Monday

I walked MILES this weekend with Petunia, getting stuff for her Steampunk costume.

We went to the Jax Humane Society Thrift Store on Beach Blvd Saturday morning and hit the jackpot. Found a brown "felt" (looks like suede sort of) a-line skirt that is below knee length (like Annie Oakley length), a fitted white long sleeved button up blouse, a black wool hat, brown leather belt, brown satin scarf (for the hat) and black pleather (?) almost knee high boots.  We did great, everything was the right size. Not sure what we will do with the belt right now - its a little big, but it was old tooled leather and she fell in love with it. Might use it as a bandolier or something similar, or just sling low over her hips. (All blue jeans there are $3 and we found a great pair for her too, but that's not part of her costume lol.)

I got her a black & brown pleather/cloth corset off of eBay cheaper than the ones at Wal-mart (even with s&h). The ones at Wal-mart look saloon girl hooker-ish, this is more elegant. Caveat, if you ever shop for one they run small (from China), we got a size small and should have brought a medium, but with lacing, we're able to get it to fit her well. They also come with matching thongs which she proceeded to wear around the house as a pirate eye patch. *rolls eyes*

 I also found a really cool brass compass on eBay for $5 (shipping included) - I found an identical one on Deal Chicken for $11 LOL. One thing we are waiting for are the goggles I bought on eBay, cheaper than those at Harbor Freight and other discount hardware stores. That should show up this week. The goggles will be worn on the hat so her eyesight won't be impeded.

Found a plastic pump water gun at Wal-mart for $2 that I will paint metallic colors. Also picked up plumber's chain in the clearance aisle for her compass. Went to the stocking section and found brown ribbed full length tights to wear under the skirt (they are not wool, but do give the illusion of like a corduroy knit and look time appropriate).

Went to Michael's in Argyle Forest/OP. We were looking for a cameo to make into a pin but found a round octopus print resin medallion that we will use instead. Picked up little metal keys to make earrings out of, along with pin backs and fishhook earring findings. We could have gone nuts in Michael's, they had so much cool stuff there. *sigh*  I did treat myself to a cute wooden Day of the Dead cat for my living room shelf.

At Jo-Ann's Fabric (omgs its like Michael's now), we picked up some ecru lace to sew on the cuffs and collar of her white blouse. She wants the lace darker beige/tan so I thought I'd try dying it with tea bags.

We lucked out at both Michael's and Jo-Ann's because they had online coupons that could be scanned right from my phone. Michael's was 25% off regular & sale items and at Jo-Ann's, the lace was on sale and then with the 20% coupon, it was almost 50% off total.

The only thing we really "need" is a "leather" pair of gloves. I was thinking brown leather gardening gloves from a Dollar store that we could cut the fingers off of. Petunia's hands are smallish though so I'm not sure if we will find any this upcoming weekend. I would love a pair of white/cream/beige gloves but those are almost impossible to find nowadays. My old uniform gloves would be perfect, but I don't even know if I have them anymore. Most likely went into the kids' dress up box years ago and then either thrown away or donated.

We're thinking "Steampunk Explorer" as a theme right now. An idea for next year would be to add a butterfly net with some toy doll fairies inside. LOL (Steampunk Fairy Hunter?)

I know Sharky was bored shitless dragging us all over town on Saturday, but he was able to go sailing with Mr. DW on Sunday, so I'm sure that made up for it.

I talked to my dad at the hospital/rehab center on Sunday. He's doing well, was able to eat solid food for 2 days straight and keep it all down. They allowed him to take the walker out to the garden outside too. He's kind of slurry sounding and kept getting my sons mixed up, but then a hospital stay can do that to you. Hopefully he'll be released on Thursday and have rehab at home.

On Saturday, Sharky got a phone call from CC, his sister-in-law, about his stepmom. She had woken up in a lot of pain and her sister took her to the hospital and she's been there ever since. He was able to talk to his dad yesterday, who is doing ok, but very upset about it all, understandably.

We found out that his nephew and wife, R&T, are now homeless and living out of their car in California. There was a dust up with her family who then threw them out. They are waiting to get their final checks and then are heading back to Georgia. My heart breaks for them, but there is nothing we can do for them right now.

Everything seems to happen at once.