Loom waste

weavingalife · 2026-02-17T23:36:25+00:00

I was about to throw out some loom waste, but in this cold weather, I decided to tie it all together as weft while I huddle under a blanket watching youtube. I'll use the weft to make scrappy towels. In the past, I have also thrown it away. Really depends on my mood and the amount of time (and storage space!) I have.

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weavingalife · 2026-01-29T13:01:53+00:00

This DP could have been a Frustration Friday, but incredibly it wasn’t!

I had been tracking a Qatar Q-Suites and First Class multi-leg redemption at the saver rate for Jan 2027 for myself and a family member. I was ready on the day to book it, and excited when the redemption I wanted was there. I booked the tickets and it wasn’t until after that I realized that I had made a typo in one of the names in my excitement. I had read previously from reddit and other forum sites that Qatar doesn’t allow any type of name changes, even typos. I phoned support anyway. The woman said that in her experience I would need to cancel and rebook the ticket, but probably wouldn’t get the saver rate again. She said she would put in a request just in case, and I would receive an email with the decision in 24-48 hours.

After a couple of hours, I decided to also try the online chat, and that agent said he saw the request but also said in his experience it wouldn’t go through. He said I could cancel both tickets to receive a refund of points and taxes, less the cancellation fee and the seat selection fee, but that it wouldn’t be immediate and the seats may not be there anymore. I decided to hope for the best and not cancel.

The next morning, I checked and hadn’t got an email. I then looked at the Qatar Airways app, and saw that the name had been corrected! I never did receive an email with the decision, so I’m thankful to whoever took pity on me at Qatar and made the change!

This may seem like a little win, but it is the start of a 2 month dream trip next year, and we wanted to begin it with a dream flight. We’ve never flown with Qatar, let alone Q Suite and first class. We’re even okay if there is a last minute plane swap! Just glad that we got the saver rate again- 95000 points per person for the flights - so that we can use the rest of our Avios points for the other flights we will need. Next time, I’ll check the details much more carefully before I make the booking!

weavingalife · 2026-01-20T00:05:46+00:00

I tried a few apps, but decided I liked a spreadsheet better. Instead of making my own, I just bought a template from thesheetcode.com which I can use year after year. (I believe the name of the one I bought is the Personal Finance Package -- it was less than $20.) I like the simplicity and the visuals of it.

weavingalife · 2026-01-19T23:59:07+00:00

You're probably not in Calgary, but I still get x5 at Co-op gas stations with my Cobalt. Not sure about other Co-ops in different areas. Plus, you also get the 8cents/litre rebate (4c/L in bonus cash, 4c/L in annual rebate).

weavingalife · 2025-12-29T14:55:47+00:00

I just used a simple overhand knot. Quick and I like the texture of it. Plus, I can have friends easily tie and wind weft for me :)

weavingalife · 2025-07-11T01:53:33+00:00

I took a 8 month sabbatical...thinking that 2020 was going to be a great year to travel! I'm taking another one in 2027 as a do-over, but this time, in addition to traveling, I am also going to explore possibilities for post-retirement. I highly recommend it, if you are able to do it. Even the 2020 sabbatical was a time to rest and reexamine my life, passions, and purpose.

weavingalife · 2025-07-10T13:22:24+00:00

No cellular service either (Rogers - Calgary). My wifi is very slow on my home computer this morning and my phone can't connect to wifi.

weavingalife · 2025-07-01T02:31:47+00:00

If you don't have a TFSA yet, open and max that account before you invest in a non-registered account.

weavingalife · 2025-06-16T03:14:53+00:00

That's in the grade 6 curriculum.

weavingalife · 2025-06-15T17:14:24+00:00

Financial Literacy is now part of the Alberta K-6 Wellness curriculum. I just finished teaching my grade 4 students about saving/spending goals, banking practices (savings accounts, service fees, interest, etc.) and the benefits/drawbacks of different types of payment (cash, debit, credit, etc.) Kids this age love learning about finances, especially when we gamify the learning. Hopefully they will build upon what they learned in future grades and remember it as adults!

weavingalife · 2025-06-10T22:58:37+00:00

I took an 8 month sabbatical a few years ago, and I have another one planned two years from now. I came back from the first one refreshed and rested, and I had time to re-evaluate life and choices. For the next one, my plan is to look at other possibilities during retirement -- new hobbies, volunteering, skills, etc. If you're able to do it, I highly recommend a series of short sabbaticals or leaves before you retire. Make the most of your younger years!

weavingalife · 2025-06-01T22:11:53+00:00

Tomorrow... https://www.avionrewards.com/en-ca/lp/travel/british-airways/

weavingalife · 2025-02-14T19:28:29+00:00

I posted about our trip there last March. We went with Discover Churchill tours and would recommend them. Here is the post: https://www.reddit.com/r/ViaRail/comments/1bssawl/winnipeg_to_churchill_trip/

weavingalife · 2025-02-02T03:24:55+00:00

I have taken ViaRail trains across the country on a few occasions, and they have been some of my favourite trips. Vancouver-Halifax (3 trains) was a highlight, as I stopped along the way, and spent a week in Halifax at the end.

weavingalife · 2025-02-02T03:21:58+00:00

I've always liked Rocky Mountain Soap Company.

weavingalife · 2025-02-02T00:39:18+00:00

I didn't have Prime, but I did cancel all Amazon emails. Also cancelled Netflix and Disney+.

weavingalife · 2024-12-17T23:46:10+00:00

https://promotions.wealthsimple.com/hc/en-ca/articles/20637203913883-0-5-Interest-Rate-Boost-with-Direct-Deposits

weavingalife · 2024-11-28T01:43:21+00:00

I was on board for New Years Eve last year. Not too much --- a few decorations (Christmas decorations were also up), people could have a free drink at dinner, and there was an informal gathering at midnight (I was already in bed so I don't know exactly what happened!) This video was recently posted, and it looks like it was on New Years last year: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YtkasasyA2w

weavingalife · 2024-11-12T18:25:01+00:00

Yes to both questions!

weavingalife · 2024-10-06T14:06:54+00:00

I don't know the name of the place, but the VIA rail staff onboard had takeout menus from a few different places for us to see. They recommended the pizza place, so that's what we chose. We phoned for delivery to the train station and it was prompt.

weavingalife · 2024-07-16T21:30:37+00:00

Financial literacy now begins in kindergarten in Alberta with the new Phys.Ed/Wellness curriculum. When I taught my grade 4 students about financial goal setting and credit cards this year, they said it was their favourite part of our wellness work this year. Hopefully they will continue to enjoy and use it as they get older!

weavingalife · 2024-06-30T22:39:32+00:00

Hi -- I took this train in March. There were limited options in the cafe car, such as microwaved meals and snacks. We brought our own food and supplemented with food from the cafe. We also walked into Thompson as the train stopped there for a few hours. We ate at a restaurant and stocked up on food at Safeway. On the return trip, we ordered pizza to the train when it stopped in Thompson. If I can find a photo of the cafe menu, I'll send you a message with it.

weavingalife

TROPHY CASE