no dress rehearsal

ten on tuesday

1. What has been taking up time at the Moaklers these days? Why, the Great 227 Hamilton Deck Build 2009. We actually have at least half of the deck built right about now, thanks to all Dean's hard work and my very sad and profanity-filled attempts at using a drill to screw the deck boards down. I will be excited to finally have outdoor space to sit, eat and entertain. Our next step? Why, throwing a big old deck party, of course.

2. I have been so very tired this last few weeks, thanks in part to my long recovery time from the pneumonia I was diagnosed with a while back. The upside has been that I am forced to take more relaxing time for myself; reading, napping and such. Not enough, mind you, but more than normal.

3. Speaking of reading, I have finished the first two of the "Twilight" books. I did enjoy them, they were certainly engaging. I found myself not wanting to put them down until I read on. Yet, I don't love, love them like some have. I think Harry Potter is much better.

4. I got a wee little iPod shuffle when we were in the apple store in Vegas, waiting for Dean to purchase his iPod touch. I was unsure how I would like the decreased control over the play list that the shuffle provides, but it was inexpensive and I wanted something to wear on walks. I carefully selected 250 songs on the weekend and loaded it up. I love it! When put on shuffle, each upcoming song is a surprise. And because it holds such a limited amount of music, it was necessary to pick songs that I really, really love, which means each song is a pleasant surprise at that.

5. I am hoping the new iPod inspires me to get out and walk a bit more, and that will be the first of many positive lifestyle changes to come. Boy, have I been putting on weight, and it needs to stop. Actually, I really need to take off some weight. Though I've been on the more "traditionally built" side  for a while, it need not be, steroids be damned. It's the two biggies I'm not happy about - how clothes fit and how I'm looking in pictures. I have a wedding to attend in early October. I would really like to be looking good in a dress by then, and be ready for any photo opportunities that present themselves.

6. The only reason I'll be happy for weight gain is if I get pregnant, which I'm unhappy to report I am not. The fertility treatment process has been long and frustrating, thanks in part to vacationing doctors and months waiting for a procedure because all appointments are booked up. International adoption is under serious consideration.

7. Hunter has been our dog for more than 4 months now, and seems settled and content. Much tail wagging, licking and begging for food occur daily. We are both enjoying the companionship of a four legged family member again, but I still tear up thinking of Abby at times.

8. It's been a weird weather combination of warm and humid (neither which Newfoundland is known for) that has made the last week or more feel so hot and sticky.  And me + heat = absolutely nothing good. People are shaking their heads and wondering how I survived in New Orleans. It's called air conditioning, which every building and vehicle down south is equipped with and comparatively few are here.

9. I am in desperate need of a pedicure, haircut and eyebrow waxing. Sigh, I've let myself go.

10. Looks like the Moaklers will take New Jersey in the new year. Dean has been given a generous offer from his employer to complete an 18 month Masters in Engineering at Rutger's University, including all school expenses paid plus part of his salary in the form of educational and living allowances to boot. There are many reasons that this is great, many more why I am freaked out about it. Though when the offer was first made, it was for September. The move of the start date to January was God's way of making me less freaked out about it all, it seems. After gearing up to have to move within weeks, having months of preparation seems like a breeze right about now. Ask me again in November...

Good night!

a handmade gift from me

Sweet Katy posted "pay it forward" yesterday, stating that she will hand make and send a gift to the first five people to comment on that post on her blog, as long as they agreed they would also send handmade presents to the first five who commented on a similar post on their own blog. I signed right up. I love a) getting "snail mail" and b) hand making presents.

So, here goes.

The first five people to leave a comment about this post will get a handmade gift from me. As in Katy's explanation, I'll state that you will get it sometime in 2009 (I also need that wiggle room, Katy). You may all get something similar, or 5 totally different things, I'm not sure yet. As Katy also mentioned, it will be something "real life" as opposed to "cyber". I will happily mail the gift anywhere, though I'll also hand deliver it if you live nearby.

