Almost Happy New Year

If you are here for the fs swap - super! The directions are in the post below. I think we have about 15 takers already. The more the merrier!

And even though we are at the dullest post in the fs most days, there are some things they do well here. In every neighborhood they have free ice rinks in the winter. This is one of 2 within walking distance of our house. This winters ice skating is already a lot more fun since everyone can stand up and move under their own power.

And I love these skates #2 kid is wearing. I think they are Italian but bought in Romania, (I think - someplace like Romania) given to us in KL and now used in North America.

2nd ever (not annual) FS Swap!

Since I am living in what might well be the dullest post in the fs, and I love mail and 'meeting' new people, I am hosting the 2nd annual FS Swap.

I did one a few years ago and got 60 odd takers, I think everyone was pleased, I certainly was! With way more fs blogs around now, I am hoping to get even more takers. By the way, if you have a blog and want to stick one of those fs swap buttons on it, email me and I will tell you how. You do not need to have a blog to join in though, just an email address.

Ok, so what on earth is a swap anyway and why would I want to do it? I am somewhat crafty and swaps are BIG in the crafty - bloggy world. BIG. The way it will all work is - you leave me a comment to this post or email me at kennedyas@yahoo.com You need to tell me where you are posted and include your email address. I think I will make the cut-off date January 15th - as I know how some fs people are - busy! So let me know by the 15th, then a couple of days past then, I will send you an email letting you know your swap pal is Ms. Wonderful (men can totally join in but last time I don't think we had any..) in CountryFabulous and here is her email. Then you contact one another. You may want to find out if she has any children and what are their ages. Does she have a hobby or passion for something? In various swaps I have done in the past I have included odd local candy, a local language magazine or comic for the kids, a Christmas ornament, fabric and on and on. So all you fs people who only have pouch can also join in - flat envelopes can also be fun! Also, if your in DC, DC is in fact a post, so feel free to join in.

I will randomly assign swap pals, and I will not assign people serving at the same post, because that might not be quite as fun...Shipping date should be around February 1 if you are going to be late with you mailing, please let your pal know so she can be understanding.

I think that covers everything. So please join in the fun. Tell all your fs friends. Post a link on your blog so other fs types can read about it and if you have any questions please ask.

guide dog training is going great!

This is the 'plays well with dollies and unicorns' lesson.

atmosphere

Maybe this is why I feel somewhat frazzled all the time without a maid. My atmosphere is poor.

Merry Christmas to me

Santa was good to me this year. He brought me a fancy new sewing machine. So far I have made 1 thing - the little handing house ornament. It's from this book.

I am going to try harder to post more often. North American postings are dull. I feel dull. I am tired of the other mothers at the kindergarten. I am going to try and hit the crafty much much harder and thus blog about it - oh and work on our projected bid list. And finish training the dog. Her days with us are numbered - maybe just a couple more months. Sob.

The knitting

This is the now completed Dutch art teacher's scarf. She loved it. I love knitting for knitters, they always get it. It is made from 2 skeins of Noro Kureyon.

The green is Dax's jacket from IK Weekend 2009. It is for a certain toddler I know in North Carolina. I am glad he is super cute because all that moss stitch is turning out to not be my wisest choice of hand knits ever. It's made from some Chinese wool-cashmere blend from the infamous Wool Spinning City.

Christmas

I have been trying to play the piano everyday. Something to do that uses my brain I guess. We are doing the Playmobil Advent calendar and there has not been too much crying over whose turn it is every morning. The wooden house is a Chinese nativity scene, which sadly is missing many pieces. And the framed elves I made last year from here.