Friday Random

*YIKES! I'm very worried that it wasn't a joke...

*I'm thinking RED would be easier.

*I found brand new $200 JCrew leather boots last week for $5. Score!


*Man! Filed under fun things I find out about Portland now that I'm no longer living there.

*It's unfortunate that some would choose to believe there is delusion when in reality it's merely apathy toward the parts left unsaid. And if it's a choice between being vapid and having hatred and anger consume my life, I'll choose vapidity every time. Thankfully, I don't have to choose either.

*These are so smart!

*Neil Finn is doing a one-off concert next month in L.A. I'm suddenly very, very sad I no longer live in Southern California...

*I think I'm in love with this dress. Anyone? Could it be my 'little black dress' for all of those oh so important places I go? No? Too dressy for the playground?

*Ring of the week:

Have I shown this one before? I can't remember and I'm too lazy to look it up...Love it, though. One of my more expensive rings (ha!).

*Song of the week:

(mirah, the garden)

Look Out, Look Up

Who are your heroes? Those people you look up to and think, wow. That is who I want to be.

I never know how to answer that question and it leaves me to wonder who I DO look up to. I have random people I admire, I guess some may call them personal heroes, (Mary Matalin is one), but no one that I can just say, yes. Absolutely this person is my hero. Is that weird? I have traits I look up to and areas I concentrate my focus and work on, but whole beings...I got nothin'.

Are heroes for the young and less jaded? Or dreamers and people a little less routed in routine? I feel I'm missing out.

I'm Sewing! I'm a Sew-er! I Sew!

I failed home-ec. Well, not failed, failed, but it was my worst grade in high school. No real surprise, right? I remember making a pair of shorts and my mom REFUSING to let me wear them, even around the house, they were so bad. So I didn't sew. For a long time. Then, when we lived in Portland, I got a wild hair up my butt and decided to buy a sewing machine and relearn. So I did buy one...I just never used it. I had a lot of "I can'ts" going on in my mind. When we found out we were pregnant, I decided to make a blanket. I pulled out the machine and just COULD NOT DO IT. The machine kept messing up. So I sold it to a friend (with full disclosure of its stupidity) and bought a second machine. Guess what? Yup. Different brand, same stupidity. I finally clued in that maybe it was me...

Last Wednesday I pulled my machine out for the first time since I bought that second machine in San Diego. Sharon came over and we had a sewing afternoon. I appreciate her method to sewing because it's all about making things look good in the end, even if that means making things easier and less technically right WHILE sewing. I can get on board with that. So, while Sharon was making a FABULOUS apron out of a thrifted skirt (seriously cute), I pulled out one of my new books and sat down to make my first thing since 9th grade home-ec. And while I had to have Sharon "fix" the stupidity problems my machine has and talk me through it, I did it. I made my first thing. And it's cute! And functional! And I'm totally loving this new found I can make things thing.

I needed a little bag in my purse for all things lip gloss, hand sanitizer, etc. Sharon made one I loved, so I bought this book and made one for myself.

Ta Da!


The inside folded down:


I also bought this book and in it, there are instructions on how to make a pup tent. So, this morning, I whipped one up for Sammy. Go me!


It's even Sammy approved:




I have no illusions of grandeur. None. I'm not going to suddenly be an amazing seamstress. But now I can make the occasional bag or pillow and not think the sewing gods are cursing at me from on high...