Am I Vulcan?

I am really starting to wonder if I'm part Vulcan. You know, Spock was a half-breed. Though I don't go as heavy on the blue eye-shadow as Great Uncle Spock, maybe I've got a little Vulcan-ocity in me too.

According to the all-knowing & ever accurate Wikipedia, Vulcan's "are noted for their attempt to live by reason and logic with no interference from emotion." Now mind you I'm not ATTEMPTING, it's just been happening. It's most apparent during the holidays. I'm not using "the holidays" as a P.C. term but really do mean the holidays as in: Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's Day, Easter, Independence Day, and even vacations. As the years go by I just don't see the point of all of the hoopla. I want to celebrate each holiday and remember it's meaning but why must those be the days you MUST spend with family, you MUST decorate your house, you MUST have a generic gift at the ready to give to someone that might give one to you, you MUST have nasty macaroni salad at the bbq before the fire works even though no one eats it because it's gross? It's all illogical.

While I haven't decorated my home for any holiday including Christmas for several years now, my family has been understanding. They see it as, "if you don't wanna, don't." Have I mentioned I LOVE my family? I do however wanna buy them gifts & spend time with them. But with as awesome as my family is, I wanna do that all year 'round. It's not the holiday traditions, it's my family & friends that I want to remember the reason for the holiday with. And here's a shocker: it doesn't have to be one the actual day of the holiday.

My Vulcan bend does have to be knocked down a peg or two from time to time. For instance when I'm sitting out on a pier in beautiful Monterey having a lovely lunch with my amazaing husband while on a road trip celebrating our wedding anniversary, the Vulcan in me starts saying, "Why are you doing this? This money could be better spent? This is illogical. You should be paying bills with the money you're spending on this trip." Shut up Vulcan. What you say is true but this is good for my marriage & it's good for me. Or, when I'm asked what I would like for a birthday or Christmas gift and the Vulcan in me says, "You don't need anything. You've got more that most people in the world could ever dream of. It's not logical for them to buy you a gift". Shut up Vulcan. These people love me & want to show it. The truth is, these things are illogical but they're good for me and the people involved in them with me.

I want to get all gushy over the holidays. I really do. I'd love to get bundled up to brave the chilly 68 degree evening to find the perfect Christmas tree. But I'm just not interested. The Vulcan in me says it's a silly way for me to spend the time, money & stress of putting it up, watering it, taking it down & cleaning up after it. I'm not saying all of this is not logical for all. I'm saying it's not logical for me. I'm just not that sentimental I guess.

Part of the Vulcan way of life that does not apply to me is the lack of emotion. Anyone who knows me can attest to that. But I'm not emotional about holiday traditions for traditions sake.

One Down, Over A Dozen To Go!

Last Friday was opening night of our first show of the season, "Putting It Together". It was also my first show as the theatre's staff cutter/draper. I'm really happy with the work I did for this show (tangible & otherwise). I made a killer red dress (I think there's one in almost every show in the history of the world). It's red. It's super quality silk. The actor totally rocked it. That's always nice.

Now to breath for 1 second. We load the next show out next week. I've got Sewing Circle, Sew What, 3 craft shows & 3 photo shoots to prepare for. Wait, when did I get to breath?

Life's Busy

So I started back to work this week. So far so good. I was out of work for about 2 1/2 months and it's really nice to get back to a routine (and a paycheck).

Before returning to work I starting beating myself up that I didn't get more accomplished. I did alot but I also "wasted" alot of time in which I could have been doing something enriching or productive. Why does that time spent always seems to burn into my memory. I started asking myself, "What could you have done or gotten accomplished to not feel this way?" The honest answer to myself was, "Nothing". I have come to realize about myself that I feel as though I am never productive enough. That's so sad! I need balance in that area of my life.

I got Lucky Zelda up & over 100 items this summer (and maintained the over 100 items while making 20 sales in the process). I built a dress for a friend, 2 shirts for myself & did many alterations for another friend. That's alot of stuff. But that's not 2 1/2 months worth of stuff. I could have been riding my bike for exercise. I could have been visiting more friends & family. I could have been cooking more meals & cleaning the house. I could have gotten the shop to 150 items. I could of, I could of, I could of... sigh.

