I wasn't able to look through the Japanese books as thoroughly as I wanted yesterday at the library, because Ivy had decided she just didn't want to be there, and the more frustrated I got at trying to look at the books quickly, the more determined she was to convince me to leave. I did get a wonderful bento book, although at this point all I can do is look at the pictures. It's pretty easy to figure out what a lot of the stuff is.

Miranda had some extra pocket money this weekend, so wanted to go back to our teeny tiny Chinatown to a shop where she saw a stuffed tiger. Since we were in the neighborhood, we stopped at Tink Holl, the Asian market, and I picked up these notebooks

I wish I knew who they were. The back has a website, www.chinadaylight.com. but it doesn't appear to be there anymore. The notebooks are dated 2000, so I guess they are just old stock from somewhere. They are supposed to be for Ivy and Miranda, but I am hoping they will forget about them so I can keep them...otherwise I guess I could head over and pick up a few more.

I really want to get started on a sock monkey for July's Month of Softies, but I am convinced he must have stripey legs and the thrift shops have been letting me down. Guess I will have to go buy a new pair of socks somewhere.

It's so hot I don't want to do any sort of crafting. My nephew has a birthday in another week--I suppose it would be a nice gesture to actually make him something. I am also thinking I should get started on any sweaters I want to make for Fall, just so they are actually completed--and maybe finally finish the Fair Isle sweater I made for Ivy last Winter. I have a beautiful tweedy yarn from a sweater I unraveled, I would like to make a cardigan but can't decide if I want it to have a collar or a hood. I also have some teal mohair that would make a nice wrap for me, but I am undecided, partly because I am too lazy to make things for myself, it's much easier and quicker to make things for the girls. And maybe a hooded sweater for Miranda. I have an assortment of pink yarns, am wondering about making one with all different kinds. I think it would be cool. Probably should get them on the needles, that always motivates me a bit, just getting things started.

I started clearing out my back room, and threw away some fabric that I really didn't need, just scrap bits, and then today I started thinking about things I could do with the fabric so I went and rescued some of it. This is why I am drowning in craft supplies and have duplicates of things because I can't remember what I have, and keep buying more for the same reason.

This is my dining room table.



We don't eat dinner together very much. The girls have a little table, as well as trays for the living room. Brian usually eats there as well, and I eat at my desk. This is going to dissolve our family solidarity, I am sure.



These are wooden boxes I have been decorating. One is using an old copy of The Velvet Room, one is using Joss paper, and one has Loteria cards, a prayer card for La Virgen de Guadeloupe, sequins and a milagro.


Miranda's dragon wings for the Medieval Faire. Constructed with coat hanger wire, green velvet from a thrifted dress, and silk. I painted the silk with dye and gold acrylic paint, and weighted the ends with beads. They don't hang quite right, I need to play with the apparatus a bit more.


more slippers and boots to be felted for the website/craft shows.

Back home.

Where to begin. I kept a paper journal of the trip, the first one I have kept since Ivy was born and I was struck by the difference. With blogging you generally give an account after the event has happened, but with a paper journal you have the privilege of documenting something as it happens.

It went well. I wasn't very happy with how I looked on screen--my beloved skull dress was vetoed as it violated the No Death Symbols Policy. Seriously. I ended up wearing a tank top and cardigan with one of my new skirts, it looked okay in the mirror but when I saw some of the edits, the tank top is bunchy across my boobs. And I was going to wear my hair up, and then I thought it would be better down but it looks scraggly and just hanging, no style. But the actually taping went fine, I was comfortable and chatty and maybe even funny. Although I did have to stand on a box since I was so much shorter than the hostess.

Tuesday was my one day free, I am so glad that I thoroughly researched where I wanted to go. By 8:15 I was on the 94, headed toward Chinatown. I was a little worried I wouldn't know where to get off, but it was pretty obvious with the pagoda style buildings and banners proclaiming Chinatown. It was still pretty early, so I decided to walk to Little Tokyo. Along the way I discovered all the little shops on Olvera Street. It was touristy, but fun and reasonbly priced. Little Tokyo was a bit disappointing, as several blogs had warned me. I was hoping to find a bookstore where I could buy children's books, but I couldn't find one. So I walked back to Olvera Street and had a delicious lunch of beans, enchilada, taquitos (these were so good) and horchata. After that I headed over to Chinatown, which is dirty, lively and colorful. It's wonderful. I think dirt and dust make things more interesting. And it wasn't smelly dirt, just lived in sort of dirt. I did most of my shopping here--Chinese pants suits and shoes for the girls, t-shirts for Brian, and a stuffed Cat Bus from Totoro for Miranda. The sun was getting pretty hot by this point, I could see people walking around with umbrellas, or even just holding newspapers over their heads and I got pretty sunburned for my efforts.

I am glad I got the one day out, because I didn't get to do much else after that. I am not a good traveling companion, I get impatient and I don't compromise well. I was annoyed the following night that lollygagging and general non-committedness (is that a word?) led to a complete runaround for dinner and a rushed, mediocre meal. People really need to learn that the best course of action is to listen to me. I had suggested that Downtown Burbank might be a good idea.

I think the best thing about this trip was rediscovering my sense of adventure. Just setting off for a day to find things to do, all on my own. I haven't done that in years. I was so absolutely elated as I set off to catch the bus, no idea what the day held. I had a certain destination, but other than that, I was just going to walk around and see what I found. And the silence was great. The freedom to just think, and mull things over and contemplate and just be quiet. When I used to travel alone, I did love it, and then I would get bogged down with "oh, I need someone to share this with, I should be a couple". And then I would feel lonely and left out. But traveling by yourself is such a great thing, at least it is for me. And I had a whole day just to sort of dwell in my head and look at things and daydream and not get interuppted with Mom? Mom!

But it is good to be home. On the flight back, I was so impatient, I just wanted to get back and see everyone. When I came out of the airport, I spotted Brian and the girls right away and Ivy jumped down and yelled Mama, Oh Mama and ran across the to jump in my arms and it was just wonderful. It was good to get away, but it's good to be back.