{21 Day Challenge} : Day Eleven

{21 Day Challenge} : Day Eleven

Booty Swap & Loving Bamboo Needles

Zeus has to sit on everything new. I brought my studio lights (photography) out of storage, and well, Zeus has to try and sit on everything. (Ignore my messy bookcase behind - I actually cleaned it up afterwards)


I just got in from the Montreal Knitting Meetup and we were a full house tonight. At one point we were 19 knitters, that's impressive. I have not yet been to a meeting where EVERYONE was in attendance. Anyhow, I had a great time, and I was able to talk, since I finished my heel on my second sock, and was turning the heel tonight. It's advantageous to go to meetings - meet new people, get free yarn, it's wonderful. (Tonight Mona brought some of Veronik's leftover stash, and I got some goodies tonight!)

Anyhow, let me tell you about my day.

I got woken up at 7:15 am by Gaz Met (wasn't expecting to be the first call of the day - but that's great - because I didn't have to wait home for them all day). He was done in about half an hour - which I spent on my computer and then went back to bed until about 10:30 am. It feel good just to lie in bed, I was half asleep and half awake still.

I got my butt to the gym. FINALLY. But stupid me wasn't hungry since waking up and didn't eat, so three quarters through my workout I started seeing stars and was light headed. I DO NOT RECOMMEND NOT EATING AND WORKING OUT WITH AN EMPTY STOMACH. BAD BAD BAD.

I did stuff around the house for the rest of the afternoon, took a nice long hot shower and then waited for 5:30 to come, to bid on the LAST set of bamboo circulars (SO CHEAP - SO WORTH IT!) so that I can finally have my order mailed from Hong Kong) and so now I will be getting:

11 pairs bamboo circular needles, 2mm-7mm,40cm long
15 pairs bamboo knitting needles,2mm-12mm, 60cm long
15 pairs bamboo circular needles, 2mm-12mm, 80cm long
9 pairs bamboo circular needle, 2.5mm-12mm, 100cm long


Oh, I can't wait to get them in the mail. It's airmail and so it shouldn't take longer than a week or two coming from Hong Kong. So excited. It was sooooooooooooo worth the price, for the sets of bamboos. I will have needles to do ANY project my heart desires!

I got the knitting meet up earlier than everyone else - even my cousin this time - as she was late due to a favor for her father. I found excellent parking outside, right infront across the street, and went inside, ordered a Cherry Vanilla Tea, the largest size they had, and as I was closing my purse after paying - THE ZIPPER RIPPED. UGH! SOOO ANNOYING. I AM SOO MAD. I hope that I can leave class early enough tomorrow so that I can get it fixed, and for damn sure I'm NOT paying for it to be repaired, the guy just fixed it last Tuesday - just a week ago! I CANT believe it ripped. It was kind of my fault, but I'm not going to tell the guy at the repair shop about the fact that my purse may just have been too full.. Oops. Always my luck though - BAD LUCK that is....

Tonight at the knitting meet up - Mona brought via Veronik (whom I haven't met yet) a bag of stashed yarn, and we got to go through it. I picked out a few balls of yarn - some cotton and some Rowan cotton - which I hope to make something with - as it's gorgeous and soft - not like regular cotton yarn. I can't wait to swatch it and see what I get from it.

I'm officially addicted to sock yarn - let me tell you. I got my new ball in the mail today from my booty swap partner - and I'm just addicted and want more! LOL... I have a lot of pairs of socks that I want to make!

Alright, I've been up since 7:15 am this morning since that's when the Gaz Met guy showed up - and I'm going to go off to bed.

{21 Day Challenge} : Day Ten

{21 Day Challenge} : Day Ten
I will find purpose to change.

Lack of Sleep. Need Sleep Now.

So Angela just left, she came over tonight to knit with me. I don't know how my eyes are still open? Not after that almost all nighter I pulled last night. I was up until almost 4 am working on my HTML project that was due today and I still dont think that I did it 100% right. Oh well - at least I did it. The final project seems a lot harder, but Angela said she can help me - thank goodness! I hope she wants to help me - and it's not a drag for her or anything. Maybe I'll offer her dinner and yarn or something - for helping me! LOL.. (Interested Angela?)
This morning I got up by 10 am - still tired though - and worked on my project until the very last minute before having to leave. I got downtown and got parking right away, so I had some time to kill so I did a few errands.

