Virtuousness abounds...

(yeah, I don't think it's actually a word, either)

I feel virtuous in so many ways...

* after my hysterectomy, I started taking supplements on the advice of a specialist in women's issues. I ran out a couple of weeks ago and waited to replenish the supply till I could afford them, and what a difference! I turned back into PMS Deirdre, whom we haven't seen for a bit, and it was a really good indication of why I should always, always keep up with these things. So I am taking them again and feeling virtuous in knowing why.

* I am doing a strength training class on Monday mornings and am in week 5 of an 8 week training program run by the same gal, plus for those days I miss (like yesterday, because Ben is out again with a stomach bug) I have a dvd that I actually use. And I actually do. Again with the feelings of virtuous.

* About a year ago I bit the bullet and ripped out a sweater that I loved making, but that looked like utter crap on me (Welcome Back Old Friend) - . I kept the several and various resulting balls of yarn within eyeshot for the past year, waiting for the perfect opportunity to play with them again.
Found it! The Garter Yoke Cardigan, which I cast on a couple of days ago and which I am pleased to report seems both quick and pretty. I am not putting in as many buttonholes as recommended, but otherwise am happily following along mindlessly... all about the mindless these days.
So I am recycling yarn - virtuous little me...

* I finished the Pleated Vest, which is blocking as I type. It's always nice to finish something, and to be happy with it, but this is especially nice because I got it done for Vest-uary. Why is this significant, you may ask? Well, I love to sign up for things like this - sock-alongs, shawl-alongs, they always seem like a fun idea at the time. But I have never, ever finished anything within the suggested time frame.

Until now.

Which makes me feel... what now? Say it with me, people - virtuous.

Am I making y'all sick yet? Yup, I thought so - feeling that way myself, frankly. I can only gloat so much...

did I mention how virtuous I'm feeling?

My first "official" tag / meme

Wow, I can't believe how excited I am to have been tagged personally by someone - I am obviously in need of getting a life, no?

So, Tamara tagged me - thank you - to do the following:

Link to the person who has tagged you.
Write down six things that make you happy.
Post the rules, tag six others and let them know you did it.
Then tell the person when your entry is complete.

Six Things That Make Me Happy...

1. My boys, Tanner and Ben. The funniest, dearest people I know, even with the various teen / pre-teen angsts (does that pluralize?) and issues.

2. My dogs, Charlie and Maggie.

3. My books. I have a shelf (or two) of unread books, waiting for me. I love knowing that I can achieve so much escape in so little time.

4. My yarn. I have been, um, collecting yarn (like other people collect stamps or spoons, except that this is more practical), largely on sale, for at least 20 - 25 years, and I cannot articulate the deep sense of contentment, unadulterated pleasure, I take from looking at it, going through it, feeling it, and imagining the possibilities.

5. Blank notebooks. Again, it's a matter of potential and possibility - having a bound stack of clean, fresh pages waiting for deep thoughts, inspiration, or just scribbling. I like the smell of a new notebook, too, like a new book.

6. Hot sunshine and sand - while I love being out anywhere in the heat and yes, even humidity, I am at my happiest on a beach, in the sun, with the boys, a book and my knitting at hand. One of those rare moments that cannot be improved upon. While I am even annoying myself with my complaints about this winter, you will never, ever hear me whine that it's too hot, or too humid.

Anyone else want to play? Help yourselves, and let me know what you come up with... thanks, Tamara!

Dated...

I know, I know, twice in one day - so sue me

Tanner just asked me if the term "jive turkey" is offensive, and if not, can he use it in conversations with his friends.

I am crying with laughter, and I can't stop - I think the last time I heard the term "jive turkey" was from Huggy Bear on Starsky & Hutch...

I'm totally dating myself here, aren't I?? Still shovelling, but now at least I'm laughing...

Catch-up

a.k.a. catsup, or ketchup

so, it's been an interesting couple of weeks - we've had a snow day, other snowfalls which didn't warrant days off, and then the last two days feeling like spring. Honestly - I was driving with my sunroof open yesterday, feeling like someone who had been held captive in a ship's hold for months on end (forgive me, I am reading The Book of Negroes and got lost in the moment). My 5-foot long icicles melted, the driveway and walkway were clear and dry...

of course I know better, I mean, I've lived in Canada my whole life - I was in Thunder Bay for 2 years for grad school so I know from winter... but I was lulled into that false feeling of hope...

idiot...


We woke up to maybe 4 inches, and it's still falling, has been all morning.

I am way beyond the "pretty, fluffy" crap - I believe I voiced my objection to any more of this a while back, and I'd like to know why I was ignored.

Sigh.

So as I work on my computer drafting course this morning, I find that Bob Marley combined with a short weight workout which makes me sweat gives me a sense of warmer times. If it wasn't so early, I'd be busting out the tequila... just for the effect, you understand...

Maggie's cure for the winter blechs? A little mini-sticks, of course. She followed me for almost half an hour like this till I finally caved and played a little. And yes, she is in dire need of a haircut...

Well, maybe if it lets up I'll try to go out and get a few things - I figured last week I probably need to buy some new bandages . These were all I could find after I tripped and slashed my finger on a door jamb (you know the metal part? Yeah... hurts...), and frankly, they do nothing for the image, nothing at all - just ask my teen / pre-teen...

of course, I'll probably be snowed in or something - or worse, maybe I won't...

off to shovel (heaves deep, deep sigh of disgust)...