I'm Not an Addict (Maybe That's a Lie)

I currently have two addictions (three if you count Murray). They are Etsy and Amy Butler fabrics and patterns. The bad thing about these addictions is that I don't feel remorse when I spend money on either of them.

With Etsy, I'm supporting independent art, which is actually quite noble. The writer of Design Sponge talked about creating a gallery wall in her home and I've decided I'm going to do the same thing after I've collected enough art. (Luckily because of Murray, I won't have to buy all the art---he can create it and then I can display it.) But so far, I've purchased three things on Etsy. In one week's time... come to think of it, it may actually be a bad addiction (not to mention that I coerced Ambrosia into purchasing a crochet pattern on Etsy so that she can try it out and then teach me how to do it). The positive side effect of being an Etsy addict is that I now check the mail almost every day, whereas previously I think I would go about three months on average between opening my mailbox (El Senor did it, and really, if all I'm getting is junk mail and bills that are already automatically paid, why take the effort to get my mail?).

This is my first Etsy purchase, a print from Dkim.



My second addiction is Amy Butler fabric and patterns. I also justify these purchases because I consider them "market research." I would eventually like to produce my own original fabric line (instead of designing fabric for a corporation). I also love her bags, and I figure that since I help to design bags as well, sewing Amy Butler's bags is really just investing in my own skills and knowledge. Did I spend $100 in Amy Butler stuff last month? Yes! And what an investment!

Last night I completed this Amy Butler bag just in time to take it to the beach in San Diego. Next month I'll take it to the beach in New Jersey.


And as long as I'm showing things I've bought and made, I may as well give you a sneak peak at a a lining I've done for work. I don't show my designs on the blog because they're not my property, but I think I can ethically get away with showing this picture of a sample product... This weekend I'm also using a weekender bag that uses my poppy pattern on the outside. I'll have Murray get a shot of it and post it when I get back.

Sincerity at its Sincerest

Because I am a responsible woman, I did the responsible thing and made an appointment for my pap test. I underwent the whole ordeal a couple of weeks ago and because I have at least the tiniest ounce of propriety, I won't discuss the details of that appointment.

I will, however, share that during my appointment, I had this to look at on the wall in front of me:


(Okay, not really, but there was a picture of a little girl with her eyes wide and her mouth open, which was funnier/even worse than The Scream. And even though I had my camera in the room with me, and I was all alone barely swathed in sheets of paper, I didn't want to take the picture for fear of 1) getting caught and being considered a freak show and 2) catching the reflection of my scantily paper-clad self in the photo.)

During the visit, the NP became concerned that I may have thyroid disease. It runs in my family. She ordered blood work and told me I'd have the results in about two weeks. Yesterday, I received this letter in the mail:


It scares me to think what they would have sent me if my blood test had not, actually, been normal.

Hola, Puerto Nuevo!

This morning, I told my mom that Murray and I had been researching Puerto Nuevo on the internet because we're headed there this Saturday. After several minutes of talking about other things, she asked, "Now what were you and Murray researching on the internet?" I said, "Puerto Nuevo. Mexico." Then, relieved, she said, "OOOhhhhhh. I thought you said porno label."

My mom. She doesn't speak the Spanish.

Here is an illustrated version of what Murray and I expect Puerto Nuevo to be like:

(Copyright Bored in Sunday School Productions, Cicada and Murray Inc.)

We're headed out to San Diego on Friday so that we can spend the weekend with Switchback, her softball team, and Kelly Roxanne. And to eat cheap lobster on the beach in Porno Label, Mexico. It'll be some good times for sure.

(Murray's bald photo was replaced with a more accurate version. His place of prominence on my blog represents his place of prominence in my heart.)

My Hairitage

Now that I've added a picture of bald-Murray to my sidebar, I may as well write a post about hair. But my hair. Sorry. I'm very egotistical that way.

It has come to my attention that recently, two friends have gotten the Cicada haircut. The first was C, who printed out pictures of me from my blog and took them to her hair dresser. Quite possibly there is nothing more flattering in the world. Well, only one thing: Finding out that Daltongirl would have done the same thing except that she couldn't print the pictures. She just described my hair to her hair dresser.

While this makes me feel pretty and popular and pretty much exactly like a celebrity, I would like to point out that as I mentioned in my last post, I only post unusually attractive pictures of myself to my blog. There are many pictures---including pictures with bad hair---that I don't include. Here, for your enjoyment, are several pictures of me with different hair styles. You may choose which one to print out and bring to your hair dresser.












Do I do more at work than just take pictures of myself? The answer is yes, actually. These pictures have been taken over a long period of time and usually, they were taken because I wanted to send Murray a picture of What I'm Doing Right Now.

Forgiveness?

I really do apologize for my extended absence from blogging. On the fourth, I was at Murray's parents' home and they said that they don't see as much of Murray anymore, but they don't mind because they know he's in good hands. I hope that you, my blog readership, will have as much understanding.

I obviously can't recap everything that has happened over the past few weeks, but allow me at least to post a few pictures that were meant to be separate blog entries. Here's the condensed version.

Barking Bird

I heard this barking sort of bird in the bushes. I was convinced that this time, I could find it. I had failed previously, but assumed it to be a pheasant. This time, when I was trying to find the bird, I found a muddy trail leading to the river, bringing me closer to the bird. I followed that muddy trail all the way down into the Jordan River. My splash scared away the bird. Then I biked home muddy and soaking wet. I apologize for the picture. I usually post only unusually attractive pictures of me to the blog. But now that my blogging wiles have firmly secured me Murray, I can post whatever picture I want.

Murray's First Boggle

Murray played Boggle for the first time with me and The Boy. After the first round, he had four words. He really is so sweet and cute. And I have to remind him that he'll kick my butt at Star Wars Trivial Pursuit. After a few rounds, The Boy had 31 points. I had 20-something. Murray had 2 and a picture of a rocket ship. At least Murray learned the very most important lesson of Boggle: If someone starts snickering, look for the dirty word on the board. His mother would be pleased to know that he wasn't very good at that either.

Sundance on the Fourth

On the Fourth of July we went to Sundance with Murray's family and rode the ski lift. My favorite part was when money started fluttering out of Murray's pocket. At least there were no twenties among the bills that got away.

And now, a pledge to be a better blogger.