Clean up and clear out

Today I spent cleaning up my file folder. Why? Because we had a bit of a scare with our old computer. We thought she had breathed her last on Friday night. But, with much canned air, patience, a bit of poking here and some prodding there, replaced the 2nd drive that had croaked a few months ago with the one from my computer who had croaked last year, we managed to get the old girl up and running again.

And since most of the files I do have I want to keep, I went through everything, pitched what wasn't needed anymore and copied the whole lot over to the new drive as a back up to the back up. Yeah i know, a bit fanatical? Well, if I don't do this, some of the things I would lose that are near and dear to my heart are photos, a print of the last conversation i had with my sister over MSN before she passed away last year, more photos of my children, friends, places we've been, family, our life and I can't forget Gambit!

The print of the convo with my sister really made me sit back when I read through it. If' we'd only known... I'm sure that talking about our respective work would not have been at the top of our convo list. Discussing our children, husbands, old memories, our Dad, at least featured in the convo. Rereading it now, just I don't quite know how to explain it, but it feels like she's with me. i can hear her voice in my mind as we're talking and laughing about our lives. I miss her.

At least now, I know what i have, and where it's stored. Yeah for scares I guess LOL

 I had to add this one today. As I read it, I realised how anyone who is OCD about having everything in it's place must feel when they can't fix the letters for OCD :P.... right hon? :P

Lest we forget - Proud to be a free Canadian

Thank you

And the heavens rejoiced!

I finally have a family Doctor!!! 

6 years, multiple waiting lists, and uncounted phone calls canvassing for one and I finally get one using Healthcare Connect.

And I wasn't expecting anything to happen so quick either. When I registered with the service yesterday, I was told to not expect an answer for a while if I even got an answer. Nothing new there since it's all I've been told in the past. The phone rings this morning and it's the local placement agent for Healthcare connect who tells me she's found a doctor for me! The last place I thought to look; the french canadian health services! duh!

So after going through the 30 minute intake interview (in french) over the phone, I have an appointment for December 14th at 1:45!!!! Bloody amazing, my jaw just about hit the floor.

I'm still in shock, can't quite believe it. Almost too good to be true so I keep pinching myself to make sure I'm not dreaming or hallucinating LOL

I wish to thank my darling daughter for sending me all the doctor names via email (couldn't access the website from here) I don't have to do any more calls! I also wish to thank my darling soulsister for encouraging me and just holding me up at times through this whole mess.

Now to figure out what the next step is so we're not on the street by December.

More phone calls to make. But I still need to hear from the neurologist before I can proceed to the next step. If I jump the gun so to speak, I may end up landing on the wrong spot.

If you know anyone who has serious health problems, lives in Ontario, has a valid health card and doesn't have a family doctor, pass on the information to call Healthcare Connect. I was seriously sceptical when I called them yesterday, but after today's response, I'm sold! Registration is only a phone call away 1-800-445-1822. My days of relying on walk-in clinics are finally over!

The Mom (Mum) Song

My darling daughter sent me this clip from Youtube. I laughed by the time it was done. Sooo true :)

And my daughter tells me she doesn't remember many lectures from me. I told her my lectures were done without screaming since she listened so well I didn't have to keep repeating myself. Mind you, her brother made up for that in spades  LOL

So without further ado, for your listening pleasure, The Mom Song.

We've all been there, we've all done this. Sit back and have a good laugh. The singer is amazing btw :)

What Inspires Me to Create

I've been rather busy these past weeks creating and developing patterns. This morning I'm checking out blogs and someone made a post about what inspires her. I started thinking about it and discovered that it's rather a difficult question to answer.... at least for me it is.

I've always worked with textiles in one form or another over the years. And as a norm, what gets the old brain brewing and stewing is a need. Much like the idiom, "Necessity is the Mother of Invention". For me the Necessity has always been replaced by Desperation. When I can't find something I really need, my brain produces an answer to the problem.

This is why I initially taught myself 

• crochet: I needed a shawl
• machine sewing: I needed clothing
• knitting: (had to relearn)  my premature son needed a hat
• hand stitching: I didn't have a sewing machine
• embroidery: I wanted to give my grandmother a handkerchief with blue birds on it
• painting: I wanted to express what I saw and felt in colors
• pattern making: I needed a cocoon for my premature son

Today I can use any and all of the above skills I developed at a time when I was desperately seeking an answer to whatever problem presented itself. 

I've also found over the years that I also require a certain level of urgency or stress to get the brain stewing and brewing. If those 2 ingredients are lacking, nothing I attempt to create works.

As for the creativity, I try different ways of viewing what I need an answer to from different angles. A different viewpoint, not necessarily of a different point of view. 

What inspires you to create?

Quick Update: My darling daughter's visit!

I know I promised I'd post photos from my daughter's visit and I have full intentions to do that, just not quite yet. I need to go through all the photos and pick which ones I want to use. I also realised to my dismay that I did not take very many photos and too much video. Bleh! Maybe I can get my darling husband to (not sure how it's done) grab photos from the videos. So I will be back soon with photos!

I do have a few that I did get with my camera.

These are the hot pads, dishcloths and coasters along with a super cute dish washing liquid bottle cover up. The dishcloths have already graduated from the kitchen to the bathroom. She absolutely loves how nice they feel. She was also super happy with the coasters since she'd been looking for some.

Dish cloths, Coasters & Hot Pads

The Caribbean Topper, from the back.

The Caribbean topper that I finished back in August. She finally got to model it! It's an absolute perfect fit! and she loves the buttons I made. One set was used to close the front and one set went to tailor the back. Very pretty.

The Caribbean Topper. A perfect fit!

A super cute jacket I found @ a 2nd hand store

This really cute black velveteen top with a frilled bottom was also a huge success. I came across it at a 2nd hand store and just could not walk away without it. I am so glad I did get it. I was worried it might not have fit but it's a perfect tailor made fit.

Blown up doily throw

Not even quite sure what to call it LOL a top, a short dress, a jacket... I guess it all depends how and where you wear it. So many possibilities and knowing my darling daughter, she will try every mix :)

Blown up doily wrap

She also knew she was getting a nice throw but this was the first time she'd seen it. As you can see by the huge grin, she's loving it. This pattern came from Crochet Soiree, I blew up the Starlight doily into a fantastic looking throw or wrap depending on the mood. Gorgeous color for her too!

She also received some very original cosplay hats. Photos will eventually come to my blog once I publish the patterns.

There were a few more items that again, I won't be posting photos until they are published.

And last but not least, an awesome piece of news. Most of you know I was recently diagnosed with FMS. I did my best to keep up with the chores and errands but as the months went by, things just piled up and I couldn't keep up. I'm still figuring out how to pace myself! My darling daughter after discussing it with her husband has told me she will be coming over to help me every 4 to 6 weeks! That to me is the absolutely bestest news I could have received. Thanks to my beautiful darling daughter :)

Happy Birthday to my darling daughter!!!

My dear sweet little baby girl. 

How the years have flown

Time has gone by

You have grown

But always young

You are always near

In my heart

In my thoughts

You never stray far

A breath of fresh air

A gift that I am proud of

You my daughter have my heart and my everlasting love

May this day of your birth bring you happiness

Love always,

Mom

Cat bus compliments of a fantastic movie: My Neighbor Totoro