Counting Down

A week from today, Callie and I will be spending the first night in the new apartment. We'll be surrounded by boxes, since the plan is to get the moving done in the morning, and then clean the old apartment in the afternoon. Sunday will then be unpacking and settling in day.

You can see that Callie is oh so excited by packing supplies. I have yet to actually pack anything at this point, but at least I now have tape and this cool saran wrap type stuff you wrap around things. It sticks to itself, supposedly, much better than actual saran wrap. I'm using it to wrap around the plastic totes that contain most of my stuff. Normally I wouldn't bother, but I ended up having to hire people to move my stuff for me. It's not as expensive as I thought it would be, but it's not as cheap as having friends with pickup trucks and horse trailers.

I appreciated the help then, but now that I'm in a situation where none of that help is available, I really, really appreciate it. I don't want to even count how many times all of you helped me move, especially during the every six months spurt after the divorce. I'm truly surprised none of you slapped me silly. What was I thinking?! And yet, every time, you Montana people were there with trucks and whatever it took, like Earl carrying the 8 foot oak desk on his head up to the second floor. So, rejoice! You're not close enough to get roped into yet another one of my moves. (Do I hear an AMEN!)

I'm trying to bribe someone into helping me move some things on Friday (the day I get my keys) - plants, clothes, bathroom stuff, food, lamps, ... stuff you wouldn't necessarily want to throw on a moving truck. I think my chances of being successful with the bribe are pretty good. We shall see.

So, this next week is also the last week of the second summer session. I'm trying to wrap up my final project. The presentation is due Tuesday, and the project itself is due by 5pm on Wednesday. As you can see from the photo, the laptop is being used for jewelry display, rather than actual work. These are the two chain maille pieces I've done this summer, as a bit of a break from studying/working.

These are the earrings, which are made in a European 4-1 pattern. I liked the way they turned out.

This is the ankle bracelet, done in a Japanese 6-2 pattern called Hana-Gusari. I've been using a book I checked out of the library to learn how to do this - Chain Mail Jewelry by Terry Taylor & Dylon Whyte. I like the way the diagrams use color to show the last few links added. It really helps to see the patterns and how links connect together into the whole.

This week will be a crazy one, so I'm probably not going to have much time for beading fun. Probably the next time I post will be after I've moved. Maybe you'll get pictures of the new place, in all its palatial spaciousness. It'll be even more spacious for the next few weeks until I can afford a bed. Woo hoo, empty rooms. I could have a big party, with dancing and twister!