So you may be thinking that I've been spending the last few weeks crying in my bed. While I did spend a few full days there I have been slowly but surely crawling out of the hole and back to life. Instead, I've been crying at work, at restuants, in my car, when anyone looks at me,(mostly kidding) but I've done a pretty good job at avoiding the temptation to spend the next month in bed.
I find that anytime I am not busy I'm in trouble. I've been running myself ragged so that I don't think about baby stuff and so at night I am exhausted and can sleep. I'm not prone to depression, like everyone I've had my moments, but I am generally a take charge and move on kind of person and it is really unnatural to me to wake up crying and feel on the verge of tears all day.
It is hit or miss these days, I did have a minor meltdown earlier this week when my pregnant cousin sent me two separate invitations to her baby shower and then a link to a webpage they have created for their unborn child. To my credit, I did not melt down at her, I did however ask my sister (who got the brunt of it) to intervene and politely ask her to stop sending me baby related stuff.
Yesterday, I managed to buy sleepers for my cousin who just had a baby girl and my cousin who is expecting - with out tears. I gave myself a "Suck it up" speech and put them in the cart, only to cry all the way home from Moncton.
I think at this moment I am my own worst enemy. I am beating myself up for not "getting over this already" and I feel the need to bottle it all up because people are probably sick to death of my self-pity party- I know I am.
So part of keeping myself busy was finalizing and sending my Knitter's Virtual Vacation Swap package and doing my part for Team Canada for Dish Rag Tag. (By the way thanks to Ruby for the great stitch markers and beautiful rainbow dish rag.) Done and Done! I can't wait to get my package from my pal.
Here is my new favourite dish rag pattern, it is textured and great for scrubbing. It is a great first project for a beginner. If you don't know how to crochet there are lots of great sites and even some YouTube videos that can show you these basic stitches. Chain, Single Crochet, Double Crochet
Chain 29-33 sts depending on your tension and desired size. Turn.
Beginning with a single crochet in the third chain from the hook work each stitch across alternating between single crochet (sc) and double crochet (dc). Turn
Continue to work the pattern, alternating sc and dc stitches. If the stitch below is a sc you should dc into the top, if the stitch below is a dc you should sc into the top. Once you have reached your desired length you can tie off and you're done.
Depending on how fancy you like your dish rags you could work around the dishrag with a single crochet or a more elaborate edging.
Did I mention it is fast too. I did mine in approximately 45 minutes. Too bad I was not home early enough to get it back in the mail the same day. I did my best to reinforce the box a little as it was pretty squished when I got it.
I should also mention that Monkey and I were featured on the front page of a local paper for our summer reading and we more than met our goal of another 100 books. As a reward I gave him a beautiful book and cd of Puff the Magic Dragon. Poor little monkey had an eye infection and has to stay home from daycare today so I will be closing the office early and sending all my staff home for an extra long weekend. It's good to be the queen.
I want to say thank you again to everyone online and off for the wonderful support. It is greatly appreciated. I hope everyone has a good long weekend.
Showing posts with label book challenge. Show all posts
Showing posts with label book challenge. Show all posts
Friday, August 31, 2007
Thursday, July 5, 2007
The Clomid Chronicles - Vol. 2, Part 4 - The end
This is the end of the Clomid Chronicles, I've finished my last round and barring a miracle in the next few weeks I will not be having a child. I have a wicked case of 'poor me' with a whole lot of "what the hell did I do to deserve this" It is clouding everything and things I would normally take great joy in are just heartbreaking.
I forced myself to keep my weekly library night with the Monkey, its not fair to him to cancel. We are all but 3 books away from our goal of 100 books. I had thought about planning party for the occasion but I'm not feeling festive. I will do something for him but I just can't get excited about it myself. I can't help but feel like I am some pathetic barren aunt with no children of her own so she spoils someone else's kids. Next I'll be adopting 50 cats!
In other good news, on the day I have to give up my hope of a baby, my brother has kids coming out of the woodwork. He tells me that he has finally found his 13 year old son. He knew he had a son but he and the mother had split up when she was pregnant and she wanted to raise him on her own. My brother is only 2 years older than me and he "officially" has three children. He has also reunited with the Mouse's mom.
If you are trying to track the family tree you may get lost in the forest. My "new" nephew is the oldest of my nephew and nieces, he is the same age as my youngest brother and only a few months older than his little sister (don't ask) and 11 years older than his youngest sister (Mouse). In an odd coincidence he is exactly the same age my brother was when he found our father.
Like I said, at another time I would be overjoyed, I am happy for both of them. I have often wondered about him and if I would ever have the chance to meet him. I know it has nothing to do with me but it just feels like another painful reminder that I am the only one in my family who cannot have children. With a number of cousins with due dates in the next few months this will only get harder.
I'm tired of listening to myself mope, kudos to those of you who have read along through the chronicles. I really appreciate the supportive notes, they do help.
