thread and scissors

I am moving!!!!!

2007-12-10T21:33:00.000-08:00

Well, the time has come, my 3.5 loyal readers to move to a new address. Nothing really new and exciting over there yet, but since I have decided to post more often, I figure I might as well let you know where I will be posting so you can update your links. So visit me over at my new site, Satiated Designs.

Sunday = Football

2007-12-09T21:08:00.001-08:00

Dan and Jack, and then one of The Boyz:

Well, all the grades aren't in yet, but so far so GREAT!

2007-12-09T20:36:00.000-08:00

Only two of my classes are posted as of right now, but an A in Microbiology and an A- in Nutrition are enough to make this already productive Sunday feel so darn satisfying! A little holiday shopping like a good consumer and a half an hour in I felt like turning around and bolting for home. But I plowed on, through the crowds, and the lines, and got a couple of things that were definately on hubby's wish list. Ahhhh... Now I can create the rest of my gifts without the purchasing power that, at this point, I no longer possess anyway. Perfect. Perhaps I will actually pull of Christmas this year. On time. Does this make me an adult?

2007-12-07T16:26:00.000-08:00

I just saw a site that has a NanoSewMo which as far as i can tell is a nanowrimo for sewers!!!

Finals Week Is a Nightmare

2007-12-05T16:33:00.000-08:00

Currently I have one and one-half finals finished out of a total of 3. Monday, Nutrition, done, 95% in the class. Anatomy and Physiology 2; 2.5 hour final last night and an 8 page paper due Friday by 3pm total percentage 90.5% as of yesterday pre final. So darn borderline its infuriating. Tomorrow morning: Microbiology, percentage unknown, but so far I know its above 90%. My stress level is off the charts, and that seems to be making it harder to sit down and do what I need to do, as usual my procrastination side fights with my perfectionist side and I end up not starting the paper until I have hours left to actually get it turned in. Sound familiar? Yeah, I thought so. At least I am not the only one.

Blogging Troubles

2007-12-04T14:49:00.000-08:00

Wow, I have jumped into the supposedly simple world of having a custom domain. It is not nearly as simple as all the help sites say it is. I have followed the rules to a T (whatever the heck that saying means) and still cannot get my blogger to be under my domain name. I am in dire need of person to person help. There's nothing like a little html in the middle of the day to really stir things up also. I have become overly concentrated on designing a site that is perfect for my needs and am so engrossed that I can think of little else. Its fun, I am learning a lot of stuff, but it is also frusterating and overwhelming at the same time! While learning all of this cools stuff I came across some really friendly helpful websites that you, reader, might like such as:

The Switchboards

Stumble Upon

Beta Blogger for Dummies

GoDaddy

2007-11-30T12:02:00.001-08:00

2007-11-30T12:01:00.000-08:00

THE JOY OF THE HOLIDAYS

2007-11-02T16:35:00.000-07:00

Today I hit the local TJ Maxx with my buddy and pal of 28+ years and lo and behold we were bombarded with Holiday Decorations. EVERYWHERE. Scented candles that smelled like cedar and cinnamon, pomegranite and orange, fake wreaths, red, green, white, silver, and gold. The country is entering that time of year that I like to call "insanity." If any of you out there have a hankering to spend money and somehow avoid the materialistic narcissism (I will be indulging a bit, don't get me wrong), then I invite you to peruse one of thousands of organizations that will put your money to good use, The Heifer Foundation.

My husband thinks adults who dress up for Halloween and go to work are losers

2007-11-01T14:34:00.000-07:00

So I went as me.

ooh! oooh! OOOH!

2007-10-21T23:32:00.000-07:00

Well I have been off in LCC/work land and it has kept me so busy that I can't even find 5 minutes to update my blog? Who do I think I am? Lindsay Lohan? Sheesh... Anyhoo. So here's the gist:
Over the past month I have been 1. at work, 2. at school, 3. driving to or from, or 4. sleeping.

Luckily, all this dismal focus is paying off and grades are staying good, work is getting done. There has been much talk around our house lately of whether or not we can pull it together to begin a remodel next summer. I am really hoping we can, just to create the big fun change of rearranging and making more space, but we'll see how things pan out. I am still hoping to get into nursing school in which case I would not be working as much which may put a damper on things, we'll have to see.

I bought a Martha Stewart Living magazine the other day for the first time in months, what a wonderful experience, I want to make the pies with the fancy pie crusts! I do! Where o where does one find the time to cut leaves out of piecrust and then draw veins on them to make them appear so real, then discover the different types of sugar and their effects after being sprinkled on top of the leaves and baked? I am sorry, but the woman gets paid to pay people come up with this stuff? ( and why oh why do I continue to purchase the extremely shiny pages of her magazine, when all the information is presented on line with photos? hmmmm, obviously I am not the sharpest... apple ...in the dozen?) She's amazing. Even if she does some undercover covert tradings ops on the side.

She's got my respect.

old friends and puppies

2007-09-09T07:49:00.000-07:00

Friday, randomly, Dan and I had an impromptu dinner at Northbank with Dierdre and Chris. Surprisingly, they had never actually been introduced! Well, Deeds and I spoke for about two hours about her two new puppies, which seems to be a recurring theme lately in my life. Just this morning I stumbled over to Posie Gets Cozy and found a wonderful picture of more puppies. Hmm...are puppies in our future? Hopefully, but not soon....
Unfortunately, I have found myself burried beneath a last minute scurry to begin and complete applications to a couple of schools that should have been started over a month ago. But a little scrambling, begging for official transcripts from registrars to be overnighted complete with forms filled out, and harassing references for hurried (but great) recommendations, was never beneath me, and I am lucky thus far to have people willing to comply. I am kind of shot-in-the-dark applying for acceptance to the Physician's Assistant Programs at Pacific University in Portland and also Medex Northwest in Seattle.

There are good days and there are....

