Sew Much Fun (or “It’s Curtains for Gus!”)

When we first moved in to the little Pink house my mom asked "Well don't you think you need curtains for your room?" At the time I didn't think I did, so I lived 2+ years without them – content with my window blinds.

Each morning I would open the blinds for Gus to be able to gaze out in to the forbidden outside world (he is an inside cat after all, no matter how much he wants to ne an outside cat). As time passed one of the blinds in my room became more and more difficult to open (one side would go up and the other wouldn't and vice versa when trying to lower the blinds.) Each passing day the contentment I had shared with the blinds began to fade. Did I mention the fact that each night after closing the blinds Gus would feel the need to climb through the slats of the blinds making a crazy "clackity-clack" sounds that can become obnoxious when one is trying to sleep.

A few weeks ago I decided I'd had enough of the shenanigans (both Gus's and the blinds) so I decreed to whomever was listening at the time "I'm going to make some curtains for my room!" After all I've got the know-how and a sewing machine that's been collecting dust in the pantry since the last sewing project (New Year's Day 2009 when I made myself a purse – which has since become infamous, but that's a subject for another blog).

On January 23^rd, with my intentions decreed I located my coupon for the local fabric store and headed over with roommate in tow to pick out some fabric. I wanted something fairly simple that would work with the bright green walls of my room and my very colorful duvet cover. I finally found some cute fabric that I liked enough and bought enough to make the curtains. Fabric in hand I was well on my way (or so I thought)

Then I was side-tracked by life for a week or two—during which time I learned that one of my nieces was diagnosed with a hip problem, my dad has mysterious kidney problems, and the announcement that we have 2 babies joining our family this year.

Feb 6^th – I found myself at Wally-world buying more fabric for the lining of the curtains.

Fast forward to President's Day – Toby and I took the day off to play – after going to see a movie and buying a lamp at IKEA we headed to Pila's to use her big table and finally got the job done. One can only take so much frustration due to the lack of space to spread out (let alone cut) the fabric. With the panels cut we headed home.

My first attempt to sew them was thwarted by my elevated frustration level. There are just some days when you should go near a sewing machine – thus was my first attempt at making the curtains. After a 10 day struggle and the interruption of many Olympic events (Apolo Anton Ohno and his speed skating being the biggest threat to my project) I finally got into the groove of it and finished sewing the last of the curtain panels on Saturday the 27^th.

I am impressed with how well they turned out. I forget sometimes that I am a pretty good seamstress (perfection complex aside).

I don't know that I'm used to the change yet, but Gus seems to like the fact that he doesn't have to climb through the blinds anymore and it is no longer a hassle and a frustration to get the blinds to open each morning.

It's nice to finally have one of my projects crossed off of my to-do list!

Good News!

As some of you may know, I'm going to be an auntie again (one of my favorite jobs). Yesterday my sister called to tell me that she is having a baby girl! Girls are hard to come by in my family. Out of the 9 grandkids there are a total of 2--this little one will bring it up to 3. Yay!

Right now, Baby Girl M looks like an alien skeleton (according to her brother) but I'm sure she will be adorable like the rest of the gang!

And in case my sister is reading this I think you should name her Lillian.

Yay for babies!!!

Definitely NOT Business As Usual

As some of you know I get the opportunity to travel from time to time with my job. It's usually to far off exotic places like Mesa, Arizona or Cheyenne, Wyoming which while they are fun to visit there's no real appeal to going there, especially for work. As it usually happens, you get on a plane or in a car, arrive at your location to do your job and then return home the same way you came. On occasion I get to go somewhere good, like St. George in the winter or Seattle, Washington (which is right next door to my leetles) but those times are few and far between.

On Monday I went to a business lunch with the my bosses and the distributor of one of the scanners we use to get books ready to go online. During the course of the meal (no pun intended) we learned that someone could be easily trained to learn to fix the machine and avoid a yearly maintenance contract. My boss has great faith in my abilities (though sometimes I think he's a little nuts). By the end of the lunch my boss had given me the thumbs up for a trip to France (that's where the machines are made). Bordeaux, France. here I'm sitting thinking, WHAT THE HECK!!!!

I'm still reeling and can't quite believe it. I've been assured that it's pretty much a done deal, we just have to wait on passports and the factory in France to let us know when we can come.

Yesterday I applied for my very first passport, which was pretty exciting, but I don't think it will really sink in until I have the tickets in my hand. I hate to get my hopes up, just in case...after all I never did get that trip to Fort Wayne, Indiana last fall (though I'm sure France would be a lot more disappointing if it doesn't pan out).

Please keep it won't be all fun and games (only some if it), there will be work involved. I will be visiting Paris (on my own dime, of course) with Toby, as she has decided to do all in her power to come along with me. I'd do the same if the situation were reversed.

For those of you who are bound to feel some jealousy, make sure I have your address and I'll send you a genuine French Postcard with a genuine French Stamp.

What the Heck!
I'll keep you posted.