I forced myself to keep my weekly library night with the Monkey, its not fair to him to cancel. We are all but 3 books away from our goal of 100 books. I had thought about planning party for the occasion but I'm not feeling festive. I will do something for him but I just can't get excited about it myself. I can't help but feel like I am some pathetic barren aunt with no children of her own so she spoils someone else's kids. Next I'll be adopting 50 cats!
In other good news, on the day I have to give up my hope of a baby, my brother has kids coming out of the woodwork. He tells me that he has finally found his 13 year old son. He knew he had a son but he and the mother had split up when she was pregnant and she wanted to raise him on her own. My brother is only 2 years older than me and he "officially" has three children. He has also reunited with the Mouse's mom.
If you are trying to track the family tree you may get lost in the forest. My "new" nephew is the oldest of my nephew and nieces, he is the same age as my youngest brother and only a few months older than his little sister (don't ask) and 11 years older than his youngest sister (Mouse). In an odd coincidence he is exactly the same age my brother was when he found our father.
Like I said, at another time I would be overjoyed, I am happy for both of them. I have often wondered about him and if I would ever have the chance to meet him. I know it has nothing to do with me but it just feels like another painful reminder that I am the only one in my family who cannot have children. With a number of cousins with due dates in the next few months this will only get harder.
I'm tired of listening to myself mope, kudos to those of you who have read along through the chronicles. I really appreciate the supportive notes, they do help.
Wednesday, June 6, 2007
Back by popular demand!
Hey there folks! Did you wonder if I was really and truly kidnapped? Well I was but it was only for the day. Initially they planned to take me repelling a couple of hours away from here. (This explains the instructions for the clean undies and pink leotard.)
Unfortunately we were not able to go on Saturday so I spent the day on my swing, with a book and some yarn. Friday night I hung out with my buddy Bean at the airport while we waited for his lovely wife and their two infants to arrive home from Texas. Saturday night we hosted a BBQ and Stanley Cup Finals party.
My friend the lucky lottery winner came by to watch the game. While he was bragging up the new house his girlfriend was having a conversation about how she “just can’t seem to put on weight!” They were both promptly pelted with baby carrots for being both skinny AND rich”. (Actually, I’m very happy for both of them and can’t wait to see the inside when they move in next month.)
On Sunday I was given a 15 minute warning that the kidnappers were on their way. We hopped in the car and headed out of town. Silly me, I thought we would just hit the regular stores but sis and Canknitian had another plan. We ended up at a yarn shop! While Canknitian and I fondled the yummy yarns, Sis made a fuss over the pup and struck up a conversation about spinning dog hair. (She is a groomer.) She said after we left that listening to us in the yarn shop was like listening to another language. She is not at all crafty and had no idea what anyone was saying! She said she only understood about every third word. “ Blah, blah socks, blah blah wool, blah blah green”
She was a good sport and we were soon off to lunch (very yummy treat from Canknitian) and then to Costco! The retail therapy, or just being busy seems to be working. Unfortunately it was not enough to curb my spending at the fabric shop where I bought material to make two dresses on Monday night.
Part of the reason I’ve been missing from this blog is that I’ve been busy updating the Monkey and Teecee website with all the great books we’ve been reading. We are nearly half-way through our 100 books with 43 down! We will break 50 this Thursday on library night! I think I’ll buy a big balloon or something in advance to have once we read the 50th book. He LOVES his website and brags (almost as much as I do about our book challenge.)
Unfortunately we were not able to go on Saturday so I spent the day on my swing, with a book and some yarn. Friday night I hung out with my buddy Bean at the airport while we waited for his lovely wife and their two infants to arrive home from Texas. Saturday night we hosted a BBQ and Stanley Cup Finals party.
My friend the lucky lottery winner came by to watch the game. While he was bragging up the new house his girlfriend was having a conversation about how she “just can’t seem to put on weight!” They were both promptly pelted with baby carrots for being both skinny AND rich”. (Actually, I’m very happy for both of them and can’t wait to see the inside when they move in next month.)
On Sunday I was given a 15 minute warning that the kidnappers were on their way. We hopped in the car and headed out of town. Silly me, I thought we would just hit the regular stores but sis and Canknitian had another plan. We ended up at a yarn shop! While Canknitian and I fondled the yummy yarns, Sis made a fuss over the pup and struck up a conversation about spinning dog hair. (She is a groomer.) She said after we left that listening to us in the yarn shop was like listening to another language. She is not at all crafty and had no idea what anyone was saying! She said she only understood about every third word. “ Blah, blah socks, blah blah wool, blah blah green”
She was a good sport and we were soon off to lunch (very yummy treat from Canknitian) and then to Costco! The retail therapy, or just being busy seems to be working. Unfortunately it was not enough to curb my spending at the fabric shop where I bought material to make two dresses on Monday night.
Part of the reason I’ve been missing from this blog is that I’ve been busy updating the Monkey and Teecee website with all the great books we’ve been reading. We are nearly half-way through our 100 books with 43 down! We will break 50 this Thursday on library night! I think I’ll buy a big balloon or something in advance to have once we read the 50th book. He LOVES his website and brags (almost as much as I do about our book challenge.)
