This is the end

I have to say that 2013 has been one of the best years in a long time. My life is pretty blessed but 2013 has been exceptional.

It has been full of love, family and dear friends.

It has been drama, falseness and negativity free.

It has been wonderful!!

2013 brought my family some new adventures ... new puppy, a boat for fun afternoons on the lakes and rivers, camping, a trip to Boston, a hot tub, a "summer home" in Saskatchewan, and so much more.

Oh yes, and knitting!!

I cannot wait to see the wonderful things 2014 will bring!

Happy New Year!

Boxing Day

Holy boxing day sales, batman! I didn't wander out into the abyss of in-store shopping today, but I did score a couple of deals online at Amazon. Irresistible deals! They had the entire Harry Potter movie set (all 8 movies) on bluray for $34.99 ... regular $160 ... and since those are (strangely) movies I don't own I couldn't pass it up. I also picked up the new Lego Marvel game for the PS3. Saved $30 there too. But that's it. I'm all shopped out. 

Mostly today I've been knitting and hanging out with Michael and the kids. We're watching Peter Pan (the original Disney movie) that Ethan was gifted yesterday from his grandparents. He loves Peter Pan, so he was pretty excited. Michael has ventured to the grocery store. I wished him luck before he headed out. It's a zoo I'm sure.

I'm knitting my mom a pair of the Simple Garter Stitch Slippers. I knit myself a pair last week and she saw them yesterday at Christmas and really liked them. So she gets a pair too.

On Christmas eve I finished my one and only knit Christmas gift. It was for Owen. He knew about it - he actually put in a knit request - so I gave it to him as soon as it was finished. It's a Prisoner Of Azkaban Gryffindor scarf and he loves it!

Gryffindor Scarf

Dinner yesterday was fantastic. Michael and I made a broccoli and cauliflower cheese bake. It wasn't the traditional melt and pour cheese on top type thing. It was different and OH so delicious. Seeing as though the recipe called for garlic we had to make two separate batches (I cannot have garlic) ... The recipe can be found here: http://www.jamieoliver.com/recipes/vegetables-recipes/the-best-cauliflower-broccoli-cheese so if you like delicious food I recommend you try this. :)  

Cheers!!

Ho Ho Ho

Merry Christmas!

It's been a bad year for blogging but that's about to change -- Hubby bought me a new laptop for Christmas! The tag on the package said "To: Spolied Brat  Love: Hubby" because yeah, I'm spoiled. It's not my fault. It's his. But I won't stop him. ;) Did I mention he bought me a shiny new sapphire and diamond ring last week?

Anyway, new laptop, blog at my fingerips, no fighting the kids for time on the computer, no sitting in the basement (aka dungeon) to use the computer. It's going to be great!

This is just a quicky today though.

I hope you're all having a fabulous holiday season with your friends and families. :)

Boston, MA

So. Boston. In a word? AMAZING. 

The flight was a piece of cake. My favourite part was the landing. Seriously. I'm not even kidding. It's so very cool to land. It looks like the plane is close enough to hit houses and cars and whatever, or that you could reach out the window and grab a chimney, but you (obviously) can't and the plane (obviously) isn't close enough to hit it all. VERY cool.

My first flight

Michael made a new friend in the Boston Public Garden

You can't see him!

Washington

From the top of the Prudential Building

Harvard (cross river), view from the Prudential Building

Fenway! Go Red Sox!

Us @ the Concert

Michael Buble and I. He touched my hand.

Porter's Bar & Grill -- I LOVE this pub.

Us and the Boston skyline.

The Boxer Hotel

Boston Marathon Finish Line (we crossed it!)

Trinity Church

Lunch at Cheers (Day 4)

I forget.

Us at the Finch (The Boxer's bar)

Cheers!

Me and Diane Chambers!

Michael and Norm!!!!

We drank lots of beer.

Lots and lots of beer.

Michael made more friends

Boston Public Garden -- SO BEAUTIFUL

FENWAY!

Michael took this picture while out for his 8km run

Memorial for the Boston Bombing

Cheers Lunch (Day 4)

Pictures are in a wonky order and I`m having a hell of a time putting them right. Anyway, you get the idea.

