Slow start...

I finally setup my sewing machine last night. It's on the dining table right now because the desk that I had originally planned as my sewing area is boxed in. Yes, my excuse is still, "I just moved!"

So, I managed to wind the thread onto the bobbin, and then loaded it into the bobbin case. Then I threaded my machine. That took me about 15 minutes. Then for the next hour, after I threaded my needle, I tried to get the stupid thread from the bobbin to come up through the bottom. I just couldn't figure it out. I finally got it - but I have no idea what I did. Wasted a lot of thread in the processes.

Anyway, I did some test stitches - and after some adjusting, finally got the machine to work properly. I guess with new machines, the metal is dirty or something, because my pretty pink thread came out dark gray. Ew! I ran the machine some more, and the bottom thread is now pink, as it should be, but the upper thread is still sewing on gray. It's a little lighter than when I started, but still gray. I don't know how to clean it. ARGH!!!

Two hours later from when I started, and my enthusiasm deflated with frustration, I gave up for the night. I have my fabric all pinned and cut out from the pattern already. It's in a neatly folded pile on the table next to the sewing machine. I just need clean thread!!!

I guess it's good I'm getting prepared for my Christmas gifts now, because at this rate - I feel like I should have started in January.

What can you do?

Well, we got the pictures back from the photographer from our Reunion last August. I'm not happy at all. Because of our location, the backlight for the photos was way to bright. As a professional wedding photographer, the guy should have known that it was a poorly lighted location. My dad, who is a professional photographer as well, suggested that a special flash be used to counter the brightness of the background. He was told it wasn't necessary - so, professional to professional, my dad let the guy do his thing his way.

Got the CD of the photos last week. They are terrible. Odd angles and too bright - almost white back lighting, and tourists in the background. First of all, I don't think that Ghiradelli Square was the best choice for the reunion itself. In the middle of the summer tourist season? Come on. But I wasn't in charge of that decision, so whatever. But I was in charge of booking the photographer. How was I supposed to know? The guy has a website of his wedding shots and they're beautiful. And then he goes and ruins the shots from our event.

My hubby has the CD now. He has a printing and design business, so he's going to ask his partner to help edit the shots a bit. It's not just frustration about the flawed shots - it's embarassing. The photographer was my responsibility. How am I supposed to present these pictures to my family? This sucks! And there I was, just a few months ago, reassuring my cousins that this guy was good and that we wouldn't be disappointed.

My god-puppy

Here we go! I finally got a picture of my little God-puppy, Mochi, posted. Isn't he the cutest thing?



He was only 10 weeks old when my friend got him as a present for her birthday. So, he's about five months now. He's about 8 pounds. He's still tiny, but back then, he was just a big puff of cotton shuffling along on his little legs.

Daily suffering

Haven't felt like writing anything in a while. It's been very stressful at work and usually I just want to go home, watch TV, and not think about anything for a few hours. My insomnia was in full swing this week. I've be running on about 4 hours of sleep every night. I'm sure I'll probably wake up around noon tomorrow - my body's effort to catch up.

So many things going on at work. I'm not going to get into it, but I am actively looking for work in a different department now. If that doesn't work out, then I'll be looking in the outside world. I haven't touched my resume for so many years, at least three. I don't even know how to even begin summarizing what I do, what I've done... It's depressing getting up in the mornings to head into a place where I dread the next 9 hours. Not that it's ever been a party, but I've always been able to enjoy my work, if not all the people. But now, I hate coming in every day. I count the minutes and seconds until I can go to lunch or better yet, home.

Still my birthday...

My hubby had bought me The Sims 2 University expansion for my birthday last month - unfortunately, I already had that one (of course!) So, yesterday, we finally had the time to head over to Target, and he bought me an awesome gift. A sewing machine!!! Yea! Now I can get to work on my Christmas gifts. Well, I have to go get the fabric now. Doesn't quite work without the fabric.

