Why so long between posts?

Actually, I don't really have an answer for that one. I really need to focus more on updating this blog at least once a week, even if I think I have not much to say - hell, I'm creative, I'd like to think I could drum up something from the old brain cells! *lol*

We had company from B.C. this past week - my Dad's friend from work, well, actually he's a family friend we've known since almost forever. Always great seeing him, but always sad when he leaves. We do keep in touch via phone and e-mail, but even I have to admit it's just not the same...am I right?

Dad's R.A. still flares up occasionally, especially during the strange and wet weather we've been having lately. He does have Osteoarthritis in his hands so it should come as no surprise, but I know it really bothers him physically and mentally. He still has that awful cough, partly due to quitting smoking after almost a lifetime of it, as well as the R.A. meds, but it had tamed down quite a bit in the past week - the curative effects of having an old friend around, perhaps? His stomach was doing better over the past couple of weeks or so (bad indigestion), but that flared up again yesterday. Mum and I figure it might be the different kind of eggs he had for breakfast, but we're really not sure. Of course, today (Monday) is Methotrexate day and he's really feeling it today - hopefully it doesn't spill over into tomorrow as it can do more often than not...

Mum is good, just needs to stop trying to hurt her knee more - she's clipped the ACL ligament more than once and is in a lot of pain at times. She's seriously considering going back for more physiotherapy which always helps.

Me? Same old, same old. Looking actively for another job at the same company as word finally came down from above - as of November 1st, my little group will be "streamlined" from 4 to 2. So long and thanks for all the fish! *lol* This came as no real surprise, I must admit, as I figured it was a matter of time ever since our physical move was announced over a year ago...but it still stings in any case. oh well, I'm hoping that with all the help that senior staff is offering to help us get a new job (yeah, right), this will help me finally move on to bigger and better things. At least, that's what I'm hoping, because after 10 years with this company (as of this coming September, and I am NOT throwing this little bit of seniority away!) I'd like to think all my work counts for something - even if it's a handshake goodbye ;) Wow, 10 years. 44 years of age. I never thought I'd have been here so long, or had such a difficult time getting out of the position I currently hold. That's the problem with being a good worker - they like you and the work you do so they hang onto you for as long as possible. Not that one should not aim for being a good worker - in a slightly higher starting position than mine (I'm pretty much at the bottom of the pond), it really does take you places! And I'm not being sarcastic...it's true. So be a good worker, learn everythign you can about your job, the company, and other jobs within that company to see where you'd like to go next. Take advantage of any and every training facility or opportunity they offer, it's well worth it.

Anywho, healthwise doing OK, iron still appears to be acceptable so no "top-ups" yet. Growing out the purple to give my hair a break, then I'll try something new. The bangs / fringe are working out well, especially once I had them trimmed so they weren't constantly in my eyes making me feel like Cousin It (thank you for the correction, Diamondback!). Still spending too much money - especially now that I'm in the vortex of "What do you mean 2 of us will become redundant??" - but having fun doing it (unfortunately). Still thinking of opening my Etsy shop to sell off some stuff - after all, why not make a couple of bucks rather than donate it (note: Canadians do not get tax breaks for donations of goods unlike most U.S. states. Something we should seriously consider, frankly speaking)?

Well, must get back to work to get un-buried from last week's offloading of nearly everything from everyone's desk. REALLY looking forward to my little bit of vacation time, but it can't come soon enough...you know what I mean? :)


TTFN

Update on the shenanigans :)

The womderful Social Media team at VPI have been very generous with me - apparently they will be sending me one of their super-cute Foam Terrier pups!! How neat is that?? According to the kind responder to me e-mail, the Social Media team at the company liked the creativity of my request - I tried to be very nice and polite, and as Mum always taught me, good things will come of it! As the team are very attached to the Foam Terrier puppies, I had to promise to send them a pic of the little one once it reached it's new forever home - which I certainly will.

Not too much on the personal front. The back deck and porch are done, thank goodness. It finally stayed dry enough outside for us to get the whole thing waterproofed. Sorry, no pics yet as I'm updating you all while I'm at the office - I'm such a naughty employee ;)

Looking to do a little shake-up in my life - going through the 'Is this it?" kind of phase...I'm quite sure you've all been there before (thanks Diamondback for putting as close a name to the feeling as I could). It's the time in your life when you're looking for more and it just doesn't seem to be there. You feel almost guilty for getting tired of reminding yourself of all the good things in your life, all the blessings or whatever. Perhaps I am being selfish, I don't know. But I get the feeling I'm just spinning my wheels, wasting time that's far too precious to waste on just sitting around (in a metaphysical sense). I'm looking for new work, so in the meantime I think I need to focus on education/learning, and simplifying my life - get rid of some of the flotsam and jetsam floating around in my space and get a clearer view on my life in general. Drop the shit and get to the good stuff, I guess...or at the very least, try figuring out what the fuck I WANT.

Any ideas / thoughts / comments? (Diamondback, just send me an e-mail, can't re-adjust my blogger settings at the moment - silly me! *lol*)

TTFN

Sewing projects on the go - aka my first attempt to post pics...

OK, I'm going to try and post a few pics of some projects I have in my mind to complete:

First up, A lovely 1940's dress that was a gift from the lovely and talented Adeline's Attic The poor thing was in rather rough shape in some areas, but I fell in love with the colour and style - and it was great fun wearing it at the Hamilton Plane Museum for the New Year's celebration and dance!



Not the best pic





The poor neckline!

No, I have no idea what happened to that poor neckline...it looks like something was perhaps violently removed, maybe an attached collar of some sort with more soutach on it? In any case, I'm hoping to use some bias binding or tape to at least cover up all around the nackline (just happened to find the perfect match in colour, turns out the dress is considered "plum" coloured, how lucky was that??), as well as doing some very careful patching in a couple of tinay areas (moth nibbles?). It fits rather well, and the only other thing I may do is neaten up the shoulder pads (or try to duplicate them exactly, they really need refreshing / neatening up)

Another project currently being procrastinated:

An ordinary light purple cardigan (mauve?) purchased during the Tilley Endurables warehouse sale a few years back (told you I was procrastinating *lol*):

Great face for radio

Rather plain-jane, yes? I've already swapped out the buttons for some purple pearly-looking beauties, and I have an embroidery pattern designed that I want to add - just some simple lazy-daisy flowers and a dragonfly somewheres around them. I want to try and "fit" the sweater a little better to me, and was even thinking of cropping it a little (a la 1930's style, but not too high. Have a muffin-top I'd like to keep under cover, thank you very much ;) ) I'm thinking of keeping the embroidery up around the shoulder / bust area to keep the focus up there and not down by the hips - why the heck to almost all sweater designers put all of the fancy-pants designs and such down by the fucking hips?? Or does the Boomer generation (and 70's children like myself) not matter anymore? Frankly I take my purchasing power, such as it is, to where it's appreciated - or at least where I can buy decent and classic items that are designed for someone that actually eats.


Bah! Enough of my bitching! Think I'll grab a martini and contemplate getting off my duff and getting sewing. More projects and dreams (and perhaps ranting) later...

TTFN