After going to my class, handing in my assignment, the teacher decided to let the class be a workshop for said assignment, since there was only 2 of us who handed in that project. What a waste of 3 hours.

After class, I came home and watched Desperate Housewives from Sunday night which I downloaded and worked on my sock. Today, I've turned the heel of my second sock (between this afternoon and tonight knitting with Angela over while watching half of the movie Finding Neverland - it stopped working half way through - SUCKY DEAL - it was scratched bad), and I'm now just about to start working on the body of the foot part of the sock.

Well, I'm going to go to bed. It's late and I'm tired. (Lack of sleep from yesterday). I should have gone to the gym yesterday. I didn't so I should have gone today. I didn't so I am going to work twice as hard tomorrow and I'm also going to work out on Friday and Saturday or Saturday and Sunday of this week.

Tomorrow is my day off, so I am going to sleep in like you wouldn't believe. Gaz Met is coming to do some servicing on their machines (part of their contract) in my garage, and I got an automated message on my machine today, confirming my appointment tomorrow and telling me they will be there sometime between 7 am and 9 pm. A 14 hour window? I don't understand? Well - I do plan on getting to the gym tomorrow DURING THE DAY and I plan on going Knitting tomorrow night with the Montreal Knits - so they can go f-themselves if they don't show up before I leave to either. Apparently they have my cell number, to call me 3o minutes before they are showing up. But if they are inconvenient to me, - then I'll take another appointment on another day. That's that.

Goodnight.

{21 Day Challenge} : Day Nine

{21 Day Challenge} : Day Nine

The Knitting Web Page

Today was a really long day, and as far as I can see - I won't be going to bed any time soon. This morning I slept in a little bit and then went off to my Visual Communications class. I handed in my portfolio project, which came out really nice - so I think - and well the teacher really liked it - which is a good sign, and then I worked on god knows what the rest of the class. We have our final project due in 2 weeks - yeah - only 2 classes left (start panicking here) and basically we have to work in groups - I'm working with Laura - Anyhow, we have to make a poster for a company that sells human organs.

After class I came home - and started right away on working on my HTML project that is due tomorrow. I asked my friend Vera if she wouldn't mind it if she helped me after work, and she told me to go by her place around 7pm that she would help me. Thank goodness.

I worked on my pages until I had to leave, and Vera helped me - I did learn a lot...... came home - watched 24 and then started working on my pages again. However I forgot one of the things that she has shown me, and called her cell. No answer. I was praying that she had not gone to bed - it was already like 11:19 at this point, in the evening. But - she called me back - and I just got off the phone with her - and she has been a doll. I made her muffins before going over - chocolate chip - and she appreciated it very much. YEY!

My back is in pain. My neck is bothering me. I hate this fucking project. I have to create 8 web pages using Dreamweaver. (WHICH IS A CRAP PROGRAM).

Anyhow, I am going to need definite help on my final project - that is for sure. I think I will see if there is anyone to help me. (Maybe Vera, maybe my friend Angela).

The stupid thing is - I don't plan on ever doing websites - it's not my thing. I don't really like doing it. So - in return I absolutely HATE this web design class. I had a blast in the beginning of the semester, learning HTML coding - that I'm good with. But now - this frame set and i-set and dreamweaver (which is a crap program) - blech. Hate it. Garbage. Argh!

Anyhow, I've got to get back to my web site. I see myself being up until the wee hours of the night. I have finished my main page, and I will show you a picture of it - it's done in Adobe Photoshop, and it's a Knitting Page of course! LOL....

{21 Day Challenge} : Day Eight

{21 Day Challenge} : Day Eight
I hold the power to change.

Project & Laundry Complete.

