Bought a couple of patterns at the thrift store

One of the local thrift stores, the Balch Springs Thrift Store, sells sewing patterns for $.65 Not a great price, and most of their stock is unwearably 80s, but I found a couple of keepers.

I picked up Simplicity 9360. This pattern was published by Simplicity for its 60th anniversary back in the 80s. I suppose if they're celebrating their 80th this year then this was published 20 years ago. I'm not obsessing. I really like the second one with the capetlet. I'd really like it best, I think, without the white park on there. Let period, but cuter. It would make it much less modest. I'm also not fond of the skirt length, that would not look flattering on my figure. That said, there's something about it I like. Also I found the smaller version and its uncut so I'm going to have to size up the biggest size, a 12, to a 14/16. I love the little dog though and I so want to take Luna walking while wearing something as stylized as this. This pic came from Old Patterns who have the bigger sized one available.

As my camera is still missing, I cannot post a pic of my next pattern since I cannot find a copy online. It's Kwik Sew 872. I've never sewed Kwik Sew before. Its uncut as far as I could tell and contains S, M, L, and XL. I think I'll make the Medium. So it was published in 1977 and a robe pattern. It's kinda a caftan. I think it'll be a nice reimagining of the summer maxi dress for Fall. The following pic is sort of a looser version from John Leaonard, some sort of clothing company I guess. I'm going for a much more fitted style and something like a v neck.

I'm a little nervous about the Kwik Sew pattern since its printed on white, almost completely opaque pattern versus the browner tissue paper. Strange.

New Car Fever

Is anyone else feeling car crazy. I know I don't need a new car. My current vehicle is fine. I don't owe any money on it. It gets decent gas milage. It looks attractive (better when I actually wash it lol). It is dependable. All this is great, but suddenly I want a mini cooper convertible. There's no rhyme or reason to it, but the more I think about it, the more I justify it in my head. I really need some other distraction to get me away from this...

Oh well, in other news, I go on vacation on Friday and I'm mostly looking forward to it. We'll see how it goes. I was going to try to finish all my homework this week, but it just isn't practical given some of the stuff doesn't even open until this weekend or next week. I suppose I can work on all I can and worry about the rest next week. I will have dial up Internet in the room and wifi in the clubhouse. I really wish the rooms had wifi since I've no idea how well the dial up will do, I haven't used dial up in so long. Does this mean I have to find a provider for use in the room? That doesn't make much sense but we'll see, I may end up spending a lot of time in the club house. Within reason that is.

Ate some really bad for me stuff. It was nice. For example, I had a corny dog last night and the night before. I keep telling myself not to and then when I get hungry, whoosh to the icebax/fridge and eating whatever's there. We also had to finish Kat's b-day cake since high school girls weren't really interested in eating it when Kat offered between classes and I think she forgot it at lunch. Mhhmmm chocolate cake.

Heroes tonight, totally siked, let's see what will happen next week. Also Scrubs returns this week. That's what I spent a lot of time this past weekend working on, watching episodes of the Office and Scrubs. Why do I do this so I'm against a wall when assignments are actually due?

More Ruminations

So I haven't posted this week. So sorry; I haven't really done much to post about. This week, I've done some homework and thought about seewing, but nothing has really happened, so I must be more proactive. Or something. I think I'll pick up some groceries on my way home to make for dinner, then get hard to wrok on my homework on arriving at home and try to knock out Draft 3 this weekend. I can do it!!!

I got my cafepress shirts in last week. I noticed I hadn't mentioned them here, so yes I design my own shirts on cafepress. It really is a lot of fun. I bought three shirts with wwii posts on them that are really cute. I bought this one in a black and medium that is so big, but I love the picture on it so muc, I reckon I'll still wear it. Anyone know how to shrink a tee? I would post pictures of the posters, but cannot given so new and wonderful glitch with blogger :(

Here's some links:
http://seshat.org/images/WW2_booksareweapons.jpg Channeling my inner and outer librarian ;)
http://www.binghamton.edu/ctah/student/macchiano/landarmy.jpg
There was one more, but the image escapes me at the moment.

Now other then the too big medium, the shirts are nicely constructed and not see through, although the jrs ringer tee is close. The images also look a little strange at the height on my shirt, they see really high up, but this is not something you can change with cafepress. :sigh: It just stretches a little at my chest, but I still like them and they are exactly what I wanted. I do love those wwii posters, such fun.

So Al Gore gets the Nobel Prize, yawn...

