Guilt-Ridden Post

I have so much to update about, but so little time (living in Florida for work, looking for a decent used car (big laugh there!) staying with my sister in our New Combined Yarn Studio Where I Sleep, attending a family Thanksgiving for the first time in 4 years and all sorts of stuff). Until my brain functions enough to allow me some time to type, entertain yourself with pictures of Erika in her new Tofutsies Sockies that she got for Christmas from The Best Aunt in the World and a photo from my Mom (not OF my Mom, just from my Mom).

The Pre-Christmas Party Dance Night

I'm starting to like this new job :)

p.s. since the movie's ending drove me nuts, I went out and bought the Golden Compass trilogy and I have to recommend it whole-heartedly.

Filmus Interruptus

I was just in the middle of the coolest film. There were child-heroes, action, adventure and cute, cuddly animals. I literally jumped out of my seat a couple of times, there were nearly tears towards the end, Nicole Kidman totally weirded me out (all systems normal there) and Sam Elliot was his typical reassuring self that made me feel safer for the characters he was around to save the day when necessary.

At the end of the big action scene, without pomp or circumstance, just a couple of lines from the kid actors.....the screen went dark and credits started rolling. I was soooo into this movie and the story and the characters and the whole world they built up. Cool graphics and scenery and everything

and now I'm left wondering if I just paid ten bucks for a trailer.....

p.s. That being said, I won't hold it against the nice characters, daemons and Sam Elliott. I can't wait for the sequel!!

p.p.s. Did anyone catch Lyra's hat? The bulkiest yarn known to man and a little elf peak in the back - how cute would that be for Christmas??!!

The Exorcism of My Stash

After a great weekend of family-time, yummy restaurant food and 2 yarn shop visits, I sat myself down to watch The Exorcism of Emily Rose and start another Foliage hat. During commercials, I started bagging my new yarn and remembered to restart the bagging of the yarn I brought back with me from Germany. I ran back to my bedroom every couple of minutes to grab more yarn out of the yarn suitcase to group and bag....until I touched the fateful Turkmenistan yarn. The yarn I wanted so badly but can't seem to figure out a project/use/purpose for. As I moved it aside to reach for better-looking, softer yarn, I saw three little brown bugs flutter up and land quietly back down on their brown planet of sustenance. The accused:

For a few short seconds I was too stunned to speak or move. Can't call Mum because she's asleep in England (stupid time difference!!) and my sister is working, so I decided to risk taking my grief outside of the family and call Alyson. Thank God I had to leave a message, I think it helped me sound less choked up than I was. We're talking about an infested ball of yarn lumped right on top of all the favorites I schlepped over from my 5 year history of knitting (Regia Silk, Wollmeise, Fleece Artist, something Mum picked up in Wales, handspun from Canada, a little local spinnery in Franconia's silk sock yarn, more sock yarn from France.....all of my little joys - can you tell I don't have kids yet??) Alyson heard my emergency message and rang back immediately.

The solution we came up with for now is the freezer:

but there was another idea thrown out there: to put all the yarn in a big black plastic bag and leave it in the sun to bake the critters, eggs and larvae out. Think I'll leave it all in the freezer for a night or two and then consider the sun/baking thing.

Right now, it's time for a drink....or two....SOB!

Happy Canadian Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving Mum!

She sent me a picture from her back porch on a beautiful Nova Scotian morning

Things to be thankful for:
- Motorcycle accident-nephew is recuperating well and will be able to graduate with his class.
- Bubba has lost some serious weight and is looking awesome!! Watch out girls ;)
- My super cool new job has me bustling back and forth from Florida (home of my Family and cool Friends) and Germany (where the hubby is holed up) - lots of people and great visits, not so nice on the ol' wallet (I think my stash has doubled)
- hubby's Dad got called out of retirement to take a year-long project in South Africa - I sure hope him and the missus are planning on lots of visitors :)
- I'm totally thankful for my new Kondenstrockner - it's like a clothes dryer but the damp doesn't get pumped out like at home, but instead the water is gathered into a little reservoir that you empty after every use. And the clothes don't get completely dry (or I haven't figured that out yet) but it's a sight better than hanging them on the line and praying for the best (quickest summer drying time: 1 hour - quickest winter drying time: 1 day).

Hope you all had a great day!