Things I wish I could do: Sewing

This is a new feature! Instead of being another one of those how-to blogs, I've decided to write a "teach me how-to".....?

So today, my chosen magical skill is sewing. I wish I could sew. And also, the word sew is kind of weird, considering it's pronounciation. Anyway... I totally wish I could sew stuff! I often walk through places like Bed Bath & Beyond and, when unable to find a shower curtain that meets my needs, throw out the "if only I could sew."

Here are a few more examples:

- Hemming pants. I can't buy regulars because they're too short, but sometimes the longs are ridiculously long! Hence my need.

- Taking in dress shirts for Brian - dude has XL shoulders and neck, with L arms and waist.

- Crafting pillows, curtains, other home decor. This craving surfaces quite often.

- Someday baby bedding - that stuff is ridiculously expensive for seemingly no reason.

- And on that note, some baby clothes! I'm not going to pretend that I could manage to sew clothes for myself, but making a little dress for a 2 year old is probably not that hard.

- Sewing leads well into other crafty things.

Wasn't that exciting? OK, maybe not.

A common theme amongst MN bloggers today.....

Snow sucks.  It totally fucking sucks.  And yes, we are all OVER IT. 

You know what else I'm over?  Living in my current place.  My car was broken into on Sunday night and the $30 worth of stuff they took was apparently worth the $226 cost to replace my window, and the additional damage to my door frame.  Add this to the two snow emergency tows and accompanying parking tickets and the not-budgeted-for-category "things happening outside" has cost us a good chunk of change.

Then there's a small.... very, very small.... issue of not having enough space.  We have plenty of stuff, and a big creepy basement to stash it in, but that will give the stalker/serial killers something to hide behind (TOO MUCH CRIMINAL MINDS).  Plus, it makes stuff smell basementy and cramming your stuff into a hole just makes your piles grow and makes you use LESS of it.  AKA hoarding (but I NEED those candy wrapperssss!!!).

Not-so-lastly (and this is kind of ridiculous), my bathroom leaves a little something to be desired.  Or a big something.  Made of whatever - grandiose granite or mediocre formica.  I'm talking a countertop here, folks.  A pedestal sink is no way to a woman's heart, let me tell you what.  Especially if said woman could fill an entire room with her beauty junkie habit.  And boyyyyy could she ever.  But we're back to me.  So there's this sink with no counter, and an inset medicine cabinet for a mirror that, if standing up straight, displays from my chin to my chest.  This doesn't exactly serve me well when it comes to getting ready "from the chin up," if you will.  "How then" you ask, "do you look so amazing every day, K?"  Very good question.  I wake up looking gorgeous, pull on some pants and head out the door.  Apparently topless.  No no, you see I've made some creative arrangements..... my hair stuff (it's a tower) sits atop my husband's dresser in our "guestroom" (videogame room), and my makeup is displayed prominently at our dining table.  But not the whole table.  Only half.  (That makes it better, right?)

And there, folks, you have an honest-to-goodness CRISIS.  Won't you please help those in need?  Kidding, that link goes to the Red Cross.  Please be generous, as the earthquake/tsunami (actual crisis) has caused millions of very vain people to be without bathroom counters to put their makeup and hair products on (and who are now extra crabby because they don't look as pretty).  And for the non-vain people too.  Give $10 extra if you laughed.

That's all, folks.  Thanks for keeping me on your Google Reader after like 234 months of not posting.

I'm going to complain about how I hate people that complain....

I'm probably not the only one in the world who has ever been annoyed by someone else's Facebook status. And not even in the sense that someone has been passive-aggressively referring to something I did, or insulting my opinions or beliefs. I'm talking about the no-holds-barred COMPLAINING.

You know the people - they do it on Facebook, they do it in person, they talk to you on the phone and spend 10 minutes bitching in your ear. Ever the pessimists, they'll instantly see negative in anything. The world is out to get me!!!

I was a bit inspired by this recently shared blog post about being Comfortable to share it, and also my thoughts about our comfort and often the complaining that comes right along with it. The truth of the matter comes down to this: we have very little to really complain about, but we are also more "heard" these days, what with our abilities to so instantly share our thoughts with the masses.

So here's a question for you..... if people are "hearing" you more now, what exactly are you saying?? Are you a facebook user? Probably. Go back through your status updates just to see what you've been saying lately. Regardless of what you've been saying, you could probably benefit from a little rose-colored-glasses therapy.

Here's my challenge list:

1. Say something you love about your job, coworkers, or even your commute.

2. Get excited about 2-3 things about winter -- a new coat, hot chocolate, Christmas decorations, fresh snow when it sparkles, going sledding with a kid....

3. If you hate -or are just bored with- your wardrobe or accessories, arrange an exchange with a friend or 10.

4. Pick 5 things about yourself that you like, and similarly, learn to accept a compliment!!

5. Read about how Mpls-St.Paul is America's Most Relaxed City and contemplate all the reasons you love your house, city, area, state.

6. Thank EVERYONE who does something for you as if they'd just given you a kidney and a second chance to live. Over-tip your waitstaff, barista or hairstylist.... jkkkkk.

OK so now I'm just falling asleep, so I'll call it quits here....

x0x0

I have a good memory. And also, I am smart.

I opened up my blog with the intent to write a post about how awesome we are about not yet turning on our heat. Turns out I not only already posted about that, but it was mere days ago. Guess what's on my mind right now? The fact that I can't feel my toes. Hence my "inspiration."

Huh.... now what should I talk about?

Important news update: I put slippers and a blanket on. I'm less cold.

I have an idea for a post now, but clearly I can't combine it with this one. So "refresh" and enjoy post #2 for the evening.

Energy savings according to me.

It has been colder than a morgue lately and our super leaky house just loves to invite the breeze inside. And there's plennnnnty of breeze to go around. But I just sort of can't turn on the heat yet..... for one, I don't like the *smell* of heat. Call me weird. I'm really sensitive to hot air, and especially hate when it's in my face (I HATE getting into other people's cars when they have the heat on full blast). Additionally, heating is expensive - need I remind you my house is old and leaky? - and also it costs a lot of money.

So, my basic plan of keeping warm is this:
1. Apply flannel evenly to lower half
2. Apply cotton t-shirt to upper half
3. Apply cotton/comfy fuzzy sherpa insidey hoodie to upper half
4. Apply sock 1 to foot A and sock 2 to foot B
5. Insert foot A into slipper C and foot B into slipper D
6. While seated in recliner (not included), spread thin layer of cotton blanket evenly from chest down

And finally.....
You know what's a kind-of-cheaper and much more fun than turning up the thermostat? Red wine. Seriously. Have a glass or two or three and you'll feel flush, warm and toasty, regardless of what degree your thermostat may have fallen to... ///56 DEGREES??? I need more wine.\\\

Oh, I bought a sweet new parka. It will get it's own post after I have the chance to test-drive it outside.