2007-09-05T19:22:00.000-07:00

Some days I get home from work and I just need to curl up on the couch or in the bed and drown out life with the mindlessness of the television that graces 60 inches of my living room. Some days I get home and need to sit down with a six pack of beer and my husband and beat his butt in a game of cribbage. Some days he gets a phone call from a dissatisfied customer at 7:26 pm, and regrets that his cell phone is his home/work phone.
Some days my cell phone stays in my purse from when I get home to when I leave again in the morning, leaving all communication with the people I love desperately lacking. And some days I get home from work and sigh with a grateful breath that I am the one other people call with their problems. Somedays I am thankful that my problems are small and easily fixed by naps, food, love, and rest. Somedays I remember that that last sentance should start with "most days".

Day of Labor of Love

2007-09-03T13:42:00.001-07:00

Embroidery project:

Trip to Seattle to meet Jack

2007-09-03T13:29:00.000-07:00

new babies are cool, but...

2007-08-31T07:13:00.000-07:00

NEW SHOES are pretty awesome too!

Jack has arrived!

2007-08-25T13:21:00.001-07:00

Becky gave birth to Jack last night at around 2 am, he weighed 6lbs11oz. I hear he is perfect. I can't wait to meet him!

Babies are raining from the Heavens

2007-08-24T21:20:00.000-07:00

Jillie and Chris had their baby on the 22nd, you can see him here and I can't imagine how things can get more exciting than this.
But then Becky called and she is in labor too! My lucky week, my fave girls bringing in my fave new boys!

And our final wedding of the summer goes to.....

2007-08-20T12:22:00.000-07:00

Dan's cousins Rachel and John!

Me, My Mother-In-Law, and my Husband:

My Brother-In-Law with nerdy tie flip:

My Cousin-In-Law can't keep it together:

My Auntie-In-Law feels booties for fun:

We traveled to Marin County this weekend for Rachel and John's Wedding on August 18th, 2007. The wedding was held a gorgeous location and we ate and danced and celebrated with the family!

Krista gets Married!

2007-08-20T12:03:00.002-07:00

Because there have been many it will be only a show of pictures! The official link that I put up for more Krista-Travis Wedding pics is at my shutterfly.

The date was August 11, 2007 in Cottage Grove, OR.

Anatomist gets married!

2007-07-22T21:17:00.000-07:00

The Prophecy has come true, and Tom and Becky have wed with bambino a month away from arrival. This weekend they hosted a beautiful wedding celebration in Deception Pass State Park, Washington. More pictures at my Shutterfly account.

PICTURES

2007-07-06T13:13:00.000-07:00

For wedding pictures online please go here to view and get your own prints if you want them!

the kiss

2007-06-30T19:17:00.001-07:00

the kiss
Originally uploaded by anatomist.

One thing that doesn't happen after a wedding when you have to go back to school and work immediately is a lot of kissing. Sad.

Post Ceremony Joy

2007-06-28T11:49:00.001-07:00

Photo_0054[1]
Originally uploaded by threadandscissors.

We did it!

2007-06-28T11:40:00.001-07:00

DSC07879
Originally uploaded by threadandscissors.

Well, the day has come and passed and I have been too overwhelmed to post much more than a picture here and there. The weather was gorgeous, couldn't have asked for better. I prepared flowers for the tables that we picked the day before in the morning while my dad messed around with his different guitars on the hill. It was perfect. A nap and then a whirlwind of ladies were doing hair and make-up and dressing me, feeding me, and making sure I had champagne with a cherry in it at all times. More pics to come, this post will have to be in batches....

Entourage

2007-06-28T11:30:00.000-07:00

hmmm
Originally uploaded by threadandscissors.

After we were all ready to go, my maid of honor, Becky, my Dad, my Husband to be, My soon to be mother in law, Nan, and my soon to be brother in law, Gabe all walked out together to get to the ceremony site. Gabe and Becky went first down the isle, then Dan and his Mama, and then me and my dad.

firemen and panties

2007-06-26T16:02:00.001-07:00

firemen and panties
Originally uploaded by anatomist.

all dressed up

2007-06-26T16:01:00.001-07:00

all dressed up
Originally uploaded by anatomist.

the firemen were the best!

toilet paper bride goes freaky

2007-06-26T16:00:00.001-07:00

toilet paper bride goes freaky
Originally uploaded by anatomist.

need we say more?

count down

2007-06-14T22:18:00.001-07:00

Man
Originally uploaded by threadandscissors.

9 days :)

A Meloncholy Weekend

2007-06-10T21:19:00.001-07:00

Gallery trotting
Originally uploaded by threadandscissors.

This whole weekend has been my brain as dreary as the weather outside. I have been stuck in reminiscing about the past, wondering about the future, and hating rain and clouds of Eugene June weather. A surprise visit from my dad and aunt was a pleasant push to pull myself out of my blah headedness and clean, wash, and entertain. The motivation pushed through to dinner at McMenamins, where dan and i were further entertained by a great flaming waiter from somewhere down south.
The night took an unfortunate turn when we watched the season finale of the sopranos, and then an unexpected fun twist when we watched a new show, John From Cincinnati.
A walk around our neighborhood, and some inspirational planning for building on to our house left the weekend with the sweetest feeling despite starting off with cloudy brain.

celebratin'

2007-06-08T15:31:00.001-07:00

celebratin'
Originally uploaded by threadandscissors.

Well this weekend, Dan and I, cruised up to Jill and Chris's house (manufactured home, some might say, "double wide") for a good old fashioned BBQ type wedding shower to celebrate with my coworkers. The weather was beautiful, and fun was had by all. As the day wore on and we found that the beer was getting more scarce, the four wheelers came out to play and Dan and I got a mini tour of our host's extended property ("compound" as he shares it with his family!). Let the wedding games begin in the final countdown....

Looking skyward

2007-05-31T21:07:00.001-07:00

inside cathedral
Originally uploaded by threadandscissors.

Look at that amazing glass ceiling. Dan and I took a wee drive up to the River Run Gallery. The gallery features sculptures by Ken Scott, who mainly does metal wall sculpture pieces inspired by different Oregon landscapes. One of our favorites that we are hoping to get soon is the "Coastal Caves" piece. Ken Scott is responsible for the bronze sculpture outside of the Sea Lion Caves on the Oregon Coast. Also he made a "Pumpkin Carraige" that is on sale for 80 g's if you have 'em!

2007-05-31T21:05:00.001-07:00

gallery trotting
Originally uploaded by threadandscissors.

