Current Mood : Candy corn overload ! 

Who knew ? Not me. I thought ‘pseudoephedrine' meant ‘fake ephedrine', so the side-effects weren't the same. Turns out, it didn't help my symptoms much, but did keep me up all night last night. Just like real ‘speed'. (sigh) I got maybe three hours of sleep, tops. So, again, like yesterday, after Dearest Son got on the bus, my butt got back in bed. But only for two hours. I had work to do !

Beloved Hubby's still in the worst of the flu throes, came home early and got some rest with me. After three auto-dialer election reminder/campaign phonecalls, we got up and went for caffeine. Neither of us has been up to grocery shopping, and still aren't, so it was another Pumpkin Spice Cappuccino morning.

I was still very tired, so I have to confess, I didn't really even start on the candy corn project until 12:30. In two hour groupings, though, it went fast and wasn't very taxing. Took me a bit under two hours to get all the pieces cut out, and nearly that to sew the three colors together. Sewing the back and bottom seams and turning was tough work, as felt will stretch on ya if yer not careful, and that took an hour and a half. Stuffing, finishing the back seam, and adding the hanging loop, unfortunately, had to be done by hand, including the sewing, and it took forever. About three hours. All in all, not counting the pattern drafting and first prototype attempt, I've put about eight or maybe nine hours in this. Add another hour for tomorrow - I still have to cut and bag felt for the eyes and mouth, and bag it all for delivery. Whew ! I'm so glad it's nearly over !

You know, one of the reasons I really busted butt to do this was a deal I made with m'self. If I pulled this off, I could sit on my butt during the Christmas party ! Well... I'm seriously thinking of making a similar design, as a Christmas tree they can decorate. What's the old saying ? ‘Fools never learn" ...?

Anyway, that was pretty much my whole day. Dearest Son decided he wanted to repeat his ‘Bo Duke' (Dukes of Hazard) costume for this year, but up until his bedtime, he wanted his karate gi. So I had to put off finishing candy corn a bit and find the requisite jeans, blue shirt, and yellow button-down. He already knew where his boots were. That ended up with me waiting out a laundry cycle, then tossing the whole load into the dryer. Hopefully it'll all be dry tomorrow. I'm too tired for anything else ! I'll make him a new Dukes nametag in the morning.

Posted by dorriebelle at 12:01 AM CDT

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Current Mood : Exhaused but a little excited, too...

Ooohgh. I wish I knew where this flu was going next. Still had trouble sleeping last night, and woke up with a blinding headache. It actually hurt to open my eyes. Didn't help that I overslept, and Dearest had to wake up and start getting his rear in gear. He was NOT happy about that. I normally wake him with enough time to ease into the day.

But with a lot of help from Beloved Hubby, he was dressed and ready in time for the bus. Some Sam's Club knockoff Tylenol had taken the edge of the headache by then, but my head and lungs still pounded. So I slept until 10am, which helped a bit.

Wasn't sure if I was up to the ‘candy corn' activity I'd planned to make for Dearest's class Halloween party, but it was now or never day. I already had the pattern drawn out, just hadn't been able to sew it yet. If I couldn't, or it was simply beyond me, today was the day I had to tell the Homeroom Moms. For some reason, I just couldn't say, ‘I'm sick, I can't, I'll have to let it go.' I really should have, but I simply couldn't do it, much as I wanted to.

Luckily, it was as easy as I thought it was, and the prototype pictured today only took about a half hour, start to finish. Honestly, it turned out better than I planned. I added a hanging loop, and the back seams are good, even the part where I have to sew it with the seam out - to allow for turning and stuffing - doesn't look too bad.  Both Dearest and the Homeroom Parent I sent photos to are very enthusiastic about it.

So, since the party's Friday, you can imagine what I'm doing tomorrow. While the class is 18 kids, I wanna send at least 20, maybe one or two more. That way, his teacher and any others at the party - siblings, staff, resources folks, anybody -  can join in. Once I'm done with today's entry, I'm gonna cut stuff out as much as I can before I crash. I even made sure to stay up all day today (and it was rough going !) in hopes I'd sleep tonight and have the energy for this Thursday.

