'm shocked - Jamie actually enjoyed himself! (He's not really a fan of touristy things in his own city - but he actually enjoyed himself. That made me happy). My favourite part of the Biodome was the penguins...! Here are two of my favourite shots from this afternoon.

I just find it pretty cool that we have penguins living in my city! It's pretty fascinating. There were otters, and beavers and bats, prairie dogs and all sorts of crazy animals!

After the Biodome we headed back to our place. I dropped off Jamie & Seth and Lauren & I went over to the outside strip mall near my place to check out a few things and also pick up some groceries.

Eventually we came back, got ready and headed out to my favourite restaurant - Cucina for dinner. Dinner was delicious, and everyone had a good time.

Upon getting home from dinner - the Habs won the hockey game (in a shootout!) and then we sat down to watch a movie - Spun - a movie I've seen before - which I love. It's a messed up movie with drugs and stuff, and it's just really well directed, and the scenes are just really well done. I like the movie for the movie - not because it's about drugs (since I don't do drugs). Debbie Harry is even in this movie! I got a lot of knitting done during the movie - the baby V-neck cardigan is coming along very nicely.

Circular Holder & Philly Guests

Today, I had my 6th month pregnancy obgyn appointment. Doctor told me how much weight I have gained in total so far - and I was shocked to learn that I have only gained 22 lbs so far in the 6 months. He said that this is a healthy weight to be at - but to now be careful because I can gain easily 1 lb per week now, and I have 13 weeks left, and he likes to keep his pregnancies at max. 30 lbs. He told me not to worry - in case I go over at 31 - 32 - 33 lbs total - it's not the end of the world, but to keep an eye on my sugar intake - because that could also lead to diabetes, and he doesn't want that.

After my Obgyn apt, I did a few errands, some banking and went to the dollar store to pick up some shoe bags - which someone at the knitting meet-up recommended for circular needle holders! They are great! I bought 2 bags - which have 8 pockets each and I divided my circulars up by size. I have them hanging one on top of the other in my closet in my bedroom. What a FANTASTIC idea for organization, and it only cost me 2$ in total plus applicable taxes!

GENIUS!

Anyhow, I went out for lunch today with Jamie and his ex-coworkers from the educational toy place, and it was good to see them again. After lunch I did a return to Walmart and then headed home. I did some major cleaning up around the house - as I have my friends Lauren & Seth in from Philly right now. I am soooo excited they are here. We got them settled in - and then I took them out for dinner - since tomorrow night we're having Italian - I took them for Greek tonight, and ended up at the same place I ate for lunch today (my favourite place for Greek - Marathon Souvlaki - and ended up eating the same exact thing for dinner as I did for lunch. But I'm NOT complaining - I can eat there 10 times a day if I had enough room to eat that much! Sooo delicious!)

Jamie had a friend over tonight, as it was the first game of the season for the Habs (we lost - what a bad way to start the new season) and Seth watched the game with the guys. Lauren & I caught up, looked through some photos online, and I showed her some baby things for baby Sean. We then had some ice cream and watched Wednesday night's episode of LOST (Boy do I have many questions and can't wait for the season to continue - so many things unasnwered!!)

We were going to go apple picking tomorrow at Quinn Farm (I'm dying to go apple picking) but I totally forgot that Lauren is allergic to apples. (I don't know what I would do without apples - I just LOVE apples). Anyhow, she still wants to go - cuz she can still pick them - just not eat them - which I kinda find defeats the purpose - but the guys think it's not such a good idea - because she's allergic - so we'll see what happens. She can still pick them for her hubby to eat - I dono. Then again - can they actually cross the border back into the USA with apples? I think there is a law against fruit? So maybe it's not a good idea afterall??

Alright, I should get to bed. Tomorrow we'll figure out something else to do - tomorrow night we're taking them to our favourite restaurant for dinner, and Sunday I'm giving them a tour of the city and all that jazz. Sunday night (late afternoon) the Eagles are playing (NFL) and both Jamie and Seth (who is actually from Philly) love the Eagles. Philly is playing Dallas - and apparently it's a game to watch - so the boys will watch football while the girls find something else to do!

