Saturday, October 31, 2009

H1N1

Today, my daughter and I got our H1N1 shots. What a journey! We got in line at 7:30 this morning for an 8:30 start to the clinic, and got our shots at 2:30 this afternoon. Good thing it was a mild morning (7 degrees) because we were outside until 11:30 --- and it was damn chilly after the first hour out there! We went to the high-risk clinic --- set up for people like us... Jamie pregnant and me with a chronic health condition. My UC is worth something today, let me tell you!

On the news tonight it was announced the Alberta H1N1 clinics have been suspended "until further notice". I believe our Alberta government has determined - after a week if craziness - that their setup is not working. Um... duh?!?!? Making people wait in line-ups all day, turning people away because the lines are full, sometimes before a clinic even opens for business. Seniors, preggers, little chillun's and sickos (oops - sickies) standing - unless you were smart enough to bring a chair - for hours on end.


So - time will tell, I'm curious to see how they get it together over the next few days. Perhaps now they will supply the vaccine to the doctors to administer to their patients, particularly those high risk. Perhaps now they will supply the vaccine to the school board, which has stated it would be willing to administer to the students. Perhaps now there will be monitoring of who is getting vaccined to ensure those in the high-risk categories get their shots first. Perhaps if Mr. Ed or Top Doc had to stand in a line for eight hours or perhaps get turned away due to large crowds 3 days in a row (like the woman beside us in line today) this would have been fixed before it became a week-long growing problem. However - let's see if they get it right this time. Good luck, boys...

Thursday, October 29, 2009

How to charm your wine...

Seaside Set.
Le Frog set - made in honour of my dear french friends the Ouellette's!

Cat Chase Bird set.


Getting ready for Sharon's Christmas Sale in mid-December. I figure you always have to have stocking stuffers to sell, so i've made up some wine charm sets. If I have time after getting the jewelery done might get a couple wine journals done too...



Wednesday, October 21, 2009

i'm the visitor, not the patient!

Well, for a change I got to go to the hospital for someone else! Jamie fainted on the bus to work Monday. It was standing room only and she got overheated. Also, we've had a chinook going on for two days... I think that was a factor because she was one of FIVE women who were in emerg for fainting - three of them pregnant. Anyway - a day of rehydration and lots of tests, she's back home and feeling a bit better after the IV.
Drill Seargant Adam is now hovering over her with a perpetual water bottle to stay hydrated. Oh, and Jamie says the baby is "so grounded" already for making her sick and putting her through all this fun...

Sunday, October 18, 2009

Happy Bday Adam

The son-in-law just turned 23. It's always a little more of a struggle to make a guy-card - I want to impress the recipient by trying to make it manly and personalized. Adam is a fly-fisherman, so of course that had to be my theme.
I found this fly-fishing cartoon on the internet and printed it on white cardstock. Popped it up from the other layers. I used Stampin Up Old Olive ink to edge the papers and pressed a white strip into it. I roughed up the edges with my finger - though learned a new technique yesterday, doing that with edge of scissors. Thx to new woman at our Stampin Day for the fish sticker bottom left, it really finished the card!

Friday, October 16, 2009

Queen Anne Lace Scarf

Because I just cannot do one thing at a time... I found this pattern for a one-skein scarf (decorative scarf) and have to try it out. Looks beautiful and lacy. I'll do it in between working on a blankie for the upcoming grand-baby, Derek's Europe scrapbook, and Jamie's wedding stuff. I love multi-tasking :)
So - here is the pattern and a photo sample. I'll post my own once it's done.

Queen Anne’s Lace Scarf:


1 skein of Red Heart Super Saver and a size “J” hook Chain 6 and join into a ring.

1: Chain 3,work 13 dc into ring. DO NOT JOIN! Chain 1,turn. Work a sc into next 2 dc. *Chain 4,sc in next 2 dc. Repeat from * five more times (6 loops). Chain 6,turn.
2: Slip stitch into the 1st free ch4 loop. Chain 3,turn. Work 13 dc into the ch6 loop. Slip stitch into the the 1st sc of the 1st motif,chain 1,turn. Sc in next 2 dc. *Chain 4,sc in next 2 dc. Repeat from * five more times (6 loops). Chain 6,turn.
3: Slip stitch in 1st free ch4 loop of adjoining motif,chain 3,turn. Work 13 dc into ch6 loop. Slip stitch in next free ch4 loop of adjoining motif,chain 1,turn. Sc in next 2 dc. *Chain 4,sc in next 2 dc. Repeat from * five more times (6 loops). Slip stitch into next free ch4 loop of adjoining motif. Chain 6,turn.
4:Repeat step 3 for desired scarf length. I worked a total of 50 motifs and got a 60 inch scarf. End off and weave in ends.
This pattern can be done with just about any yarn, but I wouldn’t recommend a boucle or textured yarn,as that would take away from the lacy effect.

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Blog Candy


I love blogging... I click on BBTB, that takes me to Jamie Lane's site, and that takes me to Twinkles Glow With Stamps... which shows off an amazing bit oh goodies for grabs - check this out... not one but two prizes. Here is a shot of the first one.

Go enter - how nice is that of me showing you how? Okay fine, that is how I'm eligible too :) Good Luck!

Saturday, October 10, 2009

more bobbles...

Prep for jewelery sale. Kari says I should have at least 30 pieces. Jewelery, wine charm/journal sets, maybe whip up some beaded wire bookmarks for stocking stuffers.

Here's what I've been playing with this week...









Thursday, October 8, 2009

Bring the outdoors in...

My daughter is getting married in January. They are going away to get married and returning to a casual cocktail party reception. Being a winter party, she wants to bring the outdoors inside, without the cold. White and blue, snow and ice. The venue, compliments of my son's friend, is going to be like a winter lodge - wood burning fireplace, slate floors, and lots of windows to the great outdoors.

So how do you create a winter wonderland on a tight budget? You haunt the dollar stores weekly hoping for new items. And you have a wonderful sister-in-law who gives you a BIG box of vases to use from the last family wedding. Vases to fill with candles and cranberries, among other goodies. Here are my latest purchases - toulle, shiny fabric, feathers, crystals. These will be used to decorate the buffet table.

And this idea Jamie and I fell in love with - thanks to Martha Stewart for the directions for large pom poms made from crepe paper. These will be our snowballs hanging from the rafters, along with large snowflakes I got from the dollar store.

Thursday, October 1, 2009

doctor day

I had an appt. with my GI Dr. Coderre today. He just returned from a six-month sabbatical and I am glad he's back. He's been my strength in this long journey with my health. He has always provided me with holistic care. We discuss my gut, my head, and my heart. I was feeling antsy and anxious and a bit pissy these past few days. My health issues are a kick in the ass. Literally. Ha! I am so glad I saw Dr. C this morning. Once again i feel grounded and that's what I needed. Now I'm ready for what's next. Surgical appt. in three weeks, will be booking my next surgery for fistual repair. Discussion about the big surgery after that. One step at a time, one surgery at a time, one recovery at a time - one foot in front of the other, one step forward, two steps back, THREE steps forward!