Domestic Geek

As Marcus and I were discussing the amazing amount of junk we've accumulated and what the heck we were going to do with it all, I brought up the fact that we haven't moved in 8 years and haven't done the ritual purging one must do when a move occurs. For the first 10 years of our relationship, we moved every year or two. With each successive move, though, the home got bigger and therefore, less stuff had to go. Also, Marcus probably won't admit to it, but we're both packrats (well, he'd admit that I am one - LOL) The result is we've got TOO. MUCH. STUFF.

We had originally only intended to be here a year or two. Then land got unbelievably expensive. Marcus changed jobs. Then the screen printer I worked at went out of business and then I got laid off my my next job. I realized my time on the job I'm currently at (and only planned to be there a year or two) will hit the 4 year mark next month. It's time for a change.

Since the lot rent shot up yet again, we vowed we will not be here 9 years to see yet another one. Things are starting to fall into place that we're pretty sure we can make this happen. Also, I'm sending out resumes. I'm tired of prepress work and really want to go back into design. I got a lot of great experience that makes me a better designer, for sure. It's time to move out of my comfort zone.

OK, back to purging. When it does come time to make the move, I don't want to be purging and packing.

I got a little sad when I got the email today that Vox was closing its doors at the end of September. I rushed over to see if I could export any of the content only to realize I hadn't posted over there is almost 4 years and I only had 11 posts (mainly answering their QOTD) and had uploaded two photos for a logo coloring contest they had. Lame. So, not that big of a deal in the grand scheme of things. It looks like most of the friends I had on there have long since quit posting or deleted accounts long ago. Only one person I know is still posting regularly, and most of that was paid blogging, it seemed.

I wondered how long Vox would be around. Six Apart has other blogging platforms. It's basically just Typepad lite, but I always found it a little clunky to use. Probably why I never really posted there. It looks like the only posting I did was during my period of unemployment.

Oh, well. Things change. I remember when everybody was on Blogger, then MovableType was the shiite until Expression Engine and then Wordpress came along.

So, did you say Rabbit, Rabbit today? Apparently, I did. I vaguely remember waking up when Marcus came to bed. I looked at the clock and saw that it was 12:10 a.m. He says I uttered the phrase "Rabbit, Rabbit" and went back to sleep. Hopefully I did as, it being my birthday month, I'm supposed to get extra good luck this month. I guess we'll know for sure one month from now.

I thought I had posted about this, but it turns out I just tweeted it. That's one of the major downfalls of sites like Facebook and Twitter, I'm not documenting stuff here. Anyway, back on June 26th, I got my rear in gear and finally took a lesson to learn to use the embroidery machine that Marcus got me for Christmas in 2007. I had stopped into the Aurora location of Rocky Mountain Sewing & Vacuum the week prior to inquire and met a wonderful lady named Barbara who said she's be more than happy to help me get started. I'm determined to find a way to make a living with that thing. One thing that is a side effect of any kind of sewing, but especially embroidery as I'm finding out, is the large amount of thread scraps all over. I've always meant to get a little basket or something to keep by the sewing machine to toss scraps into, but have never quite found something I liked. I started to make myself something out of plastic canvas years ago, but somehow managed to misplace part of it before I finished it.

A couple of weeks ago, Marcus used up the last of the oatmeal and tossed the container. Inspiration hit!

I've had that fabric with the cutting mats scattered over it for a couple of years now. I meant to cover magazine boxes with it, but have never gotten around to it. (<sarcasm>Big surprise!</sarcasm>) I picked up some bias tape for a couple of bucks at Joann's. I wish I had taken pictures during the process, but alas, I'm a slacker that way. I wrapped the oatmeal container with some batting and glued the fabric and bias tape on. I was happy with it at that point, but something seemed to be missing. While I was perusing designs of many of the embroidery sites I frequent, I came across a lovely embroidery machine on Designs by Sick. I added type to it in PE Design, put a border around it with one of the frame designs built into the machine and voila, Scrap Container. I used the lid as a base to keep the bottom from getting worn and messed up. I think it came out rather cute!

So...my 44th birthday is coming up in 23 days. Wow, time flies, huh?

As I get older, I find my desire for "stuff" waning. I'm trying to purge excess junk from my life. I can get music on iTunes, eBooks on Amazon and watch almost any movie or television show I want through Netflix. As my birthday approaches, I'm trying to tactfully address the issue of not wanting more physical "stuff."

If you're a good friend reading this and is trying to figure out what to get me for my birthday, may I suggest a Joann's gift card or a donation to my Paypal account (link in sidebar)? I am starting to build my embroidery business empire. One thing sorely lacking is a space to cut and hoop fabric and to set up my sewing machines. There is an awesome table I want at Joann's, but it is a little pricey. It's the one thing I want right now more than anything (except for a new embroidery machine or digitizing software - but at $10,000 and $1500 respectively, those will have to wait - LOL).