january seven

This is how we started off our morning. A note from our newspaper carrier stating on a post-it note "Thanks for never appreciating our service". Lovely. Basically asking "where's my Christmas tip?". Which was actually mailed two days ago, if they would have been a tad patient. (I had asked Jamie for over a week to write that check, and then it sat in my purse for a few days, as I was out of stamps and had to go to the post office to get stamps). Damn nerve. Jamie put a stop payment on the check (which was mad expensive), and we filed a complaint with the Gazette. First off, we're not expected to give tip. We've only been here 1 year, and regardless if we were living here 10 years, we are not expected to give a tip. However, we were pleased with their service, so we did write them a check and mailed it out.

Jamie called them, as their phone number was on the Christmas card they left in our mailbox (or mailed it, I can't remember). It's apparently a husband and wife team who deliver our paper, though, only the husband is an employee of the paper, according to the customer service representative I spoke to. The husband's answer to my husband "Oh, it was my wife who wrote that note"... (And that makes it okay?)

Anyhow, the complaint was made, the Gazette does NOT tolerate that, and I even put on file that I may not get my paper tomorrow. They wrote that down as a concern. They don't know if he'll get fired, but it's certainly not tolerated.

I just cannot believe that I actually got that with my newspaper.

I got some goody mail today:

My Bungalow 360 Owl bag. I love it. I saw it online somewhere and just had to have it.

Me likes.

I also received some yarn in the mail that I destashed from Bea.
It's Plymouth Yarn Rockin' Sox in color 6.

Today Mackie & I started Aqua Strollers. It feels goo to exercise in the pool again. I missed it over the holidays. One of the moms from yesterday's swim class is in the class, as well as a mom who's older son is 2 weeks older than Sean, and we took a class together with our now 2 year olds, at the Y back in the spring. It was great to see her again.

After the class, I picked up my mom and we met my friend Melissa (who was in Mack's swim class yesterday with her 4 month old, whom I went to high school with, and my mom taught with her dad years ago - my mom used to be a teacher), and we went to go see Bedtime Stories. Adam Sandler rocks. Really. He does. He's really funny. The movie was alright though. Not sure if it's worth full price. (Maybe as a DVD rental).

I'm not even sure what possessed me to leave the house today. The weather was mental. A lot of snow. Insane. I was cursing at myself pushing Mackie's stroller into the Civic Center to the pool earlier today. There's a lot of snow. I don't like a lot of snow. Even if it's fluffy snow.

We cancelled West Island Knits tonight because of the weather. I don't blame people for not wanting to leave their house!

Tonight while watching TV (Damages, Episode 5), I played with the skein winder my dad built for me. I had 3 balls of yarn I wanted to skein. 2 Sundara (Lenten Rose and Dahlia) and Wollmeise in Pillars of Fire, that I'd gotten in a de-stash from the lovely Betty. I like storing my yarn in skein, until I'm ready to use it. So to match all the other yarn, I skeined them.

ps- Still looking for that 6500th commenter!

Matel Recall

Matel has issued a long list of toys that are re-called. Apparently they were made with paints that are toxic to kids. View the recall list here.

May 16 of 31

I spent the afternoon with my mom shopping off the island of Montreal at Carrefour Laval. There is a little yarn/sewing shop in there, and I wanted to see if I could find any yarn for a sweater I want to knit Sean, but most of it was Acrylic. (Eeechhh. Uuuuch! Ahhhhh! Pulling hair out). I did manage to find some interesting colored sock yarn by Phildar. Never seen this before, and it was inexpensive. Took care of a lot of returns today (thank goodness the girl at Walmart was patient and nice) and even exchanged Sean's bottle steralizer. We're on number 3 by the First Years. If this happens again, (burned plate), I'm writing a letter to the company.

Sean is back to himself. His nose is still a little congested, but he is feeling a lot better. Thank you to everyone who was concerned! It really means a lot to me. He's back to his daily dose of smiles.

Sean likes to have conversations. Today, while I was in the mall, he was having a conversation with 3 elderly people while my mom was entertaining him on the bench near the Telus boutique.

