She's HERE!

After much anticipation, we present our littlest pipkin
Iona Setsuki Christina Birch

born November 19, 2006, 4:37am, 8lbs 14 oz

It turned out that she wasn't late at all, our first hunch about dates was right and the ultrasound threw us all off. There were no issues with labour, just my standard 3 hour travail, in and out of water. After deciding that I'd martyred myself through 3 pregnancies I told the midwife to break my waters...but then I couldn't make it back into the pool for my waterbirth. Standing through the next 3 giant contractions, our peanuckle made her appearance. She is so peaceful and quiet, we are worried that we might forget her somewhere ;) The kids are thrilled as you can tell in this photo ("Hey, we've never been woken up 7 before!")

Thank you all for thinking of us, I would have posted sooner, but the midwife forbade me from coming downstairs for 10 days and the laptop doesn't have a camera hook-up thingie. (I snuck down tonight to go to Fingal's Cub investiture). So, I should head back up into confinement and I'll post more pics soon!

Santa brought me contractions!

Santa travels in style here in Acton, and I think my red buddy brought on some really good contractions. So if I can keep them going, maybe something will happen tonight. **fingers crossed** The kids really enjoyed the parade which was cooler than we thought (oops sorry, contracting.......... ok, better now). Half of the town was watching and the other half was IN the parade. Our guys thought they would check it out this year and participate next year.

The float you can see in the background was local contingent of the Red Hat Ladies...very cute. Ok, these contractions are getting annoying, so I'm up to have a shower and see if anything develops. Keep y'all posted!

I'm a student again! YIPEEEEE!

I finally got off my butt and applied to OCA to upgrade my diploma to a BFA...and the letter came in the mail today telling me that I can start in January! I am sooooo excited. Yeah, I know that I'll have a new baby, but I can wait and start in the summer semester (May), and it'll only be one course at a time, so really, it'll be a lovely weekly distraction (with homework ;) ). I went and checked the course calendar and now I'm shaking thinking of all the amazing classes I co uld take - Human Form and Function: Introduction to Anatomy (with cadavers!); Vision and Ruins in Post-War Visual Expressions; Japanese Cinema; The Construction of Animality in Western Culture. I am so thrilled and maybe I should have done it sooner, but nothing is going to stop me now! WOOHOO!

Oh yeah, no baby yet....

2 days over...

I must admit that I thiefed this from someone else, but I couldn't resist...

RE: RECENT CORRESPONDENCE

November 7th 2006

Dear Mummy, (herein referred to as The Owner)

I am writing to inform you that I will not be able to vacate the property located within the middle section of Your Body as noted in our contract dated March 1st, 2006. Under the aforementioned contract, it was anticipated that the lease period would end on November 5th, 2006. For various personal reasons I have not been able to achieve that date for vacating. Under Section 3 of the Tenants Rights Act, I wish to invoke Clause 5.1 which allows the tenant an additional 14 days tenancy with no ramifications or penalties due.
In accordance with the original lease, the premises will be left in good condition. I reserve the right to take with me various fixtures - namely the kitchen (herein referred to as The Placenta) and associated plumbing installed at my expense. All walls will be made good. In return I leave the premises clean and all floors will be steam cleaned prior to departure. I leave also any renovation works carried out by myself , including any additional rooms (inclusive of deck and jacuzzi).

Yours faithfully,

The Wriggler

October 7th 2006

Dear Wriggler, (herein referred to as The Squatter)

We acknowledge receipt of your correspondence dated 7th November, 2006 and wish to inform you of the Owners intention to take the property by force if necessary, and that due to previous experience will refute your claim to Squatters Rights for a period of 14 days. You will have received prior notification from a third party (herein referred to as The Midwife) that eviction proceedings were begun on November 6th 2006. The Owner wishes to inform you that these current proceedings will continue for a period of 4 days. If you still remain within the property after that date, additional force will be used at a date to be determined, but no later than November 20th 2006. A meeting to determine additional action took place on November 4th 2006 with a follow up meeting to take place November 9th 2006, wherein notification will be sent to you of those plans and any critical dates for you to note.
We once again stress that it is in all parties best interests for you to vacate the premises at your earliest. The Owner has provided numerous incentives, and believes your stay has been comfortable and enjoyable, but that it is time for you to move on.

