Monthly Archives: April 2006

April 2006 Books

20. My Life with the Saints by James Martin
21. Not Buying It: My Year Without Shopping by Judith Levine
22. Eva Luna by Isabel Allende

Not too many. was cleaning my apartment, having a birthday, enjoying others birthdays.

big news, so to speak.

** It was kelly’s birthday yesterday! yay kelly! **

* the foundation garment shopping went super-fine. I bought 2 very expensive, um, garments, for a grand total of $127. But it was so great! I didn’t have to do ANYTHING except try them on and wait for the fitter to bring me more. Sweet. I am totally going back there for more.

* The new skirt? Not so great when you wear it outside. it is very … volatile. definately requires a slip, that’s for darn sure. And also I got two cat-calls and nearly lost my sh*t. I am so tired of the male gaze. it’s not about how nice my legs are (’cause they are pretty darn hot), it’s about power, and I know this b/c my 6’10” daddy has legs that are exactly as great as mine, only his are 6″ longer, and no one cat-calls HIM. totally about power and not teh hottness. Big f’n jerks. I am also tired of the seemingly acceptable social construct that is spring in NYC: wherein men cannot control themselves at the sudden exposure to FLESH that has been bundled up all winter and go into a drooling, vapid, rutting season.

* it is so exciting to come home to my (still clean) beautiful apartment! big parties are the best way to finish cleaning house.

* and the biggest, weirdest news of all: I accidentally became a MARY KAY LADY this weekend. that’s right. I am now your source for skin care and premium make-up. drop me a line if you need anything. ha!

beautiful day!

today is going to be tip-top, for the following, fantastical reasons:

1. It’s GORGEOUS outside. seriously. sunny, high in the 70s, whiz bang!

2. I’m wearing my new skirt!

3. I’m taking the afternoon off of work to go NYC and …

4. I’m going to buy foundation garments! from a fancy store! that does fittings!

5. And meet up with an internet friend of mine that I haven’t seen in maybe 3 years!

6. And maybe have dinner with her!

7. And meet the mister for drinks later!

and if you can’t tell,

8. We have an incredibly fancy coffee machine now at work, and I have been drinking SO MUCH COFFEE and am now TOTALLY JITTERY!

birthday party!

I had a really fantastic time at my party.

to start with, troy, carin, and aurora came to help me clean up on friday. here’s a photo of us all post-party. They are teh greatest!
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also teh greatest: dan aaron and meredith, who were ultra helpful too and also who sharpened my kitchen knives to hair splitting precision.

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I love this picture b/c it shows off my very pretty living room wall:

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Pictured (clockwise) are carin, troy, paul, aurora, delia, dan aaron, and meredith.

here’s some people looking respectible in the kitchen:

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(gabbi, mike t., michelle, rob, and stacey).

and here’s some people looking not so respectible in the kitchen:

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me and my doppelganger (yeah RIGHT, right?) jenn c.

there was cake, the obligatory champagne toast,

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and deviled eggs.

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it was a very super party! the whole set of photos are here.>

skirt!

this weekend was so fantastic. to start with, on friday I finished my new skirt. It took about 3 or 4 hours, and it came out pretty great, if I do say so!

you can see the pleated detail here, even though I’m very “mmmm, cake” in this photo.

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here’s a good idea of the length and backside.

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and I’m not sure what I’m doing here, but you can see clearly how comfortable and easy to ear this piece of apparel is (OH! I just remembered! I was showing Jenn C. warrior pose, right before I showed her TKD back stance and we mock fought. ha!):

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what a bunch of glamour shots! they’re so funny. and that’s one more skirt I’ve made vs. buying. sweet. I have to say: I would love to be all punk rock crafter and say “oh, I don’t need a pattern” and maybe it’s true, but it is a heckuvalot easier to sew things with patterns. without a pattern it takes me easily 2x as long, because I have to constantly alter as I go along. with the pattern I just suspend my disbelief that it will fit and it all pulls together at the end.

