Something Wicked this Way Comes

I've gotten to the point in my life where if I can't celebrate my birthday in the way that I want, I'd just rather forget about it. This year, for the second year in a row, I had to get up at 4:15 am and work for 12 hours before any type of celebrations could begin.

Turns out that my birthday celebrations had to be shared by a celebratory meal for the teen. (Which means we went to her pick of restaurant so that she could have her favorite meal) So armed with the man and three kids we went out for supper after work.

I was looking forward to quick and quiet birthday celebrations but as it turned out....that was not to be.

Remember Lulu...the very naughty sheep??? I asked Denise if it would be okay if she came to visit while on her world travels. Denise agreed and the arrangements were made. After all, Woolworth was dying to meet her.

So when did she appear on my doorstep? You guessed it....my birthday. So not only did I have to share my birthday celebrations with the teen but I was shoved into the shadows further by sheep on a date.

Woolworth was so excited until he saw the empties. He began to get very nervous and wondered what he was getting himself into by begging me to invite her to our home. Lulu is a unique creature....frankly I've never met a sheep who likes beer......my beer....as much as she does.



Woolworth is a gentleman and despite being scared to death of the energetic and amorous advances, he took Lulu to the movies and bought snacks. (He'd been saving his allowance for weeks)



He treated Lulu to Avatar: the last air bender. She really seemed to like it, although she did complain about the lack of style in the design of the 3D glasses.



The following weekend I went to a friend's place for additional birthday celebrations. What am I saying...I'd hadn't actually celebrated my birthday yet.

Again the lush was into my birthday beer and drinking like a fish. Glad my friends have a keg machine so that they could easily quench her thirst. Good thing she wasn't the designated driver because by the end of the night, she was in no condition to drive.

Well Lulu needed to check out other things besides the beer that Canada's capital has to offer so I brought her to visit the gang at KnitKnackers and Biogenie. Lulu and I both got our legs done, she got to meet the great Emily and discovered Malibrigo.



The fun didn't actually start until I brought her to work with me one night. At that time my job was still babysitting a building but I did so by watching camera monitors.

"How do you work this thingy"

"What thingy, Lulu?"

"The thingy that moves the camera?"

At this point I should have locked her in a closet, because my night became a whole lot more "interesting". But no, as I was trying to be a good hostess, I taught Lulu how to operate the cameras.

"So if I turn this knob then I can zoom in really close?"

"Yes, Lulu....really close"

As soon as the words were out of my mouth, I realized what I had done. I had created a monster. A spying, snooping and peeping monster. She couldn't be left alone for a moment I couldn't even turn my back on her.

I even developed a mantra that night: "NO Lulu, you may not use the cameras to spy on the cute guy in the apartment across from us"



She was a fun guest but that sheep tried my patience that night. She is home again, where she belongs. After having her for a couple of weeks I can understand why Denise sent her on a holiday.

Woolworth however, is still in therapy and still trembles around aggressive females.

Until next time
Yours in Yarn,
The Fibreholic

The continuing saga

I'm begining to think that I'm a very bad blogger....no wait I probably am a very bad blogger. Oh well.....ignoring my blog....ignoring my kids.....just another of my own little quirks.

So where was I? Oh yes In Aukland, NZ and headed to Rotorua, NZ

This was my first experience with hostel living. I soon discovered that the rooms are small and it's like living in a co-ed dorm (which isn't all bad considering my run in with a guy in a towel)

Rotorua is home to a large aboriginal population called the Maori. As such there are many touristy things to do in the area based on their culture. New Zealand is even considered a bi cultural country. So without furthur ado here are a few pix I took while there.



I went to a Maori ceremony and feast cooked in the traditional way called a Hangi. What you see here is a Maori challenge of peace.



Got to go 65 metres below sea level while caving.



This is Nigel, he was my guide for my white water rafting adventure.



Visited a geothermal spa called Hell's Gates. Had the most wonderful mud bath....you haven't lived until you've had a mud bath.



And since you asked.....yes I did partake in the night life of Rotorua. Although soon after I took this the grumpy security guard told me to get down off the bench.

Now where is the knitting and the stash enhancement you ask.....it is coming...trust me it IS coming.

Until next time
Yours in Yarn,
The Fibreholic

Reports from Down Under...part one

Since Kathy asked.....

My journey Down Under was like no other experience I've ever had. I don't want to say that it was a once in a lifetime event as I plan on returning to my beloved Australia in the not so distant future. I also plan to continue to enjoy life to the fullest and have many more amazing adventures.

First stop Aukland, New Zealand. My aunt lives there and I wanted to spend time visiting her. I didn't see much of the city as much of my time was spent with my aunt. This is something that I've been meaning to do for a long time.

