Jo Knits!

Happy 4th!

Four years ago, I started to blog, it was my way to vent out, to meet new people and just to write stuff to remember in the long run. At times blogging kept me sane, then I felt the need to cencure myself as some things I just didn't want anyone to know but mostly I have always been an open book. The kids grew a lot in these past four years and it's fun to go back and read some entries. The hardest entries are about Carl and I, those are still painful to remember when I read them. I can still feel the pain back then and at the moment we are living through some painful times still.

It's hard, it's tough but I never expected to pick up knitting along the way. I just got to read a few knitting blogs and wanted to do like those talented knitters. Sure I didn't get to be a fair isle expert, it was never my goal anyways. I have made great friends along the way and managed to lose quite a few too. Some of the people I consider my best of friends are moms that I have never even met. We have seen our children grow up and supported each other through many chat sessions.

To all that commented and emailed on/about my blog, I thank you. At times you have proven to be of great support, a great shoulder to rest on, your words have brought a smile on tough days and even tears of joys from the kindness of some email. I have been touched by the time people have taken to get in touch with me, even for just a quick hello. This is not the conventional knitting blog, I know that, this is my blog, my life and my emotions. It's my place to vent about life, the world and a few times about the kids too, being a mom and partner is a tough job and knowing that I am not alone makes some days easier to survive. ;)

hugs,

I did what?

Well I am just as surprised as some of you... after more than a month, I picked up the knitting needles and knitted for a few hours. I few things came together to make me do it, the knitting meeting, a pair of in progress socks that I would see each time I picked up my stitching project, the fact that I can't always stitch in the subway or at the park and reading Knitting Rules! at the book store didn't help either. I changed the heel I had made and did a basic flap heel instead, I just like the feel of it.

I felt bad not stitching that evening though and will resume back to stitching, I just won't put aside knitting completely either. I will continue when it's just not as practical to stitch and I will keep on making socks! I felt bad that I was mainly knitting just socks but so what? They are my socks to love and I am dang proud to wear them! LOL!

Perhaps I will fall in love with a pattern and get my full blown knitting mojo back but for now this is a-ok with me. I knit, I stitch and life as slowly getting back to where it should be. Then again, there are some more changes in the air but that's all in due time.

We went to a fair and the kids got to try out a few rides. We haven't gone to amusement parks with them, so these are pretty much the wildest rides they ever tried. LOL! The fun house is always a good ride so are the cars that bump into each other, the kids were on a track and because they were the last car, they kept bumping the one if front of them. Everyone had fun that's all that count! :)

hugs,

Lucky number 7!

Well it was bound to happen, I have tried wishful thinking but that didn't work. Overnight, just like that, Zoe turned seven years old. My big girl is a year older today (please click the picture to see a clearer version of it). Early on we knew we had a spirited child but what a wonderful spirit she has. Over the years she has shown me compassion, love for art and I think some of my love for figure skating rubbed off on her. Although I didn't know how much I liked it before she started skating.

She has shown me that losing doesn't always main failure, that simple things are sometimes better. I think some of our frugality tricks have proven to be good ones.

Through sniffles and chicken pox, she has always smiled, her eyes bringhten up our whole world and her smiles always make my heart melt.

To you Zoe, hope you have a very happy day and may we build many happy memories. You have often been my rock, you have been so sensible to my feelings, you have held my hand when I was hurting, you hugged me when I was blue, you even passed the tissues when I cried and for that I will always see you as my hero. Zoe, for 7 years you have made me a better person, even if I doubted myself along the way, you have shown me that someone can do crazy things out of love, just to see a smile. ;)

Love you Zoe,

Oops... Zoe's hairdresser (my mom) just rang at the door, the spa is about to open, manicures are offered to all girls and boys this morning. ;)

hugs,

Against the odds,

In my last post I wrote how life was tough right now and wouldn't get any easier. Well let me tell you it's been down right awful for a 24 hour period then, luckily it got better. Let's just say that hate is a very bad feeling to have and especially when it is felt towards a neighbour. I really thought that at one point in the day I was going to have a panic/anxiety or even a heart attack but I tried my best to stay calm and remain positive. Actually I had to remind myself to breathe slowly a few times as I could feel my heart pounding like crazy. Now all this is already in the past in a way but for me to get over it will take some time. Our neighbour had a personal vendetta towards our family and took the worst of times to steer it toward us. In a happy note we proved him wrong, (damn right we did!) he was wrong but police was involved and all we can do is wait for the future.

Carl is back (was back before all this exploded) and the kids couldn't be happier (of course), yet he now sees that it will take some time for them heal from his last 'escapade'. He's matured a lot recently and is starting to see that family IS important and that our couple deserves to be stronger than ever. It feels good to know he's been working at it, now I shall try to do the same.

