July 30, 2016

Suzie

Although it was hot as hell, I FINALLY tried making caramelized onions in a pressure cooker. I was so hot I could barely talk at the end of my video but decided to leave it in to show what living with fibro fog is like. Mostly because editing would have been too difficult. DONE.

July 29, 2016

Shannon
It was so much fun to learn how to spin yarn with Auntie Laima and Jamie! There are so many steps, I hope I will remember them all! It was amazing to turn fluff into this! I am looking forward to doing more.

Suzie

Much better day. Went out for lunch and picked up Subway for dinner before heading out to D&D which is good because it is so bloody hot. Our deck thermometer said 32C in the shade. The store was quite warm too and came home to a crazy-hot house so got the air conditioner going and fingers crossed it cools down the bedroom a bit. One more hot day before it cools off a bit.

July 28, 2016

Shannon
A very busy day for me! One of the many things I did was pick up some food stuffies for hanging out with Jamie and Auntie Laima. I was so impressed that I remembered to pick up a tomato for sandwiches, because although I don't eat them... other people love them! I hope this one is good. It was 'on the vine', and had the peppery smell to it when I broke it from it's vine-mate. Fingers crossed!

July 27, 2016

Shannon
My coffeemaker has been replaced! I was able to get the exact same kind, which means now I have an extra carafe and filter+bucket. Here's hoping this one lasts a little longer. I certainly put it to good use!

Suzie

Surgu disaster. Went past expiration date and is no long foldable to fix my ravioli press. Glad we talked but overall, crap day. Did some cleaning of the house just to feel productive.

July 26, 2016

Jamie

The big overhaul continues at our place.We decided that instead of replacing one strip of tile that was dug up for the pipes, we'll replace all the tile in the furnace area in the basement. Who knew that it would be so hard to find tile we'd like for this project. Yesterday we made it out to a second Home Depot and came up with two options. We're going to go with the marble-ish one on the left. And Suzie, when we took the streetcar there we went by the Loaded Peirogi place!

Shannon
I'm almost at the end of going through stuff, one of the final boxes was the box of stuff I had packed from Mom and amazing that one of the things was simply this lock which was for her storage unit and I still remember the combination to (and she used to call me to ask what it was). Odd the things that stick with you.

Suzie

I have been thinking that my chronic nausea might be caused by dehydration so I have been trying different coconut waters mixed with juice to help. My life is so exciting.

July 25, 2016

Jamie

I've shared this picture more than a few times already because I totally LOVE it! What fun celebrating Shannon's birthday the whole day - from brunch to the boardwalk, to a movie and treats to gaming! Every bit of it was a delight, as it should be because, um, look who is the birthday girl! 

Shannon
Birthday Goodness!!! I had an awesome birthday! It was so much fun to have a really fun day from going out to the Beach, getting new hat (and good thing, because I would have probably got a major burn without it), to playing games and hanging out. Jamie & Justin were amazing company for all the birthday adventures! I had such a good time. And there was cake! Yum!

Suzie

Was mostly a quiet weekend at home but we did manage to get out to see Ghostbusters which was a blast. It wasn't perfect but sure doesn't deserve the hate it's getting. It was nice to get out. Been going stir crazy.

July 23, 2016

Shannon
I'm really getting to the end of the unpacking and getting settled, and today I finished the last of the artwork from storage. It was actually less hard to go through, mostly because it was so much less than I expected it to be. But maybe in the end that's good, I like what I have kept and all this super dusty, way-to-much-tape-on-the-sides box can finally go into the recycling.

July 22, 2016

Jamie

We have honestly been going through the wringer this week. The heat and construction are challenging enough but there's been more. Yesterday we had to take Scout in for his yearly and we brought Shibumi in too because we noticed something wrong with her ear. We were able to get Scout into the carrier without to much difficulty - which is a HUGE change - and he did really well when we were there but we discovered that both of them, and that means Escher too, have fleas. We have no idea how this could have happened since they do not go outside but nonetheless, we have to deal with it. On top of that, Justin's computer monitor, for no apparent reason, blew last night. Just all of a sudden no power. We're exhausted and a bit overwhelmed but we will keep on keeping on and hopefully soon the tides will shift and things will start to feel better.