Yours Faithfully,

Mummy

1 WEEK until D-Day!

WOW, that went really fast...I can't believe that there is only 7 days left until my due date. Good thing that everything is finally ready. The pool is in place, we have receiving blankets out the wazoo, the neighbors have been warned. Now, we wait. I'm trying to not get worked up since both Fingal & Luna were both 2 weeks late. And I guess I'm doing a good job since I had to go count the days left on the calendar. It makes it harder to cope if you are counting down the seconds to an unknown deadline....

We survived two more birthdays, Melia's we had at a local place (I was just too tired to clean the house) and Fingal had a cool Harry Potter affair here. The great thing was, I didn't have to decorate at all...just my black tablecloth and my usual gothy decor did the trick.

I've been working like crazy to try and make some things for the baby, but as Vanessa can attest to, Craftster has eaten my brain! I think tonight I'll try to finish those angora booties that I started how many months ago...and I want to make a mei tai (chinese style) baby carrier! Wish me luck! haha

Summer is finally OVER!

Well, I know that I have been neglecting this poor blog for some time, but it has been pretty crazy here keeping the kids happy over the summer. And really, we haven't been here all that much. But school starts on Tuesday and life should return to normal again (at least until November when the baby arrives - EEEK!). But the kids have been having a blast, and actually, so have I.

We went to check out the "elephant humps" in Terra Cotta which is right near our house. Unfortunately, I couldn't run up and down since my centre of balance is a little off and the lovely prego-sciatica has started. But the nippers and Daddy got to run amok and came back a lovely shade of red. They have been busy at camp and frequent trips to the library and swimming pool and checking out all our new surroundings near Acton. The big deal in town this summer was the "Leathertown Festival" which was bigger than I expected, but have been told is nothing compared to the Fall Fair which we are waiting to start in a couple of weeks!

My guys enjoying the Fest

Tadpoles and dead bugs at Kelso Conservation area near the escarpment

We have also been making frequent trips up to Matt's family farm near Ottawa. It's quite the drive, but worth it once we get there. It is so peaceful and the kids get to run free....we get quite the nature lesson as well with deer and hummingbird sightings, skulls and hawk feathers found in the bush, frogs peeping, luna moths flying....all very beautiful. Not to mention that Finn went on his first canoe trip alone with Daddy! My baby is growing up....

Swap Addiction

I just got a wonderful package in the mail from one of my Craftster swap partners. They are sooo amazingly cool and I admit to spending wayyyy too much time on their swap boards. But how can I resist when such adorable stuff arrives in the mail?

Happy Geisha Grrls

Phew...yet another birthday party here and gone. AND the first shin-dig we've had in our new place. I think it went really well...I didn't get totally stressed (not really) and it looked cool and everyone seemed to have fun, esp the birthday girl which is what really matters.

I can't believe that she is 5 already. It wasn't that long ago that she was a tiny, wee bairn. Soon, she'll be helping me out with the new one. I'm really proud of how cool and lovely she is (ok, she can be a bit grumpy - but she is a Cancer ;) )

I'm glad my dad could make it - he's getting better from his blood infection slowly. It wouldn't be the same to have a party without Ojii-chan.

On a different note, Chibi scared the s*** out of me today. She climbed up the floor to ceiling bookcase in their room and it came crashing down on her. I heard the crash and the screaming... amazingly she wasn't hurt. I thought at first she had broken her nose, since one of the shelves had landed on it and I could see the huge dent and her nose looked crooked. But luckliy it was only on the cartiledge (sic) and it straightened itself out. I was shaking so badly, thank goodness Matt was home... he was so calm. She is totally fine now and was telling Grandmar that she was "silly" today and bonked her nose. Not exactly how I would describe the experience, but hopefully she won't climb any more shelves. I'm tethering EVERYTHING to wall tomorrow!

Party crunch time...

Well, there's nothing like some motivation to get a job done, so I decided to have Luna's birthday party here at the house. Well, that's next weekend and the house is still filled with boxes and is in total chaos!!! So, I've been trying to get things put away without getting distracted from the goal of a presentable house. But there are so many interesting things tucked away in all these boxes and bags, and I just can't help having a peek and seeing what I've got stashed away. I'm just praying for nice weather so that we can be outside and there will only be detailed inspection of my bathroom by relative strangers. I'm looking forward to it, it'll be our first party here (I promise there WILL be a house-warming), yet throwing parties always fill me with dread. Hope it goes well.