lists again

Wednesday
* clean up living room, kitchen.
* take large things to basement storage and neaten up hall closet so I can stash microwave if necessary (aka, if I don’t get a chance to make microwave table)
* wash fabric, cut skirt pieces out
* gym after work for cardio
* to bed at a reasonable hour so I don’t get sick (am feeling illish)

Thursday
* gym for knee before work
* date night with the mister?
* stop at linens and things to get a basket for long socks/etc. for my bedroom
* clean up bedroom – put clothes away, put craft things away, clear off dresser as party prep.
* if time, make yummy treats for coworkers in honor of my bday to bring in on friday. aka, also stop by the grocery store to buy baking supplies.

so tonight:

Friday
* sweep everything as prep for houseguests who will be sleeping on floor
* (cut out and) make skirt while waiting for houseguests to arrive at 8 or 9
* make treats for party/etc. (including cupcakes, deviled eggs, baba ganoush, chocolate covered matzo)
* gym after work for knee and if time, cardio
* stop by grocery for immediate cooking supplies
* sweep all covered surfaces into boxes so everything is totally neat

Saturday
* take coffee table to basement space
* grocery shopping (veggies, lemons, chips, dip, soda, ice)
* attend party for friend in afternoon
* get home, straighten up, make crudites, have pre-party picnic dinner with houseguests and visiting family
* party! yay!

crazy for plants

my mom gave me exactly what I asked for for my bday: a herb garden that I start from seed. I planted the seeds as soon as I got home on sunday and am eagerly waiting for it to grow. Now, of course, I seem to have caught the plant growing bug. I want to have herbs available, especially basil, mint, lavender, rosemary, thyme, and sage. Mom got me most of these plus some, and now I’m looking online for organic or heirloom seeds so I can plant the lavender, rosemary, mint, and also nasturtiums. One thing leads to another and the list of what I want is copied below.

here’s the problem: I only have 5 windows from which to grow things! I don’t have a porch or a back yard to put pots in. I need to get window boxes and pots and hope they don’t launch from my windowsill onto the superintendent’s unsuspecting children while I’m at work. and the bigger issue is always what to do with these after the summer! can I maintain them during the fall and winter? Will I need grow lights? how can I maximize window space when all but 1 window is also home to a very hot, very noisy, VERY HOT radiator?

#HR 22 – LAVENDER, ENGLISH (Lavandula angustifolia) – The wonderful aroma of this plant has long been valued in its ability to scent soaps, sachets, and perfume linen. Miniature pillows stuffed with dried lavender flowers may help with insomnia and restlessness. If started indoors, the seeds need to be stratified before sowing; otherwise, directly plant in the garden late summer or early fall. Prefers a sunny, well drained, sandy location in the garden. Height -30 inches. Perennial.
PKT. – 50 seeds – $1.25

#HR 25 – ROSEMARY (Rosmarinus officinalis) – The leaves of the rosemary plant have long been savored in its ability to flavor meats, potatoes, and other dishes, but it also makes wonderfully fragrant sachets! Start the seeds indoors, noting that rosemary can be erratic in sprouting. Best germination occurs when the soil temperature is maintained at 72 degrees or higher, and often takes 3 weeks to sprout. Transplant outside to a sunny location, with protection from cold winds. Height -36 inches. Perennial.
PKT. – 25 seeds – $1.25

#HR 14 – PEPPERMINT ( Mentha silvestis crispa) – The leaves of the peppermint plant are often used to flavor iced drinks, giving them a cool, refreshing taste, while the oil from the plant can be used to flavor candy and cakes. It is best to start the seeds inside, since the seeds are so tiny and may get washed away in the garden. In rich, moist soil, the plants spread rapidly from underground stems, so you may want to grow them in a container. Place in a sunny or lightly shaded location. Height – 2 feet. Hardy perennial.
Pkt. – 100 seeds – $1.25