Today I didn't get to sleep in - and lost an hour of sleep due to spring forward. I had someone coming at 11 am to look at our apartment upstairs. Odd fellow, (it had been his wife I was talking to on the phone) and he tried to get me to lower the price of my rent. ARE YOU KIDDING ME? I can't. Across the street is going for more expensive and he wants me to lower my rent price! No way buddy. I'd find someone who will be willing to pay my price. Taxes went up this year, heating is more expensive, we did renovations, the apartment is in EXCELLENT CONDITION with freshly waxed floors and he wants me to lower my rent? No way. No way. I'll find someone. He didn't even fill out the rental application - he said he'd talk it over with his wife and call me back. And when he got there - he told me he had an appointment with my landlord - I told him I am the landlord - and he was shocked. I bet he was thinking "She's younger than any of my youngest children - what is she doing owning a house?" Lol..

All afternoon I took care of a little tidying in my office, A LOT OF LAUNDRY and my homework. I got my project due tomorrow - my portfolio project - to prove that we can put together a portfolio - but it's done - I don't have to worry about it tomorrow morning before class starts. Tomorrow, all I need to worry about is my HTML project due on Tuesday afternoon. (Which I am not worried about). Wow - tomorrow is week 13 of classes. Then comes week 14 and then week 15. Where did time go? This bring me closer to my trip to Vegas - so I'm no worried, but excited!

After working on my project for a couple of hours, I watched Big Love Episode 2 that I had downloaded. Then I crashed on the couch from 5pm until 7:30pm. Jamie woke me up as dinner was ready - he made chicken wings - which I was going to make - but then feel asleep because of a small headache (too much homework I tell you!) Anyhow, it was super nice of him to make dinner for me, I really appreciated it!

Tonight while watching Sopranos and Big Love on HBO I missed 3 calls from 3 different people regarding our apartment for rent. I decided to change my outgoing message on my voicemail - just so it's clear about the apartment - my voice mail used to just be: "Hi, you've reached Robyn, I can't get to the phone right now, leave a message and I'll get back to you as soon as I can". Now it says: "Hi, I can't get to the phone right now, please leave a message and I'll get back to you as soon as I can - If you're calling about the apartment for rent, please leave me your name and number and I will get back to you when I can - thank you - have a nice day". Yeah, a mouth full - but I had to. Don't want potential tenants hanging up on me! There's hope! I plan on calling them all back tomorrow. I am glad that my window signs are getting phone calls. Maybe I won't have to pay to advertise in the Gazette after all. I guess peopel walk around or drive around in the area that they may want to live in - to see if there is anything for rent. I hope someone works out and I sign someone soon. Send me good wishes!

While watching Sopranos, I got my first sock to the point just before I have to close the toe - and I started on my second sock - since I have an extra set of 2.25mm (US size 1) DPN's - and since ribbing I don't have to think about - I started working on that. I have my first couple of rows done, and I need to count to see how much ribbing I did on my first sock (I stupidly didn't write it down) to get both socks even! That would be good now won't it?

I'm having troubles with what to do with my 15 hanks of Noro. Here's the label info:

NORO KABUTO
Colour 22.

50% wool
30% silk
10% alpalca
10% cashmere

50gr
60 meter (which is 65 yards)
13 needle i think
15 then something in an asian/chinese/japanese symbol
6.0 something i don't know
then
6.6mm

I really don't understand the label. I can't match the swatch to any pattern I have, and I can't find a patter online (Even to buy) of something NICE to make for myself. I'd love to make as sweater- since I have enough yarn - I just don't even know where to begin finding a pattern fro it? Any suggestions from anyone?

{21 Day Challenge} : Day Seven

{21 Day Challenge} : Day Seven

Hard Core Spring Clean

Today Jamie actually devoted some time to spring cleaning. I was really impressed with the job that he has done. He cleaned up the entire basement, including changing the light on the ceiling from the ugly ass neon that we had up to really nice lights that you can adjust and tilt and move - and it's less bright, but so much more reasonable for a basement. I was very impressed that he finally got around to doing it. He did everything today except wash the kitchen floor as he promised he would. He swears tomorrow.

I managed to clean up the kitchen, minus the floors, as I washed the cabinets, counters, microwave, toaster oven, stove (That was a big job - thanks to easy-off for making it so much easier on me!) LOL...

I did get to finish watching Memoirs of a Geisha today, what a great movie. I really enjoyed it. I also really enjoyed watching Chicken Little, which Jamie fell asleep to - as he said it wasn't really for him. I thought it was quite adorable. While Memoirs of a Geisha was 2hrs and 24 minutes, Chicken Little was only 1 hour 20 minutes. I didn't realize until the end that Zach Braff was the voice of Chiken Little.

