He only left three hours ago - he left me with tons of ready to eat foods - and what am I thinking?

There's nothing to eat! No rice for one week??? Zoinks!!!

Can't eat beef........mad cow.

Can't eat chicken...... bird flu

Can't eat eggs...... again, bird flu

Can't eat pork.....fears that bird flu will infect piggies

Can't eat fish....... heavy metals in the waters has poisoned their meat

Can't eat fruits and veggies....... insecticides and herbicides

Hmmmm! I believe that leaves Chocolate!

 

I'm a member of the "At My House" Crochet yahoo group. Lovely bunch of ladies. There are many exchanges each month:

Barbie, Dishcloth, Bookmark, Scrunchie, Doily, Fridgie, Barette, Choker, Scarf, Shawl, Toys, Ornaments, Hat....

I have joined the Scarf Exchange for March/April and am waiting for the exchange leader to send me a partner. I have to make a scarf and have it sent off by April the 15th. I've already chosen a pattern I think.

 

I like the green one, top right. I have some cream super soft yarn that I could use. I have so much yarn in my apartment that I don't want to go out and buy more for this project. If it doesn't work out, I have a back-up scarf already made.

Since I haven't participated in any of the exchanges yet and this is my first one, I have to wait until June to enter the shawl exchange. I am collecting ideas for this too. I want to have it started nice and early so it's finished way ahead of schedule. Crochet for sure since it works up much more quickly.

I think the exchanges are a neat idea. I rarely make myself things and when I do, I don't use them - they sit in the closet! ACK!

Now that I have a few knitting/crocheting buddies of my own, I think we should do stash swaps or pattern swaps. It's a good idea, isn't it? You're into it, I can tell!

This is me:

"You are pink aluminum. Retro, straightforward and fun, you love classic things. If they're 99 cents at Goodwill all the better! You are moved by striking colors and tasty morsels, and you like a stitch-n-bitch session in the sun. Just remember, while you're being kitschy cool, don't get too cold. Ice cubes are best kept in your cocktails, baby!"

Retro: 8 Track Diva... And I'm definitely a Goodwill kinda gal! Especially when I find bags of yarn in there for 50 cents! lol I'd say this is an accurate description, n'est-ce pas?

I haven't been blogging much lately. I just don't feel "bloggy".  My mind has been in overdrive and my body is on "under-drive". A friend suggested to me that I do something for myself. Do something that I love or something that makes me feel good. Somehow, I don't think laundry qualifies! But I do think I need a day at the spa... and check out the locker rooms! 

Where does the time go? When I moved out to Toronto from the parental "nest" (or prison, rather)(just kidding, Mom), Amber was just 8. It's heartbreaking for me to even think about leaving her and Craig who was about 18 months when I left. Amber has never really said much about how she felt when I left. I was so wrapped up in my busy, important 19-year-old life that I don't think I ever asked her then. When I ask her now, she just shrugs her shoulders, smiles and then we start talking about something else. She's a great young woman. Loyal, generous and loving. She thinks about other people's feelings always. People who meet her instantly love her. I am very lucky she's my baby sister!

On her birthdays, I always think about her when she was 2 or 3, standing with me in the kitchen while I prepared her an after-bath-before-bed  snack. She was all pink and sweet-smelling just after her bath - the cutest baby! She had on her favourite pajamas - Heman of course. They were yellow and I'll never forget that moment. I was about 14 at the time. I was just starting to realize what a cute little girl she was (Instead of the kid I had to stay home and babysit all the time).

Have a fabulous birthday, Amboo. I miss you!

love, Mana xoxo

That commercial makes me want to smash my television into a million pieces. When you are bloated, fat, in some serious cramp-rage and it hurts to move or breathe and the pain is in your back and down and your legs and up into your chest and  you feel sick and can't eat..... what f$%@#* rocks about that, be-otch??

My shopping spree after work did however seem to relieve some of the tension. 2 pairs of pants, 2 tshirts, 1 sweater (all for  under $60 I might add from Smart Set), 2 balls of Bernat DenimStyle in Stonewash, 1 pattern book for crocheted socks (I'm so lucky Jamie's 'puter is busted), some new eyeshadow and foundation, some Heat Therapy ( which Ross says he could use on his next fishing trip).

Oh yes, today I was blessed by the business card fairy at work. I have officially "arrived" with my very own business cards. How cool am I now? Huh? How cool??

Time for cranky-relief tea. Wait - does that mean I give Ross tea? I think Lavender tea is in order. I highly recommend it ladies. mmmm mmm mmmm

Question: What do you call an ugly blog  

Know any expectant mom's? I do. I know a couple. I'll be ordering these handy dandy jam packed bags and best of all, they are Canadian! These bags have everything. Instead of having to dig and feel around in the bottom of the diaper bag for something, each item has its own pocket. If you were really anal about it (pardon the pun), you could label the pockets with your label maker. Almost makes me want to have kids just for the bag and the labelling....

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY EVERYONE!

I decided I wanted to make some "heart" themed dishcloths either knit or crochet. I found some links!

Heart Dishcloth to Knit

Heart Dishcloth to Knit on Knitting on the Net

Knit a Heart

Puffed Heart Dishcloth to Crochet on Knitted Threads

And I found a lovely Happy Hearts Purse at Marlo's Crochet Corner

If anyone is interested in making me a lovely Valentine's Day gift, of course it will be greatly appreciated.

I thought that when I left the cubicle-farm type arena and entered health care that I would take lunches and breaks. Um, now that I've been working full-time, I don't take lunches, I'm on the computer all morning  until 1 when Amy comes in, then I go find another computer for 45 minutes and cram some lunch in my face while I continue working... Fortunately for me, I LOVE my job.

Almost forgot to mention that yesterday, I learned how to knit German-style. Yes, no more manual wrap-around with the right hand/finger/arm combo. It takes getting used to. But it is much easier to wrap with the left index finger. I did however manage to break a 2.25 mm bamboo knitting needle (which looks like a pick-up stick) this evening, however. Need to work on my tension. lol So -who taught me? Two European-knitting ladies in my pool program. They taught me pool-side in about 2 minutes.

Off to eat and do some knitting. I wish I had more time to blog.....

 

Yes, it is Her. Her upcoming business trip. :) Amy and I have been accepted to present at the 6th World Congress on Aging and Physical Activity in London, ON in August!

Our topic is "Physical Activity for Improved Quality of Life in a Hospital Environment". We have 15 minutes of fame. How exciting! Our presentation may also be published in the Journal for Aging and Physical Activity.

Amy sent in another abstract for us to present at a conference in Montreal as well where we will discuss our Bridgepoint Patient Wellness Program and our model of practice. The conference is titled: Toward a New Perspective:From Ageing to Ageing Well. This conference is in October.

 

Happy happy Groundhog Day! Unfortunately, Wiarton Willie saw his shadow and we will be "blessed" with six more weeks of winter.