You see.... I managed to convince Telus to give me a 150$ credit towards a new phone, and I picked out a new phone. I was using my father's old phone, because my original phone that I got with my plan was busted. Whenever I'd end the call on my flip phone, whenever I'd close the phone (flip it back closed), it would shut down COMPLETELY instead of just end the call. So, I was going to use my father's phone until I was "allowed" an upgrade, near the end of my contract, but that phone wouldn't keep it's charge. So... I somehow got a new phone today for free. I just had to pay to transfer my line. Worth the 25$ plus taxes! I really wanted the Pink Razr, but for 300$ - 150$ credit, I wasn't spending any money on a phone today. So I settled for this tiny cute little Samsung phone with speaker phone (important).

My cousin Jenn is having her baby boy tomorrow. She's the first scheduled c-section of the day. I'll post information as I have it. I'm very excited to meet the baby. If all goes well, I may go tomorrow night, but that requires a baby-sitter, as babies are not allowed in the hospital unless a direct sibling, and Jamie has baseball at 7pm (providing there's no rain).

Hmm, what else today? This evening, I didn't end up going to my SNB. Angela cancelled and Kadi wasn't going - so I decided that due to the rain, I was going to stay in as well. I made pasta with my homemade meat sauce, and we watched TV. (Ottawa vs. Buffalo - hockey playoffs). I took care of some laundry, and during Lost, Sean threw up all over me. I love Sean, but that formula stuff almost made me throw up too... it wasn't smelling very good at all. When Sean was newborn, there was often a throw up session about 2 times a week. Over eating. Didn't know when to stop, and he just kept asking for food. It went on for about 2 months. Then a 2 month break. Then about 2 weeks ago, it happened again when we had company over. Fun. Then again, tonight. He was cranky this evening from lack of long naps today (20 minutes here and 30 minutes there don't count anymore - I'm talking he needs 2-3 hour naps, and sometimes he stays up all day and doesn't take any, and some days, he does take his naps. I guess it depends if we're home or not? I wonder if this is bad or not?).

I could swear that someone I went to professional photography school with was in the mall breastfeeding a newborn. I didn't want to approach her, but perhaps I'll email her (if I can find her email address) and see if it was her.

I found a new awesome magazine. (New to me anyhow!) Canadian Family Magazine. So I subscribed for a 2 year membership. It was about 19.95$ with taxes for a 2 year subscription. Did I say membership before? Bah... I'm tired.

Oh! Crazy story... (before I head to bed)... When I arrived home today from shopping with my mother, I was sitting in my car, engine still running, Sean was fast asleep (car rides more than 5-10 minutes will do that to him).... and I was on the phone with Jenn, talking about her upcoming c-section and stuff. Anyhow, this woman comes right up to my window. I smelled "WHACKO" before she even approached. Because she was starring at me, I opened my window a crack. This was our conversation:

Lady: Are you Jewish?

Me: Yes.

Lady: The Rabbi over there (points to a house I don't know), isn't home, and I've got a check for 40$ and I need the money, and he's with the Jewish community, and he's usually home to help, but he's not, so can you please cash my check for me, and give me the 40$. (Or something to this effect)....

Me: I don't think so. (And I close my window.

Does it say IDIOT on my forehead? I don't think so. Check is obviously fraud. I've "heard" of this happening before. I'm smart for being one step ahead of this lady.

She starts asking people walking on the street. Then... this is what made me laugh. She goes and stands at the stop sign at the end of my 3 house block (there are only 3 duplexes on either side of the street from stop sign to stop sign) and she begins to tap on windows of people stopping at the stop sign. Random people. And then I don't know what happened to her, but I hope she didn't get into someone's car, and convince them to cash her check. I feel bad for anyone who fell for that.

I forgot to tell Jamie this... he'll get a kick out of it, I'm sure. This is the first time I've had a strange woman roaming in front of my house. Freaky.

No knitting today. I took a break. Much needed too, I was speed knitting the other day, and I swear my joints were killing by the end. I'm so close to being done Jamie's socks... by the weekend I'm sure.

My sound card on my computer is busted and I'm getting pop-up windows like mad. I think I'm going to bring my computer to my father's store tomorrow, and get it looked at. I know Jamie will love to see Sean for a bit, or even my sister, while I get my computer fixed. I also want to relax tomorrow. I'll I've been doing lately is running around. I need to breathe. I'm not sure if I'm going to go tomorrow night or Friday to the hospital to see Jenn & her new baby, but whenever I do go, I need a babysitter... so we'll see. I'd also like to take Sean swimming. So many wants....

