Domestic Geek

I agreed to go into work today, but I couldn't make myself get out of bed. When I finally got going and started driving, I really couldn't do it. Yesterday was a really trying day and I really didn't want anything to do with that place. I got as far as I-225/Parker Rd., then decided I was going to go check out the new location of a quilt store in Parker that I used to frequent instead. I called my supervisor and asked if it was OK if I came in tomorrow instead and then I continued on. The store I was going to is called High Prairie Quilts. I originally found this store way back when I worked at AutoZone and I used to have to drive the parts truck to Parker to deliver filters and junk to this one mechanic. The quilt store was in the same shopping center and I'd stop in and browse if I didn't feel like going back to work right away. I would tell my manager that traffic was really bad if he asked what took so long, and as that was the case on a lot of days, it didn't hurt to use it. One day when I went down there looking for something in particular, they were no longer there. I didn't think anything more about it until I started working where I am now. We actually print their newsletter, so I had their new address and made a mental note that if I ever had to go by that area again, I would stop in.

I found a pattern for a table runner that I really want to do, but except for three fabrics, they didn't have what I wanted. This started one of my "Toodles." This is what Marcus calls my little treks that takes me all over town, the state or into another state (as one trip took me to Wyoming). I used to do it so frequently that Marcus would joke with me after I'd had a day off about what state my "Toodle" had taken me to today. Since my periods of underemployment hit a couple of years ago and the soaring gas prices continue to rise, I've not allowed myself to take such trips. It felt really good to just drive about.

After Parker, I hit Holly's Quilt Cabin at Holly and County Line Rd. I then went to The Creative Needle over on Broadway (South of Arapahoe). There is also a JoAnn's in that shopping center, so I hit that and all quilting notions were 50% off! I got myself a quilting square and a mini iron that I've been wanting for over 10 years and never allowed myself to get. I then went to Fabric Expressions on Platte River Drive and Bowles, but they were no longer there. The website is still up, but I don't know whether the store closed or moved. After lunch at Wendy's, I continued on to Harriet's Treadle Arts in Wheat Ridge over on 44th, between Wadsworth and Sheridan. I checked out the Pointsettias and other holiday goods at Paulino Gardens. My final stop was Heirloom Treasures' new location up at 136th & Huron. I wanted to make a stop at The Great American Quilt Factory over on Hampden & Tamarac, but by this time I was tired and I wanted to do was head home. I'll hit that one on my way home from work tomorrow. I think that's everywhere I went. I may have made a couple of other stops, but I'm not remembering at the moment.

While I was at Paulino Gardens, I saw the most pretty purple Pointsettias. There were also some navy blue ones. I was curious as to how they bred such a color, touched a leaf to inspect it and ended up with purple dye or paint all over my thumb and index finger. Yeah, these things are white plants that are airbrushed or something. Yuck. I would've realized that if I had seen the neon pink, blue or orange ones I came across later. I didn't get any yet because they're still a little pricey. I know if I wait until closer to Christmas or go to Lowes or Home Depot, I can get them cheaper.

It became official this evening that Marcus and I are hosting the annual Christmas Eve get-together. I've got a lot to do between now and Christmas to get ready, especially if I want to actually finish this table runner I got today. I'm also making a Christmas theme for the blog that I hope to have live next Saturday (since I totally never finished my fall theme). Guess I'd better head to bed so I can get to work tomorrow and then get cracking on holiday stuff.

I hope everyone had a relaxing and happy day of thanksgiving. I've got so much to be thankful for lately and with a little bit of work on my part, I will have so much more. I'm working on a Thursday Thirteen post about the things I'm thankful for, but I'll probably not get that posted until tomorrow. I was just reading the posts I did about Thanksgiving from last year and from 2005 and my life is changing so dramatically since those years. I'm definitely growing and making forward progress.

I did decide that I'm never offering to work my entire normal shift on Thanksgiving again. We didn't end up eating until after 6 pm and I hate eating a big meal that late. The cool thing about working today was the lack of traffic. I sure wish I could get to work that easily every morning.

It probably goes without saying, but the table runner didn't get finished. In fact, I didn't dig out most of my Thanksgiving decorations, either. It's been such a crazy, busy time. I did vow that I'm going to have it for next year, though, so I'm not going to pack it away and will get it done soon.

OK, I'm off to watch the CSI I recorded this evening and then I'll be off to bed.

Have you ever had a hair (pet or human) in your sock and it worked into the skin of your foot? It happened often around here with Ursa's coarse hair about. Well, I could tell that there was something in my foot the last two days, but I couldn't see anything. I figured maybe I had stepped on a burr or something and the point was down deep. Last night I couldn't take it anymore, grabbed a pin and the magnifying glass and took a look. I ended up pulling out a pretty good sized hair that looked like it belonged to Marcus' goatee. How weird is that? I must've picked it up in the bathroom at one point and it spent the day in my shoe boring into my foot.

It's really hard to get in a holiday season frame of mind when the temps are in the upper 60s. It's supposed to be relatively nice all week, too. I'll have to make a trip to K-Mart to find my stuffing mix sometime this week. They seem to be the only ones that carry it.

I had a fairly productive day today. Got some housework done, finally found all four hidden cameras on the iStockphoto Hunt page so that I could get 5 free credits, went to dinner at Hops to celebrate my dad's birthday and found a graphic that I want to use for my new blog template. Edit: Wish I knew about this page sooner. I'd have suffered way less brain damage.

I totally spaced the Broncos game today. Whoops! They even won, too, darn it!

I watched I Now Pronounced You Chuck & Larry last night. It was a cute story. I like most of the movies that Adam Sandler stars in, though.

So, that was my weekend. Exciting, huh?

I feel like Joan Crawford from Mommie Dearest as I write that title, but I absolutely hate having wire hangers in my closet.

For starters, they get tangled so danged easily. There has been more than one occasion where I have broken skin and bled trying to free the hangers. Also, they leave creases in the shoulders of garments that are not worn very often. The worst thing is that when you are in a hurry and tug a shirt off of one, you bend it all up.

Now, they do have their purposes. I have one that I cut apart and bended nicely to pull my hair clogs out of the shower. Back in the old days, they were very handy for breaking into your car when you locked the keys inside. Hm, that's all I can think of right now.

I've long wanted to rid my closet of these things, but it seemed so impractical. I made the first step a couple of weeks ago when I was at The Container Store looking for kitchen cannisters. I ended up buying a box of 72 hangers instead. These are definitely more sturdy that the cheap, flimsy ones I've seen at WalMart or Target.

Now, what do I do with all the old wire ones? I'm sure Goodwill or places such as that are overrun with them. Dry cleaners won't take them back anymore. Anyone got any ideas on who might want them?