Shannon
I'm working on the last few boxes, and it's wild to see a time capsule moment held all together in one place. I found this with my artwork, a whole bunch-o-stuff that was in my wallet while at art school that I was put on some kind of transparency. It doesn't feel like 20 years ago... but it was! It was wild to see some of my old artwork and exercises. I still enjoy the same things (line, repetition, letters, colour wheels), and would do some of the exercise in the exact same way. Lots of experimentation from so many different classes, and it was wild to see it all in one place. One art boxes down, two to go!

July 21, 2016

Shannon
I new book adventure I've been working on for a while has finally hit share-level. Or very close to it, I recorded a vlog and am working on an accompanying post and list for an exploration through science fiction, fantasy and weird fiction. I'm sure it won't come as a huge shock because I've been talking about book lists and reading a lot of these genres recently, and I'm just on the edge of sharing the list I'm going to be working with. And as a departure from other list-y things I've done, I'm going to keep the list dynamic instead of static. If I get more recommendations, or read stuff that I think qualifies, I'm going to add it. And on the other side of things, if I feel confident about not being interested in a book or author, I'm not going to feel the need to read it. Fingers crossed this will be a fun and invigorating journey!

Suzie

Weird day. Went to the studio in the morning (ugh) to help with the clean up but no one was there. They had cleaned up really early so I walked over to the library and got some DVDs and picked up some BBQ pork buns for lunch. Been a tough tiring week. Needed a foodie treat.

July 20, 2016

Shannon
I took so few pictures today and feel a wee bit off kilter, as that is how the day began with not even using my morning mug (wha?). Nothing super exciting, just a bit of a tiring day out for an appointment, and then... tired... napping.. catching up with The Amazing Race Canada (we've hit the place where I actually know which team is which!). So a pretty quiet ish day, which actually felt okay.

Suzie

It was a long day and quite the learning experience.

July 19, 2016

Jamie

Yesterday was electrician day. He installed pot lights in the spare room and in the furnace area too. It's such a relief. I have been scared of the ceiling light bulbs since we moved in - too exposed and too low for a house with a tall person in it and tall people who visit! This feels so much safer. I wish we'd thought to get one in the cubby at the same time. Of course, the cubby is piled high with everything from the rest of the basement. The worst part of the day was Shibumi coming up the stairs covered in so much drywall dust she looked like a ghost! It looks like #leaveittoshibumi goes right alongside #shibumiwins!

Shannon
I've been continuing to work on getting everything settled now I'm going through stationary stuff, and wow.... that is definitely something that I get a little magpie-like about because it piles up. I was able to get it mostly to a good amount of stuff, although now I'm stumped on artwork. But, I'm still moving forward so that's a good thing!

Suzie

Got everything packed away for the big sale and even went to the bank to get change which felt weird after not doing retail for so long. Thank goodness the sale doesn't start until 2 pm. I have to be there at noon but still. No morning pressure!

July 18, 2016

Shannon
I've been pretty hooked on playing my new game CounterSpy, and I'm hovering in that stage of feeling like I know what I'm doing to then feeling like there is not way I'll be winning anytime soon. That also means I'm hovering between fun, and compulsively feeling I want to keep on playing until I win. It's a weird place to be.

Suzie

Totally burned out this weekend and news meds have made my energy worse and now I'm worried I won't be able to go the sale on Tuesday. I have just about everything ready but if I'm feeling this bad, I won't be able to go. Fingers crossed I feel better Monday because that was a hell of a lot of work.

July 16, 2016

Jamie

I worked so hard this week. It was great to finish of with a lovely Friday of Journal Club and then off to Shannon's. We had such a good time catching up and doing just a little bit of working and planning on the continued apartment progress. The walk home was beautiful too - finally a little bit cooler and a gorgeous breeze. There's nothing like wind on your shoulders and in your hair to let go of what's been weighing on you.

July 15, 2016

Jamie

Leave it to Shibumi! The house is in a state of chaos as we get more work done but somehow she managed to turn that to her advantage, finding the coziest elevated spot you could imagine. Hmm... this is making me think of the Princess and the Pea!

Shannon
On the way to the doctor today I noticed the entire area beside the sidewalk had these purple flowers! It's so wild to see them right by the roadside, and also notice that I've never noticed them before. I have no idea how many years (if any) they've been there, but today I couldn't stop looking at them! I took oodles of pictures, and it's definitely going to come in handy given one of the recent art class exercises is to draw flowers!

