November 6

I got all my errands run earlier today. I'm just waiting for my co-student to arrive at my house before we leave to go to Fort Lauderdale for the trade-show. woo-hoo! I'll be back tomorrow night.

Copycat!

Shoegal chronicles her outfits daily on her blog. She has great style and I love almost everything she wears. I love how she incorporates scarves in almost every outfit. I enjoy seeing all the new shoes she gets too. She's tall and looks great in knee length boots. I am going to copycat some of her casual outfits, especially some of the ones where she's wearing said boots. LOL


I'm getting everything ready to leave for the trade-show tomorrow. Still have a lot of things to do though. Probably won't take very many pictures. But, I should have a lot to post. Looking forward to the weekend!

Trade-show

This weekend I am going to attend a International Esthetics, Cosmetics,& Spa Conference in Ft. Lauderdale. There are a couple of hundred vendors going to be there, some will have workshops and lectures. I'm looking forward to listening to Benjamin Fuchs from Sanitas. I've been using Sanitas products since I started this class. Sanitas has a papaya pineapple mask that I LOVE! It has really improved my skin and it just plain smells good! I like all the Sanitas products I've used but this mask is my favorite! I'm only going to be at the trade-show on Saturday, so I'm going to see everything I can, and attend as many workshops and lectures as I can. I'm not sure how this is going to work out with the muscle spasms in my back, but I've got to try. I really don't want to miss this. I'm just tired of not being able to do new things and the things I used to enjoying doing.

Saints

I didn't watch football last night. I had other things I needed to do. But, I am soooo happy the Saints are still undefeated! I am looking forward to seeing them play in the Superbowl!

I recorded Dancing With the Stars and watched it tonight. I like almost every one of the stars this season, but my favorite is Kelly Osbourne and Louis van Amstel. I've followed Louis' career for quite a while. I was excited when I learned he was going to be on Dancing With the Stars back in the first season. Tonight I was happy that the judges chose to keep Aaron Carter on. I think he has really improved over the past couple of weeks and his jive was quite good. At this point I think that anyone could win.

Shopping

I love shopping. I don't care so much what it's for, I just love shopping. I admit, however, I do enjoy shopping for shoes, clothes, fabrics, patterns, and yarn more than I like to shop for hardware items such as a new shower head or a toilet seat. But, I still enjoy shopping for those types of items, too. I can always find something at Lowe's that I can use in my altered art or for sewing.

Last Thursday Christian Siriano was on Oprah. He was, if you remember, the winner of season four on Project Runway. Annnnyway, he has designed a line of shoes for Payless Shoesource. Some of them are fierce! His line isn't being offered at every store, and, they weren't at the store I went to. But you can see them online. A fifty percent off coupon was offered on the Oprah site that was good until Payless closed on Friday. I got a pair of animal print ballet shoes. I had been wanting a pair forever, so I used the coupon. They cost nine dollars and some change.

Class today was very quiet. I didn't have any clients scheduled. I was going to help another student do a body wrap, but the client didn't show-up. The client is going to try to make it in tomorrow. I only have one client scheduled tomorrow, so far, and I don't have to go in until noon. The massage therapy class uses the clinic on Tuesday mornings.

Looking forward to watching the Saints play tonight.

November

It's hard to believe that it's the first of November already. This year has gone by so quickly. It will be Christmas before you know it. Halloween was quiet here. We didn't have any trick or treaters this year. It has been 3-4 years since we've had any. I guess the kids that live in the neighborhood go to a planned event. Halloween has changed since my son was young. It's no longer safe to go trick or treating. I LOVE haunted houses, and there used to be several in the county during the season. I can't remember the last time we had one close by.

As planned, Walt and I got re-married yesterday. It was very casual. We met some friends at Cajun Cafe on the Bayou, along with the notary public (Too bad I couldn't perform the ceremony, LOL, as I too, am a notary public). We exchanged our vows and then had an early dinner. Walt and I had dressed fried oyster po'boys. OMG! It was so good! We had crawfish cornbread as an appetizer and a to die for bread pudding. MMMMMMMMMMMM MMMMMMMMMMMM

I am participating in NaBloPoMo. There is no theme this month. Hopefully I will be able to complete the task at hand and find something to post about every day this month.

