Thorn Chronicles

In the Fall of 2011, I decided it was time to celebrate a new chapter in my life, you can now find me at www.SoSuanne.com, I hope to see you there!

Labor day weekend turned out to be a great thing, when we moved into the new apartment the spare/guest bed/computer/sewing/craft room was filled with miscellaneous boxes of craft supplies, computer supplies, dolls and doll stuff. I’ve been chipping away at the clutter, mostly because the boy will be here for a visit in just a few weeks and this is “his” room and it would be great if he can actually sleep in it. I’ve managed to get much of the bits and pieces of crafting and sewing supplies sorted (much of it is even organized), dolls have been moved into my room for further sorting, random boxes of stuff have been condensed and there will be room for an air mattress shortly. The perk to having done all that work is, that with the long weekend providing the time, I had an opportunity to test out the sewing room.

I’m sure my fellow crafters and seamstresses will appreciate this little feeling of success. I had been wanting to try converting one of my favorite doll patterns to Build a Bear size and I wanted to document it for a tutorial. So, my first time sewing in the new space would mean utilizing both the regular sewing machine and the serger, space for taking photos, and trying to find all the tools I haven’t used in a long time.

The photo shows the sewing table with both leaves opened (I can’t believe I almost gave the table away when we moved – thank you, again, Eric!), my serger is sitting on one side facing the table’s handy scrap catcher, my pressing pad fits on one leaf, the cutting pad on the other, you can see my computer desk in the background with, all the way to the left, my embroidery/sewing machine. Just above the sewing machine I have a tool caddy attached to the wall with all my sewing dodads.

I won’t include much of the sewing details except share that as I finished the test pattern I realized that I had not once had to stop to search for anything I needed. Everything was within arms reach the entire time I working and I never felt pressed for space. Happy Days! people, Happy Days!!

This week Central Virginia had it’s largest earthquake in more than 100 years. I grew up on a fault line and moved away from California in part because of the very real threat of serious earthquakes. Sitting here at work and watching the ducts, lights and network lines sway was surreal; I thought to myself “really, this really is how my life works, a major earthquake in the place I moved to get away from the “big earthquake”.”

We could talk about the unusual snow fall of the last few years, but I liked the snow. Yes, there’s been tornado’s and the major lightening storms and those I’ve not been too afraid of, maybe I should be, after all a building a mile away from our apartment burned down after being hit by lightening. I’m just a sucker for the rumbling, boom and crash noises. Tornado watch? Duh, stay indoors, I say.

At this moment we have a hurricane heading our way, Irene will be the first big one hitting the East Coast since I became a resident. We’re not expecting more than a windy rain storm here in my county, even so, when I tried to sign up for Renter’s Insurance this morning Progressive wasn’t issuing policies. Just an hour and a half away they have issued mandatory evacuations – the first since we moved here.

We live in a safe place, we shouldn’t have any problems… so why then, am I freaking the hell out, struggling to hold back a major panic attack?!?! I get that the very nature of a panic attack means that logic is not in play. Panic isn’t rational. I’m writing this post thinking it all through so I can feel better, do something constructive with all this energy.

I understand I have an over-active fight or flight response. There is nothing for me to be freaking out about. Please, can someone make my adrenal gland understand that the real worst case scenario is that I have to take a cold shower on Sunday morning, and, my boyfriend’s* street gets flooded so he “has to” stay with me a few extra days this week?

(sarcasm on) Because, that would be terrible! (sarcasm off)

Okay, now I feel a little bit better.

*He was the one who made sure we have flash lights and canned/dry foods and water in case the power goes out for a few days, because he’s AWESOME.

So if there are things I miss, obviously, there must be things I’ve found here in my new home to replace them and they deserve a mention as well. In no particular order:

• All the gorgeous trees were one of the primary reasons for my wanting to move. My office is in the middle of a little forest, and I love being surrounded by nature.
• Fall when the trees go from green to yellow or orange overnight.
• Snow! I love the snow as long as I’m not stuck trying to drive on ice.
• A smaller town vibe where you can chat with people at the grocery store and no one assumes either party is trying to sell or steal something.

And the food:

• Sweet tea and hush puppies.
• Tip Thai Restaurant where I go to have an occasional quiet splurge dinner on my own.
• Anohka Indian food that tastes like they’ve put an upscale California spin on it. Not quite a homey spiritual meal but dang good.
• Ray’s Ice Cream might have been worth the move all by itself, Ray’s Rocket made with Watermelon Italian ice and delicious vanilla custard is addictive.
• Five Guys with their seasoned fries, reminds us of Sam’s Burgers.
• CheeBurger Cheeburger is tied for best burger, with so many amazing toppings and incredible onion rings.
• Galaxy Diner with their oreo pancakes is a nice place to stop when we’re in Cary Town (which is not quite as cool as College Avenue but still fun).
• Can Can Brasserie for upscale dining and service, we always say we’re going to order the crepes but we always find something else on the menu to tempt us.
• Virginia Museum of Fine Arts VMFA a gorgeous, huge museum, free to the public and just as enjoyable as SFMOMA.
• And last, but not least by any stretch of my imagination, El Toro Loco on Staples Mill Road which is our “comfort food” hangout. This is the one place guaranteed to serve us a satisfying meal (with left overs to take home) at a great price with friendly service.

I’ve met some great people and am looking forward to building more new friendships as time goes on, and, I can’t express enough thankfulness for the journey that led me to Eric.

Here I am, just past the third anniversary of my move from the San Francisco Bay Area to lovely Richmond, Virginia. I still believe with all my heart the move is the best decision I ever made, but, there are a few things I miss from the place I once called home. Obviously, I miss my son, but he comes to visit so he’s not completely out of touch or reach. These other things I miss are things I can’t touch or reach, most of them involve food – so you see where my priorities lie.
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