The last day of NaBloPoMo

Yep. I did it. And now I'm taking a little break. 

Need some interesting reading?

I'm sorry to say that these aren't them.

And this is only about a quarter of the books I've 

paid out huge dollars for in the past few years. I haven't

even gone through the stuff downstairs yet!

Ways to annoy your cats #4 & some hats

I've been busy knitting & crocheting hats for Sassy's family. I needed models to show them off. I can assure you that the cats did not feel like cooperating. I've got the bloody scratches to show it.

This is McDreamy's hat.

And Gretel's

For Sassy herself

Hansel (at this point it was getting too dangerous, 

so I had to switch models)

And last but not least, this is Little Sprout's Santa hat.

Check out Sassy's blog here to see pictures of this cast of characters.

DONE!!!!!!!!!

It's a day of celebration around here. We should have fireworks, really.

After six long years, buckets of tears due to exhaustion & frustration, tired eyes from hours spent reading boring textbooks, cramped fingers from writing notes, numb bottom & sore back from sitting at the computer typing term papers, and achy feet from being on my feet for entire shifts....I am finished.

I walked out of the hospital this morning a free woman. No more student nursing. Tomorrow I work my first PAID nursing shift. Life is changing folks....

...and it's pretty exciting!

I couldn't have done it without my supportive husband & daughter

Coupons?

A couple of the skating ladies were talking about the big sale at Michaels this week. Sadly, I realized that since we cancelled our newspaper subscription, we have not been getting regular flyer deliveries. Good and bad. Good - not wasting paper and good for the environment, even though I recycle! Bad - no notice on spectacular upcoming deals!

Then a little lightbulb went off in my head. Maybe I could find a coupon on the website? Sure enough, there are the coupons. Am I the only person on the earth that didn't know this? 

I'm so happy. Now I can march into Michael's tomorrow to buy all the glitter and goodies I need, before noon of course. Yay! (It takes so little to make me happy these days!

I have to work tonight...

...and all I want to do is curl up here and go to sleep. So far I've made it the entire semester without contracting the dreaded cold. I'm off to doctor myself up with Cold FX and Advil. Two more days left!

And I thought I had nothing to blog about

I sat down at my computer earlier today with no inspiration whatsoever. This NaBloPoMo posting is coming to an end and this is all good because I'm running out of ideas.

However, I came home later and discovered a parcel notice stuck in my door. Excitedly, I headed down to the post office. Look what I got!

Doesn't this apron scream me! I have the luckiest dressmaker's mannequin in the world. My friend Dorothy always gets to model my aprons first. I love the pleats and that red & white fabric is to die for! Honestly.

Check out this vintage-style ladies already for Christmas. How I would love a dress like that.

This wonderful and perfectly made apron came to me along with a handmade card (which I will post later), a recipe for shortbread that I must try very soon, some zoo animal-shaped cookie cutters, and sprinkles, from Jenn at Life on the Roof. And she's also a fellow Canadian blogger.

"Thank you so much Jenn. I love the apron. It made my day."

Pretty sunset

Lizzie and I made an emergency trip to Calgary yesterday for some new skates. 

As we drove into the city early in the afternoon, we noticed a prominent chinook arch over the city. It was still there when we headed home, except that it was in the evening, so we had this beautiful sunset at our backs. Picture by Lizzie.

Ways to annoy your cats #3

Threaten to recycle her and keep her in the Blue Box until you can get a decent picture of her.

Post 200!!!

I sat down to write my daily post this morning and realized this was the big 200th post. Wow. That's a lot of posts in less than a year. Of course NaBloPoMo helped quite a bit.

I figure with all the talk about the economy and having fewer dollars to spends, we all need ideas on how to spend just a little.

These are some of the things you can buy for $2 these days.

A cup of coffee and great conversation with my girls down at the coffee shop (My favourite way to spend coin)

40 5 cent candies at the corner store (This would be Lizzie's fave)

The weekend newspaper (And Javier's)

A slurpee (Heaven on one of our scorching summer days)

2 litres of gas with a few cents to spare 

(finally under a dollar per litre!)

Fries & a cheeseburger at McDonald's 

(not that I'd ever go there of course...)

How would you spend $2? 

Please comment. In honour of my 200 posts, I want to get my comments over 20! Help

Wish List

My good friend Saucy posted her list yesterday. I had contemplated doing one but seeing hers just gave me the okay.

For the fitness nut trying to escape in me. I've been trying to start running for the last 6 months or so, but excuses, both imaginary and real have prevented me from doing so. Now I'm just past the point of leaving the house for exercise, so maybe this is the ideal solution. Of course, I hope to have an English version, not the Japanese version pictured above. I'm talented, but not that talented. 

I want to have more fun with blogging, not that I'm not already having fun right now that is, but think of all the clever pictures I can make, tee hee. Of course, I'll probably need a lesson or two as well. 

Lululemon hoodies are THE hottest thing at the skating rink right now, both for moms and daughters. I told Javier that all the other moms have them, so should I. Even Lizzie has one!
Well, better, make that a whole Lululemon experience, because I MUST have some pants and tops as well. To go with my Wii Fit, of course, and for comfy sleeps after night shifts. 

