Random points

I desperately need a break from sewing my curtains. I'm currently trying to turn a 15 foot long tube of fabric right side out to make curtain tabs and it's very boring. These curtains are taking forever. So much fabric! One panel is mostly done, except for the tabs and the bottom hem, but the second panel still needs side and top hems. I can't believe how much thread I'm going through.

I had a nasty moment this evening. I was walking into the kitchen when I saw a dark spot in the corner. At first I thought I had dropped something, but then it moved. Another damn spider - this one about an inch and a half wide. And bulky, not delicate like a daddy long legs. I used my boot to kill it. Why doesn't my cat torture and murder them like most pets I've had before?

Vancouver weather hit on Saturday for the first time since I moved here. I actually took my umbrella when I ran my errands. It felt like fall - a light rain, crunchy brown leaves beneath my feet as I walked. Of course, today was summer again, gorgeous and warm.

I had a nice weekend, even with the little bit of rain. I spent Saturday cooking for my first dinner party in my new place. I had my grandmothers, a family friend, my parents and my sister over for salad, homemade dinner rolls, roast chicken with rosemary, thyme and lemon, roast potatoes and carrots, green beans, and pavlova with strawberries and blueberries. First time I made a roast chicken, but since I've made turkeys, I figured it had to be pretty much the same. I think everything turned out well and I was especially proud of the pavlova since I rarely bake. Today I made chicken stock from the leftovers so I can make soup sometime.

I went to the gym this morning and had a good workout - in addition to my usual, I went swimming and swam slightly more than the distance needed for the sprint triathlon in March. I need to half my time though, so I will have to really concentrate on swimming. I'm thinking about taking adult swim lessons so I can actually learn to do it properly. Maybe in October or November as I'm already taking a weight training class starting later this month. I did learn something valuable today - if I go for a run first, I need to stretch before going in the pool, otherwise the cold water results in hideous leg cramps. Much ouchie.

Ah yes - my big news. You may have noticed my whining about the transit system. I gave in to convenience (seriously, 2 hour bus rides?) and safety worries (25 minute waits in the dark, in crappy neighbourhoods) and got a car! It's a 1998 Ford Escort, in green. It's in really great condition, with only 97000 kms on it. I really like it and it's very comfortable to drive. Funny that I got an Escort though - my first car was a 1993 Escort in blue. I thought I'd maybe like something like an Echo or a Focus, but out of all the cars I test drove (I only drove cars in my price range, no point in dreaming), the Escort was my favourite. Now I just have to be careful not to turn into one of those people who drive to the corner store.