Hmmmm, does anyone know who got it last year? Who will remember his getting it in 100 years. I mean, I'm being cereal here. I also mention this in my blog because of the people who say that this is great for Gore and it yadayadaya. ROTFL. Which prize did he even win? I's not worht the energy of researching it, or reading the articles. I just see the headlilnes and its enough for me. Where's that manbearpig? Yes, that's the only episode Southpark I even saw and it was funny. Alright, that's enough for today.

Gotta a Date for the Fair so the schedule's gonna change...

So, I've got a date for tomorrow, we're going to plan to meet up around noon to go to the Tx State Fair. Such fun, I've never gone with a date before. This means I need to finish the dress tonight. So the new plan is to go by Walmart and pick up those things, then go home and cut my tomorrow dress out and finish it and Dad's shirt tonight.
Then tomorrow morning, I'll take Luna for her walk and my sis to Gma and clean the house with the other one. Then stop around 10:30 to take a shower and prepare to leave. The dress really shouldn't take more than 2 hours to complete since its simple, and doesn't need a hems since its so long. I will make it a couple inches shorter to be more Fair friendly.

Yay, it's almost like I've got a social life. A date during the day and a church dance tomorrow night. I've also somehow invited him to dinner with the family tomorrow night. I told him I'd agreed to make dinner to welcome my sister to town since another one is getting married at Sat and he said it sounded like fun and I said I'd invite him, but he'd probably be uncomfortable since he didn't know anyone and he said he wouldn't. I know, hmmm, but he's sweet and we'll see. That's a lot of hours for a first day. The last first date I went on lasted about 3 hours and by the end I was seriously ready to see the back of his head, but no negative thoughts, at all.

Projects, Projects, Projects???

So my medieval gown from Mccalls 4889 is pretty much done. All it needs is something for the girdle, I'm to check thrifts stores for metal belts tomorrow and if that fails, I'll pick up tapestry trim at Hancocks. Also, Dad's shirt's cut out and needs to be sewn tonight and I need to finish the kilt tonight so he car try it on tomorrow and we can make modification and settle the final stylings. I also want to cut out a maxi dress tonight, but it may wait until tomorrow. You know ya'll, it really helps me to write out my plans so I can see an end to them.

Also for tonight: after work of necessity

--Hang up clothes

--Take Luna on walk

--Put laundry in wash

--take out trash from my room and bathroom

--finish Dad's shirt and kilt and sash

--cut out maxi dress

--be asleep by 1 am

For tomorrow

--Take Luna for walk hopefully at 8:00

--Take Sus to Gma

--Go by thrift stores for belt

--Go by Hancocks for tapestry trim if nothing comes up

--Go by Walmart for carpet shampooer and look at fabrics and get plastic organizers for surplus fabric and pick up living plants for my room, oh and fresh flowers for kitchen, front room, kat's room, entry way, and living room.

--lunch time

--Pick up excess in my room and hallways and front room and parent's room and shampoo all carpets with Luna in the back yard, get more potent bathroom cleaners and groceries for Ann's dinner and cake

--Clean kitchen, dishes, counters, fridge, etc

--Clean bathroom: glass, floors, empty or near empty bottles, toilet, sink, shower

--shred pappers that clutter the room

--pick up Susan

--movie furniture back

--bake cake

--Take shower

--welcome A

--Make dinner

--Get ready for the Costume Dance at 9, A gets to help with the hair :) Must leave house by 8:45

--sleep (celebrate!!!)

Now that my schedule for tomorrow is relayed, yeah right. Thankfully most of the cleaning is done, I'll just finish it up tomorrow. So tomorrow is a costume dance, I mightn't to go but for my newly completed costume. As a solemn wallflower, I'll not have to worry about dancing and this is good since this costume is HEAVY, man, seriously.

I have many workout videos and I want to do one tomorrow, but between walking Luna, shopping, and cleaning, I suppose I'll have enough of a workout, right? Also ot, I need to look through the clothes I've sewn and finsih them, seriously its crazy. Also I found some great fall fabric I bought during the Springs sales last year that is just so pretty and I need to perfect pattern for it. Also should it come with me on vacation. I have some flannel plaid that I also need to find a great purpose for. I really need to stop buying fabric, but its such fun and the parents gave me a gc for Jo Anns and I've just got to use it, right? Of course, I do want to sew another maxi dress to where to the state fair. I'm think empire waist and kimono sleeves and long. Its to be a mixture of Simplicity 3918 and Simplicity 4577 or Mccalls 4889

http://www.simplicity.com/dv1_v4.cfm?design=3918

http://www.simplicity.com/dv1_v4.cfm?design=4577

http://www.mccallpattern.com/item/M4889.htm?search=renaissance&page=1

Need to use the workout videos more often, seriously.