I've also decided for the month of June (starting with ONE month), I'm not going to spend any money on personal stuff for myself (or Sean - he doesn't need anything at all)! I'm only going to spend money on food. I want to see if I can go one month without spending money. If Sean needs diapers, that's 1 exception. But no book ordering, yarn shopping, lipgloss buying for me. My only exception to spend money is to mail the stitch marker exchange packages for the summer swap, but I have a roll of stamps so I may not even have to spend money! Hmmm! I'm mailing out my final package to my SP10 pal the last week of May, so it gets to her in June, so I want to see if I could go one month.... no spending money. You think I can do it? I think I can! And it's even my birthday month... but I've been spoiling myself crazy lately, that I do not need to buy myself any more birthday treats... that's for sure! That's my challenge!

May 7 of 31

I was going to post today an updated picutre of my tulips in the front of my house.
Except someone ransacked my garden this morning~ or late last night.

They cut off (clean scissor cut) all the bulbs of my tulips. Not even the stems too, as if to put them in a vase in their house. They cut off just the bulbs on top! (is that what they are called? bulbs? The part that blooms open?)

They left 1. From about 8. I'm soo pissed!I'm posting about it tonight.

WHO DOES THAT!!

I know I said I hate flowers. I do. When you have to buy them, because they die two or three days later, or my cats eat them before they die. (Yep, I've got strange cats).

Anyhow, I'm upset that someone went onto my property (the tulips are closed in by bushes, so they'd have to of pushed the bushes to the side to get into my "garden area" (which consists of those 8 tulips.

I don't know if it was a random case, by some random kids in the neighborhood, I don't know if it was my tenant, but I'm going to ask her about it the next time I see her (I try to avoid her, because I can't wait until she moves out!), or if it was one of the neighbors (didn't do anything to any of them to piss them off though) or maybe my tenant pissed someone off? Or maybe it was my stalker? (From last year). But that I highly doubt (the last one) for some reason.

On the image above and below, you can see the clean cut on the stems. This flower above is the one one left. I had red, yellow & pink tulips from last year.


Evidence...

Even more evidence....

And the last of the evidence....

So help me g-d if I find out who did this... this is trespassing.

This morning I got an order of cascade. I got 5 skeins of each color. The white is for dying. Not sure what color yet. The Quatro, I think is for a full size Clapotis. I think. Maybe. We'll see.

I also received my stitch markers from KnitWit Momma - Jennifer, who is also an SP10 Hostess. Aren't they GORGEOUS! Wow! She makes some wonderful stitch markers!

I also received this mini package in the mail from my wonderful Secret Pal 10 buddy, who sent some "leftover" sock yarn for Sean's blankie, as well as some lovely green stitch markers (you all know how much I heart stitch markers!) Thank you so much SP - Sean's blankie is going to love it!

I picked up this today while out with my sister. It just makes me not want to do chores even more! As long as the kids are happy - who cares if you have cleaning to do!

And lastly, your daily dose of smiles. Oh wow, this kid is loved to pieces. He got spoiled by mommy tonight with some new toys, new books, and cute little slippers. Yep, this kid has more shoes than mommy owns! I swear! This kid made my day all better.

To comment again - whomever left the anonymous comment on my blog surely is a coward for not leaving their name. I hope they are bowing their tail between their legs and walking off in shame. Really. You are a huge time loser. And I don't care that I allow anonymous comments on my blog - they amuse me. I have my blog open to whomever wants to comment because there are some of my friends who do not have blogger accounts, and need the field to type in their name and weblog. So I cannot eliminate this. I need friendly accessibility to my blog. But I sure find it freakin' hysterical that you are not able to leave a name with your comment. I have my assumptions of whom left that comment, so you better watch over your shoulder ... yeah you - Anonymous person. Karma.... baby... karma. It'll bite you back in the arse for being so cruel for absolutely no reason. Because you know why? The person who received the hand crafted gifts, absolutely loved the items. Why don't you go ask her yourself. Her blog is here.

I went to post-natal aqua tonight, and found out that the class may be cancelled by the end of May if people don't start showing up. (Last week, when I didn't go due to my friend Aunt Flo, no one showed up). Tonight, it was just myself and this new girl Edweena, who was trying out the class for the first time, 14 weeks pregnant. However, I don't know if we'll see her again, apparently she doesn't know how to swim, so that is a probably when we do the deep end stuff on the noodles. So I had thought the program was going to run until at least St. Jean Baptiste weekend in June (the week after my birthday), but it's probably not going to. Even more of a reason to be upset with the local Y, and want to cancel my membership. I will find out soon what is happening with that, but thank goodness my parents have a pool.