Just now we watched the movie The Woodsman. And it ended just in time for me to come post a final entry on blogger for today. The Woodsman was also just an hour and twenty minutes, very short and very slow. Interesting, but slow.



The kitties were cuddling today on the couch - legs intertwined. Very cute. Had to take a photograph.

Gotta get to sleep. We lose 1 hour due to the time change tonight, at 2 am, Spring Forward! and we have possible tenants coming to see the apartment above us for rent tomorrow at 11 am. I wonder who they are and if they will like the place. I need to find tenants soon and fast - so it's one less worry off my shoulders. Wish us luck!

{21 Day Challenge} : Day Six

{21 Day Challenge} : Day Six.

Becoming. Blooming. Growing. Sticking to that goal and becoming beautiful.

A Possible Job

I went to class this morning and worked on the Geisha image that we need to "trace" for 4 hours. My Geisha is coming along pretty good - I have no complaints. It's a little tough, but I will be able to get it accomplished in good time. I am not worried. Things are going to start being due soon, so I want to stay on top of things, that's for sure.

After class, I came home and napped. I laid down on the couch, thinking I'd watch some TV but that didn't really happen.

Tomorrow will be a huge clean up day and Jamie has promised his help all day - for whatever chore I need him to do. Hopefully things will get accomplished.

I got an email back today from the photographer whom I sent an email to. He said he would get back to me next week regarding the position available. This photographer I think is looking for office help - but I could be wrong? Someone I graduated with is currently working for him, and he's leaving and so someone is needed. This photographer looking for help is a long time friend of my mother's brother, and he also photographed my cousin's bar mitzvah's, and sweet 16, etc... and I ran into him at a wedding in November of 2004 - Jamie's best friend's sister was getting married and he was the photographer at the wedding. We spoke briefly, and haven't seen him since. I didn't hire him for my wedding - though I did consider it - but I ended up going with the photographer I did for her style - etc. Anyhow - we'll see what happens, but this could mean part time work! That would be fantastic.

Tonight Jamie had people over to play poker when I got home from renting Chicken Little and Memoirs of a Geisha and doing a huge grocery order when I went to the store to pick up my photos from my trip to Boston. This week was .12 cents a digital print, so I submitted my photos online on Wednesday and made time tonight to pick them up. I can't wait to put them in my album, I don't think I am going to scrapbook them - there aren't enough photos to scrapbook. My trip to Vegas I'll probably scrapbook.

This evening I made myself a really good salad and opened a bottle of wine. I watched most of Memoirs of a Geisha - but I'll finish the rest of it tomorrow - I'm too tired to watch any more right now. So far, it's a really good movie. A little long though - it's 2hr 24 minutes or something like that.

{21 Day Challenge} : Day Five

{21 Day Challenge} : Day Five.
Be part of something extraoRdinary. Today is an extraordinary day, beautiful weather and all around good mood. Life is starting to get a lot more beautiful, and I love it.

{21 Day Challenge} : Day Four

Day Four. {21 Day Challenge}

Wow. This is a hard project to keep up with - but I just know that in the end I will be very happy that I stuck with it. It's been 4 days with no drinking soda, and back on the G.I. Diet. I have had no sugar, and I think that is why I am so tired and just plain exhausted. I can't wait to sleep all weekend long.

I am battling with 1 problem though - hunger. Really bad too. All I think about is eating and wanted to eat and the need to eat, and I keep going back into the kitchen for more food. I can't stand it - I hate it. All I think about is eating/food. Why? I need to conquer it. And when I'm at school, all I want to do it eat... I always need to make sure that I have enough snacks on me to keep my belly fed. What has gotten into me? 11-15 lbs to lose by my birthday in June - I think I can do it. I know I can do it. Keep focused. 11 lbs is more doable in 2.5 months - but I can try for 15 lbs, now can't I?

Swatching Noro & Presenting Menu

I slept in this morning until 9:30 am - had set my alarm for 8:30 am - but just couldn't get out of bed. I finally kicked my ass out of bed, and finished up (just in the knick of time) my menu project for my Typography class. I had just enough time to hop into a quick shower, get dressed, grab a banana and a yogurt and get a parking spot around the corner from school and slide into my seat just as class was starting.