Only one problem. I didn't have enough of the orange felt. I had to shower and drive to Hobby Lobby for more. This really scared me, since I'm still suckin' down inhalers and OTC cough medicines, and driving is not a privilege I take lightly. But I hadn't come this far to wimp out now. So, I got it done. Slow and careful. And I probably gave the flu to the kids who cut in front of me in line, and the two grown men who butted in front when a new line opened. I know I'm petty and mean, but I really hope those self-important nubs caught it. I hope that one with the glasses remembers me wheezing and heaving and having to lean on the checkstand behind him in the second line to pay for one lousy yard of orange felt when he's chucking into the toilet and coughing so hard he sees stars. I hope, in my petty and mean way, that the two minutes they saved cost them each a week in sick time.

The trip was not without amusement. I got to wait behind two college girls buying fabric to hand-sew their Halloween costumes tonight. Green glitter stretch Lycra and tulle would be the basis for one young woman's Tinkerbell costume - and she planned to hand-sew it to completion tonight. She borrowed a tape measure from the staff to measure her upper bust, declaring that two yards of the Lycra should be fine. Um...she was about six inches taller than me, but not much slimmer. If she's making a simple tube, then measuring around one of her smallest points isn't gonna help her much. And hand-stitching stretch knits isn't something I'd wish on anybody, especially one who plans on using the needles from that sewing kit she saw at the registers. I know that one, some of the best hotels give out similar models. (sigh) I was afraid to ask what she was doing for thread, but luckily, I was too out of breath to do anything but mind my own business. 

I also got the ‘Made with Love By' labels in the mail, finally. At least that I could do without moving much ! Beloved Hubby had come home before I left, exhausted and trembling, and he was waiting for the bus when I got back. We passed a quiet night, and I'm gonna get a head-start on tomorrow's sew-fest. Wish me luck !

And while it was at best, a mildly amusing headache, I was glad I went to HLobby today. Being shut in for so long is dangerous. It doesn't take much, or a lot of time, before 'can't go out' becomes 'can't ever go out'. I drove OK, better than some of the presumably healthier drivers I encountered, so I should be fine. May even hit the flea market Friday, after I drop off the candy corn activity. Yep, it's back again !

Oh, and a quick PS - the 'candy corn' I'm sending is about eight inches tall, and won't have a face on it. That's the kids' activity - to cut up and glue the felt I'll include to put whatever face they design on it. I made a quick one so they'll know what I'm thinking. It's lightly stuffed, and if I hadn't gotten so ill, they'd have been dated on the back. Oh, well. Homeroom Mom is already in love with it !

Posted by dorriebelle at 10:29 PM CDT

Updated: Monday, 2 May 2011 11:39 PM CDT

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Current Mood : Edgy and whiny

Well, I got the last two weeks caught up tonight. Photos'll be up as soon as possible, I may have the energy to get some taken tomorrow. It's a rocky climb back to what I took for granted, but I'm too tired to be sick anymore. I got a load of much-needed laundry done, with manageable wheezing, so I think I'm finally on the upswing. Which is good, since the house is a complete disaster area !

On the plus side, it's done wonders to curtail my wild spending ! I haven't spent a dime on my stuff since I made that huge score at the Flea Market two weekends ago. And I still have 7/8 of a tank of gas, too. Of course, the pantry and fridge are looking a bit bare...

Hung out for a while in the Lab. When I get a bit more of my strength back, I'm gonna pull down the Hugh Jass doll furniture box and grab a few things. Might as well make the Castle inhabitable - and playable ! 

Posted by dorriebelle at 12:01 AM CDT

Updated: Sunday, 2 November 2008 4:44 PM CDT

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Current Mood : Digging out from under tissues and down time... 

