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

Red Faced, once again!

Last week DH and I went to the movies. This, to all who read this blog, even on a semi-regular basis, should not come as a surprise. Nor should the fact that I was knitting at the movies.

So there we were, minding our own business when the unthinkable happened. It was so horrific. I wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy.

During a quiet part of the movie, I had just finished knitting part of a round when my now free DPN escaped my left hand and fell to the floor. I have no memory of how this happened. Was it an intense moment in the movie? Did I suddenly feel the need to make a hand gesture? I have no idea!!!!! It's possible that because the event was so tragic I have blocked it out.

Picture this, if you will. You are in a dark room full of people and without warning you find yourself with only three DPNs. All you can do is sit quietly and go through the three steps of grief.

1. Embarrassment-When a needle falls to the ground you'd be surprised at how loud the sound is during a quiet part of a movie. At least I realize, that at this point if anyone starts talking I've got no right to play "no talking during movies" police. I just don't have a leg to stand on.


2. Upset- I have no idea how much longer the movie is, so I don't know how long I'll be without my knitting. At this point, DH holds my hand to help calm me.


3. Panic - If I can't find my fourth needle then there will be no knitting during the entire drive home. This will be a whole hour of lost knitting time. Tragic, tragic, tragic. Can you feel my pain?

The movie ends and the lights turn on. People quickly leave the theater. Not DH and I. We are on our hands and knees looking for my DPN. This was NOT our finest hour and the experience was more than just a little humbling.

This story does have a happy ending, we found my needle and I was able to knit all the way home.

Personally I think the socks will be worth the humiliation.

Until next time

Yours in Yarn,

The Fibreholic