Progress #2

2007-05-29T20:40:00.001-07:00

The color of the bathroom cabinet wood stain:
The towel rack beneath the new window frame:

Toilet paper holder:

Lack of mirror doors aside this is a long shot of into our new bathroom:

House Touch-Ups in Progress

2007-05-29T19:49:00.000-07:00

Memorial Day Weekend was spent in the midst of a whirlwind home improvement project with Dan. We decided that the yellow we painted the bathroom just over a year ago had left us in the mood for a change. I mixed some of our paint gallons together and created a very modern inspired tan color to paint the bathroom ( i like to refer to it as "adult tan"). So we began with the priming and moved to the texturing, back to priming again, and finally on to two coats of paint. The paint color turned out great, but the topper was that dan redid the mirror in the bathroom, the toilet paper holder, the towel holder, and the window frame to be a beautiful cherry finish with natural wood as a complement. Still we have a mirror to add, and a ceiling to finish, but all in all progress has been made and it is immaculate. Progression pictures:
1. Beginnig Colors:

Primer:
Beginnng of textures:

Show & Tell

2007-05-26T15:27:00.000-07:00

A few new things to share!
1. Clutch from Forever 21:
2. Cheap jewelry from TJ Maxx, Forever 21, and Target:

3. New glasses:

4. New highlights and haircut (plus some exorbitantly priced product!)

oragami

2007-05-22T21:30:00.001-07:00

coffee table center piece
Originally uploaded by threadandscissors.

Evening of folding paper cranes and watching The Dead Girl.

blogging is getting lost in the shuffle

2007-05-22T19:41:00.001-07:00

Well my friends, we have come upon the one month mark until the celebration of the wedding. And now I have come to realize what it is that I am signing on for. I am so excited for the final transition between ordinary people and the sacred union of perfect beings we will each become when we say "I do." Really though, the dress is altered, the hair is scheduled for cutting and coloring and styling, the shoes are hanging out there waiting for the perfect moment to present themselves for purchase, the ripping of body hair has been scheduled, and the band is ready to boogie.
Of course there are the little things like Dan hasn't bought a suit yet, and we actually have more friends and family than we budgeted for, so it should be one hell of a party!

Baby Shower at Deana's!

2007-05-12T23:41:00.000-07:00

Deana's kitchen rack I love:

Today was Becky's baby shower in Seattle. On the drive up I had to stop at a Starbucks and sleep in the back of the car, which extended unexpectedly into an hour and a half long nap as opposed to a 20 minute nap that it was supposed to be. I ended up altering my drive schedule from arriving at 3:30 pm to arriving at 6:00 pm! Whoops!

Seemed it was fine, as people were still arriving even when I wondered in to Deana's house where the baby shower was held. I was lucky to see all the people I hadn't seen in a very long time. I was given the job of recording the gifts, which was quite the task because I didn't know the majority of people. It was really a fun party.

Raven and Liam, whom I met for the first time (Raven I have known since highschool, but not seen in years).

And miss Cori who I have been seeing at my First Saturday Stitch 'N Bitchs. And Damian:

I stayed the night with the Groom/Father-to-be and Bride/Mother-to-be and her Mother/Grandmother-to-be at their house for the evening.

new sleep patterns

2007-05-08T23:46:00.000-07:00

I am confused by my newly emerged sleep pattern. I awaken at 6:30 am, go to work and crash, CRASH, by 11:30. I fight through the fatigue for about an hour and then must nap or someone may die around 2. Once off work I swear on my drive home that I am crawling directly into my fabulous bed, and the second I walk in the door, everything changes, the Internet beckons, and all of a sudden it's midnight and I have to force myself to go to sleep. What the heck is up with that?

The Internet has taken over my life

2007-05-07T20:37:00.000-07:00

The Internet has taken over. All my free time is now dedicated to shopping on the Internet for all things wedding related. Also all things baby related as people seem to be getting ready to pump them out like crazy. And then I look for discounts on the stuff I find. Sometimes I look for rules and ceremonies surrounding marriage, sometimes I look up things to say, most times I just waste time shopping. Spending nothing, but adding things to wish lists like crazy. I seriously need a computer vacation. I need to put some of this "free" time getting back into my crafting and start preparing for these family events in my future, but instead I plan via planning websites and other such nonsense on the Internet, thereby getting nothing done in the physical realm of gift manifestation. Oh, just remembered another site I have to check, maybe I'll pick up a crochet hook tomorrow.... Oh wait, no plans then too. Figures.

Street Sense Takes the Race!

2007-05-05T16:06:00.000-07:00

Whirlwind of a day for Sierra here.
I woke up this morning and drove up to Portland for the First Saturday Stitch N Bitch, which was held at Cori and Libby's (who sadly had to work) this month, stayed for a short period of time, catching up on wedding speak with Krista, realty speak with Cori, and boy speak with Allison for about an hour, then drove back down to Eugene, arriving just in time to catch the Kentucky Derby!
I walked into the local dive bar, Tracksters, in Springfield (only place you can do off track betting in Eugene), had time to get a beer, place a last minute bet, and watch the race. During the race two horses had the same (almost color) of number, one was the long shot and the other was Street Sense the one Dan and I both placed bets on. So after much discussion, the final call was presented and we had both won!
Now, I am looking foward to an hour nap before we hop up and go watch the big boxing match at our friend's house, then we will head down to Deeds's house for a brief Cinco de Mayo Party....

tare panda

2007-04-29T20:53:00.003-07:00

tare panda
Originally uploaded by threadandscissors.

david brent

2007-04-29T20:53:00.001-07:00

david brent
Originally uploaded by threadandscissors.

Ochoco and Tyranny

2007-04-29T20:52:00.001-07:00

Ochoco and Tyranny
Originally uploaded by threadandscissors.

2007-04-29T20:51:00.001-07:00

))((forever
Originally uploaded by threadandscissors.

Weekend cleaning marathon!

2007-04-29T20:36:00.000-07:00

Well, several people I know ran the Eugene Marathon or Half Marathon this morning, and instead, I cleaned. But not until I finally got out of bed at 12:30 pm. Talk about a sleep in catch up! This whole last week I was staying up later than usual and not able to get enough sleep, so this week's sleepless nights were finally caught up....