A few days ago, I got a call that confirmed Zoe's soccer season just won't happen. It really annoys me because we were told one thing and then another happen, now her coach called and told me I better hurry to get my money back. Say what!? You messed up and I may be out of 100$? I think not... It's sad enough that Zoe looses out on the fun, Lucas is SO looking forward to starting his soccer. I'm hoping we'll find something else for Zoe, it's not fair what the soccer club did but I don't want my kid to feel like she has nothing to do all summer. My big girl is turning 7 next week and for now all my energy is put towards making it a great celebration. ;)

Perhaps I have something big for her up my sleeve, perhaps...

Broken

Quoting directly from Grey's Anatomy show of last sunday, my week can be resume to this: "I'm broken". This has been one long and tough week and it won't get any easier. I only started watch Grey's since around march and that was because I kept reading knitters blogging about the show, we'll it's good and I like! ;) Now I know that I missed a whole season, so I may ask for season 1 for my bday.

Something else broke too, the wrist band of my watch started to die. Can't say that I'm too sad, I bought this used Timex watch 2 years ago for 3$. So I'm thinking this may be a good way to used up some sock yarn and knit Boogie Time. God knows I've got more than enough sock yarn and right now I'd prefer not buy a wristband 'cause I am cheap and fishing for the watch in my pocket is driving my nuts. We have to go/get Zoe to/from school 4 times a day, so I am always checking the time throughout the day. Now if only I could process from thinking about knitting to actually doing it...

Little odds & bits, Zoe had a science fair at school and she did great with her submarine experiment. Also the whole school with two other schools had a sports day outside (on a great sunny day) with at least 10 huge blown up bouncers and slides for all the kids to enjoy. She lost a third tooth and the toothfairy totally forgot to leave a little message for her little borther. ACK! At least to fairy did remember to stop by... Lucas is SO eager to start soccer, he even received a regulated ball for his age from a neighbour, he keeps telling everyone it's a real soccer ball. LOL!

So that's pretty much it for now. Happy mother's day to all the moms out there!

A day like no other,

The weekend was a total bust, then today was an even worst day. A day that made me rethink my future and my kids future, doubt the present and wonder what is happening to us. Let's just say that expect the unexpected is now our new family motto. This was a good day to splurge on fair trade organic dark hot chocolate (I'm addicted to this but don't splurge often) and a fun magazine that was half priced. All I need would be a jaccuzzi and let the day's worries melt away. Oh well, back to my hot chocolate. LOL!

This little pinky went to the market! I am being good and only stitching two projects at a time. Can't start any bad habits like I have done for knitting! LOL! There are still many, many un-finished projects all around the house. Yet I haven't been near any knitting since that last alphabet blanket picture. I will most likely get back to knitting eventually, I mean how long can I stay away from dpn's and socks yarn. teehee! I'm just on my stitching high at the moment and it's been all fun. :) I have made slow progress on the baby sampler, with the sun out we have spent most of our days away from indoors.

I did however work exclusively on Zoe's fairy yesterday and made good progress. I am happy to be stitching something more than that dress. Luckily I still have another arm to do before stitching the second half of the dress. It's all good though, soon I will start on other parts of the fairy too. I do now understand more about overdyed threads, like they slow you down majorly. LOL! Already I am planning another project to make good use of some of the overdyed threads left overs. Who can pass up such a beautiful bookmark, right?

On a last note, I have been sadly surprised to see that some of my pictures were hotlinked at more than one website. I have renamed the pictures and resisted the urge to upload some nasty pictures for the bandwidth stealers. Either it's time for me to delete my archives or disable right-clicking on my blog. I really feal like some people didn't respect my own blog, sure some may not know about bandwidth stealing yet the same pictures were featured at a few different sites. Sheesh! I worked two hours on seeing how many of my pics were hotlinked, really it just made my day on top of all the rest of it....

hugs,

Stitch by stitch,

Happy may day! May 1st is celebrated in Europe and lily of the valley flowers are given to women especially for good luck. Years ago my mom's boss would always bring "muguet" to the office and give us each a branch of one of my favorite flowers. We would both dry it and keep it for luck for the whole year. We actually have some of these flowers in the yard but they haven't opened to celebrate today, soon though and we will treasure them just as much. :)

It's been a slow week, Lucas started a cold then shared it with Zoe so we pretty much stayed home. I did however advance on my fairy for Zoe project. This may not look like much but it's a big deal for me. I am using Jobelan evenweave fabric to stitch on at 28count aka this is my 1st non-aida project. I feel like such a kid in the big leagues right now. LOL! The fabric is really soft and fun to stitch on, already I have spent a few hours on it and hope to finish this part, being the dress, by the end of the week. I have worked a few hours on this and it is going along smoothly, just wish I stitched faster. ;)

I splurged a bit and bought yet another 'pattern', it's Permin of Copenhagen chart and I just love it. The hardest part was choosing between the blue and yellow flowers. ;) I have already bought all the floss needed (thanks to Fabricland's 40% off DMC) and the fabric in antic white.

Now back to the fairy so I can finish with her dress. :)