Some firsts, sorta. . . .

Let me start with Friday and my court date.
When the girl hit me a few months ago, I didn't have my most up-to-date insurance card with me, so I got written up. Friday was my court date for this. The court room was packed! Wow, there are a lot of people speeding and such!
I heard the Judge talking to someone when he came in about the order. The guy that gave me the ticket was the last Trooper in line. So, once the Judge started, he flew through the cases. Sometimes he would finish his "verdict" before the person even got to the podium - he'd start asking questions as soon as the person stood up after his/her name was called. Within 10-15 minutes, about 1/4 of the room was cleared. After another 15 or so minutes, he came to the Trooper that wrote me up (do the math - 1/4 of the room in 15 minutes, means that 1/2 the people were still left at this time. . .this Trooper had been *busy*). The girl sitting beside me said he likes to sit on 840 and nail people - which is what happened to her.
When he got to me, he completely dismissed me after asking "So, do you have insurance?" This, though came after a discussion of my job (I was in my scrubs, heading to work afterward).
The Judge was an older man, and had a great sense of humor. I spent most of the time I was there laughing quietly. For example, he had a younger girl (college age) come up:
"Do you have a driver's license?"
"Yes"
"Do you have insurance?"
"Yes"
"Were you speeding?"
"Yes"
"Do you always say yes?"
The girl stopped, laughed, and said, "Yes"
"Where were you when I was younger??" The Judge asked her.
A Judge, in court. . . I about fell on the floor! This was the first time I was in a court - it wasn't too bad. Still, I'd prefer to not go back. lol

Anyway, I went to work after that and the day was normal.

Saturday was different, though. I had my first sorta-kinda-date. He's a high school English teacher from Chattanooga. I'd been wanting to go to the Aquarium there (only takes about 1.5 hours to get there), and he ended up meeting me. He'd picked up the tickets for us before I got there, which was totally unexpected. We spent a few hours roaming the main part of the Aquarium, then went to a restaurant close by - and had fish & chips (hmmmmm. . .). He also picked up the check there. We then went to a newer building (opened 2005) that has the stingray petting pool, the penguin exhibit, and the jellyfish exhibit. They also had a lovely set of rocking chairs facing a window looking over the river; we sat there for a long time just rocking and chatting. It was somewhere between 3 and 4:00 when I left down there and headed home.
And yes, he was a perfect gentleman. We've talked about getting together again - he's been wanting to see the Parthenon (last time he tried, it was closed for renovations).
So for a first sorta-date, it went pretty well. :)

As for sewing, I'm working on some tops and will soon be working on a new Ren Faire dress (parents are going to Ohio during their Faire and have invited me along for a week vacation with them). Nothing exciting, but I'll post pics of the new Ren Faire dress once I get a good start on it.

Well, that's my news for now.

Ok, so I was threatened if I didn't post anything. . .so here it is:

Another Ren Faire!

I went out to Rogersville (east TN) to the Shakespeare and Friends Ren Faire. While nowhere near as large as the TN Ren Faire, it was still fun.
I got my parents to go with me.

I'll give a brief overview:

We started out by listening to some lively music by the MacAlum Celtic Band (after a fun exchange between me and the leader of the band). After that, it was walking around looking at the vendors. I ended up buying a beautiful chainmail choker. We then got lunch (finally got my turkey leg!) and watched the Johnny Phoenix show. We sat for a while in the shade after that (it was starting to get warm) and people-watched for a time. I met up with the gentleman playing Shakespeare and discovered it was a professor from my college - he was over the theater dept. and had retired my sophomore year; I had a bit part in one of his last productions (see pic below). We then watched the second half of the Johnny Phoenix show, then decided it was time to go home.

The evening was finished with a good dinner as Sagebrush (similar to a Logans).

Sunday was up, then head back to Nashville and a night of relaxing and chatting online.

Here's the link to this RenFaire's pics:

http://picasaweb.google.com/jenn.s.90/ShakespeareFriendsRenFaire?authkey=Gv1sRgCIjM-8n07MvktQE#

My weekend, so far, part 2

Oh, and here is a link to some of the pics I took yesterday (not all of them came out well, but I posted them, anyway):
http://picasaweb.google.com/jenn.s.90/RenFaire2009?authkey=Gv1sRgCOyl07nS1omOTQ#

My weekend, so far

Ok, so, it's been a busy weekend for me!

Starting Friday, I came home after work and finished both Jamie's and my Ren Faire costumes.

Sadly, the decision was made on Saturday that Jamie would not wear her dress, because of the threat of rain (which would have ruined the dress).

So, Saturday morning, Jamie met me at my apartment to get ready for the Faire together. She ended up wearing a pretty off-white dress (sadly, I don't have any pics of her). We got to the Faire around 10. As this was the first nice day (i.e. no hard rains) the Faire had seen, there was already a crowd gathered.

Jamie and I spent some time looking around before I got a call from Reg that he, Stevie, and Jen had made it down to the Faire. We went to meet them, and then ended up splitting up - Jamie, Jen, and myself wandered around while the guys went off to amuse themselves. After a time, Reg, Stevie, and Jen left the Faire to find some bike shops. Jamie and I continued wondering around. We ended up taking in the Birds of Prey show and the Jousting match. We talked to many vendors (including a charming guy that accused us of stealing his heart every time we walked by) and saw many interesting people. Jamie ended up buying a couple of daggers for her and her guy. I found 2 rings - a poison ring and a band of twisted silver very similar to one that was lost to me years ago. We left just before the Faire closed for the day. It was a very fun day.

