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For about a year now I've been wanting and trying to learn how to crochet. I bought the Stitch and Bitch crochet book (as recommended by a friend) but I couldn't get it. I tried a few times, put the book down for a few days and tried again....still no go. I found tutorials online and those didn't help either. I just could not wrap my brain around it. Last week, I don't even remember why, I picked up the book and went to grab the yarn. Would you believe it? I started crocheting like I had known for years! Now I just need to find my self a nice little project/pattern.
Voulez vous crochet avec moi?
:)
Also, a while back I picked up this book. Ta-Da!
I kinda want to do this to all my t-shirts now......maybe a little too much? Maybe.

Baaaahahahahah!

-My new haircut!
I had it cut a second time this week by a self proclaimed "Bad Arse Hair Chick" Deyah. She had given my old neighbor a sweet cut last summer that I absolutely loved! I feel like a new supper sassy woman.

-Our new washer and dryer.
They sing a sweet tune when the cycle is done that has made me smile every time so far.

-Stained Glass.
I finished my latest piece this week and it turned out exactly the way I wanted it to.

-My husband surprising me with a new toe ring. Such a sweet gesture.

-This photo.

-Monday Belly dancing class with girls from work. Makes for nice conversation about something other than work.

-Homemade cinnamon raisin pinwheels for breakfast.

-Canadian Vignettes. They make me so homesick.

Wednesday was Administrative Professional's Day. My position at work is a little all over the place....sales/jane of all/"the one that runs the floor" Whatever my title may be, they appreciate me! It was a super surprise.

And then.....

That same night at my stained glass class, my teacher asked me to help her with demonstrations in an upcoming open house. Sweet!
So if you live around Orlando, c'mon down to the Maitland Art Center May 16, 1:00-4:00pm and check out the open house!

Our first camping trip in Florida....quite the adventure. Who knew it would be easier to walk into a hotel and get a room that getting a campsite? Do you have a reservation???

The first place we tried (Wekiwa Springs State Park) was a "first come, first served" kind of park, so I figured our chances were 50/50. No dice. The park ranger lady handed us a little pink slip with directions to the next closest park (Kelly Park)
"Reservations?"
"No"
"Sorry, we're all full up"
We asked if there was a park other than the one we had just come from and she handed us a pamphlet to Wekiwa River Falls Resort in Sorrento, FL. She pointed out that it was a "business" and not a State Park. I called ahead to make sure there was space and off we went. On the way, we got a little turned around and also a grasshopper jumped into the car and was bouncing around under my legs so I pulled over into a little strip mall looking place. We were in the middle of butt-pick nowhere and there were these two boys just sitting on a bench. Wierd.
I went over to ask if I was headed in the right direction. The older of the two told me to go down the road for "A really long time" untill I see a sign that says "You just missed us, turn around!" I caught this kid seriously checking out my butt as I walked away and as I was getting baack into the car he yells "I love you!"
Hmm. ok. I will admit I was a little flattered. It was sweet and made Voy smile.
Anyway, we get to the campground and it looks like a pretty cool place. The guy at the desk was a young surfer type, he told us just to go find a spot. ?? No number designation?
We drove down to what looked like the the area he described, parked the car and decided to find a spot on foot. All the sites were between the road and a little stream. The first big camp we passed had beercans all over the ground and some shirtless guy yells out: "You guys want some oysters?" We say no thank you. "Damn! Damn, you got a sistur? Damn, look at that"
We then realized we had entered the redneck twilight zone. Luckily we found a spot further down the road away from all the colorfull people. Seems that one rule of redneck ettiquette that I soon learned is that the men will only adderess the man in our couple. Once my man addresses back in a non threatining way they have full permission to visually molest me. WTF?

I have a theory: State Parks=no alcohol=>rednecks. Maybe? We'll have to try again :)

Several neighbors, all with their own charm......

A lady across the street with so many cats, her own daughter called the animal services on her.

Two doors to the right.... pretty quiet people (except for when the cops are being called on them for domestic disturbances...) They have children that spread onto the next street that live with their parents. Very unsociable to say the least.
A guy on the other side of the street that will cut his lawn every other day in khakis. Only khakis.

Sitting in my living room , right now, the windows open.....a dog barking a few houses down.....and then a woman screaming "Shut the F*$K UP!" after every bark. This woman has also come out of her house, in the middle of the day to shake out a rug...in the NUDE. Don't get me wrong, I'm all up for nudity, but you can't tell me that your jaw wouldn't drop at seeing this in the middle of an afternoon chat with a friend out on the porch. Big, slappy tits all over the place. A guy walking his dog was so dumbfounded he turned beet red, pivoted and double stepped back the way he came. Not hawt.
I used to have a few drug dealers straight across from me, but the guys mom kicked him out. (how embarrassing)
I may be getting a new neighbor this weekend......a wall/share neighbor.....how exciting!

??
Sometimes I wonder. This is by no means a diary or it would for sure be anonymous and be about all the silly trials, the complaints and everyday activities of just another person. Is my blog special? Does anyone even read it? Is that what really matters? If I do this just for my own enjoyment, why do I feel so guilty that I haven't posted anything in over a month? I don't have to give excuses to anyone but myself.
Anyway, enough of that rant.
Last night was a perfect Florida date night. A light dinner at a little Bistro down the street and before we left we wandered into the market to pick up a bottle of sparkling lemonade and biscotti to take with us to a movie in the park. That seems to be all the rage in community parks here in Orlando. A huge inflatable screen is set up and everyone lays out on blankets and lawn chairs to catch a free movie. We saw Kung Fu Panda.

Jack Black + David Cross = Awesome.

I have no words. It is February, and I love this song.

