Back to the snow

Wow was Jamaica ever fantastic and so very warm. We have been back for almost a week now and I'm still not used to the cold again.

We stayed at the Sandals Ocho Rios on the Manor side. Here is what the resort looks like from beside the pool.

This is Aaron and I at dinner one night. We ate at a restaurant that they set up on the beach.

The food was so good and they had so many different kinds of food at the different restaurants that we never ate in the same place twice for dinner.

We went snorkeling and shopping, climbed Dunn's River and went on a jeep tour of the country side in St Ann. It was so interesting. Beautiful in some ways and sad in others. When you live the way we do in Canada and then go to a resort where they look after you every way they can and turn a corner and see how some of the people live there.

But they will tell you there are no problems in Jamaica only "situations" (like no bartender at the bar- which was open at 10am)

It was such a great time. I enjoyed it very much. Aaron told me he was surprised he didn't see me knitting. I did take a sock but only knit it on the plane. I haven't knit much since before the wedding but since Wednesday night at Pick up Sticks I have been keeping myself in stitches. I have some pictures but when I was uploading the Jamaica pictures the computer froze and now it won't read from the camera. Any suggestions what to do about that little "situation"

Wedding party time

Saturday was the BIG DAY! It was fabulous! I'm still very tired and am trying to reorganize things around the house but I hope you can enjoy some of these picture to get an idea of how our day was.

Pre-Wedding busy!

I can't believe how long it has been since I last posted. I have not been knitting all that much though. I have been busy every night and every weekend with things for the wedding and now things are getting busier with two weeks left...yes that is right 13 days until we get married.

I'm very excited but already very tired. This week I have to work on and hopefully finish my report cards so that will be one more things knocked off my list but I also have my facial this week I have to make an appointment for a trial for my hair and another fitting for my dress to see that all the alterations are done ( Did I mention I love my dress??)

I do have one finished object to show. It has been finished for over a week but here it is!

I just needed someone to knit it for

I have wanted to knit the Tulip sweater for a long time but didn't have a reason. So when my fiance came home from work and said that his friend had a had a baby girl I immediately thought of it. He suggested a baby blanket like I knit for my cousin and for his sister but I said....."I will see what I can do" well this little sweater is it.

The countdown is on for the wedding and I'm getting a little flustered. I Think I just want to do it now. I was excited to do the planning thing at first but now I'm just ....ready to do it! I feel like time is flying by and I don't have time to do anything that needs to be done in my life as it is. All my bridesmaids are getting together this weekend for a dress fitting and for a girls night.

Here is my baby trying to get the yogurt off of his nose. He loves his yogurt.

Boot Camp's a B***h

Like I said I'm not one for new years resolutions. I have always wanted to try kick boxing. When I was in high school my mom told me that girls don't do that and it was too violent.....so...Aaron and I have joined a gym for martial arts. All different kinds. You would think we had joined the army (only they are a lot friendlier at this place I think) we are doing drills and sit ups and push ups and crawling across the floor. It is a lot of fun ..... but it is HARD!!! My muscles are very sore. I can hardly stand up and sit down (today I had to use the wheel chair handles in our staff washroom to get myself up) They keep saying it will get easier but ...WHEN? They obviously don't know that the only exercise I get is walking the dog and that I am very out of shape. Oh well.

I won't be going to kick boxing tonight because I will be knitting and resting my legs. If you aren't busy I will be at Pick up Sticks in Bradford. I am going to bring Pam's Christmas Sweater.

Pattern: Lucy in the Sky
Yarn: Dream in Color, Classy
Colour: Cloud Jungle
Needles: 4mm

But before I go tonight I'm am going to have a nice bath with a Marathon Bar from Lush. I am addicted to some of their stuff. Haven't tried this one yet but they say it is good for after you exercise for painful muscles. We shall see.

Happy New Year!

I am excited for a new year and for new beginnings. New attitudes and a new look for the blog. I thought the other was getting a little dark for me so... we will give this a shot.

I am far from the best when it comes to keeping resolutions but I have a few things I hope to do differently this year. Some are knitting and crafting related and some are work and home related. Some could apply to both.

