When you can find hope in an asthma attack, you start to wonder about yerself...
Mood:  spacey
Now Playing: "Sky High" - one more time.

There’s a subtle gift in asthma. I never understood it before, I just knew it slowed me down or prevented me from doing something I wanted to, so I hated it. But today it was seriously bad. I had to sit down after walking Dearest Son into school. I didn’t trust myself to drive, my eyes weren’t focusing, and I’d already taken the med limit for that time frame. I had the energy, mostly, but walking across a room empty-handed was an exercise in ‘low and slow, darlin’ chile’.


Even if you’re not in the midst of a full attack, asthma makes sure you move at your own pace. No matter how fast anyone around you is going, or even what speed you want to go, you have to tread slowly and carefully. Another attack is always just on the next moment, so going your own pace soon becomes habit, albeit an annoying one most others don’t understand. They think you should just hit that inhaler-thingie again, and like on the Primatene ads, everything will be fine.


Umm, no. Both prescription and OTC inhalers are steroid speed. Take it more often than directions call for, and you’ll be on the fast track to arrhythmia. I know. Those inhalers speed up everything while ripping your airways open, so they have to be used carefully. They’ll save yer life, but they’ll kill you faster than the attack will if ya get stupid.


In new home news, we got our city trash can today. Only someone with two full, smelly bags ready to go can truly enjoy getting a new pick-up can – and that’s me. It’s brand-new, too ! The one we left at the old place is crammed full and has been split on the bottom since we moved there. I almost hate to put trash in our new one. But I did it anyway !


At the old place, it’s all done. Loaded up the old trash can and wheeled it for Friday’s pick-up. All our stuff is either put away or is in the garage. Beloved Hubby’s inviting people over for a party Saturday, and I don’t know how we’ll have this place ready. Just hope I’m better tomorrow, and even if I’m not, I’ll do what I can and ignore the rest. That’s all anyone can do when it’s all said and done.

...and on, but it's nearly over...I hope...
Mood:  don't ask
Now Playing: like I'm even noticing...

 

Beloved Hubby's really worried about me, and he probably should be. My airways are still constricting - asthma - and I'm wheezing like a broken calliope. He did most of the moving today, I was mostly along for company. He has tomorrow off, too, but Wednesday, he's back to work. At least he got to enjoy his new shop this evening !

 

He also painted the rest of the kitchen and covered the crayon-scribbled hall with more paint. It actually looks really good. We're leaving behind a new front door, a playhouse, a bathroom cabinet, and two ceiling fans we just don't have a use for here, so don't feel too badly for the management company. That place is much better now than when we first moved in !

 

Computer's now here, at our new home, but I still rarely have a minute to use it. DMIL and DFIL can't help anymore, so the rest is on us. Few things here and there remain, but we're pretty much done. Tomorrow I can clean and take out trash, and then drop off keys early. I'm really looking forward to that !

 

Got to take a shower today - the water here is via well, and it's really soft. My face and skin's not nearly so dry as it usually is. Dearest Son didn't have a terribly good day at school. So many changes, so busy. He came home and crashed for three hours. At least he's not sick, thank Everything.

 

We have the washer and dryer installed ! And I'll soon have a clothesline ! So many things to be happy about here ! Just wish I had time for playin'.

...and on...
Mood:  don't ask
Now Playing: "Kronk's New Groove" - another late DVD rental, but very cute.

 

And we're about 75% done. Some larger things, like toys and tools in the backyard, remain, so we'll get those tomorrow. I've had two full-blown asthma attacks, so I'm having to slow down a bit. DMIL and DFIL are too tired to move, so they're sitting Dearest Son so we can get another load or two. All the major appliances are at the new place, since we only rented the furniture dolly through today. We even ended up moving DBIL's aquarium while we had it. How we got talked into that in the middle of a super-fast move still escapes me.