OR

#HR 17 – SPEARMINT (Mentha spicata) – The fresh or dried leaves of the spearmint plant add a pleasant flavor to iced drinks, as well as making a delicious herbal tea. It is used quite often as a flavoring for candies, or with chocolate in rich deserts. It’s best to start the seeds inside, since they are quite small and may get washed away in the garden. In rich, moist soil, the plants spread rapidly from underground stems, so you may want to grow them in a container. Place in a sunny or a lightly shaded location. Height – 2 feet. Hardy perennial.
Pkt. – 100 seeds – $1.25

#HR 47 – LEMON BALM (Melissa officinalis) – Lemon balm is an easy to grow member of the mint family. The leaves are delicious in salads, on fish, in jellies, or pleasant in either hot or cool tea. A potpourri made from the leaves helps freshen your home, while a tea steeped with lemon balm may help treat colds and headaches. Prefers a sunny location with moist soil. Height – 18-24 inches. Perennial.
PKT. – 50 seeds – $1.25

#FL 14 – NASTURTIUM (Tropaeolum minus) – This old time favorite has fragrant red, gold and salmon colored flowers, and grows to a height of 12 inches. The flowers and leaves make a delightful addition to salads. May be started inside 6 to 8 weeks before the last spring frost, or sow directly into the garden after the last spring frost. Annual.
PKT. – 35 seeds – $1.25 (picture)

#FL 21 – COSMOS (Cosmos bipinnatus) – Single flowers, 3 to 4 inches across, on 36 inch stems. The blooms resemble daisies in lovely shades of red, pink, rose and white, with fern-like foliage. Makes an excellent cut flower. Very easy to grow! Annual.
PKT. – 30 seeds – $1.25 (picture)

#FL 115 – MUSIC BOX – Variety is the spice of life! The lovely flowers are delightful in their varying shades of off-white, golden yellow, and deep crimson, with many blooms having two-tones. The rich, chocolatey center contrasts nicely with the colorful petals on this 2-2 ½ foot plant. Annual.
PKT. – 15 seeds – $1.25 (picture)

#FL 24 – ORNAMENTAL PEPPERS (THAI HOT) (Capsicum annuum) – Very hot, small edible peppers that grow on compact, 8 inch plants. Start inside 8 to 9 weeks before the last spring frost, transplanting outside after the last spring frost. This delightful addition to the garden starts out green, with the peppers turning a brilliant red as they mature. Great for container gardening. Annual.
PKT. – 20 seeds – $1.25 (picture)

wednesday update

Wednesday

* clean up living room, kitchen.
* take large things to basement storage and neaten up hall closet so I can stash microwave if necessary (aka, if I don’t get a chance to make microwave table)
* wash fabric, cut skirt pieces out
* gym after work for cardio
* to bed at a reasonable hour so I don’t get sick (am feeling illish)

buy vs. make

I’m adding a new category called ‘buy vs. make.’ one of my resolutions for my 30 goals list was to “sew 1/4 of clothes – start with 1/4 by purchase, move towards 1/4 of wardrobe. Keep JOURNAL to show it.” obviously, I haven’t been keeping a journal to date. But now that I have so many GALLONS of lovely upholstery fabric to turn into luscious skirts, well, I’d better get started.

To start, I think I’ll measure the percent-made in terms of NUMBER OF ITEMS made+bought. And there are things that I’m not going to include in that count, for example, SOCKS. I will keep track of buying socks but I know I will never be able to make the diversity of socks that I can (and want badly to) buy. so, categories:

dresses
skirts
tops
sweaters *this one will be super hard, b/c I haven’t knit a sweater to date.
winter accessories

and I’d like to get better at sewing so I can add

pants
tailored jackets

things that don’t count include underwear, socks, shoes, and coats. I’m sure I could make these things, but that’s REALLY where I draw the efficiency vs. economy vs. reality line.