Night!

Disturbing Pregnancy Items

What a strange baby shower gift item. I found this online:

What a unique gift for anyone expecting! Pregnant lady keychain stands about 3" tall. It is made of a sturdy clear plastic. The baby "floats" around inside the tummy and can be "delivered" (removed).

WEIRD!

Knitting & Procrastination

I procrastinated ALL day long. It's been a while since I've done that for an entire day.

Tonight, I finally folded one load of laundry, that needed folding since yesterday (that's how bad I was today, but I needed some clothes that was in that basket to go out tonight - so I had to fold it - lol) and went to the local knitting meetup.

I took a few pictures tonight...

Me, knitting!

Sharon & Kadi knitting away - I love this image, because look at Sharon's hands - they're knitting in motion! I love it!

ME! 27 weeks pregnant. I can't believe that there is only 13 weeks left until baby Sean will grace us with his presence....! Will he be early? Will he be late? Will he give mommy an easy delivery (I HOPE!?)

Anyhow, I am really glad that I got out of the house today, and got to work on baby Sean's baby v-neck cardigan. It's coming along great, I'm almost done the right sleeve. I will take picutres tomorrow of the progress. PROMISE!

I want to make myself this sweater. I won't make it until I've given birth, but I'm wondering if I should just start it now??? I know what size I liked my sweaters before I got pregnant.... so maybe it wouldn't be a bad thing to start it now??? The pattern is VERY easy, and you can find it here. I need to see what yarn I'll use for it - and get gauge, and I've read the pattern over a couple of times, and I think I understand it - so it should be a sinch! I have some nice black Gedifra Donatella yarn - I wonder if it will be good to use for this? I do have 14 skeins, so I have enough, it's just a matter of if it's good yarn for this sweater...

Oh Baby Registries

Today, I woke up at 8 am - out of bed, no alarm - nothing. I even had my alarm set for 8:55 am, which would have given me enough time to move my car to the other side of the road (for street cleaning) so that I wouldn't get a ticket. If you are even 1 minute late, the city is there - writing tickets. I kid you not. I ate breakfast, checked on my laundry, and then eventually when it was 8:55 am, woke up Sherrie (my friend in from Boston) to move her car to the other side of the road, so that she wouldn't get a ticket either.

We eventually got our act together, and she came with me to do some errands before heading back to Boston. I needed cat food, the bank, Rona for a new tubmat, the dollar store for Clorox (they sell it cheaper than the pharmacy does! Only 1$) and then I needed to drop off some material at my uncle's shop for my cousin, and pick up a new contact lens. From there, Sherrie and I went to go meet my sister for lunch, at my fave pizza joint - Tasty Foods, and I treated them both to lunch. Lunch was delicious.

After lunch, Sherrie headed back to Boston, and I went to Walmart to pick up a few items, and also to start a baby registry. I spent nearly 2 hours in Walmart, trying to figure out what to put on said registry. What baffles me - is the fact that Walmart.ca does not support registries, where Walmart.com in the USA does for their clientele.... I don't even know how much I put onto the registry, because I can't check it online at home. I need to go back to Walmart anyhow to do a return, so the next time I am in there I will print out my registry and see what is going on with that. I hope it's sufficient for people who will be attending my baby shower. I have no idea if baby registeries have been done by previous family members?? Who knows...! I guess I will find out if anyone buys baby Sean anything on there. Right??

I picked up a copy of The Little Mermaid - It came out today on DVD. It's been in the Disney Vault forever. The copy I have - the previous version on DVD - I paid like 75$ for it - since it was in the Disney Vault for so long, it wasn't a demand, and someone thought that someone else would buy it for that much - and they were right. I really wanted it - and was willing to pay whatever for it. It wasn't even in the best condition, so I don't even know what possessed me to buy it for that price! It's one of my FAVE movies ever.

