tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-180824482024-03-07T02:44:28.496-05:00Wendy wonders...A collection of capricious and crafted thoughts.Wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09260964684437031952noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18082448.post-41731182830535490922010-12-31T00:21:00.000-05:002010-12-31T00:21:42.339-05:00Wendy's Bucket List...so far!As promised, here is my bucket list. I'm quite sure I'll be making changes to it as time progresses - hopefully adding and crossing off as I complete each item.!<br />
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It was easier to put together than I thought it would be (thank you Google!) but the hard part is actually going to be assigning time lines to each item; I'm going to look at that part as fun though - otherwise, what's the point of having an item on my list, right?<br />
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Wendy’s Bucket List<br />
<br />
1. Visit Iceland with my husband…in the summertime!<br />
2. Visit the Outer Hebrides, Skye, Shetland and Orkney in Scotland with my husband<br />
3. Visit Ireland with my husband<br />
4. Visit the Grand Canyon with my husband<br />
5. Swim in the Great Barrier Reef with my husband<br />
6. See the Northern Lights (the Aurora Borealis) with my husband<br />
7. Visit the Fjords of Norway with my husband<br />
8. Visit Sweden with my husband<br />
9. Visit California with my husband<br />
10. Visit Cesar Milan’s Dog Psychology Center with my husband<br />
11. Mush a Dog Sled with my husband<br />
12. Go whale-watching with my husband<br />
13. See a platypus and a koala bear<br />
14. Exercise for 30 minutes daily<br />
15. Have a good belly laugh daily<br />
16. Have a 60-minute massage monthly<br />
17. Meet and have a meal with all the members of Duran Duran<br />
18. Meet and have a meal with Sir Richard Branson<br />
19. Master conversational French<br />
20. Master conversational Italian<br />
21. Learn how to ice skate backwards<br />
22. Complete some kind of solo athletic competition<br />
23. Play my flute in front of an audience<br />
24. Take singing lessons<br />
25. Race a sports car<br />
26. Drive an 18 wheeler truck<br />
27. Learn to sew<br />
28. Learn to knit faster and more efficiently (so that I can start and finish more fun stuff!)<br />
29. Prepare healthy, delicious meals daily<br />
30. Become a better cook<br />
31. Host more dinner parties (with and without my husband)<br />
32. Make a difference in at least one person’s life<br />
33. Donate a million dollars to a charity of my choice (anonymously or not)<br />
34. Make loans to entrepreneurs in developing countries through www.kiva.com<br />
35. Donate blood<br />
36. Mentor someone at work<br />
37. Own a cottage and a beach house with my husband<br />
38. Spend a week at a 5-star spa with my girlfriends on an annual basis<br />
39. Go to an auction at Christie’s or Sotheby’s<br />
40. Have “High Tea” at the Plaza Hotel in New York, or perhaps at Fortnum & Mason in London with my girlfriends or my husband<br />
41. Become an art collector<br />
42. Sleep in a castle with my husband<br />
43. Own an island with my husband<br />
44. Be recognized as an authority in my field<br />
45. Be a world-renowned expert in my field<br />
46. Be the best in the world in my field<br />
47. Leave a valuable contribution in my area of expertise<br />
48. Start my own business<br />
49. Invent something<br />
50. Become an interior designer<br />
51. Design furniture<br />
52. Be a clothes designer<br />
53. Become a life coach<br />
54. Become a stand-up comedian<br />
55. Become a teacher or college professor<br />
56. Have my blog make it into the Technorati top 1000<br />
57. Be highly influential on Social Media<br />
58. Make a six-figure income from my online ventures<br />
59. Become financially literate<br />
60. Create a financial strategy<br />
61. Invest in the stock market<br />
62. Create enough passive income so that I don’t have to work another day in my life<br />
63. Become a millionaire<br />
64. Become a billionaire<br />
65. Create a corporation to protect my assets<br />
66. Have a child (or two!)<br />
67. Raise happy and healthy children with my husband<br />
68. Create a trust fund for my children<br />
69. Create a home with an inviting, joyous, comfortable, loving atmosphere<br />
70. Pass on a family heirloom to your children<br />
71. Create a coat of arms for your family<br />
72. Write a letter to each of my children telling them what I want them to know about my life and the lessons I’ve learned<br />
73. Adopt a dog from the animal shelter<br />
74. Design my ideal home with:<br />
a. A rose covered gazebo in the backyard<br />
b. A fireplace<br />
c. A meditation room<br />
d. A large kitchen with wooden floors<br />
e. A breakfast nook<br />
f. A herb garden<br />