Now, if I really wanted to get technical, I might look back at what clothing I’ve bought since I started my 30 goals list (which was the end of september). Judging from my credit cards and bank statements and the best of my recollection:

* In March I bought a corset style top at target, some shoes, and about 3 or 4 plain tshirts.
* I bought $130 of socks in January and February. To my credit, I’ve worn them every day since.
* In November I bought 2 pairs of stretchy velour pants for knee surgery convalescence, a green wool sweater, and a cream wool cardigan from Old Navy.
* And at some point, I must have bought 3 or 4 long sleeved plain shirts from Target.

Truth be told, that’s not really so bad. (Now you all know how infrequently I buy undergarments! horrors!) Though to balance that out I’ve got… well… nothing. I didn’t even knit anything for me! so I have some work to do on the 1/4. The last thing I sewed was the silvery dress for the wedding I attended in September. But I’ve been thinking and buying stuff to make other things! I guess my first step (after making my New! Green! Skirt!) will be to document the raw materials I have and match fabric and yarn with patterns. Won’t THAT be fun for you, gentle reader? Not as much fun as it will be for me, I have the heart and soul of a photodocumentarian!

birthday preparations

so, I’m having this party on sat. and I’ve decided to do it at my place. I got most of the big housework done earlier, and then I spent at least a week obsessing about how many people I could squeeze into my apartment, but I’m gonna do it. hey, I live in NJ. either people will come, or they won’t, but I bet that it’ll err on the side of people not coming out from NYC.

so, here’s my to do list for the next few weeks so I can get everything done and ready by sat:

Wednesday
* clean up living room, kitchen.
* take large things to basement storage and neaten up hall closet so I can stash microwave if necessary (aka, if I don’t get a chance to make microwave table)
* wash fabric, cut skirt pieces out
* gym after work for cardio
* to bed at a reasonable hour so I don’t get sick (am feeling illish)

Thursday
* gym for knee before work
* date night with the mister?
* stop at linens and things to get a basket for long socks/etc. for my bedroom
* clean up bedroom – put clothes away, put craft things away, clear off dresser as party prep.
* if time, make yummy treats for coworkers in honor of my bday to bring in on friday. aka, also stop by the grocery store to buy baking supplies.

Friday
* sweep everything as prep for houseguests who will be sleeping on floor
* make skirt (while waiting for houseguests to arrive)
* make treats for party/etc
* gym after work for knee and if time, cardio

Saturday
* grocery shopping
* attend party for friend in afternoon
* get home, straighten up, make crudites, have pre-party picnic dinner with houseguests and visiting family

it certainly sounds exciting, doesn’t it? you may have noticed reference to sewing a skirt above. Yes, against all better judgement I have decided once again to undertake a last minute sewing decision. I didn’t mean to, except I *really really* want a green skirt and I *really really* need a shorter than my knees skirt and I *really really* refuse to go shopping, so I HAVE to make one. I went to the rag shop last night and came home with 3 patterns, 4 pieces of fabric (3 of which are upholstry fabric) and various threads and notions. I hope to get a jump on the setup for the skirt so I can sew it quickly on friday night… HOPE. Dream!

man in tree.

here’s a good reason why I probably shouldn’t work in an office with a window:

man in tree
don’t tell anyone, or it’s back to the cube farm for me!

mileage

now that the weather is warmer and my mileage is going up, I’ve put a static page in the sidebar with my insight mileage graph:

this morning my lifetime mileage was at 54.5 and my trip (current tank of gas) was at 60.1. I know if I drove slower I would get way better mileage, but, well, I’m just not very good at that sort of thing!

running

I don’t really like to run. Honestly, I love running fast and hard, like, in a pick-up game of ultimate frisbee. unfortunately that’s the kind of activity that caused me to break my knee so after that I HADN’T run for longer than 20 yard distances for roughly 2 1/2 years.

Enter last night: I’m super excited that I ran for 20 minutes non-stop. And at a pretty good clip, too, I covered roughly 2.2 miles.

