Be ~

This card fell out of a book I picked up last night, I'd bought it at a gallery sometime over the last couple of years as it really spoke to me.

It hails from:

Gladys the Brave Studios
70 Cedar St
Asheville, NC 28803

4th of july

here's to a fantabulous holiday!!
Enjoy your fun in the sun ~ xoxo Mary

there's no place like home...

It started with new towels I'd washed, and when I cleaned the dryer screen the lint looked like clouds (and thus it became). Earlier this afternoon I was trying to organize a bit and came across the flower buttons, before I knew it I had started a sewing project (and now the room is even more of a mess)! The whole thing is a bit quirky, including the scan. Should have taken a picture but I am getting tired and my camera is way upstairs, in my purse I think. So - it is what it is. I sort of like it.

true friend

This is one in a series of eleven ATCs (which was to have portrayed "The Real Me") I made yesterday for a swap being hosted by the darling Anita Webster. It has taken me alot of time to get to this, have to say procrastination was in force big time. I think I was actually a bit nervous to do them, I haven't created with paper I don't believe since I made my christmas card the beginning of December and there have been - again - so many changes in my life during that time. It felt good, and hope I now am back on the horse so to speak I'm over whatever the heck it was that has prevented me from attempting to create much art. Three cheers!!!

and the point, is?!!

Woke up at 7:15am and took Ernie out to potty - things are easier now I accessed the side door out of the garage this weekend (did a bit of organizing and clearing out of that space) and I don't have to worry about how just out of bed I look with messy hair and wrinkled pjs as it always seems all the neighbors get in their cars and drive by my house the minute I walk outside at that time of day which I've had to do since the landscaping project started. I'm sure I've made a lovely first impression on some.

Felt way too hot when I came back in so closed up all the remaining open windows (rained sprinkles all day yesterday) and turned on the air conditioning to 70 degrees. Realized the minute I got back into bed this was ridiculous and got back up and turned it off, I doubt it is even 65 degrees outside but the air really wasn't moving - still, not. Actually it is this blood pressure thing that makes me so hot alot of the time. Tried to fall back asleep but did not so got up again at 8:15am.

Gave Ernie his breakfast and had mine. These days, in fact for the last few months it has been the exact same thing - Great Grains Crunchy Pecan cereal and vanilla soy milk, which I eat siting in one of my new chairs watching a few minutes of The Today Show. Not into The Today Show much in the summer so then turn it off and go down (here) to check email. Not a very popular person it seems as there are only six emails, three from yahoo group digests and three unsolicited. Delete all.

Took a shower. Need to note here this involves trekking across the house to another bathroom as even I now have the shower doors installed in my bathroom they leaked. Then were "fixed". Then leaked some more. Finally got sick of said "fixer" coming over so just told him there was no leaking and plan on fixing it myself. However, I've been told I should remove all the caulking on the doors now - and there is alot - and start from scratch. But I keep forgetting to buy a caulking gun and new caulk. For the record: I guess they are all my bathrooms and anyone who has four and lives alone should be embarrassed of that fact. And quit complaining.

After the shower the usual thirty minutes of "getting ready" which includes brushing teeth again, "doing" hair, mascara, and the clothes thing which today involved getting the iron out and ironing a skirt. This is a dangerous maneuver which resulted in my getting a black eye the first time I attempted to do so in this house. Have been extra cautious since as it hurt like "heck" and lasted three weeks - not an attractive thing although it illicited attraction - people could not help but stare at it.

Ok, waited for the landscaper to show up as he said he'd do around 10 or 10:30am to bring two pavers he needed to finish the back patio. I have a few patches in the yard not getting watered from the sprinklers and wanted to tell him first as thought he may be able to adjust them without having to get that guy over here again. Realizing he most likely would not show (correct) I called and left him this message.

Then came down here and packaged up some stuff for the mail, one to my sweetie as it is coming up on 35 years from the day we met and I've made a little something to commemorate the occasion, and another to a friend in the hospital. Printed labels, swaddled in bubble wrap and they were ready to go. Also had some stuff to return at the mall, a very cool lantern from Pottery Barn which was a house warming gift but which my friend Pam said was crooked (she is more anal than even me) and made me vow I'd replace, and a pair of pants that both my sisters warned me not to buy as they said looked like pjs (well, I like pjs) and should never have bought in the first place. Just because I did buy them, but have reconsidered (see previous post as to not wearing pjs before 9pm). And, as the landscaper did not show - I packed the car and hit it.

