101:365 - Dead Bug

I wish I could call it something else.. but well,.....

100:365 Got it done

Our 100th day! Woohoo! ;-)

Anna: One of the good things about not feeling well (gotta find that silver lining, after all), is that I was able to finish a new project. I'd borrowed a couple of crochet pattern books from the library and wanted to try something new.

I don't like doing crochet from patterns. I started out doing a tank top. I had progressed quite well, to the point where I was supposed to start working on the arm holes. That's when I discovered that, although I was following the instructions - at least I *thought* I had it right - I had the wrong number of stitches. I counted back to see where I screwed up and found it. On the very first row. I went over the instructions again, and it *still* seemed like I was doing what it told me to do, but I ended up reducing by one on every row.

I undid the whole thing and started on this produce bag. *L*

I still ended up with things not turning out the way the instructions said they should've. Even though the counts were right as I worked it, when I got to where I had to build up the longer parts on the front and back, I found myself short one loop on each side. Which mean that, at the very beginning, I had to have been short a total of 6 stitches. So I did what I do best.

I winged it.

I think it turned out all right. :-D

On another note, I broke down and called my doctor's office to book an appointment. I'm getting tired of trying to stuff my lungs back down my throat after I finish another coughing fit. Amazingly, I got an appointment *this week.* Like, wow! That's a first. I'm in to see the doc. on thursday morning.

Now I'm keeping my fingers crossed that they won't phone to reschedule tomorrow.

99:365 Close up thoughts

Anna: After being out and about all weekend, I just wasn't feeling up to heading out again to park day. It turned out to be prescient.

I have a cough. I've had it for about 5? 6? years now. Usually, it's just a tickle behind my sternum that I can ignore. I tend to forget about it, except when I try to laugh, which gets me coughing. Or breath deeply, which also gets me coughing. I've had all sorts of tests and X-rays. and they all came back normal. I was given an inhaler to try, which made it worse. After we moved, I just didn't bother going to another doctor to do the tests all over again. Most times, I can ignore it. Other times, like today, it becomes an all-out chest cough. I've found the only thing that helps is to keep my chest and upper back extra warm.

So I spent much of today wearing this shawl. It was made by my MIL. She'd actually made a bunch of them for her own MIL, in one big crochet weekend. This is the one her MIL kept for herself and used for many years. Shortly before she died, she gave it back to my MIL, who used it herself for years before passing it on to me a few years ago. I absolutely love it. And it's perfect for days like today. :-)



I've had people tell me flat out that you can't make "real" friends on the internet. Well, I tend to disagree. Just as I was able to form close friendships the old fashioned way with penpals, I've been blessed to find great friends online. One of these sweet people just came back from a Caribbean cruise. *envious sigh* Today, I received a care package from her. It included some gorgeous postcards and book marks, treats such as a bag of "shark poo" candies, and this - a hanging miniature of the ship they cruised on. I'm not about to tuck this away for the Christmas tree! Instead, I've got it hanging off a hook under the cupboards between the living room and kitchen. As I sit at the computer, I can look up and see it slowly turning with any drafts.

I've always wanted to go on a cruise. Maybe some day! :-D

98:365 At the Aviation Museum - updated

Anna: Today, we decided to check out the local aviation museum. We didn't have time to check out the outdoor displays, but got plenty of photos - I took over 240 myself, but then, I was taking pictures of the signs and plaques, too. Otherwise, I'd never remember what they all were! *L* I'm just posting a couple of pictures for now and will add more to my flicker account later.


(Philippe) Most of the shots I took today were hand-held, 1/8 to 1/3 second, no flash.. The flash *did* light things up, but gave it that ugly, bright look so I gave up on it and did it the hard way.. Much happier with the results :D


Philippe: Doesn't this just *look* intimidating?




























Philippe: They had a few engines in various states of assembly so we could see the workings.












Philippe: They were restoring this bomber while we were touring.














Philippe: The most practical arrangements sometime look really good :D

























Philippe: This thing looks light enough to pick up.



























Anna: I've now uploaded more shots at my flicker account, here.



This was taken from under the tail of a DeHavilland Vampire MK 35. The first prototype flew in 1943, and entered RCAF service in 1946. The shell is all metal, with a section of sandwiched balsa wood in the cockpit, making it a highly maneuverable, well armed fighter.












These are the under-cockpit guns of a Mosquito FB MK VI, a high performance night fighter. There's another set of 4 guns sticking right out of the nose. The Mosquito was used by the 418 (City of Edmonton) Squadron RCAF. They were a night intruder squadron, first flying the Douglas Boston light bomber before being re-equipped with the Mosquito. The squadron was activated in Dedben, England in 1941 and adopted by the City of Edmonton in 1944.

97:365 - Nature park

So we went to terwilleger park today to see what it was like.. :)



This guy was sitting there, trying to go un-noticed.. Fat chance when I have a camera out :D





























This guy was sitting in a tire rut. The kids like his soft furry underbelly

















Playing peek-a-boo.. The original of this shot gets some serious detail :D
















These guys were boogeying pretty good; coming over to check out the two-legged buggies.


























The place was pretty good for paths and walk areas.. Saw *lots* of mountain bikes.





























If it's green, I shoot it, is my motto.















Only saw this guy because my daughter was bent like a pretzel trying to get him. Note the little buddy right behind him.













Standing too close to me when I have camera-in-hand is *so* not a good idea.













I miss my dog..




















Anna: I lucked out on the photo below - that and Philippe was holding the branch as steady as he could, as it was pretty breezy. *L*


You can view more photos here.

96:365 Almost Perfect

Almost Perfect

Anna: While the kids and I were out and about yesterday, we stopped at a Purdy's to pick up some chocolates. It's been a long time since we've indulged. My frugal nature, however, prevented me from paying for a fancy box of mixed chocolates when I could get more for my money from the "Almost Perfect" selection - bags of chocolate confections that, for one reason or another, weren't good enough for the fancy boxes or the display case.

Hey, they taste the same. What do I care if the surface as a scratch on it? *L*

Now, if I could just figure out why blogger took this photo and flipped it 90 degrees...

95:365 Signs and Reflections

Anna: After a trip to the library, the kids and I met Philippe for lunch at a mall downtown. Afterwards, I finally did something I've been meaning to do for our Art Project for a very long time. This mall has unique sign holders all over the place, made of wrought iron, brass, welded steel, rebar and other materials. This spider is a detail of one of them. The bottom portion of the
sign holder is a large web with the spider near the base. The web supports a frame that holds the signs. I got photos of about a dozen of these, each very unique in design, and I'm sure I've missed at least a few.





One section of the mall has a gorgeous skylight, surrounded by mirrors on the upper levels. The effect on a bright day like today is quite amazing. The photo doesn't do it justice.