For all those who are wanting to know, I am indeed having my Orphans Thanksgiving Dinner again this year.

So, if you, or someone you know, can't or doesn't want to go home for Thanksgiving, you/they can come over to my house for a dinner with all the fixin's. (Including cranberries.) I will be serving Ham, Lamb, and *possibly* turkey (depending on attendance).

This will be happening on Sunday, October 11, 2009. Comraderie accepted after 3pm, dinner served at 6:15-ish. More comraderie to follow. Kickout is midnight.

Send me an email for directions if you don't know where it is.

Cheers!
Des

This is a theoretical question with no "practical purpose".



What is more important to you in the workplace and why?

Co-worker Solidarity (United Front)

or

Accountability (Personal Responsibility)

(Assume they are in conflict)




Cheers!
Des

Leave one memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you knew me a little or a lot, anything you remember. Don't send a message, leave a comment here. Next, re-post this in your notes/LJ and see how many people leave a memory about you.

After 5+ days of no internets, I am back online. Whew!

Note to self: I hate packing. Really hate it. With proper labeling, the moving part is alright. With proper planning, the moving part goes smoothly. With proper weather, the moving part can be almost pleasant. Almost.
But I *LOTHE* packing.

For all intents and purposes... I have moved 3 feet to the left. I have a 30-paces walk to the bus stop that takes me to work instead of a 10 minute jog. T now has a 9 minute walk to work instead of 13. C gets on the school bus 10 mins later, and arrives home 9 minutes earlier. Somehow, somewhere, the gods are laughing at me. I just know it.

I have moved into a house that cannot be described as anything but "Organically grown". A regular house that has had rooms added as needed....with all the electrical mystery you could want. For my sanity, I've labelled all *known* switches. In green tape. Don't laugh. I've done it to my kitchen cupboards too. I really can't find anything!!!! I've stopped short of labelling all the computer wires in the lab room cause mine's the only one assembled and running right now!

I have done away with my sewing room. *Gasps and shocked looks abound* In the old place, I was using it as fabric storage, but when your fabrics and sewing machine are lightly covered in dust, you know you need to change something. So, I have. In the new place, I now have a reading room. I can't call it a living room, as that's what T calls the TV room. (Cause we all know the TV must go in the living room!) I'm actually excited to have a room that is just for talking and socializing in that is away from the idiot box. The possiblilies are endless-ish. Now all I need are a few comfy rocking chairs and a couch. I'll have to work on that one.

The new place does come with a few drawbacks. Most are just minor irritations, but nothing compares to the neubery of the lone washroom. In a 5' X 5' space, we have a pre-fab (unfinished) vanity that takes up 9.5'. When you sit on the toilet, your knees knock into the sink. When you take a bath, you have 1 foot length between the tub and vanity. When leaving the room, you have 6" between the rim of the toilet and the EDGE of the vanity. Somehow, I can't imagine this to be legal. But, we'll see how it all plays out.

Now, to unpacking, sorting, SallyAnn runs, and homecooked dinners again. Oh, and work. Gotta go back to work.
I'm taking next Christmas off.

Cheers!
Des

K.

C's Room
Sewing Room
Living Room
Kitchen
Bathroom / Closet
B's Room (o.k., mostly. Really!)
Computer Area (well, almost)
Basement Storage

I'm exhausted. I know I'm not done, but, I'm done, ya know? After wheezing dust for 3 days, my lungs are done too. I've given up with purging before I pack. I'm out of patience and time. I have 2 boxes of books, 3 garbage bags full of C's old clothes destined for SA, and enough garbage to start my own landfill project.

Bathroom will be easy, so I'm not worried about that. I am worried about the basement storage, as that is all awkwardly sized stuff that won't fit neatly into boxes for moving. I think I'm going to be the coward and make T do the rest of the computer area and the Storage. I'll tackle the kitchen and leave the bathroom for the morning of.