Tonight, Jamie and I chilled on the couch, there wasn't much on, so I knitted and he watched that new show Friday Night Lights, and then we watched some Law & Order. I just just finished watching Nip/Tuck from tonight, boy does that show get sicker and sicker each week - but this week wasn't too bad at all.... next week's looks messed up - gotta love "scenes from the next" to keep you wanting more!

Bed time!

Top 10 Pet Peeves of Graphic Designers

Top 10Pet Peeves of Graphic Designers

10. Business cards or other corporate applications that include the font “Comic Sans” or “Courier”.

9. The people who bring in the corporate applications mentioned previously in No. 10

8. The notion that the more fonts you use, the cooler it looks!

7. Clients who insist they “get you” like no one else does, because they too are a “creative spirit”…”why don’t the normal people understand how we operate?!”

6. Any situation involving math.

5. Clients who already know what they want, for better or for worse. And every time you try and deviate from their grand vision, they smack you back into line…even if what they want is a purple monkey dishwasher.

4. “Can’t you just…” something. Those words always spell trouble for yours truly.

3. People who show up Fridays at 10 minutes until closing time, in a huge “emergency” rush for business cards for their big trade show that starts at 9 AM saturday morning. GUESS WHAT. You opted to attend this conference MONTHS ago, so why are you only here now, and you have “Absolutely no cards!!” !?!?!?!?! I don’t understand these people.

2. People who haggle with the price. Especially when it’s really, really fair. More than fair. If it’s not worth that much, and if you could do the same thing for less time and money, WHY DIDN’T YOU?

1. “When you asked me to proof it…I didn’t actually think I had to READ IT!!”

Blah Blah Afternoon

Today, I watched my nephew. He was quite the monster today. He didn’t nap, so by late afternoon, he was just wired and being a little bugger. Sherrie went to shul in the morning with my sister-in-law and J went to work. (We’re not religious, so he didn’t care going into work on a Jewish holiday). Anyhow, eventually Sherrie and my SIL came back, and my SIL had to leave again to go to a thing she had at the casino. I let Sherrie be (just chill) during the afternoon, because she was actually fasting and observing the holiday. So, this afternoon, I kinda got on this huge cleaning kick, which started in the morning, and I washed the entire kitchen. I kid you not - I did every corner (except for the shelves in the fridge - which are next on my list). And to tell you the truth, I did a MIGHTY fine job cleaning the kitchen! I am sooo happy with the way my kitchen looks now, it was OVERDUE for a cleaning. (An explosion of tomato sauce in the microwave from BEFORE we left to Europe…., a really dirty with seeds and bread crumb toaster, floors needed a moping…. that sort of thing). It seemed like everything needed a wipe down!

For dinner, I made salmon, with rice, teriyaki noodles, and steamed carrots. It was a huge hit, and even one of J’s friends joined us for dinner. Even my almost 4 year old nephew ate almost everything on his plate!

This evening Sherrie & I just chilled, and I ended up surfing toysrus.ca and adding stuff to my baby registry. I can’t believe that my baby showers (I’m having two), are in a month and just under a month! I don’t even know where to begin to start putting things together on a registry! Everything is just soooooo damn cute! I also need to go make a registry at Walmart and at theBaie. I will get there this week, I must. Family members are harassing me to do so! LOL…So much to do! I have to start working on the nursery as well, but that will come in time. My office is almost empty, and then it will become the baby’s room. In due time.

Going to go hang out with Sherrie a bit before we go to bed.

Week 26.4 - Belly Buttons

Week 26: Middle Management: Your Protruding Navel

You’re two-thirds of the way through your pregnancy and your uterus is about two and a half inches above your belly button. And speaking of your belly button, have you noticed that it’s taken on a life of its own — a larger-than-life life? Protruding navels may not be your idea of forward fashion (especially when you’re in a bikini, or when your once innie belly button now bulges through tight clothes), but it’s de rigueur for the pregnant set. And it’s easy to understand why. Beginning somewhere around the middle to end of your second trimester, your enlarging uterus swells enough to push your abdomen forward, making your navel pop out like a timer on a well-done turkey (even though you have a way to go before your baby is “well done”). Your belly button should revert back to its regular position a few months after delivery — (though it may have that stretched-out, “lived in” look. Until then, you can look at the bright side of your protruding navel: it gives you a chance to clean out all the lint that’s accumulated there since you were a kid.