g. A sauna<br />
h. A whirlpool bathtub<br />
i. A home office<br />
j. A pool<br />
k. A well-stocked pantry<br />
l. 4 guest bedrooms<br />
m. A scented linen closet<br />
n. A nursery<br />
o. A craft room with lots of space for friends to hang out in and visit<br />
p. A library filled with lots of books<br />
q. A movie theatre in the basement<br />
r. A fabulous view from the living room<br />
75. Spend a week at a Silent Retreat<br />
76. Have a happiness project<br />
77. Release negative emotions and limiting beliefs<br />
78. Allow myself to make mistakes<br />
79. Discover my life’s purpose<br />
80. Learn not to take what others do or say personally<br />
81. Figure out my priorities<br />
82. Learn to act within my sphere of influence and stop worrying about things which are not within my control<br />
83. Kick negative habits (overeating, watching too much television, spending too much time on the internet)<br />
84. Have a reiki session every other month<br />
85. Attend one of Anthony Robbins’ weekend events<br />
86. Attend one of Louise L. Hay’s weekend events<br />
87. Attend a Native American Sweat Lodge Ceremony<br />
88. Learn to say “no” without feeling guilty<br />
89. Experience bliss<br />
90. Find inner peace<br />
91. Learn to forgive<br />
92. Do all the lessons in “A Course in Miracles”<br />
93. Heal my past<br />
94. Learn to live in the now<br />
95. Practice yoga weekly<br />
96. Meditate daily<br />
97. Learn CPR<br />
98. Call/visit family and friends more often<br />
99. Visit the AGO monthly<br />
100. Read all the books I own<br />
101. Be nominated and win the $5,000 shopping spree and style advice on TLC’s ‘What Not to Wear’<br />
102. Consult a personal stylist<br />
103. Visit my hairdresser every other monthWendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09260964684437031952noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18082448.post-59523266282599278262010-12-29T23:44:00.001-05:002010-12-29T23:52:14.846-05:00A bucket listA lot has happened to me since my last post in June 2009. I got engaged to my wonderful man, travelled a lot for work, worked a helluva lot, got really sick, had an operation to alleviate the sickness, got married and am now currently looking for a new job. <br />
<br />
Now that 2011 is almost here, I've been seeing a lot about creating a bucket list as opposed to the usual resolutions list. This is an interesting concept as the bucket list doesn't specify timelines - only things to do before you kick the bucket. This seems far more doable than resolutions which, let's be honest, are seldom completed.<br />
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So, dear friends, I'm going to come up with my own bucket list and post it on this here blog for all to read. I don't promise that it'll be anything movie or biography worthy, but I hope it'll make you stop and think about where you are in your own life and what you'd like to accomplish before you die.<br />
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Until then...enjoy yourself and live life to the fullest!<br />
Wendy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdpYA7JO-YWjZMfXyehyAoSdiNIy4avSHy4SscwAXdtx5JBje3X6xW3xGLXH9Gi1hsWKU05yhuhWwQn9pUtZOP0m5AEChzfFBoa-zmIaCtSw7GQPWyuYdDEF8NNxR9G587T8Af/s1600/2011-happy-new-year-graphic-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:right; float:right; margin-left:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="143" width="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdpYA7JO-YWjZMfXyehyAoSdiNIy4avSHy4SscwAXdtx5JBje3X6xW3xGLXH9Gi1hsWKU05yhuhWwQn9pUtZOP0m5AEChzfFBoa-zmIaCtSw7GQPWyuYdDEF8NNxR9G587T8Af/s200/2011-happy-new-year-graphic-5.jpg" /></a></div>Wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09260964684437031952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18082448.post-54820582341985194592009-06-14T22:22:00.001-04:002009-06-14T22:24:54.127-04:00A tale of lost and found mojo...of the knitting varietyI have to confess that, since my last post, I lost my knitting mojo. <br /><br />I gave up on the ‘Le Slouch’ beret – the moss seed stitch drove me crazy and after a good friend fixed it for me for what seemed like the 50th time, I finally admitted defeat and gave it up. Then I tried a dishcloth and cast on/frogged out so many times, I was driving myself crazy. And so, I just stopped knitting. Yes, it’s a crazy thing, but I did. It drew comments from my Stitch N Bitchers who were worried that I might have given up for good.<br /><br />Luckily, The Naked Sheep saved me. Well, more specifically, the class they advertised in late May did! As you may remember, one of my goals for 2009 was that I promised myself to learn two new knitting techniques and the opportunity presented itself in the form of combination knitting. I confess that I didn’t know who Annie Modesitt was or what the heck combination knitting meant – I only knew that this was my chance to learn something new and hopefully get my mojo back.