On the knitting front, I've almost finished the angora booties, and they are SOOOOOO cute! But it turns out that I'm allergic to angora :( I guess that the baby will only wear them for a little while and I"ll have to avoid rubbing it's feet on my face....

Busy weekend in the Big Smoke

Well, you know that you are being "countryfied" when you get all excited about a trip to town! But this weekend I am so looking forward to a busy, crazy time. First stop - the Textile Museum's Yardage Sale ! Oh yes, come to mama...I try to go every year and I try not to spend scads of cash on things I don't need, and yes, I always fail, but isn't art worth it? And then off to the Crafternoon Tea. Filled with lovely trinkets to buy, yummy teas and cakes and FREE workshops. I have to remember that I've got a 50th wedding anniverasary party in the evening, or I might never get out of there...Such a terrible fate, being sucked into the lair of dangerous craftsters. OH YUM! I can't wait...

Speaking of craft, I have finally decided to knit the angora booties from Last Minute Knitted Gifts. I figure if I start with something small and luxurious, I'll get back into the swing of things. I've even got a couple of friends who are having or have just had babies, so.....

Spring has sprung

Well, Acton has turned out to a bit cooler than Toronto, so we've had to be patient to get out in the garden (not to mention the crap-tastic weather we've been having). But this weekend we finally managed to get out and do some planting. The girls are making a sunflower house - which I've been dying to do for years, but we've never had enough space. They are so excited. I've been trying to decide what to put where now that I can see everything that is growing already - did I mention that I have TWO HELLEBORES??!!!! I am so thrilled, but I think that I'll have move them since they are hidden by the fence behind a ton of ferns. Is anyone interested in some Seal of Solomon? I have millions. I'm going to start with some bushes along the fence, since I'm tired of the neighbor's dogs barking everytime I go outside and the view of the HWY 7 is less than desireable (at least it's only a 2 lane road through town).

Things have been really held up in the knitting front, but now that I have a reason (and a wee person) to knit for, the ideas have been percolating. I can really de-stash and need to find some cool patterns for baby stuff....although I am thinking about Glampyre's mini sweater pour moi.

The Toronto house is sold!

It feels like a huge weight has been lifted now that we have finally sold the house. It's been really hard carrying two mortgages and killing myself trying to get it finished. It was very quick and simple and the ladies we sold the house to are so happy since this is their first place. We're really excited for them. It's such a great house and location, we just got too big for it.

Now I can focus on the new place, which is a total disaster, we're still buried in boxes and only really have the beds set up. The furnace died yesterday and we have been burning lots of wood too keep warm. Thank goodness Spring is here it WILL get warmer...and I've been finding fun surprises in the garden: some wonderful narcissus, sweet little lupins and a scattering of violets amongst the rose bushes, clematis and baby pear and crab apple trees. I'm trying to be patient and wait to see what comes up before I start planning or digging. It's really hard, the yards are so big, I can't wait to get in there!!!. At least there's a bit of weeding to do, so I can start there.

Fun time!

Well, it's finally done. The house in Toronto went on sale on Saturday and we worked like maniacs until the last possible second to get it ready for showing. Those of you who have been allowed in my crazy house will be shocked by it's beige empty-ness. I am too. The place seems so big when you haven't got 5 people's worth of hoarded stuff piled to every ceiling. If want to check out more pics and the listing, it's here. If you want to buy it...call Molly ;)

We could not have gotten any of it done without our parents helping. Matt's mum and Dad were over painting and cleaning so often, as well as doing a couple of shifts up the Acton house unpacking my kitchen and sprucing up bedrooms - AMAZING! And the kids practically lived with my parents for the last 2 months. Even my brother was over sloshing paint about. A million thank you's to you all! Now, we are sitting back and waiting until Friday to take offers. Evil, I know, but it's in my nature MWAHAHAHA!

Actually, Matt's in Boston until Wednesday, so he's having "fun" while I'm here in the new house resting. I should unpack, maybe tomorrow.....

I got my Secret Pal package today!!!!

I was on verge of dispair this morning after the painters we hired TOTALLY screwed up painting the house (let's just say that I've got to go over every room to finish half-painted wall, etc). But when I got to the house this morning dreading having to fix up their mess, I found a package waiting for me from my Secret Pal! It totally inproved my day! I was so happy, I sat down right in the worst room, with the wallpaper the painters wrecked peeling down around me ears, and ripped into that box with glee. I found not one, not two, but SIX skeins of black (how did you know?) Labella wooly boucle; a bag of peanut butter Hershey's kisses; 3 cool knitting mags and the cutest Pinnochio tape measure. Thank you so much for saving me from madness!

