I have to admit that I have been known to start big projects, but I think this was the first time that the scripture Luke 14:28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and a the b, whether he have sufficient to c it? would apply. In this particular interpretation of the scripture my "sufficient" would include all of the following, a. expertise, b. fabric, c. time to finish in less than a month.
In my defense, we needed curtains badly and they had to be lined. There is no daylight savings here, and the sun in the summer rose around 3:30am. Hence the aluminum foil you see in the window. Mothers are desperate when it comes to their children's sleep. The sun now is up before Ryan comes home from work at 5:30am, but I'm not sure the exact time.
How to make curtains in Japan. 1. Check out all the books (two) at the library on curtain making and hope no one else decides to make curtains over the next year. 2. Measure and remeasure the windows and then convert everything to centimeters. 3. Go to fabric store and practice the Japanese words you have practiced for the event. 4. Buy the fabric and make sure you have extra. 5. Whoops, they don't have black-out fabric in Japan. You should have ordered it a month ago from the States. 6. Combine panels of fabric and then lining. 7. Sew pennies in as weights. 8. Attach fabric and lining together by hand. 8. Add heading tape. 9. Gather curtains using sweet trick with thread and twine. 10. Insert hooks. 11. Hang curtains. 12. Threaten children with adverse consequences if they touch the curtains. Note: Any and all of these steps will likely be repeated until you become proficient, which is just as well because the master bedroom needs curtains next.
The girls love their new curtains. They are hot pink with Japanese fans on them. What is not to love?
Clearly we are not ready for the baby to come yet, if this picture of the car seat in disarray is any indicator. 