I've been working on my knitting for a few minutes each day. I hope to have the Dream Swatch Headwrap/scarf finished this week. I'll then focus on the Irish hiking scarf and then the Stitch Diva's Hairpin Lace Cardi Wrap. I'm considering making another headwrap/scarf in a solid color and wrapping the yarn four times instead of three. I'm thinking it would be Pretty in Pink. LOL

Are you ready for some

football?? I lurve me some New Orleans Saints. You would think I would be a Buc's fan, but NO. I've been a Saint's fan for many, many, many years. I only got to see the last 30 seconds or so of the game yesterday. I know they came from behind to win the game. I am so happy that they are one of three undefeated teams, the first time in NFL history that going into the 7th week there are three defeated teams!

I found another little piece of knitting I had been working on and had put aside. It's the Dream Swatch Headwrap. It started out as a head wrap. I decided to not make it as wide as the pattern called for, but it was still too wide to wrap my head and still stay in place. So I decided to make it into a narrow scarf. I think it will be cute with a purple or blue tee-shirt. I'm making it out of Caron Simply Soft Paints in the Oceana color-way. I'm gonna focus on this small scarf instead of the Irish Hiking scarf. It shouldn't take me long to get it finished, if I work on it a few minutes every day.

I'll be removing the music after Halloween. Monster Mash is one of my favorite songs. I have it as my ringtone during the month of October and I thought it would be fun to have it on my blog.   :)  I also have the pic of Dracula and Frankenstein as the wallpaper on my phone. LOL

The Weekend

I received an email a week or so ago informing me that the magazine "Threads" is now available on DVD. From 1985 to 2009. One hundred forty-six issues on one DVD. LOL It comes out bi-monthly. Back in the late 80s I had several issues. I decided that I would clip the articles that I wanted to keep and get rid of the magazines. Boy, did I regret that. Later on I got another subscription and I replaced all the ones I had clipped from and thrown away. I had all but a few of the first few issues that were hard to find and were no longer being published. I monitored e-bay for months until I was able to complete my "Threads library". I'm proud to say that I have every issue of Threads and duplicates of some of the copies. They have been invaluable for my sewing. The earlier issues didn't focus just on sewing, but had articles on other fiber arts. I frequently pull out a random issue and read it. This is probably the finest magazine published today for home sew-ists.

I went shopping at the MAC counter at my local Dillard's yesterday. I just LOVE MAC cosmetics. I got the "Pink Swoon" blush, a "Snob" lipstick, and Dazzleglass Creme in "My Favorite Pink". It was a toss-up between Pink Nouveau and Snob, but after swatching, Pink Nouveau seemed a little too bright. Snob is a little light for me, but I'll get a different lipgloss to wear over it or mix it with a darker shade of pink. I love the Pink Swoon blush, it's such a pretty fresh shade of pink. But I think I could have worn "Coygirl" or "Well Dressed" just as well. All the associates were really busy. A LOT busier than at the other cosmetic counters. They were all gorgeous and their make-up expertly applied. I would have loved to have taken a little more time and just looked at and compared the different shades of lipsticks and eye shadows and such, but my back was killing me after just walking a few minutes to get to the counter.     :(     Oh, and I got a pump dispenser for my bottle of foundation. You can be sure that MAC cosmetics are going to be on my Christmas list this year! LOL

I've been taking a half an hour or so most days and knitting on the Irish hiking scarf. I have about a quarter of it done. I'm such a slow knitter and if I don't pay close attention I make a mistake and have to frog it and reknit it. Looking at it I can see a couple of places that should have been reknit, but I'm not going to reknit it. It will take me too long. I'm amazed at the knitter's who are almost finished with something and frog all of it and restart it. Anyway, I'll keep knitting away and it should be done soon.