First the PO, this is such a pleasant task compared to my time in NC. I go the one in Jenison which is teeny, friendly and today no line whatsoever. Then did the mall thing with the returns, decided I instead wanted a skirt when I returned the pants but they didn't have a size 10 so another store was called and they did so I'll have to swing by there on my way home. I also bought two pair of shorts from Old Navy as I liked the ones I bought before going to FL. A stop at B&N for the new Somerset (why don't I just renew my subscription again already) and a book which is actually for teens called something like The Notebook Sisters. Can't resist a journal and it is an interesting look into today's teenaged girls.

The car was on empty so to the gas station where I can get 10 cents off per gallon if I get a car wash. Forget to put car in neutral in car wash, attendant has to knock on window as I had cd player blaring new Red Hot Chili Peppers. Get home, no landscaper. Remember I was to have gone to the other store for the skirt so leave again after taking Ernie out again and giving him another cookie. Try on skirt, one dress and a pair of shorts. Buy the skirt and a top. Also see a Secretary of State office in this mall so go in to get the booklet to bone up on the test to get new license - they tell me I don't have to take a test!! In Charlotte this whole process took me five hours and my DL picture depicts a lunatic as I was so happy to almost be sprung from there I look like a goon in the picture. Needless to say this is why I haven't gone to get the Michigan one and my new plates yet, still too fresh on the mind, so this is great news and will go back when I locate four pieces of ID they require out of three different categories. Drive home a different way as I like to find shortcuts - this wasn't one.

Change my clothes into more comfies and eat lunch. This will be the end of my eating today, although not eating totally the right things I have been cutting way back as I really am not hungry most of the times I eat and therefore the last week or so feel better. Had a roast beef sandwich and sweet pickles and a diet coke. Quickly perused Somerset while eating, need to tell Lisa G I again love her stuff she had published.

Again with checking the emails, again with boring. Go out to get the US mail - even more boring. Throw in a load of wash. Check on how my new rug I bought for my bathroom friday which is dry clean only which I didn't realized until I not only dropped a toothbrush on it but also a mascara brush so had to wash - the second day I owned it - and see if I could do that without totally ruining it as I didn't want to go to the dry cleaners - it is drying. It's been damp outside so it is taking a year and a day as it has to stay inside.

Saw that Luke called but did not leave a message. He does not get good cell phone reception at his camp counselor job in northern Washington so did not call him back. Just remember he said when he called the other day that he can get email so will write him when done here. Also remember I need to call Joe to see if he is going to be able to bring the power washer over here. Now the stuff is done outside I'd like to clean up a bit of the house before I paint the doors (I bought a lucious deep shade of teal, actually called Gypsy Teal).

Read some of the new book, and somehow I am here doing this. I need to get a job, and a life. Also need to really evaluate and contemplate on why I can't seem to get myself doing any art. Other than the room only being half unpacked and organized (I have two rooms to use and was going to use the unfinished one for the messy stuff - I AM going to use...) I seem to only do it when I want to specifically make someone something. I have procrastinated on the one project, an ATC swap, I need to have in the mail no later than thursday. This is causing me anxiety.

Time to go walk the dog. It will be very nice to have grass at some point in time. (addendum: also must have taken the time to write two other blog posts but unless I check on the time guess it must have been a high point and I lost track)!

one of the best

Bob Haggard is one of the best people you'd ever hope to meet, a fantastic singer and entertainer as well. He recently suffered a stroke which has affected his right side and speech but from what I gather not his spirit. He is currently in a rehab hospital here in town working towards recovery. This quilty and my very best wishes are winging their way to him.

spending some time with the sisters

(Something strange seemed to be happening to my last blog entry, I had to delete and started over).

This photo is from the 80's, must say I am feeling brave to post it - that was a brutal decade! From L to R me, Peggy, Cathy. I spent last week doing stuff with them.

Cathy and I went out for a yummy chinese dinner one night last week and then on to a play at Circle Theatre, tickets compliments of my friend, Deb. It was a delightful Mitch Albom comedy, Duck Hunter Shoots Angel. Very well done, lots of laughs. Really enjoy Mitch Albom, I read he was here for the opening, he resides in Detroit.

