May 20, 2022

Friday Night Photos

Happy Friday! Out of nowhere this morning, I was hit with horrible anxiety. I have no idea what triggered it, but I suspect it may be because I'm going to coach cross country again this year. I coached from 2014(?) to 2019, and then there were a couple of parents that I just couldn't deal with. So, I didn't coach from 2020-2021. Yesterday, however, I decided to coach again this year. Starting all over, with a new group of kids, is going to be moderately terrifying, haha. It will be Renee and I coaching together again.

I have a few random pictures from this past week...

This is kind of a dumb project that I've been meaning to do for a long time and just haven't done it. I have a Pottery Barn console/bench that I got on Marketplace ages ago and I've never painted it (my carpal tunnel acts up really badly when I paint). But it's not under the windows in my bedroom, so I cleared all the random stuff off of it and I used and old blanket and some fabric to make a cushion for the top. That way the cats can sit on there and I can hopefully get rid of a couple of their cat beds hanging around the house. So far, I'd say I pretty much wasted my time ;)


Well, except when I spread out all these pieces of faux fur on it. Then Duck was all over it:



The faux fur (with suede on the other side) came from a coat that I no longer wanted. The fur is so soft that I couldn't bear to get rid of it so I took all the seams apart and now I'm going to use it to recover a couple of the cat beds.

Speaking of sewing things, I decided I wanted to try to make thumbholes in my hoodies. I wear hoodies about 98% of the time, and I really wish I had thumbholes. So, I tried a practice round with the buttonhole presser foot and it was nearly impossible to get the thick fabric underneath the foot, lined up where it needed to be, and then be moveable enough for the foot to do its magic. It turned out to be a sloppy mess. (I've done buttonholes before! But doing it in the ribbing of a sweatshirt cuff is hard.)

So, I ripped out that thread and then used some embroidery thread to do it by hand. I really like how it turned out! It's super comfy, took no time at all, and I think it looks intentional. Obviously the mess on the left was from the sewing machine; on the right was from a good old needle and thread.


This is such an unflattering picture, but when my COVID had knocked me on my ass, Jerry took this picture of Duck lying on top of me while I was sleeping on the couch.



Jerry laughs at me because when I showed him this, I said it was the greatest day of my life, hahaha. I am SO BAD AT replying to emails, comment, text messages, phone calls, etc. I always feel terrible that it takes me forever to reply, especially to emails, and I honestly can't remember the last time I cleared my inbox! (I always respond to personal emails, and I don't like to write something generic; so if you email me and it takes me a while to get back to you, I apologize. It's not you--it's just that I have a terrible habit I need to break! To keep my inbox at zero, I'm going to do my best to reply to emails the same day.



Jerry has a lingering COVID cough. His symptoms are gone and he feels totally fine--even with the cough--but he gets this tickle in his throat several times a day. He tries so hard not to start a dry coughing fit so people don't think he's actively sick. I always picture this bird as Jerry trying not to cough!


And that's all I have today--have a great weekend! xo

7 comments:

  1. What a great idea of changing the code into a cat bed. I really like how you did the thumb holes in your hoodies. They came out really good. I really wish I knew how to sew. I have been tempted to buy a sewing machine but very afraid that I would never use it. I really wish my grandmother had taught me how to knit and crochet. I am always in awe of those who can do it. I think it would really be helpful if I did so I would keep my hands busy. Maybe I would stop eating so much. I've been really struggling with my weight lately. Anxiety is through the roof...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You could certainly teach yourself to knit or crochet (or sew) from watching YouTube videos! That's how I've learned to do all of the woodworking; I'm not great at it, but I learn a ton from watching videos and then I just get better each time. I taught myself to knit when I was very young (from following directions in a book). It definitely helped when I was losing weight because it kept my hands busy at night!

      Delete
  2. That thumbhole is amazing! Sure hope you're feeling better.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you! I was sure I'd ruined the sweatshirt, but I really like how the thumbhole turned out. I think I'll do that on a few more shirts!

      Delete
  3. Can you give an example of things the cross country parents did that you couldn't handle? So that I don't end up being one of those parents! hahaha

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I very much doubt that you would be one of *those* parents ;) I coached for five(?) years and never had a problem until 2019. Two of the parents were upset that I wasn't going to start practices in the spring (cross country is in the fall and we usually start practices in August). Keep in mind, it's a volunteer position as a coach! I have things I'd like to do during the summer, including spending time with my family. But the parents ended up making their own little running club (with the kids from my team) and it happened to be at a very bad time for me--I just had a lot going on and that was when I just said forget it. However, I am 99% sure I'll be coaching again this year!

      Delete
  4. Love the thumb holes! I've thought of doing that to a few of my long sleeved shirts, but just haven't found the gusto do do it! Also, when we got Covid, we suspect that our cats got some sort of strain of it too (I looked it up, and it can happen) because they started sneezing a TON and leaking out their little nostrils. It was a little scary at first, but they recovered quickly, so we didn't need to take them in. Just thought I'd post in case any of yours kitties start to act up.

    ReplyDelete

I used to publish ALL comments (even the mean ones) but I recently chose not to publish those. I always welcome constructive comments/criticism, but there is no need for unnecessary rudeness/hate. But please--I love reading what you have to say! (This comment form is super finicky, so I apologize if you're unable to comment)

Featured Posts

Blog Archive