I'm not going to require that you participate on your own blog to be one of my five, because I know that a nice hand made present may brighten days for some who can't make the commitment to make 5 more in return (this means that you too may sign up Katy :) Sometimes it's nice to pay it backwards as well as forwards). Though if you'd like to "pay it forward", that would also be lovely.

I'm excited about this! I have some ideas already of what I would like to make to share: now to choose...

project 365 is back on track...

...although now it's more along the lines of project 324, because I've missed so many days over the past few weeks.

In the days and weeks following the miscarriage, Dean and I took more quiet time than normal. Time at home just chatting, or watching television.Pajama days and napping on the couch. Hot baths, magazine reading and early bedtimes. Ignoring the renovation "to do" list and putting work life on the back burner.

Valentine's evening, we stayed in rather than heading out into the restaurant crowds, and were in bed early. But by 2 am, we both realized neither of us could sleep. So we got up, snuggled up with blankets on a sofa each, nibbled on the snacks Dean ventured out to get and watched all the Tivo'ed episodes of "24" and "Fringe" we had missed. Looking at Dean then, I realized more than ever that I'd rather be married to him and never have a child, than be married to anyone else and have a brood of kids.

This time was what we needed. It was the beginning of us working through the fact that I was losing the baby, that our hope of becoming parents was not going to be realized just yet. But also a time when I gained a lot of perspective, and was reminded of everything I have around me that I am grateful for.

This past week, I got back to a normal routine - working more regularly than I had been, dinners out with our friend Schroeder and his wife Devin, "Slumdog Millionaire" at the movie theater with my friend Nance, a dinner party at my friend and co-worker Jen's house, hosting a family BBQ this evening. It feels good to be back to, well, life. Though I will admit,  an occasional pajama day is still more than welcome...

Project 365...

...has officially kicked off. I have downloaded the first of what will be many pictures I'll take this year.

I loved following Elizabeth's year in pictures in 2008, and wanted to do the same for a few reasons. First of all, I want to learn to take better pictures, and what better way to force the camera out of it's comfy camera bag and really learn it's features than by using it each and every day. Secondly, I think a project like this really forces you to look around and document all those little, important moments that happen every day - moments that may otherwise pass by barely noticed and quickly fade from memory (especially my memory, which is awful).

Already, I have already missed a day: January 6th (perhaps it was because of the exhausted state I was in after staying up with my friend Nancy until 3 am the night before). Oh dear. Already I can see I will not be as good at keeping up with this as Elizabeth was : )

10 on tuesday - friday photo edition

1. Hurricane Gustav, thanks for ruining our travel plans for a fun long weekend in New Orleans. This is as close as Dean and I got to the Saints game on Sunday - sitting in front of the television watching it, thanks to our purchase of the "NFL Sunday Ticket" package earlier in the day. We did wear our jerseys, snack on Superdome-like food, and cheer, which was fun. And the Saints won. Undefeated in the season!

2. I've begun to unpack some of my scrapbook and sewing supplies, so when Dean requested I pick up some gummie bears for a co-worker of his who has been helping him out lately, I did up this jar. Just a simple, 2 minute little craft, but it was nice to get my hands on some of my old stuff that's been in storage for a year.

3. I used a coupon at Michael's to get a frame for my "keep calm and carry on" poster. Perhaps I should have sprung for professional framing, which would have surely corrected the wrinkles and creases caused by the big old dent in the poster tube that occurred somewhere between the UK and here. Or, as sweet Katy pointed out, I could look at the creases and be reminded to be calm. I know it's not a perfect fit, but I'm trying to be frugal here, with the jar budget system still in effect.

4. Last night, Dean was heading upstairs to continue to install drywall and asked if I would come up. I was busy resigning myself to a long evening of being a drywall assistant, when Dean said, "No, I don't need your help. I just want someone to keep me company so I'm not bored". So I filled the tub with nice hot water, added bubbles, took a lovely bath, and chatted with my buddy. He was working in our bedroom, the next room over. Here he is, busy putting up sheets in the newly built closets.

