The Great Sockeroo!

Hey Humble Readers...

I hope you're having a great weekend.  Today was pretty mellow here at the hobbit hole.  A little Christmas shopping (yeah, I'm one of those people... I find it cheaper to shop early.  Besides, I only have my staff discount at my bookstore for a couple more weeks), some grocery shopping, and some morning sickness. 

Several weeks ago, a bunch of us signed up to participate in Kymberli's super cool "Sock It To Me" sock exchange.  I love love love these kinds of events... they are so much fun, and you get to connect with people you may have not really gotten to know before. 

My totally groovy sock partner was PCOS Chick... and she sent me these wonderfully warm, stylish, and awesomely STRIPEY socks! 

I'm not sure how it happened, but it looks like both
feet are coming out the same pant-leg.  Odd.

Aren't they outstanding?  I love me some stripey socks!

As a part of the Great Sockeroo, Kym has asked us to answer this question...

It has been roughly a year and a half since the last SITM Exchange. Reflect on the past 18 or so months – how has support from others, either in the blogosphere or otherwise, helped you?

Well, the past 18 months have been amazingly full.  At the time of the last SITM exchange I had just come out of a very frustrating cycle that was sadly of my own making.  It had been more than a year since my second miscarraige, and I was getting convinced that we were never going to get pregnant again.  That SITM exhange came a the perfect time... I needed a pick me up.

And as it turned out, those socks came in really handy as lucky socks less than a month later, when I got my sticky bfp.  I wore them to ultrasound after ultrasound, doctor's appointments and consultations, and by the time our sweet Ginevra was born those skull-and-crossbone, black and white checked socks were pretty worn out.  (And yes, they came to the hospital with me)

Throughout my long-awaited pregnancy, as well as before and every day after, this community has given me tremendous gifts... laughter when I was sinking, hugs in joy and sorrow, a calming voice in my moments of anxiety and panic, and, most importantly, listening ears and open hearts for everything in between. 

Oddly, SITM came around at the exact right time again.  And I have a new pair of lucky socks to wear to ultrasounds, blood draws, and doctor's appointments.  Maybe not so odd... maybe just perfection.

Rock Out With Your Socks Out!

Hey Humble Readers!!  I'm super excited!!

Kym from The Smartness is back and better than ever, and to get ready for fall, she's hosting another round of Sock It To Me!

Head on over and sign up for the awesomest blogosphere gift exchange ever...  This is open to all bloggers, from all over the blogosphere and all over the world.  Come on Canadian bloggers, we need to represent!

(And then come back and read my previous post about our precious wee girl!)

Sock It To Me!

Good Afternoon Humble Readers!

So guess what arrived in the mail today? 

The super-cool-crazy-awesome-smurftastic Nancy of TheNewLifeOfNancy was my sock buddy and she went above and beyond!  Three pairs of socks, all of which completely rock!

The first is the pair I am wearing right now... the ultimate in stripey socks!  Purple, over-the-knee, and completely cool!

The second pair are some really groovy knee-high argyles.  Purple, green, blue grey, brown, white and black... I'm going to wear them to work tomorrow. 

Nancy sent me an email last week letting me know that she was late but that my socks were on their way, and that they were some 'bad-ass socks'.  I wasn't sure what she meant but I totally get it now!  The third pair are the perfect rebellious socks! Black and white checks, with skulls and cross bones!

The theme for this round of SITM is the support we get in this community.  I can't begin to imagine how I would have gotten through this past year without the ALI (adoption/loss/infertility) community.  From the laughs, giggles, and rolling-on-the-floor-can't-breathe funny moments, to the words of encouragement and virtual hugs that come at just the right time, and the helping hands that pick me up when I fall, every day I am thankful that I was introduced to this 'place'. 

My Beloved asked me today why I was so excited about getting socks from someone I've never met... and I told him, that's just the point.  I have never met any of my IF sisters (and a few brothers) out there face to face, but I value your thoughts, words, and stories.  I see these socks as one of the few tangible expressions of our support that we have of each other.  And I will cherish these socks... and wear them every chance I get! 

Thanks Nancy!

Show & Tell: Yet Another Obsession

Good evening Humble Readers!

So, it's Wednesday and that means it's Show & Tell! It's been a bit of a quiet week, so there really isn't a lot of anything on my camera (except some shots from our staff party on Sunday... just a lot of book nerds eating and drinking).

So, I'm going to share with you one of my minor obsessions... Stripey socks! I love my stripey socks.

Here's the thing. I am a pretty mellow person. I follow the rules. I do what I'm told. I don't set out to buck the system.

But... there are two rules that I need to break, even just a little.

First, I've been told repeatedly that women my size shouldn't wear stripes, particularly horizontal ones. I will capitulate when it comes to trousers and shirts... but socks? Am I really going to be concerned that my feet look fat?

Second, my work has a fairly specific dress code. Only three colours of shirts allowed, and you must have a collar... pants are a little bit easier, so long as they are dress pants. No purple hair, limited piercings, offensive tattoos must be covered. But they even go so far as to specify 'co-ordinated socks'. Well, that just makes me WANT to rebel.

But even my rebellion is muted.

I am a good girl. My stripes always 'co-ordinate', at least a little bit, with the rest of my attire.

So, if you are lucky enough to get matched up with me in the Kym's Sock It Too Me (and if you haven't signed up yet... why the HECK not?!?!), you will have a leg up (if you pardon the pun) on what kind of socks I will like. :)

Of course, I don't own any truly rebellious socks... hmmmmm

Now be a good humble reader, and swing by Mel's place to check out what the rest of the class is showing. You do follow the rules, don't you?

Hobbit-ish Potpurri: Total Randomness

Good Evening Humble Readers!

Ok, you all have been so busy posting today, that now that I've gotten caught up, I'm pooped and ready to hit the sack. I'll give you just a little run down, potpurri-style.

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Sock It To Me - Yay! I missed out on this last year and I am so stoked that Kym is going to run it twice this year! Really, who doesn't love the idea of getting socks in the mail? Especially from my bloggy friends! Stop by I'm A Smart One and check it out...

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I've been exercising every day. A couple of my friends from work and I have agreed to hold each other accountable for increasing our activity levels. It's only been a few days, but I'm proud of myself. I'm really feeling it in my joints tho. Getting old, I guess.

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I've decided that my lady parts are suffering from some sort of multiple personality disorder... First, the screwy late O the last couple of months, now on CD12 I'm feeling like AF is just around the corner again... backache, cramping. Just weird.

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I made a purchase the other day that makes me smile all the time. It's stupid... are you ready? I found these ice cube trays that make long skinny ice cubes, so they can fit in a water bottle. How cool is that?

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I love the Winter Olympics! I am so excited that they are going to be in Vancouver (even if I don't get to go). Canada may struggle at the Summer Games, but winter... now that's our time to shine. There is a new Ni.ke commercial that I saw for the first time last week. I LOVE this commercial...

Eh! Oh! Canada Go! (yeah I'm just lame enough to jump on that bandwagon too) Having one of the few relatively cute professional hockey players in the commercial is definitely a bonus. Iggy is easy on the eyes.