Krafty Knitting in the North

The Monologues

2012-02-14T10:50:00.002-07:00

I find myself part of something I've always been very excited about. The Vagina Monologues - Although this years venture is not the original, it promises to be very intimate, intense and thought provoking. Already one rehearsal in and I'm having all sorts of emotions and realizations about the world, not to mention the epiphany that I lack the vocabulary in many occasions to express how I feel about the whole thing.

I'm very excited about my monologue. I'm excited about how it explores the absolute truth of being vulnerable to those around us, good or bad. I'm sure I will explore this more here for all to see once I truly get a feel for what's happening. Keep an eye out and I'll share it all with those who want to pay attention.

Awww, Steek It!

2012-01-30T19:38:00.005-07:00

So, I am steeking my monkey blanket. I knit it in a round, with these steeking stitches separating it. Then, because I don't have a great sewing machine, I crocheted up both sides like the many tutorials online showed me how to.
Here I am pleased with how it looks, two nice reinforced rows with a little row in the middle. I must point out that this MUST be done with real feltable wool. I'm tempted to felt the edges just to make sure it stays together but all instructions say this is unnecessary. But the sharp edge of the scissors is terrifying me. I got my sharp scissors, took a deep breath and cut!! I whimpered and sniffed the whole time, muttering "I don't know" to myself and Fluff. Honestly, I was half tempted to stop and figure out another way since I worked hard on this darn thing by now.

And then it is done. Two nice reinforced edges that still look a little dodgy to me. This is the blanket now, all flat and ready to have the tails sewn in. Then I get to do the back side and do it all over again!

Winston Tupsy Turtle the III

2012-01-21T11:29:00.005-07:00

This is Winston Tupsy the III.

I have a pile of stuffing from making comfort dolls ------->

which I sent to a group that send over 200 to Malawi last October.

So now I'm attempting to make the odd little teddies with my spare yarn. I thought they might be nice for 'gift bags' for Beth's birthday. Of course, I haven't made one in a few weeks now that I'm attacking my sleeping monkey blanket.

It is my birthday today! We're going to get a babysitter and go party it up tonight. I'm even going to go buy a new outfit. It's been a long time since I got a new anything. Usually I get new things for the kids. That's the way it always goes right? YAY for birthday's!

15 of 30 in 45

2012-01-11T17:58:00.003-07:00

Well, William didn't do his sleep all night again. He did pretty good, but it wasn't enough to have me jumping out of bed at 6am ready to tackle a workout. I didn't even manage a shower before I had us all out the door at an AMAZING 9:15 am.

Snack made, children dressed, out the door to my appointment then to play group! Only to discover at 9:25 that... my battery light had gone on AND we really didn't have an appointment today, it's tomorrow. Low and Behold, the car stopped working seconds after I got in it after my premature appointment... now it's -31 out and I have two kids under 3. Crap.

Luckily we have a very helpful husband who came to our rescue and realized what the problem was. Cab ride home - with a very disappointed Noodle who wanted to see her friends and go grocery shopping.

So I tried my workout when all was quiet at home. Or I started when it was quiet. Long story short - I got 15 minutes of a 30 minute workout done in 45 minutes.

I will try again tomorrow.

Hat's By Design

2012-01-11T11:50:00.003-07:00

I love knitting. It keeps me sane. I love searching for patterns, stockpiling wool and just everything about it. If I don't get to knit, I get a little nutty... nuttier?

So now I'm going to try make hats and sell them. I have so many patterns, but this is one of them. They're fleece lined and they come in a few different patterns/colours. If you want one, just leave me a message and I'll see what I can do!

I'm also working on a log cabin blanket right now. Once I finish that I'll be starting the Sleepy Monkey Blanket, when the wool I ordered arrives. Quite a few different projects on the go. Love it!

Let's give it a Try

2012-01-10T21:50:00.002-07:00

Here we go.