This book definitely makes my list. Alicia's website always make me swoon. I can't imagine what I'll feel looking at this book. Not that I need more projects on my place, but inspiration is always welcome!

This book by Maria and Stephanie is she to give hours of viewing pleasure. I've been following 3191 Evenings all year and I loved Mornings.
Classic poster and inspiring words. Available at Etsy!

And of course anything bunny related. I love my rabbits! Also on Etsy.

NOT that I NEED anything of course, but it's fun to have a wish list.

Rain

I was having a hard time coming up with a post for today until I looked at the sweet girl cat sitting on my lap, all warm and purry. So I entered her name, Rain, in a search on Google Images and this is what I got.

Source: Cool Chaser

Source: All Posters

Source: Keep Your Sox On

Source: Possible Way

Nice, but not as nice as cuddling with my Favourite Female Feline. And maybe a little random, but that's how I feel today.

On the subject of swaps

I have participated in a lot of swaps this past year that I've had my blog. 

There was the Toadstool Swap from last spring.

My toadstool

And this lovely one with a matching jar

And of course, all those Sassy Aprons - Fall, Summer, & Spring - respectively

And the aprons I received from other swappers

Finally, there was the Zombie Swap this past October.

Oh yeah, and the Club Little House Swap

All of my swaps have been successful. I've been lucky to have great partners. The items I've received have been so beautifully made with attention to my special preferences and style. And I think my items have been received well by those I made them for. With the exception of one apron...

Remember that fun little number from October with the tulle around the hem & the hand-crocheted lace. I loved that apron and when I look at it in pictures, I wish I'd kept it for myself. Sadly, I never heard back from the girl I sent the apron too, despite contacting her. She never even responded to the swap organizer. We don't know whether she liked it, or even received it. This makes me feel sad, but I guess it can't always work out.

Plus, out of 5 swaps, one bad one was not bad odds.

And I can't wait to see what Club Little House brings next month.

Words & coffee

I woke up this morning feeling anxious. I can't explain exactly why, but there they were. Those little butterflies in my stomach. I decided the only solution would be to head down to my favourite little coffee shop for some chit-chat with my favourite girls, some java, and maybe spend some quality time with a good book.

There's nothing a good book and coffee can't make better, or so I've found. It certainly worked today.

I discovered a delightful new author this summer, Sarah Addison Allen. She reminds me of Joanne Harris, the author of Chocolat and The Lollipop Shoes.

Garden Spells is her first book and all I can tell you is that this book is magical. I felt all tingly inside when I read it. Good things happen to people who deserve them. I love books like this.

Her second book is The Sugar Queen. I happened upon it at the library last week when I was wandering around there looking for a good read to get me through a night shift. Same thing. I was smiling when I put the book down this morning.

Neither book is difficulty to read. Just right for someone who's usually got her nose stuck in a textbook. Normally, I'd probably devour it in one sitting, but I tried to pace myself. My favourite thing about these books are that they are set in the South. I can just hear the characters talking in wonderfully buttery accents.

She has a new book coming out sometime in 2009 which I am looking forward too. She has a cute website too. You candy-lovers will like it, I'm sure.
_____________________________________

On a completely different note, but equally delightful to me, I only have ONE week left of school. I miscounted the days and I realized I'll be done next Tuesday morning, not Thursday as I originally expected. I am excited, but also a bit bewildered. What will happen when I'm done? I don't even know how to feel about this. I've defined myself as a student for so very long, that I'm worried a bit of my identity will slip away. Plus, how will I ever get through life without getting marked on everything. I've become a bit of an evaluation whore you see. Can I get an "A" in laundry and dinner making?

Club Little House - COMPLETE!

Okay, I'm only one day late getting everything done. I tried. I really did. 

I had so much fun with this project, though it was far more work than I ever expected. One little item would have been fun. Twelve little items was a chore. But I'm finished.

I'm also a little nervous. Actually, more like "I kind of want to throw up" nervous about this. I just had a look through the Club Little House swaps from the past and I'm not sure if my work is up to par. Oh well, it's done now.

And guess what?

It must be getting close to Christmas. Starbucks brought out their red cups!

Photobooth Fun

source: www.photobooth.net

Me & the cats

This is me

These are my cats

These are my cats on my pillow. 

At least they aren't sleeping directly on top of me, 

which is their favourite way to sleep.

Yep, having fun working those night 

shifts and sleeping all day.  They love having

me home all day.

And maybe a little freaked out that Javier 

takes pictures of me when I'm sleeping.

Playing around with some makeup & a tiara

See a resemblance?

Note a lollipop replaces Miss Hepburn's cigarette holder.

Lizzie had a dress rehearsal today for her upcoming skate competition. We weren't going for an Audrey Hepburn look. More like princess as she is skating to a song from the movie "Enchanted".  However, her look provided a great photo op.

I'm pretty enchanted with this little one.