Also I spent this whole weekend (okay friday) cleaning the house with a vengeance.

Vaquero on a Tuesday

2007-04-26T23:42:00.001-07:00

DSC01759
Originally uploaded by threadandscissors.

I went to meet up with the ladies (+Casey), for cocktails and seared ahi. The bartender Jeff took this picture of us which came out great! Oh I can never get enough of them when they are around! Far left is Casey, Bottom Left is Deeds, Ash, Nicole is in the middle back, I am in the fron and Kasha is on the far right.

Vaquero Crew

2007-04-24T22:32:00.001-07:00

Vaquero Crew
Originally uploaded by threadandscissors.

Somehow on Tuesday nights I find myself at a little bar drinking tasties with my oldest and closest friends and their oldest and closest friends. On these nights I know that the world can just be so right at times...

blue skies....you know how it goes

2007-04-15T08:32:00.000-07:00

I am sitting on my couch reflecting on my week with my kitty Em curled up at the foot of the couch. Yesterday Dan, Mom, Lisa (Dan's Aunt), and I headed down to Bliss where we did the exciting job of cake testing for the wedding cake. There were so many different fillings, different compotes, frostings, cake flavors, and not to mention combinations, I think we were all in a little cloud of heaven for an hour or so yesterday.We have finally come to some decisions about it despite lots of back-and-forth "coversations" about what would go best with what, that we made jokes about having a Dan Tier and a Sierra Tier and putting buzzers out as people chose to see who's tier was most favorited by the crowd. What a fun ordeal!
Thursday there is a dress fitting for some wee adjustments, and then Saturday we will be preparing invitations. It is truly amazing how all these things are actually getting done without my head falling off. And we are keeping it low key, I can't even imagine what some of those couples go through who plan the party of the decade! Hats off to them!
As for me the rest of my Sunday consists of sitting on the couch watching Em bark (yes, bark) at blue jays that have entered her yard, and explore this website for ideas.

Jumping out of the plane

2007-04-08T10:54:00.000-07:00

We went down to Creswell and jumped out of airplanes for Jebediah's 30th birthday on Saturday. See the video here. The tandem instructor is the same one I had, luckily for Jeb the winds look like they died down a bit and they were able to land a wee closer to the intended land site!

lilacs2

2007-04-08T10:32:00.001-07:00

lilacs2
Originally uploaded by threadandscissors.

First Saturday Stitch N Bitch

2007-04-08T03:12:00.000-07:00

Well, the First First Saturday Stitch N Bitch was a great success! Cori, Libby, Becky, Krista, and Allison all brought projects and drank coffee and chatted. It was fun to get caught up with people I haven't spent time with in a long time.

Mabel's Cafe & Knittery was a great place to meet up. The coffee was great, the yarn was drool-worthy to say the least, the couches were comfy, and the woman holding down the fort was so friendly and ready to answer questions and help us out with technical tips and tricks.

I can't wait till next month's reconvening! Cutest project shown in the store: red dress.

Busy busy busy...or am I?

2007-04-01T16:18:00.000-07:00

It's truly amazing how time flies when you are doing nothing! Look, I have gone an entire week with out posting a single sentance. Awful.
This whole last week has been a bit of a whirlwind. I am learning another office at work, and jumping between two locations, which is a bit of a change, and proving to be a tricky thing to juggle. I seem to get off work and feel utterly exhausted at the end of the day. It's an odd feeling, working hard all day, and still leaving the office feeling like I am not doing the quality of work I normally feel I do. Learning new stuff is hard!
The silver lining is that I can now go home, and no longer worry about any looming homework that needs to be done. It is so nice to be free from school for a term!
I joined Oakway Fitness Center this morning. Its the cheapest place around, and it has a very welcoming atmosphere, plus my mom goes there, which is always a plus. After visiting the gym, mom and I went for a nice walk over by the country club, and then came home for an impromptu wedding meeting. We created a great plan of attack for the next couple of weeks, to make sure we stay on track with wedding plans. Its crazy how many things there are to think about.

hard to post when one hand is busy molesting new yarn

2007-03-25T16:45:00.001-07:00

i love the green
Originally uploaded by threadandscissors.

i have been working really hard on blankets for new upcoming humans. ever since becky found out she was having a boy, i set to work on his blanket. then i bought the "teach yourself visually to crochet" book and am so anxious to start another one! i can't stand that i don't have another pair of arms. anyway, as you have probably noticed i have not been on the internet nearly as much as i want to be. crocheting takes up a lot of time.

Sickness breeds productivity (sometimes)...

2007-03-18T22:47:00.001-07:00

crochet wip
Originally uploaded by threadandscissors.

Well, sorry for the absence this week, but I have had a head cold from hell, and have barely managed the simple act of getting to work this week. School was sacrificed this week, and I missed out on a memorial walk for my friend's father, who passed a year ago unexpectedly. It wasn't until Saturday afternoon (with a little help from my mom) that I finally begun feeling better. Health is a beautiful thing. Something that I take for granted far too often.
In my illness haze, I started on a baby blanket for Becky's baby, which they found out on Friday is going to be a boy! Every stitch I think about how special this little boy is going to be, and how lucky we will all be to watch him grow up. What a wild ride this whole life thing is!

Portland adventure

2007-03-12T19:50:00.000-07:00

Dan and I stayed at the Grand Lodge this weekend. We drank too much, soaked in the pool too long, ate too much, and had way too much fun. We shopped a bit, visited with some girlie friends, and missed others immensely!
I also found the dress I am going to get married in! I would post it, but that would ruin the suspense now wouldn't it?
We also found the mecca land: Woodburn Company Stores. Both of us had always dismissed it as fairly generic, until we learned of the Cole Haan Outlet store. Here is a picture of our Cole Haan collection:
Mine are the orange and silver ones, the other four are his. Me? Jealous? Nah...

really. not at all.

tooling around flickr

2007-03-10T20:55:00.001-08:00

sierra feeding me
Originally uploaded by succulent kiwi.

Allison and I.