Lets think of this list as some promises or plans for the new year. I think these four sort of cover all the things I hope to do for myself.

1) Finish things you start

2) Clean up the small messes before they become big ugly messes

3)ORGANIZE YOURSELF! - plans for yourself, your house, crafting supplies,work, etc.

4) Don't procrastinate!

So to start off the new year I have one finished project right out of the gate.

I have to get a picture of it now that it is all done but this is Lucy in the sky on December 29th. Today I have the buttons to sew on and the blocking to do. It is a little small for me so I hope it fits Pam. She is a bit smaller than me so I could be ok.

Can you give away a present you love?

I am working very hard on my maid of honour's Christmas present. I know it is a little late but I saw Connie working on this sweater and had to make one myself ..er..for my friend (Why is it that happens? Monkey see Monkey do)

Now I'm wondering if I really want to give this sweater away. I love the yarn and I love the fit of the sleeve so far. I might have to make another for myself because after all it is for my friend who has stuck by me through my whole life.


Get to the sweater you say? Well it is Lucy in the Sky from Cosmicpluto! I love the pattern!

I am knitting it with (of course) Dream in Colour Classy in the Cloud Jungle colour. It is a little hard to see because the lack of sun has really imposed on my picture taking.
I am being productive on the sweater regardless of all the other stuff that is on my plate. I need to track down a night stand (in my price range) that goes with my bedroom set. We bought ours and it was a good deal because it has been discontinued and it only came with one nightstand. Any tips for the hunt?

I remember when being on my Winter Break was like this....

I'm still alive

No I have not fallen off the face of the earth but It sometimes feels like it. Things at school are winding down (talk to me tomorrow after the primary concert). I have my voice back. Connie's December sock club pattern is almost done. My wedding dress fits (or rather is too big) and I'm behind in getting my invitations out. I have not done any Christmas knitting and I most likely will not this year. Aaron's birthday is next week and ... and ... and ... and.... Christmas is just that time of year isn't it. And a Christmas when you are planning a wedding and moved into a house and have a young puppy with crate issues...is a little overwhelming. So....Sorry I haven't been writing much, and I haven't been at Pick up Sticks much but.



I am still alive.

Something to think about

No knitting pictures today because although I have been knitting they are all the same things and look about the same so...no point in taking pictures.

But I have been thinking while I have been knitting. I have been thinking about my Christmas knitting and how I like to make people socks for Christmas. Then I thought about how much I like to wear handmade socks. I thought ... boy I knit a lot of socks. Then I looked in my drawer for a pair of handmade socks and.....hey...there are only a few pairs in here. I have knit a lot of socks but not a lot of PAIRS of socks.

This week is a very busy week. Something to do every evening after work this week and then I am going to focus my attention on my Christmas knitting. I'm still not sure how I am going to have time for any presents but...somehow I will figure something out.

Oscar on the other hand has one of his Christmas presents early. It is a reindeer with long legs and arms. He carries it around and shakes it like crazy. Then rests to watch the world go by.

Christmas WHAT?

I am back I hope. I'm still busy as can be but last night was the first night in a while that I have felt motivated to knit. Actually all I want to do right now is knit which is good because I still have samples to knit for Pick up Sticks and I haven't even started knitting for Christmas, and a still growing list of unfinished projects. That could be a problem! I think my knit for list will be greatly reduced this year.

Min and Pam of course (I just might not up it to sweaters this year)

Mom would love a pair of socks

Kathryn and Laura (scarves this year?)

I need to finish my report cards, go for the bridesmaid's first fitting Saturday, leave right from the fitting to dog training in Oakville (so Oscar gets to go to the fitting-lucky boy-and wait in the car).

Oh and my dress came in this week.Yippee!!

Anyway back to knitting, I'm still working on Heath, I stopped hating it again once I got past where I had to rip back. I'm also working on my Clapotis, I love dream in colour and I love this colour (Gothic Rose)

And Oscar wanted to help me take the pictures.