While I may sound defeated I do feel rested. So that's good. While I may sound as though I feel I wasted alot of time I do feel like I used it well. Not the most productively. But well. So that's good. I need to have that be as okay in my unconscious mind as in my conscious mind.

Neglectful

It has been pointed out to me by a couple of friends that I haven't blogged in a while. Holy cow! May was my last post! That's horrible! Though there's been much goin' on I guess I have felt like I'd be being redundant in blogging since I've started using the black-hole-of-motivation known as Facebook. But one of the the things me no like-y about FB is there doesn't seem to be a place for writing posts. All the more reason I should not have neglected my blog. So with the probability of being redundant, here's what's been going on.

I've been off from SCR since the last week of May. I'll be starting up there again on August 10th. While I love being off & doing whatever I please, I do tend to miss the routine of a work week (paychecks make it nicer too).

I've been doing tons of sewing with my almost 2 1/2 months off. I've done lots of alterations for a friend from Bible study. I've built a bridesmaid's dress for another friend and I've built up Lucky Zelda to over 100 items.

June was Lucky Zelda's best month in it's 2 year history with 10 sales. That was awesome and very encouraging. Sometimes I'll go a long time without selling something that I've made & the little negative voice starts to hiss "why bother?". Because I enjoy it that's why. So shut up little pitiful voice!

The last bit of June & 1st couple days saw Kaisara & I on a road trip. We stayed in Monterrey for a couple nights. Rode our bikes over 20 miles, went to the aquarium & ate some delicious BBQ. We stayed at a lovely little B & B that we won't be returning to due to after hearing a conversation the manager was having on the phone. Horrifying. That really put a dent on what had been such a nice stay until then. After Monterrey, we headed further north to Ashland, Oregon with a dual purpose: finally see a show at the famous Oregon Shakespeare Festival and to visit several friends that now work up there. Ashland is beautiful, the show was great and catching up with old friends was soooo nice. From there we headed south to the Sacramento area to stay a few days with my Uncle Jack & Aunt Debbie (Mom & Dad's BFF's from high school). It was so great to see them & my cousins. It'd been shamefully too long since we'd seen them & we don't plan on that being the case next time.

My Dad & I were planning on road tripping cross country on his motorcycle but that has since been postponed. Maybe next summer.

Kaisara & Daryl have been officially hired at our church, Arbor Christian Fellowship as co-worship leaders. They've been playing together for over 12 years and they just keep getting better and better.

July 12th Kaisara & I celebrated our 12th wedding anniversary making that 20 years together. We even still like each other.

Other than some walks with Zelda (including our maiden voyage to the dog beach), that's pretty much it. Though I'm sure I've left something out.

Wearing Jesus

I've been in the best Bible study for years now. Our teacher, Marci, is amazing. I've learned so much from her and her passion to teach God's word within culture & context. I'm sad we're almost done for the season. Sigh...

We've been studying the writings of Paul. He's been very difficult. The "Pharisee of Pharisees" has been hard to understand. I'm glad I've stuck with it though.

This season, we've been in Romans. This week was, I think, I'm first real "Ah-ha" of the season. Not that I haven't learned anything because I have. But this week was neat. I thought I'd share it with you. Whomever you are.

We were at the end of chapter 13 of Romans. In verse 14 it says to "clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ...". As Marci often does she asked us a "Reflect" question: "What do you think Paul was saying when he told the believer to, "Clothe yourself with the Lord Jesus Christ"? At first I was going to rush right by it. I never know what Paul means. He's Paul. He's difficult to get. Then I worried, "I don't know, I just make costumes." But I reflected a little longer. I'm glad I did. Here's what I wrote & shared with my small group:

"Clothes are a way to reflect & communicate who you are to yourself & to others. Especially in those (Biblical) times, you are what you wear."

