Sew, Sew Much Fun or He Ain't Heavy, He's my Brother

Santa Claus wears brown shorts around here. When I got home there were not 1, not 2 but THREE packages on the porch for me. I'm sure it was a great day for Frasier, too, since he loves to hate the UPS/FedEx men. It is so gratifying to shop online because it's like getting gifts that you know you're going to like because you pick them out yourself! What a great thing to come home to after a bad day at work.

Back tracking a bit, you all know that I get excited about things sometimes and pursue them with a focus. You could say obsessed and I wouldn't be too offended. Not unlike Frasier when a tater tot falls under the stove, nose shoved under, clawing, trying to get it out. He can, however, be distracted when a different tater tot is offered. This week, my tater tot is redecorating. I wish I could say "specifically" at this point, but there is nothing specific about it. I am redoing the baby's room and redoing the living room and I'm doing it with gusto.

Since we didn't know what we were having, I couldn't decorate the baby's room before he was born. I was up there forever after he came and then they came down here and stayed just as long. Every time I'd make steps to fixing it up, they would be back down and I'd have to stop thinking about it and play with my grand-Tater Tot. Also, my sewing machine, a 1950ish green Kenmore, was next door so my neighbor could reupholster my couch before her baby came. I know, I'm generous like that (please read sarcasm here). I bought the fabric for the bedding, got my machine back, but couldn't come up with an idea. I've mentioned before that I usually need a carrot to get things done. I needed something to push me, so I bought a new sewing machine as a carrot. It is a wonderful "Project Runway Special Edition" Brother sewing machine. Beautiful things are going to fly out of it, I just know! That's what arrived today.

Also delivered with the sewing machine was a quilt from Macy's. Because I want the entire room to match, I had to order a quilt to go on the twin bed ,that I don't have yet, so it will match the baby bedding that hasn't been made yet. It will be wonderful!!!

That brings me to the living room. I also needed the sewing machine to make curtains for the living room because we are repainting it. It, along with the dining room, are the only rooms in the house that haven't been redone since we've moved here. I started to get concerned about lead paint being in the under layers of paint, so we (the royal "we" since I haven't done anything except suggest that this be done) are stripping 90 years of paint off all the trim. Can't be too careful with a baby in the house, right? It comes at a good time, though, because my couch is now reupholstered, thanks to my generosity in loaning out my old sewing machine (sarcasm again) and my very talented neighbor. Everything will look fresh and new.

The 3rd package? A measuring cup with a scale in it so I can weigh my food as I measure it. It's invaluable when making pasta. Did I tell you that I'm obsessed with making pasta now.....