I'm pretty excited about how easily I lost the weight I gained with both Will and Beth. I'm wearing a size that I haven't worn in almost 8 years, and I'm hoping to keep going. My son just started sleeping through the night, but he gets up at 6:30am to eat. I feed him, and then crawl back into bed for another 2 hours of sleep, but I think if he keeps letting me sleep as much as he has (oh please keep sleeping) I am going to start doing a work out in the morning.

Hip Hop Abs. I bought it on a whim in the late late night watching too much 'buy me' tv. It's only a 30 minute work out, and it's supposed to be fabulous for abs and core - just the areas I want to work.

Maybe if I tell you people (I think at least 2 people read this) I might be guilted into doing it. And if I get a nice tight bod... well I'll take a few pictures! I'll even show you my before if it's no more.

Have you lost a bunch of weight? How did you do it? Do you need a work out partner or just a walking buddy? Let me know.

I can't help it.

2012-01-09T17:50:00.001-07:00

Mr. Rhino & Mrs. Cow

2012-01-04T20:46:00.004-07:00

These are my new supervisors in life. They came from Baba Judy. Every time I asked what Bethany wanted for Christmas she said "A Bouncy Cow". So here they are. And they watch.

I'm certain they move through the house on their own. One minute I see Mr. Rhino in the kitchen, checking out what's in the fridge, and the next he's watching me from the living room, from just around the corner.

It's not Big Brother, but it's still a little creepy. Makes me giggle.

Been a Long Time Coming

2011-07-22T11:56:00.002-06:00

Zounds, it's been a century since I last wrote. Guess that is what happens when you are busy working. I suppose it's also lucky I didn't document my latest pregnancy... no one wants to read about my many complaints over 9 long months!

But now we are a happy family of 4. Bethany has proven to be a wonderful big sister who adores her little brother. William Roy has been a wonderful addition to our family. He sleeps well and eats well... though he's a little lazy.

Well, that's all for now since I have to go sing songs with my talented daughter.

Been a Long Time

2010-03-18T21:13:00.002-06:00

We found a house!!

So excited about the buying and selling of a home, but annoyed by the prospect of packing.

Bethany grows like a weed. Added 2 pounds to her world in 2 weeks, great news since she's apparantly small. Still, she talks and walks and laughs and plays with no end in sight. What an adorable little creature!!

Now I'm making hats. Just finished one with the most fabulous wools thanks to mother!

And I am attempting twitter since I have a new phone. Is that enough?

The Search for Food

2010-02-14T22:55:00.002-07:00

Somedays, I can't stand living in Yellowknife. Most days I love it, don't get me wrong. Today was not one of those days.

I had a rather tumultuous day. A sick baby, a lack of sleep... it leads to unpleasantness. In an attempt to salvage Valentines Day, I reserved a last minute spot at Diamante's. I asked if they allowed children. I should have been more specific.

To add to our crappy day, I left the lights on the car last night so when we went out this evening to start the car and reclaim our day we discovered that the car, of course, wouldn't start. I really HAVE to start turning the lights off on that damned car.

We arrive at Diamante's and get seated. Bethany gets her little high chair, and we get a glass of water for her. Of course she's more interested in playing with the water and the straw than drinking but that's fine, at least she's entertained. After all, it is about half an hour beyond her supper time. We don't get menu's for awhile, we get a gesture towards the table we will be seated at, and ignored. There are very few people in the restaurant yet, it's only quarter to six and I suppose most people go out for a meal later than that.

When finally we are spoken to, I ask if I can get just a small plate of spaghetti for Bethany. The answer is No. At a homemade pasta joint, we are still required to pay $21 for a full plate of food that she won't eat. Keep in mind, I'm not expecting FREE food for the 11 month old, but I am thinking that they won't charge us a full plate a person who's stomach is smaller than a meatball. "No, They don't do that anymore." Ahhh, the infamous "they". "They" who make all the unrealistic rules that everyone can blame for the unpleasant news 'they' have to relate.

A quick discussions decides that perhaps we won't spend our evening at Diamante's. I just can't bring myself to pay for 3 meals, and I'm not really in the mood to have the few meals on the menu that she will be happy with. Plus, I've had a crappy day already.