Other people in my group had great answers too. Me being a costumer, I was the only one who went to actual clothes. That made us smile. But a group member told Marci, the gist of what I said & after class, she wanted to hear exactly what I said. She liked it too. On my drive home I kept reflecting (I guess I liked that people liked what I said).

As I drove I was reflecting on my answer. I needed to get my thoughts in a row. I decided to write Marci an email further explaining my thoughts. Again, I thought I'd share it with you too. Here it is:

I was reflecting more about my "reflection" for question #14 on my drive home from tonight's study. I was considering it even more in the world I work, the theatre. I guess I came to my answer to your question not only by worrying to myself "I can't answer that. I just make costumes." But by then reflecting on what a costume and clothes do.

A costume not only tells the audience who an actor is playing (that's, I guess, a given). But it (the costume) has told and continues to tell the actor how to portray their character. How to become that character. An actor recently told our shop, "I'm so glad when the costume does all the work." He saw his costume as a direction of how to stand, sit, walk. His costume dictated to him how he could interact & move around his fellow actors and even set pieces. A costume can prevent an actor from doing some things they thought may be good for the character and then give them insights into other ways of becoming their character that they hadn't thought of prior to their costume fitting.

I guess when I read Paul's message to "clothe yourself in Christ" I'm considering what Christ is and how do I clothe myself with him. How do I wear Jesus? And why? I was reminded of your teaching that a disciple's goal is to become their rabbi. By clothing myself in Jesus I am training myself to become my Rabbi as an actor does a character. I am making a statement to myself of how to live. How to treat myself & others. How I behave, and how I move throughout this life among my cast mates and set pieces. As with an actor, it's a continual process that continues far past fittings, rehearsals and opening night. It continues throughout the run of the show and doesn't end until the final curtain of the final show and they no longer need that costume. They then move to the next role in their life.

To the audience a costume is an immediate communicator of who that actor has become. Only of course if it's a good one. A poorly designed and/or poorly worn costume doesn't communicate very clearly. My cast mates and audience members should know by the "clothes" I wear that I am a disciple of my Jesus. They should know instantly that I am different from the other characters in the play and be drawn to that difference and want to discuss that difference after the show over coffee with one another.

This of course is not to belittle the practice of one's Christian life to the level of putting on a play. The clothing oneself in Jesus, of course, needs to be genuine of heart and a life changing deed. Not a deed that we take off when the crowds are gone & the spotlight is off. But this was the analogy (is that the right word?) that spoke to me.

Thanks for letting me indulge what may be a narcissistic post.

Selling our Wares

This Saturday, April 25th my friend Bronwen & I are participating in San Gabriel's 20th annual Grapevine Festival & Car Show which is an awesome craft show and this is the 2nd year they've added a classic car show. In the past it's been a 3-day event seeing 10,000 people walking through. This year the event is only one day but we're hoping all of those 10,000 still show up. If you're in the area or are ready for a road trip, please stop by to see us.

We're also participating in a show in May 17th. Our goal is to sell ALL of our inventory this weekend so we'll be freaking out (on a pile of cash) to get more inventory ready for May's show.

Should you choose to swing by Google this address for directions: 620 W. Santa Anita, San Gabriel, CA.

Having A Great Time

My mom today said something that made me happy. She was told that many people in their mid-thirties aren't happy since their not in their twenties any more & life is really responsible and such. Not that I'm in my mid-thirties (after all, I'm only 34) but it still made me smile. No, I'm not in my twenties. So what. Sure they were fun but so is this. I'm having a great time. Despite a bulging C7 disk & buzzing legs, I'm having a great time. I've got work doing something I absolutely love, a super cute swing dance partner who finds me amazing (& me him), a funny dog that thinks I'm the center of the universe & last-but-not-least a growing relationship with my Creator. An amazing family and group of friends (those are really one in the same aren't they) that loves me for me and that loves to laugh helps to make my life awesome even in the ever approaching mid-thirties. People in their 30's are sad? I'm sad that they're not (or don't realize) that they're as blessed as me. BRING ON 35! I'm gonna ROCK IT!

