May 26, 2010

I give up. I will no longer be forcing myself to read books that just don't grab me anymore. I felt so guilty (and still do) about giving up on reading Ulysses but what's the point of reading a book you just can't stand? So no more! If it doesn't grab me in the first 100 pages or so, I'm returning it to the library from where hence it came.

Case in point, Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters. U.G.H. Ugh. I just don't like it at all. Frankly the imagery of Colonel Brandon is disturbing. He's got tentacles like an octopus on his face and has slime and makes a mucusy sound when he breathes. It really turns my stomach. So I'm going to return it to the library where there is a waiting list. It took me two months to be able to get this book. I'm sure that there is some other soul that will love reading this but it's honestly not for me.

Instead I'm going to start Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert. It's been on the best seller list so I'm hoping that it will be a good book. I'm the type of person that usually loves the movies that the critics hate so I'm hoping that since everyone seems to love this book, that I won't have the opposite reaction. Only one way to find out.
I finished One Second After by William Forstchen last night. I think out of all the post apocalyptic books that I've been reading lately, this one has the most realistic portrayal of what will happen to this country if we're ever hit by a EMP. Gave me a lot to think about. Makes me wonder if I should be reading these types of books. Scary what could happen when our world just stops and we have to revert to living like they did 150 or so years ago without all the technology.
I haven't done any additional sewing or knitting of any kind since I finished my top on Monday. I wore the new grey linen skirt to work yesterday and really loved it. It was very comfortable but as linen does, it wrinkled a lot. But I love the skirt. I love the way it moved when I walked and how comfortable it was when I was sitting. I was worried about what top to wear with it but I ended up picking up a new v-neck t-shirt from Target the other night and it looked really cute with the skirt. Plus the t-shirt was only $8! Love that!
I did, however, order a bunch of fabric from DenverFabrics.com on Saturday. I ordered enough fabric for two shirts, a dress, a jacket and slacks. I think my wardrobe will be expanding a lot with me sewing clothes. I can't wait for it to get here. I feel like that lady in the old Mervyns ad's, "Open, open, open." But it's more like, "Hurry, hurry, hurry!" with me. I just need to keep reminding myself that good things come to those who wait.

May 24, 2010

My sewing problem is reaching monumental proportions. I can't help myself! I want to sew constantly. I'm really enjoying it and it's so nice to be able to make my clothes for a fraction of the cost.

Saturday night I cut out the pattern at the right. It's a New Look, number 6913.







The top turned out really good but way too long. I'm going to have to go back and shorten it by quiet a bit. The picture on the pattern, the model's shirt is the right length. Mine is so long that it completely covers my butt. I'm thinking that if I take a couple inches off the bottem and then hem it up, it should be fine.




The shoulders actually came out perfect. I tend to get push at this point and want to get the prject done and rush it. But I really took my time and got it right.
What's up next? I don't know. Might try to get some knitting done that's been on the back burner for a while Maybe finish up my Thermal.

May 22, 2010

The weather here has been really icky the last couple of days. The wind is blowing like crazy and that makes me want to stay inside and avoid going out at all. The wind gives me terrible headaches, I assume it's all the pollen that gets kicked up. So instead of going out, I stayed in the last two days and sewed.

I finally finished the skirt that I cut out at the same time as the white top that I finished last week. I used Simplicity Pattern 2451 in size 12. I chose a light gray linen and black buttons.

I love the button and tab detail. The skirt is a little tight but since I'm working on losing some weight it should fit just right when I'm done. I don't normally wear shirts that have to be tucked in but in order to show of the detail on this skirt I might have to make one.

Since the weather is shitty again today, I stayed in a sewed again. Yesterday, after Hubbs got home, we ran out to run some errands and he dropped me off at Joann's so I could browse. I picked out 4 patterns and enough fabric to make two tops. I finished one of the tops, a really cute some type top. The pattern is New Look 6965.

On the Mannequin.

