at long last...we got the white envelope in the mail!!!

I think I'll just let the video and pics speak for themselves...

it's the little things that scare me

Yes, it is true. I'm going through some emotional trauma right now. For the past couple of weeks, I have been under the weather. It all started with a massive bladder infection a couple of weeks ago that turned out to be strep....in my bladder! I was put on heavy antibiotics, which had some amazing side effects (and not the pleasant kind). Then, after a great boot camp workout and a day of working, my carpal tunnel flared in my right had so bad I couldn't even move my hand, let alone eat, drive (or even turn on the car), or dress myself. Yesterday, after not feeling well all morning, I ended up with a fever and now more unpleasant side effects of an upset stomach.

So, what does this have to do with me being scared? Well, I'm coming to the realization that no one will be around to help me in just a few short months. Kaitlyn has been awesome to bring me meds, cook, and help walk Georgie when I'm stuck on the couch. What in the world am I going to do when she is not around anymore?

I seriously don't know how I'm going to handle being alone. I'm more worried about not being able to take care of Georgie when I'm sick and what to do with her when I travel. I am beginning to wonder if I will be able to keep her. and that makes me very sad. I guess it is time to get to know my neighbors better!! Or possibly get a room mate. :)

13 in 13 -- #2

Yes, it is true that I finished two projects today! I'm so excited!! I was able to finish both on the same day because I've been working on both as I could.

PROJECT TWO: This project is a new blouse for my Romani garb for SCA events. I am changing all of my garb this year to be more in line with what I think the Romani wore, not the cartoons of gypsies you see. My first step is a blouse...but keeping with my love of embroidery, I wanted some on my new blouse!

I embroidered an amazing design along the neckline of the front of this blouse.  It took me a long time to finish the embroidery as it is pretty detailed...and there was A LOT! But, working on it at night while watching movies and taking it with my on trips helped me finally finish.  It was meant to be more of a texture and is a little bit heavier than I originally pictured but I love it!! Here is a pic (not the best) of the blouse and a close up of the embroidery.

The blouse is a raglan sleeve peasant top. Here it is folded up. You can see the texture of the embroidery.

And, here's a close up of the embroidery itself. Lots of work, but I love it!!

13 in 13 -- #1

My goal for this year is to finish 13 projects that were already started. Any project that I start this year that I finish does not count toward this goal. My hope is that I focus on finishing things instead of starting new projects (although I'm sure that will happen as well).

FIRST OF THIRTEEN!
My first project I finished is......(drumroll) 10 tabards for Harfn Sjot Black. This is a mercenary group to which Kaitlyn belongs. Her Jarl (leader of the group) wanted to create an elite group within the group. Everyone who is considered a member is eligible to wear a red favor and/or tabard with a black raven on it. The Black group wears a black favor/tabard with a red raven on it.

I told the Jarl (with whom I am friends) that I would make 10 favors and tabards as my gift to the group. The favors were finished in time for Yule but the tabards I've struggled with. First, it took forever to get enough fabric for the tabards. Each one needed 2 2/3 yards, a total of almost 27 yards. In addition, they required 23 packages of red bias tape. As you can imagine, it took a bit of time just getting the supplies. Then each tabard took about three hours to sew start to finish.

Anyway! Here is a pile of folded tabards...proof of project number one done! I'll be handing them to the Jarl on Wednesday.

a beautiful week(ish) in san fran

So, earlier this week I was in San Francisco. Even though I was there for work, I had the opportunity to get out and see the city. I was so excited because I hadn't been there before. And, I was with a group from work so we actually had a car. We totally tore up that city! 

Here is what I got to do this week. 

Sunday, travel to SFO, check in at the hotel, go to the city for dinner. We are at Plant Cafe Organic on Pier 3. Yummy! Then we drove up to Twin Peaks and saw the city at night. Mark (friend in the city) told us to come back in the day because both views are amazing. He was right. 

Monday, meetings all day. Then to dinner to digest (ha! ha!) what we had talked about. Drove to Berkeley and ate at Thai Delight. Some of  THE BEST thai food I have had. My coworkers agreed. 

Tuesday, drive to Napa Valley for a meeting at the court. Amazing drive. Even better weather (it was 72 degrees), fun little lunch (bento box), and relaxing drive home. We then drove in to the city and TORE IT UP!! Pictures below... 

Wednesday was another meeting day. and then travel home. the flight was delayed by two hours so it was a little later getting home than we expected or wanted. 

Here are the highlights of what we saw one afternoon in San Francisco. 

 A view of Alcatraz from the viewpoint at the Golden Gate Bridge. It is really out there! One day, I will do this tour.

 The beautiful bridge!!

 Proof I was on this trip! :)

 Crazy coworkers on this random adventure

 The painted ladies. Aren't they pretty.

 A "house" near the painted ladies. I loved the detail.

 If you know Full House, you know this view.

 More pretty amazing house details.

 Day view at Twin Peaks

 View of bridge from Twin Peaks.

 Trying to get a picture of the steepness that is Divisadero Street. Doesn't come close to the real thing.

 Driving down the switchbacks of Lombard Street.

 Looking back up the switchbacks of Lombard Street.

adulthood is over rated. :)

Well, it was Kailtyn's 18th birthday today and I didn't even get a single picture of this momentous day because she has been hanging out with friends all day. She didn't even come home for a birthday cake! I guess that is what comes with adulthood!!

This means that no one in my house is a minor. We all have to do everything on our own and like it!! lol



Happy Birthday my lovely adult daughter. May your life be an adventure and may you never forget your pepper spray!! Love you!! Mama.

to cedar city and beyond!!!

Yup, on the road again. This time to Cedar City for Scholarship Weekend and then on to Las Vegas for an SCA event. Kaitlyn and I left on Friday (2/15) and made it to Cedar City is really good time. That night, we stole Pauline and went to SUU's production of Chicago! It was so much fun. The signs on the theatre warned of mature content. I knew that play was raunchy but it must have been toned down a bit cuz wasn't as bad as I thought it would be.

Saturday we got up, had a yummy breakfast and went back to SUU. Kaitlyn was interviewing with the Theatre Department for a scholarship. Keep your fingers crossed that she gets a good one! She went in one of her SCA dresses and really impressed them I think. Then, we headed down to Las Vegas for Talon Crescent Festival. I have to say I really liked this event. I was able to talk to some ladies from Caid (a different kingdom) and they shared ideas and insights completely different from what I heard in Artemisia. I loved it!! I also found out more about being marshal for thrown weapons and archery and will get that process started in the next couple of months. Kaitlyn also had a great event. She fought a ton and learned some new tricks. She also got really, really embarrassed as allt he guys from Caid were flirty with her constantly. She is just so NOT used to that much attention.

Saturday night, the brother of our host was asking why we were there and decided he wanted to fight Kaitlyn. It was so funny!! We had an amazing host and were invited back any time. Thanks Paul and Tawni! We really did enjoy your hospitality!!

The event went Saturday and Sunday then back to Pauline's Sunday night. Up for an amazing crepe breakfast (thank you Casey!!) and then home. The trip home took FOREVER (seriously, like almost 8 hours!). But Kaitlyn drove the entire way which was great practice for her. We stopped and Allison's and Danette's so that was part of the delay. It felt good to get out and stretch though.

Here are a few pics of the weekend.

Best pic of K fighting at the event. She is in full lunge/assault! Go Arnora!!!

Yup, one of them was fighting with a broomstick. Classic. 

 It was Tawni's birthday that weekend as well. Pauline made a three musketeers ice cream cake. Yummeeee!! 

And more fighting pictures just for fun! :)