Suzie

Big thing Thursday was getting this huge package from President's Choice! It is all sorts of summer food products for me to test which rocks. I've been going through a down period of making food so this will be inspiring and fun to do.

July 14, 2016

Shannon
I'm continuing to try out a bunch of demo games, and I found another one I can totally crush: Sparkle Unleased! Okay, okay, my l33t skillz might have something to do with the fact that it's 99% similar to a phone game I played (which was very similar to a game I used to play one the computer). But, hey... I crushed it! And I'm happy with that! But honestly it made me realized that with games, the more you play them the better you get. Although that shouldn't be a huge revelation, it was a good reminder.

Suzie

It was kind of a write-off day. I wanted to get to the studio but I felt too sick and lay down. I used what energy I had to add price tags to my items. I thought there would be more "things" to be honest. I hope all this work literally pays off or else I may have to reassess where my very rare and tiny amount of energy goes. That said, I loved that Totoro was there to keep me company. I think he is going to wear my DND and super foodie bling at the sale.

July 13, 2016

Jamie

I know you both saw this photo on Facebook but I had to share here too. This was really what yesterday was about for me. I always find that watching the kittens I get so much insight into life. It seems like every now and then something just shifts in Escher and he does a lot better. This may sound weird but it seems like when something that's challenging happens, like going to the vet or having construction guys working on the house, he softens towards us. It's like his perspective gets bigger and he suddenly realizes that we're a force for good in his life and maybe he couldn't see that before. It makes me think that as we open up our lives and take on new challenges, the old challenges might just become dear friends.

Shannon
Narwhals. That's all I got today.

July 12, 2016

Jamie

Yesterday was a bit of an odd one. I had a great day working with my clients. Work on the front of the house has started, which is pretty exciting but rather disruptive for the kittens. It's amazing to see how they have adjusted though. With lots of encouragement, even Escher was doing okay by the end of the day! Shannon and I did a great power-hour of getting things done. In the evening I was looking forward to getting together with a friend I haven't seen in years but she never showed up. I still haven't heard from her and that has me rather worried. Maybe we just crossed wires. I did stumble upon a really wonderful store in Koreatown though!

Shannon
I didn't take many pictures today, but I did take this after shot of post-Monday-Mania clean up! Now when we record I won't have a pile-o-containers behind me. I still have them all, they are just... relocated. Ah, little steps at a time. Little steps.

Suzie

Had quite a busy day getting errands done (including getting groceries) and man, drivers were the WORST! We actually got into an accident because someone forced their car in front of us speeding and it was in a school zone. I wish I had my camera out for that one because I could have sent that photo to the cops. Yesterday we were at a main intersection at a red light when the guy in front of us just decided to go through that red light from a dead stop for absolutely no reasons. I can't believe there wasn't an accident. So glad we have food. Life in the hood via feet looks pretty good right now.

July 11, 2016

Jamie

It was so good to have some creative time this weekend! Things have been so rocky - first with my being sick and then with me catching up after being sick - it was a blessing to sit down and work on a few art explorations and assignments. Shannon and I were even able to have Art Day this Sunday, thanks to Zoom. It was good to chat and create and think about what series we'll be doing next for Y is for Yellow.

Shannon
I've taken to watching art classes on Saturday afternoons. I don't know quite when I eased into this, but I did. This week was The Story of Blondine, Bonne-Biche and Beau-Minon for the Fairy Tale Summer class by Carla Sonheim. Now that I've worked in the habit of watching the classes, I hope I can also wiggle in a little more time to do the exercises and projects. I hope I'll be able to fit that in this week!

Suzie

Sunday we drove out to Coquitlam to use some of the Montana's gift card up for an early dinner and also drop up in our old hood which was so gorgeous, as usual. Only difference is the little trees are not so little anymore. I do miss the wonders of BC nature. Being in the city, it's just not the same. I'm glad we do these little outings to remind me why we moved back. This was a big reason, for me.

July 10, 2016

Jamie

I am really excited about this investment - a Selphy printer. It prints 4 x 6 photos and you can even send them straight from your phone. I've seen a few people on YouTube making extra great use of this by using a collage app and getting 4 little photos on that size! I think this is going to be a great way for me to add some timely pictures to my Collage 365 Journal!