On me. I need to make some little straps that will hold my bra straps under the straps.

I love the back detail. I chose a vintage button that I already had. For once I actually got the button hole to come out correctly.
That's it for my sewing for today. Now I'm off to get some dinner and maybe go to bed early. Happy Saturday!

May 20, 2010

Hubbs and I had to waste a bit of time this afternoon while new tires were being put on his truck. Thankfully the shopping mall where the tires were being put on had a Cost Plus World Market. I can wander in there for quite some time. Going in I didn't intend to buy anything but...well you know. Some times you find something that you can't go with out.

I love jewelry. I don't own much and the few pieces that I do have are fairly nice. I don't have much in the way of costume jewelry that isn't vintage. But when I saw this necklace, which is similar to many that I've admired on Etsy.com, I couldn't pass it up. It was pretty inexpensive but I fell completely in love. I could have easily bought several other pieces that I saw there including a few pairs of earrings that I might go back for, but I choose just one necklace.

I love this piece. The pastel colors on the charm are just beautiful and I love the dove charm. I can't wait to wear this next week to work.

I also came a cross this wonderfully colorful set of ceramic measuring spoons. I have at least three other sets of measuring spoons but I use them so much that often the size I need is in the dishwasher. Hubbs is so cute, when I saw them he noticed that they were only $2.99 and quickly offered to buy them for me. He's such a sweetie. I quickly accepted his offer. lol What can I say? I loves me some measuring spoons. Now if only he'd offer to buy me that set of dishes I admired!
Yes please!

May 18, 2010

Made a Little Top. As you may (or may not) remember a couple of weeks ago I planned to spend a whole day sewing. I had three patterns and some fabric. I spent most of that day cutting out all three patterns and I started sewing one of the tops but got frustrated and never finished it. Yesterday in between loads of laundry I sat down and worked on this top.

Surprisingly, I actually finished it! I had a few set backs and a few problems but I actually got it done.

The Front.

The back.
Pattern is New Look 6570. It was pretty easy and the pattern was easy to follow. I still have a skirt that is already cut out and ready to sew. I still have the other shirt partly finished. I think I need to go back and rip out and re-do. Actually I think I'm going to go grab it and work on ripping it out tonight.

May 17, 2010

Well, the trip is offically over. We returned the truck yesterday and did grocery shopping for the week and now I'm doing laundry and cleaning the house up some.

We zipped back into town on Saturday after a really nice visit with my Grandmother, mother, sister and cousin. My Grammie made some fantastic fried chicken and potato salad. I love her potato salad. We checked out her garden and visited with another cousin over the back fence. I miss living in a small town like that and getting to be with my family on a regular basis. When I lived there I lived across the street and a couple of doors down from my grandmother and my uncle lived directly across the street from her. And my mom and sister lived less then three miles away. Living in the Sacramento area is really nice too but I miss being that close to my family.

After we got back home on Saturday we quickly stopped by the library and picked up my library books that I'd requested before we left on vacation. I three waiting for me when I got home which was great since I'd finished my last one while we were gone and the other book I'd brought with me I'd already read. Sadly, I already finished two of the books and it's only Monday! I finished I am Legend and Life as we Knew It. Both were good books but really quick reads. I am Legend is nothing like the movie. There are a few similarities but they are pretty few and far between. I actually like the movie better which is weird for me since I always like the book better. I'm going to read Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters next. I've been waiting months for this book to become available. Can't wait.

Because I already devoured two of the books I went on line last night and requested about 7 more books. Most of them already have hold requests on them and I'm pretty far down the line to be able to get them. I might have to make an actually trek to the library and go through the stacks. Some times it sucks being such a quick reader.