The three of us went shopping and out to lunch another day, then back here to watch my nephew's wedding videos and view proofs of their pictures and looked at their honeymoon snaps from their trip to Mexico. Seems they had a fairy tale start to their married life, best of luck to them! Went from here then to have pedicures, a nice and relaxing way to end the day.

Saturday Cathy and I went to the beach, laid around reading and contemplating the next phase of our lives. I seem so often to be up shit creek without a paddle, out on the water without a sail. Something's gotta give, and we decided to start we'd get out and do more as the play proved it to be a good thing, at least vowed no more pjs before 9pm - the sun doesn't even set by that time for god's sake!

done?!!

...and in about 30-45 days I will need a lawn mower, cross my fingers! The sun even has come out, it's been cloudy with intermittent rain all day. One more thing crossed off the list, this the last major hurdle - I hope!

do ya think?!!

happy father's day!

This photo of my dad and me was taken in the fall of 1974, it is as we were getting ready to go to the football game during my high school's Homecoming weekend. Tradition dictated the dads escort their daughters of the court to this game and we sit on the sidelines to watch it together, then we were introduced with them at half time. He was one proud father, ditto me as his daughter. (From what I remember - it was absolutely freezing, however! My gawd, this photo sure looks vintage, doesn't it?!!)

and...

This deck has no access to the yard or patio below, something I thought I might not like at first and would therefore need to add stairs as the only way out to it is through french doors in the kitchen/great room. However, it keeps this little guy out of the way of the workmen and the black topsoil being strewn about down below this week yet he gets to watch (this one of the few times he was looking relaxed - they must have gone into the front or on a break!). And on days he's had a bath - well, ditto, a nice place to take a nap!

The sprinkler system is in, tomorrow they need to get into the basement to connect pipes - progress!!

morning

After getting all the usual routine things of starting my day accomplished, I took a cup of coffee outside on the deck, along with my pile of stuff, to enjoy some solitude. Is there anything like a morning in June, one full of bird song, the hiss of sprinklers, and the visual delight of butterflies on newly planted flowers?? (this butterfly very much intrigued Ernie)!
And to explain, my "pile" is something that I seem to gather together in the morning off the nightstand or floor near my bed, the part of the things from the night before I either never got to or hadn't fully gone through. I usually take it to the place I have my coffee - today that being outside on a chaise lounge, where I begin looking at it and periodically throughout the day will browse through it some more or just add to it depending on what I'm doing, if I'm busy or not. The first layer is usually some art books and magazines, and the current book or two I am reading. Later the mail gets thrown on top, possibly another magazine or two if I've been out at the store (wicked addiction), bits and pieces of stuff off the internet, the newspaper, etc. (Let me interject here that GR is the weirdest place for perusing a newspaper - it arrives around 5pm, yes you read that right, PM. Most the news you've already heard on The Today Show, caught a bit of on CNN Headline News, even the local and national evening news most days. I don't understand it and wonder, are there other places in the US who do this? I mean this isn't just the late edition, this is the edition! Yet I love newspapers, in fact seek them out when in other cities or towns as it really is where you can get an idea of what's going on and what a place is all about, and can't imagine not having the actual tactile thing in my hands each and every day). Living alone now I gather up the pile at night (Ernie's cue we are heading to bed and he now beats me in there each evening) where I watch tv or movies and it gets strewn across the bed as I go through things until there's barely room for the poor dog, before it lands on the floor or nightstand. And then the whole rigmarole is repeated day after day after day. My name is Mary and I am addicted to printed matter. I admit it but I won't be giving it up!

Today's pile started with Teesha Moore's latest edition of ART & LIFE, Tracy Bautista's new book, COLLAGE UNLEASHED, a Lake Michigan SHORELINE publication, and the atlas I grabbed out of my car. The latter so I could see the route Luke took from Ohio to Everett, WA, which he embarked on this past saturday and where he arrived last night as he'll be starting his camp counselor job this morning (still a bit farther north I see). He is such a social kid, although excited about getting there for the job and stopping along the way to see some amazing things such as Mount Rushmore and having the opportunity to ride his mountain bike through a couple national parks before turning in a couple of the nights, I could tell he was looking forward to being around people again after this interlude. I hope he has an amazing summer and meets some neat kids in his fellow counselors.