Busy Week

So I cut out Dad's kilt last night and cut out the fabric today. I also cut out the fabric for my dress today and have just got it mostly sewn. It's Mccalls 4889 in a dark blue stretch velvet and its really pretty if I say so myself. I sewed it once before for the Harry Potter Midnight Party back in July. After the party, I cut down the dress to wear normally and have yet to hem it, darn. The other version is from a green cotton with white spark on it. Very witchy, although this one is probably more so. I did abandon the idea of a Rennaissance Gown simply because I don't have the time to complete it by Saturday. I still have to sew Dad's kilt and shirt and get the housee cleaned up for AB and Sidzilla. Since he's a crawling baby, I need to shampoo the carpets Friday morning, so everything has to be ready to go on Thursday and I really want to finish Butterick 4919. I could, I really could, or maybe not. It's so pretty and I want to channel the musical State Fair, some was filmed in Dallas after all.

I used Crunch Burn and Firm Pilates today and felt the burn. I could finish 25 minutes and sat out the last 15 with Luna. There are a lot of squats and lower body work in that video and I like that, but have not the muscles at this time to complete it. On the plus side, I did take Luna on a walk.

My contacts are bothering me, so I'm to be a 4eyes tomorrow ;) I've also got to get the oil changed in my car. It's 300 miles over.

Also to do tomorrow is finish Dad's Kilt and cut out Dad's shirt. And attach my sleeves and hem the sleeves, but not the skirt cause I'm just going to cut the bottom of anyway, maybe I should wait until after halloween. There may be enough scraps let to dress up Luna as a matching medival princess for Halloween. Yes, I never thought I would be this sort of owner, but I am. :shrugs: Que sera sera.

Little Sisters

Why do we still allow little sisters to bother us, even when we're grown? We went out to my birthday lunch and my sisters would not stop teasing me, which is okay, but then they started laughing as though about me and it just really started getting on my nerves. It was so hard not to try to pinch Kat so hard she got a bruise. I restrained myself and simply did not speak to her for the lunch. The thing is that is completely ruined MY birthday lunch. After this happened in the car, I'd didn't particularly want to talk to anyone in my family. I just wanted to go home and grab something to eat on the way home. We went to Ryans and it was okay, KI tried to sit as far away from people as I could, but the parents did insist on sitting beside me since it was all for me. Thankfully they noticed I was not in a talking mood and talked amoungst themselves and to my sisters. I just did not feel like talking after the whole car thing. I tried several ways to get us to leave, or to allow me to go home, but got guilted into staying. Bother, why do I let her bother me? I haven't really spoken to her again, for no reason, I'm not mad anymore, I just don't want to be around her. I'm tempted to remove my makeup from the bathroom and see how she enjoys going to school without much makeup for once, it would be good for her anyway, she's only 15 and has good skin and certainly does not need foundation. I'll also not keenm right now to let her drive my car. I mean, if she's going to call me names, then I'm not going to go through the stress of watching after a new driver. Let her drive with the parents.

You know what? I think this happened because we went out to eat on Sunday, we were all tense, it was horridly busy at Ryans and the food was sub-par, yet still expensive. Yeah, we shouldn't go out to eat on Sundays...

In other news, Mary's wedding is Saturday night and I've still got to sew Dad's shirt and kilt. The plan it to cut out the pattern tonight and cut out the fabric tomorrow and sew it tomorrow night. I've still got to work on mine as well and I've got 3 different fabrics and new patterns to choose from. Should I use the medieval or the rennaissance? Who knows.

Today was Columbus Day and when I stopped by the post office, there was no one there. It was quite sad. I was supposed to send off a couple of things, but I suppose they can wait until tomorrow.

Heroes tonight, totally siked. I usually talk to Sue about theories after I watch it, but have no real desire to talk to her right now so we'll see what theories I develop on my own. Now if she offers to help me sew Dad's costume, maybe we'll be okay again, or now.

Happy Birthday to me.....

So yesterday was my birthday and I got soem cards, some calls, and my nephew got to win the diaper derby. He is the cutest little baby boy, like ever. We drove down to Winnie, TX and had some fun at the Texas Rice Festival, which happens to be this weekend, the same weekend as Seagofest. My sister is really jonesed about Seagofest, if she had to miss it, she would not have wanted to go to Winnie. Thankfully, she just missed the Friday festivities. The parade happened right a we were leaving town onWednesday, but she would have missed out on it anyway. We saw some young girls, couldn't have been more than 16, walking up the service road yesterday at midnight (when we were arriving back home).