 

I got one of my two doll bookcases, so I spent part of the evening arranging everyone. As it turns out, pretty much all of ‘em can fit on that one. I'll have to get some photos. The sewing machine is in front of the window, but most of the fabric is still in the garage, and I haven't found the plug and pedal yet. There's floor space now ! But it'll be at least until next week before I can sew or play. We have sooooo much still in the garage.

And it continues on...
Mood:  down
Now Playing: "Sky High" - DVD rental, it's really late...

More moving. We're about halfway done, which is good. I'm hoping to have it all at the new place Sunday, which gives me Monday and Tuesday to clean and Beloved Hubby time to paint. And I'm sure we can always use just a little more time before turning in the keys Wednesday.

 

We're losing our online connection Tuesday, and won't get it back until 05 March. Ordinarily I'd miss it, but I haven't had time. Until this morning, I missed the refrigerator more ! Yup, Dearest Son overnighted at DMIL and DFIL's last night, and we stayed at the new place. Gosh, I just love it there. The space is slowly filling up, so now it's the old place that echoes and the new one that has the ‘home' sound. A good part of our stuff's in the garage for the time being, since we're more focused on ‘get it out of there !' than anything else.

 

I'm tired as anything, but I can't sleep. All my dolls are in a pile - I hated having them in a box, and we needed the box for more stuff anyway - but I don't have the energy to play, or anywhere to put them. May be catching cold, which would make sense, all this sweating and in-and-out. My chest is so tight, I had to use my inhaler. I just hope that improves soon.

 

Tuna, our stray who stayed, is with us tonight, so I made her a makeshift litter box from the last Amazon shipment and some dirt. She knows how it works, amazingly, but doesn't understand why we just won't let her outside.

 

The Mart is having a ‘teacher of the year' promotion, and I filled out the form for Dearest Son's. She really is amazing, and she's done so much to help him. Selfishly, I hope there weren't too many nominations, so she'll win !

And so, it begins...
Mood:  chillin'
Now Playing: XM 71 - Watercolors (a calming effect sorely needed right now)

 

Moving has begun in earnest, at 7am today. Beloved Hubby has to work, so DMIL and DFIL are helping. Without a chance to go through things before they get packed, I'll be tossing tons of stuff out once we get there, because DMIL is a ‘pack everything' sort of mover. Not much for it now. When you're attempting a full-scale move in less than a week, these things go like that.

 

Had to call the property management company to tell them the news. I was dreading it, because I was only giving them six days' notice. But frankly, we haven't had a lease with them since 2004, and it's not like we can pay them a month's rent for the old place to sit around empty. We'll barely have enough time to vacate as-is.

 

Well, they insisted on the 30 days, and I was about to get tough with ‘em, when they added ‘if you want your security deposit back.' Heck, we weren't expecting that back in any case, and if that's how they want it, it's fine with us. Had to run by a written notice of intent anyway. Promised to turn in the keys in person Wednesday, Feb. 28. That seems like so long from now, but I know it'll be a blink.

 

About all I got done Thursday night is call utility companies to get services ported. We'll pay for it, but at least we don't have to pony up deposits. Heck, the power and local utilities still have our deposits from when we moved here ! I'll make sure those made the shift later. You'd have been so proud of me, I had the gas company on the landline phone, was filling out the electric company's online request, and had Hubby calling on my cell, all at the same time. Still took me two hours to get it all switched.

 

Since my sewing and doll stuff is stored mostly in boxes, that got moved first. It's embarrassing how much I have. Of the two bedrooms, Dearest Son chose the brightest and biggest - not that I blame him - and the room I'm getting looked so huge ! I mean, all this normally gets shoved into the smallest available space. Well, with the sewing table, cutting table, supply cabinet, bookcases, etc. in there, along with cases of fabric, it's looking downright small. I can barely get anything else in there, but it's because nothing's stored yet. Where it gets embarrassing is that the Barbie Friend Ship and the yard sale Swan Lake castle are still here...along with all the doll clothes and such. Yikes.