Anyway, a bobcat just drove by my window - some action outside in the yard, yeah!! I'm going to go investigate.

take two steps forward, one step back

No work done on the yard today, bringing me more frustration than I should allow, but when I am asked if I will be home all day as this person needs to get into the house to run copper pipe to extend a water line - I guess that's the general gist of what he was telling me - why wouldn't I be called if in fact he was not going to show up?!! And where were the other guys with my bushes, trees, plants?!! I've taken a few deep breaths, and even a short nap during the afternoon - not worth stressing over in the scheme of things, I know. I know. I know...

{fuN}

I got a fun package in the mail yesterday from fellow bibliophile and art buddy, Mary Walmer, who also ~conveniently~ owns a stamp store called Morning Sun Studio. I had ordered two sets of clear stamps from Autumn Leaves, both done by Rhonna Farrer - the Nature and Flourishes sets. I am all over birds these days, probably as with anything else due to be overdone any minute, but lovin' them now (Marie Otereo also puts out a stamp sheet that has one of my all time fav birds). There was an extra goodie slipped in the envelope, some Christine Adolph rub-ons, so sweet - thanks Mar! She keeps a store blog where customers are updated on the latest she has in stock or on order, check it out: http://www.morningsunstudio.typepad.com/.

Speaking of books, I started a good one last night titled, The LAKE, The RIVER, and The OTHER LAKE by Steve Amick. This is a book about a loosely veiled fictitious resort town "up north" here in Michigan. I'm only into it by 83 pages but I have to say, having spent many summers in and around such a town and intimately knowing someone from one, this is not only right on but quite a hysterical comedy, so far a wonderful summer read (you'd really like this one Mary). Also in the middle of Cesar's Way by Cesar Millan, the national geographic channel's dog whisperer. Already picking up some good tips, he really understands dogs. Tips I'll be needing as poor Ernie is now so confused about not being able to go out in his backyard he had one of the only accidents he's ever had in the house here last evening. We're working on it, lots of walks!

Landscaping update: the entire site was excavated yesterday and I am really beginning to be able to visualize my new yard! Waiting on the guy who will install the sprinkler system today, and then the work will continue with planting, etc. I am told this will be completed by week's end, I am crossing my fingers that to be the case, I mean it's after 10am already?*!*$$$$

I got the help I needed with the dvd players, and the whiner in me has departed, whew!

The landscaper is here!!! Finally, after being in the house since the beginning of March, I am going to have a yard - plants, grass, a place for Ernie to romp without coming back inside covered in burrs! To say I am excited is really a bit of an understatment today (I sure run the gamut of emotion from day to day, guess if I'd have to pin one on myself to encompass it all it would be that of s t r e s s e d o u t ).

frustration

I hate being incompetent. I had Luke hook up the DVD players on two tv's last weekend and I guess should have had him prove out they worked or showed me how so I could actually watch a movie - because I can't get either one to let me do so. There's power and on one I can even hear the movie but can't get the picture on either - and yet these are the same players I've had and used at the other house, could it have something to do with the cable box? I actually doubt that as it doesn't plug into it and what am I saying, I had one in Charlotte and it/they worked fine. Who do you call when you are an idiot and cannot even work these basic machines?!! How did I get them to work before? I'm losing my mind, something I cannot afford to do as at this age I need all the brain cells I can hold on to.

I feel very frustrated, don't think I am cut out to be a single woman, I am so ill-equipped to function in this world very well at all and it's just not fun. Weekends are not what they used to be, that's for sure. Friday night, 11pm, guess I'll go to bed.

i am

I am Willing. © Margaret Dubay Mikus I am willing to change what doesn’t work for me in my life.I am willing to listen with an open heart, without judging.I am willing to plant seeds that take a long time, if ever, to grow.I am willing to feel and let go.I am willing to make mistakes and learn from them. I am willing to live in the present.I am willing to forgive and forget in my heart.I am willing to love as much as my endless spirit will allow.I am willing to be seen in all my radiance.I am willing to be fearless. I am willing to be powerful.I am willing to be peaceful.I am willing to stand tall. and walk gracefully.I am willing to sing with my stunning, full voice.I am willing to allow. I am willing to let go.I am willing to change.I am willing to see and be seen.I am willing to hear and be heard.I am willing to feel and be felt.I am willing to heal and be healed.I am willing to love and be loved. I am willing to change what doesn’t work for me in my life.I am willing to listen with an open heart, without judging.I am willing to plant seeds that take a long time, if ever, to grow.I am willing to feel and let go.I am willing to make mistakes and learn from them. I am willing to live in the present.I am willing to forgive and forget in my heart.I am willing to love as much as my endless spirit will allow.I am willing to be seen in all my radiance.I am willing to allow. I am willing to let go.. I am willing to be fully human.

