Make Me

In A Weekend

So yesterday I went to a new restaurant where I was introduced to the raw food movement.  For all my making fun (raw food cookbook? Isn't that an oxymoron?) it was actually quite tasty.  Although I don't think I'd like to eat like that everyday.  I think sometimes there is the compulsion to ADD flavor to food rather than let its own flavor come out.  I got lettuce wraps and one was supposed to be sort of tuna flavored and another, pizza-ish.  They kind of came off like they were trying too hard.

Then I went to see An Ideal Husband, which was quite good, but left me yearning for a little Rupert.  It was also nice to enjoy the lack of smoky air in Coronado.  It's playing until Nov. 18.  The next season looks like a good one and I hope I get to see some more productions.  We'll have to see what else is coming to town.

Today it was Dan in Real Life, which I loved and highly recommend if you like this sort of movie which I'm having trouble describing.  It's just nice to see a movie that has a family that isn't dysfunctional.  It's funny without being slapsticky and it hasn't a certain truth to it that I like.  In the end, you just like spending time with these people.

Free Time = Sock Time

Late last night I needed a new project.  So I started Bellatrix.  More socks.  I may very well be hooked. Monday I have get to go to work.  Think I can finish them by then?

They seem to be rather large so I shortened them by two rounds in the leg. It's a nice easy pattern that is good for when you can't think too much.  The yarn is Trekking XXL sock yarn - I really, really like this yarn.

It seems like forever since I've been to work.  I wonder if I will remember how to get there and what I'm supposed to do when I arrive.  I really should have accomplished more during this time off.

I have emptied three trash bags of crap and sold a lot of stuff at a garage sale.  Also I've started a box of stuff to donate for fire victims.  Still reading  It's All Too Much.  It's going to take a while to get through all the years of stuff I've accumulated over the years.  I'm going room by room.  My closet looms.  I've been putting it off because the thing is practically a museum of things that no longer fit me. However, each time a take a load of rubbish to the bin (lots of BBC America this week) I feel like I've lost weight. 

I've started to think it would be nice to have one of those closets filled with a few good classics that last forever and mix with every other piece for every occasion.  Seems like life would be must simpler with fewer clothes to look after.  We'll see though - I have a lot of emotional attachment to my stuff, so it will be an education at best.

Waving and Smoking

Staying inside, keeping out of the bad air.  Was out at the stadium the other day and I think all the smoke, ash and allergen-goo in the air I had quite the reaction.  So I finished my Waving Lace socks.  Think they turned out nice, even if one is bigger than the other. 

They're in Lang Jawoll that Jillian gave me.  I love the orange color.  One thing I noticed is that if I switch to a size smaller needle for the sole of the sock, I get a much better fit for my footsie.

I've been inside the last two days.  I think I rather like it.  Sleeping in, going to bed late.  Watching daytime TV.  Will someone pay me for this?

Deja Vu All Over Again

Here I sit with my photos and other worldly possessions packed and waiting for the word to evacuate.  San Diego is on fire again and in some ways, it looks worse than the fires four years ago.  I'm keeping calm by watching Star Trek and knitting the second Waving Lace sock. 

My biggest worry is that some of the houses that burned four years ago are in the pathway again.  So much for my lightning never strikes the same place twice theory.  It's dark now and I am somehow comforted by the fact that I can't see an orange glow in the sky as I did last time. 

Campus is closed tomorrow and I'm going to use that time (provided I'm still in my house) to continue my progression of clearing out my stuff.  We had a garage sale on Saturday and that went well to get rid of a lot of stuff and make a little money besides.  The bad news is that I have no blankets or anything to take to the relief center. 

Say a prayer or think good thoughts for those who are in the path of the fire and hug your family extra tight tonight. 

In Which I Confess

Okay, I confess.  I have too much stuff.  A ridiculous amount of stuff.  Bordering on crazy hoarder amount of stuff.  And it's not as I have been telling myself all these years - that I'm just not very organized. 

I just got this book

and it's really bringing me 'round.  I'm sorry to say that I've bought into the latest fad of acquisition for the sake of acquisition.  I have much to much for my small space, and why do I want that much stuff anyway?  I don't use it everyday.  It's crazy to keep up with and it impedes my life. The first step in the book is to imagine your ideal life.  I imagined that my life would not have so much in it.  All the stuff makes me crazy.  It's hard to keep organized and clean.  And I don't use all of it.  It's frustrating.