We're getting better - but Beloved Hubby called in sick to his clients today, and got some much-needed rest. I'm still wheezing, but it's not as bad as before, so I have hope that I won't always be sick ! ‘Cause, ya know, I'm really getting tired of always being ill...

Dearest Son has misplaced all three of his coats, so I confess, I wasn't as understanding as I could have been... especially since I asked him yesterday if he had his coat and shoes ready for this morning. He left two at school and one at his grandparents', but that didn't help today - he had to wear a much-too-small jacket that I was surprised I hadn't ditched to Community Thrift yet. He made sure to bring back the two in his desk, and DMIL brought over the one from their house, so at least he'll be warm this week. Of course, he left his lunch bag at school today...(sigh)

The platform Beloved made for my dollhouses is just beautiful. He says it's just scrap plywood, but I see lovely ribboned Birch, lightly stained and shiny, with smooth edges and gorgeous markings. It took me a bit, but I got it placed and put the Castle on it. Wow.  It's like they got new parquet flooring... and it really reflects light up into the structure. Beloved still maintains it's scrap wood treated with whatever varnish was in the spray rig at the time, but I think it's beautiful.

Unfortunately, that's about all my doll time today. I still haven't taken 90% of the photos I need for the this, but I see that I'm already two weeks overdue. I could just slap myself for being so lazy when I had the strength to be busy !

Posted by dorriebelle at 12:01 AM CDT

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Current Mood : Resigned tickedoffedness

So, OK. Today I woke up with my throat so painful, I was honestly surprised I didn't cough up either blood or raw hamburger. My head is pounding so hard, I can barely focus enough to read, and only Pumpkin Spice cappuccino (Thank you, Beloved Hubby !) is keeping my head up. I have had enough.

As is usual when I'm about to explode or give up, I did some research. Well, (*&%. Looks like Chez Insanity - and possibly Chez DFIL - is twisting in the throes of flu. We've had every symptom the Center for Disease Control (yes, the CDC  http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/disease/symptoms.htm ) lists save for high fever, and we may have had it, just didn't notice when we were shivering or roasting under blankets. Kinda ranks, because I've yet to see a single pharmacy, clinic, or doctor's office offering flu shots this year. And we may already have it. Sheesh...

Our region isn't currently reporting flu symptoms, according to the map, but I can't help but think that's what we got. It's been that severe. But we're each getting a bit better, day by day, and knowing what ya got is a big help. Now I can just go ahead and be sick, and get it over with.

Beloved had to go out for work supplies - some staining at the Shop - for a bit today, so he got my platform lacquered, and he'll bring it up tomorrow. Wheee ! I confess I haven't been spending much time in the Lab since the computer got moved, but I'm all excited about my ‘new' space. I'm even considering looking for some ‘blue skies/clouds' fabric that I can string on a dowel and hang behind the house/castle/whatever, so it' always be a pretty day when I take pictures. Or maybe the sky's just Lab-wall green where my dolls live...

Posted by dorriebelle at 12:01 AM CDT

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Current Mood : Tired but improving 

After a long day of rest, DFIL felt better, and he had today off, too, so he and DMIL picked up Dearest this afternoon. He'll be back tomorrow morning, and I'm glad, since DFIL still looks and sounds kinda weak. I'm doing better a bit at a time, but the wheezing when I walk from room to room is maddening !

We had a long morning, all of us, to lie abed and rest, read, and roil. I noticed that the Jem I'm currently treating for ink stains needed a fresh coat of oxy-10. It's amazing how much faster her stains are fading, compared to Charmin' Chatty's. Getting the ink off her chin, over her mouth, and under her nose is taking off her lip paint, but I'm hoping to match the color and repaint them anyway. In another few weeks, I may actually be done ! And I just have her facing the window on my bed table. She's not getting near the sunlight Chatty did.