My presentation went really well - I think. I am a little worried about her correcting my assignment, as this is my first project for this teacher and I am not so sure about it - but we'll see how it goes. This is the class where the original teacher just came back from having breast cancer and couldn't take on so many classes, our next replacement teacher got into a ski accident over winter break, and our sub for her we got him fired, and now we have Andrea, who seems like a tough marker. I was one of the only people who handed my assignemnt in to her today, in full. Anyone who actually presented their assignment today, has until next week to hand in prints, as the school is having a huge problem with their printers (I don't even want to get into it right now) and almost no one was 100% finished their project. Most people were at least able to present their project via the projecter and their digital file. It wasn't the best way - but at least if they presented, they won't lose 10% off for handing their prints in next week.

I started swatching my Noro Kabuto last night at the knitting meetup - however, I've swatched it with US 6 needles - and didn't get 4 inches across, then tried last night (finishing it today) a swatch with US 7 needles, and then a third attempt with US 8 needles. I can get with US 8 the 16 stitches (4 inches) but I can't get 20 rows - 20 rows is just way to short of 4 inches. So I guess I will NOT be making the sweater from Knit 'n Style with this yarn. I need to find a project to use the yarn for... can't let 15 hanks of Noro go to waste!

My noro stash... Isn't she beautiful? Just need something nice to make with it!

The Gin Mill

Today I'm in love with these notecards:

I got more knitting note cards - ABSOLUTELY LOVE THEM! The blue yarn shown here is Elite Classic yarn - in Fundy Bay Blue. I actually want some more - as one hank that I got (I already turned it into a cake via my ball winder) is not enough to make anything.


Today I spent some of the day working on my menu that is due tomorrow at 12:30pm. My menu that I created is for a drink bar - which I've called the Gin Mill - a small design that I found off the internet and then re-created in Adobe Illustrator. It's pretty cool the way it came out and I am very happy with the results. I did step out this afternoon to go pick up 11x17 paper so that I can print up my menu (it's document size is 9x14). I hope that my menu works out in the end, and is what my teacher is looking for. I will finalize the last finishing touches tomorrow morning, as I'm skipping my morning class (Bad girl, I know), so that I can finalize my menu, as I wanted to go to the Montreal Knitting Meetup tonight, instead of staying in and working on my menu.

Some of my postcards have been arriving at their destinations. This one was sent via Swap-bot for the Pass the Postcard Please swap:

I don't know why the postcard was ripped? Can't figure it out.

I met my cousin Jenn early at 2nd Cup near me for the Montreal Knits meetup tonight. We got there early to a) secure seats, and because b) the meeting doesn't start officially until 7pm, but Jenn gets off work at 6pm, and has time to kill, as it's way too far for her to go home and then come back, so I met her there early. Tonight was an "unofficial" meeting. We all assumed that there was one tonight, as there wasn't one last week. Well, March has 3 Wednesdays this year, and the knitting meeting is supposed to be the first and third Wednesday of every month, so next week is our "official" meeting. We actually had a very good turn out for a non-meeting. We had, Heather, Caroline, Emma, Angela, Jenn, myself, Mona, Christine, and Jennifer. 9 of us. It was fun. We talked, laughed, and even had this guy Daniel whom I've known since diapers ask me if I was pregnant because I was knitting. What? I don't have to be pregnant to knit. He asked me what baby accessory I was knitting so I told him I was working on a sweater for myself. He then asked how far I got into it - and then I told him that I was actually swatching for it - it went over his head.

I am going to get a good night's sleep (so happy I can sleep in tomorrow).

{21 Day Challenge} : Day Three

Day three. So far so good with no soft drinks. Well - my fridge is stocked up with water bottles - so that's good. I got 2 packages of 12 on sale at the pharmacy the other day, and they're taking over my fridge - which is a good thing - because if it's there - I'll drink it. Off to Montreal Knits Meetup. More later.

Run Down - Again.