5. I also did a bit of reading in the tub. Though I don't watch Oprah on television, her magazine seems to be one that inexplicably jumps into my buggy in the checkout line at the grocery store. "Too busy to live?" she asks. Why yes, Oprah, I am - how did you know? And is there advice inside for how to turn it around?

(Magazine sitting on the newly tiled bathroom floor, dirty as it is right now)

6. Here's a little peek at one corner of our kitchen. We've just finished tiling and grouting the counter with black granite tile and the back splash with tumbled marble mosaic tile. I'm in the process of facing the salvage yard purchased cabinets with veneer and finishing the doors. All in all, we've done this kitchen quite inexpensively. The beautiful limelight hydrangeas are compliments of my mom and her garden. They begin a lovely bright green and fade to ivory as the blooms mature.

7. I did my biggest wedding cake yet last week. It's my policy to not decorate any cake I haven't baked myself, but after a request from a sweet bride that I couldn't refuse, I broke my own rule and decorated her grandma's fruitcakes. Let's say it was a nightmare and I now remember why I don't do it, but the cake did turn out nicely, I think. I don't know what Bran puts in her fruitcakes, but boy, was the finished product heavy. I could barely lift it.

(I should point out this was not my design, but one the bride picked a picture of).

8. Fall is in the air - it's getting chilly and we've been talking about (eekkk) turning on the heat. When I brought Abby out to play yesterday evening, I was cold. Where did the summer go? And, more importantly, why didn't we attend to the stuff needed outside the house before now?

9. One thing I do look forward to as fall approaches is the changing of the leaves. I love the rich, gorgeous golds, reds and browns  that the cooler weather brings. Here's one of my nan's maple trees in October of last year.

10. Another thing I look forward to as fall comes - the food. I do like that fruits, veggies, salads and lighter fare of the summer, but there's just something about the heartier offerings of autumn. Last night, we had homemade roasted asparagus and carrot bisque and grilled apple, spinach and brie sandwiches. I love when the house is filled with the spicy cinnamon, apple, pumpkin and maples scents, which hit you as you walk in a warm home from the cool weather outside. So cozy!

ten on tuesday, friday edition

1. I decided to blatantly steal the "ten on Tuesday" idea from the sweet elizabeth and many others, as it seems like an oh so efficient manner to get down a few things on the long neglected blog. I am so far behind on sharing pictures and news, I don't think I'll catch up (which sounds suspiciously similar to my pile of photos to be scrapbooked, my pile of material to be quilted, etc, etc.).I'm overwhelmed with lack of time. I hope this will not be a recurring theme in life, but I suspect it will only get worse as children get added into the picture.

2. Don't take that last statement to mean I have gotten pregnant. I am scheduled to see a fertility specialist in November (it took 6 months to get an appointment). My friend Ashley went to see the same doctor, and now has precious little Kate. I feel hopeful.

3. The Vegas wedding of Matthew had a few snags, but was lovely overall. I was going to talk about all the scandalous events and analyze the possibilities of long-term marriage success (given that he met her as a stripper at a bachelor party he was attending about a year before they tied the knot), but I'm not. Because when I asked dear Matthew how he knew she was the one, he replied "She makes me happy."  And I think that's what counts most, that you move through life with someone by your side that makes you smile. Here they are on their wedding day.

And here's Dean and Matt in their matching best man-groom tuxedos, and me in the middle. Oh my, I really am short, aren't I?

Oh, and yes, there was plenty of strippers at the wedding. At least I'm guessing they were strippers. I'm judging by their shoes, which may not be the best call. Still, you can learn a lot about someone by their footwear...

4. Progress on the house renovation is crawling along at a snail's pace. Dean is quite busy at work, and has been gone two out of the last three weeks. I am picking up glass to replace the broken panes in the living room and kitchen windows this afternoon. That's something, right?

5. I am also started back to work as an occupational therapist. I am working at a private clinic dealing mostly in ergonomics and injured workers, which I picked because my schedule is so flexible. I'm there on an "as needed/as available" basis, and get paid by the service. I'm slow at the paperwork and there more than I'm being paid for right now, but I'm hoping that will change and even out when I get more efficient. Though it's not my favorite area of practice, I am sort of enjoying being back to work a bit!

