January...practically February...in a new year...how did that happen?

It has been a crazy busy year plus and so much has changed.

The past 6 months have been learning new eating due to Celiac. The hardest thing about it is finding food on the go because everything and its dog has gluten in it. Not only do I have to be careful about it being in what I eat but I also have to be careful of cross contamination. It is so severe that the new house will have 2 toasters, his and hers, and two of all bread spread things.

That's right; new house, his and hers....

My running fell by the wayside with being so tired for so long and I am now struggling to get back in to the groove. I am hoping that once things settle down that I can find the rhythm and get back at it (clothes are a wee bit snug...gluten free foods also have higher calories and I just found this out). I recently joined another running group and it is kicking my ass! They are fast and as I do't know anyone I have this need to keep up and not be the loser new person. Let's just say my knees are complaining!

The new job is still better than the old. Like anything there are things that make it a pain but the majority of my coworkers make the hard days bearable; they are a sassy lot. The hours have been a really big adjustment; 4 days became 5, darkness became daylight, free time got lost. I live closer now which helps with the commute but since beginning to run again I have 3 guaranteed 7-7:30 home times per week. I must be getting old... :)

And yes I am a home owner/mortgage payer now.
And a wife.
And happy.

You could have knocked me over with a feather with all the many ways my life changed in the past year....

OKAY!

You guys are great!
I love that you played games while I was away.

*group hug*

Mishka asked to see the skirt and since I seem to have nothing to write about another picture for you all.


It's hard to tell but there is a bit of a flip at the back hemline; it makes me look slightly curvy which is a good thing. There is a matching slit on the other thigh as well.


Love it still.

A red shimmer caught my eye...

It was a belt on a skirt that was on the clearance rack*.

I love the skirt. Love. It.

Being a not so dressy person I don't say that lightly.
The skirt is black with red pinstripes, red lining and the red shimmer half belt (boys did you just glaze over?). The length is just right. The slits are just long enough. The cut makes everything look good. The front sits more like a pencil skirt while the back has a little flip at the bottom to give me a curve that I don't really have.

Love it.



I suppose that in itself isn't really exciting but I liked it so much I bought it to use the pattern from it for the being the maid dress/outfit. I've been making a point of trying on dresses and skirts to get an idea as to what looks alright on me and therefore what sort of pattern I should be looking for. I think I may have had on more fancy clothing in the last 2 1/2 months that I have in my entire life.

Okay maybe not since I quite like pink and frills as a wee thing.

The dress decision has been (almost) finalized in as much as we will all be in black and can pick our own style. The material needs to be either the same or similar but length is at our own discretion. The only negative I can find in the black is that it will be mighty hot if it's a warm day; I'm hoping for sunny but cool.

I've a friend from running, who makes costumes, and she said that she'd take a look at it and see what she can do about getting the pattern for me.

That's a weight off.

*$300.00 marked down to $30!

How to Make this Girl Happy

Let her run amuck in your closet.



Then tell her you want her to take you shopping.



I've been given free reign to take on a friends wardrobe. He's in need of some spiffing up* for work and he's asked me to help. His wife is thrilled. I can't wait.

The one reality show that I quite like to watch is What Not to Wear. I have found that the tips they give people really do work and, due to Clinton and Stacy, I try on things I would have scoffed at before. You really don't know until you try it on.

I've used their fashion voodoo on a few people, most notably the mom. I finally got her out of her tapered legged, too short mom jeans. She now wears jeans and trousers that fit really well. What convinced her that I was actually right? The fact that the better fitting pants made her look like she'd lost weight.





*(Must start looking at how to dress a male in something other than dressy casual, so that he doesn't look like an old man...)

He's so serious in the end.
I laugh every time.
I can be such a big kid (aka juvenile).

Snow!

Shoe-y Goodness

It's hard to get leg shots without making the legs look massive. Much contorting was done before I got the pictures I was ok with.






It's silly that a bit of leather makes me feel so giddy but what can I say.
The last picture is shoes and pj's, summer pj's that is. Yes There are pj's. This is not that sort of blog.

Pew Pew!!! (those are gun noises don't you know)

Over to friends for tea and talk tonight. It's been too long as life seems to get in the way but we made up for lost time blabbing away for 3 hours.

I also had to share in some Star Wars joy with her sons. I was dragged to their rooms and shown ships and figurines and, of course, light sabres. Then I had a go at LEGO Star Wars II with oldest boy. I tried really hard to beg my way out as I am a crap gamer but he insisted and as he asked me so politely I really could not refuse. So I sat and played and....won.

I'm pretty sure he let me win since all I did was randomly press buttons while hoping for the best. If it isn't Tetris I suck!

Oh the Joy

I bought some lovely new pj bottoms yesterday and am so happy with them. They are actual girl pants that touch the floor; amazing.

When you are of above average height these things bring one much pleasure. I dislike trotting around with my ankles out especially in front of someone else. These will be handy for NYC.

Just got home...

Guitars; both electric and acoustic, mandolin, banjo, accordions, organ, keyboards, xylophone, bass, upright bass, cello, viola, violin, shakers, zither (maybe), cowbell, drums and something with a crank.


It was a lot of instruments yet the six members of The Decemberists put them all to excellent use.


A friend recommended the band to me and I went to their concert on a whim; what else does one do when their original plans fall through. It was so great. They're very talented and entertaining and the sold out crowd loved them.


The singer was very interactive. At one point he took someone's camera and snapped pics of the band. Another time he grabbed a phone off someone, dialed and then sang to whomever answered. Many times he got us to sing and, for the last song to even crouch on the floor.

Check them out.

Oh, and I think I stood next to a local music blogger. I'll have to check his site tomor...err, later today and see.

This Ad Makes Me Smile

It may have something to do with the fact that it has nothing to do with Christmas (I am on xmas overload already). I am always amused when I see people rocking it out in the car; we all seem to feel invisible in the car. I really think my enjoyment of the ad has to do with the fact that I too sing along in the carand am forever hoping not to be caught out.



I've seen the look the girls give him. Thankfully no one has ever tossed anything at me. This is a bright spot in the commercial landscape right now.

I Went Walking

I spent sometime walking in the woods over the weekend and made another spot for all the pics. Our Fall has been fantastic. Where normally we have rain we are actually still on water watches. This has led to a very colourful Autumn indeed.

I chose the trees over the beach this time. I need an ocean fix but know the weather will be turning very soon and everything will become brown. I wandered the side trails of Campbell Valley slipping in mud and getting covered in cobwebs all the while smiling and muttering to myself. I left dirty, wet and happy.

It was peaceful, beautiful and calming.

(I like a number of my pics but looking through them I have an itch for a better camera and so am tucking away bday and, soon, xmas money)

It's so nice out that I've made myself a cup of tea and am heading out to read in the Fall sun.

Girl On A Swing