<br /><br />I arrived with a friend for Annie’s class last Wednesday and from the moment we walked into the store, she was making me chuckle with her wit and keeping me totally entranced with her knitting wisdom.<br /><br />So what is combination knitting? Here’s a link to Annie’s <a href="http://www.modeknit.com">site</a> (as I think she best explains it). It’s actually not so hard – it feels like a more natural way to knit for me and I definitely embraced it. The one challenge is learning to translate patterns which are written for Western knitting so that I can work them in combination style.<br /><br />That’s all for now – I hope everyone had a chance to participate in Worldwide Knit in Public Day yesterday or today!<br /><br />Happy knitting!Wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09260964684437031952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18082448.post-83792378106396773272009-02-16T20:48:00.007-05:002009-02-16T20:55:23.729-05:00Stash-onomicsAll this economic talk is starting to get me down – either that or it’s watching ‘Confessions of a Shopaholic’ and realizing that I need to get serious about my finances.<br /><br />So, in recognition of these tough economic times, I will commit myself to using nothing but my stash items between now and the end of the year. I will find patterns for each type of yarn in my stash and post this on my Ravelry site so that when I get bored with one thing, I can easily pick up another. This is sounding a bit ‘new-year’s resolution-y’, I know, but I really feel the pressure to be more fiscally responsible. And with President Obama’s first visit to Ottawa happening this Thursday, it seems kinda fitting that I get my financial house in order (and seeing as Obama is following me on Twitter, I feel even more pressure to live up to his expectations!).<br /><br />While I’m at it, let me update you on my NYE 2009 Resolutions:<br /><br />1. Finish my purple cardigan by March – ha, ha, ha!!!!! ‘Nuff said.<br />2. Work out 2 – 3 times a week – I’m doing this! Have a great trainer!<br />3. Bag my own lunch 3 – 4 times a week – Good some weeks, but overall, not great.<br />4. Prepare dinner at home 4 – 5 times a week – oh please…<br />5. Lose weight (it wouldn’t be a resolution list without it, BUT I am particularly committed to this resolution in 2009) – hmmm…will have to wait still but I’m going to step up my cardio classes once the training sessions are done.<br />6. Learn two new knitting stitches/techniques – I will count the use of DPNs as one new technique learned.<br />7. Go to a yoga class twice a month – I recently met my yoga guru at my gym and am seeing him once a week.<br />8. Get a massage once a month – I’ve got to get on this one!<br />9. Spend quality time with friends and family – trying!!!<br />10. Be genuine and present wherever I am and whatever I am doing – Is it wrong to say that I’m bored by some people and that maybe I shouldn’t be mentally present when I’m in their company???<br /><br />On a final note, despite the rough start, Le Slouch is looking pretty good and I hope to have it finished in the next couple of weeks so I can take advantage of the crap, cold weather that is still in store.<br /><br />Looking forward to President Obama's first Canadian visit, I wish you happy whatever!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://media.comicvine.com/uploads/1/15562/613804-barack_obama_and_progress1_small.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 50px; height: 50px;" src="http://media.comicvine.com/uploads/1/15562/613804-barack_obama_and_progress1_small.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>Wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09260964684437031952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18082448.post-52148065306626846872009-02-02T22:00:00.007-05:002009-02-02T22:13:14.729-05:00Groundhog Day!Happy Groundhog Day, readers!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://korean.wunderground.com/data/wximagenew/p/pincollector1/14.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 522px; height: 480px;" src="http://korean.wunderground.com/data/wximagenew/p/pincollector1/14.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />It's been about a month since I lasted posted and no, I haven't begun to knit either side of the purple cardigan. Instead, I've started <a href="http://www.knitandtonic.typepad.com/leslouchrev.pdf">'Le' Slouch'</a> with the leftover purple yarn from the Doctor Who scarf. <br /><br />While at The Knit Cafe's high tea yesterday, Lisa and Cristina suggested that as I had passed my first finish date for the cardigan, that I should consider my new finish date to be Christmas 2009. I don't want to give up hope for the cardigan, but now that I've actually printed the pattern for the front, it's a bit more intimidating than I could have know when I started it. But hey, if I can go to my first step class at the gym and make it through the whole 55 minutes (with really no grasp on the moves), I can get this cardigan finished before this Christmas.