Yesterday was a mixed day of both pleasant and unpleasant...

Pleasant - we decided to go to the local Turkish Food Festival. It was a lovely day for the drive, and there was minimal back and forth about where to try for parking. (Him: the parking lot's full, looks like we're gonna do some walking. Me: Well, I can't. Try the parking lot, there might be a spot. We have this squabble frequently. Too frequently.) We actually found a spot almost as soon as we entered the lot!

Unpleasant: the site was mostly unpaved, with rocks in random places. I couldn't use the Walker as intended, but had to pick it up as I went. I wasn't willing to risk anything, so we found a spot at the tables and just sat down while Himself brought me food. The turkish kibbeh (a kibbeh by a different name) wasn't as good this year as they had been in previous years, but the cake and cheesecake(?) were tasty. But since I couldn't get around very well, and it was a risky endeavor when I did, we left after a stop for iced coffee. Meh. Instant coffee.

Then we went across the Interstate to try to go to a local Persian festival. (Competing?) We found it and parked. But the ramp from the parking lot to the plaza was much longer than it needed to be, and it was UPHILL. So when I got to the top of the ramp, and got a good look at exactly how far I'd have to walk to get to the pop-ups pavilions, I just couldn't do it. I mean, I think I could have gotten to the far side of the plaza where everything was set up, but once there, I just wouldn't have the stamina to walk back. So I turned around and went back down the ramp to the car - much easier this time!

We did finish the day by watching Deadpool and Wolverine. Great distraction from my unhappiness about my physical limitations.I laughed so much my stomach was sore after I went to be. There is NO WAY basic cable will be able to run it without extensive editting.

Uzi Time!


But then I was back. Back to being aware of just how physically limited I am, and have been for over a year. I NEED more, mor intense PT than I'm getting now. I have an appointment on the 21st for outpatient evaluation, but DAMN that seens like a LONG time.And I'm limited on how hard I can push myself when I do any exercise, because I don't want to overdo it and lose even more time to recovery. I'm doing that one today. :(

So this https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CXK8MPZX?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title arrived today. Himself wanted it.

My influence is slowly starting to be noticeable... heh heh heh

A local piece on TX's intolerance :

https://www.kxan.com/news/texas-politics/dps-ending-id-gender-changes-could-spur-legislation-and-lawsuits/

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

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...

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!

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.

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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?

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!

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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.

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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*

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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...

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.

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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...

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".

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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.

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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.

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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.