Radio Silence Broken

Sorry about not posting, but my world has been eaten up by the two houses and trying to keep the kids in some sort of normal routine as we sleep on various pull-out beds and floors around the city. Matt went away on business to Calgary this past week, so that made things a bit more challenging. But everything is chugging along, the old house is ready to be painted and all our stuff is at the new house, the kids are registered at school and will start after March Break. It's all good. Except for my knitting, I failed to complete my Olympic challenge; the 12 hours a day of ripping out kitchens and drywalling was too much and I totally didn't get any time to work on my mittens (and I especially didn't want them to get all dirty - which I have been perpetually for the last 3 weeks straight). So, my yarn will wait for me patiently and I will work on them as I ride the transit between my old life and the new. No pictures today, sorry, surfing on the fly and working with the bare minimum of tech. Soon, I promise!

Happy Love Day to one and all!

Hope you are all having a lovely day. Although Luna did ask me a good question..."Why is Valentine's day in the middle of winter? It's so yucky out!" I guess the idea is to make us feel better despite the weather (unless of course you are feeling lonely today, in which case you can tell us all to shove it!).

The drywallers are coming tomorrow and the electrician on Thursday and I am planning on ripping out the kitchen...Hurrah! The wheels are turning. I don't know when we will be finished, but we'll have to see.

Let the Games Begin!

I have to share how much fun I had this Friday at the Knitting Olympics opening ceremonies. Vanessa and Roben and I met up with Kelly and the crowd at the Duke of York - and when I say crowd, I think there was about 40 or 50 of us. It was such fun with awesome door prizes and lots of heckling at the "real" opening ceremonies broadcast. The bartender said we were welcome back anytime, and that we were more rowdy than the frat boys he had in earlier that week! I cast on for my mittens, but had to frog it a couple of times since it is impossible to knit black in the dark whilst drinking heartily...

And this wonderful evening wouldn't have happened without the hard work of our super (albeit completely legless) organizer, Kelly. Thanks so much Kelly, I haven't had that much fun in a long time.

And my darling Vanessa learned how to do a provisional cast on! Hurrah, honey! Don't give up hope, "just keep knitting, just keep knitting". And my evening wouldn't have been the same without the sweet presence of my dear Roben...

There are many more cool photos of our wonderful night on Amy's (knitty) and Kelly's blogs. Check them out!

I would post a photo of my knitting, but I am ashamed since it's only 1 inch of cuff..and that's after an entire weekend...but at least the house is almost empty and I'm ready to paint! Maybe I should have a painting party, definitely no shortage of beer. But I may have to ration it until near the end teehee

I am the reno queen!

Just a quick note, since I should be working. I've spent the last week fixing up the old house before we sell. Every room needs patching and re-painting, and we've decided to hire a handyman for the first time ever to redo the floors and install the new kitchen (I know, where is my pride, but we're on a tight schedule here). So, I"ve been working like mad, and actually, it's looking pretty good. I'll post some pics when I get a chance. Gotta run!

I am soooo happy!

Today was closing day on the new house, so we got the key and took the first load up. I still can't believe that this beautiful place is ours. I thought I'd post the picture again, partially for those who missed it before and to reassure myself that it's real.

There are a few things we need to do, like painting the kids' rooms and fixing a few broken things, and not to forget actually buying furniture for the first time like real grown ups. It's amazing that we've finally found a place where we don't have to gut it before we can move it. I think that we deserve it after years of hard work. No, the real job is at the old place where I'm going to have to erase 6 years of living with 3 children in too small a house. Should be fun - especially once all the stuff is out and I can actually get to work.

I am so in love with the fireplace, I think this is what totally sold me on the house (well, that and the amazingly huge attic we are going to make into our bedroom). And Matt told me today that he was thinking that when we extend the sunroom a bit in the back that we should make it two stories so that I can have a southfacing, all glass STUDIO!!!!!!! Am I not the luckiest girl in the world?

OK, enough gloating...but I did have to share my dining room and gorgeous foyer. I'm really liking the neutral colour...I think that I'll go burgundy and mahogany with all the details and accessories. As for upstairs, you'll have to wait for the befores and afters. The rooms are lovely, but the colours have GOT to go, not to mention that I discovered today that the bathroom is coated only in primer. EEEE! I'll post all those pictures later as well as ones of the transformation of the Toronto house. What can she accomplish in only 25 days?