It was LOADS of fun.

Two Sleeps!

We fly out from Buffalo on Thursday morning! I'm excited. It's my first flight ever and I've been asked if I'm nervous, but I'm not. I used to swear I'd NEVER go on a plane, but I changed my mind ... life is too short to not take an adventure.

We're staying at The Boxer hotel. Reviews are good, it's close where we need to be and the only complaints seem to be that the rooms are small. Well ... rooms are for sleeping and other fun stuff, so size isn't really important. LOL

It was built in 1904 and has recently undergone some renovations so I'm hoping it's a little bit haunted. A little bit or a lot. You know, either works for me. I'll keep you posted!!

Pictures to come when I get back!

Nine Sleeps!

In nine days Michael and I will be boarding a plane and heading to Boston, MA for an adventure without the children. When we were married in 1998 we couldn't afford a honeymoon, so we're making up for it now. I cannot wait! It's going to be fabulous!

In May he posted an adorable video he made to my Facebook wall telling me I'd won a trip to Boston and listed the things we're going to do while we're there. I had NO idea he had planned it, but he did and it was a wonderful surprise. On top of seeing all the sights and doing the tourist thing we're going to a Michael Bublé concert! Front row floor seats. AMAZING. I tease that we'll be close enough to be sweated on, but (a) I don't really want to be sweated on and (b) I don't really want to be sweated on. But yeah, we'll be close! :)

Oh and did I mention, NO KIDS! ;) I know I did, but it deserves a 2nd shout out. LOL Don't get me wrong, I love my kids but four days with just my husband in a fun city (and a hotel room!!) ... woot!

I think I've got everything I need ... except black ballet flats, but I'm thinking I need to go shopping for some next week. :)

• Passport - check
• Luggage - check
• Kids' sitters - check
• House/Puppy/Kitty sitters - check

I haven't started packing yet (though my OCD really wants me to start so I'm EXTRA prepared) but I have a list of all the necessities. :)

Can't wait!

Feeling Nostalgic

When I was a young(er) version of myself I would lay on my bed, music cranked as loud as my parents would allow, or if they weren't home, even louder, and just listen.

Listen and feel and think.

The band I listened to most back then was Guns N' Roses and frankly they still round out my top five all time favourites.

Today I was feeling nostalgic so I sought out a couple of my favourite pieces. The music compilations this band put together were beautiful. Yes, it's metal, yes, it can be edgy and hard, but if you listen, full on and truly listen, it's expressive and complicated.

First Estranged.

Second November Rain -- Michael is not a big Guns N' Roses fan, but even he has to admit this is musical artistry at it's finest.

I'm still that girl -- the one laying on a bed with the music turned up loud. Only now my parents aren't here to tell me to turn it down.

Adolescents

Adolescents are a pain in the arse. Not only can they be mouthy, but they bring upon the word "No" a lot and that's not a word I'm too fond of using.

You may think I'm talking about my oldest son (who will be 12 in a couple months and is the epitome of a pre-teen) but no, him I can handle. I'm referring to the 8 month old chocolate lab puppy who has taken it upon himself to turn his ears off completely. I just keep telling myself (a) it's a phase and it'll pass and (b) it's not illegal to crate a puppy! :)

Ah, Mr. Moose, he may look all cute and innocent,
but he's a lab puppy through and through.

I've been knitting since I was about 8 years old and knitting on a regular basis since 2003 and I finally completed my very first adult sized sweater ever. And it's for ME! 

The pattern is the Eyelet Cardigan from Custom Knits 2 by Wendy Bernard. I knit a size small. I'd debated between a small and a medium (and even asked my knitter friends FB what they thought) because I had no idea what would fit me (since my weight loss). So glad I went with the small. It fits wonderfully! 

Sorry about the crappy cell phone pictures, I was lazy and didn't want to get my Canon out.

Elsebeth Lavold Silky Wool in Oxblood
4mm needles

I was also unsure of what kind of button to use, so I put a question into my best friend Valerie and once again she didn't let me down. She came over with a stash of buttons she thought would suit it and in about 35 seconds we had come to a final decision. Thanks again Valerie!! :)

My lovely button!