<br /><br />I'd like to be able to finish the hat in the next few weeks so that I can take advantage of Wiarton Willy's predictions of an extended winter - off to knit like the wind! And in case you're wondering, yes, this is the REAL Wiarton Willy!Wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09260964684437031952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18082448.post-27547659802156135632009-01-02T09:50:00.002-05:002009-01-02T10:54:32.004-05:00I joined Knit Picks!<script type="text/javascript" src="http://widgets.clearspring.com/o/483ec89d3823f260/495e29b977c6346f/483ec89d28fd4e4c/2707035c/widget.js"></script><br /><br />Well, I've clearly been going knit crazy over this holiday! Not so much with my knitting projects as with all things knit on the web! I've joined quite a few new knit sites in addition to Knit Picks. I've discovered all kinds of cool classes going on across Toronto in January and February and I took some time to clean up my SnB's message board (yes, I trolled through all 15 pages of it!).<br /><br />So, now, it's time to sit back, make myself some tea and get my knit on!Wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09260964684437031952noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18082448.post-19746428988738063602008-12-29T10:58:00.008-05:002009-01-02T10:55:43.225-05:00Resolutions and challenges for 2009I haven’t consciously made any resolutions in the last few years, but I feel inspired to make some for 2009 – the biggest influence for this decision being the BF as I have come to realize that men, despite their age, need a woman to guide them. Just ask any woman with a good man in her life how often he’ll go grocery shopping on his own (although I hear that changes once children enter the picture – thanks for the heads-up Sandi!). Men need to be lead by example – no amount of cajoling or persuading will entice the average man to change (no matter how wonderful he is) – he needs to see you commit to the change first before he’ll commit himself.<br /><br />So, in no particular order, here are my resolutions for 2009:<br /><br />1. Finish my purple cardigan by March.<br />2. Work out 2 – 3 times a week.<br />3. Bag my own lunch 3 – 4 times a week.<br />4. Prepare dinner at home 4 – 5 times a week.<br />5. Lose weight (it wouldn’t be a resolution list without it, BUT I am particularly committed to this resolution in 2009).<br />6. Learn two new knitting stitches/techniques.<br />7. Go to a yoga class twice a month.<br />8. Get a massage once a month.<br />9. Spend quality time with friends and family.<br />10. Be genuine and present wherever I am and whatever I am doing.<br /><br />The biggest challenge with most of my resolutions is that I do have to incorporate the BF into them. It’s hard enough to be accountable to yourself, but adding the BF into the equation is going to be really challenging. But as the old expression goes, “You’re never lead into anything you can’t handle” – I’ll keep you posted on this as we progress through 2009!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www1.istockphoto.com/file_thumbview_approve/6149793/2/istockphoto_6149793-happy-new-year-2009.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 380px; height: 253px;" src="http://www1.istockphoto.com/file_thumbview_approve/6149793/2/istockphoto_6149793-happy-new-year-2009.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>Wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09260964684437031952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18082448.post-4271419484613497772008-11-03T21:41:00.004-05:002008-11-03T21:46:37.192-05:00With all endings, come new beginningsI spoke to a long-time friend this evening. Not really an amazing feat, but when you consider that I've known her since we were 12 and that I haven't spoken to her since January of this year, it's amazing that you can pick up almost where you left off. Although, picking up where you left off isn't always an amazing thing. Especially when the drop-off point wasn't the greatest. <br /><br />Sigh...<br /><br />Endings are always hard. They are uncomfortable. It can make your stomach hurt and distract you. But, endings always herald a new beginning and I'm going to try my hardest to let this new beginning happen as naturally as possible. I'm not going to orchestrate it or try to direct it - I'm just going to let the friendship go where it wants (and needs) to go.