 

And I had the nerve to whine (to myself at least) that the big non-profit flea market is this weekend, and there's no way possible for me to go. Sometimes I can use a clout about the head...

 

No photo today...
Mood:  celebratory
Now Playing: computer hummmmmmmmmm..

 

...and probably not gonna be one for the rest of the month. We're moving ! Beloved Hubby found a wonderful house complete with a shop and an office - and there's a third bedroom that's my sewing studio/doll room ! I'm still stunned. Just last week, I was jealous of a board member who posted photos from her doll room, and now I'm gonna have one of my own ! 

 

Of course, with Hubby workin' his hinder off, most of the move mechanics are up to me. Luckily I have great in-laws who've already arranged their day tomorrow to help, and Hubby's brother and uncle may be able to lend a hand Saturday. Also in our favor is the fact that most utilities are open 24-7 these days, so I was able to arrange those services to port this evening. Still have a few calls to make tomorrow, though. 

 

I'm dreading the call to our current realtors. We're hoping to stay overnight at the new place Saturday, and complete the move by the 28th. Which doesn't give us much of a notice. But it's not like we're on a lease, and unlike the previous two tenants, we're not moving in the middle of the night owing two or three months. We still get that one guy's mail, and we've lived here nearly three years.

 

I have the van loaded up with doll and fabric stuff for an early-morning drop while I'm waiting for the gas co. and DM&FIL. Hubby's already taken over a load of tools. Man, this is gonna be a ton of work, but the house is incredible - I'm just glad we were able to pounce on it. Hubby's shop is huge, and we even have a garage and a wonderful completely fenced yard. Dearest Son has selected his room - he got first pick of the two bedrooms that aren't the Master bedroom - and he's so excited.

 

Since most of what's in the van is my stuff, it'll go right into the studio. I'm still stunned about the whole thing. I mean, this morning, I was merrily enjoying a few bucks to have fun with, never imagining what Hubby was up to ! 

 

Well, early to bed means more stuff moved, so I'm heading for my bedding. Hope your day had some fun excitement in it ! 

Red-hot Lisa Hayes, you know where to find her...
Mood:  happy
Now Playing: "Cars" DVD, still Dearest Son's favorite.

 

Another busy day at the sewing machine. Decided to go for another minor challenge today - princess seams. I've done 'em numerous times. Can sew 'em without issue for Gracie and Casey, the My Size Barbies, can sew 'em for Beautiful Crissy, sewed 'em for Timey Tell. Just could never sew 'em in Barbie scale.

 

But I did today ! I think I messed up a bit, the dress doesn't 'hang' and drape at the same points on both sides. Still, it looked pretty good, and it's not like you can tell with the bolero jacket over it ! Again, it's supposed to have a belt, but I didn't make it. 

 

The jacket was a bit of a challenge, too. Remember when I said that, even when pattern directions called for it, I didn't like running a line of stitching right where the hem folds ? I always thought it was a waste of time and thread. Recently, I found out that sewing that line saves a ton of time, especially when you have to snip and clip the curves. Well, I learned that with cottons. Today, I tried it on knits. Works just the same. 

 

I also learned that I can use the straight-stitch foot on chiffon/lining fabrics, but not knits ! I didn't zig-zag or anything, but for some reason, when I used the straight-stitch foot, the thread kept breaking. Soon as I switched to the all-purpose/zig-zag foot, all was well. I have no idea why, but using the straight foot gave me uneven stitches, and the already-mentioned thread breakage. I re-threaded the machine a dozen times, checked the needle, adjusted tension, changed thread. Who'd have thought it was the foot that made such a difference ?

 

Modeling today is Lisa Hayes-Hunter, a 1986 Robotech : Macross doll from Matchbox. Yup, same Matchbox that makes toy cars. Only other dolls I know from them is the 'Real Models' series, made to look like Cheryl Tiegs, Christie Brinkley, and Beverly Johnson. The only real interest I have in them is to wonder if their shoes would fit Lisa. Their clothes are entirely too pink and fluffy to interest Admiral Hayes-Hunter ! 