To leave you on a cute note. Here is my Oscar baby and my "tough-guy-he's-just-a-dog"fiance getting a "hug" (he calls it that not me)

My life revolves around my dog!

It seems like my puppy has taken over my life (I'm not to upset about that). I love to shop for him and buy him toys. I think he has more toys than some small children. I spend every Saturday with him. Going to Oakville and back for training. It is a long day and a lot of work but it is becoming a lot of fun.

I'm still knitting but it is little bits at a time so there isn't much progress to show.

If you are a dog lover you might want to check out this site for some fun.

Dogs with Blogs

I gave in thinking I could join but now apparently you need an invitation. But if you want to see more pics of my baby Oscar you can look here. You have to be a dog person I think to and even then you may think I'm a bit nutter.

My Oscar Baby

Happy Halloween Tomorrow!!!

I LOVE Halloween. I have so much fun with the spooky season.

Last night I carved my pumpkins. I haven't carved pumpkins in years because my mom bought a light up jack-o-lantern when I was in high school and I haven't done pumpkins since. Oh...not totally true I did it once in University with my friend Mindy.

Tomorrow is the costume parade at work so I baked some goodies tonight.

And I have some that I made for a very good friend. Any guesses who will be getting this yummy treat? Maybe I ruined the surprise.... oops.

Where does the time go?

Remember when you were a kid and a year seemed like such a long time. A month seemed like a long time. Now as an adult it seems that the time just flies by. We have been in the house now for a month. We have almost the whole main floor painted and put back together. I have even enjoyed some knitting time.

I'm working on Heath for Pick up Sticks as well as a new Clapotis for me. I love the Dream in colour yarn. I'm working on the Dream in Colour Shrug in the Classy yarn and now my clapotis is in the dream in colour Smooshy. I want to knit with nothing but this yarn ever again. Ok maybe I'm exaggerating a bit but I LOVE IT!

We had two days last week when Oscar behaved himself in the crate. We aren't out of the woods yet though because today he wet the bed again. But we still love him. Even Aaron /"don't call me daddy to a dog" got down on the floor to snuggle. Oscar got right in there and fell asleep over Aaron's arm.

Painting and knitting

We have decided to paint the house. The builder said we should wait for a year in case we need to touch up any nail pops as the house settles. However we are working on the registry for our wedding and how do you pick towel colours and sheets when you don't know what colour the room is?

Our thinking now is that we either touch up the builder white when there is a nail pop or we touch up our colour. So we are painting.

I'm still working away on the dream in colour shrug and as the cold weather approaches I have picked up the sleeves for Thermal tonight for the first time in a while. (Connie I need to come and get that pattern from you for Heath so I can finish that for you)

I was also given a donation of knitting needles and yarn with some old patterns from a lady that I work with. It was enjoying looking at those patterns so I thought I would share them.

Mostly some cute baby patterns. Funny how the adult patterns go in and OUT (way out)of fashion and the baby things are always good patterns.

Settling in

I keep meaning to post but every time I log on to the computer I seem to have problems connecting to the Internet. I dunno why but tonight it decided to work.

I'm still having problems with my sweet boy Oscar. He is perfect in every way except when we are not home. He is barking and crying and peeing in the crate. He is throwing a fit. I only know this because I video taped him on Tuesday when I went to work. Everyone keeps telling me that I'm doing everything right but I don't see anything I try as helping.

I really should be working on Heath for Pick up Sticks but I forgot the pattern there a few weeks ago. I can't believe it has been that long since I have been there but that is what happens when you feel guilty leaving your dog at home alone knowing you are going to have to clean the crate when you get back (even if you only are gone for 45 minutes).

I have one new square of the Lizard Ridge blanket finished but I didn't take a picture of it so instead I started something else. I know that no one out there is surprised.

The dream in colour shrug in this lovely autumn colour called Chinatown Apple.

So I am very glad to be knitting again. Although I am still neglecting the scary office and guest room upstairs that have been the catch all for the stuff we don't know what to do with yet.

