No updates to post on the tea party dress, but I did have some excitement last night. The kids' father picked them up for an afternoon visit, then I had an appointment, ran an errand, and then, since the house was empty, I decided to take myself out to dinner. On my way home around 7:00ish, I found my neighborhood blocked off by police cars at both entrances. They told me no one was being allowed in or out as there was a "law enforcement incident" in progress.

I was at a loss. I couldn't think what to do or where to go, and as always in a stressful situation, I felt painfully the separation from my children, and it filled me with anxiety. I drove around aimlessly for a while, then found myself at the north end of town and saw the sign for Perkins. I went in to get a cup of coffee and a slice of pie and to figure out what to do next.

I sat there scrolling through Facebook, and posting about the situation, and eating my pie, still trying to collect myself. An anonymous stranger paid for my snack! That's never happened to me before, and I have no idea who it was. I figure if it was someone I knew, they would have come over and said hello, and if it was a man who thought I was attractive, he would also have identified himself, so I ruled out both. Why then? Somebody just being nice? Or did they feel sorry for me because I was alone? Maybe I looked lost, I certainly felt it. I guess I'll never know.

One of my friends from my knitting group invited me to her house, so I went there. Subsequently I got a bunch more offers, which was really sweet. My kids, especially my son, were getting anxious and wondering what we were going to do. It was a school night, and they didn't have their school things with them, nor a change of clothes.

I kind of wish I could have picked them up and gone to a hotel or something, so we could be together. I felt bad about imposing on my friend, but by the time it became apparent that I wasn't going home anytime soon and would have to spend the night, it was too late to call anyone else and the kids had already gone to bed at their dad's house.

I lay there on the couch in the dark, wide awake, checking the local police Facebook page for updates. Finally, they posted that they were wrapping things up and would re-open the road soon. I debated whether or not to leave my safe place immediately, or to wait for confirmation that I could go home. I waited, because it was now the middle of the night, and I didn't want to end up stranded if things went sideways.

Finally they posted that the street was open again, so I went home. I still couldn't sleep - I'm functioning on about three hours right now. I've only found one news story about what happened, from last night when they didn't know anything. I still have no details. It's worrisome that something like this happened in my neighborhood. I know it's not the greatest, but this is beyond anything I ever expected.

When I initially was turned away by the police, my lizard brain went back to the flood of 2013, when I was stranded away from home and separated from my children. I think it's why I was so freaked out at first and not thinking straight. It really makes it clear how important those things - my children and my home - are to my peace of mind and sense of place in the world.

Dress Diary - 1910's Tea Party Gown

I thought of something to blog about! The tradition of the annual Easter/Spring Tea Party has continued, more or less uninterrupted, up to the present day. This year we wore Kentucky Derby style hats and lace dresses. Next year, about five months or so from now, the theme is 1910's chic. My best friend Melanie already has hers done, but it needs some tweaking so she won't allow anyone to take pictures yet. Here's what I'm planning for myself:


This is a variation on Simplicity 1517 that didn't make it into the pattern packet, but the designer has graciously posted the instructions on her blog:

http://www.andreaschewedesign.com/blog/how-to-make-the-beige-edwardian-dress


Before I can make the dress, however, I need to make the corset:







and the petticoat from Truly Victorian:




As always, undergarments make the shape, so they must come first. I will probably not buy the TV petticoat pattern, as I *think* I have all the information I need in the picture. The corset pattern I have though, and Melanie and I did a mutual fitting session on our mockups a while back, so I'm ready to start assembling!