orchid dreams

Cranford - 1840;s

2010-01-04T08:52:40Z

I just watched the first Cranford series (by BBC) on Masterpiece Theatre. Oh, it was wonderful!

There's a Christmas special that aired in Britain in December and should be aired in next week on public tv.

If you get the chance to see the original (in three parts) I highly recommend it.

Loved it, it made me cry!

Yve

Feeling good

2009-12-22T21:02:06Z

Trainer wants me up to 45 min cardio/6 days a week, she's fine with me staying at lvl 3 on the bike and just increasing the time I spend on the bike. She said I can strength train daily as well as I'm not doing a lot of weight.

I've lost some pounds...things are already starting to look a little differently.

It's amazing how making a real effort to watch what I'm eating and MOVING is making a big difference. It gets easier.

This week

2009-12-15T20:55:18Z

So working with the trainer is very challenging and I push myself way more.

Tara is very impressed that though I've been essentially inactive, my cardio is easily up to 30 minutes (that will make my cardiologist and doctor very happy). She also said I'm very body aware...she doesn't have to dumb down "engage your abs" and that I'm very good at self correction. She said my core strength is WAY stronger than she expected...she said usually with inactivity the core strength is the first to go...yay dancing.

She gave me more challenges today...we started using more strength equipment and she had standing on one foot while doing my weighted arm excercises...worked my arms and my lower butt.

I'm feeling really good. I'm going to have some lunch...do some paperwork and then move onto some stretching.

THEN I'm going to work on the sewing room so I can start crafting...and THEN I'm making dinner.

Who has time for work? =)

Today I feel almost unemployed.

2009-12-11T18:52:48Z

I've been so busy that it hasn't felt like I've been off. Today, there are fewer things on the list (thank god).

Today is the first day with the trainer, Tara. I'm kinda nervous about it but I feel quite comfortable with Tara so although nervous I'm feeling very positive about it. Our goal for 12 weeks is 25 pounds (10% of my body weight) which I think is managable. I also have to keep a food diary for her...so I'm no longer responsible to just myself...now I have to think "what would Tara say?" I'm also going to try walking to the gym today....oi...it's uphill almost the entire way.

*paused for kitty break x 2*

I went to a resume/interview workshop this week. One day resume building, one day on interviewing. The program I felt was than the one offered for the MDSI lay off. I'm feeling more positive about my resume and I have a lot of work to do before an interview so I have homework that I will do a bit each day next week.

There is one or two jobs I will apply for this weekend. I may as well apply when I see them rather than wait until the end of Deember.

*I can't tell if it is raining or snowing outside*

I'm going to hang with my sis and the kids part of today and tomorrow. She's also enjoying that I have some time off.

Yve

8 days left

2009-11-17T22:52:10Z

Oi, 8 days left...wow...

It's difficult watching the email box I used to be tied to have over 30 emails in it and it was empty or below 10 when I would leave. I never let it get up to omg...it's at 206 when I just checked...I don't know how anyone can work in an email box like that...

Wrapping up litte details is taking forever...making sure that everything is covered...

I am so looking forward to having the last weekend of November not be me thinking about my work all weekend or checking in...that's going to be nice.

SOOOOO looking forward to December.
Yvonne

OMG...FU

2009-10-30T06:27:07Z

So, there's supposedly this incredibly amazing Star Wars the Music concert tour going on and they hit Seattle at the beginning of October but aren't hitting anything Western Canada.

FUFUFUFUFU!

I miss everything StarWars

*pout*
Yve

Seriously?

2009-10-30T04:21:40Z

Ok, I just watched Twilight.....and I still don't buy the sparkly vampires...but damn...I feel like a dirty old lady

Now, I must read the books

damn...I'm such a sucker for vampire stories

Yve

blah

2009-10-28T06:52:20Z

So, I got my package finally...Nov 27th is officially my last day.

My bennies continue for the length of my severance or new employment, whichever happens first.

I think I've hit the grief stage...which is ok, I accept what it is. Tonight I splurge ate thin crust pizza, 2 cups of juice and some dessert pizza. And that is ok...kinda better than the original desire for a big hambuger, big mcD's fries and a mcflurry. (although the craving for ice cream is still there)

I'm not really upset about leaving...I'm just going to miss the people and the security of a paycheque that covers everything it needs to. Starting a new job is always kinda scary.

*fingers crossed that I find something even more awesome*

Yve

Anniversary

2009-09-23T16:18:58Z

Tyg and I went out for dinner to the Hart House Restaurant on Deer Lake four our second anniversary.

I had been there for lunch (which was excellent) but not dinner before. The dinner was SOOOOOOO yummy!

