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Since Regency era dresses seem to be a recurring theme, this is a short video on an English Princess' wedding gown.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j9AyE8fXUrI
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And we haven't lost power! (yet.)

The last time it was above freezing was Sunday at 3am. Supposedly it will break the freezing mark sometime today by a whopping degree, but I'm not holding my breath. And that's still pretty cold for a state so close to Hell.

And then there's the wind. Texas is windy. A lot of times people think Oklahoma when they think of wind, but the cold north winds just blow right on through OK and into TX with nothing to stop or slow them down. And a gust of wind can just rip one's body heat awy in nothing flat.

Yes, I was out briefly on Sunday afternoon, in 2 layers of clothing and a cost, but it still didn't take long before I was shivering!

This apartment does seem to be warmer than the old one. Probably because it's not on the corner of the building, so only has one truly exterior wall. But being in TX means it's not well insulated on that exterior side, so there are colder areas in here. Fortunately, the bedroom is not one of them. (The cats are spenging most of their time in and on the bed like the heat seekers they are. Even to the point of puking IN the bed on Sunday - fortunately we were stripping the bedding to be washed when we found that.

And I've been doing so much laundry for the heat generation! I've washed everything thatmight need it, even to the point of prewashing fabric lengths I haven't decided what to make up. Now I've run out of potential loads.

I'm going to try a couple of small things to weatherize more. Still looking for ideasm though.
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https://www.joann.com/black-cats-on-floral-novelty-cotton-fabric/18671610.html

This was the fabric I tried ordering from Joann's, but got delivered to the old address somehow.

Am I going to try again? Yep. One can never have to much cat fabric. *laughs helplessly*

Have I dont it yet? Nope. Not sure how much to get for a dress length...
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I seem to have unusual tastes. As in, very unusual, so much so that they seem unprofitable.

Years ago, I fell in love with a perfume from The Body Shop. Not the well known White Musk, although that one is pleasant enough. No, it was Ananya that I fell in love with. But, they discontinued it because apparently it wasn't popular enough.

Bath and Body Works had a scent they called Fresh Lilac. I've always loved lilacs. They remind me of summer, and Ican almost hear the bees buzzing around the flowers when I smelled it. But once again, not popular enough to be continued.

I loved Orange Vanilla Coke Zero. It was discontinued.

The latest is my favorite granola bar. Kashi's chocolate almond sea salt. It started getting hard to find a few months ago. I got to the point where, when I could find it, I would buy every box on the shelf. But as time passed, I was finding it less and less often. I started checking the Kashi website. It was listed, but always shown as Out of Stock. Until yesterday, when the website changed to no longer show any bars of any kind. Damn.

I loved those things. They were great for on the go. I would stick one in my purse before heading out for that 'I feel a little worn down, but don't want an entire candy bar or bag of chips' moment that always seemed to come while I was out and about. But no more. Now I have to see if there's something out there that would be an acceptable substitute. And I have yet to find a Kind bar that fits the bill.

So apparently, I better not find anything else I really like, because it's doomed to be discontinued. So no one suggest I might like something if you want it to stay in production!
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HORRIFIED and DISGUSTED by what the Supreme Court did on Friday. Since hearing the news, I've been grieving and mourning the loss of a woman's most basic Human Right. There is no longer any Federal protection for women who live in states where that decide a fully formed and realized human woman has less right to life than an unformed, unrealized, embryo of any gender. Women and their potential babies will die as a resultof this decision, not doubt about it. It's not just sexist, it's also racist, and classist.
A white woman in Orange County probably has the resources to absorb the financial and physical stress of an unplanned and unwanted pregnancy, but a non-white single mother in Flint, MI working 2 jobs just to keep a roof over her head does not.

Texas had a Trigger Law in place. Of course. Fucking hateful state.
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Last week's storms were more like something one would expect in Oklahoma rather than in Central Texas. The official count is now up to 6 tornadoes in this are alone. Not much damage right here, we barely even got any rain, but we're just south of the highway interchange where a tornado crossed the interstate. We actually watched it live on TV, but one friend actually slept in her bathtub because she was so close to where tornadoes were dropping.