It never fails. I thouroughly documented Chatty's progress, and it stalled within weeks. Never remembered to take a ‘before' photo of Jem, and she's nearly done. Arrrgh. Her hair's in a discarded Dearest sock, so it won't fade. I'm looking forward to taking photos of her with my Jerrica, when she's done !

Posted by dorriebelle at 12:01 AM CDT

Updated: Tuesday, 28 October 2008 10:29 PM CDT

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Current Mood : Hopeful ?

Still sick... but it's a bit better ! Actually slept for four hours in a row, and that's been enough to keep me upright today - even if the energy's just not there to go anywhere. I'm kind of surprised the thrift shops haven't sent me ‘get well' cards, but heck, I'm too wiped out to check the mail, too !

DFIL is also ill. He had to do without some of his medications - doctor error ! - and according to DMIL, just lifting his head off the pillow has made him violently nauseous. Yikes. So Dearest Son is staying home this weekend, which is fine with me. He's a bit disappointed, though. Normally, we'd go out or something, but I think Beloved Hubby's got what I have, because he's weary, too. The weekend's festivities seem to be ‘ find an old game or movie you want, dig though the food stores for a snack, and settle in'. Fine with me ! For the first time in 2008, I just don't care about yard sales. For all I know the most incredible sale ever is out there, right this very minute, and even if it is, it'll just have to get along without me. Besides, I haven't had the energy to play with last week's stunning finds, so going after more seems silly. And there's the money thing. Nothing to worry about, ‘cause if it ain't there, you don't have to worry about it !

So, yeah, Dearest is the only healthy one around here. Or at least the only one to be mildly upset about a stay-at-home weekend. Even then, he's found some new sites for his bookmarks - yup, he can not only find sites of interest on his own, he can bookmark ‘em himself ! - and is gently encouraging me to pass the computer to him. No problem. I really need to be working on the candy corn stuffies for his school party Friday... just wish I had the energy for it.

Posted by dorriebelle at 12:01 AM CDT

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Current Mood : Very bitter. But with hints of Pumpkin Spice... 

Believe this or not, it got worse. I cough so hard now, I get lightheaded, and that's not even the worst of it. Those of us of a certain age know what can happen when coughs hit that hard, and it has been for me, and I wish to speak no more of it. Ugh.

So I rooted through the medicine cabinets and a small area of the refrigerator door. The allergy antihistamines don't seem to do much, but the knockoff Robitussin cough syrup is helping. I still cough like a busted engine, but it doesn't hurt as much, and the gunk I've been coughing up is easier now. I'll take whatever relief I can find right now ! Not to mention sleep...

Got my ‘platform' measured, and Beloved Hubby already has it cut out for me. I was too weak to even walk to the Shop to see it. He's gonna lacquer it tomorrow, for durability and shine, and give it the weekend to dry. I just know it'll be beautiful.

The ‘made with love' labels are still here on my desk, mocking my inability to safely drive the mile and a half to the Post Office. And believe this or not, I haven't even had the interest to look up any yard sales for the weekend, as I already know I'm not going anywhere.

On the plus side, Beloved's recent living room revamp allows us to wait for the bus inside. If I can keep focused on where the bus makes its turn, there's plenty of time to get us - or just me - outside in time, without sitting there for a half hour. When the weather's nice, it's something to look forward to, being outside with the birds and breezes, but when it's dark, 48 degrees, and windy, I'd much rather keep me and Dearest inside as long as possible ! I may start one of the several backed-up reroots, since I can do that while I'm waiting, but only inside. While rerooting outside keeps the mess to a minimum, it also makes rooting harder. It gets very windy without warning around here !

Posted by dorriebelle at 12:01 AM CDT

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Current Mood : Sick and frustrated

OK, I'm getting really tired of being sick all the time. I can barely walk across the house anymore without wheezing, and I'm coughing up wads of... gunk. I just wish I knew what was going on. It's not my asthma, it's not my heart... but I'm miserable, exhausted, slightly nauseous, and coughing so hard, well, I don't wanna get into that. But it's bad.