They originally sat us at a big round table for 6, they moved us right away when Tyg mentioned it was our second anniversary and he wanted to be able to look into my eyes. ;) We got moved near the window to a much smaller table.

The staff were very pleasant.

We had:
Bread & butter- they make it at the restaurant...the asiago bread was SOOOOO good and they made sure we always had a basket
A daily market seafood special appetizer that consisted of:
Lobster mouse (OMG, it was like lobster air it was so light)
Ahi Tuna - lightly seared with a bit of kick & cilantro
Scallop wonton in a soy ginger broth(?)

A salad each...mine had endive with greens, hazelnuts, grapes and a smoked hard goat cheese.

Dinner was:
Steak & 1/2 lobster
Smoked duck (tasted like duck bacon)very yummy bit salty for me but only because I'm not accustomed to the salt anymore.

Desert was:
Lemon tart (LEEEEEEEEMMMMMMMOOOOOONNNNNNNN...like hit you over the head tart but sweet lemon...YUM)
Chocolate (cubed) - chocolate torte with a glaze, chocolate cheesecake & chocolate mouse

They wrote in chocolate - Happy Anniversary on the dessert plates =)

No wine for me, I don't like the way it seems to react with my medication right now....it makes it feel like the way morphine moved through my system.

And then we went home and scooped cat litter and unclogged drains...LOL

=) Happy Anniversary to us =)

The Axe Fell

2009-09-17T16:07:44Z

Yesterday, I received a "memo" stating that I would be terminated.

Right now, the tentative date is Novemeber 27th...The final date with my package will be received in mid-October. They could lay me off sooner or later than Nov 27th at this point.

I'm satisfied with my package...it includes my time on contract. They also have a "support and placement" company that will work with us for three months after our termination date.

How am I feeling? blah cause the job hunt is never fun. I'm hoping to take a bit of time off but the sooner I find a job the sooner the package is extra money and with the job market being how it is...who knows...

Yve

How I’m doing ramblings….

2009-08-31T23:48:53Z

With the trip to the hospital and major habit changes, I’m completely not inspired to sew. For the November hafla, I’ll have to finish the jacket I’ve got done to the point where I can still adjust it without any stitches removed. I’ll need to make myself some pants then too but as those aren’t fitted, it’s no worry.

November Hafla, yes, I’m going as long as my BC enhanced ID shows up. Going down on the Friday after work via the train.

I still need to do the calligraphy piece for my sister but the sewing room has again become the throw everything in room and I just haven’t felt like cleaning it when the whole rest of the apartment is messy.

I’ve been happily cross stitching “Sleeping Beauty” http://www.mirabilia.com/crossStitchFrames/md5.html. ( I have misplaced the instructions for http://www.tiag.com/designs/BR-08.html which is what was on my frame) It gives me the chance to think on other things or nothing but my stitches for a couple of hours. I get to sit in the same room as Tyg and the kitties….. just being.

Vacuumed for the first time in at least a month.
Started keeping the kitchen cleaner again.
Folded all the laundry…now the test comes to put it all away.
So much housework to do because it’s behind, I feel completely overwhelmed and bummed out about it. 

I’ve been wanting a lot of quiet time lately.

Physically
-I sweat completely differently…I really sweat even when just walking (like give me a bucket….no the bigger one!…) not just a glow. This is likely due to medication.
-My skin is cold to touch when I sweat. Other than the drip drip off my nose and down the cleavage, it would feel really good.
-I notice a complete difference when I eat the DASH way.
-Had pop for the first time since leaving the H. It was utterly disgusting…
-I drink a minimum of 6 glasses of water a day.
-I wake up through the night to go pee which is kinda ok at 4am because I fall back asleep but not so good at 6:30.
-I have strange sometimes horrible dreams lately.

Diet = The DASH diet (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) is a diet promoted by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (US) to control hypertension. A major feature of the plan is limiting intake of sodium, and it also generally encourages the consumption of nuts, whole grains, fish, poultry, fruits and vegetables while lowering the consumption of red meats, sweets, and sugar. It is also "rich in potassium, magnesium, and calcium, as well as protein and fiber."

Home from the hospital

2009-08-06T19:10:42Z

Well, I'm home from the hospital.

Essentially, many takings of my blood, some peeing in cups, many drugs, CT scan to make sure I don't have a brain tumor, x-ray of my heart, couple ECG's, IV stint in both hands, stubborn veins.

Now, I have LOTS of drugs to take daily. What do I have?

Hypertension...likely been around a while. They kept me in to try and figure out...was it the blood pressure making the head hurt or the head raising the blood pressure go up.