Our first stop was the Sky Tower. The tallest building in the Southern Hemisphere. I took quite a lot of photos of the city from the top of this tower including (what I've been told are really scary) these two.

Afterwards, while taking photos of the tower from the outside, I started up a conversation with a total stranger. You will find that this is normal for me and something that I do frequently. Turns out this guy, Matt, is from the same city that I am.

Aukland is a great city and deserved more of my time, but since I did not have the luxury to be a casual tourist, I could not afford more than three days. In that time I did some bush walking, ocean swimming, sight seeing and some wandering around the city on my own.

What is New Zealand without a sheep picture???

Next time.....Rotorua, New Zealand

Until next time

Yours in Yarn,

The Fibreholic

The Crash of the Clash

I had such high hopes for this movie, Clash of the Titans. It had everything going for it. The movie had everything it needed: great actors, timeless story, good special effects and a gorgeous Aussie accent. But somehow when you put all those components together something happened. The movie fell short of something great. I really can't describe it.

Towards the end I really didn't care if Andromeda was saved or if Perseus made it out of Medusa's lair. It didn't matter to me if Hades defeated Zeus or not and if Argos was destroyed by the Kraken....oh well. Not even being in 3-D helped this movie especially since it cost more for admission.

I really wanted to see this movie because, and I'm not ashamed to admit it, I really like the 1981 version of Clash of the Titans with none other than Harry Hamlin. The acting was bad and over the top but at least I cared about the characters.

But what really ruined this movie for me, what really took the cake, what, to this day, makes my blood boil at the thought of wasting 106 minutes on this movie is.......I forgot to bring a knitting project with me to work on while I watched the movie.

Until next time
Yours in Yarn,
The Fibreholic

The Pacific

Kia Ora (translation-hello)
Guess where I am......hahahaha....Aukland NZ. I am having a wonderful time and want this vacation to last forever. I suppose everyone says that about their vacations.

Today I swam in the ocean. Now for those not living anywhere near a coast you might understand what a special event this is for me. I grew up on the East Coast of Canada and have lived on the West Coast and have spent many an hour swimming in the ocean. Some may think that the events of today wouldn't mean anything to me.

If you thought that, you couldn't be more wrong. Today I went swimming in the Pacific from the other side. This water was special, this water belonged to New Zealand and the Kiwis were gracious enough to share their little slice of heaven with me.

I swam, I floated and turned all pruney. I parked myself on my towel to let the sun dry me off and then I fell asleep.

Yeah...big mistake.

Until next time
Yours in Yarn,
The Fibreholic

Leavin' on a Jet Plane

There are times in life when I lack the words to describe how I feel. This is one of those times.

Tomorrow I will embark on a journey of discovery. I am going through the air, across the country and over the ocean. I am going by myself. Bringing someone with me would only defeat the purpose of the trip.

I want see new lands and meet new people. I want to breathe in the ocean air from the New Zealand side of the Pacific and listen to the music of her people. I want to embrace Australia as my own and feel her earth under my feet.

To experience all that travel has to offer and hear the stories of the people is something I long to do. So tomorrow I start down the road, hopefully to a better understanding of the world around me and possible of myself.

Pictures will be taken and socks will be knit. Friendships will be renewed and created. Memories that last a lifetime will be made.

And if I'm very lucky, when I get home, I won't find that the kids have taken over the house with DH cowering in a corner.

Until next time
Yours in Yarn,
The Fibreholic

A tail of Two Kitties

Against all logic and massive allergies, last June DH decided that we needed to get a cat. I really wish that he would let me sit down when making these types of announcements. I am worried about possible brain damage because I hit my head on the floor when I go crashing to the ground.

The mom of one of the teen's friends told us about a neighbour with kittens to give away. So the arrangements were made in secret and DH and I went the following Saturday under the guise of grocery shopping. He wanted a female kitten and they had two left, both female. He chose one and I jokingly said "let's take both".

I feel at this point I must interrupt and remind everyone that despite being a bonafide ogre, DH is an animal lover, through and through. So after chatting with the owners of the mama cat he broke down and said, "we might as well take both".

So I scooped up both kittens, stuck them in the box and ran to the car before he had the chance to change his mind.

At first the kittens, named Picasso and Monet, spent their nights in the basement then it was the garage for their nocturnal frolics. As we live in the boonies, it was DH's plan all along to have the cats play rodent control and so far they have done their job very well. Being litter mates the two were extremely attached and rarely left each other's side. The kids were over the moon about adding to the zoo and the kittens have become apart of the family. Regularly they could be found sleeping with one of the kids or getting chased by an irate knitter with a tangled mess of yarn.

This tale does not have a happy ending I'm afraid. Living in the country, there are rodents but there are also larger, more dangerous creatures. We have not seen Monet in over 36 hours and there are strange tracks on our property. There were sobs and tears this morning and quiet reflexion this afternoon. Now there is acceptance.