<br /><br />'Nuff said...I'm picking up my knitting needles...Wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09260964684437031952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18082448.post-74721823690376912452008-10-26T20:54:00.005-04:002008-10-26T21:08:57.632-04:00Kicking it into high gearWith the fall weather definitely here, it's time for me to kick my knitting into high gear. I've set December 23rd as my deadline to finish the cardigan and I’m using some non-knitting literature as my inspiration. <br /><br />I picked up a copy of ‘<a href="http://www.stephencovey.com/">The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People’ by Steven Covey</a> and am on my first ‘read-through’. I can definitely say that the words have far more meaning for me now than when I first read it in 1998. Back then, I had only just started my career and had no idea what I wanted to do and how I wanted to accomplish it. With 10 years more experience under my belt, I’m finding that this book is not just resonating with how I want to conduct my professional life, but it’s impacting all facets of my life.<br /><br />It’s funny how you can come back to an idea years later and have it make more sense to you now than it did then. It works in the opposite way too – I’ve realized that there are some people and ideas that just don’t work for me anymore and I’ve had to acknowledge that ending and say goodbye.<br /><br />In terms of finishing this cardigan, Covey stresses that you have to begin with the end in mind. And so, I begin this project by knowing that it will be finished by December 23, 2008 – just in time for me to wear it for the Christmas holiday!Wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09260964684437031952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18082448.post-12419101976723497112008-10-12T10:11:00.004-04:002008-10-12T10:14:04.937-04:00My first cardigan!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho0Ubd4fDybGHDDwfUG_3z-cblcw7hR64jSim5XLBjn2NLE4tD3DJuDgL4imt2CUFwVwzmzZWxM_rdfz9L5qPfBs17gvECe9dtNdweOJjmwIDYSug03UdyGuNP6v77v26jeAn4/s1600-h/Cardigan.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho0Ubd4fDybGHDDwfUG_3z-cblcw7hR64jSim5XLBjn2NLE4tD3DJuDgL4imt2CUFwVwzmzZWxM_rdfz9L5qPfBs17gvECe9dtNdweOJjmwIDYSug03UdyGuNP6v77v26jeAn4/s320/Cardigan.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5256270137547625714" /></a><br />How exciting! I'm working on my first cardigan and have almost finished the back panel. <br /><br />I'll keep updating the progress of this piece as I begin/complete each section. My goal is to be wearing it over this Christmas break - wish me luck!Wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09260964684437031952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18082448.post-52328273245616676552008-08-14T16:38:00.003-04:002008-08-14T16:43:41.024-04:00The saga of the baby hat continues<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrUp_S6GUW0Fnj6lqhKjUNkGQIfF6UGTrFZtY_hyphenhyphen_8iw-tIkT1XBw3fV_og1fqnKX7Rm6QLMD0UJeCi2fCtPm9AF2C9NHE2BXLCkC8ZBnvGG4OXCbAgaV0JbDIUB8Fpd7FdXj3/s1600-h/chimp.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrUp_S6GUW0Fnj6lqhKjUNkGQIfF6UGTrFZtY_hyphenhyphen_8iw-tIkT1XBw3fV_og1fqnKX7Rm6QLMD0UJeCi2fCtPm9AF2C9NHE2BXLCkC8ZBnvGG4OXCbAgaV0JbDIUB8Fpd7FdXj3/s200/chimp.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5234476817559102706" /></a><br />I finished the baby hat but I'm not celebrating. I realized halfway through the decreases that I wasn't following the pattern correctly (I've got to pay more attention to the *!).<br /><br />I carried on anyway and Elsie very kindly sewed it together for me. But, knowing that it was for a gift and NOT perfectly done, I decided to give it to a friend who works at the pediatric wing at the Markham Hospital. Better that a needy little kid gets to wear it rather than the vultures who scour Value Village stores around the city.<br /><br />The good news is that I know exactly how to follow the pattern now AND I know it won't take me long to finish. I'll still need Elsie's help to sew it together though...Wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09260964684437031952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18082448.post-37970219862498257792008-07-23T09:58:00.005-04:002009-01-04T10:41:31.839-05:00The Dr. Who scarf is finished!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0QCZHRnJZ3cld5WT_ZslOsXjq0Avccp1jG23IZAEFn3NlNiGykJG23cc2VGhLtw7YKBHHp2BMEPntjxlBMePZioKGFLGTS_MDL9GEsl7yNlPBy3zl5DSTatVNWTxvAomLndQI/s1600-h/C+Scarf.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0QCZHRnJZ3cld5WT_ZslOsXjq0Avccp1jG23IZAEFn3NlNiGykJG23cc2VGhLtw7YKBHHp2BMEPntjxlBMePZioKGFLGTS_MDL9GEsl7yNlPBy3zl5DSTatVNWTxvAomLndQI/s400/C+Scarf.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5226211426984325730" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.villageyarns.com">Village Yarns</a> lied to me.<br /><br />The woman who helped me source and purchase the yarn for this project excitedly told me that it took her 2 weeks to knit it. 