I ended up going back by myself this morning, and what a day I had! I am so glad I went! I won't bore anyone with all the details, but I did want to write out some of it.
I got there a bit before open, and got to see most (if not all) of the cast; they gathered around the entry walk-way. I began walking around the Faire, and saw many of the vendors before they started into their acts (how strange to see 2 guys dress in Ren Faire garb talking computers). I took in a show or two before getting in line (near the front!) to go tour the castle. Two gentlemen and a little boy sat on a bench across from me in the waiting area, then behind me (the little boy with me) on the bus. I started talking to them and found out that one of the guys and the little boy (Louis and Nick, his son) were there with his wife (Margret) and several other cast members from the Louisiana Ren Festival and the other guy (Ryleh) is a friend of theirs out of Arkansas who travels around visiting as many other fairs as he can, when he can. They walked with me on the castle tour then afterwards around the grounds. When we got back to the Faire itself, I met the wife and several of the LA Ren Faire cast. We all parted with promises to look for each other! Later, Ryleh found me sitting and watching all the people. He sat down and we had about an hour-long discussion about everything from other faires he'd visited to religion. We had several opportunities to interact with the cast, as well as patrons. He left to go get a few things, but we met up again with another Jennifer (from the LA Ren Faire cast) for the Pub Sing. They walked me out afterwards.

It may not sound like much, but it was very interesting to hear about the other faires and get some of the "insider info" about this faire and it's cast. I also really enjoyed just sitting and watching everyone go by, as well as listening to cast members and patrons. It was a very pleasant way to spend the day! I'm muddy, tired, and sore (gravel and hills are a pain when you're wearing shoes with very little soles), but I *really* enjoyed this day!

Almost done

So, I can see the light at then end of the tunnel. . .I'm almost finished with the Ren. Faire dresses.
Mine, as I think I've said before is more-or-less finished.
Jamie's is almost to that point. I still have to hem both the outer dress and the chemise (she came over tonight so I could get the measurements I needed), add trim to the outer dress, and finish the sleeves of the chemise. Then I'm done!! I have tonight and tomorrow afternoon (after a quick last run to JoAnn's tomorrow after work). I'll even have a bit of time Saturday morning before we go to the Faire.
So, here's some pics of the (almost) finished dress:

Sadly, they are still calling for rain on Saturday. Jamie is calling a cleaner to see how possible it would be to clean a rain-soaked taffeta gown! I think she has a back up dress, if all else fails.

So, yep, almost done.

Updates and thoughts

Well, let's see. . .here's some updates on my oh-so-exciting life! LOL

Of course, Ren Faire is the big thing.
As far as Jamie's dress goes, I'm almost finished. I need to attach the skirt to the top, add trim, and hem. That's about all. Mine is finished except for a few finishing touches.
But now, the forecast is calling for around a 40% chance of rain all weekend (/crosses fingers/ that the forecast will change). If it rains, I don't think Jamie will want to wear her dress. It's made of taffeta, which spots very easily. If she can't/doesn't want to dress up, I won't either. Sigh. But I'm determined to finish the dresses, just in case.

I also thought I'd make a list of things that I'd love to do in the next while. If anything strikes any one's fancy, you'd be weclcome to join me!

1. See movies: "Angels & Demons" (I loved the "Da Vinci Code" movie and book and want to read this book soon, too) and "Wolverine". There are others, but they are not out yet.

2. Go to the zoo: Some of you know this one already. Grassmere is the closest, and that would work, but there's also one in Knoxville and one in Memphis. Or if anyone has any other ideas. . .

3. Go to the Aquarium: Yesterday was a travel day for me - I went down to Chattanooga for the clinic, and went right by the aquarium there. It takes a little less than 2 hours to get there from my apartment. The next closest one is in Gatlinburg.

4. Go on hiking/walking trails at some parks.

That's a good part of my list. lol

I have plans for this Saturday (the Festival, possibly) and the first weekend of June. Then, I am going to have to find a part-time job starting in late June/early July. I will only have a few more full weekends free (although I hope to be off on most Sundays after I get another job), so I want to take advantage of them!


That's pretty much it. . .like I said, "exciting". LOL
I'll get finished pics of the dresses up soon, even if we don't end up wearing them.

quick note

I just wanted to let you know that I may be a bit out of it for a day or two.

I had to make the decision last night to put Boots to sleep. Over the past few days, she stared doing some new things, which made me wonder if she wasn't getting worse, that maybe there really was something wrong with her that didn't show on the bloodwork. The vet I took her to talked to me a long time, going over possible alternatives and reasons she might be doing things, other than medical reasons, that is. For each thing she suggested, I gave her things I had done. Told her this had been going on for 4 years. She said I (and Michael) deserve a gold star for trying that long, that most people would have done something long ago.
I tend to think most of her behavior problems were in her head, but since she'd lost about 1/2 lb in just a short time (when you're only 6 lbs to begin with, 1/2 lb is alot to loose), I think it could have been something medical starting to present itself.
I don't know.
But I've been told I've made the best choice.
I'm worried about Mercury - he hasn't been an "only cat" since he was very young, but I dont' want another animal. I hope he'll be fine. He hasn't left my side since I came home last night. I'll just have to watch him.
Anyway, wanted you to know.