I will be seeing an internal medicine internist and a cardioligist on an outpatient basis.

I'm tired, I'm sore, I'm medicated.

I need to next day or so to take it easy...then I think I'll be ready to face the world.

No trip for me...

2009-07-31T16:41:36Z

I ended up with a cold that is affecting my ears.

Not wanting to risk air pressure changes or 4 hours in a car...no exploding ear drums. So...home I stay. =( Honey is going, he's to eat my share of groceries ;)

Hopefully, this clears up by the time my tiger is home so that we can enjoy Sunday night/Monday day/Tuesday together.

We picked up some groceries for me including crepes so I wouldn't totally be missing out.

This has made me all the more excited about getting out of town in September. Away from city noise, away from constant noise. I'll miss my kitties but I really feel like I need a recharge.

Yve

WTF?

2009-07-28T23:20:58Z

We are in the middle of a heat wave and I get a cold...someone at work just came to see me today and she has one too.

freaking messed up

Status update - just a quick note

2009-07-24T21:56:09Z

Sewing:
I have all three gomleks complete...plenty of compliments about the printing on them.

One under jacket complete (complimented on my honey's jacket), one more of those to do (almost done...just need to face and put the fastening on)

Two overjackets to complete. Heading to Dressew for more buttons (didn't find beads I wanted)

Events:
- Going to Clinton for the Friday and Saturday night
- SYGC is at Warner Loat this year

Inspirations/looking at right now...
Dolls
Calligraphy for D&D
Steampunk / winter jacket

Things going on in my brain...

- Organize for next summer have a "Out of Time" picnic...1650 - 1950 costume picnic...bring your own food, have lawn games, etc.
- Label to apply to things I make for money(once I get that far)- Orchid Dreams by Yvonne Reid

Dressew - Attempt #2

2009-07-07T21:57:22Z

Ok, so last week, I got half way there and realized I didn't have my bank card...last time I was there they didn't accept anything but cash and cheques. No bank card = no cash. I had my Visa but I don't know if they accept those yet. Dressew is funny that way. So, I got as far as New West, realized what I had done, rode the train to Royal Oak and then went back home, laid on the couch with the fan blowing on me and took a nap.

I will be heading down to Dressew, Saturday morning before it gets too hot.

The trip will be:
Get off at Granville, walk up to Crepe Express, pick up crepe, walk down to Dressew. Pick up the trim I need. Come home via Waterfront.

yummmmm....nutella, banana, strawberry...truly me breakfast ;)

Why I had never tried nutella before...I dunno

Dressew

2009-07-03T02:13:34Z

I'm heading to Dressew on Saturday morning before it gets hot.

Anyone want to come?

Yve

The Lipizzaner Stallions

2009-07-03T02:12:41Z

Wow =)

It's so kewl to finally do something you've wanted to do since you were a little kid.

My honey took me and his mom to The Lipizzaner Stallions this past weekend. I loved them.

http://www.lipizzaner.com/home.asp

If we won the lottery, totally would have to do dressage and get myself an Andalusian. Dancing with a horse...wow

Of course...I'd have to learn to ride first ;)

Yve

Creative Brain

2009-06-24T22:58:28Z

Costuming

My vow to myself in all sewing was that I was going to stop going for quantity or "rush jobs" and go for quality. There may still be “accuracy/colour issues” but at least I’ll look nice.

Atira’s shirt is almost done, just need to finish hemming and neckline. The stamping looks so pretty, I may take it around the bottom hem once that is stitched. I stamped the main design in black and put a small amount of blue in the center of the flower (the blue lightened when heat set). I’ll post pics when I put some batteries in the camera.

Tonight, wash, iron and start cutting Tyg’s shirt fabric (perhaps get mine done as well). Tomorrow, start stamping in red. For his shirt I’m trying to decide if I’ll follow all vertical lines or just the hems…

The book “Turkish Embroidery” arrived. It only has two pictures of “in period” embroidery from Topaki BUT it does talk about embroidery before 1700’s. From the book, there’s very few extant pieces that exist (this is often mentioned in books and handouts). Looking at the Sultan’s clothing (which the servants began saving in the treasury during the 1600’s by wrapping in up to 40 layers of cloth) the belief is that outer clothing tended to not be heavily embroidered but that accessories, underclothes (gomleks, etc) and household items were. She also gives an idea of what would have been a traditional patterns and when they started adding more patterns in the 1700’s.

I do have the a book coming that is “Islamic Embroidery in Egypt” which is supposed to have many extant examples (drier climate). Between the two, I hope to do some embroidered underclothes and accessories.