Exit Restaurant #1, to find the car's battery wasn't charged enough and we need another boost. Lovely. We finally get the car going (Thanks stranger in the truck!) and go for a little drive. Luckily Bethany finds this a great time to take a tiny nap. A little discussions over what we're going to do for dinner, since the time is getting later and small people need to eat on a regular basis. We decide that Boston Pizza usually works, and we know they have a kids menu!! Yay! Salvation, right? Wrong.

Enter Restaurant #2. We are seated very quickly and meet a very nice server who quickly brings us our drinks. Then time passes. We are prepared parents, so Bethany gets some snacks of Teddy Grahams and snack bars. Still no one shows up. We meet a family across the way who had their daughter a few hours after Bethany was born. We compare notes and share stories. I still can't believe she's going to be a year in 2 weeks.

Finally our server comes back and explains the problem. The kitchen is backed up, he's not even able to give food orders, so he can't take our order at this time. He explains that the gentleman beside us has been waiting 35 minutes for his ravioli. He explains that he's sorry, but that he will probably be leaving soon, and someone else will be coming to speak to us shortly. At this point, we don't want someone to speak to us, we want someone to feed us!!

After a short discussion we decide that we can't wait for Boston Pizza to get their ducks in a row (this is the polite phrase that I am using) before Bethany is going to lose it. We exit Restaurant #2. I am impressed that our server has apparantly walked off the job out of frustration. I can't say that I blame him.

So, now what? It's getting dangerously close to 7, which means we've been questing for food for an hour. Even if we just go home and cook, it's going to be very late for Bethany. The dangerous decision is made. At least KFC will serve us... right?

Sunday night, end of a disasterous day, and we stumble our way into the KFC. It will be my first time feeding Bethany fast food, and I almost don't even feel guilty, I just want her fed! Still, she's not complaining, because my baby is a very good little girl.

In summaray -
- Diamante's will not accomodate young children and their food needs.
- Boston Pizza's kitchen is a gong show and does not accomodate people who want to eat.
- KFC - can offer you an unhealthy meal but will at least fill your stomach.

Happy Valentines to you, Yellowknife. Bah, Humbug.

It's Past My Bedtime!

2010-02-06T23:10:00.002-07:00

What a great night! A little bit of wine, two guitars and a great friend! What a fabulous way to spend a Saturday night. There was a time that this would have been WAY too low key for me. Heck, it wasn't that long ago really. Now I'm sitting here after, reflecting on my evening and realizing that my bedtime is before Midnight! Zounds! (Yes, I said Zounds!)

In other news, I am looking for my perfect house. It should have 3 bedrooms (or more) a beautiful kitchen for me to mess up that opens into some kind of sitting room so I can socialize with my guests while pretending to cook, or clean. It should have a slightly secluded space that I can make music with my friends and let the rest of the family live in peace. It should have BEAUTIFUL closets, and possibly 2 bathrooms (or more). It should have a tub that I can lose myself in. It's yard should be fenced so I can just open the door and let the dogs slip outside to do their business without interupting mine. It should not be too close to the neighbors, near my friends, and close to schools. It should have a perfect space for a fish tank that I don't have to deal with. It should look great with floor to ceiling book shelves for my collection. It should be under 400,000 Which REALLY I think should be acceptable.

If you have seen this house please contact me immediately. Possession dates are very negotiable, provided I find someone to take this lovely home I currently live in off my hands. If you're interested in that, give me a shout as well. I have to say I'll be sad to see it go.

Decisions Decisions

2010-01-25T15:05:00.002-07:00

Wow. It's amazing how much money the bank will throw at you if you go in asking for it. Buying a house in Yellowknife is always an interesting prospect. There are trailers, manufactured homes, stick built. There are residential areas, downtown, and... the inbetween. And the bank is more than willing to give us enough money to buy almost anything in town. I think they're really excited to own the house themselves because WHO can possibly come up with that much a month and still have a life. Wait, I don't think I want the answer to that.

