Tiredness sucks...

especially on the weekend when there's things you want to do.

Taking Ambien actually helps quite a bit. I tried it on Wednesday night (with earplugs even), and Thursday was one of the best days I've had in a very long time. No tiredness, no yawning... I actually had energy!!

Until I talk with my Dr about whether or not it's ok to take Ambien nightly forever I'm going to be very careful with it (I don't want to build up a tolerance and find that it doesn't work very well for me anymore). And because of that I'm saving it's wonderful good-sleep & next-day-energy inducing effects for worknights when I need it the most.

I have a family reunion to go to today. MrBee bailed out on me. He's tired of people and isn't up for going... and frankly, neither am I but it's my family and I feel an obligation to go (for at least an hour or two). I can't blame MrBee for bailing, if I didn't feel such a strong family obligation to show up I wouldn't go either.

There's lots of chores that I need to do around the house, and of course there's the always addictive Sims2: Seasons and SimCity4. :)

But instead I'm being a good responsible adult and not playing games all day and instead am getting food to share (I'm cheating and buying a salad at a local store) and will be joining my grandmother and the rest of my family at her family reunion.

Sigh. Being a grown-up sucks sometimes.

Sewing?

I got my first sewing machine for my 30th birthday last month.

The problem is, I have almost NO clue how to use it.

I took 6 weeks of a Home Ec class when I was 11, and only part of that was sewing related. One summer stepmom #1 (aka stereotypical evil-stepmom) made me and my stepsister take a summer camp that was about sewing (I think I was 9 or 10... maybe 11). With LOTS of help from the instructor I made a stuffed teddy bear with arms & legs that moved.

Now (nearly 2 decades later) I can barely put a button back on (with a needle & thread).

I would *love* to be able to hem up some long-sleeved shirts that have sleeves that are too long, and I have at least 2 or 3 skirts that I have to roll over at the waist 3 times because they're too long... and MrBee has a couple pairs of pants that are way too long for him.

What do you all recommend as the best way for me to teach myself how to sew? I don't know if there are any local classes. There's a couple sewing machine sales places in town that might have classes... but I think they're more like 'buy one of our expensive & complicated machines and we'll give you a free classes so you know how to use it).

Is there books or things that would work well for me?

Boy time sure does fly....

Portland People!

I need the name of a good hotel that's close to the Rose Garden (Justin concert... SQUEEEEEEEEE!!!!).
Close via the Max is fine.

I'm planning to go look at the new IKEA store that just opened up when I'm there over the weekend. Though as our house is already overcrowded, I should *not* buy anything.