And from another source that I get emails from about my baby’s progress weekly:)

Your baby weighs almost 2 pounds; measures around 9.2 inches from crown to rump (or about 14 inches from head to heel); and hears noises, responds to light, and is generally more aware of its surroundings. In the same way that you can see a flashlight if you hold it against your palm, your baby can see the light coming through your belly. You may notice increased activity when in brighter light and decreased activity in darkened rooms. Its hearing is fully developed, and as he or she reacts to sounds, its pulse increases. Your baby will even move in rhythm to music!

So - my belly button will start popping out - that’s great. At least I can clean up that lint! And it’s cute to know that the reason the my son was having fun bouncing around my stomach on Saturday night while at the habs game - was because he can hear noises now, and all the screaming at the game got him excited! Future habs player in the making?

You see - my belly button is ’starting’ to turn out! Not sure if I like it or not! LOL

Going to go feed my nephew lunch (I’m babysitting him while his mom is at shul). More later!

Everything is Illuminated

Today I got up just as J’s first guests started arriving for his annual hockey pool. Yes my friends - it’s that time of the year again- hockey! The habs season start on Friday, Oct 6th, and I’m very excited.

My dad’s manager Jimmy came by for this hockey pool bringing fresh bagels and boy was that delicious. I love fresh bagels. Always delicious.

I putzed around cleaning up a little bit, waiting for my friend Sherrie to get here from Boston. She arrived sometime mid-afternoon, and that was nice. It was really good to see her. We see each other a couple of times a year, and I am glad that we only live about 5 hours by car from one another. That’s nothing at all! Not a day trip - but definitely a weekend trip!
We chilled out during the afternoon, and then eventually made our way out for dinner, to this little Italian restaurant around the corner from my house. Sherrie treated - that was nice - and she calls me a cheap date because I can’t drink. LOL.

After dinner, we watched Desperate Housewives, and then settled on a movie to watch. We decided to watch Everything is Illuminated, which is based on a book by Jonathan Safran Foer. What a good choice.

A young Jewish American flies to the Ukraine in search of a woman who helped his grandfather escape Europe during World War II; he has a photograph and the name of a village. He hires the Odessa Heritage Tours, made up of a gruff old man and his English-speaking grandson. The three, plus grandfather’s deranged dog, travel in an old car from Odessa into Ukraine’s heart. Jonathan, the American, is a collector, putting things he finds into small plastic bags, so he will remember. Alex, the interpreter, is an archetypal wild and crazy guy. Alex asks the old man, “Was there anti-Semitism in the Ukraine before the war?” Will they find the village? The past illuminates everything.

This is definitely a movie I recommend, if you have the time. It was really well done, and we both really enjoyed it. At first I thought it was a true story…

In the summer after his junior year of college, Jonathan Safran Foer journeyed to Ukraine with a faded photograph, hoping to find the woman who saved his grandfather from the Nazis. He intended to write a non-fictional account of his experiences, but he returned home deeply disappointed, having found next to nothing. Fortunately, Jonathan turned his journey into a miraculous work of fiction.

Oh well - I still enjoyed the movie - real or not….!

It’s late, and I’m babysitting my nephew tomorrow. I better get some sleep!

SP9 Questionnaire

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?

I do NOT like Acrylics. I can’t stand the feel of it. I will use it to make a baby blanket - because babies spit up on things and it’s machine washable, but in that case, I’m very picky to the brand/quality of the acrylic. I love sock yarn (I’m a sock yarn addict) and I love anything that is soft! I am not a mohair fan… or do I like to knit with popcorn yarn (yarn with those fuzzy things sticking in it!) I right now would love to check out Koigu (I keep hearing nice things about it)- as well as Blue Mountain Fiber Arts' Socks that Rock (can't find it in Canada).

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?

