• Vintage Singer 66-18 in retrofitted cabinet
    General Thoughts

    Retrofitting My Vintage Sewing Machine Cabinet

    When someone tells me something won’t work, I still have to try. Often, it’s because I’m stubborn and want to prove them wrong; other times, it’s because I am certain my idea will work. Here’s how I was sure I could retrofit an old sewing cabinet to make it fit my new (old) sewing machine. The gift of a vintage Singer 66-18 sewing machine When I started working on hobbies again, including sewing, my wonderful mother-in-law, Joan, offered me her vintage Singer sewing machine. I happily accepted and started researching to learn more about the beautiful machine. I determined it is a Singer 66-18 and traced the serial number back…

  • Antique sewing machine surrounded by flowers.
    Artwork,  Essays,  General Thoughts

    In My Multiple Hobby Era

    I’ve written before about my older tendencies, even though I am only 45 as I write this post. Thankfully, “grandma hobbies” saw a new resurgence after the COVID-19 pandemic. And as usual, I was a bit late to embrace them. Childhood hobbies Like most children, I enjoyed playing outside on my swing set and spending time with my pets. I played make-believe house, doctor, office, etc. I made silly videos with my siblings using a VHS camcorder. I watched my favorite TV shows, whether live or on recorded VHS tapes. As far as hobbies, I remember making art projects or jewelry, messing around with plastic canvas, learning to sew by…

  • A woman looks into a mirror while measuring her waist
    Essays,  General Thoughts

    Believe It or Not, Getting Fat Isn’t the Worst Thing That’s Ever Happened to Me

    Body image has been a hot topic for as long as I’ve been alive in one way or another. As the old saying goes, sometimes, the more things change, the more they remain the same. Eras of Women’s Body Image During My Lifetime and How I Related I was born during the 1980s aerobics craze where the ideal female body was toned and athletic like fitness model Jane Fonda. I remember accompanying my mom to aerobics classes when I was a young child or trying to follow along with home workout videos on VHS. The 1990s came along with “thin-is-in” models like Kate Moss. Seventeen and Cosmopolitan magazines had diet…