Yes, I should go to a doctor, even it it's just a doc-in-the-box. But I can't figure out what's wrong, and I'll hate to shell $80. we don't really have at this moment to find out I just have another bad cold. That's really what it seems to be, a bad cold with explosive coughing.

So, suffice to say, I didn't go anywhere today. About all I can do is sit in one place and not move around very much. Gives me lots of time to write, but not a heckuva lot to write about !

I'm getting used to having the computer in the Office. We moved Dearest's desk in there tonight, and now he has a place to do his homework and play school with us. There's a file cabinet in the way that I just don't have the energy to move yet, but once that's done, it'll be perfect in here. We were actually thinking about getting cable this winter, but it's another bill we don't need, and we're now all together in the Office, which is why we were considering cable ! Sometimes things work out without having to spend a dime...

Beloved Hubby says he has a nice piece of wood he'd be glad to cut for me, so my Castle or other dollhouses will have a flat surface to work with. He'd even smooth the edges and varnish it for me, so I could decide on wood floors, or something to put carpet on. He's so sweet ! Now all I have to do is measure the space for him, and he said he'd get it done next time he's at the Shop, which'll be tomorrow. Whoo-hoo !

Posted by dorriebelle at 12:01 AM CDT

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Current Mood : Disappointed, and slightly worried

Contrary to my hopes, my asthma got worse during the night. I literally did not sleep more than bits and snatches all night. So I didn't get to go on Dearest Son's field trip to the city zoo. I hated to let the class down, but I imagine the ambulance that'd have to come after me shortly after our walk began would be more traumatizing. I made sure to send the large ‘milk carton' container of Goldfish crackers I'd bought for the trip with Dearest, and hoped he'd have a good time. I'd made a quick grocery run for a Lunchable for him, soda for Beloved Hubby, and a hot, caffeine-filled Pumpkin Spice cappuccino for me before I woke everyone up. It really did help.

He also had a new busdriver today. ‘Mr. George', his previous driver, put in for reassignment to a better, newer, climate-controlled bus, and he got the slot. I can't blame him, he has to care for his health, but we'll miss him. At least our bus is the same one, and has the same monitor. The monitor was up front this morning to reassure the kids, normally he's about midway back. It's so nice to see such thoughtfulness.

Once he was school-bound, I was bed-bound. Slept for two hours, and that helped. Did some housework and worked on straightening up the Lab. Now I can fully open the Castle and play ! Or, I can fold it up and open the Folding Pretty House ! Or the Friend Ship airplane ! Or the Loving Care hospital room, or the fold-up bedroom/vanity, or the mini-mall. Wow. I have a lot of that stuff.

I hope to score a platform of some sort, so I can use all these carpet pieces underneath the various structures. Maybe some plywood or something. I'll have to ask Beloved what he has that he can spare...

While tidying up, I found the sew-in ‘Made With Love By' clothing labels I bought so long ago. I'd bought out all the ‘$2. for eight' packs, since they were on 80% off clearance. I left a few behind, but they were $3. for eight, and I really am cheap. From there, I'd put off mailing them until I could get bigger envelopes. Eight packs takes up a lot more space than the two I sent earlier this year. And once I had the envelopes, I put it off for a few more weeks. Well, time to get it done ! Dragged down the kitchen scale and weighed both the self-addressed stamped envelope with the eight packets, then the envelope holding it all. Just have to drop it off tomorrow. Then, the countdown will begin ! I wonder how long it'll take them to mail ‘em back this time ? I'll be glad if they're here by Christmas... When it's all said and done, for the labels, postage, envelopes and all, I'm paying about 9c each for ‘em.

Beloved came home and was happy to see me playing Castle. I was kind of filling time before going to pick Dearest up, since the zoo trip was known to go long. We got there at just the right time. Dearest had a great time, but was worried about the gorilla, who was by himself. So he drew the gorilla and a kitten, playing soccer together.

Posted by dorriebelle at 12:01 AM CDT

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