Sean's swim lesson for tomorrow - it's being postponned until Friday. So you'll have to wait until then to see the little guy in his bathing suit.

Not a single stitch got knit today, I'm hoping for some knitting in the park tomorrow afternoon after I get some errands done. I'm meeting up with Kadi.

I'm all done my mother's day shopping, and I've gotten a gift for my mother & my step-mother-in-law. I'm doing brunch with my in-laws on Sunday morning, and dinner at my parents house Sunday night. This will be my very first mother's day, and I'm very excited about that.

To all of those whom commented on my blog today, thank you for your kind words. I really appreciate it. Some of you, I've emailed back a thank you - but there are some people whom have de-lurked, and I don't have a contact email to email you back - so I thank you for your comments. Glad to know there are people out there who appreciate handknit goods.

Alright, I'm zonked from a late night last night of staying up late and getting up early today (did get a little mini nap in this morning), and aqua, and a walk with my sister & Sean tonight, so I'm going to hit the sack.

Oh - before I go - I forgot to mention, the other night, I don't think it was last night, I think it was the night before, I got up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom and I picked up Sean from the spot he crawled to, and put him back in the "start" spot in the crib, and I felt he had a soaked diaper, it was really heavy. I cannot believe that I was able to change his diaper and put him back in his crib, and he did not wake up. Wow. I guess he's a heavy sleeper. Not like me. I'm a very light sleeper. Everything wakes me up.

Oh oh oh - I have one more thing to say. Thank you so much Kathy for hosting a blogaversary contest, apparently I was the 127th commenter on her blog. Was it today or yesterday that was the 127th day of the year, and she picked the 127th comment on her blog to win! Just what I needed to not think about tacky comments & flower tormentors.

Clarification!

This past week I linked a post called And It Makes Three.... stating that a year ago that day, I found out I was pregnant with Sean! As much as I miss being pregnant, I am definitely not pregnant again! Don't be silly my friends! I know that it takes at least 16 months for my body to rejeuvnate itself for a pregnancy. I want my next child to have my body 100% for the pregnancy. We want to enjoy Sean. We want to have at least a 2 year gap before the next child. I want to establish my career/business before a next child. Sean will definitely have a brother or sister in the future, but it won't be in 2007 or even 2008. If anything we'll think about 2009!

Plus my friends, aunt flo' is here this week... definitely not preggers!

I've gotten 2 comments this week congratulating me on a brother and sister for Sean, so I am sorry to disappoint you all! You'll have to deal with a daily dose of smiles from just Sean for the time being! He doesn't mind being the center of attention!

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.

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!

Wednesday, Recovery Day 4

I am still zonked from the time difference. They say for every hour of time difference that you should allow one day of recovery. 6 hour time difference = 6 days. (Almost there then!) I’m still not able to keep my eyes open past 9pm, and am sleeping in until atleast 8 am now, so that’s a good start.

I had a new Tide-to-Go that I brought with me to Europe, for those tough stains. Well, it didn’t last me long, the thing was broken in the tube. Boy was I mad, and I think that this $4 tube cost me more in damages to shirts I won’t be able to get stains out of, than the cost of the item. I had one or two shirts that have oil stains on them now, and I couldn’t get them out, I had no tide-to-go. I emailed Tide this morning, and this is the response I get:

Response
—————————————————————
We’re having systems problems and need to take some time off from answering e-mail. During this time, we’ll be upgrading our website technology to work out a few kinks and improve overall efficiency. We’re sorry we won’t be able to reply to your e-mail, but we expect to be up and running before too long and can’t wait to get back to answering your messages!

Your comments and questions are still very important to us. If you’d like to get in touch or have an urgent need, please call us using the phone number printed on your product package. We’re open Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM EDT.

As always, we appreciate your loyalty to our products and understanding of our current situation. Thanks for your patience!

- GEEEZ! “We’re sorry we won’t be able to reply to your email?” Well, then they’ll be getting an even angrier phone call, because I’m annoyed with their customer service. They suck.

On a knitting note, I got my Secret One Skein Final Package today in the mail. I think my partner was supposed to reveal herself, but all I’ve gotten is her name, and that she owns an LYS in her hometown… which I think is somewhere in Louisiana? Anyhow, I will ask her when I email her a big thank you!