In other news, I have exciting news about someone in my family that I'm not really supposed to announce in case it falls through. However, since no one reads this blog (I think) I'm going to give a few hints. One of my close relatives has been asked to play for the athletes at the upcoming Olympics. This person is even going to have the plane ticket to Vancouver and bus up to Whistler paid for. I guess it is not 100% set up, and is a little theoretical at this time so no one FREAK OUT. But it is a big deal. It's rather neat opportunity and I'm very proud of this family member.

In other news, I need some ideas on what to feed an 11 month old for lunch. I think she's probably getting tired of pasta, though Bethany would never admit that. I also think she might want some diversity from Cheerios.

So, Craig. I've 'just written' two days in a row. How am I doing?

Update on Life

2010-01-24T21:19:00.002-07:00

I went out for dinner with some fabulous people last week and PROMISED I would return to writing. Of course, that was when my computer was dying a horrible death. Now it has been revived and here I am to try my hand at this again.

Last night I shared a beautiful night raising money for orphans in Haiti. Their orphanage had been completely destroyed by the earthquake and together, Yellowknife's Musicians gathered together and did was we do best - partied till we fell over!

It was my first night accompanying myself on the guitar. I had a great time, was wonderfully supported by friends and strangers and got to listen to some great music when my own stress was done.

All together, I realized I love the people of Yellowknife. Supportive, loyal and so much fun that there is no excuse but to sit on the couch all the next day and recover.

No More New

2009-11-03T09:59:00.003-07:00

I have been accused of being a Wantaholic, as well as a Shopoholic. I look around my place and I see piles and piles of stuff. Most of it is for the kid, but there is a whole lot of stuff lying around. Do I use it all? Sure feels like it. I seem pretty attached to it. I have no desire to part with it in any short order.

The funny thing is, I feel guilt over the mounds of things that I own. So I've come up with a plan. I am making a vow to stop buying so much 'new'. Why do I need new baby pjs when the kid will be out of them in a week? There is a perfectly good thrift shop just down the road where I can pick up a few new things when the urge strikes.

We live in a town where people are constantly tossing out used but still good furniture and appliances. Why, there is a whole website of people attempting to find a good home for their previously important stuff. I don't see why I can't help these poor souls out.

So, here is to my quest for No More New! It's good for the environment, it's good for the pocket book and ... well there has to be a few other good reasons for it.

Vaccinations R'Us

2009-11-02T10:11:00.002-07:00

Alright, it's been a long time, but I was on holidays visiting the folks and the in laws. And that is ALL I'm going to say about that.

It's now November and the first big push of the H1N1 Vaccine has taken place all over Canada. Now I have opinions on the whole vaccine epidemic going on in our world, but I am by no means an expert and tend to hum and haw until I just decide to go with the experts of the world. That said, it took me a long time to come to terms with my intentions for myself and my daughter and this vaccine in particular.

It's a given that I think we vaccinate for too much these days. I say this, living in the sheltered bubble that is a world where we don't routinely lose our children to childhood disease. We're complacent and damn right entitled to our free health care and happy, healthy children. I also live in a world where allergies are life threatening, and autism is at an all time high; Where cancer is ravaging us in our middle age, old age and hell, our young age. We are an unhealthy bunch of people in this generation and there are fingers pointing to ALL SORTS of reasons.

Is it the fault of vaccinations? Not entirely, but I certainly don't think chicken embryo, formaldehyde and mercury are free from blame either. It could be the flame retardant we put on everything our children touch, it could be the preservatives we put in our food, the chemicals used in the countries that make our clothes. Our skin is our largest organ, and we routinely slather it, rub up against and absorb all sorts of goodies that make up our modern lifestyle. I point the finger even as I sit here with bleach lightening my locks, stinking up the house and inhaling toxins. Our whole world has become a toxic waste dump, and that makes it not such a big deal to take the next step of injecting ourselves with admittedly toxic ingredients in the name of 'health'.

So, I ask - what is the big deal with getting the flu? I'm one of those that fall on the 'priority' list. In my joy of living, I have allowed myself to get unhealthy enough to become chronically ill. The powers that be say that I should be getting a regular flu shot every year, due in part to my profession and my chronic illness. I never do. I don't see the reasoning. My immune system needs the practice!!

Now we have a new flu that is more deadly, more threatening, spreads faster. It's like the regular flu on heroin so I've been lead to believe. But it is really? Statistics show that it really is very different, kills just a tiny percentage more than the other but we are being bombarded with deaths and precautions on the news! Certainly I should believe what my government tells me!! What the media insists is true!

Why? In all other matters we are taught to question the government to keep it healthy and in check. We are told not to believe everything we read, everything we see on tv. Now I'm really confused. And it would be fine if this confusion only affected me. But now I have to bring my new job into view, my new life as a mother. I have to think about how this will all affect my daughter. It's no longer all about me, chronic disease or no.

If it were just me, I'd say HELL NO to the flu vaccine. Like I said, I believe my immune system needs the practice. I have enough going wonky in my system, I don't need to inject even crazier things into my blood to see what happens. I'm not interested in being a Guinea pig, and even more - I can take a few days of the flu.

But it's not just me, I have this tiny little creature rolling around and sticking random things into her mouth that I am being told WILL DIE if I don't vaccinate. And if she doesn't, then she will infect one of her friends - one of my very dear friends children and THEY WILL DIE. Is that a responsibility I can shoulder? I'm afraid it's not.

I'm not told what will happen to her if I inject yet another poison into her system. Because as against them as I am, I tend to tow the party line eventually and give her the protection I've been told she needs. I click my heels and bob my head and roll up that pant leg to stick her because I believe that this world is a little bit better for not losing 1 out of every 10 children to childhood illness. I am not willing to sacrifice my child for the greater good of society. I admit it, even if that makes me an irresponsible member of the greater world.

In short, I need more information. I need to know what it is I'm doing to my family, and to myself. In the end, I got my shot. So did my husband. But I couldn't bring myself to put her through it. Not yet. Not when we're home safe and sound, not when she's so little and so much is so unknown. Will I change my mind when she goes to a dayhome and I can no longer control her whole world? Most likely, but by then I might actually have a little more information to go with.

It just goes to show, we will do crazy things for the little people in our worlds. I've in essence, done something I never normally would have, put my body on the line with the hope that I am keeping her a little bit safer. She's only 8 months old. I can only imagine what I'll be willing to do for her when she's older and facing real crisis and danger.

Two Mothers out on the Town!

2009-09-28T22:33:00.002-06:00

What a beautiful day for a stroll. My friend and I went for a walk today in the crisp autumn air. All went well until we got to McDonalds for our post-walk coffee.

This sounds like a very unadventurous agenda. However, we did this with a two year old, a 7 month old, and a 9 month old, and two strollers. All was going well. Babies were chewing on arrowroot cookies and the toddler was playing with his new batman car! Go cars!

Suddenly the siren call of a toddler. "I have to pee." Now, I don't have a toddler, but I've noticed that when one says these things, parents leap to attention. Suddenly I had two little children in my lap, both gnawing on a slimey cookie and smearing it all over me. Since they were in arms reach, there was alot of poking, attempts at sharing (both with each other and with me) and before I knew it, two toys had been dropped and I was wearing as much cookie as they had eaten.

Well, Mama and toddler returned but there was no celebration of the pee pee train. No matter, all babies were returned to their mothers and toddlers were trapped by strollers. As we discussed how long our infants arms were, the toddler attempted a covert escape from his confinement and in that split second, my friend was wearing the majority of her coffee. Babies were crying, toddlers were running, and mothers were soaking.

Again, I had to wonder - how did this become our lives!? I distinctly remember drinking wine and stumbling home giggly with my Mommy Buddy. Swearing and smoking, dancing and now we're literally juggling babies and chasing toddlers to bathrooms where we can ask to witness the current bowel movement.

Funny thing is, that past life doesn't look overly appealing anymore. This new life with laughing children and food all over their faces, hands and me has me laughing in ways that all the wine, swearing and dancing never could.

The Dready Journey

2009-09-27T14:52:00.004-06:00

So, everyone asks me about my locks. I thought I might just give a little info about them.

Basically I have always wanted them. It never seemed to be the right time though, I was always trying to get a respectable job. Now that I have a respectable job, and I'm off work anyway, I thought the timing was finally right. Except that my hair was shorter than I'd like, but the lovely thing about hair is that it grows. I was at the Calgary Folk Festival and of course there were a great deal of folks roaming around with dreads that just got me all excited!

My brother and his dear girl agreed to help me back comb my hair. It took us two days, which is much more than either of them agreed to sign on for. But they were troopers and so excellent! Unfortunately we had misinformation and we waxed the snot out of them. My big advice to anyone who wants to do this is STAY AWAY from the wax. It's not necessary, it's counter productive, it's sticky and messy. I still feel bad that Jezelle's house had a thin residue of beeswax everywhere on the day I left.

Basically you want to section it off with elastic bands. Decide how big you want them, knowing that they will puff and expand with time. I still wish we'd gone a little thinner with them, but that would have probably taken another day! Then you back comb those little sections. You can palm roll if you'd like, but you have to remember that they are going to be messy and loose and a total gong show for a good month at least. It's matted hair and really, how lovely can that look in the starting days?

Now my dreads are 2 months old. They are still very young and inexperienced. I'm told that it takes nearly a year to get the proper look. They are a lesson in patience and acceptance because once they're in, there is really not alot you can do with them except accept and wait to see how they develop. Every time they're washed, they'll change.

So to answer a few questions. YES, I can, and do, wash my hair. You want to wash dreads with residue free shampoo. Some people use baking soda and water, some use dish soap. The important thing is to remember not to condition your hair! You want it to move, but conditioner is just going to make your hair all soft and WHO wants soft hair! Well, we all do, but no one wants soft dreads. All these things are fine, but you want to make sure you wash all the soap out because anything that is left in the hair is going to get a little funky. When I want them gone, I'm going to have to either cut them out, which will give me short hair, or I can condition and brush them out but I'm not sure how great that's going to look so I'll probably go short.

The Dready Journey

2009-09-27T14:52:00.001-06:00

Bethany is David Hasselhoff.

2009-09-25T17:22:00.006-06:00

A Question I've Been Meaning To Ask

2009-09-04T12:22:00.003-06:00

Recently I find my life taken over my this small little being. It cries for no apparant reason, leaks from every orifice, demands to be fed (Don't get me started on how I have to do that!), makes extra laundry, sucks away my sex drive, and basically takes up ALL of my time. I am sure I used to have thoughts and motivations that were all my own but in 6 brief months I completely forget what that was like.

The question is, who qualified me to walk out of the hospital and take this little bundle home. Here I sit listening to "Message in a Bottle" on a mini piano for the zillionth time, accompanied by the 'pbbth' of this small creature, punctuated by short interludes of toe sucking (hers and mine) wondering HOW it is that this little drooling entity ended up on my living room floor.

I'm certain this is not an unique train of thought for anyone who ended up being a parent but it is one that gives you pause. What could possibly be going through her mind as she farts, hums and raspberries across my living room floor.

Alright, so it's not the most insightful post but... it's mine.

Here we go...

2009-09-04T10:13:00.003-06:00

A few months ago when I first advertised I was thinking about doing this, someone asked me - "Do you have something to say that people want to hear?"

It put me off at first, made me think that perhaps I had no business putting my thoughts up for the world to see. After some time, I decided to go for it anyway because really - Who cares?!

School started this week. It felt really odd not to be losing sleep due to first day of school nerves. Don't get me wrong, I still lost sleep thanks too my Dearheart but I didn't have the anxiety and excitement that comes with a new year. I was almost twitching sitting at home that day. It didn't help that it was a beautiful day out, and how often does that happen! We went on an excursion based solely on the fact that it was the First Day and I wasn't going.

Which brings me to the question, am I going to survive this winter without work? What is it going to be like being home alone with a little button to entertain me through the dark days?

Only time will tell. I suppose this is why I'm here after all.