Is this weird?

Ok, something I've noticed about myself: When I'm supposed to be doing something (ie: studying), and I'm actually doing something else (ie: procrastinating), I find that I will not do anything useful (ie: cleaning or knitting) because I'm supposed to be studying. ........one more month of this class....

Why is that? Firmer goals need to be put in place methinks.

So, you may ask, what do I do instead? I go on the computer (ahem - not counting now...........), call someone, do dishes, insist I be the one to put the girlie to bed, bathe said girlie, run to the grocery store, etc.

Boy - this weekend (after my exam) will be a whirlwind of activity!

BTW - awesome Diocesan Youth Group on Sunday. We made Ukranian Easter eggs. They did such a super job! I liked watching the boys especially, as they were soooo proud of their creations. Youth rocks!

A Little Bit of This.....

It's the end of February and the snow is melting. A week ago, it was -45 with the windchill....just rotten, I tell you - but it's all good now!

As an addendum to my pre-Christmas post, Christmas lights were put up downtown - I believe my source may or may not have been smoking crack.

This year, thus far, has been a whirlwind of emotions and activity. I seem to be spending it studying, knitting, hanging with my family and worrying about church stuff.

My family has decided to switch churches. This was an extremely difficult decision to make as it is the church I've been going to since I was 8, we were married here, our daughter was baptised here and I work here. There are many reasons - some very personal and some because we felt that we were no longer left any options. We have felt for some time that there were problems at this church and even after speaking to them, we were left to feel unheard. Ironically, this is mutually exclusive and has nothing to do with the problems in the wider church.

We have begun going to a new Anglican church and I love it. There is lots of singing, with a strong focus on the little people of the parish. The children are made to feel so much a part of the parish - it's wonderful! One child gets to carry a cross downstairs to Sunday School, they light candles, there is a song 'just for them', they're having special events for Good Friday and Easter. Better yet - I don't have to plan them! There are many hands to make light the work. It's very refreshing.

The other aspect I love, probably the most, is the people my age(ish)!!!! Yes, you too can have people your age at a church! We attend house church every two weeks with about a dozen adults and about 15 children. The children play and we adults sing a few songs and work through a devotional book (currently on 1 Corinthians). Last time, the children skated in the front yard then watched movies. The older children look after the younger ones. I love this so much. (Did I say that already?)

Other than that, I'm mostly studying - only two more months in this course - I can't wait for it to be over.

Everyone's healthy, happy and looking forward.

"Awaken to the new day as a gift instead of as a given"

"Some of you may not be aware of something today, some news. It seems that we have been given as much as another day by God to be alive. Perhaps as much as one more day to know God, to love God, and to serve God. Perhaps as much as one more day" (The Rev. Curtis Almquist, SSJE, Superior).

Amazing. You can see more here.

We will break dividing walls......

There have been some things running through my mind as of late that I'd like to talk about. I welcome feedback. My husband told me this morning that they're not putting up the Christmas lights downtown this year so as not to offend the new Chinese workers at Maple Leaf. Also, in the paper, it said that they are not going to have the fully optional bibles handed out in Grade 5 anymore. There are many many examples but these are the two that are in my mind at present.

We are very concerned about not offending anyone. I am beginning to be offended. Anyone who knows me will say that I am a person who endeavours to be inclusive and welcoming. I'm a person who is curious and likes to see the way other people celebrate their customs. I think a person's cultural background and religion are things to be celebrated. My religion is now under constant fire under the guise of not offending.

When Chinese New Years celebrations take place, I enjoy seeing and/or taking part in what this cultural event has to offer. When i see a menorrah, I rejoice that this family is celebrating Hannukah. When I hear that Ramadan is beginning, I take time to think of all the people who are fasting all day and enjoying family celebrations in the evening. When I hear that there's a pow wow or Sun Dance happening, I revel in its deep roots (and actually wish I could be a part). I'm not offended in the least. Why can't we have the same, as Christians.

Let us celebrate one another's differences and maybe learn more of cultures and faiths that vary from our own. This is the path to peace - ignorance and walls are not....on all sides.

Youth truly does rock!

I'm fresh off a youth weekend at our church camp. I have been, for about two years, feeling really uninspired in my faith. After this weekend, I'm a mile high. The group, which was 10 young'uns and about the equal number of staff were all amazing.

The smaller group allowed for less pretense, meaning the kids didn't have to act all cool and none were trying to impress anyone. The guys especially floored me. They were chatty and really into talks and whatnot. The girls were great too...we got to spend some girl time, which was fun.

What stands out for me from the weekend was how well everyone gelled, especially my co-director and I. We just really seemed to be in sync this weekend. Another favourite thing was singing everything we could think of, the bonfire, playing Mission Impossible and genuinely hanging with the kids and my friends. I asked them if they wanted to have a diocesan youth group once a month, run by me and my youth partner and they said "YES!" so we've started up a Facebook group to see where this leads....to check out interest.