Mental Blankness

2007-03-04T07:31:00.000-08:00

I have been experiencing a period of mental blankness. I have a blank slate in my head ready to be filled with creative ideas, and not a one to be found. My brain seems to have set up a sealed wall inpenetrable to craftiness. And so I have spent my time doing something I should have done at the beginning of this term: study. Procrastination, especially when related to school, is one of my most treasured and most frequently utilized personality flaws. This term, if awards were given, I would win in every category. I have successfully secured subpar grades for myself in both of my classes. It may be possible to earn a B in one, but the other is looking like my 17 year old grade level, and needless to say, its an embarrassing blow to my ego. And I have only myself to thank! That is the worst part...
In my Psychology class I blew my first test so badly that me teacher offered to make a worksheet that would potentially bring me up to a 75. However, on the next test I surprised her so extremely she had to write, "Congratulations" on my test when she gave it back to me. 26.5/28.
In Human Anatomy and Physiology, I have simply not put in any time outside of class for studying or review. I did not expect anything different than the scores I received, however it is still painful to see them in red ink. I am hoping that I can even out my scores in A&P with the final two exams, though it will be a tough run, and will likely have to be retaken next year. We will see.
Dan is going out golfing today with some friends, and I am having lunch with Mom at Cornucopia. Then I will plan on settling in for some good studying, laundry, and sweeping. Not even an attempt at craft this weekend as I have now accepted my creative block as being a temporary condition which may prove advantageous to my scholastic situation.

Sweet & Salty Peanut Chocolate Chunk Cookies

2007-02-27T22:50:00.000-08:00

It started with the arrival of my March issue of Cooking Light.
Then, while taking my Saturday mid-morning nap, I received a phone call from Dan who had snuck out and gone to the store. When asked if I needed anything, I swept the cobwebs from my brain and said calmly and without hesitation: "Roasted peanuts and chocolate chips, please."
After a wee mixing, blending, and baking, we had a beautiful plate of cookies! Mmmmm...
If you have a hankering to whip up a batch, the recipe can be found here.

Mail Art!

2007-02-25T08:39:00.000-08:00

Well, it was an excruciating wait as my package arrived 3 days early, so I placed it strategically in a place where I would see it and be tortured by it for 3 LONG days! My gift came from Jesica, and I love it!

The fabrics she used are all remnants from past projects, which I think tells a lot about her fun personality, lots of colors, prints, characters, and textures. So much fun to pour over the teeny pieces and try to picture the other pieces of art she has created with them....
I am ready for 5x7 Art Swap #2, when do we sign up!

5x7 swap project mailed!

2007-02-20T12:45:00.000-08:00

I have participated in the 5x7 Art Swap and finally sent off my package today (the deadline, of course!)...I was lucky enough to already receive my package which I intend to wait until Thursday to open, because that's when most people will be getting their's in the mail. Swaps are soooooo fun, you get to make a random gift for someone you don't know! AND YOU GET ONE TOO!!! I can't wait to do another one. I will post pictures of my gift when I open it....

the joy of pregnant friends

2007-02-19T21:42:00.000-08:00

I have found myself surrounded by the voices of pregnant women lately. I am both blessed and cursed by this. Most of the time I rather enjoy it, and the other 5% of the time it sounds like a lot of bitching, those of you reading know I say this with more love than is possible to describe.

pedicure perfect

2007-02-18T20:10:00.001-08:00

pedi
Originally uploaded by threadandscissors.

Mom and I went and got pedicures from Chikara last Saturday before she left for Mexico. Ah, Heaven.

Quiet morning at the office

2007-02-15T08:23:00.000-08:00

There is something so nice about being at my office alone. I arrived early this morning and was able to set myself up and then settle in to a bit of NPR, reading, and drinking coffee. Being able to wake up and orient myself was so much better than my usual jump blindly into the problems of the day.
Sigh of relief.

it's happened to you too

2007-02-14T09:32:00.001-08:00

This morning in a daze I went to the bathroom and failed to realize there was no toilet paper on the roll.

Me: "Dan?"
Dan: "Yeah?"
Me: "There's no toilet paper."
Dan: "Isn't there any under the sink?"
Me: "I'm already on the toilet. I'm stuck."
Dan: "Ok, give me a minute."

Like I had a choice.

Another day, another dollar

2007-02-13T16:09:00.001-08:00

Often I sit at my desk in the late afternoons looking at all the piles that increased in height with the progress of the day instead of diminishing, which is what should have happened. It is very unsatisfying to go home at the end of the day and not feel like you cleaned off your desk of all the things that should have been done. It took me years before I realized that the healthcare profession will rarely ever allow you a day when you can sigh a breath of satisfaction with the end of your day.
Its leading up also to Love Day, which was started last year by Effie at two red lines. Dan and I are very into celebrating the day after Valentine's Day, and ignoring that horrid holiday altogether. This year we have made a date to celebrate on Friday. He has some sort of surprise planned... What oh what could he be up to?
Somehow my days has once again slipped through my fingers, and now I am left to muster the strength to head out to LCC for 3 hours of anatomy....ugh....

Mindy's Needlepoint

2007-02-09T21:11:00.000-08:00

Today, after waking up early and seeing the joy of new lungs for Amber Zoe, the day just could not go wrong. I was able to go into work late, due to a Nursing Advision Session I had arranged to attend.

Once I got to the review session, I realized that tons of people were going to ask a lot of questions which were already addressed at her previous review session, so I decided to bolt and feed my body and soul at 5th Street Public Market.
This store, Mindy's Needlepoint, is down at 5th Street, and I wandered in to lose myself in possiblity for awhile. 30 minutes and $44 later I headed to the bistro for some coffee. "Sierrie! I heard excitedly, as Ash hurried across the dining room to greet me! I was just wondering if she was in town and presto! here she is!
After coffee with Ash and Casey, I headed off to work and had a generally productive day. Good for a Friday that involves only 6 hours of work. I love when productivity is condensed into a short time period!

The Emperess Has New Lungs

2007-02-09T07:06:00.000-08:00

My friend Amber, as most of you know, is a force to be reckoned with. She is sassy, bossy, funny, can cook a mean meal, and is always ready to do whatever. When she can breathe. When she can't breathe, unfortunately the majority of the time over the last several months, she sits in a curled up ball and tries to stay calm.

