Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Happy Thanksgiving!

Here at Cation Designs, we actually celebrate THANKS-for-GIVING-me-this-plaid-thing-to-wear.

Wearing blue plaid made some people more excited than others. Can you tell who's the most nonplussed?

I try to conjure up feelings of gratefulness every Thanksgiving, but this year it was particularly easy, because earlier this week, Mr. Cation officially signed the papers for his job next year! This means that moving to LA was worth it, as now he has a real job for after he graduates. All the preparing, traveling, and interviewing paid off, and I'm so proud of the hard work he put into this whole grad school venture. And best of all, the job is in San Francisco, which means we'll be moving back to my beloved city (or at least close to it, since living in the city can be kind of pricey!) sometime next summer. I'm so excited about being close to family again, but also sad about leaving SoCal (and LA's fabric district).

It's thanks to the FIDM's $1/yd section that we even have matching family outfits. Walnut was really not a fan of taking family pictures ("Mom, this is totally embarrassing!"), which is why we're all lying on the kitchen floor. My set-up on the couch with natural light and the sofa and you know, normal positions, made him totally freak out, so we had to settle for ambushing him while he was grooming himself after dinner. Hence the awkward outtakes with his leg lifted in the air, and his long-suffering face as he's dragged into the frame in the bottom photo. Don't worry, PETA, he got plenty of treats afterward and didn't suffer any long-term psychological trauma. At least, until he grows up and discovers his little kid bath pictures on teh interwebs for all to see.


And even more exciting (or at least more immediate): Mr. Cation got called up to be a Wheel of Fortune contestant! He (and therefore, I) will be going into the studio next Friday for taping, although unfortunately his episode won't be airing until sometime next April. Goodness, those people are not procrastinators. Anyway, I have to confess, my first thought was ZOMG what am I going to wear on national television?!? I know, I know, I'm such a dork sometimes. But in all seriousness, this is my big chance to wear something fabulous (but not black, white, red, aggressively striped, or licensed...I guess that means my superhero dresses and peplum top are out!) and I'm waffling between making something new (but what??) or wearing something I've already made (but what??). Help!

Mr. Cation is such a fabulous husband, being totally supportive when school gets crazy (cooking all the meals during AP Exam season! grading worksheets when I'm overwhelmed!), letting me fill up our spare bedroom with my fabric stash, and of course, taking pictures of my garments for me. Also, secret confession time: he didn't use to be a fan of cats at all, but he knew how happy cats make me, so he suggested that we get Walnut. How sweet is that? It's a good thing Walnut's so personable (felinable?), because Mr. Cation's totally won over to the cat side now. All this to say, I'm so thankful for him and am incredibly excited for these upcoming opportunities. Oh, and it doesn't hurt that he promised that if he wins big, I can get the rest of the LOTR Legos...


62 comments:

  1. Your post made smile!

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  2. Happy Thanksgiving

    The photos are lovely ... I don't think I'd ever manage to get my cat looking that good in a photo ... it would be blurred by him running away!

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    1. This was only accomplished through lots of bribery via petting and treats...

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  3. I love your family photo! And all things are better when clad in plaid. ;) congrats to the Mr. for the job!!

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    1. Thanks! I'll pass on both the congratulations and the fashion rec ;)

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  4. How wonderful for you! I love what I've heard and really want to visit San Francisco one day.

    I think you should wear something with a big pouffy fifties skirt and petticoat! That would look fabulous! Or maybe a beaded 1920s evening gown? But sewing the beading would be hell.

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    1. San Francisco is really such an awesome city...I hope you get to visit someday!

      I have no skill in beading, but gosh that would be lovely to wear. The 50s style dress is much more of a possibility, but still probably not going to happen in time!

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  5. Most adorable photos! You make a lovely family. And what wonderful news for your family too. Exciting new job and a gameshow - wow! I hope they both go swimmingly for you.

    Although NZ doesn't celebrate it, Happy Thanksgiving!