+++

Got the pants pattern modified and mock ip v2.0 cut out. All while Livia ran around like a crazy cat. Nice to have longer days so there's more light for drawing and cutting.

But sewing should not be a full contact sport. Atleast, not the kind that breaks bones. But my cutting table (the dining table) is so close to the chairs that I occasionally hit chair legs with my toes. There's just simply too much stuff in this apartment for a lot of Doing of things.

*sigh*

And yet, I want a dress form. But I'm not sure I'll be able to buy one that can be modified/adjusted to accurately reflect my shape. I have a deep rib cage, and my hip bone is only about 1" lower than my lowest rib. So I'm wondering if they make dress forms that can adjust like that or if I'll have to make one myself...

And then there's the question of where to put it, and what am I going to get rid of to make space for it?
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Wide leg pants mock-up is done, and there will need to be at least one more. The waist is still too high, and they're skin tight in a way that is NOT flattering. But then, the mock up fabric was old bed sheets, which have next to no give. And I barely took any seam allowance! So, lower the waist again, and add to the side seams on the paper pattern, then try again.

*sigh* and no, I was not bloated. That doesn't happen as often post-menopause.

+++

I'm going through a phase right now of 'It MUST be ALL BLACK'. My clothes, and my decor. Annoying, since I can neither afford to buy an entire new wwrdrobe, or dye/paint everything. And I know it won't last. This is why I have so much crap - I simply can't settle on one style.

+++

Himself asked me if I would be interested in moving to a house instead of another apartment next year. Uhm...have you forgotten that I want to get the hell out of Texas as soon as F'ing possible?? And that we should be looking into going smaller and not larger?? He finally admitted that the reason he's not in any hurry to do so is because he doesn't think he'd be able to find another job that pays as well as his current job, and he can't retire early because he hasn't been able to save enough money. Oh, dear, that is why we need to be going smaller, to increase our chances of saving a tiny but more. And as long as we're in Austin, there's no reason to think the cost of living is going to go down any time soon. This is part of the reason why I want to leave. That and the extreme wrong wing politics.
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Better this week. Don't know if the higher thyroid dose or if it's because I was on the bike for 5 days this week. It doesn't really matter. I'm still feeling better!

+++

I've had to completely start from scratch on my plants - last year's Snowpacalypse killed everything. I still have the restriction of only buying plants that aren't toxic to cats, since Ms. Livia loves her salads, but I do finally have my Measles Plant! In fact, I now have *2* since cuttings will grow roots. But my poor bromelliad (sp) is not doing well. I don't think it likes the 'cold' and dry winters. This next week is forecast to be in the 70s, so maybe I can get some TLC going on.

+++

Sloooow progress on the pants mock up. Stitched too far on the CF and had to rip out the stitshing that went down into the legs. It's supposed to be PANTS, not a SKIRT1 *sigh*

+++

I have the urge to Spend Money. On something. Anything. But a limited income means Restraint. So much Restraint. Fortunately I'm not seeing a lot I can't resist, so that's easier.

I'm also feeling the urge to Set Fire To All My Possessions. Whichis absolutely not practical. Not to mention there are a few things I would miss very much. But that would make the issue of downsizing/decluttering go away...
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50 degree temperature drop between today and yesterday. Yay Texas not being able to do winter properly.

Naughty Cat was naughty. She found the spider plant cutting that's in water untilI can pot the thing, and managed to knock the contents of the jar onto the floor as she was nibbling on it. All the dirty water that the new roots didn't mind is now on/inn the carpet, which *I* mind.


+++

I have a 'pattern' for wide legged pants. I took it off a pair I bought that were supposedly mid-rise, but in actuality, were practically empire waist when I tried them on. But the cut was simple enough I can do some Trial and Error to make it work for me. I have some medium weight black cotton twill that'll be great for the finished product - assuming I ever get this project (ANY project) finished.

+++

My left knee has been a pain since Saturday when loading/offloading weight to that leg. Today I pulled out my compression brace, and it is helping a bit. But it smells like all the perfume I keep in the same drawer.
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On Saturday, Himself asked me what I wanted for my birthday since it was coming up. And 2 days later, I still have no answer for him.