Dancing
Going to the BBH hafla this weekend. Been doing a bit more walking if I have runners on…been doing push ups against the bathroom counter to build strength into my arms and shoulders again.

Calligraphy
Have not started on this project yet…but I will, as soon as the costumes are done. I need to have it done and framed by mid-late August in time for D&D’s 10th anniversary. I think I’ve decided on colours and style, just need to get through the clothes first.

Dolls
When I worked for Fanny’s I made several series of soft dolls and one Cinderella set using the plastic doll forms we sold at Fanny’s.

I sold the elephant pair for ($150?) I had sewn for display that was for my sister (I ended up making her a second set). I had many people express interest in Cinderella but because she was a “cheap form” I didn’t feel right selling her for the labour that the clothes took and the fabric used on her (although expensive) was so fragile.

The elephants actually led to a commission for a series of dolls. I was given some drawings and asked to create them in soft doll form. (You may see them set up in the store set of Neverending Story 3 which was filmed in the old Woodward’s store) It was this set of dolls being made on such a deadline that triggered my first bout of tendanitus and when I almost cut off my finger.

My grandmom had been so impressed with my dolls, for Christmas one year, she and grandpa gave me a big box of doll making supplies (hats, glasses, hair, lace). (Which I cleared out during one of our moves *sigh*)

What does this lead to? Well, I’ve been thinking of making Raggedy Anne and Andy doll for Zack and Kiara. While down at Maiwa with Nessa and Corrine, I spotted a doll making book and thought “I can soooo do that!”

Now I am obsessed. I must make soft dolls, I hope I can sell those dolls and make some $$$ (which would be very helpful with five furlough days being applied at work and I don't have space to have a whole bunch of dolls) I’ve narrowed it down to a few doll shapes that I like…and I have all sorts of idea’s for them. I figure if I can narrow it down to a couple of forms to start, I can get more shapes, etc later. It’s just narrowing it down further…deciding what will be my first shapes.

I’m slowly gathering ideas. I need to teach myself soft sculpture, get some patterns and supplies then get started.

Yve

An Engineer's Guide to Cats - Cat Yodeling

2009-06-17T18:28:51Z

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cxLG2wtE7TM

This makes me laugh so much =)

Atira's Christmas Prezzie

2009-06-10T15:59:09Z

=) Atira's Christmas prezzie was a nice new gomlek out of some of the linen purchased last year.

- Nessa was kind enough to take Atira's measurements and draft up a cutting graph.

- I cut the shirt out on Monday night. Last night I started the printing, similar to what is on my shirt.

- The printing looks fantastic. I was less shy with the paint but I still had to go over and darken/fill in some areas.

Overall, I am quite pleased with the look of it so far. The black on the white is quite sharp but very pretty.

Of course, now that I'm writing about it, I just remembered that I did not clean off my roller brush before finishing for the night...well...shit.. =(

I am looking at heading to Granville Island very soon for some silk embroidery thread (finally going to make my hat)and more of the paint (and looks like a roller too)

Yve

Good weekend =)

2009-06-08T21:13:19Z

Our weekend was super busy:

Out with Clue and Luna Friday night – went to dinner at Santali’s, then the Richmond Night Market, then crepes =)
The Night Market was kewl. I got two really pretty pendants for $5/pendant.

Saturday was massages with Franz….hurt so good. My shoulder had been really sore on Thursday and then achy. Franz found release points and knots and my shoulder went clunk when it finally all released. Then he found two spots on my left foot. My left foot has not felt this good in a VERY long time.
We also went out and picked out glasses. I got one pair transition lens with a less delicate frame. I pair perfectly clear with a very soft brown metal frame. I’m looking forward to picking those up later this week =) Two pairs for me @ $350 =)
Saturday night was out for Jeff’s surprise party at the SteamWorks. I had never been there before, it was really nice. I had their Cherry (sour) Beer. It was very yummy (not as light as the Belgium Rasperry) and 9% alchohol. I spent three hours on the one glass of beer =)

Sunday was housecleaning and then had Elaine, Di and Kathleen over for a “Stitch & Bitch” Spent a lot of time just chatting, pressed the linen for K’s shirt dry, helped Elaine stretch out her drapery fabric. Went for a swim and out to Red Robin’s after that.

Very busy, but very good weekend =)

I'm looking forward to heading home and cutting out the shirt and starting on the stamping.

IT has a name…

2009-05-28T23:03:47Z

When I had seen my podiatrist, he told me exactly what I was experiencing but hadn’t given me a name. When I mentioned it to my chiropractor, he mentioned his wife had it and that he helped her with it but he never gave it a name.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morton's_neuroma

http://www.footphysicians.com/footankleinfo/mortons-neuroma.htm#2

Now, it has a name.