First, she sent me a copy of Knitting Vintage Socks by Nancy Bush… and book that I really wanted. Glad to finally have a nice looking start to a knitting book library.First, she sent me a copy of Knitting Vintage Socks by Nancy Bush… and book that I really wanted. Glad to finally have a nice looking start to a knitting book library.

She also sent me a 12″ circular set (US2 or 3mm) for knitting socks - but I am not sure how to knit socks on just ONE circular? (Not even sure how to do them on 2?) but… how do you turn heels with your knititng on one set of circs? (Put a string through the waiting loops?)

And for my one skein finished object that she was to mail, she made this baby hat for baby Sean. It looks a little big for a newborn, but we’ll see when he’s born what size he fits into. Speaking of babies fitting into clothes, I’m going to elaborate on that in a second…

She also sent me a skein of the yarn she used for the hat, so that I can make booties to match the hat she sent. I hope to get around to that before baby S is born! So much knitting I want to do - so little time!


I also got this ball of yarn… not sure what I’ll use it for - but I like the earth tone colours for a baby boy!

A Quarter of a Century

So, I've lived on this earth now for a quarter of a century.

I've had a good day today.

Got 70% on my exam this morning (and I'm cool with this mark). I was relieved on actually taking the exam, at first it wasn't as hard as I thought it would be, but I made a few small errors, hence the 70% and not any higher, but I am happy with this mark, so I will take this mark!

This morning in class Laura gave me a birthday present, pink measuring cup set (big bowl with measure on it, then 2 different matching sets of pink measuring spoons/cups, etc, and also a pink cutting board (Jamie's going to kill me with the pink overload in the kitchen - lol).

After class, I came home, got my mail, and got 2 birthday cards in the mail. I've never actually received birthday cards before on my actual birthday. Usually when people mail them, they come the day before or the day after - but never on my actual birthday. (So thank you Cynthia & Sherrie!) I also got some stitch markers in the mail - my first set from the swap I hosted. They are from Jennifer L. and they are gorgeous - absolutely gorgeous - I love them! Aren't they wonderful? They're little candies!



Then I ran to the bank, took out money to go to pick up that white rocking chair that I saw around the corner from my house - for the baby's room. I love love love love the rocking chair. I just need to either make my own pads/cushions, or find some. Gotta make it comfy to nurse the baby in!

Then, I came home and dropped off the rocking chair (that was sticking out of my trunk being held by cord) and then dashed off to my fave souvlaki restaurant (Marathon's) for lunch. I had lunch with Jamie and his 3 ex-co-workers , whom have become our friends. After the meal the waiters came by with some backlavah (spelling?) with a candle in it - and sang me happy birthday (how embarrasing).

After lunch, came home, and UPS showed up with my One Skein package. DUTY & BROKERAGE FEES? WHAT? Yeah - I had to pay 23.04$CAD for a gift! Here's the story (well the shortened version with all the key points):

UPS is not user friendly. (That's why I never use them or order from anywhere that only uses them).

I had to pay 23.04$ CAD to receive my One Skein Secret Pal package. Why? Because only items under 20$ CAD don't get a brokerage fee and pay Quebec taxes. My secret pal marked the value of 20$ US - which is 22.46$ CAD as of today. Also, because she marked her name as "Secret One Skeiner" UPS thought she was a business and that I was buying the item from her - even though she marked REASON FOR EXPORT: GIFT on the slip.

So I gave my visa to get the package.

Then, I called up UPS for a refund. The first guy I spoke to - was a loser, and after I explained the whole thing to him, he hung up on me. So even more furious, I called back again, and spoke to someone else. He said, after I re-explained again, giving even more details as to what the One Skein Secret Pal Exchange is - and all that jazz, that, all my pal has to do is fax UPS changing her name on the document from Secret One Skeiner (which UPS thinks is a company) and change it to her real name. And then they'll refund my money.

Alright.

But, while I was out - doing an errand late in the afternoon, UPS showed back up (Jamie was home) - the guy had forgotten to write down the expiry date of my credit card, so - as of now, they can't charge me for the item. Their loss, and I will figure out what to do next when the situation arrises, because now that my Secret Pal has faxed over proper documentation to UPS - that it is a gift (even though it was marked on the original paper, but that wasn't good enough for UPS) it should all be fine! Maybe the guy won't come back after all. Who knows.

