New home

So, I moved yesterday. I love my new apartment! It's tiny, but very cute and the perfect size for me and Justin. It's in the middle of Ghent, the "artsy" neighborhood in Norfolk. I'm around the corner from The Naro (single screen, arthouse theater,) lots of restaurants, shops, and galleries. Being able to walk down the street to eat or go shopping is going to be so nice! Especially after spending my whole life in the suburbs, where you need to drive to go anywhere.

I'll post some pictures when I get everything put away and organized.
Also, I'll be updating my Etsy shop soon and re-opening commissions. Stay tuned for updates!

Moving!

Last week Justin and I did a little test run of living together. I'm very happy to say that it went really well, and I'll be moving in with him in a couple of months. It was a really nice week. I got to cook (nothing fancy, but it was tasty!) and I set up a little sewing area (and found out that I can actually work on art projects while my cute boyfriend is in the room.) I love that the apartment is in Ghent (the "hip/artsy" neighborhood in Norfolk.) We're only a couple of blocks away from...well, everything. Great food, an awesome old movie theater (and their video store,) and lots of shops...basically everything I need (except for a fabric store...but I have to drive there anyway, so it's not a problem.)

Now comes the hard part...packing up my stuff and figuring out what I don't need to bring with me. I'm living at my parent's house now, and I have a room full of STUFF. The apartment is small (and only has one closet!) so I really need to let go of a lot. I've already started sorting through my clothes, and have a bunch of stuff to send to the thrift store. There's a bunch of junk in my closet but it should be easy to get rid of, since it really is junk.

Going through my art and craft supplies is next. That might be the hardest to get rid of. I'm kind of an art supply pack rat. I've been an artist/crafter my whole life, and I tend to hang on to supplies (even if I don't have a project in mind.) My fabric stash is a bit out of hand, and I have boxes full of collage papers...ugh! I can't get rid of it...what if I need it? ;)

I'm really excited!

Things to come

I've been a bad blogger lately. I've been really busy with commission work and some personal projects and I haven't been posting as much as I'd like.

I'll be reopening my plush commissions the first week in May. I'll post a link to my updated info on May 1 (including some new rules, and updated prices.)

I'm also working on some new plushes and dolls for my Etsy shop, and I'll be posting those throughout May.

After that, I'm going to be working on some new creations for FantaSci, a local scifi convention. I'll be sharing a table with Justin, who will be selling his new pulp novel, The Red Knight.

After that...well, I'm not sure just yet. I'll keep you all updated.

...
On a personal note, Justin and I have been talking about moving in together. It's kind of a scary, grown-up thing for me. I've never lived with anyone before (other than my parents.) We're going to do a trial run next week...just to make sure we can stand seeing each other every day :)

I may blog about it all week. Or at least tweet.

I went to the doctor today, just a simple visit to get a refill on a prescription. She did the usual checkup things: blood pressure, temperature...and weight. I've gained ten pounds in the last three months! Normally, I don't worry about my weight. I've never been a skinny person and I like my curves, so a little fat never bothered me. But gaining so much in such a short time worries me.

I have to stop snacking so much. If there's junk food in the house, I'll eat it. Sometimes I feel like I have no willpower over my eating habits.

And I need to start exercising. Not a lot, just moving more than I do now. On the way home today I stopped at Target and bought a jump rope. I think I'll start jumping rope and taking a long walk every day.

I love being a curvy girl, but I really don't want to gain any more weight. I like were I am right now...

I'm melting...

There's currently a small heatwave here in Virginia. I don't like the heat. I feel like I can't do anything when it gets over 80 degrees. The official temperature today was 90, but I know it got up to 100 in Chesapeake (the official reading comes from the airport in Norfolk) I just don't think my body can handle the heat anymore. What's worse, I still live at home and my mom hates to turn on the air conditioner. Even when it's this hot, she just won't do it.

I want to live somewhere where it doesn't get so hot this soon in the spring. Maybe somewhere further North. Portland, Oregon sounds nice...or Seatle. Maybe Pittsburgh, my stepdad's mom lives there and she loves it.

I'm really tired of living here, but this is the only place I've ever lived. I wouldn't know where to go, really. Any suggestions? Somewhere that isn't too hot and humid in the summer, and is fairly cheap (for a starving artist) Maybe with a good art scene?

So, I got two wisdom teeth pulled yesterday. Justin was off of work, so he came with me (he's such a nice boyfriend!) It didn't take nearly as long as I thought it would. I think it took longer for my mouth to get numb than it did to pull the teeth.

We went back to my house after the dentist and watched movies all afternoon...Better Off Dead (John Cusack!!) and Soultaker (one of my favorite MST3K episodes) We also saw Let the Right One In, a beautifully creepy Swedish vampire film. I highly recommend it!

I woke up today with my face feeling like a chipmunk...all swollen and puffy, but there's not as much pain as I would have expected. I think it feels better now than it did before I got them pulled...

I still have to eat soft food for a few days. So I'm living on ice cream, mashed potatoes, pudding, yogurt, and anything that doesn't require lots of chewing. This morning I warmed up a strawberry muffin with lots of butter, and it was soft and yummy!

I'm working on some new plushes for my Etsy shop, as well as a couple of custom orders. I'm hoping to have a few things finished and posted by the end of the week. Stay tuned for more updates.

Now I'm grumpy...

I'm usually a very calm, easy going kind of girl. I don't get pissed off very often, but right now I am.

I woke up today in a really good mood. The weather is nice and I was looking forward to seeing Justin tonight. We haven't seen each other since Sunday (which is kind of a long time for us) I've been missing him like crazy, and I needed to see him after a week of dentists poking around in my mouth.

But he just called me, and his car is still in the shop and he doesn't know when he's getting it back. Which means he isn't coming over tonight. AARRGG! Stupid car! Why can't you be fixed now?!