And on the knitting front? I've added on the hideous pink chennille (I don't even know how to spell it!!!) to the fuzzy hat and it actually looks OK, but Luna has decided that she wants it be a cat, with flowers, and a bow and....etc, etc... Oi Vey! And I have finally decided to make the double knit mittens for the Knitting Olympics. But I think that I'll add some beading into the ribs, how else could I make cashmere, wool, angora mittens more yummy? I just hope I'm not allergic to bunny.

I really should be packing....

OK, as you all know I've been up to my eyeballs in packing for the past month...but now that the big day is approaching (Saturday!!!), I'm pretty fed up with all the sorting, purging, dust up my nose, kids unloading boxes I've finished packing, etc.... So, what's a girl to do? CAST ON, of course! I started Fingal's cool socks, actually, I've been dying to try the funky jaquard sock yarn that he picked 3 months ago that have been burning a hole in my stash the whole time. I think that they are turning out pretty good, but I have to wait for the child to get home from school to see if they fit, so I won't have to frog an entire sock.
And don't you just LURVE the amazing lamp I found at Value Village for the girl's room? I'm going to cover up the crazy orange base with some funky fabric. So cool!

As for Luna's bunny hat, well GRRRRR! I ran out of yarn at the Lettuce Knit SnB and ended up with a fuzzy pink yalmakah (sic). So, she picked out this other hideous yarn so I can make the ears, extend the darn thing and make ear flaps to hold it on. I have no hope that this will turn out to be something I will like, but Luna is thrilled to bits with her design. Yet again I have to resign myself to having spawned a pink, frilly girlie girl. (Unlike her cool biker sister in the background, although the frou-frou-ness seems to be contageous). *sigh*

GO LEAFS GO!

I just got back from the Leaf game (thanks Matt and your corporate connection for sending me and Trish). They were playing the Habs and I kinda felt like we were rooting for the wrong side. It's been ages since I've been to a game (try 6 years - and more if you count the last time I watched one on TV) and I had forgotten how exciting it can get...especially when they really get going. We lost, but then again, the Leafs didn't really play a very good game...so I almost started cheering for the other guys. I'm starting to sound like I actually watch hockey! AIEEE, what about my arty, goth image????

Well, back to a late night of packing...and trying to finally decide what to make of the Knitting Olympics. GRRRRR

1 week left

I can't believe that we have only a week left until we get our new house. I'm really excited, but I will miss this funny old place. Luna and Melia were born here and I can't take that with me. I think that will be the hardest, especially when we do the closing ritual for the house. Last time it was just the two of us and we had a good cry when we went through each room remembering the good, the bad, the beautiful and the ugly and then finally blew out the candle. Fingal was born in that house and it was hard to leave behind too. But we are starting fresh, and in a house that isn't a complete dump! As long as one of the piles of boxes doesn't fall over and crush one of the kids, everything will be OK.

I GOT MY FIRST SP7 PACKAGE!!!

I am so happy! My first package arrived today from my Secret Pal and she sent me the Knitter's Handbook from my Amazon wish list. The funny thing is, I totally forgot that I was going to getting goodies, I've been having so much fun getting cool things for my pal that I'm mailing things to. I ran in to the fe-mail man and she told me I had a package...."OMG! It must be from my SP! YIPEEEEEE!" Thanks so much, you rock!

I'm going to go and put my package in the mail today...I hope my other pal got her little care package I sent last week. I should go and check her blog.

And before I forget again....what do you get when you take one baby and add one jelly donut?

YUM!

Check out what Finn made!!!

I am so proud! Fingal came home from school today and I asked about a workshop that I knew they were doing with a visiting artist. So exciting! I remember how much I loved doing cool stuff like this at school. They were re-constructing clothes from old sweaters. I had heard that they were making scarves, but this is cooler! I love Alpha, I am so sad the kids are leaving it. They have another day to work on them, and he said that he is going to add beads and labels. It brings a tear to this old craftster's eye. That's my little boy.

Just don't call me Martha

Yum...It smells great at my house, I just baked some banana muffins. Fingal just wandered into the kitchen with is eyes closed, following his nose. I love having goodies freshly out of the oven, the only problem is that we tend to eat them all very quickly. Not so good for the waistline. I think I'll put chocloate chips in the next batch teehee. Now, to put some coffee on listening to the Rolling Stones singing about "the Mother's little helper" and I'll be a happy woman.