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    1. Thank you for all your kind words! I know, it's so egocentric of us Americans to go blathering on about our four-day weekend ;)

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  6. Oh, aren't you three adorable? Hehehe. Congratulations to Mr. Cation, that's awesome! Also, the prospect of having you back in SF totally ups my (already high) desire to visit that city.

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    1. Please please visit SF! I'll be honest, Saskatchewan isn't really high on my list of places to visit...

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  7. Congratulations on all your good news! I think you should wear one of your superhero dresses, really! How cool would that be?

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    1. Thanks! I really wish I could, but they're pretty specific about not wearing anything that's a logo or licensed character.

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  8. Happy Thanksgiving to you too! The photos are so great! And the outtakes are always the most fun with pets - you should see some of the crazy ones we have of our last dog for our Christmas cards. (We are going to attempt photos for this year with our 1-year old puppy, and we don't know if he will cooperate yet...)

    How exciting about Mr. Cation's new job and game show chance! You are definitely on the right train-of-thought for no bright red, white, black (something everyone else will be wearing!) or crazy patterns. Wear something in your favorite color (solid with textures always look great) that has interest around the neckline, even if it's just a pretty necklace. And they will move you to the front row for sure! =)

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    1. I only know not to wear those things because the contestant packet said so! Thanks for the extra advice; I'll definitely keep it in mind!

      The only problem with pet photoshoots is when you have more outtakes than actual photos!

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    2. I can't tell you how many people get the instructions for no red, white, or black and still show up with ONLY those three colors in their bag of clothes (if they even bring options - sometimes they just wear one high-contrast black & white outfit!). It's enough to make a costumer bang her head against the wall - I really need to write a post about it...

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    3. I think you definitely need to write a post on that! Even though I don't foresee needing to be on TV again anytime soon, I'd still love to know your thoughts on it.

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  9. You guys are the cutest. And I think I am as excited about your Wheel of Fortune opportunity as you guys are! VANNA WHITE!

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    1. I'm pretty sure VW was the first "celebrity" I ever knew of! I'm more excited about her gowns than the lady herself, honestly. It's too bad that Mr. C's episode is supposed to be "island-themed" which means more likely a themed costumey dress than an awesome gown...

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  10. Yeah!! What great things to be thankful for! Love your plaid family pictures! Have fun on Wheel of Fortune! We used to watch that show when I was growing up. I vote something new and special for your TV appearance!

    Happy Thanksgiving to you as well!

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    1. Thanks for being so excited for us! It's so weird to think about WoF because I totally watched it all the time growing up, too!

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  11. Cute pictures!!! Congrad's to Mr. Cation...yes it was worth it. Can't wait to see him on Wheel. Happy Thanksgiving!

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  12. Great post and welcome back to the Bay! Perhaps I'll run into you at the San Leandro Thrift Town sometime!

    Congrats on everything, including on having an awesome husband.

    I was always told blue, particularly turquoise, looks the best on television. I like solids for tv too.

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    1. As soon as I'm back in the Bay, I'm totally descending on the SL TT like no other. That place is the best. Thanks for the advice; I'm going to raid the stash and see if I can find anything blue!

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  13. Walnut's expression is great, as usual. Hooray for WoF!

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  14. Happiest of days to your utterly adorable family!
    -Sandra

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  15. ZOMG! LoTR lego sets! He must win big so these can enter your house :D
    I'm thinking a nice block colour or even colour blocking could work for this event. How super exciting!

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    1. Hmm, it might be time to finally break out the colorblocking...

      Thanks for being so excited about my potential new Legos!! I'm really more excited about that than the actual show/taping.

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  16. You guysssss!! Are sooo cute!! Happy Thanksgiving and congratulations to Mr Cation on the new job!

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    1. Thank you Neeno! I'll pass on the congrats to him!

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  17. Happy Thanksgiving! You are now offically my grandson's favorite blog. He adores all the pictures of Walnut and is so impressed that you like Legos. He is a LOTR fan and I gave him Shelob Attacks for his recent birthday. He thinks you are great. He is not interested in anything sewn, but Legos and Walnut----and you are all grown up. Maybe being an adult is not all "eat all the food on your plate" and "wash behind your ears". Thanks for the cute picture. Whatever you wear, you will be cute. Blessings. Regena in TN.