Ramblings

I haven't felt like posting lately. Not much is happening. I'm just trying to get the esthetician class finished. My back is preventing me from doing as much as I would like to. I'm doing about two services a day. I love doing microdermabrasion. I like doing body waxing, but not so much waxing eyebrows. I've done a Hot Stone Facial and I loved doing it too. I'm looking forward to actually getting to start working in the field.

Autumn is my favorite time of the year. There isn't a dramatic change of seasons here in Florida. This past week we had some cooler temperatures and it was really nice. (It has since returned to 90 degree weather though.) When I was younger I loved getting new clothes and starting back to school. Most of the time my Mom drove me to school. I have some nice memories of waiting for the bus with Nancy and Jesse, who were neighbors. Nancy was a year older than me but was in the same grade and Jesse was a year younger. We were neighbors for only a short time. Nancy got married, I think she was about 16. I believe Jesse is Jesse Morehead from Stayin Safe, and also an internationally known archery champion. Just a walk down memory lane.

The last time I blogged I did an update on the NailTech products I was using. I'm happy to say they are still doing an excellent job of making my nails strong and healthy. I got a gorgeous light pink nail polish and I'm now using it.

As I mentioned autumn is my favorite time of year and I think I enjoy Halloween as much as I do the Christmas season. I love all the decorations and dressing up in costume and doing make-up. The young man in this youtube video is an amazing make-up artist and has several tutorials on youtube. I'm going to use one of his tutorials to do my make-up for Halloween.



My ex and I have decided to get married again. We'll go Monday and get the license. We're getting married on Halloween. Again. LOL I think we both should have our Halloween make-up on. It won't be a huge deal. We will go with some friends, get married and go to an early dinner. They have younger children and need to be available for trick or treating or a party or what ever they have planned. I would like to go to Guavaween, and see the Mama gave Stumble Parade, but I don't know if my back will "let" me walk around. I would also like to go to Halloween Horror Nights in Orlando.

Probably we will end up watching classic horror movies, such as Dracula, Frankenstein, and the Mummy, and their sequels. Although there are other good horror movies, I love these movies and never tire of watching them. I don't care so much for the newer stab and hack movies. Although I do like the original Friday the 13th. Walt and I watched The Ring. Immediately after watching the movie, our phone starts to ring. I answered it and immediately start laughing, explaining to my friend that we had just watched the movie. LOL

Shopping!!!

I went shopping this morning. I LOVE shopping! I had to get some electrodes for my TENS unit. Got an ink cartridge for my Dell printer and went to Barnes & Noble. I couldn't find the book I was looking for so I went to Borders where I did find the book. Organic Body Care Recipes. We studied aroma therapy earlier week in class. I was already familiar with it, but this class helped expand my knowledge. We are also required to make three items and display them in a basket for a project. I started making mental notes as to the colors, scents, and items I wanted to put in my basket. One of the scents I want to use is lemon. It smells so fresh. I am thinking I will use the colors purple and white. I want to make a small purple eye pillow. Among the other things I'm considering is an eye cream, bath salts, bath bombs, and soap. I may change my mind after I read through the book I got today and my text book, The Complete Book of Essential Oils and Aromatherapy.

I went to Weight Watchers today, I'm down half a pound. I'm not disappointed with the small loss, any loss at all is better than staying the same or gaining.

I have two sewing WIP (works in progress). They have been lingering on my sewing table for over a year. I love sewing, but just don't do it as much as I used to. I love doing other things too. I read other sewist's blogs and admire all the projects they sew. I'm ok with the fact that I'm not a prolific sewist. There is a cardi-wrap sew-a-long on Pattern Review. I've had a McCall's cardi-wrap on my WIP list for several months. I have the material and the pattern, but haven't actually cut it out. I'm going to see if I have enough material to make Simplicity 2603 instead.

The Biggest Loser starts the new season on Tuesday. The previews are showing one of the "losers" from last season coming back. He was one of my favorites and I was disappointed when he was voted off the ranch. He was working so hard to lose the weight and get healthy. I'm so glad he's getting a second chance.

