thankful list

I'm late, but I thought I'd pipe in with what I'm greateful for.

My house. I bought it by myself and while sometimes it makes me crazy, I love it and it's mine. Not unlike being married, from what I understand.

My true friends. Some are fairly new, some I've known for a decade or more. Even if we only see each other once or twice a year it's like we were never apart, and we both know if there was ever a need for a middle of the night rescue there would be no hesitation. More valuable than gold, and much more comfortable to hug. Those who have been there for me have made all the difference in the world and there's no way I can think of that would completely express all my friends mean to me. Thank you just isn't enough.

The opportunities I have to explore my geeky hobbies and share them with others who understand my excitement at having found documentation for some obscure 1500's Ventian somethingorother. I have support to create, learn explore, and share.

The time and culture I live in. Looking at other cultures and times I really appreciate living in this country today. No, it's not perfect and if I ran the world we wouldn't have a talking monkey in charge, but all in all I can say what I want, own my own property, control my own life and body, and stand on my own. That's pretty damn cool.

My health. It's not 100% fabulous, and will be better once I get off this extra weight, but all in all I can't complain. Taking care of others has given me an apprication of just how much I can do for myself, and how I need to occationally stop and appreciate that.

Holiday survived, Yule tokens cast, sewing moving along. :)

The holiday was nice. I was planning on running around and seeing alot more people, but after having a wonderful dinner with ethelburga and her family, I just came home and crashed (well, after getting inspired and making a bunch of blue white and green pillar candles and bottling some of my black berry cordial).

I got up as early as I could manage (about 9 AM) on Friday and drove out to Snohomish to work on casting the tokens for Aquaterra's Goode Yule. This being my first mold other than simple buttons I was a bit nervous, but it turned out well I think. The Autocrat loves them, although she told me 100, so I cast 100, and now it appears she needs more. I just wish I had known as I could have cast as many as she could possibly want, but now that I'm not there with all the equipment my hands are pretty much tied. I'll post a picture once I get my hands on a digicam or get mine up and running again.

I had a mini S&B with ldy_lavender on Saturday. I was planning on coming back up on Sunday but with the weather it was just too tempting to stay snugged in side with a roaring fire and hand sewing.

I managed to pretty much finish the sleeves for the green brocade Venetian. They're fairly fitted, late 1500's. I just have to sew on the lace at the cuffs, and then attach them to the dress. I think I can manage both before the feast this coming weekend. Yay, the evil sleeves have finally submitted to my will! I think I may add in the sleeve poof at the top by way of stitching some linen in place rather than fussing with it all night.

I also have more projects that I will be working on down the road. while taking a break from casting and letting my feet thaw for a bit I discovered some information about period Venetian Coins. They are before my time, but it's feasible that they may have still been in circulation to some degree, either way I'm delighted. At some point down the road I will re-create these. Of course this means learning a whole new art and method. There are 3 different coins, and at some point I'd like to produce my replication of all 3. If I ever throw my hat in the ring for kingdom A&S I think I'll start with several single entries (i.e. for comment instead of trying for the championship) which would be a Venetian gown and all the trappings from the skin out, hopefully including a pair of Chopins (another I wanna project), at least one Venetian dish, the Venetian coins, and possibly Venetian poetry.

See a theme? I want to be well rounded, but I also love Venice and think that having diverse skills that focus on making my persona a well rounded person instead of two dimensional character is a good thing. Of course I know my persona wouldn't have actually done most of these on her own, but simply buying all of them instead of learning would not only be cost prohibitive, but way less rewarding. :) Yay historical geekiness!