I now work for a Floral Wholesale Company. I love it. FLOWERS everywhere, including my house. On my first day at work I ended up bring home five Amaryllis plants, about twenty Antherium, and a huge armful of white, purple and green giant Cymbidium Orchid sprays. (pictured)
The guys I work with have a gang of stray kitties that they feed and play with everyday just outside the back door, and OMG I won't even brag about the employee discount I get.

I am happy.

Botanical Bliss.

The weather has been so beautiful this last week, and just think, we'll be heading into a snowstorm aftermath in a few days. I have Amaryllis and Paper Whites in my windowsill on the verge of bursting into a fragrant bliss. The Chinese Orchid tree has a few flowers starting, the Kalanchoe is about to open and my Violas have been multiplying daily. It will be a shame if I miss everything while I'm up in the North Pole. I have some Monstera that I'm going to try to smuggle in my suitcase, hopefully it will ripen in time to share with the family.
I'm looking forward to spending Christmas in Ottawa. We won't be torn between visiting with 2+ families and it won't have that "Christmas in Florida" weirdness about it. We'll be able to relax and enjoy time with a few special people. I have a big bag of Shweaty Balls in the freezer that I made for the trip! Ha! I just hope getting there will be a breeze and I also hope my mother-in-law remembers to bring my winter coat.

I've purchased a Hula Hoop. It arrived this weekend. This is my inspiration. I'm going to make one video per week to track my progress. Wish me luck!

Browsing some Canadian news today, I came to find a small piece of Winnipeg was laid to rest. Every summer; even up until the year I moved to Florida, I'd go to the zoo. The polar bear enclosure is the first thing you come upon and always was the one I stood to watch the longest. They would pace back and forth, sniffing the air, jump into the water and swim around- dog paddling with massive paws. Debby passed away on Monday. According to the Guinness book, she was the oldest Polar bear in captivity and she lived in Winnipeg.
Reading the article brought me to tears. It makes me think of all the precious memories I have of where I grew up and all of the sweet and beautiful things in life that I take for granted every day.

If you've found one of my cards, Yay!!! I hope you're having a wonderful day!
Please leave a comment about where it was found or any other details.

With Christmas just around the corner and a surplus of cards in my closet, I wanted to try an experiment in kindness. Anonymous holiday cards. Everyone can use a little more of the warm and fuzzies inside, right?
Quotes, well-wishes and daily ramblings will be scribbled inside these little cuties, and they'll be left at various places around Orlando.
:)

Lately I've been finding myself listening to kids music. Yes, children's music. Baby mania you ask? Not quite yet....maybe a 4 on the scale of 1-10. Honestly, I just enjoy the silliness. Most of my favorite songs have always had sing-a-long, silly type lyrics, be it Beck, The Beastie Boys or Mickey Avalon. So here I am sharing two very recent albums that will instantly put a smile on your face when you listen to them.
-Barenaked Ladies- "Snack Time"
-Kimya Dawson- "Alphabutt"
Listening to the Barenaked Ladies has always given me the feeling of home. Their album "Gordon" was the first cassette I ever bought, with my own allowance! I was fourteen.
These songs are so super cute, I just want to gush. There's one song that has recordings of kids and adults saying their names and then their favorite snack and Bubbles is one of them! *sigh*

Back in the day, my sister and I would listen to the Moldy Peaches. (be weary about listening to that at work or with small ears around) When she was here to visit last spring we went to see Kimya Dawson preform. Not exactly my taste in music anymore, but my sister really wanted to go. The show was made up of mostly annoying fourteen year olds that were there because of the movie "Juno" but whatever. Ms Dawson had a little girl in the last year or so and had a few songs that she played that were to be in her upcoming kids album. I was in love with the songs instantly. Songs about poo and farts and gorilla farts....how could you not?

Anyway, I don't have any kids and it might seem weird that I'm slowly collecting kids music, but look at it this way; when I do have kids....I won't be one of those parents that wants to shoot Teletubbies or Hanna Montana in the face if I had the chance. My kids might turn out.....kinda cool.

And it was beautiful!

berries, originally uploaded by Crystal Pistil.

This weekend went by way too quickly. All the soul searching plans I had made for myself were easily tossed aside for trips to butterfly sanctuaries and Hot Dog restaurants with provocative names. However, I did manage to get the last big wedding detail out of the way. "Phew!"
I bought some fresh Figs at the grocery store on a whim. I think I'll make a Fig spread and some fresh bread today......I feel a little domestic goodness is due. (good for clearing the mind)

This morning I woke with a sudden urge to Google "Fire Ant bites"
During a great adventure yesterday that included, a road trip to West Palm Beach, a tire blowout, and an unforgettable Mexican restaurant, somewhere in there I was down on all fours with my arm unknowingly on top of a quaint little fire ant abode. (may I add that we don't have these feisty guys in Canada and I've only been bitten by one once on my big toe)
Anyway, this morning, all the little bites have turned into whitehead-looking pustules. Super gross! And its taking EVERY ounce of willpower I have not to pop them.
A cup of coffee and some interweb searching later, I found myself on Amazon looking at books about canning and preserving naturally with honey. It really must be one of "those days" Because, on my yahoo homepage, the hot topic for the next fifteen minutes is this.
Experiment for today:
Wash arm thoroughly (its covered in calamine right now) Cover bites with honey, and see what happens. At least I'll smell sweet. :)

Or in my case.....Limeade. (Story of my life these days...but I won't get into that.)

The first day of our garage sale, we found ourselves drinking Coronitas before noon without any limes. Luckily, Sara knew of a neighborhood lime tree with branches that hung over the sidewalk, so we wouldn't feel too tresspassy. I sure am going to miss that wonderful lady (she's off to a place even more tropical and warm than Florida) Sangria in the driveway, Loquats, finger mustache tattoos and Jammy Jams says it all.
I'll miss you Sara!