They are a blessing, without question.

Hide 'n Seek

Do you ever just feel like running away and hiding, perhaps with a book or your knitting? I'm kinda feeling like that right now. Tomorrow I start filling in for my friend, running the Sunday School. One might think that after having run the Youth Group (well, I might add) for about 4-5 years and helping with the SS prior to that, that this should be a snap. Well, I'm nervous. I THINK I have everything ready. I'm pretty sure I'll still be alive after tomorrow's class is over, as will the majority of the children... so, I don't know what it is.

I worry about the youth group too. I don't even know if someone's going to be teaching tomorrow. I can't let it get to me. I have to step back and "let God".

Maybe I'll teach them "here is the church, here is the steeple....". My daughter LOVES that one right now. LOL. Good work, you. Tangent complete.

Ahhhhh, routine....

It's fall. Ok, well, it doesn't officially start until September 21, but the activities begin somewhat before that. My office renos are pretty much complete, I'm done vacation, it's Homecoming at church this Sunday (when all good Anglicans come back from vacation), and I'm back in university. Oh! Roo is starting up swimming and gymnastics right away. I'm also running the Sunday School while the regular superintendent is taking a mini-mat leave....beautiful baby boy!! There sure is a lot going on right now.

I had my first class yesterday. I think it's going to be veeeeery interesting and applicable to daily life. It's a fundamentals of research in psychology course. It's going to partly be how to analyse and organize data. The lab is going to be all statistics. I have never taken statistics and I'd be lying if I said I wasn't nervous. I'm just going to have to work my butt off, and get help. No room for pride here.

Wish me luck!

Necrobiosis Lipoidica

Get this... 60 needles in my left leg. About a month ago, I had about 60 needles in my elbows and knees. It's a weird condition that makes me have red patches or rings and are really quite ugly but not contagious at all. I'm not sure if it's a vanity thing that I go through this torture (oh, and believe me! it is torture!), but I don't like the thought of people thinking I'm diseased and contagious, even though those thoughts are most likely all in my head. I think I've only had one person ask.

Time to expose myself...

Ok, I've been trying to hide it, but I just can't anymore. I'm a knitter, with a fetish for socks. I've done maybe 8 projects - 4 of which have been socks. That doesn't even count the 3 Christmas stockings! I've attached photos here. The pair below were my first ones, and probably my favourites. They are wool and I feel snazzy (heehee) when I wear them, which is as often as I can in the winter.





These ones are made from Opal Feelings self-striping yarn. Here's where you can get it. AAAAAAand....if one ball can make a pair for me (size 12), one ball should do anyone. The pattern for this was taken from my sock bible. If you have a sock fetish, as I do, you need this book. It makes socks in so many patterns and in any size and on any type of needles. Really....get it.



This is my official foray into snob yarn. For those of you who are not yet familiar with the term, let me enlighten you. Snob yarn is expensive and has some special element to it, such as it is hand-dyed or, like this one, has Aloe Vera right in the fibers. Yes, you heard me right. It's supposed to last for about 40 washes. They are sooooo soft. This is the start of them. I am making them for my friend, Teresa. Talk about self-sacrifice. Also, it's a toe-up pattern: the first I've ever done. I've also pooched the pattern. Six frogs so far (cuz I had to "ribbit" back - har).



I will also share with you my "big" project. It is called Sahara and I'm really nervous about it. Again, it's made with snob yarn - Pima Silk. Seriously, it feels like someone scrunched up some little kittens and made them into yarn....or harvested their fur -- whichever. I'm making it in 5137 and it's so soft and shiny, but not in a pleather way. Here's the progression thus far:



You can really see the silken shimmer. And this is what Sahara will look like when finished.......in theory (I'm doing the long-sleeved). I will endeavour to have less cleavages than suggested showing.

So there you have it. I think it's official - I'm an addict. Thanks Jen! ;)

Met a girl, cute as can be.....

My girls...one I've had for 3 and a half years and another who's a mere 9 weeks old. Here are the photos:




The picture of Roo is at Kitchee Manitou in Sprucewoods Provincial Park. It's a really great place for little kids. The water stays so shallow for so long. There're also some really nice camping spaces we may have to try out too!

The other pics are of our newest little girl, Mabel. She's a Collie/Lab/Shepherd cross and she's really easy-going. Our older dog, Murphy, isn't too keen on her yet but at least he is no longer threatening to eat her. He's not all that fond of other dogs. If anyone has any special tips, I'd be happy to hear 'em. I like watching the reaction of people when they find out her name....overall - not too fond of it. We think it's cute. I'm taking her to camp with me next week. Roo's going to go nuts without her puppy and her mom around. Awwh.