But, at last - here is the WONDERFUL sock yarn that my secret pal has sent me! I have heard of Trekking XXL before, and have been curious to try it. (I've also been curious about Mega Boot Stretch sock yarn). Trekkin has some wonderful XXL colours, that I'd love to try to get! Maybe once I'm done with my sock yarn stash!


So, today, I started organizing my yarn. It was all over my office, and time to go into somewhere else, so that I can start cleaning up my office which will be the baby's room in January.

Anyhow, I remembered that I had space in my dresser in the bedroom that wasn't being used (two spaces one on each side of my dresser unit) so I filled it up with yarn. One side has two buckets full of sock yarn (I Heart Sock Yarn) and good quality yarns (Noro, ZarOne, Classic Elite, etc) and the other side, has all my balls of acrylics (for afghans I want to make) and some cotton (those neon balls on the bottom). I love my new organization... and there is still a TON more yarn that has not yet been organized! (OY!)

So I've got 50 grams left of the sock yarn (Socketta) - I think I have enough to make myself 2 more tennis socks! 1 more complete pair! I'm going to weigh it tomorrow on a more accurate scale, but I think it's good for 1 more pair! How convenient!

This evening I played poker once Jamie got home from his ball game, and we had a few people over at our place. It was nice to see everyone and hang out and play some poker. Time to get ready to clean up a bit more then head off to bed. I've got a long bid day tomorrow and can't wait! I have a lunch with my in-law's and sister-in-law, then a Mary Kay rep coming over to my house to give free facials and makeovers (the only catch is that she wants "after" pictures for her portfolio), and then a dinner with approx. 12-13 of my girl friends.

Every Day is a Long Day These Days

Here is a recent picture of Bosco - my parents dog. He is soo cute. He even gives these cute little hugs. I can't believe HOW SMALL he used to be. I keep noticing HUGE changes when I see him - cuz I don't see him often at all.

Today, I could barely get out of bed. I was just so tired this morning, yet I went to bed at a decent hour. In my morning class (Adobe Illustrator) I worked on my perspective project that is due next Thursday at the end of class (which I'm stressed about getting it done on time- but that's another story). In my afternoon class I finished my estimation (as in pricing) project with my group partner Laura and that project is done, so that's one less thing to worry about. Phew!

By the time I knew it - it was 5:30pm and it was time to go home. GOOD - because I was zonked. My sister stopped by on her way to class - as she wasn't feeling well.

At Walmart I bought a GEORGE skirt from Walmart. It was 19.98$. I wasn't so sure about it - so I went to return it and found out that it's at 14$ now. For 14$ it was more worth a second consideration. Anyhow, it also was worth a second consideration in a second colour. The one I returned was in white with turquoise flowers. Anyhow, the girl wouldn't give me a price match at their OWN store (not even a price match from another store!) and made me return the skirt. But Walmart has a 10 day price match if they reduce the price and it's been within 10 days that you've purchased the item. Well - I had bought the skirt 9 days ago. So - I did my little shopping (found a cute maternity shirt for 19.98$ and picked up the same skirt in pink (14$) and found a pair of shoes for 7$ - soooooo cute. They had the turqouise skirt on the floor - but they didn't have my size, and the girl at the cash who I returned it to - wouldn't give me the skirt to repurchase - she said if there was one on the floor I could purchase that at the new price, if not, I'd have to come back tomorrow when the merchandise goes back on the floor. So I waited til I got to the cash, and asked the cashier to get the skirt for me, but the girl at service wouldn't give it to me. My sister even tried. No luck. In the end - we had to wait like 10 minutes for a manager to come, we asked to speak to him, and he agreed with us - they do have a 10 day match price policy, and even still, they would have had to return the skirt to me at the price I actually paid, and I could have rebought the skirt..... That girl was such an idiot - it made me so mad. So I ended up spending so much more time at Walmart than I wanted to. But - in the end, the manager handed over the skirt - as I was right, and we told him to inform his employees of proper policy! In the end, I walked out a very happy camper.

I've been wondering lately about Tay Sachs.

What Is Tay-Sachs Disease?