Kelly made up a fab button for Team Canada in the Knitting Olympics. I'm pretty sure that I'm going to make my double knit, cashmere & angora mittens as soon as I find a decent pattern with a proper thumb. I think that I'll even do some intarsia on the back. Hmmmm skullies or maybe a cute bat?

I've been tagged

Well, it seems like either my friends like me or like to torture me, but I'm game for this little meme...

Four Jobs You Have Had In Your Life
Pizza box folder (yeah fun)
The White Witch in the back rooms of 109
Laverne & Shirley bottling line job ( the things we do for love)
Gallery director (temporary, but the best job of my life)

Four Movies You Could Watch Over and Over
Rozencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead
The Princess Bride
Nightmare before Christmas
Addams Family

Four TV Shows You Love to Watch
I'm hooked on CSI too (but can't stand Criminal Intent)
The View from Here
GlobeTrekker
Coupling

Four places you have lived
North Bay
England
Isle of Mann
Toronto

Four Places You Have Been On Vacation
Ireland
Portugal
Belgium
Japan

Four Websites You Visit Daily
marmalade.ca
Allrecipes
ebay
mamma

Four Of Your Favorite Foods
Chocolate
Chocolate
Chocolate
Ice cream (esp if it's chocolate)

Four Places You Would Rather be Right Now
Sleeping
Making art in my beautiful (but still imaginary) studio
Tahiti
In a snowy onsen back in the Japanese mountains

Four favourite books
I have too many......!
Mists of Avalon
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Narnia (before the film)
Finn Family Moomintroll

4 People to tag:
Vanessa
Kim
Adam
Lindsey

Such silly fun (and thank you Vanessa for the funny pic XXX)

Matt is coming home

Everyone here is excited because Matt is on his way home from Thunder Bay. The kids have been asking every day when is Daddy coming home, and it's been pretty quiet here (as funny as that may seem with 3 kids) without him. The house is about half packed, although I'm a bit daunted by the piles of stuff in the basement that I have to sort through. I think a lot of it is garbage, I can't believe some of the things we've been storing for years.

I can't decide what to knit for the Olympics. I just got some nice Cotton Ease in a swap and I thought that I might make the little tea set, but Knitty's Kate is so cute (like my kids need ANOTHER stuffed animal!!!), I could start my mittens - but the weather here hasn't really called for mitts. I'll have to decide soon, the 10th is coming soon.

Knitting Olympics??? I'm SO in!

Look what I found on Kelly's site. How cool is this? The only thing is, I have to decide what I have the time to tackle (none) in the middle of my move to a new town. But it would be so much fun!

Anyway, I've got to run I have tons of things I need to get done today to get ready for the new house. We get it on the 3rd and I have a million errands to run while Matt is up in Thunder Bay.

LIke I don't have enough hobbies...

I'm really excited to have been contacted my SP7 buddy and I'm putting together a little something for the person who I get to spoil for this round. This is so much fun...I especially am having fun getting to know this person through their blog postings and links. I've been thinking about knitting stuff so much that I had to cast on Luna's funny pink hat. I was planning on making her a cool square hat with two "ponytails", but she placed her order with me requesting a bunny! I guess I'm going to have to figure out how I'm going to make the ears (that's assuming I have enough yarn).

I'm almost finished my wrist warmers, wow they go together quick...I can understand why people like to make them. If I wasn't swamped with tons of other stuph, I would have finished them in a couple of days. I am in love with this thick'n'thin slubby yarn and OOOOH the colour!!!!!

I've been finding so many cool things while I've been packing...when we were living in England while Matt was studying to be a Brewmeister, we had photos taken at the school in this funny photo-booth for our rail passes. They are so incredibly funny, we both look like axe murderers. I don't know what was up with this booth that made both of look deranged, but now I know what my mugshot after I have just gone on a psycho rampage will look like. And no...no one in this life time (other than Matt and those poor BritRail employees) will ever see it, so there :P

I've also remembered that I still love to make miniatures. I found all this amazing stuff in the basement and it has gotten the creative juices flowing. I have all the fixin's to put together an entire Japanese diorama of a traditional house as well as the medeival witch's cottage (complete with mini mandrake and flying potion!). The problem is that I have to pack it all up and THEN find a place in the new house to set up a workshop. I've got to get a good organizational system set up to keep all my materials in order, between the knitting, stained glass, minis, found object sculpture and bookworks (not to mention whatever craziness takes my fancy), I don't think the entire house is big enough. *Sigh* I really need a studio. But hey, maybe in Acton renting a space might be more feasible than in Toronto. Here's keeping my fingers crossed. And here is a small taste of the inspiration I found on a mini web site (this is in 1/12 scale)! I can't wait to make my own small piece of Japan.

