December

What's worth fighting for? Obviously, life, safety, health, love. What about a title? Stuff happening at work that is not great. It involves a change of title for me. I feel this is negating my experience and education. So is it worth making a fuss? Is it worth being the squeaky wheel that may possibly just get taken off the cart? Not sure. Obviously titles are enormously important to people. We just had an election for mayor. That's a title. What if they changed his title to "city hall representative"? Guessing he would not take it kindly.

I confess that I am feeling stressed to begin with. I am usually a lot further along with Christmas shopping than I am this year. Since Carol Ann's death, the season lost a bit of its lustre. I know it's been over a year, but the sights of that day are still with me. Also Penboy is older so there is none of the letter to Santa stuff and the anticipation he used to have. Of course, he wants presents and he'll be excited to get them, but he's not going to insist on baking cookies for Santa and leaving them along with milk on a table. Yes, I have the Christmas blues.

November

We have winter in the fall. Normally, I like these dark fall days, but not with -20 temps. The wind yesterday was insane and almost carried me (and I am quite portly).

Penboy's birthday was on the 13th. We celebrated with going to Ripley's Aquarium. It was not a cheap outing, I have to say, but it was absolutely spectacular. I don't like fish too much, but I enjoyed every part of it, especially petting stingrays.

So cool!

In crafting news, I made a baby blankie for my friend at work. I really have to get making the several jewellery projects I am planning too. Too many projects. Not enough time!

Back to School

Hard to believe summer is almost over. Mind you, the weather is very much steamy.

Vacation in Poland went by super fast. Up to the time we were sitting on the plane to Paris I didn't actually believe we were really going. Then it sunk in. :) Air France was a very uncomfortable ride. We had bulkhead seating, so I thought it would help with the leg room. It did, but then our trays and screens folded away into our seats, so the seats were smaller. I was really happy to get off that plane. The wait in Paris was interminable. I tried to do a little shopping and just bought a couple of keychain souvenirs and a scarf for my aunt because everything was SO expensive. Duty free prices are not what they used to be.

In Warsaw, seeing my aunt waiting was absolutely lovely! She is a very warm, energetic person and I felt immediately better seeing her (after 12 hours of travel). A bit of a kerfaffle with the hotel, but ultimately we got a very nice room, with a kitchenette. There was a grocery store downstairs, so we did breakfasts and suppers on our own. And coffee, tea, cookies and such. Food was amazing in Poland, fresh and tasty.

We were on the 10th floor on Grzybowska street (Mushroom street) and had a nice view.

The very next day we started visiting people and exploring. And continued for the next ten days. It was amazing. For me, it was a bit strange at times, I felt very connected to Warsaw, yet disconnected as well, seeing it for the first time not by myself, but through the eyes of Penboy and Mr. P.
We saw my beloved Wilanow.

And my beloved Saski Park.

And even made it to Krakow for the day.

It was amazing. I miss being there.

But now back to reality. Today is the first day of school and Penboy went off fairly willingly, so maybe that's a good start. And also Halloween is approaching which means Halloween crafts. Yay!

Are these the dog days?

The countdown is on. Less than a month to go until our trip. Nothing to do but wait right now. Too early to pack. Sigh.

Meanwhile, a Malaysian jet got shot down in Ukraine. I wish they would call a ceasefire or something, but look how well it worked for Gaza. So maybe no ceasefire.

The cute crochet elephant I am working on is turning out to be absolutely enormous. I was not expecting it to be that big. Maybe I am using slightly thicker yarn than I should. So far I made the head and ears and my yarn sewing needle broke.

We are supposed to paint Penboy's room tomorrow. It will be interesting with my costochondritis and shoulder pains. It has to be done sometime and I don't want to do it after we come back from our trip. He has requested white for the walls. I'm glad because that is what I grew up with. I know Mr. P is not a big fan, but after several years of coloured walls, I'm ready to go back to white or some sort of neutral.

So ready to be on vacay! Soon!

Summer days

I can't lie to, you hot, hazy weather is not my favourite. Today, even air con does not seem to be doing a good job of cooling the place off. On top of that, I've been suffering from costochondritis, or the like (self, diagnosed, of course - WebMD is my friend!) and am in pain most of the time. Does not make pengirl a happy girl!

In craft news, I have finally started on the crochet elephant. I guess I am using slightly thicker yarn, because it is turning out quite big. Here is what it's supposed to look like. Mine is all green, not rainbow.

You can get thee a free pattern here http://www.jammade.com/crochet-elephants/.

Almost Summer

Very little to report. Still waiting to hear about my dear friend's interment. If you can call it that, that is. It will be a cremation and the ashes will be sprinkled somewhere. Not sure where. It's depressing.

We've all been sick for weeks. Feel better now, but my body is all run down and I still have little ailments that bug me.

I guess, that good news is that it is finally nicer outside. It's sunny and warm and we've even had a few days of humidity.

And also - 70 sleeps (give or take) until Poland!!!! Can't wait.

Spring is here!

It seems that we finally have spring. Things have slowly started to bloom and there are tiny leaf buds on the trees. This winter was eternal.

True to form, once the weather gets nice, I get sick. All winter I'd been healthy, with not even a sniffle. Right now I feel like I want to crawl under a rock. Sinuses are about to burst. Sigh.

In other news, I am considering going red. I have been noticing a lot of redheaded women lately, and not just a tame reddish brown but true carrot tops. It might be a huge mistake, but I am getting ready to take the plunge. Like these ladies:

When will it end?

The winter, that is. When will it ever end? I am echoing the feelings of all Ontarians, I'm sure, when I say. I have had it!

I want flowers and spring and warm weather!

In other news, my husband is a very bad man. He bought cinnamon raisin bread and displayed it prettily on the counter. I love cinnamon raisin bread. My digestive system on the other hand, absolutely hates cinnamon raisin bread. So of course, I had a slice...toasted...with honey...OMG, yum! And now am suffering. Self-restraint and I are not friends. This is why I'm in debt. But working on it.

Interminable Winter

This winter is officially the worst. I'm sure I'm not the only one who feels this. I usually get my winter blahs, but this year it's pretty bad.

I want spring back!

This is what I want!

Found this pic of an amigurumi bunny I made for Penboy. Here is a pic.

 

It was my first foray into using safety eyes.