Make-up and nails

This is what my nails look like after a week of using Nailtek products. They are about the same length, but I have filed them a couple of times to get them to the proper shape. My nails do feel stronger and healthier though. You can see a couple of blemishes on the nails, but I'm not motivated enough to change my polish and reapply everything today. Tomorrow is Friday and I'll do it tomorrow night. The nail polish I'm wearing is a frankenpolish I made several months ago. I added what was probably some shade of red to Sally Hansen's Sheer Beige Gloss. It's such a pretty shade of pink. I'm gonna try to find a commercial brand as close to this shade as possible. If you're interested in making up your own colors of nail polish visit Amanda on her blog Dr. Frankenpolish. She has some gorgeous colors of nail polish. I've loved almost every color she has created. I'm going to get a pedicure tomorrow from on of the students in the nail class. I can hardly wait! It's been ages since I've had one. I usually just polish my own. It's nice to be pampered a little. LOL



One of the things on my 101 Things list is to buy myself a right hand ring. Back in March, I finally found one that was exactly what I was looking for. I wasn't looking for an expensive ring. Just a little something that I thought was pretty and had some small diamonds in it. So, here it is....isn't it pretty?











I have recently become a MAC convert. Last weekend, I got a make-up primer, Sheertone blush in blushbaby and Amplified Creme Lipstick in Craving. Blush baby is a very beautiful shade. If you look closely at my ring finger you will be able to see it. It's slightly darker than my skin tone and I love the way it looks. It's a beige-pink color. The next blush I want to get is blushcreme in the color posey which is a rosey pink. When I went to MAC for a makeup demonstration I saw a beautiful color called Daft Pink, but I can't find it on the MAC website. I don't know, I might change my mind....LOL...all the colors are so beautiful!

3D Movies

On Tuesday, Walt and I went to see Final Destination 3D at Baywalk 20. We enjoy watching 3D movies and I thought we would enjoy seeing this one. I haven't seen any of the previous Final Destination movies. It had more gore than I thought it would. Maybe I should have at least watched the trailers? LOL



This obviously is a picture of my left hand. Why am I posting a pic of my left hand? Well, as you can see, I have very short nails, my hands are very dry, to the point of my fingers cracking open and bleeding. Not good if you want to look your best, and work in the "beauty business." My right hands looks pretty much like my left one except I have a bruise underneath the nail on my thumb. I was half asleep and closed the door on my thumb one night 4 weeks ago. Fortunately it didn't get sore just bruised. As a nurse, I washed my hands constantly and it has taken a toll on my nails and the skin on my hands. When I first moved to Florida in 1980, I had beautiful long nails, they looked like expensive well done acrylic nails. But, I digress.....LOL Anyway...my POINT is I am using three new products on my nails and I want to log the progress. I'm using Nail Tek III: Protection Plus for dry brittle nails and Nail Tek Hydration Therapy, and Beauty Secrets Nail Matrix cuticle oil/instant polish dryer from Sally Beauty. I also use several different lotions and creams. I can't grow my nails long due to the nature of the "beauty business", (at least the part I'll be working in), but I can grow them healthy again. I look forward to being able to wear pretty nail polish and possibly some nail art.

In class at Lorraine's we're focusing doing makeup right now. I've got to practice doing eye shadows. I didn't wear eyeshadow much in my younger days. I would just apply fake eye lashes, be done with it and go on my way. LOL We will be certified makeup artists on completion of the esthetician class. But, I want to go the extra mile and get the paper to prove it, so I'll need to do extra work. Anyone want to volunteer? Next week we'll be learning nutrition (who woulda thunk it? LOL) and Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday we'll be learning bodywraps. woohoo! I LOVE body wraps! LOL

WOW

It's hard to believe that it's been over two months since I've posted. Lots of things have happened and I'll try to get updated over the next couple of weeks.

This story is very touching

I love animals and especially dogs and elephants.