And I never thought I’d start a sentence with the following, but here goes: Something I really appreciate about the treadmills at the gym (GAWD!) is that they let you put in your running time, and then on top of that “make” you do a 5 minute gradual cooldown. Which helped me turn less magenta and more bright pink before my yoga class, something I’m sure the instructor appreciated.

the details

friday night nick called (while I was embarassingly enough watching desperate housewives and putting together my new bedside table) and said “I’m coming over to help you hang heavy things!”

so he put up my mirror,
nickmirror

put up the lamp over the dining room table,

lrlamp

and was agog at how dirty my feet were after walking around pre-sweeping.

karifeet
saturday I woke up tired and grouchy so kicked into action. I started in the kitchen and put up the commemorative american revolution plates.

kitchenplates kitchenplates2

I also sorted through the junk boxes that had been on the floor since I (GASP) moved in, and measured for my to-be-built microwave table.

I put up two of the prints I’ve been holding onto for quite some time in the “dining nook”

diningnook

and did loads and loads and loads of cleaning: ripping through at least 8 more martha stewart living magazines, sorting out craft supplies, and decluttering the coffee and dining tables. I also went through the a/v club (pile of boxes and junk under my stereo table) and made that nice and neat and swept clean.

sunday I spent the bulk of my improvement time (when I wasn’t driving around donating things in the beautiful weather, or enjoying frappes on my way home from dollar stores) hanging photographs. I have a LOT of pictures!

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with close-ups for photodetail:

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I also tackled the bathroom: nick and I put the shelf on hold on friday night b/c there only seems to be about 1/2″ of plaster before mysterious metal is encountered. So instead I put up my friends elvis and the hoff, and also, the dubious “best drunk award” that matt (and michelle and I) took home from the pgh mardi gras party this year. (Don’t worry Mom: I have it on very good authority that while of of us was exceptionally drunk, we won b/c our costume was SO GREAT but we were dressed as our hosts, and they though it would be self-serving if we were awarded the costume prize.)

bathhoff bathelvis

And, to make my hall complete, I put up the relgious pictures that were found in the dollar store in pittsburgh, one featuring an angel who might be pushing children off of a cliff:

hallpics

not a bad weekends work, that’s for real. I still have so much to do but am in a much better place to feel like I might be able to pull together a party at my casa.

to done list.

this weekend was alarmingly productive, though I still am not 100% to done. of course, this puts me in the awkward position of having finished NEARLY enough to make me sure I can have a party at my place… hrm.

  • kitchen: shelf for microwave, microwave off of hutch
  • kitchen: get rid of junk boxes
  • kitchen: hang decorative and commemorative american revolution plates
  • kitchen: find bread machine and give away [[ this thing is seriously awol. maybe it’s in the basement? ]]
  • living room: hang photos
  • living room: hang art [[ pending arrival of new, non-broken lamp for corner of living room ]]
  • living room: sort a/v materials and clean under tv/stereo tables
  • living room: try to reconfigure stereo speaker configuration so as to afford sideways lampage
  • living room: hang light over dining table
  • bathroom: hang shelf, load up with qtips and spare rolls of TP [[ apparently,
  • bathroom: frame and hang david hasselhoff
  • bathroom: hang elvis
  • hall: hang big mirror
  • hall: hang misc. religious pictures
  • hall: donate big bags of clothes/books and get out of home
  • hall: put all boxes into the basement
  • living room: finish sorting through/recycling martha stewart magazines
  • living room: put away craft things that are out
  • living room: clean off dining table [[ nearly done. I crossed off anyway b/c it’s good for my morale. ]]
  • living room: put away papers from coffee table
  • living room bonus project: replace coffee table with two end tables from basement
  • bedroom: finish putting away craft things
  • bedroom: put together bedside table
  • bedroom: get and use fabric boxes for nylons and knee socks
  • bedroom: take chinese peasant paintings to be framed, hang when received
  • bedroom: clean off dresser

ha, and don’t worry. photos aplenty coming up.