2014 December Desktop calendars

2014 December Snowman desktop calendar

2014 December Blue Bird desktop calendar

I know I'm a bit early for December...I'm rushing the holiday season.  :)

I got in the Christmas mood early and started making calendars.  Right now, I have the snowman one on my desktop.  I wasn't happy with the November one...it seems that Sketchclub had a bit of an issue with things saving as a low res JPEG instead of PNG so the quality was not there. Sketchclub is fixed now but I didn't want to re-do it so I went straight to December. 

Snowman desktop - done in Procreate.  Blue Bird desktop - done in Sketchclub. 

Rest in peace, Mike.

I was at a funeral service for a coworker who was also a good friend.  It was rather sudden, taken away by the big C.

How do you find words to convey loss without sounding trite?  I don't remember much of the service for my dad but I do remember how I was feeling.  I wondered if it will be the same for his family? People going up to them to say their condolences. I think, even if they don't remember the words, they will remember the support and that people cared.

The pain never goes away.  You think it does and you might forget about it once in a while.  But when you're sitting at someone's funeral and you're watching their family cry, it all comes back.  I don't remember anything people were saying to me but I do remember the very moment when it hit me that my dad is truly gone and never to return.  I remember thinking the next day how surprising it was that the sun came up and the skies were blue.  People were going on with their daily lives as if there was not a great loss in the world and I'm in pain.

Mike, you will be sorely missed.  Rest in peace. 

The perfect bag!

The perfect backpack!

I found the perfect backpack for commuting today! This makes me very happy. I actually made a list of what I wanted in a commuting bag. 

Two outside mesh pockets - one for my umbrella (this is Vancouver, after all) and one for my water bottle. 

Padded laptop area for my iPad. 

Easily accessible pockets for things like a comb, tissues, lip balm, etc. I don't want to carry a purse and a backpack. 

Secure outside pocket for bus pass and phone. 

A pocket to put my pens, pencils, stylus, etc. I don't like those skinny little pen slots...there's never enough of them. 

Room for my lunch bag, knitting, sketchbook, shoes, a book or magazine and still have room in case I want to stuff in a light jacket or sweater. 

Key fob. 

And the most important thing is that it's nice to look at and does not have butt ugly patterns all over it and those stupid extra straps and ties that I have no idea what they're for. 

This bag meets all my criteria and more. As for sturdy and durable, this bag has a lifetime guarantee!

Now I need to find the perfect purse! 

2014 November desktop calendar

2014 November desktop calendar

It's hard to believe that it's November already. This November marks a big change for us - my husband is now retired. I'm happy for him. He had a very physically demanding job that had caused all sorts of damage to his back. Hopefully, he will be able to recover. I can't wait until I get to retire. 

Created on the iPad with Procreate.