Knitting

I finally finished my "potato chip" scarf. I enjoyed making it. But, I'm not sure I like the mohair yarn against my skin though. I might make another one in a different type of yarn. I'm working on other projects too, a few minutes a day. Due to my job I don't have much free time. That all should change by next Friday, when the new person starts.

I've also been working on my 101 Things list. I've completed a couple of the items and will be posting about them in near future.

It's a sad day

It is with deep sorrow that I post this, Lulu has lost her beloved Klaus, and Bogart has lost his Dad. Despite all the prayers and doggie-zen. My heart goes out to you.








Today is the eight anniversary of my son's death. Time goes on but the pain never stops. Michael, I miss you and I love you.

boo hiss LOL

I've been crocheting on my "potato chip" scarf. With about 6 inches left and I ran out of yarn. I made it longer than the pattern called for. I thought, no problem, I'll go to Michael's after work and pick up a skein. They had a couple bins of it two-three weeks ago. Well, imagine my surprise when, I could not find ANY Lion Brand Mohair. none, zip, nada, zero in any color. I was so disappointed. I'll be off to Ravelry in a few minutes to see if anyone there has some to sell. I really don't need very much. My next scarf is going to be a knitted scarf, the Irish Hiking Scarf. The pattern can be found here.

I've also been sewing on the Kimberly bag by Amy Butler. I have it maybe half finished. I guess I'm a really slow sew-ist these days. I'm looking forward to showing it off to my friends!

101 Things-February 19, 2009

Today is the last day to complete my 101 Things list. Did I get everything done? NO. I only completed 21 out of the 105 things I put on the list. Do I feel bad that I didn't get everything done? Again NO. I may not have accomplished everything on this list, but I did so much more, I can't even begin to list everything. So, here I am, making another list of things I hope to accomplish, but if I don't I won't beat myself up over it. Many of the things are still in progress from the old list. There are a few new things. I took some things off the list, anything that involves traveling will go hold until both boys (my dogs) have gone to the Rainbow Bridge. I simply will not traumatize my dogs by kennelling them so I can travel. And, I don't trust anyone to take of them the way I do. Many of the things I started and didn't get around to finishing. They will become the priority on the new list. Here are the new items I'll be trying to accomplish in my next 1001 days. And, just like last time, there are 105 things on the list! LOL