I wonder what brilliant parents allowed their young teenage girls to walk home from Seagofest at midnight. Contrary to popular belief, Seagoville is not the country, its a suburb of Dallas and has a crime rate similar to Dallas. It's not safe for those girls to have been walking home, who knew how far, from Seagofest. Maybe the parents were at a bar and couldn't be bothered to leave that early to take their daughters home. shakes head. It's not any of my business, butt it's like when I saw a sweet little lab mix on the side of the freeway in Houston. I just knew that dog would be hit by a car and I felt responsible, but I also knew that the dog would probably not come to me, and the place was at a blind curve, so no one coming around would see me stopped and I did not want to be hit, even for a dog with sweet eyes. Ooh, Guilt, I hope the dog found his way away from the highway and to his home. I just imagined Luna getting lost and ending up in the median of a highway and think how scared she would be and how sad I would be if she got run over.

Okay, in other news. I told my sister my philosophy on idiot drivers, that they're all suffering from an incurable illness and so we should not mind that we got cut off because that person probably has ebola and will die a horrible death. She laughed, not knowing I was serious. :shrugs: It does make it easier to be behind someone going 45 in a 70 to imagine them dying in horribly painful ways. I'm thinking blood and massive pus filled blisters.

Still not done with the projject for SLIS 5200, but I'll finish by Monday morning, I have to. The next one is due the same week as my vacation, bummer that so I'll try to finish it the week before. I've also got a midterm for 5080 that week and the prof says its okay for me to take it a week early. I guess I get to enjoy my week rather then doing a lot of homework.

I bought some new fabric for a dress for Mary's wedding. Previosly I'd picked up a washed out pale, greeny gray fabric with a little texture, but I picked up a blue velvet yesterday sine it was half off clearance fabric at Jo Anns this weekend. I also picked up some denim to make a skirt and some dark blue, almost denim type fabric for whatever. I really need to focus on home work, then I can sew this weekend. This weekend is also General Conference, so I will probably listen to it while sewing stuff when I get a chance this weekend.

Date today, wish me luck.

Doggie Bike Rack for Williamsburg

The more I think about it, the more I want to bicycle around Williamsburg and the more I do want to take Luna with me, but worry about her behavior on the leash. So I'm buying this off ebay INSTEP QUICK N EZ BICYCLE TRAILER QE100 BK1351. This way Luna can come with me and we can walk on either end, but she doesn't have to run beside me unless she wants to. Also, this means I can give it to A if I get tired of it. She asked me about a baby bike trailer and this one would probably work for her, except I think its in sorry condition for a baby, but perfect for a dog. I've gone ahead and bought a harness too for when she's in the car and I think I'll bring her wire crate with me. This is to be such fun. :)

So I Never Entered the Sewing Contest...

I was all set to senter something into the Vintage Sewing Contest at patternreview.com, but alas never got around to writing any reviews. I made 3 items I could have entered, but nothing made it and now the contest is over :( Oh well, I'm busy and don't have time to worry about it. I did vote for this write dress that looks well made and is styled like something I would wear.

What I need to do in the next two weeks
5200: Finish Draft 2
Submit PR checklist
Finish CB

5080: Finish Module 2
Finish Module 3
Prepare for midterm

Work: Update webpage
Update blog
Get to a stopping point for archives
maintain new books list

Home: Go out on Date
Take LS to Library
Ride Bike
Keep Luna healthy
Take car in again
Oil change
Safety inspection
Sew Dad's wedding costume
Sew my wedding costume (It was going to be Rennaissance, but Medieval would be easier)
Prepare any other cloathes I can for the trip
Luna's halloween costume?
Plan trip

So this is what I'm thinking of today, and you?

Procrastination and Trip Planning and Luna's Trip to the Vet

So I took Luna in to the vet this morning for him to look at this weird knot/bump on her shoulder and get her microchipped in honor of the upcoming trip. Well, the bump is a button tumor and the vet says it should go away on its own in 4-6 weeks and he gave me a cream to put on it twice a day. I should have asked him if I should still use the anti-flea goo you run down dogs' backs, but I didn't think of it. Luna is due for that and heartworm right now, I love being a woman, otherwise I'd probably forget. Make of that what you will.

