My new hats!

I forgot to mention, I was sick as a dog for my birthday, and called in sick for the first time in like maybe 15 months or so!  But Rachel got me TWO new hats!  Lookie lookie!

Woop woop!

New lampshade

Me and Rachel found a DIY lampshade idea that we tried.  It involves taking yarn, string, raffia or hemp and running it through wall paper glue or a stiffening agent, then wrapping it around an inflated balloon or hollow object of your choice.  So Rachel found some "vintage-style" green (combo of lime and forest green) and orange dreamsicle string and we tried it out!  After the lampshade was dry and stiff, we popped the beach ball and inserted a light fixture.  Yesterday we went to a light bulb specialty shop and got the proper switch to splice into the cord so that it switches on and off (otherwise we'd have to reach behind the couch to unplug it every time)   Here are the results:

Me looking through it!

Me, holding the orb.

Ta da!

While at Walmart to buy the cheap beach ball used for this project, I saw this AMAZING t-shirt!!  If it was slightly cheaper than 7 dollars, I would have totally bought it just for kicks.

Rach recently cut her hair really short, I think it looks great!  A bit after taking this pic, she dyed it a bit more red.

And here's a quick pic of Chuckles.  I was on the phone with mom, and Charlie was trying to get at Rachel and it was distracting me, so I grabbed him and was holding him next to me so he'd just sit still.  Charlie was just glaring at Rachel, like "oh, as soon as I get free I'm gonna get you!"  If I pick Charlie up and carry him, he'll just crane his neck and his head will just follow Rachel around the room.  She's definitely his favorite now!

That's pretty much all that's new here.  I got an inflatable Kayak, that's pretty cool!  I just need for the rain to stop.  Gotta love Portland!