I really don't know much about sewing machines themselves - so it was hard to do any kind of research on them. We only used one basic stitch in my sewing class. I hope this one is good.
It's not pink, but there's a little purple on it (hee hee...) NO, I didn't pick this one because of the color. I'm not THAT pink obsessed.

More Wonderful News!!!

Baby #2 has arrived! Welcome Isabelle! She was born on September 12th. She is the daughter of my childhood friend, whom I reconnected with again earlier this year. It's so weird to think - my friend is a mother now! I'm so happy for K and A. Congratulations!

Wonderful News!

Baby #1 has arrived! Down in sunny San Diego, one of my college buddies has given birth to her first son, Kyle. Can't believe one of us is a mommy now!

Congrats to L and B! Welcome Kyle!

Project update

This weekend went by way too fast. There was no time for ourselves. I'm doing laundry tonight, so that I don't have to worry about it next weekend.

Here are some projects that I've been working on when I have a few moments each night.

This is my candy colored scarf - made with the beautiful yarn my mom-in-law gave me for my birthday. Like the needles? They're size US 17 - they kind of look like toys.



My sweater project is slooooow... I still need to get it to 9-1/2 inches before I can add on the next color. At 96 stitches across each time, I get tired of it after 2 rows. So, it will be a while before this sweater starts to even look like a sweater. Maybe by NEXT Christmas?



Other than that, the other projects I HAVE to work on for my Christmas gifts - I need to get a sewing machine first. I still need to research that and find decent one, but cheap! I got the pattern I'm going to use already. Just need the machine and the fabric.

Buggin

For the past few days, I have been victim of fleas. And you have to understand, I don't just get bug bites. I get infected bug bites. Every time I get bit by something, they become large, red splotches that hurt, itch, and hot to the touch. And they last forever - meaning, the itchiness goes away after a few days, but the spot stays red for weeks. I still have 'scars' from flea bites on both ankles from five years ago.

The thing is, I don't know if these are really flea bites. They're too random. Usually, I'll have several bites in one location - but I have one on my cheek (can't believe it), on my neck, one on my calf, one the back of each hand (those itch the most), one on the back of my thigh, and one on the tip of my left elbow. Oh, and the killer one that hurts the most is one right on the knuckle of my left index finger. It actually hurts! I've been slabbing on the anti-bacterial lotion like crazy.

Worst thing is, most of these happened at work. Same as when I got the ankle bites. I can't do anything about it. At home, I'll vaccum, change all the bed sheets, do laundry - usually, I'll get the little sucker. What can I do at work??? What gets me is that I'm the only one getting bit!

I've heard that if you don't have enough iron in your system, bugs are more attracted to you. I guess I need to go get some iron pills.

Silliness

I had a real brainiac moment yesterday. Kind of embarrassing to share, but it's good for a chuckle.

My husband and I were at Safeway, and I grabbed a container of sour cream from the refrigerator section. I looked at the bottom to check the expiration date. It read "OCT 06."

Genius that I am, I blurted out, "October 2006? What kind of sour cream is this???" I looked at my husband all confused. He's got the single arched eyebrow thing going. He glances at the container in my hand and says, "Uh, I think it means October the 6th." Oops! Hee hee...

I think my brain had a 'DUH... ' moment. Can't believe I did that. And seriously, for that second, I really didn't understand how sour cream could last for over a year!!! Yes, it's time for me and my poor brain to go on vacation.

Visitors

My hubby's aunts are coming over the see our new place today. Just for a few minutes before we head out to his parent's place for dinner together. It's been a frantic 'where can we shove everything' morning. Actually, I was up until 3am last night cleaning up. Well, I did some cleanup - then I found out how much fun those free demo online games are. I was up until 3am playing something called Luxor. Anyway...

The living room is clean - looks nice, except for the dining table which is currently the temporary home to my husband's work papers. We got the second layer of curtains we wanted for the living room - we have cranberry red ones that will stay open on the sides, and then sheerish white ones covering the entire window. It looks really nice. The window is really wide, so we wanted to put a small screw in the ceiling and then use some fishwire to pull up the drooping part of the rods in the middle. Yeah, took us a minute to realize that the ceiling is all concrete. Hubby has to get a new 'drill bit' for his electric drill that is specifically for concrete. So, that brilliant idea is on hold for now - and we have a small little hole in our beautiful yellow walls. Every time I glance up there, I think there's a small bug.

