Miscellaneous Items from my Mind

Last night I was once again thinking about what to blog about. Know what happened next? I slept. All of the ideas are now gone. I know that the sidebar needs updating, and it will be happening soon. I want to redo the list of podcasts and add some of the blogs that have been keeping my attention. Khloe has gotten into makeup in a big way. She watches videos on youtube all the time - mostly product reviews, not the tutorials that would keep me glued to the screen. (There are so many retro tutes! Every decade! I have to keep myself away. Seriously.)When I was younger I loved makeup and how it could change my face so many different ways. You know the rest - now I'm getting obsessed with makeup again. The mom responsibilities have stayed at the front of the line - food before lipstick - but it's tough sometimes. Oh, the trauma of being a mother! I'm having some surgery in two weeks. It's even invading my dreams. Stressing has begun. I've made arrangements for the kids and boyfriend to be taken care of while I'm gone so no one will starve or be lonely. I've even been told that I'll have a visitor! Unfortunately I won't be able to attend my bestie's daughter's wedding. Dang it. I was looking forward to cake and dancing. I've been doing a lot of knitting lately, of course, but I also have gotten my sewing machine out and intend to get back to making things. The lovely clothes on the vintage fashion blogs have me drooling and I know that the only way I'll have the dresses is to make them - unless I hit a really good church sale or something, but what are the odds of that? I still want that DVF wrap dress, too. I think I have pattern that's a good copy, but the real deal still calls to me. I'm looking for some 30's - 50's dress patterns - flowy skirts and nicely collared tops. I love the look of shirtwaist dresses but the buttons scare the crap out of me. I suck at buttons. It's probably because I can't spread everything out to place the holes and make sure it's all perfect. Which reminds me - a few years ago I sent a package of things to my aunt to show her my clothes favorites. I haven't heard anything from her. I tried to email her and her adress is bad. I recently sent her a letter asking her to get in touch but haven't heard back. What should I do? I had some patterns in there that I'd like to sew up. Sorry there's no picture today. I'd take one of the baby birds that live on out porch but their parents would probably attack me. They're rather fierce. The babies are cute, though, and are growing like crazy. They're messy, too. The porch looks like a bird-poop bomb exploded. Oh! I remembered something pretty big. Yesterday I was watching a movie with Louise Brooks - a silent called The Diary of a Lost Girl. It was pretty dark and gritty and not what I was expecting from 1928. Khloe watched it with me and actually liked it. She said that it would be better with talking but it was good. I about fell out of my chair. It is a good movie, though. I highly recommend it. There's several pretty dresses, too, and Louise Brooks is gorgeous with that dark shiny hair and those dark eyes. That's about it for now. Thanks for joining me today - and be on the lookout for a new video!

Evolving Style

You may remeber that, a few years ago, I had mentioned that I'd been experiencing pain in my feet. It has gotten much worse. I've been diagnosed with fibromyalgia. I haven't had much luck with the different prescriptions yet - I'm still optimistic, though. Unfortunately my love of pretty heels has been sidelined. I've been very lucky to find that there are lots of flats that are pretty and stylish and not at all old-ladyish. I got these today - my first pair in my evolving personal style. They are quite comfortable. They will look nice with my usual easy-going look or the vintage style that I've always loved and want to incorporate into my closet. If my problems get worse I'll be investing in a few more pairs of cute and chic flats. Until then, my heels are still in my closet, waiting for another chance to have a fling.

Whoopie!

I'm super excited. I now have the Harry Potter collection on my kindle. I can keep my favorite book series with me everywhere I go. I'm so glad that she decided to go digital! Mom and I share a kindle account so she'll be reading them for the first time.
I finally finished reading Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. It's a very long book, but it's really fun and interesting. I'm now enjoying the Percy Jackson series again. I want to read the Hunger Games next. My reading list is so long right now. I'm not very good at scheduling times for all of the things that I want to do each day.
My problems with my video camera and computer not getting along continues. I'm going to get an inexpensive one to work with until I can get my nice one to work right. I have so many things to show everyone! Being a fast knitter means lots of finished objects.
May starts a new term of the Harry Potter Knit and Crochet House Cup. I'll be a professor in Muggle Studies this time around. Our prompts are looking really good, too. It will be a great term! It's not too late to sign up for sorting if you're interested!

Seriously, I Don't Understand

My boyfriend gave me a new videocamera for this past Christmas. Unfortunately, neither blogger nor blip seem to want to upload videos without a great deal of difficulty. The company that makes the camera, Sony, actually couldn't find it on their customer service page. I'm getting very, very pissed and frustrated. Do any of you have any advice?
Thanks.

Presents!

I'm very excited about the gifts that I got this year. Eric's mom got me the complete Series Six of Doctor Who. I will totally be binging as soon as the kids are back in school. My parents got me, among other things, an Amazon gift card. I've been going through my wish list and just can't decide! My honey gave me a new video camera. It's really nice and really needs for me to make it a case to protect it from the dangers of life with me. Once again, too many choices. Should I go Harry Potter, Doctor Who, dragons, steampunk, or something that I haven't even thought of? It will become part of a set for the camera, my ipod, and my lip balm. Oh, my brain is swarming!
On the other side of the equation, I think the kids liked everything they got. I try very hard to make sure that they get things that they want, but it can be tough. Eric seemed to be interested in the Wii games that I found for him. We'll see if he enjoys them once he starts playing.
I hope you got lots of wonderful things and had time with the people who fill your life with joy.

Happy Holiday? Maybe.

Yesterday my dad spent the day in surgery. He needed a new valve in his heart, an aorta repaired, and a leak closed. Today he's doing okay but will be in intensive care for a couple of days before moving to a regular room. I'm pretty sure that the kids would like a fully repaired Grandpa more than anything for Christmas, so if you could spare a little prayer we'd sure appreciate it.
I hope that you are keeping calm and relaxed this week before the big day. It's a great time of year for tasty goodies and hot chocolate so please partake! I'll be sharing my knitted gifts in a couple of days - as soon as Dad's socks are done. I've even managed a little something for myself. I hope you have, too.

Thanks

As I sit here on Black Friday , I'm amazed at the nesesity of "things" for Christmas. There is nothing that I want so badly that will get me up to shop at 4. Today I am thankful that my family loves and appreciates the things that I knit for them. Much like a prayer shawl, I think positivity, love, and good health into each stitch in their new socks. My mom has expressed her wish for socks for every gift occasion because she loves them so much. My brother has requested a pair for a friend due to his own enjoyment of the pair he got last year. THey all know that a pair of handknit socks aren't on sale for four hours before the sun comes up.
I'm also thankful for all of you, dear readers. You've put up with much inconsistancy on my part. I'm blessed to have you.
Why has it been so long since my last video? Well, I've had a bout of accident-prone-itis like you wouldn't believe. In fact, the scar on my finger from the skirmish with a pair of scissors will probably be with me for the rest of my life. I hope that I've injured myself enough for the next several months and won't have to be afraid of sharp tools or hot food - don't ask.
Khloe wants to learn how to sew clothing. What books or videos should I look for? She most likely won't be patient enough for me to help her but maybe something from a professional would be worth her time. She's been watching Project Runway when it's on and would like to learn how to make pretty dresses. Are there learning tools from the show? I'm sure a day or two with Gigi Knitmore would be the best teacher - but Gigi is in baby mode right now - yay for babies! I'll just have to keep reminding the girl child that patience and practice are the best way to learn.
I'm off to have a turkey sandwich and pumpkin pie. Have a wonderful weekend!