July 9, 2016

Jamie

I'm so thankful that the weather has broken, at least a bit. I just melt in that deep heat. Thankfully we have air conditioning, but also an old house so it doesn't quite make it to the studio :( It's nice to be able to open all the windows and we're starting to be able to trust the kittens a bit more with that. They love the smell of the fresh air and watching all of the action outside. I did see Shibumi stretch on the screen once (ack!) but other than that, they seem to be okay just observing on this side of the screen.

July 8, 2016

Jamie

With being so sick last week and now hustling to catch up, I feel so behind. Still, yesterday it was good to take a break and have lunch with a dear friend of mine and then run some errands.Those errands happened to take me by Indigo, which was having a 40% off colouring book sale. And yes, I might just have come home with one. (And now I am eyeing that Little Birds one there.... hmm....)

Shannon
Woohoo! I finally got to 300 Subscribers! Sooooo exciting. I realized now that given sometimes I got up/down with the number of subscribers, I probably should wait like a week or so until I feel confident that it is actually is and will stay there. But even so, this is the first time I've hit this threshold. YEEE HAWWW!!

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Suzie

Very exciting that my Inferno Doritos arrived so I could do an unboxing video and photoshoot! Was a rough day after a night of nightmares and migraines so it was good to get something done and end the day with D&D.

July 7, 2016

Shannon
Although technically this could be my view almost any day, it was a welcome view today after getting home from a dental cleaning. Oh my. I've not been in so long and it's just not a fun thing. Spent the rest of the day catching up with the crew of Deep Space Nine. I am so thrilled all the Star Trek series are on Netflix, it's so homey to watch them. I am really enjoying the comraderie (even if it's between characters that don't like each other) of all the crew, and have enjoyed each and every episode I've revisited so far.

Suzie

A pretty quiet day. Just went for a walk to get library stuff and rested a lot of the afternoon. Still having tummy troubles though which is a bummer.

July 6, 2016

Shannon
I am soooooo happy to have finished The Subtle Knife! This series is so great, but I got stuck on this book almost 10 years ago (jeepers!), and have had it sitting in hiatus-limbo for so long. That as an accomplishment feels great, but it's even better to have enjoyed the book itself. I didn't love it quite as much as The Golden Compass, but it was still really good and I can't wait to finish off the series. Only one book to go!

Suzie

I have been working really had at adding lots of content to my site and created this super-fast video on a black bean dip I made. I wanted to get new music from Audio Jungle but it was all wonky so I used my superhero music which is way over the top but what can you do? Spent most of the day working on new posts and finished a couple of jewelry pieces but my exhaustion and nausea have been brutal. Guess it's a good thing my doc cancelled because getting to that appointment would have been bad news.

July 5, 2016

Shannon
It was so excited to finish all the books I was reading right at the end of June, because it meant I could pick and choose a whole new set of what I want to read for July. And here is that pile'o'books! It makes my nightstand feel very small!

Suzie

What a weird day. I wake up to find out my special appointment where I get my tests results was cancelled. Horrible pain day but I make it to the meeting and then walk all the way to our market and realize that everything I need to buy is HEAVY! I get home and the important delivery for a post that was supposed to arrive, never arrived. Weird day.

July 4, 2016

Shannon
Holiday weekend time! Although I couldn't get out cuz of my knee (grr!) this awesome holiday weekend dinner made it's way to me. Thank you Jamie and Justin! It was nice to spend some holiday time together in spirit.

Suzie

It was kind of a weird long weekend. We started off with celebrating Canada Day and then going out for coffee. Then, I got really sick to my stomach from being so over-tired and busy. I rested a lot but then Sunday managed to go out to Central Park for a walk. We also stopped by Kin's, my favourite market, for lots of fresh produce. I need more quiet days like this but this week is going to be busy. Again! Argh!!!
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July 1, 2016

Shannon
The big event of the day was getting out to the eye doctor. I tried to get a good shot of my crazy dilated pupils, but none of them quite worked out. So I bring you... the letter F!

Suzie

After one of the longer nights of my life I had very little energy to do anything! But, I had shrimp that I had to cook and so I finally made a pressure cooker risotto and it was astoundingly delicious. I worked really hard on the photography for the post (this is a cell phone photo) and it is going to be a beauty of a recipe to share. Next week. Think I need a blogging break.