So I am embarking on the program described in the book.  I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the book but I'm doing it step by step.  Anyone want to join me?  Clutter-free is the way to be!

Row Counters?

I don't know if this in an original idea or not, but I'm always in need of a row counter.  Those little things that fit over your needle are always getting lost in the sofa cushions 'round here.

This evening I'm working on the Fingerless Mitts from Weekend Knitting and watching TV. Not a good combo for keeping track of where you are.  So I thought I'd try using my cell phone.  I type in the row number just completed and that helps me keep track.  It's pretty versatile, so you can make it work for you.

I thought I was pretty clever.

WWWS?

Last night I had a dream about spinning.

What Would Wendy Say?

Dream Me is Dumb

It's been an eventful night, lemme tell ya.  I had the most fractious dream.  Or is it dreams?   The gist of the dream was I was renting an apartment, but it wasn't ready yet and I had to stay in a temporary quarters until it was.  I was sleeping in a little single bed and there were about 5 violent earthquakes during the night, but I couldn't wake up and I couldn't scream.  I hate those dreams where you have no voice.

Anyway, in order to take residence of the apartment we all had to attend this meeting about apartment conduct and whatever.  Well the next day I get this bill for $18 dollars because I had sneezed 5 times during the meeting and the cost per sneeze was $3 (hence the title of this post).  Of course I was furious and went to the office to complain.  My main argument was why was there only a cost for sneezing, why not farting?  And how dare they bill me for something they never disclosed at the meeting. 

And no, I didn't eat anything weird last night.  I think that's just me.

I went to church today and now I'm stuffed.  It was Latin Fest today and our Spanish language church went a little nutzo.  I've eaten flan, sopes, machaca, mole, ceviche, enchiladas, flautas, tamales, refried beans, Guatemalan black beans. ugh!  Too much! And there was dancing.

 
These little girls were awfully cute - they were watching each other's feet to make sure they were doing the right step.  Made me flash back to dance recitals.

I want a skirt like this.  None of my everyday skirts get that kind of motion to them, but much to the dismay of my co-workers, I keep on trying.

I wish there was a photo correction for blurriness! This would be a great photo if there was

It's hard to get a focused shot when you're holding a plate a food with one hand and your camera in the other.

Now it's back to the daily drudge - tidying and getting ready for the next garage sale (October 20). No knitting for me today!

Curse You, Lime & Violet!

Things are getting back to normal over here at the Make Me Factories - it was kinda crazy here for the holiday.  Kids running around opening their Columbus day gifts and hunting for Columbus eggs.  I'm just thankful to have it over and done with for another year.  Back go all the Columbus Day decorations - lights, streamers, little ships in bottles.

Right now I'm listening to the Lime and Violet podcast.  And they speak much of the Loopy Ewe.  I am now in love with the Loopy Ewe. The only thing keeping me from buying is that I don't have $40bazillion to spend on sock yarn right at the moment.  Maybe next week.

I just found out that my friend's dance company is holding their annual auction this Saturday rather than in December, so I've got to get crackin' on making some items for donation.  I'll let you know what they are when I get them done! :)

Purse-y Things

Since I'm obsessed with all things purse related at the moment, I've come across some pretty cool things on the internets.  Like to see 'em? 'Ere they go...

Seatbelt purse. I love how this guy figured out how to make a pretty nifty knock-off.  The instructions are clear and there are good photos.  Its got to be pretty durable, doncha think?

Seamstress/blogger extraordinaire Linda from Craft Apple offers us the Lindie bag.  Y'know, if you could give an award for best use of patterned fabric all together at once, Linda would win hands down.  She's just got an eye for it.  And I love this little bag.  I'm definitely going to make it.  She also has some incredible patterns for sale and a nifty little Etsy shop too. I bought one of her cute pincushions and months later it still makes me happy when I look at it.

Here's another little handbag that I'm kinda into.  Not so much for the solid colors, but a nice, bright print is more to my liking.

Ilike a lot of the handbags on this Etsy site.  And on this one.  And these wristlets are adorable.  I gotta get a wristlet.  Serious.

That's enough for now, I'll save the rest for another post.