 

While I had her on the podium, I made her an elastic girdle of sorts. I broke her leg at the hip joint trying to get her on a Hovercycle designed for another doll in the Robotech line. It's rather funny that I did that - I'd had Lisa for five years before I found out her legs had standard Barbie joints at the knees. I never tried to bend them until I saw a posed Lisa in a fanzine.  Was too afraid I'd break her. Anyway, because I've had her for so long - since my Army days, she lived in my locker with Princess Leia - I couldn't imagine just buying another. Since I've had dolls broken like this before, as a kid, I figured the elastic would work better than the duct tape fix I was familiar with. And it works just fine. If you look close enough at the Home page photo, you'll be able to see an outline of it. 

 

One of the frustrating things about the Lisa doll is her hair. It never, ever looked anything like the anime Lisa's. I may try a boil perm one day, but for now, it looks OK. I'm lucky that she fits the 'gymnast' Barbie shoes, I bought tons of those shoe packs, back in the day. Lots of my non-Barbies could wear them. There are times, though, that I'm tempted to buy other dolls in the line to steal their shoes. But I just can't bring myself to buy a Minmei doll, even if it is just to snag her clothes and dump her naked somewhere.

 

Of course, I have her love interest, Rick Hunter - I'll probably make him new clothes, he doesn't fit the Ken stuff very well.  Not exactly looking forward to measuring a new figure into Doll Shop Deluxe, but the guy needs pants that don't split when he sits !  

Guess where there's a new photo ? :)
Mood:  a-ok
Now Playing: MST3K VHS - "Operation Double 007"

 

Didn't have much time to sew, so I made a simple one-piece knit dress. It fits my Maxie 'Ashley' doll beautifully. Found out I could use the straps crossed or straight, which adds to the versatility. I printed out two other pattern pieces with the one I wanted (McCalls 5738, View E), so I went ahead and printed the rest. Tomorrow I'll probably make View D, a strapless princess-seamed dress with a bolero. After that, well, I have half the mermaid costume (View F) printed...

 

Here's a little secret. You already know I scan my patterns. I've even traded a few on a pattern group. Before I print anything, I pull it up in PaintShopPro and erase all the multilingual stuff. Yeah, it's nice to know that 'sleeve' is 'manche' and 'manga' in other languages - and it's fun to think that somewhere in France or Spain, someone's sewing the same Barbie clothes you are ! But when I look at the pattern piece, which is already small enough, and see a jumble of words, it's kind of easy to be put off and more easily confused. So I erase it. Oh, I keep the stuff in English, even if I don't think I'll need it, but it's easier to see and understand when there isn't a confusion of words on the pattern pieces. 

 

Beloved Hubby thinks I do that to use less printer ink. Well, that's part of it. I know it seems really freaky, and kind of petty, but those darn things are $30.+ when we need a new one. And when I'm burning a new pattern every day, well, it just makes sense to use as ittle ink as possible. But I really do like it when the pattern doesn't look so cluttered.

 

Today's dress only took a half hour to sew. Add cutting time, Fray-Check application and drying, and sewing the snap, and it was still less than an hour. I'd be amazed I had shoes to fit a non-Barbie to match, but I have two big divider boxes fulla fashion doll shoes. That doesn't count Elphie's shoes, or the other dolls'. So it'd probably be more stunning if I didn't have the ones that look so good - and coordinate so well - with Ashley's new dress. Still, I'm glad it worked out so well ! :)

 

In other arenas, life continues. Things get better, especially when you've had some sleep, and hopefully, ya learn from what ya did wrong and don't do it again. I learned that Fray-Check works great on knits, too, and I understand Dearest Son a little better, so all's well that doesn't kill ya, huh ?  