{friendship}

Pam, one of my best friends from jr high/high school was in town yesterday, a quick visit from Chicago to attend a black-tie affair honoring a family member. I was very happy she planned to take the time to meet me for lunch and then was able to come over and see my new house - the time was too short but we managed to talk and laugh nonstop for the couple hours we had. It was great to catch up, hope now I am closer (it's just a three hour drive to that wonderful city) I will have the opportunity to see her more often. It has been almost two years since she and my other two 'bestest friends' Annette and Chris, flew down to Charlotte, we have so much fun together. It is so true, you can go for a very long time without seeing some people yet as soon as you are back together in their company it seems like no time at all has passed - the truest of friends. These three have definitely had influence on who I am today, I just love them to bits!

Oh, what a feeling!

Nothing better than kicking off the flip flops and putting bare toes into the warm sand on the beach! Absolutely gorgeous 80 degree day today at Holland State Park on Lake Michigan which is less than 30 minutes from my house. Also a very interesting day as the beach and, from what I gathered campground, are both filled with high school graduates. Overheard ALOT, and have to say, not only did it bring back my own memories, but made me thankful my kids are past that stage of life, and we all survived it (and do not doubt for an instant my parents said the same back in 1975)!

{family}

Such a delightful day at my nephew's wedding saturday. This is Luke, me and dad at the church. So nice to spend time celebrating family!

{neighborhood}

You can't pick your neighbors, but you can pick your friends - and I have gained some delightful ones in my new neighbors! In showing some of them my home last weekend now I have settled in a bit it was noticed there were some things I could use help with, and over a few drinks a plan was developed and was put it into action the last few days - wow! I had a room painted and bookshelves assembled over the weekend and tomorrow will have shower doors installed in a bathroom which have been sitting in my garage since I arrived here. I believe a barbecue is in order soon!

jinxed?!!

My air conditioner was not working. New house, not unexpected, at least not for me as I believe I may just be jinxed as far as these contraptions go. Last year, the only two days it hit 100 degrees in Charlotte - yep, it went out. When we first moved to Ohio, I thought I might have been coming down with the flu, until I realized it was putting out heat instead of cool air that day. Both of these were brand new units as is this one. Friday we'd gone to the cemetery and cleaned things up a bit, took inventory of what we thought we'd need. Yesterday then Cathy and I went to a garden center, bought lily of the valley and day lilies (perennials, girls) then went back out and planted. Whew, it was 91 degrees (now, holiday weekend, us in the middle of nowhere at a little country cemetery sitting in the dirt and sweating - what happened to the days we were at the beach at Lake Michigan for the duration of any summer holiday?!! Two divorced women - who got laughing hysterically at how pathetic our lives have become. Sure mom and Karen were laughing along with us!). Looked forward to getting home to my nice cool house. What the - despite the fact I'd closed everything up and turned on the air, it was 80 degrees in here. And it a holiday. Oh ye (me) of little faith! Repairman just here and fixed the misfiring wire - I should be cool as that proverbial cucumber in a couple hours '~)

let's hear it for the girls!

Last night I went to an all-female party, so fun to spend an evening with these smart, funny women! Although coming home at 2:30am most certainly made me feel my age this morning. Today I'm getting ready to go spend with my sisters, we are taking Peggy, our mother-of-the-groom, to get a pedicure then will spend the evening eating pizza, chocolates, having a splash or two of wine and laughing the night away. Great weekend so far!

another day

I battle depression, have alot of anxiety. I am "lucky" in that it is mild, yet there are a great many peaks and valleys. I do agree with the well-meaning, I have alot to be thankful for; yet to hear this time and again creates much more anxiety in that I feel I should be able to keep myself more upbeat, work with what I've got to create an even better life for myself. And I try... and I try and I try. I find that after the highs, there comes lows - as naturally as the full moon appears each month. Bear with me, I just need the space and time to get back on track.