From what I’ve seen online, my chiropractor (who practices active release) can fix this with several treatments. Guess I know what I’ll be doing this summer.

The first time I experienced the pain, I was walking across UBC in heels. Then it started happening once and awhile while dancing, then once and awhile while I was walking in normal shoes. Then by last year, it was happening all the time.

JOY! My right foot, with my orthodics NEVER seems to have a problem anymore (except my feet hurt a lot when they swell up)

My left foot, feels pretty good except when the nerve “pops” at which point I can expect it to repeatedly pop until I get the swelling reduced. This happens with or without the orthodics. It becomes so incredibly painful that sometimes I could just cry. It hurts so much to “pop” it back, but it’s the only way I can continue walking.

I can’t imagine going up on my toes on that foot right now. =(\

I’m going to pick up at least one pair of these:
http://www.footphysicians.com/footankleinfo/mortons-neuroma.htm#2
I find when I’m sewing a lot or doing a lot around the house, my hips and feet begin to feel like before. Some people wear their shoes around the house with their orthodics but I hate wearing shoes inside so these might offer a solution. These may also offer me a solution after Dr. C works on my foot so that I can wear sandals for a day or wear them in my dance shoes

Birthday

2009-05-21T06:16:15Z

Birthday was very great =)

Saturday - hair cut, Saje, Costco, nap, Mahek, Star Trek for the second time
Sunday - breakfast at D&D got to see Zacky and Kiara. Bought new wallet, picked up tether leashes for the kitties so they can hang out on the deck. Cleaned house a bit, Des, Mike and James came for dinner. Gelato ;)
Monday - laundry...WoW..can't recall what else
Tuesday - RELAX...finish laundry...WoW...Tyg made nummy dinner of marinated salmon, corn on the cob.
Wednesday - back at work =(

Need to go get my glasses ordered this weekend...I'll feel much better when I do that...things are so...stressy at work...

What have I been up to?

2009-05-13T19:36:49Z

Well, not a huge amount.

- storage room has all shelving up (except for one more ivar shelf) so I’ve managed to get more into storage and out of the sewing room
- made a purse out of a vogue pattern. The purse was challenging until I realized it was three pockets and not two. I like it way more than anything I see in the store. It is significantly larger than my travel purse and I need to get a wallet but it’s big enough for a paperback and a water bottle. I’ll post pics this weekend.
- got my new Threads mag and it has an article specifically for extra curves pants
- laundry is up to date other than being folded, need to get that off the couch tonight
- playing my DK on WoW. I decided she will be the next one I level. I like being virtually indestructible and it doesn’t take her long to kill things. Her herbing is almost up to 300 so I’m almost ready to start questing in Outlands. I’ve done some of the quests in Honour Hold but it’s really NOT my favorite area at all, I might just get Tyg to run me through the dungeon there and say “bye bye” to that stupid zone (maybe I hate it because it reminds me of the Barrens?). I haven’t grouped at all with her so I have no idea what to do with her in a group but I’m having a pretty good time soloing with her
- we got a litter genie…we are looking at a very fancy/expensive litter box but it would be best to wait until Vash is really finished growing…he’s easily as long as Nyxie but not filled out like Nyxie.
- We’ve had two Christmas dinner GC’s redeemed in the last three weeks =) It’s nice having friends over and not being in a panic having to clean house all week. A few hours that day gets the place looking good.

What I’d like to do this weekend (4 day weekend)
- get the low dungeon achievements on Nahda (maybe Anahdia too for the low low ones) and maybe go into all the dungeons I haven’t been in for BC
- no Friday raid
- go see Wolverine…or maybe Star Trek again. (I LOVED STAR TREK!!!! I’m a fan of the old and I LOVED this one…rates on par to WoK for me…but still so different)
- get my hair trimmed…bangs are too long already, get the back shaved again
- spend some time reading…that would be nice…on the deck…that would be nice…
- clean up the sewing room to be ready to do next project (another purse)
- get some more questing done on Nahda
- catch up on Dollhouse
- catch up on Castle
- maybe start looking at the storage room downstairs
- take the extra Ivar shelves downstairs so I can maybe move vacuum
- start work on games and front closet
- take back the things I need to (zellers and LD)
- get things taken to VV
- get scoopable litter. (We were using crystals but that has tripled in price over the last year, so we are making the switch) Newspaper litter is aweful, wood shavings are what made Jingo poop out of the box in the first place.
- get Advantage for the kitties

I’m trying to think of no $ or low $ solutions…so, since WoW subscription is paid =)