Of course there are things I want, but they're not things to be purchased. Or they are, and there's some obstacle. I want less clutter and more life, more financial stability, more fulfilling and meaningful social connections/engagements,and, of course, World Peace(tm).

As for things...my mind is a blank. A dressform - where could I put one? A french press - do I drink coffee enough to make it worthwhile? (Or would I drink more if I could make it at home?) I don't know. I must give this more thought.

+++

I got enough stuff or the 'dining' table (again) to use it as a cutting table once more. I think it's time to try my hand at wide-legged pants...
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Trying to do a telemedicine appointment for endocrinology, and it's not working. This makes no sense since I've been able to do virtual visits with my transplant clinic in San Anonio with no difficulties before. Makes me wonder if I need to contact Geek Squad again to get them to undo whatever it was they did when they had my laptop a week and a half ago.

Trying again at 3 using a different method. Hope it works - it would make some of my medical appointments so much easier to get to if I didn't need to schedule around another person's availability.

That's one of the few good things to come out of the pandemic - an increased acceptance of telemedicine. Pre-pandemic, I wasn't in contact with my transplant clinic due to the need to drive all the way to San Antonio the day before my appointment since they only saw patients 'in clinic', which meant I needed to be there at 7am. So in actuality, going down there took 2 whole days out of 2 people's schedule since I couldn'tdrive myself.

But it's good that I did get back in contact with them - they made some changes to my medication to lower my skin cancer risks, so with any luck and a switch to an SPF 60, I won't be dealing with that every couple months. Still need the screenings every 6 months, but that nothing.

+++

Harry Cat seems to be off thePuk-a-palooza tour. Every week to 10 days he'd have a day where he was sick- all over the house. Which meant I had to jump up everytime I heard him start in order to 'mark' the location with a rag. Otherwise I found it later by stepping in it. Damn cat-puke colored carpet makes it difficult to see - not just for me, but for Himself too!

At this point, I can only dream about living in a place where *I* control the wall color, and whether or not there's carpeting.
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I'm waiting on a call from a nurse to call and set up my actual telemedicing call from my Kidney Specialist. No ncticable new symptoms,but it's been a year or so since my last appointment, so it's overdue. The nurse did tell me my Prograf levels were elevated, and if true, we'll need to discuss lowering them. The drug is toxic to kidneys at higher levels, so it definitely is concerning.

My biopsy results are in, and I have skin cancer again. This makes it a total of5 spots I'vehad to have removed, but these last 2 are basal cell carcinoma. So 2 different cancers. Yay me? Since it'sa step down from what I had before, I'm using the term "nuisance cancer". Or more accurately: "fucking nuisance cancer".

+++

Not a lot new going on. Of course not, I'm still in lock down! But it does seem like locally we've crested the first wave of COVID,since hospitalization numbers are going down. The death rate is still heart breakingly high, though Especially now that it includes children.

+++

I did not join any official or unofficial protests. I wished I could have, and I do miss the days when I was healthy enough (and didn't live next door to hell0 to do so. And the security camera footage of a few assholes using the protests as an opportunity to commit crimes made me furious! All I gotta say is "crime knows no skin color, so WHY are prison populations so disproportionately high?? Oh right- White Privilege. I hate the existence of that concept.

+++

And the urge to be cretive right now is quite high. But that urge is also highly frustrating, because, AS USUAL,my space to do so is quite limited. And I'm not finding any creative ways (heh) to improve my space situation.
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Isolation Brain has really done a number on me. My days are so monotonous, and there's not a lot going on, so it's been hard to want to write about much of anything - until Friday.

I went in for my biannual skin cancer screening, and I left after she took 2 biopsies. No "All Clear" this time. WTF? I'm doing everything they've advised: head covering, sunblock, hell, I've only been out of the house a handful of times since mid March! Yet just about every other time I go in, she finds a new spot that's appeared. Why do I even bother trying to prevent this shit from happening??