And in case your are interested....that is Oscar's Monkey that his Daddy (who doesn't like to be called "daddy" because it is a dog but still says "walkies" when he takes the dog out) bought him. Oscar loves this Monkey/Gorilla/Ape things that make Monkey/Gorilla/Ape type noises when you squeeze him. He loves this monkey and he carries around the house all the time. He will go back upstairs if he left it in the crate upstairs (now that he is sleeping in our bedroom) and bring it back down and carry it out the door when we go outside. I know I'm a little biased but I just think Oscar and his Monkey are the cutest dang thing going.

Home Sweet Home

Things are starting to feel a little more like home now. The new TV is up on the wall. The dishwasher is installed, the gas line is run for the oven and there are curtains in the living room. Things are coming together even though they do seem to cost a lot of money.

Oscar seems to be adjusting well. We have had the odd accident and he really hates being in his crate but he seems to be doing great aside from that.

I have had the odd chance to knit. Little bits here and there. Things are slowing down a little. I have been pretty preoccupied with the house lately. The ladies didn't make it to the house on Thursday for Grey's but we are aiming for this week. I hope to have some knitting to show for soon.

The Camera is ..... somewhere.

There will be no pictures this post because ...well.... I can't find my camera. I know it is there somewhere but at the moment it seems to be hiding from me.

Don't worry you aren't missing much. There are piles of mess everywhere and there is no knitting happening. Last night after work I was so tired I could hardly keep my eyes open. I had to fight it though because a) I don't want the dog to be up all night and b) my dishwasher was being installed. I have never been so excited about a dishwasher but I think I am in love with and appliance. Anyway the guy was great and it looked like a really tough job. He was there from 7pm until after 9:30 and because my dishwasher is around an L shape away from the sink he needs more pipe and has to come back. Tonight we have puppy kindergarten so he has to come back on Thursday.

I am also hoping to have the ladies over for Grey's Anatomy that night but I don't think he will be that long this time.

Other than the clutter right now (and a leek in the guest bathroom) I love my new house.

I have keys

I was going to say "We're in" but I can't yet. Perhaps after the weekend.

But today was closing day and it was surprisingly painless. I am now a home owner.

Here is some of the house (the picture makes it look bigger than it is:

Tomorrow I will be at the house for 8am because they are coming to hook up the phone and cable and stuff. I don't know when Aaron will be arriving with all the big stuff but I shall be doing little things while I wait around.

Crazy stuff

Well we close in a few days. My life feels a little nuts right now. There has been no knitting because there has been only packing. And oh my there is lots of yarn to pack. I have something going on every evening from now until Friday (our closing day).

I'm a starting to be ready! I am happy and I am excited and I have to admit... a little bit nervous.

Today after school we do our walk through with the builder. I can't wait to see it. We have been going on weekends until we were locked out (even then we went to peek in the windows) but I'm excited to see the kitchen cabinets and counters

Oscar keeps crying in the night. It seems like we will have a few good nights and then a few bad nights. It is frustrating! Not only because we lose sleep (he was up before 4am today) but because I don't understand why. Tucker hasn't cried at all since that first week and Oscar keeps complaining. We put him out when he wakes up because he has had the odd accident in the crate but other than that I let him cry. I might tell him "quiet" firmly but it doesn't seem to stop him for long. Unless he hears someone move (as little as rolling over in bed) he will stop for 20 minutes before he starts again. Whining at first but then barking. I'm worried that things will get worse in the new house. I'm going to ask our trainer about it tonight at puppy kindergarten but I'm open to any other suggestions out there as well.

Other than that.....I move this weekend! :)

The countdown is on

I am waiting not so patiently for my house. It is so close yet so far. Now are closing date has been bumped again from September 18 to the 21st. It is only a few days and really closing on the Friday is better than a Tuesday but....darn.

I haven't been knitting much because the two little creatures have been keeping us all busy. I did catch them at a quiet moment though.

Ah yes they can be very cute!

I am still working on the Rowan Tapestry sweater for Connie and the store but those little lizard ridge squares are addictive. I have knit almost two more of them. I always find myself saying...."just as soon as I finish this ridge",.....then "just as soon as I finish this square".... then "hmmmm I wonder what this colour will look like.