Tay-Sachs disease is a fatal inherited disease of the central nervous system. The most common form of the disease affects babies. Affected babies appear healthy at birth and seem to develop normally for the first few months of life. After this time, development slows and symptoms begin. Sadly, there is no effective treatment for these babies. Babies with Tay-Sachs lack an enzyme (protein) called hexosaminidase A (hex A) necessary for breaking down certain fatty substances in brain and nerve cells. These substances build up and gradually destroy brain and nerve cells, until the entire central nervous system stops working. Symptoms of classical Tay-Sachs disease first appear at 4 to 6 months of age when an apparently healthy baby gradually stops smiling, crawling or turning over, loses its ability to grasp or reach out and, eventually, becomes blind, paralyzed and unaware of its surroundings. Death occurs by age 5.

Who Is at Risk of Tay-Sachs Disease?

Tay-Sachs disease occurs most frequently in descendants of Central and Eastern European (Ashkenazi) Jews. About one out of every 30 American Jews carries the Tay-Sachs gene. Some non-Jewish individuals of French-Canadian ancestry (from the East St. Lawrence River Valley of Quebec), and members of the Cajun population in Louisiana, are at similarly increased risk. These groups have about 100 times the rate of occurrence of other ethnic groups. The juvenile form of Tay-Sachs, however, may not be increased in these groups.

How Is the Disease Transmitted?

Only through heredity. A Tay-Sachs carrier has one normal gene for hex A and one Tay-Sachs gene. The carrier does not have the illness and leads a normal, healthy and full life. However, when two carriers become parents: There is a one-in-four chance that any child they have will inherit a Tay-Sachs gene from each parent and have the disease. There is a one-in-four chance that the child will inherit the normal gene from each parent and be completely free of the disease and the Tay-Sachs gene. There is a two-in-four chance that the child will inherit one of each kind of gene and be a carrier like the parents and free of disease. If only one parent is a carrier, none of their children can have the disease, but each child has a 50-50 chance of inheriting the Tay-Sachs gene and being a carrier.

Info from this site.

- Ok - so both parents have to be a carrier.

I first learned about Tay Sachs when my rabbi who was marrying Jamie & I mentioned that we should get tested before getting married, that he recommends this to all this clients. I say client, because technically we did hire him to marry us, as we don't belong to his congregation. We never got tested before getting married, I didn't think much of it then, and apparently I don't know where to even get tested, as the Montreal Children's hospital will only test you under 18 years of age - and there isn't many other places that do it.

My mom seems to think that I may have been tested back in high school or elementary school and is looking for my medical records from back then (which would be nice to have).

Anyhow, this evening I took a self night, didn't get any knitting done at all - I had some other things to take care of - but wish I had time. I took care of some homework for tomorrow and I should go crawl into bed now. Every day has been a long day lately, and I'm just frankly exhausted come early evening - even though I crawl into bed, it still takes me hours to fall asleep - sucky - really.

Odd Things & People & The 20$ Find

After waking up this morning, my cousin Jenn called to confirm our date today to go to the Downtown Montreal Knitting Meetup. I had never been and we both read each other's minds yesterday and decided to go today. While on the phone this ebay seller's name came up: The-Mohairknitter. Oh my! Oh my. Oh my! This suit below - sells for 480$ US and actually sells! The seller has 1200+ positive feedback and 600+ unique positived. Some people have leather fetishes and I guess some people have mohair cat suit fetishes.

This should be classified as WHAT THE HECK WAS SHE THINKING?


Then while surfing ebay I found this:

Princess Leah
...and Darth Vader.

....WEIRD. But this is kinda cute. I'd never personally dress my pet up - but hey, I know people who do - and just laugh at them (my mother used to dress up our family GREAT DANE! (I need to post pictures on Flickr of the photoshoot I did with my parents' last Great Dane Tyson. But I was mimicking William Wegman's style of photography for a school project - so I have a SANE reason for dressing up a dog.)

Jenn came by, I wasn't ready yet - due to stuff I was doing for school (a little bit) this morning, and quickly got ready once she got here. We left, and headed to the shopping center near my house. First stop was the post office as I had to mail 2 packages for 1 swap I am in (the Card Making Kit Swap (which I posted a photograph of yesterday) and I found a TWENTY DOLLAR BILL just laying there - near the post office. I asked the girl at the cash if it was anyone's and since it's finders keepers - I took it. HA! I made 20$ this morning! Couldn't believe it. Who knows who dropped it - but it looked as though it had been sitting there for a while - so it was my lucky day. With that - I paid for lunch for Jenn & I, and Jamie had requested a sandwich from Tim Hortons (where we ate quickly) and I quickly headed back home to drop off Jamie's lunch and quickly pick up something else and we headed on our way to the Downtown Montreal Knitting Meetup.

