Busy Weekend

This weekend is one of those "snowball" weekends. It started with babysitting my beautiful niece on Friday, where plans started. My brother was supposed to come over to help Travis put up the cabinet over the toilet, then he needed some help moving a few things to the basement, and I was going to watch Dyllian while they took out their garden. I was planning to meet a friend for coffee first, and then when that was done, meet up with everyone at my brothers house to do the work there. Easy enough....

Then, Saturday came. I cleaned the house, and put away all the stuff from the old cabinet so the new one could go in. Then we thought we would investigate the smell from the sink that has been around for a few weeks. We managed to get the trap off of the drain (note: a bow saw for trees does not work well for cutting abs pipe, and the dremmel tool makes a horrible smell cutting same pipe). It was quite gross what we found....Having not done any plumbing ourselves, but not scared of the work, we called in an "expert" (aka Dad) for some advice. While waiting for Dad to arrive, we shut off the water to the taps (which we then found out was not easy - those taps were in rough shape, so we figured they should be replaced too - how hard can that be?) See the snow ball effect yet???

Well, with the water shut off, the pipes cut, the next logical step was to take the sink out....and then with the sink out, why not take out the ugly vanity....I was showering at this point to get ready for my coffee meeting, and was just dressed and ready when dad got there. At this point, all that remained in the bathroom was a pipe coming up from the floor (yes, the drain is in the middle of the floor, not out of the wall like normal bathrooms), a toilet and a bathtub. No plan, just empty. And the wall was in rough shape (they had wallpapered the wall behind the old vanity, and put tile for a back splash, but it was right on the dry wall - so the top layer of drywall had been peeled off in the process of removing it. That would have to be fixed!

So, without a bathroom, off I went to coffee, Travis and Dad went shopping for plumbing supplies. I got home, and we had new shut off valves installed, and all the necessary pieces to redo the drain on a new sink (which we didn't yet have). We went to Jon and Sherri's to do the garden and other things, and made it home with time for a hot bath, and an early bed time.

Sunday involved shopping for a new vanity (limited to what was in stock, but 4 stores later, we had one). While Travis was putting it together, I was patching the wall with many, many layers of drywall filler. Then we waited for my brother to show up to help put the counter top and sink on (its granite, so too heavy for me). We got it on, FINALLY put up the cabinet over the toilet (the only thing that was planned for the weekend), but not before it slid down the wall and breaking the lid of the toilet in half. And those plumbing supplies that was supposed to be all we needed? Yeah - missing the piece to take the sink drain into the trap...so I have water, and a bucket under the sink, just in case we forget we don't have a drain :)

By 7 last night, most of the bathroom was cleaned up (again), and we are almost back in business...just need a drain!

Oy!

August Long Weekend

Well, another long weekend came, and went (faster than usual this time - odd). Travis and I spent the weekend at the lake with my parents. It was nice and relaxing, although not all that warm :(

Travis helped out dad by cutting the lawn (coulda used a combine rather than a lawn mower -it was that tall). He somehow managed to throw up a rock (it's the lake...with lawn) and it hit his knee, cutting it open. We got him cleaned up, and he went on to build a floor with dad for the well house. Not much keeps my man down! It was a productive day (and sadly, the only day with semi-warmish weather). Mom and I went shopping while the building was taking place. Found lots of treasures at the craft store, but only came home with some lotion and a cute change purse.

Travis and I brought up ribs for the BBQ, so we rubbed them down, put the smoke pouches on the grill, and 3 short hours later, had some pretty amazing ribs! MMM.....smokey, sweet goodness. We also make some bacon and blue cheese warm potato salad. A very tasty meal! I made some lemon sorbet for dessert to round out the meal.

Sunday, Travis and I took off to Waskesiu for the day. I HATE driving on gravel roads, so once we got past the 20 minutes or so of gravel, I started to relax and enjoy the drive, a bit. MAN - has Waskesiu gotten expensive! $7.80/person (yes, per person, not per car) just to get in! We found a place to park the car, and started the tour. Travis had never been there before, and I wanted him to see it all. We took in all the shops, found lots of neat (although expensive) stuff, managed to control myself and not buy anything, and then took a break for some lunch. After checking out all the local restaurants, we finally found one that was not charging over $12 for one burger, and decided to eat there. After our meal on the deck (it was starting to spit, so all the tables inside were taken, so we sat outside...it was only spitting, so to say we got wet was a stretch, but the wind was a blowin'), we carried on to the golf course, then to the river, and finally the marina. We got so many pictures (I think near the end of the day, every picture was a bonus, because we didn't know which one would be our last). I'll have to process some of the pictures, and get them posted (Travis takes them in RAW, so I need to edit them to put them into jpeg). Our last stop (before gas) was Elk Ridge - what a beautiful golf course and hotel! Some day we'll stay there....when we win the lottery!

After a long drive (and yes, on the gravel - one of these days I'm going to put my nails through the dash from grabbing it so tight), we got home to a wonder smoked chicken mom and dad did on the BBQ, and with all the fresh air, I don't recall it being a late night for anyone.

Its always tough to leave the lake, knowing that work is what waits for you at home, but we packed up, and headed back on the road around noon yesterday. It was a long drive, especially with a whiney cat in the back seat. I was happy to be home, be able to sleep in my own bed, with my own pillow! Spent the evening crocheting a baby blanket while Travis caught up on his video game time :) It was relaxing and nice...

That alarm went off way too early this morning...the early shift sucks.