My Secret Pal 7 questionaire

I am so excited about SP7 and they have posted the new questionaire. Those who know me will find none of this surprising, but then again, maybe you don't know my darkest secrets ;)

1. Are you a yarn snob (do you prefer higher quality and/or natural fibers)? Do you avoid Red Heart and Lion Brand? Oh dear, I definitely am a snob...ooh I hate the squeaky stuff

2. Do you spin? Crochet? I've got a drop spindle and have been eyeing a wheel, but I'm not very good at it YET

3. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in? Um, a Pringles can :) I know, scandalous

4. How long have you been knitting? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced? I've been knitting for 5 years now and I think that I am finally in the intermediate range

5. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list? Yes, it's at http://www.amazon.ca/gp/registry/wishlist/ref=cs_nav_top_wl/702-9271424-6020838

6. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products etc.) Hmm...I like sandalwood, mastic, oak moss, amber, I guess deep, woodsy smells - but NO patchouli YUCK

7. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy? Actually I think ALL my teeth are sweet, are there any other food groups? As for a favorite, that's hard, I am a chocolate fiend (esp milk with chewy caramels), but I like things that are fruity like, Skittles, Starburst, etc...

8. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Oh my, where to start. I am a sculptor who works in found materials, I love altered books and boxes. I make stained glass, jewellry, felting, clothing, costumes, and so many other things. I just like to create cool stuff

9. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD) I like old school goth music, Celtic and English folk, industrial, medeival (but not baroque and after). I am MP3 enabled teehee

10. What's your favorite color? Or--do you have a color family/season/palette you prefer? Any colors you just can't stand? All my clothes are black and I tend to knit mostly black for myself, but I have been branching out into rich jewel tones, esp handpainted wine reds, deep purples and cobalt blue. I use really bright colours for my kids - fuschia, apple green, purple, etc... I really dislike pastels and white doesn't really work with 3 small kids

11. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets? I'm married to a great guy, we have 3 kids, DS - Fingal 8, DD - Luna 4, DD -Melia 2; no pets

12. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos? I wear only mittens

13. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? I can't name brands yet, but I love soft wools (washable or otherwise) and I just bought my first tiny ball of 20/80 cashmere/wool and I think I'm in love.

14. What fibers do you absolutely *not* like? Squeaky acrylics, super crazy novelty/ribbon yarns

15. What is/are your current knitting obsession/s? Celtic cables, wacky dolls like Knitty's Kate

16. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit? I like socks, felted stuff (mostly bags), funky crazy toys

17. What are you knitting right now? I'm making some cool wrist warmers from a cobalt slubby wool, my DH's cabled kilt hose, DS's self-striping socks, DD's fuzzy pink hat, and my cashmere & angora double knit mittens

18. Do you like to receive handmade gifts? I LOVE them!

19. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? It depends on what I'm doing, I just figured out The Magic Loop!!!

20. Bamboo, aluminum, plastic? Aluminum

21. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift? No, I wish, it would make frogging easier

22. How did you learn to knit? My mother taught me, but didn't pick it up again until recently and Debbie Bliss filled in the gaps

23. How old is your oldest UFO? 11 year old kilt hose

24. What is your favorite animated character or a favorite animal/bird? Moomintroll, Addams Family and hedgehogs

25. What is your favorite holiday? Samhain (Halloween)

26. Is there anything that you collect? Witches

27. What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have? None, I let my Vogue Knitting slide

28. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? I'd love to read the SNB books, Odd Ball Knitting, Alterknits, and I've been saving up for some Lantern Moon needles, yum!

29. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn? Intarsia, more cables

30. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements? Oh yes! Ladies size 7.5 wide

31. When is your birthday? November 22

ME? A teacher??