Rug Cutters

Kaisara & I have 1 more week in our Lindy Hop class. We're having a blast. It has really paid off. We've gotten sooo much better. Kaisara's a better lead & much to his relief, I'm a better follow (I was pretty awfull in the following a lead catagory). We still crack ourselves up, but won't that always be the case? We try not to be too disruptive & even our instructors giggle at us. We'll have to check out the finances but we wanna take the next series. I think we're ready to actually dance a little outside of class (I'm sure spectators will laugh almost as much as we will).

Queen DeLuxe

Earlier I wrote about my friends new Etsy Store, Queen DeLuxe. Well now you REALLY have to check it out. If your a geek, she's got boxers made from vintage Star Wars sheets. If you know a baby, she's got totally cute onsies & matching burp cloths. I've added her Etsy mini right below mine so you can get a little looksie. Check her out!

To Keep or To Sell

Probably anyone reading this blog also reads my facebook. Therefore you probably know that I've added a section to Lucky Zelda named "Clothing with Vintage Style". I can't call them vintage since all the pieces are brand new but they will all be vintage styles. After all, anyone can shop at Target but only a few will buy "A Lucky Zelda Original" (as my tags read). So far I've got 2 wool skirts and a pair of wide legged wool trousers (all 1940's style). Now I'm working on a 1950's style dress. White with navy blue polka dots. It looked larger than I expected so I put it on. Yeah, it fits me (with a minor take-it-in alteration). It's totally cute! I wanna keep it. I wanna sell it and have the cash. Sigh. It's hard being me.

Litter Bugs

I went for a bike ride today. It's been a while that I've riden around to run errands. Lately I've just been pedaling in my living room while watching "All Creatures Great & Small" or from Kaisara's work to mine (when I'm working that is).

This morning I had some errands to run, all very local, so I decided to run them on the good ol' bike. It was great. The breeze I created for myself was cool but not cold & by the end of my ride it was sunny and gorgeous. Great ride. I got over 13 miles in so that's good too. Here's the thing that irks me. The amount of rubbish in the streets, bushes, gutters, etc. is ghastly! I don't understand this. Why do people throw their trash out of there car? Or if they're walking or bicycling why do they just drop it where they are at the time? I don't think I've ever understood this, even as a small child. Where ever you are (esp. in Southern CA) there's a trash can right there! When you get out of your car next, there'll be a trash can there. The next bus stop you pass on your walk/ride, there'll be a trash can there. It cheeses me off! THROW YOUR TRASH AWAY PROPERLY PEOPLE!!!

I did make a frustrating situation work for my benefit though. Being my grandmother's granddaughter I did stop for every plastic bottle & soda can I saw & put them in my pannier. I figure I made at least 50 cents.

Here's Koadie

Some of you have been asking to see a photo of the horse that I've been working. Well, there he is. Handsome guy isn't he? My sis works with a girl, Tracy, that owns a horse, Nick & Tracy's sister owns Koadie but is out-of-state for school. Tracy needed help working Koadie since she's got Nick, school, work & not enough time for Koadie. The stables is just over 1/2 mile from my house & of course my arm had to be twisted to have horses re-enter my life after an 18 year absence. I'm not really sure how I survived that long.

The wound on my leg from my first ride a month & a half ago has finally healed up enough that it's not painful to ride. The ol' tail bone's still a bit sore but that'll take months to be completely gone. Koadie has now had some stubborn wounds that I've been caring for. Between those & the rain, there hasn't been much riding. It's been awesome to learn that I don't NEED to ride as much as I just NEED to be around horses & working with them even if it's just on the ground. They're large, gorgeous, stupid animals but it's rewarding when I can tell I've connected with them in some way. Even if it's just that he sees me as the treat lady (yeah, I got bit for that).

Today was my first ride in a couple weeks. It was great to be back up there. Hopefully tomorrow morning has another ride in store for me.

Long Time Coming

So I finally got all of my photos of our Thanksgiving trip to Creede, CO organized & uploaded onto Shutterfly. There are those out there who have been pestering me to get this done. You know who you are :-). If you're interested, click here to take a look.

