Long time, no see...

After my two week long (has it really been that long?) silence, I am back, baby! My silence was due to a number of factors, mainly work and a crappy computer. I'm in the mortgage industry and the last week of any month means mandatory overtime; I pulled a couple of 12+ hour days. Dude. Believe me, that might have been fine at 25 but at 30 12 hours at work feels (and believe me it looks) like I've pulled an allnighter. After a week like that, it takes a bit to recover and then I had some computer craziness to deal with.

Anyway, since my fast, I haven't really sewn anything either. The last sewing related thing I did was pick up some fabric to follow up on my directive to make a reusable grocery bag (and to come up with the aforementioned challenge). However, after further consideration of my fabric choices I wonder what I was thinking! They are rather hideous, in fact. So bad that I'm planning on returning the fabrics back from whence they came. So, if you missed me, rest assured I was not fit company...

I mean really, look at what I bought. Would you be inspired by the coffeepots and stripes? Maybe it's just the two together that rub me the wrong way...



What have I been up to since I haven't been sewing or on the internet with my previous enthusiasm? Reading! Yes, I withdrew from the world outside my head and sought refuge in an entirely too ambitious book (for me, not the author) in some subconscious attempt to reclaim my former intellectual self. And maybe to prove that living in Phoenix hasn't fried my brain completely. Although, I haven't really read all that much given my lack of time and energy after month end. Still, so far, it's living up to all the hype of being Rand's masterpiece.

A challenge...

I'm working on day 2 of my cleanse. My mouth feels all funky, but today is definitely better than yesterday and while I definitely don't feel full, I can't say I miss the food. Okay, that's a bald-faced lie. I admit my will has been seriously tested, but not from hunger. Actually, I haven't been all that hungry considering I have been drinking just the lemonade for the past 48 hours. Yes, I have been tempted, but only because I was bored or thirsty. This is not at all different than my normal eating habits :)

Although, yesterday it was rather difficult cooking for the hubby. Grilled chicken has never smelled so yummy, I tell you. And then I made him a roma tomato, vidalia onion and Bulgarian feta cheese salad (my favorite) and I was almost undone. I have always been the resident salad maker for my family, some would even call it my specialty. Not to toot my own horn, but I can really work the raw veggies tossed in some EVOO and vinegar. Okay, enough about food! Well, maybe not so much.

I had to do a little shopping yesterday and I keep on telling myself I have to make my own shopping bags because I can't stand the number of paper bags I bring home. Lately, there are some stores, Trader Joe you know who you are, that like to double bag, which drives me NUTS. If I had to walk a mile, sure, but the 10 steps from the trunk to the kitchen??? Please. Anyway, there is a lovely blogger out of the UK who makes even lovelier bags. You must all check it out. U-Handbags

Here's a peek at U-Handbag's reusable grocery bag for inspiriation and please, check the link out for the pattern and instructions:

In fact, I would like to propose a challenge! How about a reusable shopping bag sew-off? Who's game??