I can't wait to be done this. *Ugh*

Des

Well, Christmas is done. Since we are moving, I used only the very top part of our fake tree to make a small bit of Christmas for our presents to go under. It worked out quite well: in less than 1/2hour, the tree was up, decorated, and glowing with lights. It was so simple to do that I think that may become our new "tradition" at our house. I can more than live with that. :)

For the first time that I can remember, I cooked dinner ontime. Not even 10-30 mins late (which is my usual). I did have to skip desserts this year, but I did it. If I were to plan this again next year, I would make up my desserts the week before and freeze them. Then, on Christmas day, all I'd have to do is stick them in the oven to warm up while we were eating our food. I feel pretty accomplished.

I am now in full moving mode. Boxes retrieved and all that. Where the hell did we pick up all this junk?!? My biggest problem will be C's room. It. Is. A. Living. Disaster. I think I will tackle it by putting everything in boxes, and telling her she can remove only 15 items in the new place, and the rest will go to the SallyAnn. The next biggest job will be my sewing room. OMG!!! I'm not looking forward to that one. I have fabrics in there I have not touched since I moved into this place. I think I will need to find a good home for them. Others I will keep. Anyone looking for some fabrics?!?

Well, here's to a bright new Year in 2009. May she be gentle and loving.
But not too loving.

Cheers!
Des

I am in drool heaven!!!!

POF 4 arrived today.... I've been reading it and drooling over the pictures. OHMIGAWD!!!! Amazing. Just awesome! Worth it, worth it, worth IT!!!!

In comparison to previous POF, this one is about 1/2 colour photos. Chalk full of examples of linen garments in paintings, and extant examples. As per the standard for POF, many closeup pictures detailing certain aspects of sewing or construction. The pattern diagrams that make up the last half of the book do not dissapoint! Boy's Shirts, Men's Shirts, Ruffs, Pickadils, Supportasse, Rebatos, Cuffs, Partlets, Falling Bands, Coifs, Womens Drawers, Hose, Boothose, and Smocks. The very end of the book contains a series of picture step-by-steps on starching ruffs... the right way.
With a price range of $45-$80 CDN for the book (*really* shop around), for those people that want to be more authentic, it is well worth the price. You'll have inspired projects for several years. :)

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Patterns-Fashion-construction-neckwear-accessories/dp/0333570820/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1226355802&sr=8-1

Methinks I will be busy for the next year or so.... time to break out the needle and coloured threads.... Momma *needs* a new smock!!!

Cheers!
Des

Patterns of Fashion 4:

SHIPPED TODAY!!!!!

OMG!OMG!OMG!OMG!OMG!OMG!OMG!OMG!OMG!OMG!
OMG!OMG!OMG!OMG!OMG!OMG!OMG!OMG!OMG!OMG!

I took a look at the price of POF 4:
Amazon.co.uk BP21.
Amazon.ca $60.45
Amazon.com $62.99 Outside seller
Chapters.ca Not selling

Ouch!!! So glad I pre-ordered from co.uk
So, very, very glad.

Cheers!
Des
(who is very, very distracted...)

Grab the nearest book.
* Open the book to page 56.
* Find the fifth sentence.
* Post the text of the sentence in your journal along with these instructions.
* Don't dig for your favorite book, the cool book, or the intellectual one: pick the CLOSEST.

This really is my closest book:

"Eleonora indossa una sottana di 'velluto bianco' e sopra accosta una 'veste all spagnola id drappo d'argento molto bella', sfoggia quindi una stoffa tra le piu care tessute a Firenze."

and for the translation impared (like me):

"Eleonora wore a petticoat of white velvet with over it a 'Spanish-style gown of silver cloth, most elegant", flaunting what was one of the most expensive fabrics woven in Florence."

*sigh*  Now that sounds lovely.  Just lovely.  *sigh*

From: Moda a Firenze 1540-1580  by Roberta Orsi Landini and Bruna Niccoli

Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog is ( awesome! )
That is all.