Our Favorite Show Didn't Dissapoint

Kaisara & I went to opening night of "Noises Off" last night at SCR. It was awesome. It's our favorite show so we were excited when I found out last year that SCR was doing it this season. I worked on the costumes & the cast is all super sweet. Having only seen 2 different college productions of "Noises Off" (both were great by the way) Kaisara & I couldn't wait to see what a professional company could do with this incredibly difficult, complex play. I say it again, it was awesome.

For those of you who don't know the show, it's silly on top of funny. Slamming doors, pants falling down, tripping, falling down stairs, running into doors. Did I mention one of the characters spends 98% of here time in her chonnies?

All who are in the local vicinity and love good acting, a funny show and a great production should go see this show. Here's a link to a slide show. Enjoy!

Burning Rubber Now

I've been looking into getting an indoor trainer for a while now. Last week, Sione sealed the deal for me. He said he never had time to work out after working 10 hours a day but now realized he had time for 3 hours of television every night. I thought to myself, " Man! I've been sitting here for 2 hours watching this show."

After work on Monday, we picked up this new trainer (wish we didn't get the magnetic one. it's pretty noisy). Kaisara fixed my flat & set up the trainer for me. Ta-da! I peddled my little heart out for 1 1/2 hours of my 2 hour show (I had to take a 30 minute break after the first hour. my butt was killing me!). Now I need to get a cyclometer that connects to the rear tire so I know for sure how many miles I peddled (because really that's how I'm motivated). For now I'll just have to estimate.

See you on the road! (or in my living room) :-)

Always Hard to Ask

I need prayer. My body needs prayer. Not sure if I'm being attacked or if years of being a chubster is catching up on me. I just keep getting sick, injured or some other bizarre thing (I'll tell you about my astro-turf feet later). Seems like it's one thing after another in the last month and a half & each one isn't gone before the next one hits. They're starting to stack up. It's wearing & frankly, it's a little scary. I'd appreciate your prayers guys.

Thanks.

Get Some Green By Going Green!

I just sold my vintage dress form. She was too beat up to serve my purposes. I figured someone could use her & I didn't need to keep her just cause she was free. I posted an ad on Craig's list a few days ago, now I've got a few extra bills in my pocket & a little more room in my house. Now I've sold: a drafting desk & chair, a travel bbq & a dress form. I've still got a men's 34 dress form listed. I figure he'll take a while to sell. Not many in the market for him.

I encourage you all to use Craig's List. By purchasing used goods you're helping the environment and by purchasing local you're helping your local economy. You're also helping your cash balances because you can find some great stuff for much less than buying it new. Not to mention the extra cash you get by selling stuff you don't need anymore. Once you sell one thing you'll start looking around your house for what else you're willing to give up for some cash. It's a little addicting.

Happy shopping/selling!

Take a Look You Star Wars Fans

Just opened earlier this week is a new shop on Etsy named Queen DeLuxe. My great friend from work, Bronwen, opened this shop & it is going to be one you'll want to keep an eye on. She's only listed two items so far but they're both AWESOME! Perfect for your Star Wars fan Valentine, boxer shorts made from vintage sheets from A New Hope & Empire Strikes back. Bronwen has other great items (you know that baby needs a Star Wars onsie) that will be listed soon. Please go take a look & tell a friend!

Walking Funny

So I've been riding twice now. I'm thankful I've done so much bike riding the last couple of years. This could have been SOOOOO much worse. Really only my adductor muscles are what's screaming at me. But boy are they screaming loud!

My boots haven't yet arrived and since their not tall anyway AND after the NASTY wound on my calf (I'll spare you a photo) from the stirrup leather & my jeans fighting, I've invested in a pair of half chaps (weird, costumers call them gators). I think they're ugly especially the pair I bought (pictured earlier) but that's what the store had to fit my gargantuan calf. Back to the ride!