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
Book Challange is a grand success!
The book challenge seems to be a great success. Monkey is so excited when I stopped by last night to mend a CareBear (Aunt Teecee fixes things)he came running with a pile of books. When I told him we could read two books and that would bring us up to 14 he started dancing around singing and counting to 14. He has even asked to go to the library early this week and so I will be taking him tonight - who can resist a request like that! (Shh, don't tell the monkey but we are also going to see Shrek tonight!)
I was trying to think of the best way to track our progress, since Monkey can't read a list is a little useless to him. I decided to create a blog with images of the book covers so he can see the ones we have read and remember the story from the cover. I've had many emails and comments on this book challenge and anyone interested in following our progress can visit Teecee and Monkey's Reading Challenge to see how we are doing. Monkey and I are also recording which books we really liked and our favourite thing from each story so if you have young children in your life you could get some good ideas.
This weekend was a long weekend in Canada, formally known as Victoria Day weekend, informally known as the May 2-4 Weekend. We spent our 2-4 at a rented cottage on the bay. It was rainy and miserable outside but a whole lot of fun inside. Hubby and a friend went into town on Saturday night to see B.B. King, the rest of us holed up in the cottage all weekend with cards,Yahtzee and the Bob and Doug McKenzie 2-4 Anniversary Special. A great time was had by all.
Back to the grind today! (At least this is a short week.)
I was trying to think of the best way to track our progress, since Monkey can't read a list is a little useless to him. I decided to create a blog with images of the book covers so he can see the ones we have read and remember the story from the cover. I've had many emails and comments on this book challenge and anyone interested in following our progress can visit Teecee and Monkey's Reading Challenge to see how we are doing. Monkey and I are also recording which books we really liked and our favourite thing from each story so if you have young children in your life you could get some good ideas.
This weekend was a long weekend in Canada, formally known as Victoria Day weekend, informally known as the May 2-4 Weekend. We spent our 2-4 at a rented cottage on the bay. It was rainy and miserable outside but a whole lot of fun inside. Hubby and a friend went into town on Saturday night to see B.B. King, the rest of us holed up in the cottage all weekend with cards,Yahtzee and the Bob and Doug McKenzie 2-4 Anniversary Special. A great time was had by all.
Back to the grind today! (At least this is a short week.)
Friday, May 18, 2007
Retraction
I would like to retract my last post. While the things I listed certainly are signs of spring in NB. Spring has decidedly NOT sprung. It had sprung but has since unsprung. (Although possibly springing again in the near future.)
To clear up any confusion, I would like to share the images that greeted me yesterday morning as I stepped outside.
Yup, that's snow.
We apparently received 10-15 cms last night although very little of it actually accumulated and the rain had washed it all away by noon. Still, no one south of Nunavut should have to brush off their car on May 17th.
One angry little snowman.
On a positive note the cold and rainy weather gave me time to finish up my Monica for Mouse. It is about a size three using the size two pattern and Lion Brand Cotton-Ease. This size used less than one ball of each with enough left over to make a cloche style hat. (I hope it fits, I didn't think to measure her noggin when she was here.) I can't wait to see her try it on!
Last night was Library night for Monkey and I. We read a story about a school that was doing a book challenge where the students had to read 1000 books over the school year. Monkey and I have decided to do our own challenge and have decided to read 100 books! We counted up the ones we read at the library yesterday and we are already up to 12. We counted each book only once even though we had read some of them several times.
On the drive home we decided that we should have a prize when we get to 100 books. I was trying to think of something big to motivate him and his four-year old brain suggested "A chocolate bar or an ice cream". While it is tempting to take advantage of his inexpensive recommendation I would like to think of something a little more exciting. Any suggestions? Maybe a chocolate bar AND an ice cream!
To clear up any confusion, I would like to share the images that greeted me yesterday morning as I stepped outside.
Yup, that's snow.
We apparently received 10-15 cms last night although very little of it actually accumulated and the rain had washed it all away by noon. Still, no one south of Nunavut should have to brush off their car on May 17th.
One angry little snowman.
On a positive note the cold and rainy weather gave me time to finish up my Monica for Mouse. It is about a size three using the size two pattern and Lion Brand Cotton-Ease. This size used less than one ball of each with enough left over to make a cloche style hat. (I hope it fits, I didn't think to measure her noggin when she was here.) I can't wait to see her try it on!
Last night was Library night for Monkey and I. We read a story about a school that was doing a book challenge where the students had to read 1000 books over the school year. Monkey and I have decided to do our own challenge and have decided to read 100 books! We counted up the ones we read at the library yesterday and we are already up to 12. We counted each book only once even though we had read some of them several times.
On the drive home we decided that we should have a prize when we get to 100 books. I was trying to think of something big to motivate him and his four-year old brain suggested "A chocolate bar or an ice cream". While it is tempting to take advantage of his inexpensive recommendation I would like to think of something a little more exciting. Any suggestions? Maybe a chocolate bar AND an ice cream!
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