I went to bed last night at a decent time - and got about 6 hours of sleep - but apparently 6 hours isn't enough, as I couldn't even make it until lunch. At lunch, I just couldn't keep my eyes open any longer, so I took off and headed home. I stopped on my way home and got my purse fixed - the zipper that busted on my new bag on Saturday. I can't wait to start using the new purse, now that it's fixed. It only cost 10$ to fix - which I find expensive just to replace the metal part - but whatever, I wanted the bag fixed so I could use it.

This is my new love!

I sat on my couch all afternoon, half catching up on 2 weeks worth of The O.C, some Desperate Housewives, amongst other shows that I've been taping and not watching because I haven't had the time. The fire was going, and well frankly I dozed off a couple of times.

This evening I wound some balls into cakes on my new ball winder.

First I started with a hank of Noro Kabuto - as I have a pattern in Knit 'n Style June 2006 that I want to see if I can make the Noro into a sweater. I was going to swatch it tonight, but then I ended up doing a mad woman spring cleaning - I was on a roll - and didn't want to stop (will continue tomorrow). HUGE To Do List for tomorrow.

Here is everything I turned into cakes tonight.

Well I'm going to go crash. Long day - exhausted. I don't know why I'm so run down lately - it sucks. I hate this feeling. And my throat has been bugging me lately.

I am also wondering how soon I can put a sign up in my window that we have an apartment for Rent. I want to see if my window sign will bring us anyone - that's how I got my last tenants. I really want to avoid paying for advertisment - if I can!

{21 Day Challenge} : Day Two

Day two of the {21 Day Challenge} for me is detoxing from sugar and thinking H2O instead of soda. I am thinking health. I want to grow into a better person, and transform myself.

Vegas Baby, Here We Come!

I booked my airline tickets (for Jamie & I) as well as our hotel for our trip to Vegas next month. I am SOOOOOOOOOOOO excited to go. I've never been. I'm so excited to see all the lights and nightlife, and sightsee, see shows (free or not, whatever works) and see what else there is in the city. (I wonder how close there is a Target to the Strip - we're staying a quarter mile off the strip - or even a Michaels? LOL - gotta get my fix!) I can't believe I'm finally going to Las Vegas! I had enough airmiles for Jamie & I to go for free, all we had to do was pay the applicable taxes, which were sooo worth it. Wow - I'm going to Vegas. I even found a great cheap deal on a hotel. It's a quarter mile off the strip - but cheaper than staying on the strip.

Worked and accomplished a lot in class today, and my portfolio project got moved to next week being due, instead of at the end of today's class, it'll be for the beginning of class next Monday. Fine by me - because a) I forgot a CD-R to burn my files onto - and b) I really wanted to print it up in colour - and c) the b&w printer wasn't even working properly in class.

After class I came home and started cleaning up the house like crazy. I don't know whay got into me, but I even cleaned up a bit in the backyard! It was GORGEOUS outside today, wanted to take advantage of the weather.

I had to kick my self in the ass to get to the gym, but I did go! I am very proud of myself. I knew I had my face project to work on tonight, but I knew I had to get to the gym and blow off some steam. I felt GREAT afterwards, even though I was tired during my workout.

I got my ball winder in the mail today - here's my first cake! So exciting! I have sooo much to wind!

Finished during watching 24 on TV, my version of the kittyville hat (sans ears and flaps for my first one - just wanted a plain hat) and here's me modelling it:

My tenants called me while I was picking out broccoli in the grocery store to make along side fish for dinner. They will not be renewing their lease - so I need to find new tenants. WAS NOT expecting this. However, she said that her son will be going to University and they need to find a cheaper place, as Univeristy costs money. Right, I understand that. Ugh, I dreaded having to have this conversation with them - but I hope that we get lucky and find new tenants soon and fast and easy. One more stress on my shoulder.

Right now I am fighting the urge to eat junk. I just ate a pear and then a banana. But I'm still not satisfied. Still hungry. I think I'll pop some bread into the toaster. Don't know why I am so hungry, but I'm fighting it. Trying to fight it anyhow.

I ended up finishing my face project - but not 100% to my liking. It's due tomorrow - it doesn't have to be 100% finished, but it has to be started and certain details incorporated. This is what I ended up with - I can't for the life of me do mouths, and I doubt I'll ever do something like this again, seeing as though I didn't really enjoy this! So - here it is: