Me?
I'm over in facebook, playing scrabble.
Yeah, I know, I should be organising the house, or finishing off the cleaning up of the old house, but, but, well - I wanted a break, and then I got addicted....
But it's a gorgeous day, and there's house-work aneeding doing, and the wonderful new kitchen to cook in, and new recipe books to plunder, so I guess I should go get to it.
Bye!
Saturday, November 10, 2007
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
10 boxes left
Well, I've moved.
Still boxes everywhere, and new flat-pack storage bought that still needs to be put together. Still some small-fry remaining to be collected at the old house as well as some serious cleaning before it can be rented out.
But the place is starting to come together, and as I figure out where all the furniture belongs and where the paintings will work best it starts to look more and more like somewhere I live.
Oscar has taken to it like a trooper - after some initial scary moments when he scaled 6' fences and went wandering. Now he knows how to reach the front door, and the back door. He knows where his food is, and on the odd occasion he is allowed inside, he is working out where the best possies (staircase landing) are for keeping his eye on them humans.
Things I love about the new place.
Things I'm not so keen on about the new house.
Still boxes everywhere, and new flat-pack storage bought that still needs to be put together. Still some small-fry remaining to be collected at the old house as well as some serious cleaning before it can be rented out.
But the place is starting to come together, and as I figure out where all the furniture belongs and where the paintings will work best it starts to look more and more like somewhere I live.
Oscar has taken to it like a trooper - after some initial scary moments when he scaled 6' fences and went wandering. Now he knows how to reach the front door, and the back door. He knows where his food is, and on the odd occasion he is allowed inside, he is working out where the best possies (staircase landing) are for keeping his eye on them humans.
Things I love about the new place.
- Halves my time to work - door to door
- Public transport is practically at my doorstep - no more car
- I get to catch a tram! :)
- The newsagent is just around the corner for my Sunday paper
- There are gluten free cafes and restaurant within easy walking / tram distance
- I have a wall oven, no more bending down
- Great kitchen
- Internal access from the garage
- Excellent light-filled rooms
- Two toilets :)
- Knitting s'n'b meets weekly just around the corner
- Encouraging innovative storage solutions
- Good flow of Chi through the two floors.
Things I'm not so keen on about the new house.
- There's a spot light above the bathroom sink that really "highlights" my grey hair!
- Somewhat challenged for storage
- Still don't know where all of B's cd's are going to go.
Saturday, September 22, 2007
10 boxes down.
The loungeroom is very slowly being taken over by boxes. 2 weeks out and there are now 10 boxes done. I'm still in the process of wandering around the house getting something from here, something from there and packing it up to make a logical (kinda) box.
The cat has finally twigged that something is happening and has gone into anxiety mode - hiding under the bed. You'd think after half a dozen moves in the last 10 years (5 in the first five) he'd be used to it by now, but he never seems to.
Yesterday I did the final inspection - which was really just a chance to go in and measure up the place, as we had no dimensions listed on the documents. I've been working from home today, and in-between calls I've been drawing up the plans on graph paper and measuring up my furniture and making cut-outs, all to scale. Good news - all of my furniture will fit! Bad news, B? - not sure about yours ;-)
The only thing left to figure out really, is where all of B's cd's will go. Currently he has the stacked flat in vaguely alphabetical piles in his loungeroom. I think there is around a dozen stacks, ranging from 3-4 feet high - yes I count them in feet. And then there are probably another 10 feet of cd's in other places that haven't made it onto their pile yet. So if you say 30 cd's to a foot (yes I measured).. that's over 1500 cd's. Strangely, if these were all placed on shelves - they would take up a lot of room. Being an organisational freak - I'd really like to see these all easily accessible, lined up neatly (by genre, alpha, Dewey decimal), spines facing outwards.
I'm just not sure we have the space.... Now if I didn't have a car, we could convert the garage to one mean sound room.... hmmm.
Back to the boxes. We picked up some extra boxes from some friends last night. They moved only a couple of weeks ago, and apparently got a bit bored while writing the contents on the boxes. Unfortunately I've already packed my depleted uranium rods, so I'll have to find something else for that box. Although I do agree that the fire breathing dragon should live in the bedroom - wouldn't need any doonas or heaters then.
Ah time for dinner - pity I've packed all off my food *EG* nothing for it, but to go get pizza. hehehe. (Mental note to self, pack food before anyone comes to check....)
The cat has finally twigged that something is happening and has gone into anxiety mode - hiding under the bed. You'd think after half a dozen moves in the last 10 years (5 in the first five) he'd be used to it by now, but he never seems to.
Yesterday I did the final inspection - which was really just a chance to go in and measure up the place, as we had no dimensions listed on the documents. I've been working from home today, and in-between calls I've been drawing up the plans on graph paper and measuring up my furniture and making cut-outs, all to scale. Good news - all of my furniture will fit! Bad news, B? - not sure about yours ;-)
The only thing left to figure out really, is where all of B's cd's will go. Currently he has the stacked flat in vaguely alphabetical piles in his loungeroom. I think there is around a dozen stacks, ranging from 3-4 feet high - yes I count them in feet. And then there are probably another 10 feet of cd's in other places that haven't made it onto their pile yet. So if you say 30 cd's to a foot (yes I measured).. that's over 1500 cd's. Strangely, if these were all placed on shelves - they would take up a lot of room. Being an organisational freak - I'd really like to see these all easily accessible, lined up neatly (by genre, alpha, Dewey decimal), spines facing outwards.
I'm just not sure we have the space.... Now if I didn't have a car, we could convert the garage to one mean sound room.... hmmm.
Back to the boxes. We picked up some extra boxes from some friends last night. They moved only a couple of weeks ago, and apparently got a bit bored while writing the contents on the boxes. Unfortunately I've already packed my depleted uranium rods, so I'll have to find something else for that box. Although I do agree that the fire breathing dragon should live in the bedroom - wouldn't need any doonas or heaters then.
Ah time for dinner - pity I've packed all off my food *EG* nothing for it, but to go get pizza. hehehe. (Mental note to self, pack food before anyone comes to check....)
Sunday, September 16, 2007
See, it's true! (blogthings says so...)
| You Are Artemis! |
 Brave, and a natural born leader. You're willing to fight for what you believe in... And willing to make tough decisions. Don't forget - the people around you have ideas too! |
| You Are Lisa Simpson |
 A total child prodigy and super genius, you have the mind for world domination. But you prefer world peace, Buddhism, and tofu dogs. You will be remembered for: all your academic accomplishments Your life philosophy: "I refuse to believe that everybody refuses to believe the truth" |
| Your Ideal Pet is a Cat |
 You're both aloof, introverted, and moody. And your friends secretly wish that you were declawed! |
Monday, September 10, 2007
Thought for the day
Why should a glass half empty be the sign of a pessimist?
To me it says I'm ripe for a refill!
Cheers!
To me it says I'm ripe for a refill!
Cheers!
Saturday, September 08, 2007
An Ethical Question
So my goal today was to pack at least one box.
My un-goals (necessary but not very exciting) was to do the work jobs allocated, 3 loads of washing, change a light-bulb, put the dish-washer on, prepare dinner, stock up on cat vet-food etc, etc.
So during a lull in the work and after the first load of washing was on the line (yes - external-line! - wow! {I've been too tired for an eon or two to be bothered hanging stuff outside to dry}) and the second load in, I taped up the bottom of a box and started packing. I'm still coughing from a bout of bronchitis, so there were additional frequent rest breaks.
This box had been planned out in advance - after all there really isn't that much you can pack a month in advance.... But I thought all of my dodads could be safely packed away - the statutes I'd brought back from travels and various carved wooden bowls and more statues, and presents of the artistic kind (not to mention those three little cute cats in my "About Me" box up there on the left)... So I'm wrapping up these delicate items in swathes of newspaper and wanting to pad out the spaces inbetween to allow for some extra cushioning - which brings me to my ethical question of the moment...
Is it wrong to use stuffed animals as a soft packing item?
I also collect stuffed elephants (no, no idea how / why / where I started - I just have a thing for elephants), and there's also a few other animal shapes in there from memorable moments in my hmmm... adult... life. These are now safely packed away, guarding the fine wooden carvings and bowls and glassware and soap-stone carvings...
No problem really, I just have this niggling feeling that there is something inherently wrong in treating them as fancy bubble-wrap.
My un-goals (necessary but not very exciting) was to do the work jobs allocated, 3 loads of washing, change a light-bulb, put the dish-washer on, prepare dinner, stock up on cat vet-food etc, etc.
So during a lull in the work and after the first load of washing was on the line (yes - external-line! - wow! {I've been too tired for an eon or two to be bothered hanging stuff outside to dry}) and the second load in, I taped up the bottom of a box and started packing. I'm still coughing from a bout of bronchitis, so there were additional frequent rest breaks.
This box had been planned out in advance - after all there really isn't that much you can pack a month in advance.... But I thought all of my dodads could be safely packed away - the statutes I'd brought back from travels and various carved wooden bowls and more statues, and presents of the artistic kind (not to mention those three little cute cats in my "About Me" box up there on the left)... So I'm wrapping up these delicate items in swathes of newspaper and wanting to pad out the spaces inbetween to allow for some extra cushioning - which brings me to my ethical question of the moment...
Is it wrong to use stuffed animals as a soft packing item?
I also collect stuffed elephants (no, no idea how / why / where I started - I just have a thing for elephants), and there's also a few other animal shapes in there from memorable moments in my hmmm... adult... life. These are now safely packed away, guarding the fine wooden carvings and bowls and glassware and soap-stone carvings...
No problem really, I just have this niggling feeling that there is something inherently wrong in treating them as fancy bubble-wrap.
Monday, September 03, 2007
CPAP Scarf Pattern
Well, my CPAP scarf is finished, and I'm so happy with it I thought I should post the pattern I used.
CPAP Scarf
Yarn: 2 x 180 m 8 ply
- double stranded knitting, so 2 yarns with complementary colourways.
Needles - Size 7 / 8 - something pretty chunky.
Ribbon: 2.5m 3mm ribbon in matching or contrasting colour.
Or if you are feeling particularly insane - 2.5m of i-cord!
Hold two strands together and ...
CO: 17
Cuff:
RS: Purl
WS: Knit
RS: Purl
WS: Purl
RS: Knit
WS: Purl
RS: Purl
WS: Knit
RS: Purl
Main section:
WS: slip 1 purlwise, P2, YO, P2tog, P6, P2tog, YO, P3
RS: slip 1 knitwise, K15
Repeat until it is long enough (approx 1.8 metres)
end on a WS
Cuff:
RS: Purl
WS: Knit
RS: Purl
WS: Purl
RS: Knit
WS: Purl
RS: Purl
WS: Knit
RS: Purl
You now have a very long scarf with a row of eyelet holes down the edge.
Wrap it lengthwise around the CPAP hose and thread the ribbon through the holes to join it. Knot the ribbon back on itself at each end to hold.
Use more ribbon at the cuffs to hold it firmly on, or elastic bands / scrunchies etc.
I just used the tail at each end to tie it back to itself - but I'm inherently lazy!
Detail:
Hanging around:
No copyright reserved - feel free it pass it on, use it, abuse it, even send people back here to look at it....
It's reduced my humidifier heat down by 2 notches and using lots less water too.
It's also much nicer to snuggle up to than a plastic tube. :)
CPAP Scarf
Yarn: 2 x 180 m 8 ply
- double stranded knitting, so 2 yarns with complementary colourways.
Needles - Size 7 / 8 - something pretty chunky.
Ribbon: 2.5m 3mm ribbon in matching or contrasting colour.
Or if you are feeling particularly insane - 2.5m of i-cord!
Hold two strands together and ...
CO: 17
Cuff:
RS: Purl
WS: Knit
RS: Purl
WS: Purl
RS: Knit
WS: Purl
RS: Purl
WS: Knit
RS: Purl
Main section:
WS: slip 1 purlwise, P2, YO, P2tog, P6, P2tog, YO, P3
RS: slip 1 knitwise, K15
Repeat until it is long enough (approx 1.8 metres)
end on a WS
Cuff:
RS: Purl
WS: Knit
RS: Purl
WS: Purl
RS: Knit
WS: Purl
RS: Purl
WS: Knit
RS: Purl
You now have a very long scarf with a row of eyelet holes down the edge.
Wrap it lengthwise around the CPAP hose and thread the ribbon through the holes to join it. Knot the ribbon back on itself at each end to hold.
Use more ribbon at the cuffs to hold it firmly on, or elastic bands / scrunchies etc.
I just used the tail at each end to tie it back to itself - but I'm inherently lazy!
Detail:
Hanging around:
No copyright reserved - feel free it pass it on, use it, abuse it, even send people back here to look at it....
It's reduced my humidifier heat down by 2 notches and using lots less water too.
It's also much nicer to snuggle up to than a plastic tube. :)
Monday, August 20, 2007
Woo Hoo! I'm knitting again!
Yeah! My wrist is fully flexible and I have enough risidual energy at the end of the day to knit again!
My first project is a fitting one...
The CPAP machine delivers me humidified (heated, moist) air via a 6-7' tube about 1" in diameter. The tube is not insulated, so the air loses it's warmth (and associated moisture) on the way to my personal intake valves (mouth, nose). So I'm making a narrow scarf to wrap around the tube.
I have chosen an appropriately branded wool - Sean Sheep (so I can count them as I'm drifting off). It was on special from BigW, 6 balls which I think should do it for only $2 each.
I'm still trying out patterns, and thinking about double or single stranded...
I've got 3 balls each of Napier in eggplant and ruby twist Armytage.
Yeah! I'm knitting again!
My first project is a fitting one...
The CPAP machine delivers me humidified (heated, moist) air via a 6-7' tube about 1" in diameter. The tube is not insulated, so the air loses it's warmth (and associated moisture) on the way to my personal intake valves (mouth, nose). So I'm making a narrow scarf to wrap around the tube.
I have chosen an appropriately branded wool - Sean Sheep (so I can count them as I'm drifting off). It was on special from BigW, 6 balls which I think should do it for only $2 each.
I'm still trying out patterns, and thinking about double or single stranded...
I've got 3 balls each of Napier in eggplant and ruby twist Armytage.
Yeah! I'm knitting again!
Friday, August 10, 2007
Tonight's the Night!
Woo Hoo!
The two weeks of hell is over, today I get my CPAP machine.
I just checked with the pharmacy where I can rent before I buy, and they are open until 9pm, so that won't be a problem, even if the Sleep Doc is running really late, as opposed to just standard late...
And there is a gluten-free pizza place - "Town & Country Pizza" just around the corner from the pharmacy, so I think I'll have to try them for dinner.
And you may not have noticed :), but I'm typing much faster too!
Yep - I'm officially two-handed again. The Wrist Doc is amazed at how fast I have progressed back towards full movement and strength, but then I mentioned the knitting and he nodded sagely. Spinning the wrist (the movement you would do if swinging a cat by its tail..) still hurts a little - and this is what I need for knitting. But I think it is good enough now to start the my self-funded knitting therapy - once I'm not so tired anymore that I'd drop stitches and get frustrated - so that'll be tomorrow!
Amazing how it has all come together at once!
In house news, all the valuations got done and the bank agrees we *can* actually afford the new house :) I fear there are still many, many signatures needed, however, before we actually get to the moving in part...
That's all for now, move along... :)
The two weeks of hell is over, today I get my CPAP machine.
I just checked with the pharmacy where I can rent before I buy, and they are open until 9pm, so that won't be a problem, even if the Sleep Doc is running really late, as opposed to just standard late...
And there is a gluten-free pizza place - "Town & Country Pizza" just around the corner from the pharmacy, so I think I'll have to try them for dinner.
And you may not have noticed :), but I'm typing much faster too!
Yep - I'm officially two-handed again. The Wrist Doc is amazed at how fast I have progressed back towards full movement and strength, but then I mentioned the knitting and he nodded sagely. Spinning the wrist (the movement you would do if swinging a cat by its tail..) still hurts a little - and this is what I need for knitting. But I think it is good enough now to start the my self-funded knitting therapy - once I'm not so tired anymore that I'd drop stitches and get frustrated - so that'll be tomorrow!
Amazing how it has all come together at once!
In house news, all the valuations got done and the bank agrees we *can* actually afford the new house :) I fear there are still many, many signatures needed, however, before we actually get to the moving in part...
That's all for now, move along... :)
Sunday, July 29, 2007
Medical Issues as a Dr Who episode
It appears I've started something....
OK - the CPAP mask doesn't quite look like this - but if you are trying to give me nightmares.....
And in case you're interested in the stats - Severity of my sleep apnea - 31 episodes an hour, stopping breathing for up to 32 seconds, with oxygen levels falling to 74%. And they confirmed I snore - Dah!
OK - the CPAP mask doesn't quite look like this - but if you are trying to give me nightmares.....
And in case you're interested in the stats - Severity of my sleep apnea - 31 episodes an hour, stopping breathing for up to 32 seconds, with oxygen levels falling to 74%. And they confirmed I snore - Dah!
Friday, July 27, 2007
Three Nights in Heaven, Two Weeks in Hell
So I got to keep the CPAP machine for 3 nights. During this time it sat beside my bed like a reverse vacuum cleaner and I slept with a mask like a fighter pilot's. Meanwhile the machine varied its pressure up and down as it thought I needed, and recorded everything, so that the nice people at the Sleep Unit can analyse it and recommend the ideal pressure for me, not to mention getting a baseline.
I had to hand it back yesterday. I considered running off with it, but that just wouldn't have been right. So now I wait for 2 weeks until I see the Doc again and get a prescription for my own machine.
Today the tiredness kicked in ten-fold. Now that I know what I can be like after just a few days (and not even used to the machine yet), it was hard to function today and so depressing realising just how tired I was, and there wasn't anything I could do about it....
Roll on the fortnight.
I had to hand it back yesterday. I considered running off with it, but that just wouldn't have been right. So now I wait for 2 weeks until I see the Doc again and get a prescription for my own machine.
Today the tiredness kicked in ten-fold. Now that I know what I can be like after just a few days (and not even used to the machine yet), it was hard to function today and so depressing realising just how tired I was, and there wasn't anything I could do about it....
Roll on the fortnight.
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
“A house is made of walls and beams; a home is built with love and dreams.”
Just in case you hadn't heard...
We've bought a house.
Yep - we won at auction on Saturday.
It starts being a home come October.
Want to see more pics, email me and I'll send you the URL.
And just around the corner from a S'n'B in a Gluten Free Cafe! How more perfect could that be!
We've bought a house.
Yep - we won at auction on Saturday.
It starts being a home come October.
Want to see more pics, email me and I'll send you the URL.
And just around the corner from a S'n'B in a Gluten Free Cafe! How more perfect could that be!
Sunday, July 22, 2007
O sleep! O gentle sleep!
Yes, sleep. Something I hope to experience in its full joy soon. Apparently I haven't before, well at least not for a long, long time, if ever.
Just over 3 months ago I started the journey to see if there was yet another reason underlying my constant fatigue. There's been diabetes - now conquered, there's been coeliac disease - now conquered, and now, we have confirmation, there is sleep apnea.
Anyone who has slept in the same suburb as me, knows that I am a loud and chronic snorer. Campers have wanted my company as I can frighten wild animals away. It's been the butt of many a joke and I am sure housemates have rested easier in those brief periods when I stopped snoring. The problem is, those times when I stop snoring, I've also stopped breathing... but there is a solution. Come tomorrow, I am starting on a 3 night test of CPAP machines. These machines blow a constant air pressure down your nose/mouth so that the air passages can't collapse when sleeping. The tests should show what pressure I need. And then I get to have my very own machine! And hopefully, some blissful, restful, wonderful (and no snoring!) sleep!
Woo Hoo!
Just over 3 months ago I started the journey to see if there was yet another reason underlying my constant fatigue. There's been diabetes - now conquered, there's been coeliac disease - now conquered, and now, we have confirmation, there is sleep apnea.
Anyone who has slept in the same suburb as me, knows that I am a loud and chronic snorer. Campers have wanted my company as I can frighten wild animals away. It's been the butt of many a joke and I am sure housemates have rested easier in those brief periods when I stopped snoring. The problem is, those times when I stop snoring, I've also stopped breathing... but there is a solution. Come tomorrow, I am starting on a 3 night test of CPAP machines. These machines blow a constant air pressure down your nose/mouth so that the air passages can't collapse when sleeping. The tests should show what pressure I need. And then I get to have my very own machine! And hopefully, some blissful, restful, wonderful (and no snoring!) sleep!
Woo Hoo!
Thursday, July 12, 2007
One week down, Five to go.....
Yes, after a review by the doc yesterday, it seems that due to the complexity and thoroughness of the operation and his surgery, there will be quite a recovery time involved.
6 weeks all up that I will largely be unable to use my right arm (must be in a sling), yet somehow I am "fit to return to work" Friday week. Hmmm, love to try my job with one, non-dominant hand! Fortunately work should be reasonable about it, I'm hoping to work from home so that I can go at my own pace and not wear out the left arm too much (about 30 minutes of slow typing is all it takes...).
Hopefully I'll be getting the stitches and splint off next week, but it could be an extra week. We'll (and be we I mean my doc) will assess next week.
At least my body is largely recovered from the op now and I am starting to relax and enjoy the time off work - helps that I have my folks looking after me too - all meals cooked, washing and ironing done, I tell ya it's just like living at home!
Anyway, thought I'd take a photo of the arm, so you can see it all wrapped up. I couldn't get it all in, but it extends down to about 2 inches above the elbow. Just colour me green and show me the tardis...
It looks kind of extreme, but there's little pain, just twinges, and general awkwardness...
6 weeks all up that I will largely be unable to use my right arm (must be in a sling), yet somehow I am "fit to return to work" Friday week. Hmmm, love to try my job with one, non-dominant hand! Fortunately work should be reasonable about it, I'm hoping to work from home so that I can go at my own pace and not wear out the left arm too much (about 30 minutes of slow typing is all it takes...).
Hopefully I'll be getting the stitches and splint off next week, but it could be an extra week. We'll (and be we I mean my doc) will assess next week.
At least my body is largely recovered from the op now and I am starting to relax and enjoy the time off work - helps that I have my folks looking after me too - all meals cooked, washing and ironing done, I tell ya it's just like living at home!
Anyway, thought I'd take a photo of the arm, so you can see it all wrapped up. I couldn't get it all in, but it extends down to about 2 inches above the elbow. Just colour me green and show me the tardis...
It looks kind of extreme, but there's little pain, just twinges, and general awkwardness...
Saturday, July 07, 2007
If I should turn into a slug beast.....
Ever since my arm has been wrapped up - fingers to elbow - I've felt like an extra in a Dr Who episode. Perhaps you remember it? Here's some pictures to jog your memory....
Well the pain killers are officially finished - no more dreams of talking giraffes and flying beagles (those ears come in handy), luckily I have some left over from my kidney stone episode of last year. I haven't touched them yet, but they are a nice security blanket.
Today being Saturday we are off for some house inspections. Maybe. At least a drive with B.
Well the pain killers are officially finished - no more dreams of talking giraffes and flying beagles (those ears come in handy), luckily I have some left over from my kidney stone episode of last year. I haven't touched them yet, but they are a nice security blanket.
Today being Saturday we are off for some house inspections. Maybe. At least a drive with B.
Friday, July 06, 2007
One-Armed Bandit
Well, the op is over. And now I get to find out how challenging life is with only a non-dominant hand....
I'm doing as much as I can by myself and being told I'm stubborn and too independent :) Just like my Ma (according to my Dad) and just like my Dad (according to my mother) *s*.
Unfortunately I didn't get to watch the operation - they were worried I might involuntarily move my arm if I could see, and they didn't take photos :(
Apparently the cyst was multi-segmented and looked like a bunch of grapes. I gather it was quite complicated to remove as it took nearly an hour. Fortunately I was first up in the morning, so didn't have long to wait. I was home by midday.
I get the stitches out early next week, and then get to find out how long I'll have the splint on for.
Currently I'm just sleeping lots and resting.
And typing *very* slowly.... :)
I'm doing as much as I can by myself and being told I'm stubborn and too independent :) Just like my Ma (according to my Dad) and just like my Dad (according to my mother) *s*.
Unfortunately I didn't get to watch the operation - they were worried I might involuntarily move my arm if I could see, and they didn't take photos :(
Apparently the cyst was multi-segmented and looked like a bunch of grapes. I gather it was quite complicated to remove as it took nearly an hour. Fortunately I was first up in the morning, so didn't have long to wait. I was home by midday.
I get the stitches out early next week, and then get to find out how long I'll have the splint on for.
Currently I'm just sleeping lots and resting.
And typing *very* slowly.... :)
Monday, July 02, 2007
Pre-Op Update
I know, It's been ages since I blogged. I've been spending my time reading other people's blogs, and of course working "insane hours" (that's a quote from my boss) and researching the real estate market (still).
Every weekend that I'm not working, and some which I do, we've been on the real-estate trail. I now have a sizable collection of brochures, floor plans, and weekly newspaper lift-outs of auction results. By the time we buy, it will be well and truly researched. It will be so researched I will never again want to buy a house. *Sigh*
But I have the month of July (potentially) off work! Woo Hoo! OK, most of it is sick leave, but given I won't actually be sick, just doing my best impression of a one-armed bandit I plan to enjoy it as much as I possibly can. My folks should be arriving tomorrow to "take care of me" - ie cook and drive. The rest of the time I plan to sloth around the house, read more WoT (currently on book 10), watch TV, watch BattleStar Galactica, eat yummy food and drink lots of tea. Unfortunately I won't be able to knit :( But after my wrist recovers I should be back to my pre-lump knitting speed. I'm sure there will still be some winter left in which to enjoy cozy knitting...
So, I'm off to get my wrist slit on Wednesday. Hopefully the Doc will avoid the radial artery though, take out the lump and repair the wrist joint and it will be happily ever after - full strength and flexibility returned.
Today and tomorrow are preparation days. Lots of washing, cleaning and tidying. Actually I've probably done more house work in this 3-4 days than I have in a year. Albeit all in small doses with a good rest inbetween and strong doses of pain killers. I've left the left-handed ironing until tomorrow, I don't think I've done any in the last 6 months nearly. It's truly amazing how creases fall out of clothes if left hanging long enough - well most fabrics, and then there's the fabrics which don't require ironing - I've been amassing a good wardrobe of them...
Well, that's my rest done - off to the next job....
Every weekend that I'm not working, and some which I do, we've been on the real-estate trail. I now have a sizable collection of brochures, floor plans, and weekly newspaper lift-outs of auction results. By the time we buy, it will be well and truly researched. It will be so researched I will never again want to buy a house. *Sigh*
But I have the month of July (potentially) off work! Woo Hoo! OK, most of it is sick leave, but given I won't actually be sick, just doing my best impression of a one-armed bandit I plan to enjoy it as much as I possibly can. My folks should be arriving tomorrow to "take care of me" - ie cook and drive. The rest of the time I plan to sloth around the house, read more WoT (currently on book 10), watch TV, watch BattleStar Galactica, eat yummy food and drink lots of tea. Unfortunately I won't be able to knit :( But after my wrist recovers I should be back to my pre-lump knitting speed. I'm sure there will still be some winter left in which to enjoy cozy knitting...
So, I'm off to get my wrist slit on Wednesday. Hopefully the Doc will avoid the radial artery though, take out the lump and repair the wrist joint and it will be happily ever after - full strength and flexibility returned.
Today and tomorrow are preparation days. Lots of washing, cleaning and tidying. Actually I've probably done more house work in this 3-4 days than I have in a year. Albeit all in small doses with a good rest inbetween and strong doses of pain killers. I've left the left-handed ironing until tomorrow, I don't think I've done any in the last 6 months nearly. It's truly amazing how creases fall out of clothes if left hanging long enough - well most fabrics, and then there's the fabrics which don't require ironing - I've been amassing a good wardrobe of them...
Well, that's my rest done - off to the next job....
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Anatomical Drunken Ramblings
Yep folks - still haven't gotten back to blogging about Tassie. In my defence I have been working 12-16 hours days and surviving on as little as 3 hours sleep.
So, as I sit here, on my third glass of a rather nice (and excessively cheap) red wine (and these are *large* glasses folks) I feel the urge to partake in some ramblings of the tipsy variety...
In an effort to increase the usable capacity of my PVR I've been force-watching recorded TV. Due to the excessive working hours I've been keeping, there is, fortunately, a large variety of programs saved. Tonight I partook of the most recent Grey's Anatomy.
And by the time I got to the end of it, I found myself bawling. No, not as some unkind people would say by the poor performances or daytime drama soapie story-lines, but by the personal commitments that was this week's themes. About life being the empowerment over death and one's chosen life commitment being the alternative to a hum-drum, depressive, unfulfilling life.
As they say....*spoilers* ahead.
By the end of the episode we have experienced:
The consequences of delaying that expression of commitment - the risk your soul mate has moved on.
A patient reconnected with her culturally distinct (Amish) parents after her best friend makes the sacrifice of letting her go.
Izzie finds a way to make Denny's money bring new hope.
George starts coming to terms with his Father's death and realises it is the people in his life that are important.
Christine accepts that the war is more important than an individual battle.
And Meredith admits to being a virgin in relationships.
This episode was about heart connections.
That even diametrically apposed life views (Amish and shunned) and connect. (First tears...),
That the chief made the right decision - but left it too late. (It's all about timing.),
That Izzie lets Denny go - and just got to *love* Miranda's spunk!
That Derek will be there for Meredith, no matter what. They may not connect, but he'll *be* there, even if he shouts, even if she shouts.
That Christine sees what really matters - she is making the long term commitment, she always was - or she would have walked away long ago. (Second tears...)
That George opens his heart and sees how truly amazing Kelly really is for him. (Outright bawling...)
So I'm sitting there, on the couch, 3rd *large* glass of wine in hand, trying to analyse why I am crying. All those years of Psychology at Uni catching up with me....
Was it the multiple marriage proposals? And nigh on accepting I am never going to get one....
Was it the feeling of affinity to Derek and Meredith's romantic position?
Was it the wine?
Actually - I think the moment that *really* got me, was Burke's proposal. The utter silence for weeks and weeks. The wondering why they were still together. Christina's acceptance of the war over the individual battle but still being able to maintain her own sense of right and justice and integrity. Bourke's proposal was *not* out of the blue. He just simply doesn't operate like that. This was in his mind for a long time. I suspect eventually we will find out just how long.
**** Important Footnotes
This blog post is *NOT* aimed at getting a marriage proposal. Rest easy B.
While marriage is something that will always remain in my life goals - for reasons many will not understand, and possibly a subject of a much later drunken post - I have accepted that the war is more important that an individual battle.
And no, I'm not ashamed of a blog almost entirely based on a Grey's Anatomy episode.
it touched me to the core - and that really should be good enough for you!
So, as I sit here, on my third glass of a rather nice (and excessively cheap) red wine (and these are *large* glasses folks) I feel the urge to partake in some ramblings of the tipsy variety...
In an effort to increase the usable capacity of my PVR I've been force-watching recorded TV. Due to the excessive working hours I've been keeping, there is, fortunately, a large variety of programs saved. Tonight I partook of the most recent Grey's Anatomy.
And by the time I got to the end of it, I found myself bawling. No, not as some unkind people would say by the poor performances or daytime drama soapie story-lines, but by the personal commitments that was this week's themes. About life being the empowerment over death and one's chosen life commitment being the alternative to a hum-drum, depressive, unfulfilling life.
As they say....*spoilers* ahead.
By the end of the episode we have experienced:
The consequences of delaying that expression of commitment - the risk your soul mate has moved on.
A patient reconnected with her culturally distinct (Amish) parents after her best friend makes the sacrifice of letting her go.
Izzie finds a way to make Denny's money bring new hope.
George starts coming to terms with his Father's death and realises it is the people in his life that are important.
Christine accepts that the war is more important than an individual battle.
And Meredith admits to being a virgin in relationships.
This episode was about heart connections.
That even diametrically apposed life views (Amish and shunned) and connect. (First tears...),
That the chief made the right decision - but left it too late. (It's all about timing.),
That Izzie lets Denny go - and just got to *love* Miranda's spunk!
That Derek will be there for Meredith, no matter what. They may not connect, but he'll *be* there, even if he shouts, even if she shouts.
That Christine sees what really matters - she is making the long term commitment, she always was - or she would have walked away long ago. (Second tears...)
That George opens his heart and sees how truly amazing Kelly really is for him. (Outright bawling...)
So I'm sitting there, on the couch, 3rd *large* glass of wine in hand, trying to analyse why I am crying. All those years of Psychology at Uni catching up with me....
Was it the multiple marriage proposals? And nigh on accepting I am never going to get one....
Was it the feeling of affinity to Derek and Meredith's romantic position?
Was it the wine?
Actually - I think the moment that *really* got me, was Burke's proposal. The utter silence for weeks and weeks. The wondering why they were still together. Christina's acceptance of the war over the individual battle but still being able to maintain her own sense of right and justice and integrity. Bourke's proposal was *not* out of the blue. He just simply doesn't operate like that. This was in his mind for a long time. I suspect eventually we will find out just how long.
**** Important Footnotes
This blog post is *NOT* aimed at getting a marriage proposal. Rest easy B.
While marriage is something that will always remain in my life goals - for reasons many will not understand, and possibly a subject of a much later drunken post - I have accepted that the war is more important that an individual battle.
And no, I'm not ashamed of a blog almost entirely based on a Grey's Anatomy episode.
it touched me to the core - and that really should be good enough for you!
Saturday, May 19, 2007
Sometimes I wonder....
Sometimes I wonder whether I'm in the right career... it's not that I don't love the individual parts of my job, the pattern matching of incidents to find underlying commonalities and then tracking it down to the true cause to the satisfaction of all...
the control I have over the processes with the joy of seeing everything running smoothly...
even the interactions with other members of my team - aiming to understand where they are coming from and what they need in order to perform their job...
But it's the strangeness where the boss offers a copy of New Scientist out and I am leaping out of my chair wanting to be the first one, only to find I am the *only* one...
It's having to explain the soulful satisfaction of Kombis as a preference over BMW's...
It's listening to conversations about cultural / religious differences, where it's obvious that they just don't get it....
It's the mini cauldron on my desk filled with crystals that only one person has figured out...
It's the utter dis-belief that this stubborn, assertive, logical, control freak is a knitter...
Yes we embrace diversity. My section could be an ad for Benetton, but that doesn't mean that with diversity comes an automatic understanding and appreciation of the cultural, personal, religious, spiritual values of others.
What is it that gives someone that ability to see the bigger picture, to truly appreciate diversity - not just as a phrase to be worshipped...
Is it something that comes from having experienced discrimination?
Or is an open mind something that just is and cannot be developed?
How do we encourage open minds in others? Is it something that can be nurtured in the young?
Sunday, April 22, 2007
In Other News....
I know, when blogging the FNQ holiday I diverged and posted an other news blog and then never got back to the original - I will try this time to return to the Tassie trip - although it is getting to be a long time between drinks...
Just a quick update on life with A (and occasionally B).
That lump in my right wrist that some may have seen, or at least heard of before, has turned out to be a benign ganglion cyst - that is wrapped around my radial artery and trying to squeeze the life out of it - OK not quite, but every time it expands a little, it causes pain, I believe it is also pressing on the nerve running through there which is causing carpal tunnel syndrome - so still not much knitting in my life :( Not to mention riding or anything that involves bending my wrist or using my thumb to grip. I am coming more and more to appreciate the wonders of this opposable thumb mechanism we have! The upshot is there will be an operation likely later this year, after which I will look like I've slit my wrist, but hopefully the pain and weakness will go and I can return to knitting (and other pursuits) in earnest.
Other news:
B has sold his Brisbane unit, still waiting for settlement to go through, but in the meantime we(I) can actually start looking and discussing what we want to buy together. Woo Hoo! Spreadsheets here I come!
With my recovering energy this year I have been able to start reading again. I am currently into Book 4 of "The Wheel of Time" by Robert Jordan. I have read these before, many years ago, but there were some bad memories associated with it all, so B kindly gave me new copies of 1-9 (and I bought 10 with gift money) for Xmas. You know you're perhaps reading too much though, when you use their swear words, and start wondering what Faile would do in a situation.
Because someone somewhere *had* to go and do it, I did a google and found the quiz:
What Ajah are you?
Other things I've sought out: Visual DNA:
Just a quick update on life with A (and occasionally B).
That lump in my right wrist that some may have seen, or at least heard of before, has turned out to be a benign ganglion cyst - that is wrapped around my radial artery and trying to squeeze the life out of it - OK not quite, but every time it expands a little, it causes pain, I believe it is also pressing on the nerve running through there which is causing carpal tunnel syndrome - so still not much knitting in my life :( Not to mention riding or anything that involves bending my wrist or using my thumb to grip. I am coming more and more to appreciate the wonders of this opposable thumb mechanism we have! The upshot is there will be an operation likely later this year, after which I will look like I've slit my wrist, but hopefully the pain and weakness will go and I can return to knitting (and other pursuits) in earnest.
Other news:
B has sold his Brisbane unit, still waiting for settlement to go through, but in the meantime we(I) can actually start looking and discussing what we want to buy together. Woo Hoo! Spreadsheets here I come!
With my recovering energy this year I have been able to start reading again. I am currently into Book 4 of "The Wheel of Time" by Robert Jordan. I have read these before, many years ago, but there were some bad memories associated with it all, so B kindly gave me new copies of 1-9 (and I bought 10 with gift money) for Xmas. You know you're perhaps reading too much though, when you use their swear words, and start wondering what Faile would do in a situation.
Because someone somewhere *had* to go and do it, I did a google and found the quiz:
What Ajah are you?
Other things I've sought out: Visual DNA:
The Most Amazing Pizza
With the rest day over in Swansea, B rejoined the ride south. I chased up a potential new position back in Melbourne via some *very* dodgy internet connections and then hoofed it down to Triabunna to meet B. We were staying in a caravan park, so I took advantage of the excellent weather and got a load of laundry done and basically wandered around town waiting for B to show up.
3 Hours later and still no B, my mind is now replaying scenes from the first 4 days...
I decided there was nothing constructive I could do - a drive through town looking for him took all of 5 minutes, and thinking it was likely he had gone over to Maria Island, I decided to head down to Orford to check out a gluten-free pizza joint I had heard of.
And glad I was - the pizzas were simply amazing. The base itself was nothing special - quite satisfactory though, but the toppings were devine! The focus seemed to be on specific combinations of one or two items matched with a different cheese. There were blue-vein options, Camembert, cheddar and everything in-between. The base is one size only, small, so they recommend you buy two for a decent meal. Not a problem - meant making the decision on toppings was slightly easier. The pizza place is Scorchers by the River Gallery Café and I highly recommend it! The only really strange thing is that they don't seem to advertise that they do gluten-free pizzas! Although it is completely possible I missed the sign, I did look for one.
After partaking of the amazingly excellent pizzas I returned to the caravan park to find our unit had been broken into! Strangely the only item moved was B's bag, from which his plate and cutlery had been removed. Yes, he had returned late from Maria Island due to a late returning ferry, managed to convince the caravan park owner that he was with me and raced up to get a meal with the bike riders.
The next day was Saturday, and glad I was that I had a car and was less than 2 hours from Hobart. In the morning B set off for Richmond, and I drove south instead aiming for the famous Salamanca Markets!
I did a little sightseeing on my own on the way, taking this panoramic photo of The Thumbs, before arriving at the Salamanca Markets later in the day.
3 Hours later and still no B, my mind is now replaying scenes from the first 4 days...
I decided there was nothing constructive I could do - a drive through town looking for him took all of 5 minutes, and thinking it was likely he had gone over to Maria Island, I decided to head down to Orford to check out a gluten-free pizza joint I had heard of.
And glad I was - the pizzas were simply amazing. The base itself was nothing special - quite satisfactory though, but the toppings were devine! The focus seemed to be on specific combinations of one or two items matched with a different cheese. There were blue-vein options, Camembert, cheddar and everything in-between. The base is one size only, small, so they recommend you buy two for a decent meal. Not a problem - meant making the decision on toppings was slightly easier. The pizza place is Scorchers by the River Gallery Café and I highly recommend it! The only really strange thing is that they don't seem to advertise that they do gluten-free pizzas! Although it is completely possible I missed the sign, I did look for one.
After partaking of the amazingly excellent pizzas I returned to the caravan park to find our unit had been broken into! Strangely the only item moved was B's bag, from which his plate and cutlery had been removed. Yes, he had returned late from Maria Island due to a late returning ferry, managed to convince the caravan park owner that he was with me and raced up to get a meal with the bike riders.
The next day was Saturday, and glad I was that I had a car and was less than 2 hours from Hobart. In the morning B set off for Richmond, and I drove south instead aiming for the famous Salamanca Markets!
I did a little sightseeing on my own on the way, taking this panoramic photo of The Thumbs, before arriving at the Salamanca Markets later in the day.
Thursday, March 15, 2007
In Need of a Manicure
So after 3 days of waiting, B rolls in. But by then I am a wreck! Emotionally exhausted, not coping with the 5 am jump starts from a dark tent, followed by 8 hours of labour and not enough food. Not to mention I am desperately in need of a manicure, my cuticles are torn and bleeding... So regretfully I exit the volunteering life and travel on ahead, while B joins the ride (finally!) and wiles away an easy 81kms down the east coast of Tassie to meet me in Bicheno.
While riding through Elephant Pass, B stopped at the Elephant Pass Pancake Parlour where he noted that they had gluten-free pancakes! He didn't bring me one however..... :( OK it probably would have been cold and squished by the time it got to me....
While in Bicheno we went on a Penguin Hunting Expedition. We saw many, many penguins, up close and personal, one even made a break for it running between my feet. But alas all the photos failed, due to the low lighting, no flash conditions. You'll just have to believe me that they were all exceedingly cute.
The next morning B continued on - riding along the coast, and I hopped a bus to Hobart to hire a car and meet him back up in Swansea where we had a two day stop.
Swansea was also the first place on my list of gluten-free restaurants - The Ugly Duck Out, and I was keen to try it out.
I think I ate every meal there for two days: breakfast, lunch and dinner. And I still hadn't worked my way right through their menu. It was a little pricey and I got gluten-ed once (although the chef did apologise profusely, citing a busy lunch and perhaps not cleaning the grill properly).
On the no-ride day we went around to Coles Bay on the Freycinet Peninsula and took in the Hazards.
While riding through Elephant Pass, B stopped at the Elephant Pass Pancake Parlour where he noted that they had gluten-free pancakes! He didn't bring me one however..... :( OK it probably would have been cold and squished by the time it got to me....
While in Bicheno we went on a Penguin Hunting Expedition. We saw many, many penguins, up close and personal, one even made a break for it running between my feet. But alas all the photos failed, due to the low lighting, no flash conditions. You'll just have to believe me that they were all exceedingly cute.
The next morning B continued on - riding along the coast, and I hopped a bus to Hobart to hire a car and meet him back up in Swansea where we had a two day stop.
Swansea was also the first place on my list of gluten-free restaurants - The Ugly Duck Out, and I was keen to try it out.
I think I ate every meal there for two days: breakfast, lunch and dinner. And I still hadn't worked my way right through their menu. It was a little pricey and I got gluten-ed once (although the chef did apologise profusely, citing a busy lunch and perhaps not cleaning the grill properly).
On the no-ride day we went around to Coles Bay on the Freycinet Peninsula and took in the Hazards.
Saturday, March 10, 2007
It began as the Holiday from Hell...
I arrived in Launceston on time, after a relaxed (and short) flight from Melbourne.
I was there a day early, as a volunteer, to help get things organised and for a special dinner.
Well, they'd lost my form, so they didn't know I was coming on the Friday flight, they didn't have a name badge for me, and the "special dinner" turned out to be rice and steamed vege - you know those frozen tiny cubes of carrot, peas and corn? They weren't ready for a coeliac. they weren't ready for me - so much for feeling like a valued part of the team (and paying extra for food to boot!)
But these things happen, so I met my team members (they didn't know I was coming either), found a tent, and got settled in for the night.
B was catching the boat that night, so I sent him a romantic message and waited for the next day to arrive.
Around 9am the next morning, B sent me an SMS. He'd missed the boat, so was going to be 24 hours behind us and the bike ride was going to be moving on around the coast at 70kms per day. (I'm not sure why it took him 12 hours to send me an SMS to me and admit to me that he'd missed the boat. I can only guess as to his anxiety, and which was worse, missing the boat, or having to tell me that he'd missed the boat?)
The next night the riders arrived at Pipers Brook, and B managed to get on the boat. I took a photo of the sunset he was missing.
I was there a day early, as a volunteer, to help get things organised and for a special dinner.
Well, they'd lost my form, so they didn't know I was coming on the Friday flight, they didn't have a name badge for me, and the "special dinner" turned out to be rice and steamed vege - you know those frozen tiny cubes of carrot, peas and corn? They weren't ready for a coeliac. they weren't ready for me - so much for feeling like a valued part of the team (and paying extra for food to boot!)
But these things happen, so I met my team members (they didn't know I was coming either), found a tent, and got settled in for the night.
B was catching the boat that night, so I sent him a romantic message and waited for the next day to arrive.
Around 9am the next morning, B sent me an SMS. He'd missed the boat, so was going to be 24 hours behind us and the bike ride was going to be moving on around the coast at 70kms per day. (I'm not sure why it took him 12 hours to send me an SMS to me and admit to me that he'd missed the boat. I can only guess as to his anxiety, and which was worse, missing the boat, or having to tell me that he'd missed the boat?)
The next night the riders arrived at Pipers Brook, and B managed to get on the boat. I took a photo of the sunset he was missing.
The next morning, the riders left for Branxholm and B arrived in Devonport.I waited in Scottsdale at lunch for B to roll in, no sign, and no response from my SMS's.
No B at camp that night, and still no contact.
The next morning, the riders left for St Helens.
After 48 hours of not hearing from him, I was fearing the worst, in a terrible state and in at the St Helens Police Station getting them to check hospitals, bus lines etc trying to track him. No-one believed me when I said he was likely to try to ride from Devonport (near on 300km) with his full back pack and end up sleeping by the side of the road.
After assuring the police that he wasn't trying to get away from me, that I wasn't a stalker, they diligently called through hospitals, back packers, bus lines etc, etc, all to no avail.
Just as I was getting ready to quit the ride to catch a bus back to Launceston to hire a car and start driving the roads looking for a dead body, he rides into camp. He had been sending me SMS's, but none of them had been getting through, and he didn't realise.
And yes, he did ride from Devonport to St Helens in two days, with a full backpack and slept by the side of the road in a sleeping bag, 27 kms east of Launceston. He did take the time to do some sight-seeing on the way, and stopped for an echidna experience as well. (Echidna's are my new favourite animal - closely followed by platypus.)
Monday, March 05, 2007
Back from Tassie
I'm back!
Here's a quick summary of the last 3 weeks....
Launceston - arrived 9 Feb
Pipers Brook - camping - B missing
Branxholm - B still missing
St Helens - Filed Missing Persons for B. (B turns up)
Bicheno - Penguins
Swansea - Coles Bay
Triabunna / Orford (Great pizza!)
Sorrel / Richmond - Scottish Festival
Hobart - Cruise Derwent River, Pub Tour (Great Indian!), Bruny Island
Dover - The End of the Road
Huonville - Airwalk, hang gliding, Jet Boat (Great seafood!)
New Norfolk - Gordon Dam, Something Wild
Queenstown - hills!, Great Western Railway
Strahan - Gorden River Cruise, Hells Gates, Sarah Island
Burnie / Stanley - The Nut, Dismal Swamp
Beauty Pt / Launceston - Platypus / Seahorse / Hang Gliding / Penguins (Great pancakes!)
Sheffield - Murals, Cradle Mountain
Devonport - Sail home......
Monday 5 March - back at work.....
Details and photos coming soon.....
Here's a quick summary of the last 3 weeks....
Launceston - arrived 9 Feb
Pipers Brook - camping - B missing
Branxholm - B still missing
St Helens - Filed Missing Persons for B. (B turns up)
Bicheno - Penguins
Swansea - Coles Bay
Triabunna / Orford (Great pizza!)
Sorrel / Richmond - Scottish Festival
Hobart - Cruise Derwent River, Pub Tour (Great Indian!), Bruny Island
Dover - The End of the Road
Huonville - Airwalk, hang gliding, Jet Boat (Great seafood!)
New Norfolk - Gordon Dam, Something Wild
Queenstown - hills!, Great Western Railway
Strahan - Gorden River Cruise, Hells Gates, Sarah Island
Burnie / Stanley - The Nut, Dismal Swamp
Beauty Pt / Launceston - Platypus / Seahorse / Hang Gliding / Penguins (Great pancakes!)
Sheffield - Murals, Cradle Mountain
Devonport - Sail home......
Monday 5 March - back at work.....
Details and photos coming soon.....
Saturday, January 27, 2007
Stash Enhancement!
OK, so I succumbed....
I was having a bad week - I thought I deserved a treat... and I've got no-one to answer to but myself, so I went yarn shopping.
It started off just being about maybe a scarf to knit while away, and then there's a simple top that I've been thinking about knitting for ages (not that I ever finish anything involving more than 4 balls of yarn, but we live in hope...)
So I walked into Clegs, and they were having a sale! First off I got the yarn for this scarf:
And yes, I've started it already, the yarn is 8ply merino and cashmere blend:
And then there's the top I wanted to knit, it is this one.
I was going to make it out of black, as per the cover picture, but then the brown was on sale, and I do seem to be wearing an awful lot of it lately....
And then I saw this:
And I just *had* to have it. I'm thinking of a silly, floppy hat. It's French! Ooh la la!
2 weeks to Tassie - and counting!
Andrea.
I was having a bad week - I thought I deserved a treat... and I've got no-one to answer to but myself, so I went yarn shopping.
It started off just being about maybe a scarf to knit while away, and then there's a simple top that I've been thinking about knitting for ages (not that I ever finish anything involving more than 4 balls of yarn, but we live in hope...)
So I walked into Clegs, and they were having a sale! First off I got the yarn for this scarf:
And yes, I've started it already, the yarn is 8ply merino and cashmere blend:
And then there's the top I wanted to knit, it is this one.I was going to make it out of black, as per the cover picture, but then the brown was on sale, and I do seem to be wearing an awful lot of it lately....
And then I saw this:
And I just *had* to have it. I'm thinking of a silly, floppy hat. It's French! Ooh la la!2 weeks to Tassie - and counting!
Andrea.
Monday, January 01, 2007
Am I, Aren't I.... (revisited)
So guess what? I am. Coeliac that is, or perhaps more accurately pre-coeliac. Which is why they didn't pick it up initially. But the result is the same: a diet 100% gluten free = no more illness. Been about 6 weeks now and I'm already feeling heaps better. I actually have the energy to read books again! Next thing you know I'll be picking up my knitting and all!
The other most noticeable change (apart from not being physically ill every-day) is that my fingernails are stronger and not breaking anymore. Weird the things you focus on...
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