Last night, she received her SECOND LUNG TRANSPLANT!!!! She is in the recovery room at Duke University Medical Center right now letting her body settle into her third pair of lungs ever. What an amazing world we live in! I am in awe of medicine. I am humbled by the power of hope.

i'm edumacated

2007-02-08T22:06:00.000-08:00

ode to coffee

2007-02-08T09:20:00.000-08:00

I love my morning coffee. I love it more than I loved cigarettes when I was trying to quit so many years ago.
I spent years and years making coffee in an individual drip maker, y' know the ones that are plastic and you put it directly over your coffee cup and pour water in from the tea kettle? I loved it. There was something so satisfying about the whole beans being scooped into the coffee grinder and releasing that perfect coffee aroma as they are ground to a fine espresso grind. After setting up the plastic holder and brown paper cone filter over my chosen coffee cup of the day, I would lovingly empty the fresh coffee grinds into the cone and pour hot water over them, watching them bloom and bubble and release their oils creating a beautiful rainbow on top of the brewing mess. This step, my favorite because I know it is the final step in producing the elixir I crave, is repeated several times until the coffee cup is perfectly full. If the grind is right, my coffee will be a thick, black pool of invigoration waiting to be sweetened and lightened with cream and sugar.
When I moved in with Dan my morning coffee tradition was completely overhauled when all of a sudden we were making coffee for two. We decided to buy an electric coffee maker. It was here where things began to go down hill. It seemed like the electric coffee maker had a genuine dislike for me. Every time I tried to make coffee with it, following Dan's instructions to a T, it would produce disgusting brown water unfit for anyone to drink. After months and months of feeling rejected by the coffee maker, Dan discovered the root of my problem. I was grinding so fine that the water would seal the grounds together in a protected pocket, essentially only brewing a quarter of the grinds I put in the filter. It was a beautiful day when I ground the coffee beans to a coarse consistency only, and produced my beloved black sludge once again.
With that, I have swilled my last gulp and am off to work... Good day to all!

Super Lazy Sunday Bowl Activities

2007-02-04T14:31:00.000-08:00

Dan woke up bright and early this morning. When I asked him what time football started he said with a sad look on his face, "3:25. " It was like a kid who tries to sleep as long as possible but can barely make it past 6 am on Christmas Day. All day it was like watching someone try to make time move faster. And now here we are, 2:40 pm, kick off is less than an hour away.
Before I met Dan sports was the furthest thing from my mind. I never would have imagined that I would move into a house where Sunday Football was the big activity of the weekend. And yet, I find myself here embracing it with a passion. I have found that Sunday Football allows me to sit comfortably on the couch and craft the hours away while watching an emotional saga happen within my fiance. I have witnessed him throw off clothing, scream, clap, change the channel with a vengeance, and clasp his hand to his furrowed brow in defeat. If anyone thinks that Sunday Football could be anything but dull they aren't watching it with the right person.

Longest Link List

2007-02-04T10:32:00.000-08:00

In my avid blog perusing, I find myself drawn to sites that contain huge lists of links. I like to settle in to that blog and click on each link and read a little, or not, and continue through the list as long as possible until finally dirty dishes topple out of the sink... Because I love the list of links, I have decided to help my list of links grow. I will be adding to my list as often as possible so make sure you occassionally check them out. Inspiring lists come from Posie Gets Cozy, Turkey Feathers, Hop Skip Jump, Bella Dia, and Green Kitchen.
I may be a little slow catching on, but the 2007 Bloggie Awards, which have officially closed voting now, is a great place to find new and inspiring blog reading! I have added several to my links list, such as My Boyfriend is a Twat, Ping Mag, and Post Secret, among others. Happy reading!

Sometimes I post just 'cuz

2007-02-02T21:40:00.000-08:00

I started posting to let my thoughts run into the rest of the world aimlessly. I stumbled across blogs that i had found unbelievably inspirational. I started crafting almost eight years ago after I fell of my bicycle and broke my left clavicle. At that time I was able to do little more than lie in bed and watch television. My great gramma was about 92 years old at the time, and something about her love of quilting moved into my soul at that time. Showing her what I had learned from her was so important during that time, every step I took was a connection with her across three generations. I was enamored with that connection. At that time I knew nothing about any kids my age who might happen to be interested in this type of expression.
It took a couple of years until my friends started listening with some sort of interest in my crafty inspirations. I have to say I took alot of crap from people whom now a days seem immersed in the joy of the crafty life. And i am so glad. Because somehow people understood the passion that I had at that time, and now they are worse off than me! Ah, passing addictions are a beautiful thing...

Dinner and a little kid

2007-02-02T20:34:00.000-08:00

Dan and I had dinner at The World Cafe. He had a calzone with, brace yourself vegetarions, sausage, pepperoni, AND bacon. I had nachos with black beans. We almost died of happiness. I am not joking. We drank a pitcher of beer, read the weekly, and met a little girl named Hazel. After about ten minutes of conversation with Hazel, we introduced ourselves to her rather attentive caregiver, Rex. Funny how you can talk to a toddler for several minutes before realizing they aren't alone.

The Epic Battle

2007-01-29T15:41:00.001-08:00

Scooter
Originally uploaded by threadandscissors.

In my house there is a quiet war being waged between Dan's beloved kitty, Em, and myself. I can't help but believe that we love each other deeply, that the problem is just how deeply that love is burried.
She is a very skittish little kitty and has been ever since she was born. When any one knocks on the front door she bolts for the garage. But she loves Dan. Can't get enough of him. Sits on his leg, chest, lap, whatever is available for hours at a time.
If I pick her up sit with her she will stay in my lap for about 3 seconds, then stretch and walk two feet away to Dan's lap. I am starting to feel rejected. He thinks this is funny.
This is not funny. I think its time to get a dog....

Shoes of Wonder

2007-01-27T19:00:00.000-08:00

I thought I was going to melt when I saw these two pairs of shoes today, while shoe shopping with Dan. I fondled them, I imagined myself in them, I cried a little when I saw their price tags, and I walked away filled with despair. One day....one day....

Crocheting the weekend away

2007-01-27T18:51:00.000-08:00

So my yarn basket started calling to me a couple of weeks ago, and this:

has turned into this:

Becky's first baby picture!