Good Morning

yeah - NOT! I get into work this morning, and my outlook no workey....get that fixed so at least it opens without crashing, and then the server is down...but only for a short list of us "lucky" ones...so the last email I can see is from Feb 28th....not much use to me now! And all this AFTER I take the time to empty my inbox of the junk because I was exceeding my limit. All those emails I deleted are now back, waiting for me to deal with yet again. And all the ones I got at the end of the day yesterday that need my attention...not there. So, what to do?? Patiently wait for the server folks to get it working, and in the mean time, fill my time with other things...Ravelry?? Facebook?? Blogging (well, we can see which one won the battle).

Life continues at home. Wanting this weather to smarten up - just as we get 1 nice day for spring to tease us, Mother Nature rears her ugly head and bring us cold and rain. While I'm sure my lawn appreciates the moisture, it needs a trim. Maybe this weekend?? Travis is itching to try out the new mower, so hopefully.

Knitting continues...will it ever be done? Doubt it, but a gal's gotta have a dream! I'm already on the hunt for the next project (somehow the list keeps growing - wasn't it my resolution to finish one project before I start another?? I think I failed that months ago). Only one baby blanket to go, my poncho may wait until fall..my queue on ravelry keeps growing...I need more time/money to keep up with the habit.

Running has been postponed - something about a swollen/sore knee is keeping me from hopping aboard the treadmill the last few nights. Maybe if I sneak on there tonight, the knee won't know, and will let me get a good 5KM in....that July 1st 10km is coming up real quick! Sure do miss it! While I have no fear of running 10km, I don't want to be begging for death at the end of it. 2 months is more than enough time to prepare....right??

Weekly Update...

So, since I can't seem to get my crap together to post more often (which I do feel bad about - really, I do), I'll just have to cram as much as I can into this one :)

Yesterday was the shower for my sister in law. Mom and I had gotten together earlier in the week to create, in my opinion, the most fabulous diaper cake ever!



As well, I completed the Honeycomb stroller blanket for the little one. Sherri was pretty pleased with it, and her sisters were impressed with its softness and colors. Yes, the retard in me came through, and neglected to take a picture of the finished product (that's TWICE I've done that now), so you'll just have to be happy with the in progress shot until baby arrives!



I have other wonderful knitterly items for the baby, but as I know what it is, and not all at the shower do, I didn't want to ruin the surprise by presenting them there. I do have pictures of them, and will post them once they have been given to the little one.

While on the topic of all things knitted, I did manage to finish Dudley, the Grumpy Old Bear. I attempted to take pics with my webcam at work, but they didn't turn out well. As you can see, he has already found a great home with out own "baby"...



Knitting continues on other projects - I have one more baby blanket to finish, so baby face cloths, and then my poncho...will that ever get done?? The weather has been crap lately, which allows for me to keep on knitting (once it warms up - that's it, I'm outside!). I should finish the current project soon, and then on to other things.

I went to the Phantom of the Opera last night!! WOW = truly amazing! I got tickets for mom and I for her Christmas gift, and as it turns out, the date of the show was her birthday, so it was a two for one! We both really enjoyed it - we don't get to do many mother/daughter things like that, and we both do love going to the theatre. I wish there was more opportunity to see plays together, but not may good ones come through this city. Phantom has always been my favorite, and this is the first time I've been able to see it. I wish I could go see it again - it was THAT good! Kept me on the edge of my seat, and the music/singing was better than I could have imagined! I had goose bumps at the beginning when those famous chords came from the pit, and the chandelier was being hoisted up. All I can say is WOW!

Well, off to update my Ravelry page, and then to do some knitting! Later Gaters!

Wow - Time Flies

So, it's been nearly a month since my last post. Lots has happened in the last bit. In other words, it's BABY MONTH! Yup, despite my careful planning to ensure everyones baby gifts are knitted and completed on time, some babies showed up EARLY! We are at 5 and counting! So far, we have:
- Beckett James, March 24
- Evan Norman, March 30 (6 weeks early)
- Abigail Olivia, April 1
- Marissa Jordan, April 4 (two weeks early)
- Zayden Ray-J, April 9

So far, only one baby has received their gift (it was the only one I've seen so far, and she was only slightly early). So, I'm madly playing catch up to get the rest completed.

Who was the lucky one to receive their gift?? That would be Marissa (Amanda and Jordan are those proud parents). She is the lucky recipient of the Hooded Bear blanket, a pink stork face cloth, a rubber ducky face cloth, and the multi color Elefante. I'm hoping to get to see Marissa again real soon, and get a photo of her with her gifts (she was feeding last time I saw her, and her proud papa was the one to open the gift).

-- edit --

Here is a picture of the blanket I made for Marissa...



Well, that's it for now. I'm in a Blogging Workshop at the moment, so I may want to pay attention (for now).

So far, So Good

Mouse had a good visit at the Vet's yesterday, and he got his first shot of insulin last night. The vet is hopeful that he'll only have to be on insulin for a few months, and then we can just control it with diet. I'm hopeful for that too, since I don't do well with needles. Travis is the one who is giving him the shots. I'm able to fill the needles, but I can't bring myself to poke Mouse. So far, the needles don't seem to phase him too much - he hardley notices them, and Travis is pretty quick with giving them too.

That's it for now!

it was a long weekend

And a not very happy one at that. We found out that Mouse has type 2 diabetes, and we will have to start giving him insulin. We are not very happy about that, but at the same time, it could be worse. The vet is optimistic that in time, he will be off insulin, and just on diet. While the thought of giving him needles makes my stomach turn, we'll just have to suck it up and do it to make him feel better. I just hope that we can get him through the needle stage quickly and on to diet so that its less stress for the little guy. We stayed home as much as we could to be with him, since stairs are not that easy for his weak hips. He can't get up on the bed on his own, but he can jump down on his own. I hope that once we get everything sorted out, his muscle strength comes back so he can be "normal" again. Its been so long since we've have 'normal' pets, that we've forgotten what it's like.