6. Dean and I both have decided that this is a good time to get back into a nice, healthy routine. I'm just wanting to feel better and, of course, fit into clothes better too. We bought a Wii game console, and Wii Fit, and it's a lot of fun. It may not be quite as good as a gym workout, but I've been using it a lot. Last night, we were both quite out of breath trying to box one another.

7. Speaking of getting healthy, I have been cooking meals in the kitchen all week. The space may not be completely finished, but it has everything needed to make a good meal. My favorite meal this week? A Thai chicken and veggies with whole wheat pasta and a homemade spicy peanut sauce. Yum! I forgot how much I like to cook.

8. We've also put ourselves on a cash budget. We're even using jars just like in the show "Til Debt Do Us Part". Have you ever watched that? Sometimes I turn it on, seeing someone spending so out of control makes me feel like we're doing a good job financially.

9. Dean booked our tickets to New Orleans on the aeroplan mile points for early September. Hooray! We're going to catch the Saints home opener against the Bucs. I'm so excited.

10. Abby, our beloved puppy, turned 10 years old Wednesday past. Dean and I got her when she was 7 weeks old, so we've managed to keep a living creature alive for a decade. Abby plans to celebrate with my mom's two dogs on the weekend, mostly with extra dog cookies.

Finally, an update!

tagged!

The very sweet Elizabeth has tagged me on her blog, where she is doing a "365 + 1" album of a daily photo I'm particularly enjoying. Thanks for all the info about photo editing on a mac, Elizabeth! I've been practicing with iPhoto on my macbook : )

Here's how the tag works.

The rules: Link to your tagger and post these 3 rules on your blog.

• Share 7 facts about yourself on your blog, some random, some weird.
• Tag 7 people at the end of your post by leaving their names as well as links to their blogs.
• Let them know they are tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

Let's see, 7 random and weird facts about me...I think I recall doing this on myspace a while back, so...

1. I never set my alarm clock, or the cook time on my microwave, to any even number, or on the quarter hour. My clock has to go off at "6:14", not "6:00" or "6:15". I heat up something for "2:11" not 2 minutes. I'm very neurotic about this.

2. I am legally blind in my left eye, which doesn't hinder me too much, except for when I am driving/parking. Or when I go to the 3D IMAX, which is all blurry to me no matter what dumb glasses I put on. Dean also has one bad eye, so we have 1 good set of eyes between the two of us. It's amazing we've gotten this far in life.

3. My husband was the first boy to ever give me a ring. We were in 6th grade, and he brought me a shell ring back from his family vacation from Florida. We didn't begin dating until 6 years later, though.

4. "24" is my favorite show, and the only one I've watched with any regularity in ages. I have a bit of a crush on Jack Bauer...Dean and I viewed a whole season in one weekend. Truly, we ordered pizza, watched 24 and occasionally snoozed for two days.

5. I love live music, going to see a band is probably my most favorite thing to do ever. Big venue or small, doesn't matter. Jazzfest is the absolute best time to be in New Orleans, in my opinion.

6. Alice Cooper scares me. I once had a nightmare where Alice Cooper was hiding under my bed, and in the split second after I woke up, I thought I saw him looking  down at me. I also used to find garden gnomes somewhat frightening, but fear has gone away since the roaming gnome on the travelocity commercials began airing.

7. Vending machines are a gamble for me. I don't know if I give off some sort of weird electrostatic charge that keeps them from giving me what I request, but there was a period in my life where, at least 50% of the time, I got nothing at all, nor did I get any money back. I think my odds have improved some since then, but not by much. Another reason to avoid junk in those machines.

There you have it. Now, I have to tag 7 people. These are a few of my most frequently read blogs, so I tag:
Katy, Susie , Nadine , Mary Jo , Sheri , Susanna , Mindi

I hope I'm doing that link thing correctly!