Michael has a friend who's wife is due with their first baby in December and has asked me, ever so nicely, to knit them a few things. How can I resist!? They're having a boy. :)

Baby Blizzard, Bernat Softee Baby, 3.5mm needles

I think I've chosen my next adult sweater and it, too, will be for me! I will save that post for another day though. :)

Cheers!

Whirl Wind

When was my last post? June, I think, and it was pretty scarce around here before then. I could go on and on and on about promises to blog more often, but that'd be pointless. I enjoy blogging/writing but getting the inspiration is sometimes ... well ... impossible.

What's been going on?

Not much and lots all at the same time.

Mooser looking handsome!

As you know Michael took a job in Saskatchewan last September. Anyway, that project finished up about 4 weeks ago and we've been having a lovely summer together. We bought a (motor) boat, did some camping, did some beaching, swimming, water skiing and tubing and lots of other fun stuff. It's been a fabulous summer.

All good things must come to an end.

Dozer wants to go tubing too!!

The kids are back in school and without trying Michael was offered another job out West. Another Saskatchewan project, but with a different company. The house will be strangely quiet without him (or the kids) home during the days. I'm sure I will find something to do with my time (aside from regular boring ol' household stuff).

Knitting has been pretty great. I don't have any pictures to show you here, but if you head over to my Ravelry page you'll be able to see the stuff I've remembered to add.

I've read some great books this summer too. The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared, Orange is the New Black (also an excellent series on Netflix), The Light Between Oceans, 419 (which I'm currently reading) and a few others.

Running and fitness ... same as usual. Still keeping fit and being healthy. :) My next race is October 6th.

Epic Bitey Face

In 21 days Michael and I leave for Boston. We're going to be spending 4 kid-free days there. On the 27th we're seeing Michael Bublé in concert. Front row FLOOR seats. AWESOME. We never had a honeymoon (way back in 1998) so we've decided we're due. I think we're going to go to Vegas in January. Florida next year some time too -- the kids want to go to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter (and so do I).

Moose is 8 months old ALREADY. He's a giant too ... not quite as tall as Dozer, but I'll bet he weighs as much. He's not overweight (no worries there) just a bit of a different shape. That could change with age and (body) maturity.

I'll leave it at that, I hope you are all well. :) Cheers.

Oops

Sorry about the delay folks. I don't know why I haven't posted ... just busy or lazy or something.

I have been knitting ... quite a bit. Mostly baby items but I also finished the Yogini Bolero I started for myself awhile back.

I've been running and keeping active as well. As a matter of fact I have another 5km race tomorrow. I'm excited. I doubt I will run another PB but I'm going to have fun none the less. :-)

Cheers!

Starbucks Coffee Hazel 5km

Yesterday, on Star Wars Day, I ran the absolute best race of my entire running career. It's a day later and I'm still stoked about it. My body felt great, my knee was pain free, my mind was clear and I was in the zone. I ran a personal best (PB) time of 28:10. My previous PB was 30:11. Two minutes is a lot to shave off and I'm still in shock. So yes, I'm proud ... and I'll probably be talking about it for years.

I flew.

My very best friend in the entire world was kind enough to be my tour guide for the day. I have no idea how to get around Mississauga (Port Credit) so she volunteered to drive me around ... in her convertible ... and yes, it was a top down kind of day. :)

Valerie and I waiting for the shuttle buses.

Me!

I had two dreams nightmares I missed the shuttle bus to the start line. In one dream I had to chase down a robber (who was driving a Chevette) and had several obstecles to overcome. The other one I just missed it. There were runners who missed the bus, but I wasn't one of them. Valerie told me about it afterwards.

Getting on the bus! 

Once I was on the bus there was no turning back. I wouldn't have turned back, because I felt excited, not nervous. I felt more ready for this race than I've ever felt for a race before.

I'm on!!

I'm going to be buying the digital copies of the following photos so I can get prints made (and pass them out to my adoring fans) ... 

Coming up to the finish line, feeling strong!