The yoga socks I'm wearing today say "Be Amazing" on the bottoms as part of the anti-slip grips. Yet after Friday, I've been feeling like the only things I'm even somewhat successful at are boring, monotomous, housework and growing cancer on my head somewhere.
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I'm actually on my new laptop, and it/s so different. literally everything from the keyboard to the operating system to the location in my living space is different. I'm not comfortable with it yet, but that will never happen if I never touch the thing. So -here I am.

(btw- sorry for extra typos.new KB and all...)

Yeah, so I am still alive, still healthy, and still in almost complete isolationsince the number of COVID cases has ballooned.
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This week has been frustrating. After surviving the cat's failed attempt to kill me, I'm down to half strength. She decided to flop to the floor right in front of me in a very tight spot, and in trying to not step on her, I lost my balance and fell. No loss of consciousness, no (known) broken bones, and no blood. But the Ulnar side of my left hand hurts - especially when twisting a lid or doorknob, and pulling the fridge door open must be done with extreme caution. And weight bearing? Not really. The day after this happened, a full can of Coke was too much. But it is getting better as time goes by...

The reason it's so frustrating is because I've once again been bitten by the downsizing and organizing bug, and motivation has been higher than usual to DO it. But the discomfort in my hand holds me back. So, once again, I'm waiting. Waiting for something I really have no control over. Seems like that's the story of my life.

+++

In other news - I've suddenlt got the itch for an Edwardian corset cover. But maybe not a Vintage one. I'm really not big on the lace dripping ones. So instead, I've been looking for a pattern so I can reproduce one to my liking. But I'm so far out of Vintage/Repro pattern Game that all I can hopr for is a recommendation for a good one?? Please?
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Had to explain to someone, yet again, how all these face masks actually work. The mask doesn't protect the wearer at all. It protects the other people out there from the pathogens the wearer spreads with every exhale. If one is truly worried about personally getting infected with COVID, instead of wearing a mask while out, they should simply stay home and limit visitors.

The mask is a sign of awareness that one is a part of a society, and that one is aware of the fact that their behaviors could have wide reaching negative consequences. It's not simple "political correctness" like a certain idiot in the White House claims,

+++

I almost literally broke down in tears Friday night at the idea of eating any one of the extremely limited options we have on hand for dinner that night, so we order takeout from the local Thai place we like (only ONE entree, split!) and watched AKA Jane Roe. Interesting to finally hear her say she switched sides 'for the money' and not a legitimate change of heart. It was also interesting to hear that my low opinion of Operation Rescue was spot on from the start. Back in the day I marched against them when they came to my town. And I would do it again, if my legs and heat intolerance would let me. I pray for the people who would try to prevent a woman or doctor from doing what they decide is best for that woman.

+++

My new laptop is here. (!!!) Now the question is how to get it set up for me. But we have a service contract with Geek Squad, so I'm sure they'll be involved in that.
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The Air Force Thungerbirds (?) just flew over this part of Austin. I deliberately live minutes away from a Hospital and medical center since I spend so much time needing medical attention. It's nice that during the Pandemic so many are going out of their way to Thank the people doing the heavy lifting now. This is in no way a war. It's a plague, and the military can't really do anything during plague.

If only we were more appreciative of our healthcare workers more often...

+++

The Governor issued an Executive Order to start re-opeing the state before the end of May, but the city and county extended thier stay at home order. Dumb Governor, smart city. The city can't supercede the Order, but it can strongly suggest people do the Smart thing. The State AG has already sent a letter to Austin warning them of this. Politics as usual in Texas. The state doesn't want to be "bullied" by the Federal Government, but they have no problem turning around and Bullying the smaller governments. It's been this way since literally the beginning of the state.

+++

Finally got all the plants repotted, and the cat grass is sprouting. It took it less than 7 days to poke through the soil - I was a little surprised at the quick germination. Livia has already mown it once, so it's a much bigger hit than the catnip was! The cactus is showing new growth too.

+++

Still drifting. I don't have any idea when the new laptop wil arrive, then I'm not sure exactly how I'll get it set up for my needs. So yay for not having a clue about when I can get on with my life...

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