2007-01-26T19:18:00.000-08:00

Well, Ms. Anatomists Baby Bean may only be 10.5 weeks old, but we already have a picture of Baby Bean, and Baby Bean has a heartbeat (not actual Bean's heartbeat, but one gets a clear picture of what it may sound like here)!

Wedding Winnings

2007-01-26T08:22:00.000-08:00

When I was at the Bridal Show, I (along with every other bride) did our duty and signed up for every drawing possible. I ended up winning a gift basket from Gottschalks. It had a purse, tons of makeups, body creams, perfumes, tanners, microderm abrasion, etc! AND A CUISINART 12" SAUTE pan! So I was excited. I never win anything! Now the fun begins....figuring out where we want to register! We want to do somewhere local, but also something online. Oooooh the possibilities are endless. Dan says the fun part for him will be shooting things with the little tag gun they give you.

Wedding Bliss?

2007-01-21T12:17:00.000-08:00

Mom and I went down to the Fairgrounds to take in the Wedding Show. I was hesitant at first about going, thinking it would be cheesy, but I was pleasantly surprised by many of the vendors and ideas on display. Photographers, Coordinators, Florists, Bakeries, Caterers, Candles, Dresses, Tuxes, Music, Table Settings, Travel Agents, Realtors, Spas, anything you could imagine. The caterer's booths were incredible, lots of tasty bites. Cakes to try, hotel stays to win, flowers , flowers, flowers. It was kind of nice to see everything wedding-like in one location, but extremely overwhelming! Sweet Life is our choice for cake, we are thinking of changing our caterer from Cornucopia to BBQ, either by Cordy's Country BBQ (which makes the best baked beans I've ever tasted) or Hole in the Wall. Places I had always thought were cheesy, had amazingly elegant displays, like the Shamrock. There were paperies galore! Belle paperie was fun, and made me want to open a stationary store on top of all my other lifetime achievement goals I have set for myself!

If I could have, I would have....

2007-01-21T09:41:00.000-08:00

If I could have, I would have gone to the Tokyo Quilt show. But I couldn't, so check out pictures here.

You Know It's A Great Day When...

2007-01-13T19:14:00.000-08:00

You know it's a great day when you leave the house once. At 7:16pm. To get more beer. Because two six packs and a twenty-two weren't enough for the two of you in one day.

The King of Pop and His Loyal Followers

2007-01-13T18:18:00.000-08:00

I have been thinking about digging up some old journals for submitting to the Cringe Series. My Dad beat me to it.

Last night Dan and I headed over to my Dad's house for dinner. We were celebrating Dad's 53rd birthday. Debra cooked a wonderful dinner, we drank wine made by my Grandpa, and looked over some wedding invitation ideas that Debra has been creating. All was going smoothly until my Dad brought Dan some videos to watch. Videos of me. Videos of me dancing alone in my living room to Michael Jackson's "Man in the Mirror" like my ten year old life depended on it. I thought in that moment, Thank god we don't have a VHS! As soon as the thought ran through my head and I exhaled a sweet sigh of relief, Dan said, "Glad I didn't throw out my VCR when I had the fire!"

Voraciously Window Online Shopping

2007-01-12T21:59:00.000-08:00

1. shoes
2. boots
3. bag
4. coat
5. dream school program

Hyper emotional

2007-01-11T20:27:00.001-08:00

yard statement
Originally uploaded by threadandscissors.

I have been having bouts of hyperemotional periods. Days, where everything makes me cry. I passed by war protestors on the way home from work today, and I couldn't restrain myself from honking. Maybe it was the country music on my little car radio, but I found myself heading over Ferry Street Bridge fighting back tears. Why? Protestors? Country? Could it be the snow? Who knows! All I know is that I will get emotional at a commercial if given the chance lately.

A breath of fresh air

2007-01-10T22:27:00.000-08:00

Today it snowed in Eugene. Flurries were flying through the sky sideways in between pleasant breaks of blue sky. I have attended my second night class, and have determined that the biggest issue I have with night classes is the long drive on the freeway home in the dark. Its as though the number of big trucks multiplies by 4 when its dark, and their attention to details (like signaling to change lanes) nose-dives at the same time. If I survive this term I will be a superhero of night freeway driving!

Tuesday's List

2007-01-09T21:58:00.000-08:00

THINGS I KNOW FOR SURE

1. Ten minutes before the first class of the term, you will decide that your current job isn't really that bad.
2. There is never enough time to take enough time for yourself.
3. Before todays to-do list is done, tommorrows will already have started being compiled.
4. An analogy involving soft-serve ice cream will never adequately explain the increased surface area the folds of the brain create. Sorry, prof.
5. Even the science classrooms at LCC smell like cigarettes.
6. A class will always be too long if you are hungry.
7. I will never look at my fabric collection and think, "There, I have enough."

Lunchtime Walks

2007-01-08T19:47:00.001-08:00

sierra's 411
Originally uploaded by threadandscissors.

I used to walk just for fun. Not necessarily to get anywhere, not because I didn't have a car, just because I wanted to. When I lived in Seattle, weekends would usually begin by walking to pick up coffee at one of the gazillion local coffee stops. From there, my roommate and I would walk up the hill, passing our favorite grocery store, and find the best little breakfast spot. Once there, we would order our usual; the Everyday Breakfast with an extra order of ham and two bloody marys made with half mix and half tomato juice to cut the spice...From there we would be happy, full and slightly toasted, just a perfect amount for a long lazy stroll through the neighborhoods back to our house. This whole venture would usually take us about 4-5 hours, and by the time we would get back home it would be the perfect time for a Sunday afternoon nap.

I stopped walking for fun when I left Seattle. I think part of the reason is that Eugene doesn't have much that I haven't already seen. This has the ability to make me sad if I stop to think about it for too long. I miss the city. One way I have found to remedy this has been my lunch time walks. I started walking last week for an hour during my lunch break, most days with my friend, but sometimes I go solo. I often head up through the beautiful neighborhoods of College Hill, a neighborhood full of fantastic older houses. Today I was on my way back down the hill when I realized that I was standing opposite my old backyard. It was strange to be walking and daydreaming and all of a sudden catch yourself strolling down memory lane over ten years ago.