Once I got through the finish line I stopped in the finisher's photo area and had a picture taken. I figured it would probably suck, but it doesn't! LOL

Finisher photo. 

Afterwards I couldn't find Valerie ANYWHERE. I waited in the finishing area for about 20 minutes before I started to wander around looking for her. Apparently she didn't see me cross the finish line (like I said, I was flyin') and she waited there watching the clock go by thinking how ticked off I would be with my time as the minutes went by. I had expressed to her I wanted to finish in 30 minutes, so when the clock hit 40 minutes she knew if I hadn't crossed yet I'd be upset. So she started on a quest to find me.

About a half an hour (maybe more) had gone by since I crossed the finish line and I didn't have my phone, Valerie did, so I found a police officer and asked him to call her. He did. He got my voice mail. Lets just say Valerie isn't smart phone tech savvy and leave it at that. LOL

A few minutes later we were reunited and lived happily ever after. :)

May the forth be with me? It absolutely was!

I'm a Hooker!

Yep, it's true.

I'm a hooker.

You caught me.

Oh you ... get your mind out of the gutter! Not THAT kind of hooker. GEESH! I'm talking about crochet.

Side bar: A friend of mine is having a baby in June. She is also the type to not find out the gender in the womb. The blanket I'm knitting is yellow and it's a 3x3 garter rib.

Back to the hooker bit.

Last night I was happily knitting along when I noticed I screwed up the garter rib a few rows down. It was late at night so I put the knitting down.

Today I spent close to an hour knitting across a row and then letting ever 2 out of 3 stitches drop down so I could hook them back in the right stitch pattern.

Tedius? Yes.

Worth it? Absolutely.  I couldn't have lived with it had I not fixed it.

Whew. Now I only have 15 more inches of garter rib left to knit and I will be finished!

I think I should add this little note. I'm posting this from my phone. Last month I got a new phone (Samsung Galaxy Note II) and it's awesome in every way imaginable.  I figured why not use it for blogging too ...

My point? I'm not sure how this is going to look. LOL

Have a good one!

It's a ...

I'm an auntie again! Last Saturday (the 20th of April) my sister gave birth at her home with her midwives, husband and I at her side at 4:16am.

It's a BOY!!

His name is Gavin.

I haven't asked permission to post a picture of him, but as soon as I'm given the go-ahead I'll share my new nephew with you.

Flower Power!

I've gone and done it. I knit up a feminine version of Hip to Be Pumpkin. My kids so want me to give the pumpkin coloured blanket to my sister -- who by the way has met her due date (today) and has not yet popped out the child -- but I thought it to be too masculine should she have a baby girl. Problem solved.

I call it (drumroll please) Hip to be Flower. Catchy, eh? LOL

Hip to be Square: Patons Decor New Pale Lilac: 5.5mm needles

Just like it's masculine counterpart this blanket is decorated with little leaves on each of the corners. :) I still think any baby is going to have massive amounts of fun chewing on and/or playing with them.

Just a Leaf: Patons Decor Frond: 4.5mm needles

My sister requested a gender neutral newborn hat. Can't get much more gender neutral than white.

Bernat Softee Baby Sport: White: 3.25mm needles

My hubby flies in from out of town (he works in Saskatchewan) tonight. I'm looking forward to seeing him. I even started a new knitting project (another baby blanket) to keep me occupied. It's a simple moss stitch and stockinette stitch pattern so I don't have much to think about, which is good because his plane lands between midnight and midnight-thirty and I'll be waiting up. YAWN.

Fun in the Sun with Dozer and Moose

What a glorious day here in Southern Ontario. It's 15°C outside and the sun is shining. The entire next week's forecast is rain, but at least the temperatures will be in the positives. :)

Dozer and Moose have been having a fine time outside today.

My handsome guy ... it's hard to believe he just turned four on April 1st.

The Butt Piranha

Dozer!!

Run run as fast as you can, you can't catch me ...

"Mom, Moose is eating dirt again..."

The Boys!

Moose!!

The tackle.

Happy pup.

Bitey face.

I've been knitting too. I'm almost finished another baby blanket as well as my bolero. Hopefully by the end of the week I'll have some knitting pictures to share.