Fun and Excitment Galore! mmm pizza opens next week

Wow, lots of stuff happened today.

I decided today was a good day to start a new knitting project. I went through my options and thought I'd attempt a toque: it looked like a fairly easy one. I might have been finished right now if I hadn't missed the small line that said "knit 75 rows..." I cast on my 85 stitches and then proceeded to follow the instructions for the crown. I followed the instructions perfectly, after I interpreted them, just at the wrong time. I finally figured this out what I had done sometime around 2:00ish. I am now doing it correctly and I've got about an inch and a half done. It is a beautiful bright spring green. I'm not sure who I'm going to give it too. I am not a toque person.

After starting my toque it was off to the depot. Not very exciting, but definitely necessary. Or so one would think. I have nothing to read so I wandered into the Free Store to look at books, I only found one novel, BUT I found a Japanese/English Snoopy book. I have been looking for a Japanese/English book, comic, manga, whatever for ages. The good old Free Store pulls through. And if that wasn't enough I found something almost as cool right after. Jer called me into the back to look at this sewing machine he'd found; it was a decent machine, it worked and all, but... I looked down and there was an old case and when I opened it inside was like the coolest sewing machine I've ever seen. It's a really old looking Aristocrat. I can't find any information on it online. It's missing it's foot, but who cares, it's great.

After the depot Jethro and I helped Jer clean out his trailer. Toglia's getting a small family of woofers and it's the only place to put them. After that back to the house for not much action. Until later...

Jer's beening planning on make this awesome dessert called Dulce de Plantanos: so, he decided tonight was the night. We decided that it was too much for just us and gave Doug and Rachelle a call. A quick run to the Cove and we were set. Jer cooked with a bit of chopping/peeling assistance from Rachelle and I; and some stirring/pouring assistance from Doug. Lots of laughs and conversation: much of it around food. The dessert turned out awesome! We could have done with at least two more people to help eat it though.

More photos soon, Google isn't happy right now

Turtles and mysteries

I was supposed to go to town/Demxx yesterday, but I got a call from Tina asking for help with Arts Afternoons. I had offered help earlier so I only felt right saying yes. It was so much fun!

I was helping Norma with a pottery class for the primary grades. There were four of them: Spencer, Heron, Cassidy, and Sachel. Four kids to two teachers was a good ratio, although they didn't need much help today. It was the third week so they were pretty independent. By the end they were working on sculptures instead of the platters and house candle holders they were working on before. I made a turtle candle holder: haven't played with clay forever.

Norma's daughter, I think, is the woman who makes the crooked, jazzy looking house candle holders. I've wanted one for so long. It was neat to see the kids making them. We're glazing them nextweek. I'm glad Tina called, it was a blast. They even helped clean up.

Afterwards I went home and hung out for awhile. My mum and I got sucked into a computer game. We started it at 10:30, but I didn't think it would take that long to finish. I didn't leave the house until 1:05AM. Bah, stupid mystery games. Interesting story line though: wife wins lottery, husband's having an affair with her best friend, they fight, wife trips and falls down the stairs, goes into coma. The game takes place in a coma induced nightmare.

"Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium"

We just watched the best movie! Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium sounds like it would be a children's movie, but it is reality a touching story. Magorium's Emporium uses a fun situation to teach you about life, friendship, death, and Magic. His store is incredible. It's the first original movie I've seen in like a year. Everything is a sequel or a remake. Bah.

Feet firmly planted on the ground

Last Friday I was all set to take the kids climbing at Rob's, but poor Rob cut his hand. I'm very sorry that Rob hurt himself, but I am relieved that it didn't happen. Energy levels run a little high, so I was worried about them not having much space to run. If we go down in April they can play outside.

It seems Thursday was a tough day for more than just Rob: Jer broke his toe that night. I believe the story currently is he was ripping it down The Way and a little puppy ran in front of him. He swerved to avoid hurting it, crashed, and the only damage he did was to his baby toe.*

*Facts may not be 100% accurate. Check out Jer's blog for his version of the story.

Jamaica...and a bit more.

Ay, yi, yi. It's been a long time. I must say, I can't remember specifics about Tapas night, but it was fun. I ended up in the living room with a couple people. I don't know why people seen a little resistant to the moving to the living room here.

It was hard to move the Social Climbers to the living room too. That was a fun night. I'm glad it was here, I'm not sure I would've been there if it hadn't. I haven't been riding in way too long. It was really nice to see Liz again. Word on the street is, they're coming up on spring break.

Speaking of spring break, Jer called Hans the other night and they might actually get up here this year. Jer mentioned the Cadet Camp, hopefully Kelly will be taking part in that. I'm looking forward to it this year. I've ended up volunteering to help corral the kids. It should be a good couple of days of learning and fun.

Finally, on to last night. Dinner Club #4 for the year was a blast. I got the last puzzle piece! And it was the only piece I did, puzzles are much more satisfying this way. I'll have to remember that for next time the power goes out. I did way too many puzzles last year. As always, the food was phenomenal and far too much of it was consumed. That last piece of dessert always has to be tried. :o) Elaine, Bethany, Amanda, and I had a blast talkin' in the kitchen. The conversation definitely meandered to interesting places. Although the best line came from one of the Hornby Island Quilters. In reference to American politics, "we've got to get those a**wholes out of the outhouse."

Keep your fingers crossed for me, I've got Teen Night down at Rob and Amanda's tomorrow for the climbing wall.

Surprise

I went for a ride today. I've ridden three times since like March and it didn't go so well. The first one I fell, bad. The second one I was terrified and it wasn't a good ride. The third one I felt sick and actually had to ride out.

It went well today though. At first I wasn't happy and I was scared and unhappy, but it got a bit better. By the end, I actually liked it. The new part of Watertower is still really bumpy and soft, not good when you're scared.

I'm very proud of myself for riding through the water. I don't like water! Well, not when I'm riding anyway, but I did it! I sat there looking at it for quite a long time before I just stopped thinking and let go.

It's still going to take time for me to let go enough to feel like I'm enjoying riding again, but I have hope that it'll come now.

Social Climbers go Wild

The majority of the Social Climbers just left. We had them over for dinner, even Liz was up. I was worried that there would be a bunch of pressure to get riding again. There was a little pressure, but mostly a lot of understanding. The understanding works way, way, way better if you're trying to get me to do something.

I have to say I wasn't looking forward to tonight as much as I usually would because I've had a bit of a long, tiring week. Early town mornings and dealing with a "new" car. I had one mechanic tell me it wasn't worth it for me to fix my car and wouldn't do the work. I took it to another garage and they, not only fixed it, they told me that some things were fine that I was told needed to be fixed before.

Anyway, back to the party. We had Liz, Elaine, Sara, Jules, Elisa, Gayel, and Amanda. There was wine, brandy, and Apple/Pear juice. We had so much fun! I miss hangin' out with them, I definitly need to get out riding with them again. I will when I'm not working Thursday mornings anymore.