The importance of Fray-Check in the latest Home Page photo...
Mood:  lucky
Now Playing: "Sky High" - DVD rental Dearest Son wanted to see.

 

While I'm still an emotional mess and I'm working through stuff, I keep on sewing. Today's Home Page photo was a new exercise in things I normally avoid - thin, chiffon/tulle like fabrics and pleats. I confess, I was looking for easier things when I saw this view - it's C on McCalls 4400 - and realized I had a basketload of fabric that I like, but avoid, because it's often difficult to work with. Sometimes the beautiful stuff is the biggest pain...

 

Since the pink I used for the blouse is a remnant from the junk shop grab-bag, I have no idea what it is. It's sort of like lining material. Slippery, shiny, a little stiff, and skritchy-textured. Some of the other 'avoid' fabrics are like scarves. Softer, but also slippery and shiny. I love the way these materials look, but they're harder to sew, so I tend to reach for good ole cottons and knits instead.

 

But I used to avoid knits, too. Few rounds of sock sweaters for Elphie cured me of that, so I decided to do the same here. 'Joy' got simple white cotton pants - a bit short, even though I measured everything carefully, I hate that ! -  so I'd have time for the more complicated cowl-neck blouse. It has a set of three pleats at the neckline on each side, and I can tell you, trying to pin those tiny things down was a challenge ! 

 

I don't often use Fray-Check, even though I have an open bottle and four more new ones. What can I say, it was a great sale. But doing the Kelly-size Michio shirt was frustrating because the cotton frayed from so much handling. F-C would have helped, if I'd have used it. I don't because I don't like the smell, hate to wait for it to dry, and it stains some fabrics. I doubt anybody likes cutting out a pattern twice because of staining, and I forget to test on scraps.

 

But like ironing, F-C is an important step that's easy to skip, but it eventually shows, either in the finished item or in the frustration level during sewing. I'd much rather cheap-serge (zigzag) the raw edges. Doing that on this thin, scritchy material would have thrown the whole pattern off, so F-C it was. I guess I'm getting used to it - I was able to keep it going and it didn't smell as bad. While they dried, I got other things done, so that time wasn't a loss.

 

And the finished item came out nice. It was simple to sew once I traded the all-purpose sewing machine foot for the straight-stitch only one, and I did OK on the pleats, but I think one slipped. Hard to see on the photo.

 

I'm glad I gave me a challenge. Only way to learn, after all. I may just try Barbie-size princess seams again...someday. 

 

Another day, another home page photo...
Mood:  blue
Now Playing: that dadratted stupid barking dog next door that nobody cares about, I wouldn't care either, but the mutt won't shut it.

 

Sorry. Ordinarily, I'd be really happy about the dress and overskirt I sewed today. Took about three hours, but it turned out very nice - it's 'Miss Checkered Flag' on the Home page - and I'm proud of it, but other things compete for attention in my mind.

 

I'm really enjoying sewing every day. It's been a real blast going through all the patterns I've not touched since I scanned 'em, and picking out something new to make. Going through the fabric stash until something bellows out at me, "Hey, it's my turn ! Make me into something new !" hasn't been near as psychotic as it sounds. Knowing I have most of the skills I need to create darn near whatever I want - and I already have a pattern, fabric, and notions for it, ready to go - is an incredible buzzzzzz.

 

But Beloved Hubby's working waaaay too hard, and Dearest Son is having some growing-up problems. Issues I thought were nearly solved are back, worse than before, and I'm fresh out of ideas. Hubby thinks it's Son's usual 'one step back before a quantum leap forward' pattern, but I'm losing hope. Sometimes I think I'm sewing while home burns, but I don't know what else to do. I'd be even more of a nutcase if I didn't create every day.  So it's new images and new creations, and I don't really think one bit of it matters, even to me, but I have to keep going.

 

I just have to believe I'm going forward...and that's been harder than usual lately.

 

Hope your weekend was nicer. :)