road trip

I left for Columbus early tuesday morning where I was to meet Luke to celebrate his birthday, it's about a five hour drive for me and something like an hour and a half from where he lives in Athens (and the poor kid had a tire blow out on the way). We met at Easton Place and had a great lunch at the CheeseCake Factory - although neither of us able to fit the cheesecake in!! It was a sunny and warm afternoon, we strolled around and did a bit of shopping afterward. We seem to have a tradition of buying music if we can find it and we did - bought vintage for us both, Grateful Dead for him, Neil Young for myself. Also made sure he was equipped for the upcoming wedding next month, haven't been shopping for "dress up" clothes with him since high school, and he is coming up on his five year reunion this summer!

Given I have this cold (I keep thinking it has peaked but it's still hanging on and I daresay it stays with me much longer I am going to have to seek out a doctor) I opted to stay the night then headed home late morning yesterday after a very restless night. There is a HUGE antique mall about a third of the way home where I stopped and spent nearly four hours, and still didn't see everything - a great diversion and rest stop! Brought home some buttons (of course), old lace and fabrics, printers type - and I don't remember what all, they come by periodically and clean out your basket and put it in a bin up front and as all my stuff was "for keeps", it was packaged and ready to go (in quite a large box - yikes) when I checked out of there - dangerous business, but will be fun to unpack later today!!!

Traffic was bad coming home, and the rains started when I got to Toledo, it is predicted to keep up for the next week. Good sleeping weather I guess, hope I can get feeling better!! Unfortunately I forgot the camera, it was waiting for me on the kitchen counter, sitting in the charger where I put it so to have it ready - darn it.

nothing so fine as the days of spring

I've spent the last few days so sick and feverish, have been alternating between slugging nyquil and sleeping and interviewing and gathering quotes for the next round of things to be done to the house.

But these days have been marvelous, 70 degrees and sunny, something the weather forecasters are reminding me do not happen often in succession in the month of May here in Michigan. Since the things that are needing attention at this point are those which will be done outside - some painting, gutter installation, underground sprinkling, putting in a lawn, landscaping - I have had no choice but to be outside and inadvertently was able to enjoy a bit of it despite this miserable cold. Thus as the landscaper and I walked my little piece of property on saturday we found black morel mushrooms growing in abundance in a couple of the woody areas! Since I can barely breathe let alone taste, they have gone into the freezer in anticipation of a time in the not too distant future when I can make a meal with these delicacies, possibly accompanied by a nice grilled steak and some baby lettuces to be eaten out on the deck. SPRING, gotta LOVE it!!

oh my aching head, stuffed up....

I thought it to be allergies, but NO, I seem to have a full-blown cold. Don't know the last time I even had one, or how I caught this although airports and airplanes are not the most sanitary places on earth, are they?! I'm hearing, "it's going around". Blech.

happy birthday luke!

Where does the time go? This picture was taken when Luke was just over a year old and we were at Glen Lake, just the other side of the dunes to Lake Michigan - it's one of my favorites which I keep in a small frame in the family room. Next week we will get together to celebrate his 23rd birthday which is today. I remember the drive to the hospital as if it were yesterday, the sun just coming up and all the flowers and trees blooming the city over, truly a time of beginnings and new life. My firstborn.

{paradise}

sanibel island, florida

{gone fishin'}

happy easter

Wishing you all a very blessed and joy-filled day.

(postcard found at a junk shop a couple weeks ago).

and, friday!

My dad is moving next weekend, so he, my two sisters and I met for breakfast then went to his place to help him out by getting him packed. After living in an apartment for two and a half years he has finally found a condo he wants to buy - obviously I don't take after him as I seem to have the knack of finding houses and buying them in a matter of days, lol! Having done two major moves in two years, I was on a roll - and think I wore them all out! We got alot done and he's in good shape to do the last minute stuff - and most likely ASAP as I didn't leave him much else to occupy his time while home, it's all in boxes!

Stopped at Stamp On It on my way home and signed up to take one class at an art retreat called Creative Inspirations which will be held May 18-21 here in GR. Unfortunately can only squeak in one as that weekend my nephew is having his bachelor party - not a traditional one but a big golf outing (thank goodness says the old fogey, mwah), and my sons are coming to stay with me for the weekend to attend. But I am very excited about the one I chose which is called Fabricganza and will be taught by Lisa Englebrecht - it is going to be so awesome! We'll all have a fun saturday!