So I've been thinking more about the trip and am wondering if I should just drive through, this way I can see the farmer's market in Williamsburg and I don't have to worry about finding a pet-friendly hotel or stopping along the way. It's 20 hours and I can knock that out, maybe with a catnap or two in the middle of the night at some truck stop. After all I have Luna for a watch dog, right? Yeah, I think that's what I'll do. I'll leave Dallas at 9 am and drive through til after midnight and then pull off at a truck stop and nap in the back seat with my dog, or maybe I'll look for a rest stop. Anyway, rest a couple of hours, then off again and drive to Williamsburg with the intent to be there by 9 am. So that means 4 hours of sleep/food/breaks.

New ISSUE, my car didn't want to start in front of Panchos today, I waited a second and it did start, but before it made a clicking noise, I wonder if the connection to the battery may be corroded or need to be tightened so I'll look at it tomorrow morning. Hopefully its something easy and not major. Does anyone else notice that the more often you take your car into the shop, the more often it needs to go to the shop? Like I've taken my car to the shop 3 times in the past month and hadn't taken it in at all for 6 months before that. So far everything's been maintenence related, like brake pads, worn tires, and fraying belts. I'm just hopign it likes the drive to Williamsburg because I'd have to rent a car otherwise and don't think I haven't thought of that. If I could get a total everything included rental car for 2 weeks for under $250 I would take it if only for the peice of mind, fun of driving something new, and anything else I like. Of course, the benefit of my current car is that its older, a little beat up, and a nice calming color. All this is good if you're on a trip, and then I wouldn't have to worry about Luna going crazy in the back seat, not that she would. She's never got car sick or lost her potty training, so I've not worried, but she's also never been in a car for 20+ hours. Also I can save that money and stay in a real hotel on the way back when I'm not interested in getting anywhere quickly to see the farmer's market. Considerations, no?

So what to do... Right now I'm thinking of.....

Bicyling from Williamsburg to Jamestown

Walking around Colonial Williamsburg

Walking around the old part of town

Seeing Virginia Beach

Spending a day in D.C. and leaving Luna with a doggie day care

Nanowrimo within reason

I'm going to try to avoid eating out a lot and make the times I do eat out to be special. I do have a full kitchen in the condo and then I won't have to worry about Luna. I can take the opportunity to practice some recipes, try some smell ones out, and just do whatever.

I'll update when more stuff occures to me.

Oh and for a schedule

Saturday

Williamsburg Farmer's Market

Check in

Sleep

Have a special dinner or show

Sunday

See Colonial Williamsburg

Singles Ward in Virginia Beach?

Monday

See Jamestown

Tuesday

Washington D.C.

Wednesday

Virginia Beach

Something Holloweeny in the evening

Thursday

Stay in to cook, do some spa stuff, detox, do homework, start Nanowrimo. Maybe I will go out and get something spa-ish done.

Friday

???? Something with Luna

Saturday

Walk around Williamsburg again

check out

start drive home, stay at hotel on the drive home.

Sunday

complete drive home

So Luna's to get a walk every day and I'm thinking of trying to make it to the dog park every day. This whole everyday thing excludes Tuesday as she's gonna spend it at doggie day care.

Planning Williamsburg with my dog

So this is a work in progress. I'm going to Williamsburg at the end of this month to spend some time with Luna and on my own again. I love being able to live with my parents, but I miss being on my own. It's just so easy when you have such security to be contented with life the way it is. I've lived with my parents a year now and nothing's really changed in my life. I'm still in school, still have a dog, still single, still dreaming of travel, still aging. Yes, my birthday is Friday, so I'm ruminating. Of course my life is the same in good and bad ways. The bad: my weight, inability to converse with anyone I'm attracted to, procrastinator, ability to start projects and not finish them and the good my dedication to my dog, staying with school, trying new things, being single ;), and striving always to better myself. I have changed a bit this year I suppose, I'm trying to focus more on fitness, I am going on vacation on my own and with my dog, I've taken up sewing and love, I'm blogging now, I WILL finish Nanowrimo this year, and I have red hair.

So I'm turning 26 and that's okay. That's to be my mantra for what spare time I have this week. I have 2 major due dates this week, I'm taking Luna to the vet tomorrow morning because she has a knot on her shoulder and I want to get her microchipped before we go, and I've switched shifts on Thursday so I work the day shift and we leave for the Rice Festival right after work, drive 5 hours, the drive back the next evening, on Friday, so I can be at work at 9 am and Kat can go to SeagoFest. Breathe

Okay, so Heroes tonight, I may blog about it afterward, maybe. Yay, gotta love it.

Oh yeah, I was going to explaint the schedule for Williamsburg. Let me think on it another night. Gotta work at it y'know.