I have a wooden case that my grandmother gave me, as well as a large a nice Double pointed needle case I made for my bamboo DPN collection. Click here to see my beautiful handmade case. My circulars are now housed in a shoe bag that I got at the dollar store. Click here to see my awesome creation! Each pocket houses another size, and it came in a crazy color! My other regular straight needles are in this needle case that I made with my friend Jennie, click here to view.

3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?

I consider myself to be an intermediate knitter. I’ve been knitting since about mid-Novermber 2005, and have accomplished a lot since then. I tried knitting once when I was about 9 years old, an old non-live-in babysitter/housekeeper Irene taught me to knit. She was later fired for stealing from my parents. Then, my friend Faye got me knitting needles and some really expensive yarn for my birthday in June of 2004, while in my 2nd year of professional photography school. I knitted a garter ridge scarf (only knew knit stitch back then, didn’t know how to purl yet) and then put down knitting until November 2005, when I started working on a scarf in chenille (yick!) yarn for my mother-in-law. That yarn got so gross to knit with, that I won’t ever knit with chenille yarn again, and that scarf died. That’s when my sister-in-law introduced me to crochet (or her version of crochet anyhow!) and I didn’t touch any knitting for another month and a half until January 2006. That’s my knitting history for you in a nutshell!

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?

I have a froogle list. It’s got some books on it, as well as some knitting accessories.

5. What’s your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products, etc.)

Peach, Watermelon, Cinnamon.

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?

Not a fan of chocolate…. sweet tooth - not really. I like to chew different mint flavored gum.

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?

I sew, take pictures and crochet. I do not spin. I’d like to learn though.

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s?

(if your buddy wants to make you a CD) I do not like rap or country music, or church music either. I can play MP3’s that’s no problem.

9. What’s your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can’t stand?

I HATE PURPLE! I love pink, peach, blue, turquiose, yellow, red, anything but purple! I love also knitting with neutral “earth” tone colours…. (Blacks, beiges, greys, greens…) Right now I'm hot for lime green and yarn with a bunch of green colorways. For example, I'm loving Scout's Appletini yarn. I would LOVE to get my hands on some. I love a bunch of her other yarn, but I'm in love with Appletini right now.

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?

I live with my hubby and our 2 cats. I’m a soon-to-be mom for the first time this coming January 2007 to a boy!

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?

I wear hats & scarves. I think I would wear a poncho.

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?

I don’t hate anything. I’m loving socks and anything baby!

13. What are you knitting right now?

Socks for my hubby and myself, as well as Clapotis for myself. I need to also get started on a purse for my MIL’s bday.

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?

Of course!

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?

I don’t really care for straights, but will use them. I like DPN’s for socks, want to try my first pair of socks on a pair of 12″ circs that I just got as a gift. And bamboo vs. aluminum - well it all depends on what type of yarn it is…. some yarns don’t mix well on bamboo needles (and it also depends if it’s circulars or DPN’s as well - it does make a difference in my opinion). Plastic - I guess is okay as well.

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?

I own a ball winder and a swift. Hubby was getting annoyed being my swift, so he convinced me to buy one. A knitting accessory – how could I say no!

17. How old is your oldest UFO?

From January 2006 (shhh! don’t tell anyone!) I better get to it, eh?

18. What is your favorite holiday?

Any holiday that brings family together.

19. Is there anything that you collect?

Elephant statues (just bought my latest one on a trip to Casablanca, Morocco, Africa).

20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on?

What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have? *(UPDATED)* I have no subscriptions. I am dying to get my hands on some Koigu. Keep hearing really good things about it. Also – I would love to try some of Scout’s Swag (Appletini) yarn. Also – there are a few Vesper Yarn colorways that I’m in love with – and the ONE retail shop in Canada that carries them is out. (And a 6 hour drive from my house!) (Colorways that I love are: Knit & Tonic, and SweetWater and There are some knitting books on my froogle list - be sure to check it out!

21. Are there any new techniques you’d like to learn?

At the moment - no.

22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?

I am a size 8 women’s sock/shoe. I am a sock knitter.

23. When is your birthday? (mm/dd)

06/16