Paperbound Torture

So, I just finished reading this book this evening:

Thanks for the picture Barnes and Noble!

Holy cow.  Ok, before I get into this, I probably should let you know: I LOVE the Percy Jackson books.  In fact, I have them all sitting on my shelf.  I think they're awesome.  Naturally, anything by Rick Riordan is going to be on my list to read.  The aforementioned tome is a new series in the same setting as Percy Jackson and the Olympians.  

So, what did I do when it came out last Tuesday?

Went right to the store and bought it, naturally.  Who cares that I was in the middle of another book or two?

Oh man.  As I got to the end of this book, I literally felt my blood pressure rising as I got closer to the end and realized: yeah, you know that nice tidy ending you wanted?  It's not coming.  This is definitely the beginning of a series.  

Aaargggh!!  

I'm beginning to think I get a bit too attached to these fictional characters.  Guess what I'm going to be dreaming about tonight and thinking about for the next week?

Next fall can't come fast enough.  Stinkin' series...

Ultimate Sewing Machine Smackdown!

Tonight, two sewing machines are going to face off in Battle: Apron!  Let's take a look at our competitors!  

The reigning champ (kind-of): SVEN!!!

What, you don't remember Sven?  Here, maybe his glamour shot will jog your memory.

Ooh, look at those awesome buttons....

OK, everybody remember?  Good.  Now, back to the program!

In the other corner, we have the newcomer: KEN!!!

My sister was nice enough to share Ken's awesomeness with me.

So new...and shiny...

It's going to be a battle for the history books, folks!  Let's see what happens!

Round 1: Ooh, looks like Ken's got pretty good technique, there.  I mean, look at him: he doesn't ever snag the fabric!  When's the last time we saw Sven do that?  Ken's action's so smooth!  I just don't think Sven can compete, poor old-timer.  Well, I think we have a winner!

Round 1 goes to: Ken!

Round 2: It looks like Sven is trying to prove that he's got some decency left in him!  Ah, look, he's playing nice!  I was a bit worried when he kept messing up that gathering stitch, but it looks like a quick consultation with the manual fixed the problem.  Wow, he's sewing over 3 layers of fabric!  It's gotta be the metal--Ken's smooth plastic body is looking a bit flimsy now!  What?!  You're telling me that Sven took care of nearly the entire construction all by himself?!  If I hadn't seen it with my own two eyes, I never would have believed it!  Ooh, sorry, Ken, but it looks like your time is up!

Round 2 goes to: Sven!

Round 3: Well, the match is all tied up now, folks!  They say the third round is the toughest, but--oh, no, it isn't--it is!  The dreaded buttonhole!  Sven looks like he's willing to take a crack at it:

I swear, this thing hates me.  I could only get this hideous buttonhole done because my mom was there.  Sven kind-of has a thing for her.

This was even a second attempt--trust me, the first one was worse.

Ooh, that doesn't look good for Sven!  That buttonhole looks pretty nasty.  It looks like Ken's going in for the kill!  What's this? *gasp*  An automatic buttonholer?!  Where in the blazes did that come from?!  Well, I think it's pretty obvious where this is going, folks. 

Round 3 goes to: Ken!

Well, it's been tough to watch at times, but it looks like this battle has been decided.  After winning 2 rounds and the hearts of seamstresses throughout the stadium, the winner of tonight's ULTIMATE SEWING MACHINE SMACKDOWN is:

Ken!!!

So sorry, Sven.  Better luck next time!

Oh, yeah, guess I should show you what I made.  Here it is!

Disregard my retarded face in this one...

Yeah, I thought it turned out pretty cute.  And it was super easy!  My sister found the tutorial here, although we made a few adjustments (or wanted to after it was done), so let me know if you plan on making it yourself and I'll fill you in.

Battling Microbial Beasties

This is just a news update for those of you who don't know: this was sicky week.  Some of my family had been sick a week or two before, but none of the rest of us had come down with it.  Well, on Tuesday my sister and I both started getting sick--it sounded like what everyone else had, no big deal.

Yeah, guess I'm just special.

Come Thursday, I felt particularly horrible and decided since it was getting difficult to swallow--and, you know, swallowing is kind of important--that I should get this checked out.  While it's not fun being sick, I must say it was a bit satisfying opening my mouth to say "ahh" and having the doctor say "Oh wow, no wonder you feel like crud!"  Why yes, I do, thank you.  (At least that told me that I wasn't making things up in my head.)  The diagnosis:

Just had to post this

Strep!  (Well, at least, that's what we're assuming {as opposed to mono--yikes!} since the actual lab results won't be back until Monday or Tuesday.)  With the help of my good friend amoxicillin, I am now pretty much back to normal.  Hooray!  I can eat again!  And do something other than sleep! 

The one thing I will miss: having a legitimate excuse for sitting on the couch watching movies all day. *sigh* (By the way, a big thanks to the Guthries for providing most of my sick-day selections!)