'Well,' I thought, 'I am not a fast knitter, but it shouldn't take me too long to finish this scarf'. HA!!!! I started the journey in early October 2007 and finally finished it at <a href="http://www.thepurplepurl.com">The Purple Purl</a> on Friday, July 4, 2008. <br /><br />There are 1029 rows and 61,740 stitches in the finished scarf. I had no idea just how much practice I would have at garter stitch - so much practice in fact, that I was temporarily crowned 'Garter Queen' by the SnB ladies. Elsie very kindly posed for the picture. And as she wove in all the ends for me, it seemed only fitting to give her my leftover yarn so that she can make her own scarf!<br /><br />Noel (the BF) is delighted with his new scarf and can't wait to wear it. He's promised to guard it with his life - he knows that if he loses it, I'll lose my ----!Wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09260964684437031952noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18082448.post-81349928495323550612008-07-22T20:21:00.005-04:002008-07-23T09:54:49.864-04:00My first baby knitting projectI am blasting through my first baby knitting project - a hat. Thanks to Vero for translating the French pattern! It is so gratifying to work on something small because I can see how quickly it's becoming a hat.<br /><br />I am using Zara extrafine merino wool in two colours - red and latte - and it is lovely to work with. I am also using my new KnitPicks Harmony needles - wonderful to work with!<br /><br />For those who might be interested in the very simple pattern, please let me know and I'll share it with you.Wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09260964684437031952noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18082448.post-74564941795594491232008-07-21T22:13:00.001-04:002008-07-21T22:14:28.614-04:00I joined Ravelry!I have finally succumbed and joined Ravelry. I had no idea how freaking extenstive the site is - I am definitely in trouble! However, I'm looking forward to seeing new ideas and exchanging patterns with everyone!Wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09260964684437031952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18082448.post-1175563487913325942007-04-02T21:16:00.000-04:002007-04-02T21:26:10.253-04:00What the world needs now, is love, sweet love!Dear readers -<br /><br />It has been a LONG time since my last post and I offer you my heartfelt apologies...I've had a great excuse though - falling in love! Yes, dear readers, after all these months, I am officially and madly in love with Noel! <br /><br />Noel is the great guy I met back in October - we've been together almost 6 months now! Whoohoo! I still can't quite believe it because (and get your air sickness bags ready) it feels like we've known each other much longer. Yep, mushy is now my middle name and I LOVE it!!!! I will make no apologies for feeling so great!<br /><br />*****************************************<br />And since my last post, I've been to Paris and Montreal for work. Sound glamourous? Trust me, there is nothing glamourous about hanging out in the basement of a hotel! Sigh. To be fair, I had a Sunday afternoon to tour Paris along the Seine. It was the best way for me to see all the major sites. I had no idea the Eiffel Tower was so freaking big AND I had no idea that it had been built as a temporary structure for the World Fair (way back when)! I cannot imagine having to build that tower and then dismantle it - good thing someone had the bright idea to keep it erect.<br /><br />I will have to make this a short post, dear readers - there is just too much goodness going on in my life!Wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09260964684437031952noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18082448.post-1162170384330672262006-10-29T20:06:00.000-05:002006-10-29T20:15:50.186-05:00Who knew???I almost don't know where to begin this posting...I will say that the last month has been full of surprises. Most of which has to do with the very interesting man I met through LavaLife. I will call him Friday guy for now as we had our first date on Friday the 13th. Turns out it wasn't such an unlucky day for me! <br /><br />We had started corresponding at the end of September by email and then MSN (how modern!) and we really hit it off. I agreed to go for dinner with him on the 13th and we met at the Wellesley station so we could walk to The Ethiopian House. I was so nervous - I couldn't sleep properly for the whole week; once I got down to the station and was about to meet him, my nerves kicked into overdrive ('What am I doing????" I thought).<br /><br />I saw him standing by the turnstiles (as we'd agreed) and my heart skipped a beat - more out of nerves than his physical looks. I think I said that it was nice to meet him face to face; he said something similar and we started walking to the restaurant. Which is where things get interesting...we didn't shut up for the rest of the night. In fact, once dinner was over, we decided to skip the movie so we could carry on talking. We ended up closing down Seven West and left each other's company at 5AM! Whoa!!!!