I gave up on the study. It's a mess. At least it's an organized piled mess. Big mistake giving up that one chest of drawers. Lost three shelves and three drawers worth of storage. Now it's all in ugly packing boxes and little piles of stuff around my desk. Good thing is that, for now, I still can use the excuse, "We just moved in."

Here's something nice. Our upstairs neighbors just came by. Meeting them for the first time. They invited us to their housewarming party next weekend. Finally meeting some people here. It's amazing. Dozens of units on my floor, and over 500 units in the two combined complexes - we've met about three people. It's not like we're anti-social or anything. You go out into the halls, there is never anyone around. Odd. We met our direct next door neighbor once on the elevator - and have never seen him since. I'm thinking it would be nice to attend this party and meet some more neighbors. Odd that this is coming from me - I'm usually very shy about meeting new people. I'm not shy around my friends - but if you're new to me, it takes me a while to open up.

Lot's of different news today. I received an email from an uncle today. He is trying to collect donations to help with my uncle and cousins out in the New Orleans area. He mentioned that some people in the family already donated $4000 and $5000. I can't give anything even in that ballpark unfortunately, but I'll try my best. I think my uncle and cousins in New Orleans will be comforted to know that the family is here for them. My uncle wasn't able to make the reunion last month because of his health - but we had made him a special video and sent him our love. I'm sure even that video is gone now. In a way, I'm glad we had the reunion so recently - it brings our large family closer in our hearts.

A great idea

I just read an article today that put a smile on my face. The government has chartered three of the Carnivale Cruise Lines' ships to provide temporary housing for about 7000 people in the Gulf Coast disaster. How wonderful! I never even thought of that! I was thinking about how the many hotels in neighboring states should provide housing - which they probably are. But so many folks out there wouldn't be able to afford it. Carnivale will get a big publicity boost - but at this point, who cares? It's a great idea - and though it will only help a small percentage - every little bit helps, right? 7000 is 7000. Vacation cruises on those three ships have been canceled and refunded. The important thing is the find a place for people to feel like people again. To give them a chance to start thinking about piecing their lives together again.

Even though there is mass criticism of how slow the response was (especially when we knew the hurricane was going to hit days beforehand - and no one stepped up to help evacuate the area in the first place) troops have landed and are helping evacuate the remaining people and to provide food and water to those unfortunate souls. Help was late - and it's not a 'better late than never' situation. It should have been there. But at least it is there now.

I don't understand

The devastation of New Orleans is just incredible. I had no idea how much damage could result from a hurricane and its aftermath. I've never seen anything like the images that are constantly on the news and frontpages of newspapers.

I have family in New Orleans and the surrounding area. Luckily, they were all evacuated to safety. Their homes and life as they knew it has been destroyed. It's just terrible - but at least they're safe and sound, and most of them are together.

What I don't understand is, in addition to the devastation, every day there are the reports of looting (which, sadly, isn't surprising), gangs of teens with guns raping women, and snipers shooting at rescue workers trying to evacuate a hospital? What is going on? Why do people do this? It's just sickening how people are.

It's just awful to hear the stories of the survivors, what they went through. What they're going through. And there are those who are actually out there trying to help. But then you have to deal with stupid idiots with guns or just poor sense of humanity? I don't even know what to say. It's just sickening.

I just pray that disaster of this magnitude never strikes SF (thinking earthquakes) - because I know that while there will be many angels out there who will risk their own lives to help others, there will always been the black hearted individuals out there who will cause additional chaos and destruction. They really shouldn't qualify as 'people'. And I wouldn't want to insult our furry (and non-furry) friends of the world by categorizing 'them' as animals either.

Sorry to vent. Every time I visit the CNN site or watch the news, I just get so disgusted by everything.