sparkle harkle

know what? there comes a time after christmas is over and new year's is over--AND when the after holiday blues are over.  you know the after holiday blues, when everything is dull and there is no joy to anything and no one visiting and the thought of chocolates and sugary treats makes you want to chunder from down under, and there is no point to anything, no purpose to life?  i know i'm through the worst of these days simply when i get excited about something.  like something i want to DO.  you know what i want to DO?  i want to learn how to make and DESIGN my own clothes.  i also want to add emphasis by CAPITALIZING.  it's FUN.  this desire has been growing in me for years.  it's because there are certain things i want.  i want them real ba-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-ad, man!  and i can't find them and i'm not willing to be a victim here.  i want to DO something about it.  make it myself.  why not?  i'm not interested in patterns.  i'm not looking to search and search to fit my idea into someone else's pattern.  i want to make my own.  not that there are tonnes of patterns out there in my size anyways.  i want to know how to do it!  i want the satisfaction of making myself something quality and exactly the way i like it.  i want to know how to make clothes that look awesome.  the real way.  somethings i would like to make: t-shirts, tops, the perfect white blouse, hoodies, a silky kimono robe, pjammas, skirts and DRESSES.  how awesome would it be to have shirts that didn't have ginormous arm holes, or baggy boobages, pretty nighties that are modest but not flannel turtle necks.  why do i have to put up with less than the best?  i don't!  i'd like to be able to see something i like and be able to recreate it for myself.  i need to take some classes or something.

today at work i made almond date truffles from the sprouted kitchen.  i've had my eye on these for a while.  i bought the ingredients for myself at home at one point, but ended up eating all the dates before getting around to making the recipe.  meh.  i like dates, ok?  these babies are basically, dates, almond butter, coconut and cocoa.  add some vanilly, sea salt and cinmin and bob is once again your uncle.  you see, wednesday bake day is a downfall for me and i'm currently fighting the sugar insanity.  i'm not insane about fighting the insanity.  i mean, i drizzles some syrup on my peanutbutter pancake, and i accepted a life saver from robbierob, but i said no to tim bits and passed up on home made caramels (that made me a little wistful), and took my hand out of the chocolate bar box and i tore my eyes away from the chocolate chip cookies in the silver fridge.   this was my answer to this week's baking day.  next week i might have to make something more sinful, but maybe next week i'll be stronger.  it's funny how easy it is to say no once you make up your mind to do it.  ok it's not actually funny.  but it is mildly surprising.

i'm struggling with the sleep.  i was talking to una about it today.  she is having the same troubles.  she too gets a second wind around 10, sleepy around 5.  (3-5) i amended.  auntie elaine said she's been that way HER WHOLE LIFE.  how can i blame myself for what is obviously my GENETICS.  still i know sleep is the key.  instead of seven or more, i've been averaging sixish hours of sleep.  i struggle on.

thanks to  facebook postings i have learned some interesting facts.  some of my faves:

5. Clear your stuffed nose!

Forget Sudafed. Here's an easier, quicker, and cheaper remedy to relieve sinus pressure is by alternately thrusting your tongue against the roof of your mouth, then pressing between your eyebrows with one finger. This causes the vomer bone, which runs through the nasal passages to the mouth, to rock back and forth, says Lisa DeStefano, D.O., an assistant professor at the Michigan State University college of osteopathic medicine. The motion loosens congestion; after 20 seconds, you'll feel your sinuses start to drain.

15. Wake the dead
]

If your hand falls asleep while you're driving or sitting in an odd position, rock your head from side to side. It'll painlessly banish your pins and needles in less than a minute, says Dr. DeStefano. A tingly hand or arm is often the result of compression in the bundle of nerves in your neck; loosening your neck muscles releases the pressure. Compressed nerves lower in the body govern the feet, so don't let your sleeping dogs lie. Stand up and walk around.

i tried both of these and THEY WORKED.  aMAYzin'!

katie called me today at work and read me two of the letters i wrote to her when i was 18 living at gram's and working at the metrotown, and she was living in edmonchuck with ange and shawna.  i tell you what, i was a funny girl and giddy silly too.  i very much liked the girl i heard in those letters and i liked the relationship she had with her sister.  you know, i talk about roots, how i never had any, but there's a root.  a majour root.  my bestie since birth.  i was  born into a bestie-ship.  besties for life.

i am falling in love with scripture study again.  it's just so so so good.  so much goodness.  i've been starting my day with it and it has been good.  right now i'm studying what it means to be children of the light.  i started a new ponder book and i picked a journal mom gave me some years ago called don't quit. i thought it was appropriate.  each page has a line from this poem by jill wolf

Don't Quit

Don't quit when the tide is lowest,
For it's just about to turn;
Don't quit over doubts and questions,
For there's something you may learn

Don't quit when the night is darkest,
For it's just a while 'til dawn;
Don't quit when you've run the farthest,
For the race is almost won.

Don't quit when the hill is steepest,
For your goal is almost nigh;
Don 't quit, for you're not a failure
Until you fail to try.

i like it.  i store it's wisdom and encouragement alongside 'get up and win the race!'

well it's time to pee, and you know what that means...