I didn't knit at all on the trip. I read both flights. I'm currently working on a pair of socks that I did take with me but I'm thinking about ripping out what I've done on them and using a different needle size. I'm worried that this yarn isn't going to stretch much and I won't be able to get them on! Ugh. That would suck! I'm starting to get low on sock yarn so I really need to get back to my other projects. My Thermal has just been neglected so badly and I'm almost done with it. I also need to get started on the sweater that my mom requested for Christmas since it's almost June! So much to do so little time. Guess I better get back to it!

Happy Monday everyone!

May 14, 2010

We're home! Finally! No pictures today, we didn't even slow down for the California state sign when re-entered the state. We both wanted to get home so bad and sleep in our own bed! We're both really tired but we had a great time driving across country.

This trip may be over but we'll be headed to Oregon in a couple of weeks to visit my family. I won't have access to wi-fi like I did on this trip but I'm going to take tons of pictures and really enjoy our time with my family.

We don't go back to work until Tuesday but tomorrow we have to drive the 2 hours to my moms house to take her the furniture that we brought back from Alabama. We're planning to have lunch with my mom, grandmother, sister and cousin. I can't wait to see them! We were only gone for 8 days but it feels like a really long time! I missed my family! I think we talk about our family's and our pets more then anything else today. Can't wait to see them all, not to mention get our dogs back! We missed them so much on this trip.

We're both really tired and stiff but I'm already looking forward to the next trip!

May 13, 2010

We are so tired tonight so a quick post of today's highlights. We went from Williams, AZ to Grand Canyon to Hoover Damn to Vegas today. Lots of miles and lots of fun.

South Rim at the Visitors Center

Both of us on the South Rim.

This ground squirrel was sitting on the side of the trail and I used my powers of talking to the animals to get it to look up when I snapped the picture.

Self portrait

There were three elk on the side of the road down by the Bright Angel Trial. We were pretty stoked to get to see some.

At the entrance to the park.

On the way to Hoover Damn, the desert was blooming with tons of pink and purple catcus blooms.


Also lots of yellow daisy's.

We agree that we got really lucky on this trip. A couple of weeks either direction and might not have gotten to see all the all blooming catci.


Hoover Damn!
Hubbs at Hoover Damn. They're building a by-pass road. We wondered if they're going to stop allowing people to drive across the damn. If so, we were glad that we got a chance to do it.

Welcome to Nevada! Only one state from home now.

Home time zone baby!

Vegas baby!

The lights are so pretty on the strip. We walked so far that our feet are killing us! Looking froward to a nice night in the hotel.
7 hour ride home tomorrow and then back on the road Saturday to drop off the furniture to my mom. We've really enjoyed the trip but we can't wait to get home and sleep in our own bed. We miss our dogs and kitty too. No stops planned for tomorrow, just a straight shot home. But you never know what can happen during out hours on the road.

May 12, 2010

Today was an interesting day. Took forever to find a gas station this morning and the weather was really on again off again. We had sun, clouds, rain, snow, rain, hail, rain, snow and then rain again. Today's mileage wasn't much but we went from Casa Grande, Arizona to Williams, Arizona by way of Sedona. Neither Hubbs or I have been to this part of the state before and we agreed that Sedona was totally worth checking out. It was amazing. The scenery was so beautiful.

Here's the highlights:When we finally found the gas station this morning there was this really neat cactus type plant growing next to the pumps. The purple stem and pink and cream flowers were so pretty.

This was the view from the top of the mesa highway 17 on the way to Sedona.

Our first view of the beautiful rock formations of Sedona from the Visitors Center on the south side.
Me at the Visitors Center.



Hubbs and I enjoying the beautiful Scenery.




Hubbs enjoying the view.



North side of Sedona.
The pouring rain out side of Flagstaff.
Two more days of fun before we're home. Tomorrow is Grand Canyon. Hubbs has never been but I've been a couple of times and have hiked it from North Rim to South Rim before. I can't wait to see it again. I haven't see it in more then 15 years. After we leave the Canyon we're headed to Hoover Dam and then into Vegas. Tomorrow is also our 4th wedding anniversary. I'm really looking forward to celebrating our special day.