<br /><br />Not one for playing games (as he'd told me), he called me later that day to say that he'd really enjoyed meeting me and that he wanted to see me again. We agreed to go on date 2 the following Saturday.<br /><br />Saturday arrived and again, I was very nervous. This time, we went for Korean food (which I'd never had) on Queen West; I impressed him with my willingness to try a favourite food of his - eel. It was surprisingly tasty and not at all what I had expected...a bit like Friday guy himself! Again, we couldn't shut up and put off yet another movie so we could keep talking. We walked to The Rivoli and I was really a ball of nerves - he couldn't take his eyes off me and it was clear he was VERY interested in me. We sat a booth for 2 and the conversation touched on many topics - movies, music, philosophies - it was a really stimulating conversation and the weirdest part was how natural it all felt. It was as if we'd known each other for a very long time! I didn't get home until very early the next day - if we could have spent all weekend together, it still wouldn't have felt like we'd had enough time.<br /><br />Date 3 was yesterday and we went for dinner in Little Italy (College Street Bar - nice ambience for a date!) and then went back to his place to watch one of his 'guilty pleasures' movies (The Island with Ewan MacGregor and Scarlett Johannsen - a typical dude kind of movie; lots of action and stuff blowing up - still enjoyable though!) and I brought my 'Greg the Bunny' Season 1 DVD. We had a great time watching the movie and laughed ourselves silly at Greg the Bunny (and agreed that it was a travesty that the show was cancelled!). I will admit that there was some smooching - but that's all I'll divulge! And again, another cliche, but it was amazing at how comfortable we felt with one another.<br /><br />I have to remind myself that I sent out these good vibrations and that it's down to me that I've attracted this great guy. I just never believed it could have happened because of LavaLife though. Do you know how many people have told me stories about meeting their girl/boyfriend-wife/husband through Lava? I just never expected that I would meet someone as wonderful as Friday guy. I'm not saying he's 'the one' but there is definitely something very different about him compared to previous guys I've known.<br /><br />Date 4 happens this Friday...stay tuned...Wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09260964684437031952noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18082448.post-1157915872496971832006-09-10T15:11:00.000-04:002006-09-10T15:17:52.506-04:00A quick post<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/7303/1760/1600/borat.png"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/7303/1760/320/borat.png" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />Hello to all my fans...ha, ha, ha...<br /><br />Nothing earth-shatteringly exciting to write about today. Sadly, I'm at work (and taking a little brain break to write this post) so I can't make this too long.<br /><br />The film festival is on in the city and despite my best attempts, I couldn't get tickets to see the new Borat film (www.borat.tv - WARNING! This site is not for the politically correct!). A friend and I ventured into Yorkville on Friday night, but aside from meeting some dude named 'Uncle Beano'and encountering the weirdest cabbie in the city (more about this in a later post), we didn't see any stars. The rain didn't help my great hair day at all and we ended up having Greek food at Danforth & Pape...Zorba's is awesome...try the calamari and homemade houmous!<br /><br />That's all for now fans!Wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09260964684437031952noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18082448.post-1153401819807480202006-07-20T09:18:00.000-04:002006-07-20T09:29:27.170-04:00<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/7303/1760/1600/Satchel%20and%20Bucky.1.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/7303/1760/200/Satchel%20and%20Bucky.0.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />I found this wonderful quote and wanted to share it...<br /><br />"Each friend represents a world in us, a world possibly not born until they arrive, and it is only by this meeting that a new world is born." - Anaïs Nin<br /><br />Ponder this thought today; it came to me at a time when I was feeling down - I hope it will bring comfort to you too.<br /><br />Enjoy the picture of Satchel Pooch and Bucky Katt too; in fact, for a guaranteed smile, visit them at www.comics.comWendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09260964684437031952noreply@blogger.com0