While I was out I couldn't help but notice how great the weather was! Sunny and warm! Hard to believe snow is in the future...

"Where did I come from?"

2007-01-07T18:06:00.001-08:00

"Where did I come from?"
Originally uploaded by threadandscissors.

Babies seem to be popping up everywhere, so I figured it was about time to start working on baby quilts. I used up scraps for this one. I am not quite sure who it is for yet, but it was quite the weekend project! I think I muttered four words to Dan all weekend, "Did you make coffee?" I'm lucky he puts up with me. Of course, he did watch football all weekend. I think we're perfect for eachother.

I also managed to make coffee cake, do laundry, keep a Costco trip under $70, and do some light cleaning around the house. All in all I have to say that it was a rather productive weekend.

Lately I have found myself extremely inspired by the other crafty bloggers out there (see list to the right). I can't get enough of people's flickr photos of their houses, projects, favorite furry family members, etc. I don't know how I am possibly going to fit school and work into my self indulgent schedule.... I guess this week we will find out.

School starts on Tuesday for me, and I have yet to figure out how to actually record a class that is filmed and shown on cable. I will either be in way over my head with a lofty four classes, or I will sail along at the much more comfortable pace of two. Unfortunately, the latter will also mean that my hopes of getting into the Nursing Program 2007 will have been drastically reduced. So both scenarios have their ups and downs. I am leaving it up to the Universe to decide how it goes, how hippie of me:)

Headache System

2007-01-06T16:20:00.001-08:00

pot holders
Originally uploaded by threadandscissors.

The moment I put my feet on the cold hardwood floor I felt pain shooting through my skull. I yelped in surprised pain. Dan mumbled, slowly coming out of sleep, "Headache? Take three ibus (ibuprofen), drink some water, and poop." I looked over at him, and said doubtfully, "Huh?"

"Its my system for getting rid of a headache. Works. I swear." With that he rolled over, adjusted his pillow, and went back to sleep. This man has a system for everything.

I hobbled into the kitchen and swallowed down the ibuprofen, drank some water, and proceeded about my day. Two hours later I still had a headache. I worked on the pair of potholders above, and at the midpoint I finally felt The Calling. I have to say, as wierd as it sounds, my headache only dissipated after pooping.

From here on out, I will not heckle at Dan's systems until I actually put them to the test.

2007-01-05T10:28:00.001-08:00

Me: "I think I'm gonna go to bed."
Dan: "It's only 8:30!"
Me: "I know, but I'm tired."
Dan: "Ok, I'll be in later."
Me: "Why don't you come to bed?"
Dan: "It's only 8:30!"
Me: "Will you come to bed soon?"
Dan: "No."
Me: "Ok, g'nite, Hun."

This conversation, with only slight variations, happens in our home every single fr*@! night....True love.

Cravings

2007-01-03T19:20:00.000-08:00

My closest friends, and all of my coworkers, know that I have a salt habit. I crave salt. Sometimes I crave it so strongly that I will be able to think of little else than ways to get sodium into my body by any means necessary. When my salt monster is screaming, I have been known to, um, taste small amounts of straight soy sauce. It has been suggested, not once, but a few times, that perhaps a mineral deficiency is my problem, resulting in abnormally strong cravings for salt. I have resigned myself to my affliction. I have even settled into my oddity (as if there's only one) with ease. I thought that closet salt hoarding would be forever in my future. Today, I picked up the current issue of Cooking Light Magazine, and in it was an article featuring chunk salt. It is now the object of my desire to an extent that I immediately had to rush to my beloved laptop and research this wonderful new discovery. There it was, chunks of salt mined from Brazil, complete with a hand crafted copper grater, ready to be packaged and shipped directly to my door. I squealed with delight for a fraction of a second too long, and heard Dan mutter, "guess we don't have to have sex tonight." "Salt addict" to "salt connoisseur." Its all in a days work.

Coolest stuff ever for the best cause!!!

2007-01-03T13:28:00.000-08:00

I strongly recommend anyone reading this (either of the two of you) check out the Kim Family Auction at Ebay! There are so many wonderful things that people have put time and energy into creating that are for sale, and the best part is that all proceeds go to the Kim family! I nearly keeled over when I saw some of the projects that the artists have donated, and they are already fetching high bids! I am sure everyone who is participating is pleased!

New books!

2007-01-02T19:21:00.000-08:00

New Book
Originally uploaded by threadandscissors.

I bought two new books today! The first, pictured above, is Amy Butler's book "In Stitches." It is full of beautiful fabric, fabulous ideas for what to do with previously mentioned beautiful fabric, and step-by-step instructions (aka "patterns") for how to recreate those fabulous ideas! Could anyone ask for more? It was hard, but I found a way to top my purchase off by adding the well titled book, "No One Cares What You Had For Lunch...100 Ideas for Your Blog" by Margaret Mason. Its okay, you can seethe with envy now.

Congratulations to Anatomist!

2007-01-01T18:57:00.000-08:00

Click on her link to the left to see why...

Happy New Year!

2007-01-01T18:04:00.000-08:00

towels!
Originally uploaded by threadandscissors.

I do have some New Year's Resolutions this year. They are pretty usual, work out more, eat better, be more creatively productive. A couple of them are a bit more specific: lose 7-10 lbs before June, insulate the floor of the house, get married, and apply to the 2007 Nursing Program.

We hiked Mount Pisgah today, it was such a nice experience. A really great way to start the New Year. I floated in a physically-over-exerted mental cloud for the first half of the day, and the second half followed an amazing plate of nachos that sent me straight to naptime for three hours! Now, I am finally showered and rested, watching the old standby "Cape Fear," and getting ready to work on some baby quilts.

Happy New Year!

back to work we go!

2006-12-27T22:17:00.000-08:00

Ash and Deeds bought all of us Lorane Ladies these beautiful Marc Jacobs bracelets that are engraved with "internos," meaning "between us" in spanish, for christmas! Thanks Ash and Deeds!

Heading back to work after a week off is always a trip, and today was no exception. I am now drowning my woes in the ever-evolved "soap network replay of today's General Hospital." Ah, Holiday Joy!

2006-12-24T17:47:00.000-08:00

Pearls! Beautiful pearls!