My sewing block is over!

Saturday in a nutshell: My soccer team won, but we were yelled at quite a few times by the ref for being annoying. Apparently, he didn't like when we talked back or when we called handballs on the other team. The best part of the game was the random mud pit in the middle of the field. Surprisingly, only one of my teammates got muddy. This is a reenactment (the people who drove these guys to the game refused to drive them home if they actually got into the pit for the picture.)

My church started its 170th birthday excitement. A few young adults that moved out of town were back in town, so we all met at a park. Activities included picnicking, swinging, and frisbee. For a picture of ME swinging check out this blog: http://bellagreenblog.blogspot.com/2009/10/central-presbyterian-churchs.html

Lastly, my sewing block is over. I got home last night & ironed/sewed for 5 hours. The only thing I have to show for it are these 24 strips - oh, and the fact that I still have dirty dishes in my sink. Yes, I ignored my dirty apartment to sew.

My first flu shot

I got the flu shot the other day - they offered it free at work. Although in years past I've ignored this offer, this year I am so busy and around a lot of nose-picking children that I'd rather avoid getting sick, if possible. I overcame my fear of needles for the brief 10 seconds it took (I usually recite the alphabet forwards & backwards as fast as possible when needles stab my skin). It wasn't too bad.

The funniest part is when the nurse put the band aide on my shoulder. She mistakenly thought one of my freckles was where the needle went in - she was off by an inch, so I ended up with two band aides!

Happy Birthday, Alison!

My little sister turned 22 yesterday (she's the one on the right). Last year, the family went hot air ballooning on her 21st. Her b-day ended last year in downtown Rochester: marking the number of drinks she consumed on her arm (the arm was also signed by neighbor Alicia Smith), riding a mechanical bull, and being brought on stage to shoot toilet paper with some electrical contraption. I only hope your 22nd was as fun as your 21st, Ali-babe. And for you, I'll show you how everyone around the world celebrated your birthday:

Gotta stay warm...

This is what I want to be drinking right now (coffee with foamed milk), sitting under a blanket, watching a movie, listening to the rain. I ran out of winter clothes. Even my small fleece shirts are far too big. It's 61* outside right now, and the weather wants me to take a day off work and bum around. Tonight, my plan is to drink hot cocoa, sew, and go to bed early. Oh what fun.

On a side note, I started my Christmas list the other day. If my family (hint, hint) wants anything good from me, they have to give me their lists by Thanksgiving. Otherwise, expect a surprise gift that I purchase on December 23rd @ 8pm - I'll be in Rochester around 4 that day.

Sunday Coffee: Fair Bean

Sunday I went to Fair Bean Coffee (http://www.fairbeancoffee.com/). Despite the unmemorizable hours (opening & closing at different times during the week) and the fact that it's my second official coffee shop visit, it's my favorite so far.

As is suggested in the title, Fair Bean Coffee practices Fair Trade. Perhaps talking about the exploitation of workers and seeing the living conditions of the natives of Guatemala (no running water) and poor of El Salvador (they fear for their lives), this makes me feel better about getting coffee grown in a third world country.

As far as bean prices are concerned, they were average, running between $9-$12 per pound. Coffee was good, a free refill was included, and the windows were huge. The overall environment was relaxed and clean. I'm slightly saddened that I didn't visit during a weekday to enjoy the smell of beans roasting. Perhaps I'll have to visit again, and try an empanada.

My first time at a sewing machine

I was looking through the scrapbook of my life (which only goes up to the age of ~15 when digital cameras started to rule the world and prints were no longer ordered). I came across a picture of the first thing that I've ever sewn: pajama pants. For a few short years, my mom lead a 4-H group and the three memories I have of that are: "never tie a child to the bed" which was a real bullet point in the packet we got on babysitting, trespassing on a neighboring property to my parents' house to look at a beaver dam, and sewing PJ pants. These were a soft yellow, but I also insisted on making a fleece neon green. They were awesome. We did a little fashion show after everyone was finished, and I felt the need to do a little acting while I strutted my stuff. My hair looks a little crazy - I must have put in pig tails to go along with the little kid in PJ theme. I'm surprised we still have this picture; Mom, my tummy is showing - gross!

Hills Cafe

There's a restaurant in Austin that has a large outdoor venue, perhaps you've heard of Hills Cafe?(http://www.hillscafe.com/) For the summer, they have a free concert every Wednesday night with Texas country music. I've been to a few, but usually leave my purse and camera at home. This week was the last week, closing out the series was Cory Morrow. (I had to skip soccer AND choir to go - shh, don't tell!) To celebrate, I was decked out with my boots, hat, and plaid shirt. I was kickin' it.

On the sewing side, I've started a project, but I am sworn to complete secrecy. I'll blog about it eventually.