“Our life depends on the kind of thoughts we nurture. If our thoughts are peaceful, calm, meek, and kind, then that is what our life is like. If our attention is turned to the circumstances in which we live, we are drawn into a whirlpool of thoughts and can have neither peace nor tranquility.”

My mom took to calling me “Sarah-Lee” some time ago.  It was a gradual transition but the nickname eventually caught on.  So much so that I eventually started calling her “Mommy-Lee” in response. I imagine that this whole thing had something to do with the cake.

My mother most certainly has not had the . . . → Read More: Mommy-Lee]]>

My mom took to calling me “Sarah-Lee” some time ago.  It was a gradual transition but the nickname eventually caught on.  So much so that I eventually started calling her “Mommy-Lee” in response. I imagine that this whole thing had something to do with the cake.

My mother most certainly has not had the easiest life. Growing up in a third-world country, coming to Canada in her 20s, getting an education, marrying, working and raising a family. Life has often been hard for her.

Which is why it always amazes me how she can also be so lighthearted and freely giving with her love. I know my mother loves me because she tells me so. “See you later, alligator,” she says to me right before we hang up the phone. “After a while, crocodile,” I reply. She laughs. She is 62 now and I am 29. Both of us are forever young at heart.

I thank my mother for that.

Happy Birthday, Mommy-Lee. Love you.

No need to worry, but if you need help turning that frown upside down? Head on over to the . . . → Read More: Wedding Blog : The Shoes]]> Hello all! We’re still here and Daisy is doing a-okay. No more seizures and the eyedrops are doing their thing, so I think it’s safe to say that our lovely old lady is on the mend.

No need to worry, but if you need help turning that frown upside down? Head on over to the wedding blog to check out the newest post. It’s all about my gorgeous wedding shoes!

And just to make sure you do go check it out, I’m not gonna give anything away by posting a picture here. You’ll have to go over there to see for yourself.

But I can’t send you away empty-handed, can I? So here, a picture of my anniversary daisies to help brighten your day. (Which coincidentally may be a clue about my shoes! Shh!)

So yesterday we had a bit of a scare with Daisy. The vet thinks she may be having seizures, which somehow caused her to traumatize her right eye early, early Friday morning while we were still sleeping. The vet kept her all day and ran a battery of tests but couldn’t find the cause. . . . → Read More: Daisy]]>

So yesterday we had a bit of a scare with Daisy. The vet thinks she may be having seizures, which somehow caused her to traumatize her right eye early, early Friday morning while we were still sleeping. The vet kept her all day and ran a battery of tests but couldn’t find the cause. All of her tests were coming back normal, nothing in her blood, no organ failure, despite the fact that her pupils were different sizes — a possible symptom of a neurological problem or even a stroke — and her right eye just wasn’t responding to light for most of the day. Finally, the vet tried some steroid antibiotic eyedrops. The steroids are supposed to help the eye heal and the antibiotics will help prevent any possible infection. We’re supposed to watch her over the next couple of days to ensure there’s no more seizure activity, or else she may have to see a neurologist.

But for now, the drops seem to be working. She has both eyes open and focusing and practically seems to be back to her old self. I’m still watching her like a hawk though, and I’m hoping for a full recovery by the 24th, her 13th birthday. She’ll be 68 dog-years old.

“The people who seem to be the most content don’t focus on a time years ahead when they hope to have whatever they imagine it takes to be happy — money or time or a wonderful relationship. They live in the present and take their pleasure seriously. And they create their own pleasures.”

~ . . . → Read More: Content]]>

“The people who seem to be the most content don’t focus on a time years ahead when they hope to have whatever they imagine it takes to be happy — money or time or a wonderful relationship. They live in the present and take their pleasure seriously. And they create their own pleasures.”

~ from the book Simple Pleasures

So the second of the two baby blankets is now under way. I’ve decided to go with a lovely green colour for the blanket since we don’t yet know the sex of this new bundle of joy. It’s a very similar basketweave pattern to the first one, though not exactly the same. I actually . . . → Read More: Baby Blankets : Round Two]]>

So the second of the two baby blankets is now under way. I’ve decided to go with a lovely green colour for the blanket since we don’t yet know the sex of this new bundle of joy. It’s a very similar basketweave pattern to the first one, though not exactly the same. I actually found this pattern in a book, Knitting For Baby, that Dave’s mom got me a few months ago. I think it’s fitting that I should use it to knit up a blanket for her first grandchild!

But, instead of using the cotton chenille yarn they suggest for the pattern, I’ve decided to go with a bamboo/wool blend. I’ve never knit with bamboo yarn before, but I’m already impressed with how even it is to work with. Plus, the wonderful woman at The Wool Mill told me that bamboo yarn is antibacterial. Did you know? Apparently it’s a property of the fibre itself, no extra treatment needed. Perfect for tiny babies. And I mean, come on, they even call the yarn “Snuggly Baby Bamboo” so really, how could I pass it up.

I can’t wait to see how this one turns out. But I won’t have to wait long. My future sister-in-law’s baby shower is just a month away! Better get knitting!

Details for this blanket are ravelled here.