This afternoon, I had the pleasure of working on some funky synthetic fabric covered in foil dots. And after 1 hour of handling it, cutting, sewing on the machines and generally trying to get it to the next stage for a fitting tomorrow, I have had to stop.

I am actually seeing spots -yes, those little sliver dots are now clouding my vision even as I type.  My throat is scratchy and what’s worse, I have has uber bad mood swings that can only partially be attributed to hormones.

SO where does that leave me? For now, I am leaving the pretty fabric in it’s bag and I will go take Sprocket for a walk to air out my lungs and eyes before my bridal clients start arriving “after work”.

But for future projects, I am really going to have to think twice before taking on the metallic lames, foil dots etc if the off-gassing continues to affect me this much.

Sad Sparkly Arr…

We are working with our little headed demon to get her social behaviour more acceptable – she’s just so darned excitable!

One thing we have always said, we did not want a dog who sleeps in bed with us. So far, both dogs we have had, came to us having slept in bed with their people before we got them. And with both, crate training in an apartment building can only reasonably happen during daytime hours, not at night when everyone can hear the howling.

But with Tom working at night in his “office” and me up by 7 a.m. to get started on my days, we are working out the system. We had it going for a while, then over the holidays somehow Sprocket managed to squirm her way under the blankets and the bad habit of letting her come to bed with me began. But it also meant I did not sleep through the night as she was hot, then she would fuss, then I would fuss, then Tom would come to bed, or not and the entire month was a mess.

We were also both people sick, so sleeping patterns were disrupted across all boundaries, so finally this week, with relative health settling into T2, I started to get to go to bed without a furry demon to accompany me.

First two nights went so well, she did not even want to get up with me at 7 a.m. for her morning walk. So I would go out for my own walk, and let her out when I got home. Last night, she slept until 4 am, then decided to come to our door and try to push her way in. I awoke, as I don’t need to pick up any gifts, thanks, and asked, ” You want to go out? ”

She said, “No, just coming to bed.”

I said, ” You are bugging me, you must want to go out.”

As she skittered back to her own bed, ” No, no, I’m fine.”

I said , “Okay, I’m going to bed now.” Closing the door gently, I waited.

And back she bounded to our door and started pushing. And i came out, walked past her and went about my own 4 a.m., might as well take care of business myself type stuff, while I’m up.

She followed me about as best she could, then i asked again, “You wanna go out?’

” Nope”

“Really?”

“Just wanna come to bed with you”

Silence.

“Let’s go out” I say, and grapple her into her harness. Anyone who has met her understands her wiggliness requires the occasional grappling until we all understand each other.

4:30 a.m. out for a ‘Quick P’ and back in for a Kong full of doggy granola and liver treats on her bed.

And then I was able to head back to bed myself for a remaining few hours of ZZZs before I had to get up for my own day.

Hoping tonight is a solid night’s sleep for her and me, but really, it’s a good start!

And “Dad is still in there- I could be cuddled in with him…right?”

So this morning, the stars finally aligned for me to head out for a #morningwalk, post #Sprocketwalk, pre #SundayBrunch.

-19 is chilly but not as windy. The sun shining gorgeously through the trees and sparkling on the snow.

As I saw a picturesque moment, and reached into one of my many coat pockets to capture it forever – and for you – I realized I accidentally left my iPhone at home. Ah, well. So I just kept walking without worry, and let myself feel the morningwalk work it’s magic.

For today, the choice is to peruse the millions of online shots of gorgeous Canadian winter mornings, or maybe even go outside and live the moment.

Either way, have a fabulous Sunday!
T/h

Yes, it takes me at least 3 weeks to feel like the new year has begun.  It may have to do with my astrological sign < wink wink nudge nudge to those who know me and what I mean re: today>, or having classes start last week and still have some shuffling to do there.

With working through a lot of the yule holidays, I do need to ease into things so that I feel at least a bit rested and ready for the upcoming year. Already in the works – classes as mentioned – including a fuller and expanded Sewing Level 1 class starting this coming Saturday, room to have more students in all of my dance classes, and a general feeling schedule of wedding alterations and custom projects already in the calendar.

2013 has some good vibes in it already!

Philanthropic/volunteer wise, I think I am mainly going nerdy/geeky this year as the Ottawa Browncoats Community is centring itself into my vision – we’ve been kindly nudged into having a table at the upcoming Game Summit on February – early – more details on that when we get them onto the Ottawabrowncoats.ca website.  And Ottawa Comicon should be confirming that they received our request for space there too…in May.

Where I have chosen to step back is of course, the Bazaar, which is a feeling of freedom and relief  – as much as I love our dance community here in Ottawa, I am really looking forward to joining events run by the other fab organizers in the area, and being part of their support system as they have been for me over the years!

 I’ll still have my OCCP/ student recitals, as long as I don’t go crazy 🙂  So feel welcome to come dancing !

And sewing is looking as fun and rewarding as ever! Along with a few fun custom projects as mentioned, I am still thoroughly enjoying being Luxe Bridal’s Alterations Specialist – bringing the final touches to the dresses their brides order/ pick up from their sample sales.  Lisa and Madeleine are great to work with and 2013 is looking good!

So, welcome 2013 – let’s rock it together!