Thursday went well. I felt sloppy but not all over the place. Better than alot of people riding in the background of a movie (i.e. the kid who ratted out the bad guy in "Appaloosa". it was only 2 seconds of screen time for his ride but it was ugly). Koadie is a gorgeous horse and moves nicely. We'll get on fine together. I did end up bruising the ego a bit though during my dismount. My feet hit the incredibly hard-packed dirt by the tack room & my body kept going. The ground hit me where the good Lord split me. That's still sore.

I rode again on Saturday. Half chaps, healing wound, sore adductors & butt and all. I ended up riding longer than I thought I would. I already felt an improvement so that was nice. It's amazing how much work it is when at one point in my life it was very little mental or physical work. But as Kaisara so lovingly put it (as he always does), "You're not 13 anymore."

I'm going back to the stables tomorrow after work but don't think I'll ride. I really want my wound to heal & my adductors to recover from the recent abuse.

My boots should arrive on Tuesday which will give me a little time to break them in for a ride on Thursday. I'll keep you posted!

I'm one happy girl. Am I totally blessed right out of my socks or what?!?!?

Childhood Dream Come True

It's funny when a childhood dream comes true and in what form. Funny enough for me this week it's in the form of paddock boots. Crazy, I know. But I have wanted a pair since grade school. When I was riding every weekend I had a rubber version of dress English riding boots. A gorgeous boot that leaves much to be desired when in the form of rubber. But they were a practical, inexpensive, functional solution to needing riding boots. When I was riding everyday after school I eventually saved up & got a cheap pair of leather ones that weren't nearly as gorgeous as the ones linked earlier in this paragraph. My dream was a pair of Effingham Field Boots. In my mind, the most gorgeous riding boot a girl could ever want. And one Christmas it finally happened. I got my Effinghams. Of course they were back ordered and didn't arrive for a couple months and were therefore referred to as my F-ing hams by the entire family. But they eventually showed up and they were GORGEOUS. I loved my boots. I wore them to numerous horse shows just knowing they looked awesome. I mean really, anyone wearing such a rad pair of boots had to be taken seriously as an equestrian (did I mention I was in junior high? that explains alot of this whole thing).

But if I what I wanted so bad were field boots how do paddock boots fulfil a dream? You see, those were a luxury (this is not necessarily the case just how it was in my junior high aged brain saw it). One didn't ride in paddock boots, duh. That's what tall boots were for. When one was finished riding but still mucking about the stables, one wore their paddock boots not last year's sneakers from p.e. like I did. Paddock boots were what rich, truly devoted riders had. Wow, to be like them...

I JUST ORDERED A PAIR OF PADDOCK BOOTS!!!!! They should arrive by Thursday. Here's the funny part. I ordered them because they're WAY cheaper than tall boots. Life cracks me up sometimes :-)

Here's the part that is the real story: One of my sister's coworkers needs help taking care of her sister's horse (that lives at the bottom of my hill). You mean you want me to ride & play with your gorgeous 17.2 hand bay Thoroughbred and I don't have to pay you? OKAY!

I'm so excited. Literally I'll be back in the saddle. I met the beauty boy after church on Sunday. My first ride is Thursday night. Not sure that I won't cry with joy.

Held on Tight

It's sideways but you'll get the idea. No that's not me screaming like an 8 year old.


We had a great time.

Going Sledding

After years of wanting to hit the sledding slopes, I'm heading up today! I'm taking Kaisara's mom & 2 cousins visiting from New Zeland (this is there 1st visit to the U.S. & will be their first time seeing snow). I'm excited! I'll let you know how it goes!

Close But No Cigar

I finally tallied up my mileage for 2008. I knew I was short. I was smoking the first 2/3 of the year & then hit the brakes. Flat tire, getting a cold, rain and just plain not riding my bike is what caused me to loose my lead.

My goal was 700 miles. I did 661.5. That's not bad. That's almost 100 more miles than last year. 661.5 is also a very modest total. That doesn't include any day-to-day walking around (of which my job has alot). I feel good about my 661.5.

My 2009 goal is the same; 700. I'll make it this year.

Eat my dust!