knobs.

For the past week, I've been home with an ocular migraine.

What does an ocular migraine feel like?

Here, ask Scott Summers:


Too extreme? (I'm such a baby when it comes to being sick.)

In addition to the extreme X-Men level shooting red light pain I've felt, I have been so, utterly bored.

(so has my girlfriend.)

I've managed to catch up on the last three seasons of Law & Order SVU (bless you, instant watching Netflix), sleep, occasionally bathe, and sleep more.

She actually managed to make something.


How adorable is our new coat rack?

Oh, and this reminds me -- I did manage to model for that last shot. Nice bathrobe, right? I'm fancy these days.

She measured and painted and crackled and drilled and everything.

Maybe if my migraine sticks around, she'll be bored enough to make cabinet doors?

no really, thank you.

You could go out on a Saturday night. You could drink a little too much and dance in public like you probably wouldn't if you didn't drink a little too much. You could get dressed and wear fancy things like heels and a bra and deodorant. You could hang out with a lot of people, making new best friends and taking pictures of you and your new best friends whose names you don't quite remember when you process the disposable camera film the next day.

Or, you could stay in.

Make thank you cards. Watch the science channel by accident.


There was a headache involved yesterday - and I could say that sans headache, I'd be out with you, dancing and drunk and wearing deodorant, but I think that we both know that even in perfect health, I'd still be covered in craft glue.


And yes, if my parents lived closer, I'm sure I would be hanging out with them. Playing a nice card game or something. Eating something with a lot of fiber. The usual.

the couple that crafts together...

ends up spending hours making return trips to Home Depot and arguing over which super glue brand sounds stronger.

C'mon, it's totally Gorilla Glue. Do you have any idea how strong gorillas are?

It was all worth it - K + I ended up making a homemade present for our friend Jane's birthday that was perfect for her. Jane loves literature and electricity -- so, a book lamp was right up her alley. (you're right -- who doesn't love electricity?)

We originally started looking for the classics (she's smart like that - loves the classics), but then we started finding books that actually said Jane to us. In her dog's name (Poppy and Rye), her address (House on Hope Street), even her birth month (September).


Isn't it wonderful? The craft-recipe came from Bust, which alone should make you subscribe.

new-ish.

I have a soft, comfy little gray dress that is a weekend staple for me. It's perfect for any of the following (but not limited to): yard sale-ing, grocery shopping, dog walking, errand running, seafood shack eating, etc.

Well, sadly, I pulled it out of the dryer a couple of weeks ago and the soft, comfy little gray dress became a soft, comfy little gray dress with pink splotches all over it. Ok, I admit it. I continued to wear it. Yeah, like in out. In public. But then the pink/gray mess even started bothering me and I just about gave up my weekend dress.

When - I remembered a package of teal dye that I had bought a year ago. You know, for a project I'm sure I thought I'd do. Of course, I do not remember that almost-teal-project at all. But hey, the dye was there and I've always wanted to try to dye something and if I messed it up, well, what? I'd have to wear a grey/pink/teal dress to the coffee shop? Would that really be so bad?

So, I dyed it! (my craft supplies aren't going to know what to do with themselves if I start actually using them) I read the instructions and then re-read the instructions and then laid out the instructions on the bathroom counter and read them aloud the entire time for complete fear that I would completely screw it up and end up with a teal bathroom floor and a still gray/pink dress.

It was not nearly as scary as I thought. I did have this worry that the dye would be so toxic that after inhaling it for the 30 minute bucket stir session, I would pass out all lady like on the bathroom floor or that the dye would burn right my skin since my rubber gloves (recommended by instructions) were actually thin little hospital gloves. Neither happened, by the way.

Actually, nothing was stained, burned, spilled, contaminated, ruined, or destroyed.

Why can't all my projects be this successful?

As I mentioned, I followed the instructions exactly, which means that I did add the recommended cup of salt (I dyed a cotton dress) and the tablespoon of laundry detergent (tide). I also stirred that dress constantly, fearful that taking a second to relax or scratch my nose would result in a dress that looked like it had been assaulted by a 7-11 blue raspberry slurpee. (good tip, I used an extra-large paint stick as a stirrer. worked great) Next time I would probably relax a bit, you know, calm down and also, I would have left it in the dye longer for a more intense color change. Oohhh...maybe next time I'll try mixing dyes. So many possibilities.

I am so amazed that I did something that turned out wearable, I have this urge to take utter credit for the dress, which might result in me accidentally telling a perfect stranger that I made the dress from scratch.

And then, I'll immediately tell them that that was a lie. And that I'm sorry, teal overexcites me. And then I'll finish my order and drive to the next window to pay for my coffee.