Mine

I turned 39 this week. I seem to be having trouble snapping myself out of birthday mode. When I went grocery shopping yesterday I bought two kinds of stinky cheese that I love....the kinds that if left to my own devices I would eat the entire block without batting an eye. In an attempt to keep the focus on myself a little longer I am posting this:


Ahhhh. The place where I rest my head every single evening. It is one of my favorite places in my home despite the fact that I rarely spend time in the space awake.


A painting made for me 5 years ago by my wonderful and talented Raine.


My Tea Leaves cardigan....the first item of clothing I have made for myself. Started in August with a long long roadtrip looming....finished on my birthday. A large sigh of relief could be heard throughout the house.

There...me, me, me. Things will be back to normal tomorrow.
Happy Sunday.

Note to self

It totally counts when one takes a look at a to-do list and quickly adds on things that were already done. Because they do count....even if said add ons include knitting or sewing.

Note to self

Always remember to have a small project on the go...a portable one that can be whipped into those precious moments where everything is going according to plan and everyone is happily occupied and for once you aren't. Small is the new big.

This moment

Note to self

Chill out! One day when your time is your own again, and your house is a shining example of order and serenity you will miss the noise and dare I say, the chaos.
You know its true!

a kind of revival

It started simply enough...with the gift of a ukulele. The idea born out of a love both for music and for a little girl.



Baby steps were encouraged, and then the hanging of both the ukulele and a guitar on the wall. Something on the "to-do" list for a very long time, all with the hopes of more music in our home. A new incentive has been introduced because of the beautiful instruments staring us in the face.



I look back now with the benefit of hindsight and realize that I have been missing out on music in my everyday for awhile now. While I am not sure how this situation came to be, I am certain a revival of sorts is in my future. With the arrival of my iPod (affectionately known as kPod) I now have the luxury of listening to all kinds of my favorite music while in my kitchen....which, let's face it, is where the majority of my time is spent. (Hey, maybe that was the beginning of my music deficit troubles....a radio only in the kitchen). I now have access to Green Day whenever the mood strikes. Or, the ability to listen to Slim Cessna's Auto Club and be transported to a certain club where I was privy to witness a band that doesn't dance, get lost in the moment.
I thankfully have been pulled back...saved from the brink. Music has been unleashed, and welcomed with open arms by both a little girl and her mama.

This moment

Note to self

On the days where it feels like the prospect of reading Madeline in London another thirty eight times or playing prince and princess over and over seems like too much, stop and ask if there is anywhere else you would rather be. Always, always the answer is a resounding "NO".

***By midweek I am tired. I need some reminding. That is the point of the "Notes to self". If anyone else cares to join in please feel free***

Kpod

So I find myself on the cutting edge of technology....from about 5 years ago. I have become the proud owner of a second-hand iPod thanks to my biggest girl. She kindly donated the archaic piece to help me on my quest for something or other. The conversation went something like this:

mom: Abbey, since you don't use it and you listen to music on your phone, how about selling your iPod to your kind and devoted mom.
Abbey: Sure, you can have it for $50.
mom: Okay, sounds great. Oh wait, except how do you put a price on all the years of cooking and doing laundry...blablabla.
Abbey: eyeroll.

So, I got an iTunes gift card for Christmas and began loading her up. Want to know what I chose? Well, I will tell you.
1. Metallica's version of "Whiskey in the Jar"- don't judge me.
2. Spirit of the West singing their hearts out on "Home for a Rest"....it reminds me of my university days
3. Canadian songmaster Gordon Lightfoot singing "The Wreck of the Edmond Fitzgerald" - tells a haunting story
4. Patrick Watson singing "Big Bird in a Small Cage" - a gentle kind of tune.
5. the classic by Pretenders "Back on the Chaingang" - you must understand this choice!
and last but not least "Fireworks" by the Tragically Hip - I find it funny when singers throw swear words into songs all sneaky like.

I loved the fact that I could buy songs and not entire records. I am not kicking it oldschool anymore. Look out 21st Century.
Anyone care to add some more musical suggestions for me?