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    1. Oh, you are the best grandma -- I wish my grandma gave me Legos instead of telling me my shoulders are too broad for a lady :)

      I'm a huge believer in the fact that being an adult doesn't mean losing one's sense of wonder and excitement and general zest for living. And if Legos are part of that, so be it! Thanks for your very kind comment!

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  18. Congratulations on Mr. Cation's job, on Wheel of Fortune (good luck there!), and especially on getting your cat to hold still in a bow tie for pictures! Happy Thanksgiving.

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    1. Thank you! Walnut actually didn't mind the bow tie much, since it was so loose, but he did not like having us lie down next to him on the floor...

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  19. Great post - I was once called to Boston for an audition for Jeopardy (long story, but basically my man wanted to go on Jeopardy since forever, and we wrote the test together, then I got called. Oops.) I didn't make it past the Boston trials because I wasn't "game show material", meaning I was too boring in person I guess. Hahaha!
    Moving from SoCal just means you'll have a good excuse to really stock up on fabric before you go, doesn't it?

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    1. Mr. Cation and I have always said that we would do well if they had couples' Jeopardy; he could take sports and pop culture and I could take everything else :) He would also be the one to do all of the talk time stuff, as he excels at that kind of thing. I'm pretty sure I wouldn't find you boring in person at all!

      Yes, I should tell myself that stocking up is of utmost importance...

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  20. Ok, if these are merely your thanksgiving pics, I certainly could not handle 'Christmas pictures.' So I hope you do not have any plans in store to send me over the edge. Also, previously I thought you were a real person who occasionally doubled as celebrity. But now if you're going on WoF you must just be straight up celeb :)!

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    1. I wasn't planning on doing anymore family holiday photos, so you're safe ;) These are actually going to be our Christmas card photos, since most of the people getting that card don't read my blog!

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  21. You guys are fricking adorable on the kitchen floor! I'm very happy for Mr. Cation for scoring a job (and I'm sure your commute will get much more workable too) but just a teeny smidge sad to hear LA will be losing you!

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    1. I never thought I would be sad to leave LA, but there you go! Thanks for the well wishes, and yes, it will be nice to not have to commute the way I am now!

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  22. Walnut: "I wear a bowtie now. Bowties are cool." Congrats on all the great news, and blessings return for your thankfulness.

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    1. Hehehe I totally thought about that too when I was making his tie! Thanks for rejoicing with us!

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  23. Hippo dress! (Seriously, first thing I thought - how awesome would hippos be on TV??!)

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    1. I'm pretty sure my husband would have something to say if I wore hippos! He's not a fan of that dress, and I would hate to distract him at a crucial moment with my frolicking ungulates :)

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  24. Big congrats to both of you (having a spouse in school isn't easy). Great family in plaid. Have fun on WoF!
    Anne k

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    1. Thank you! The nice thing about an MBA is it's done so soon...I don't know how spouses do it with Ph.D programs!

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  25. These are seriously the cutest family photos EVER :D Congrats to both of you - that's so exciting you get to go on tv!! :) I totally think you should wear costumes - that would be SAWEEET!! ^___^

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    1. Oh, I would totally wear a costume if I wanted to steal the thunder from Mr. Cation :) Too bad WoF isn't about me!

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  26. These are literally the best pictures I have ever seen.

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  27. I'm late as usual but a big Congrats to the husband on the job, hooray! And also WoF - how cool!
    I am sad though that LA will be losing one amazing sewasaurus... come on, we need you in SoCal! Well, I guess you can go hang out with all those super cool Bay Area sewists instead, and I'll just have to drive up there and lurk in fabric stores in SF more...

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  28. Cutest photos ever! Walnut has got you wrapped around his little furry paw!

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  29. HOW DID I MISS THIS POST?!? OMG Wheel of Fortune!!! This is so super duper exciting - I cannot wait to see it air in April!! And yay for Mr. Cation signing papers for his new job - well done! Love the family photo and matching outfits here - it made my heart super happy.

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