I completely forgot that I was teaching a knitting workshop on Wednesday. So, I guess I HAVE to dig out my stash in order to have supplies and samples for class (teehee). My only problem is that I have no idea what level everyone is at. I'm planning on starting with casting on and then knit & purl, that's pretty much it...it's only a 2 hour class. But I don't know where to go if they have those skills already. Should I start on dec and inc, or maybe the dos and don't of your first scarf ("Oh No! It's the dreaded stockinette sausage!!"), or maybe moss, rib, seed stitch? So many options. I guess I could just ask them what they what to learn - now that's a novel idea. Maybe knitting in the round might be a bit TOO crazy, but it might be a good excuse to start my wrist warmers by showing them how to cast on and then join up....I should dig in the stash and pick the yarn I want to use (or maybe a trip to the LYS might be in order - GLEE!!!)

As for packing, there has definitely been a lull since Matt got home. We've been busy getting day-to day life stuff done and there hasn't been time to pack anything. Although I have been Freecycling like crazy. It is so nice to let all that stuff free into the world - and to meet other goth moms who like Giger and fairie prints. I want to set up a yarn swap with all this yarn I've been sorting...I thought I might be able to find one in town, but it looks like I'll have to organize one myself. Anyone interested?

Okay, just back from Romni's (very dangerous)

I had so much fun, even the girls had a blast helping me choose. In the end I decided that frogging the white angora(the nylon content in it won't dye) is wasted effort right now. I'll make something for Luna with it later. SO, I got some yummy burgundy bunny for the mitten lining, and since I needed wool for the outside of my mittens I picked up some lamb's wool from the sale bins, but then upstairs found out that the 20/80 cashmere/wool was cheaper!! I'm going to be terrified of losing my mittens - I am definitely going to need a string! As well, I found some gorgeous hand-painted slubby wool in this amazing deep cobalt. The photo doesn't do it justice, it is practically glowing. I couldn't resist and cast on some wrist-warmers the second I got home. Melia picked some funky purple stuff, but I packed it already since the house appraiser from the bank is on his way!!!!

Yes, we have NO yarn!!!!

OK, I'm a bone head! I decided to pack all my yarn and woollen and silk things in my cedar chest to protect it from ....I think this photo will describe my predicament:

Yes, that is my cedar chest buried in the bottom right corner. Well, at least I can rest assured that my stash and all my projects are safe. But what am I going to do now?? I was whining that I didn't have any ideas on what to knit, but now my hands are tied...I must go to the yarn store - teehee. Actually, I found some cool ideas that I want to try (like double knit wool & angora mittens), so I suppose that I should keep frogging this angora sweater that I found at Value Village, but I don't know if the 70% angora, 30% nylon yarn will dye. I'm not really a WHITE accessory kinda person. I think I'll do a test with some Kool-aid, why should everyone else reap all the rewards of my dying fun?

Poor Fingal will have to wait for his socks until I excavate the chest out...poor guy. Even Matt's kilt hose are buried away.

Up to my elbows.....

Well, today is Day 2 of packing up my (and four other people's) worldly belongings...OK, it is mostly MY stuff - boy do I have a lot of junk! So far I,ve packed 15 boxes, thrown out 4 boxes and filed so much paper that I should be allowed to add the skill experience to my resume. Luckily for Matt he is up in Thunder Bay getting trained for his new job, but actually it is easier for me to do this on my own since I'll be able to remember where I put everything (yeah right).

Matt is coming home tomorrow, I'm hoping to have a lot done to surprise him...but right now I'm feeling a little overwhelmed since the house doesn't really look any different, other than the mountain of packed bxes in the dining room. *sigh* Well, maybe by tonight the house will look a little more done and I can have a nice hot soak.

We took the kids to see the Catherine the Great show at the AGO on Tuesday before Matt left for the airport. We thought the Luna would love to see all the gorgeous princess stuff and Fin would be impressed by all the gold. The liked it, bit I think they were a bit tired at the end since they were getting a bit whiny. But the show was spectacular, and the artifacts, amazing. Even the kids could appreciate how special some of the pieces were, even the ones NOT encrusted in diamonds and gold. I'm glad we caught it before it left Toronto and it was nice to have that time with Matt and the kids.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

I hope you all are not feeling too crappy after last night's shenanigans. I'm hoping that 2006 will shape up all right with all the changes it is bringing for us. We just found out that the house closes on the 20th, so I'm starting to packing up all our worldly belongings, getting rid of years of stored up crap (thank you FlyLady), and planning to start fresh...

I am discovering that half of the fun of packing is finding all that stuff that's been lost for years. "Fluffy? Are down there??"...