I had a good time today there, meeting a LOT of new people, and seeing some friendly and familiar faces.

I STARTED TURNING THE HEEL ON MY FIRST SOCK TODAY! Ain't she a beauty? I love it! I love it! I love it! And I love my progress!!!

Jenn and I stayed longer than we thought, I thought the knitting meeting was from 1-3pm, but I guess it's for however long you want to be there - and we were there until about 4:30pm, when this homeless lady sat down next to Jenn & I - at a table that we had our stuff in - which Kadi (another knitter was sitting at - but she moved to say hello to girls on the other side of the tables). Now, this table was cornered by a wall and THE ENTIRE cafe was dead with no one in it practically - WHY did she HAVE to sit next to us - with her huge duffle bag, her plastic bags and wet coat and wet umbrella. First off, she SMELLED like she hadn't showered in 2 months, and after sitting down, she stuck her hand into her jacket, scratched one armpit excessively, and then moved onto the next armpit. That was my cue to leave.... so Jenn & I left ... as other knitters were slowly trickling out anyhow. I had to get home, as I have a project due tomorrow (which I just finished before - I am pleased with it - it's my stationary with my logo on it - business card and envelope as well).

Just finished watching the Season Premiere of Sopranos with Jamie & his friend Daniel. I guess Daniel got here some time during the afternoon while I was at the knitting meetup. Soprano's was sooo good tonight. Can't wait for next week.

Zeus likes sleeping in the "Corners" of my office. So cute.

Ode To My Favourite Earring (Which is Lost)

Today I lost my favourite earring. I still have one - but I lost one. Let me tell you that I am very upset about it.

My day started out by waking up early, as I had some stuff to do, and worked a bit on the freelance project that I am working on for my father's company. I got a bit done in the morning, but I'm working with photographs that I took, "words" and any empty computer canvas .... wasn't sure where to start... so I started playing around with style and images for this slideshow that he wants me to put together, so he can take it with him when he goes to the Franchise Show in Toronto next weekend.

I thank god I bumped into Kathleen when I got to school today - the teacher that I had the mark mistake with. Anyhow, she said that "if she remembers correctly" my CD wouldn't open and she couldn't mark my final assignment. So I need to bring in another CD with my files tomorrow morning when I have her as a teacher.

While waiting for class to start - we were there a good half an hour already - another teacher (whom we have tomorrow for the first time ever) asks us why we were waiting because class was cancelled. CANCELLED? Why? Our teacher Lorraine (whom I was sooo excited to have this semester) broke her leg in a skiing accident over winter break and she's out for 2 months. They are not sure whom we will have as a teacher, so we have no classes this week for whatever classes we had Lorraine for. Classes will resume next week, and it will either be JP or Benoit (whom I don't know) as a teacher next week for all of Lorraine's classes. I really hope it's JP. I didn't get a chance to have him last semester because I got exempt from Intro to Computers and would really like to have him as a teacher - I hear he's really cool and easy going. Benoit - who knows who this guy is.... but I won't judge until I see what's going on. However I am VERY dissapointed that I don't have Lorraine this semester. I really wanted her as my teacher.

Since we had no class today - Laura and I went out for lunch to our favourite Souvlaki place near my house. When I got to the restaurant - I was showing the hostess (who grew up on Jamie's street) my wedding pictures (since I brought them to show Laura) and Erin the hostess said to me "You know you're only wearing 1 earring".... DAMN IT! I lost an earring? Frig!

After lunch, I searched my car. No luck. I then decided to run to the store that I got it at. They had none left. Then I went to another one of their store locations - none left. Since that store location was next to school - I retraced my steps in school, asked at the lost and found - but no luck. Then since I still had time, and there was one more store downtown, I decided to try one last time - no earrings of the same kind left. DAMN IT. And these weren't very expensive earrings either - they were 2 for 5$ or 3$ each. So the earrings cost me 2.50$. BUT - they were my favourite pair and I've been wearing them almost daily since I got them.

SO MAD.

Got home, still mad, and didn't feel like doing much.

Now I'm going to go crawl into bed, and maybe hope that someone found my earring at school and brought it to lost and found!