Monet

Monet and Picasso having a nap

It is something that we must deal with living out here in the boonies but doesn't get any easier. Goodbye Monet, we love you.

Until next time

Yours in Yarn,

The Fibreholic

My new toy

Yup....Even I can not resist peer pressure forever. As much as I wanted to remain strong and stand firm in the belief, that I could live without the bonds placed on society, by the evil empire, called telecommunications. I didn't need a cell phone. I was living life to the fullest without a cell phone. The one time in my life when a cell phone could have come in handy I had three men drive by me, stop and ask if they could call someone to help get me out of the ditch.

But then last week happened. The universe spun around a little too quickly and I had to jump on the cell phone bandwagon. I was more than 45 minutes late to pick up DD #2 from school. I was in the middle of nowhere because some brilliant person (oh wait I was the only on in the car at the time) decided to take back roads instead of the highway. If I had a cell, I could have called the school and let them know that I was on my way. Instead I made the principal and a teacher stay the extra 45 minutes without any idea that I was actually coming to get her.

So I researched my options online and talked to the guy at work whose sole purpose in life is to communicate on his cell. I found a basic phone, a good service provider, a monthly plan that is reasonably priced and is good value for the money. And to top it all off, my phone is RED!!!!!

But the best part of all is......the phone came with a free knitting bag.

That's what its for....isn't it???

Until next time

Yours in Yarn

The Fibreholic

Hallelujah Indeed

I didn't know this group existed until recently. WOW



Until next time
Yours in Yarn,
The Fibreholic

To Join or not to Join

I'm fighting an urge. I'm fighting an urge to buy sock yarn. This is very hard for me and to tell you the truth I really don't know why I'm even doing it. But I am fighting the urge.......quick some get me some oxygen, I need to lie down until the urge goes away.....someone please catch me, I'm feeling woozy and I'm afraid that I may faint.

Yesterday I was reading The Harlot's blog post about the Rockin' Sock Club and of course I headed over to the site. I read, I drooled, I signed up for an account and then I calculated. I am now fighting the urge and I'm wondering why.

Do I like hand painted/dyed yarn? YES

Do I like the fact that I'll get the colours before the general public? YES

Do I like the fact that I'll get sock patterns before the general public? YES

Do I mind not having to spend 2 hours staring at a display trying to decide which colour of sock yarn or pattern to buy because someone else has made those decisions? NO

Do I like the extra goodies they are including in the membership? YES

Can I afford the cost? YES

Would I like to get a yarny present, in the mail, every other month? YES

Is it possible to have too much sock yarn? NO

So why haven't I whipped out my credit card and signed up? I really don't know. I could say that it's because I'm saving for my trip and that I'll be buying enough fibre during my holiday to choke a horse. I could say that I have already gone past the point of SABLE with my sock yarn stash and am now working on my kids' inheritance. I could say that certain plans I have for later this year may make money and time tight for me.

I could also say that I've got this in my stash.....and would like to actually knit with the yarn, once, before buying even more.

But in case that's not it, if anyone sees the snatchers please tell them I'd like my body back.

Until next time

Yours in Yarn,

The Fibreholic

Celebrating the big 2-0-0

Here it is, the first day of 2010 and I have reached blog post 200. I can't believe that I've actually had 200 things to say....(you in the back...quit your snickering). I've shared bits and pieces of my life with you and still you keep coming back. I've let you in on my good days, my bad days and my embarrassing days. Hmmm maybe it's my posts about my public humiliation that keep you coming back. Or the returnees could be those looking for ways to hide various types of stash and hoping I have the answer. (Hint...that coke can on your bedside table isn't fooling anyone).

Here's to looking forward to spending time with all of you throughout the next 200 posts. As for the new year, there are those who would take the time today and reflect on last year as well as make their New Year's resolutions. I shall do neither. I am looking forward to the new year as I have planned many adventures for myself over the next 365 days.

The first is my trip. It will begin in New Zealand then on to Australia. Yes, I am just a touch crazy to be doing this but what a trip it will be. I'll get to visit friends and family, see new places, eat new foods, meet new people, take plenty of pictures and above all else, have the time of my life.

I have consulted travel books and websites for things to see and do. I have contacted friends to arrange times to visit. I have booked flights to bring me to and from this adventure. I have checked out multiple sites of places to stay and how to get around while I'm there. Now all I have to do is make some firm decisions and wait for my holiday to begin.

In case you don't recognize me, I'll be the giddy one bouncing off the walls.

Whatever your plans are for this year, be good to each other and to yourself. Dance like no one is watching, Love like you never have before and Knit like there is no tomorrow.

Until next time,
Yours in Yarn,
The Fibreholic