0001. Get my RN license
0002. SWAP storyboard and complete items-in progress
0003. Learn to juggle
0004. Buy new inline skates
0005. Learn three named chess strategies
0006. Learn Spanish
0007. Join Netflix and have a weekly movie night
0008. Create an original art self portrait
0009. Complete 10 photographic projects (from previous class)
0010. Make five soups from scratch
0011. Learn the location and capital of every country in the world (and every state in the U.S.)-in progress (10-50)
0012. Learn to swim
0013. Make a travel/protection charm for the car
0014. Collect all 50 US State Quarters-in progress (38-50)
0015. Make my own ATC greetings cards
0016. Go ice skating
0017. Have a full spa day
0018. Go to an opera
0019. Start a gratitude journal
0020. Stay caught up on all of my magazines-in progress
0021. Start a small vegetable/herb garden from seeds, use in recipe
0022. Convert all my CDs to MP3-in progress
0023. Read the Bible, from beginning to end-in progress
0024. Find my signature cupcake recipe
0025. Buy myself a right hand ring
0026. Organize my photos-in progress
0027. Trace my roots
0028. Go to see Swan Lake
0029. Boob job-reduction
0030. Get a diving certificate after I learn to swim
0031. Dress form/duct tape double-after weight loss ?? date
0032. Make at least one altered book
0033. Complete 12 pieces of jewelry-in progress (2-12)
0034. Build a robot kit
0035. Learn how to make Tiramisu
0036. Start knitted garden coverlet
0037. Buy a new window box and plant wildflowers in it
0038. Make quilted piece for hallway doorway
0039. Buy a fondue pot and use at least once a month
0040. Learn sign language
0041. Do a de-tox regimen
0042. Get a professional facial and then give myself an at home facial once a week for a month
0043. Braid a rug for the kitchen in front of the sink
0044. Study and research Buddhism
0045. Learn how to do 10 one-armed push-ups in a row
0046. Re-learn visual basic
0047. Update the household notebook with pictures and serial numbers
0048. Be so flexible I can do a split-again
0049. Identify 101 things that bring me joy
0050. Go through my Photoshop Elements manual and learn cool tricks- in progress (2-19)
0051. Build up a 3 month emergency fund in savings-in progress
0052. Go to see a play/musical/ballet
0053. Knit socks
0054. Make a bra and panty set
0055. Learn pilates
0056. Buy/learn to use portable GPS
0057. Geocache/Go geocaching at least 6 times before last 101 Day
0058. Get better aquainted with all the bells and whistles on my digital camera- in progress
0059. Make bears/bear clothes
0060. Build a 1/12 scale miniature house, and begin to furnish it
0061. Take my vitamins every day for a month
0062. Make a collection of handmade ornaments for the Christmas tree
0063. Have professional photo taken
0064. Build a cigar box purse
0065. Re-learn to read music
0066. Re-learn to play the keyboard and practice at least one song every day for a week
0067. Take a speed reading course
0068. Fill in the gaps I have in my wardrobe to make sure I have an outfit for each occasion
0069. Sew and review 12 articles of clothing on Pattern Review
0070. Buy a weaving loom
0071. Make paper
0072. Clean out inside of TA for restoring
0073. Install or build a firepit in the backyard
0074. Photograph the beach under the full moon light
0075. Watch the Wizard of Oz while playing Dark Side of the Moon
0076. Have a jello shot
0077. Get a magazine article published
0078. Learn 50 new words-in progress (18-50)
0079. Plant roses in back yard
0080. Make bath bombs
0081. Lose 5 pounds a month for 15 months-in progress (35-75)
0082. Make homemade marshmallows and roast over an open fire
0083. Become Microsoft Office certified-in progress
0084. Cook barbecued/smoked ribs on the grill
0085. Find a great black dress and buy it (or make it)
0086. Take a firearms course
0087. Say I love you in 10 languages-in progress (5-10)
0088. Review 12 books on Amazon-in progress (5-12)
0089. Take a photo every day for a month
0090. Go to Christmas Mass
0091. Make a sweet corn salsa
0092. Re-decorate the bathroom
0093. Stretch every morning for a month
0094. Decorate for Christmas-with the Victorian decorations
0095. Make a no flour chocolate cake
0096. Re-learn French and to properly swear
0098. Landscape front yard-in progress
0099. Listen to and learn about Cuban music
0100. Memorize a poem-in progress
0101. Make 4 pairs of sleep pants or shorts
0102. Do a mini triathlon after I learn to swim
0103. Learn how to do mechanics on Mike's TA
0104. Document accomplishing each thing (photo or journaling)
0105. On Day 1001, make a new list

McCall Pattern 5271

I finished McCall's pattern 5271 today. I completed the sewing a few days ago, but wasn't able to pull out the basting threads until today. I chose view D because I thought it would help to conceal the fluff I have on my stomach better than the other views.

I choose patterns I think will be flattering to my body shape and then I tend to choose patterns by the colors used on the models. I can visualize patterns in other colors and fabric patterns, but I am drawn to certain patterns due to the colors. I also tend to use the same colors in different tints, tones, shades and values. I never wear brown, oranges, yellows or greens. I've seen gorgeous fabrics in these colors but, I've never worn them. I'm thinking over the next few months I will try to find a yellow, a green and possibly a brown that will be flattering to my skin tone.

I'm still working on the Amy Butler Kimberly bag. I'm hoping I'll get a few seams sewn today. I still can't sit and sew for more than a few minutes at a time due to back pain. I've also prepared the pattern and laid out the red jersey I'll be using to make a simple jacket, McCall pattern 5241.