It was such a great day here today - hit 80 degrees!! - that I spent some time outside when I got home hanging out on the deck, got my grill set up out there then hung out reading for awhile before Ernie and I took a long walk around the neighborhood. Found there sure are alot of dogs living here, he was in heaven! Then I started looking for something in here I couldn't find which frustrated me enough going through boxes I ended up unpacking a few more and moved some things around. That in turn got me cleaning up (how does it get so out of control so fast?!!), and then got one of the pillows finished which will go on my new chairs - maybe tomorrow can do the other as I am now beat. Going to be an early night, I am ready for a shower and bed already.

it's thursday?!!

I've been tired all day - is it the full moon?! Ernie woke at 3am to go outside - what?!! He went back to sleep but it took me until well after 5 to do so, in turn I then overslept and missed a 10am appointment - I don't sleep and never miss things. Now I just looked out the front window and there was a man juggling with fire across the street - in my new neighborhood! Must say I've never lived somewhere and seen that, for that matter never have randomly seen a man swallow fire either, which he also apparently was practicing.

On a different note, I am going on a little vacation next week and picked up a new book on ribbonwork to take along. Minimal supplies I thought and I certainly have alot of ribbon - well I now have more of both and looking forward to giving this a go. There are some gorgeous examples from the 1920's-30's in the book when this was all the rage.

And on the house front today, my bookshelves arrived from IKEA and I now need to find someone to help assemble them, but that should then take care of all the boxes on the main floor when they are ready to fill - a major accomplishment! Also picked up a ceiling fan which came in and went to pick out a color for my exterior doors as it is spring here, finally, and so painting can be done soon. I think I am going with something called gypsy teal, a scrumptiously rich jewel of a color!

fun mail day

I have met the nicest people through my art, and one of them is Lisa Guerin! She and I emailed a few times last week after I saw her work in the new Somerset publication, Haute Handbags, as I wanted to congratulate her on being published - and not just with one project, but two, the second of which she made some fab bags out of old blue jeans - see cover instructing you to turn to page 108! She is so talented, and the sweetest and coolest girl you'd ever want to meet! I missed seeing her this year as I have the past two when at ArtFest, being that I knew I'd be moving I could not sign up to attend this year. Well, today I received in the mail a huge packet of collage supplies and ephemera from her, Artfest goodies she'd put together as trades. Did I mention she is also one of the kindest, most thoughtful of people I know?! Think I'll be hitting the posts office with a little something for her, too.

getting in the groove

Did a little painting and sewing today, just messing around trying to get back into the groove. The photograph on this piece was in the album I picked up last saturday. That spunky young lady who put it together had it captioned, "some people will do anything to get their picture taken". Again, it makes me wonder who it was, what she was doing, why?? I see it as being a prisoner to body image. Therefore my background piece the colors and swirls of emotion that takes us on each and every day.

happy day

Today was the first ice cream cone of the season day, a celebration of a partly sunny, mild day here in western michigan. Went out a bit, am in search of a chair for my dressing table as the upholstered one I've had does not go with the new look, wanting something old and well-loved. I'll know it when I see it, as of yet I have not but the hunt is fun! Today yielded a few small treasures, an easter postcard, some buttons and a felted purse. This last found at an art gallery, the woman who owns it does fused glass and the building houses her studio as well. Has an open studio on wednesday evenings, no experience required, I think I will give this a try very soon as she had some fun pieces from last night to show me which just had come out of the kiln. Also there is a possiblilty I can take a lampwork bead class the first weekend in May but have to double-check the date as I might have a conflict with it. I've fired up the sewing machine here, making two pillows, half way there. A nice, relaxing day.

sleep, or the lack thereof

Sleep: elusive, frustrating, comforting, much needed - these are all words I have used to describe what for me does not come easy. I don't define myself as an insomniac as I am long past letting it frustrate as it is just not "abnormal", this has been the case for years - and years. I have things I do depending on how I feel when I wake, which is usually around three hours or so after the time I've gone to bed, the maximum time I sleep at one go is usually five. So, if I wake and feel a bit groggy/sleepy I will give it a few and sometimes, just sometimes I fall back asleep. Most of the time I turn on the light and read, I keep alot piled beside the bed. Before moving I'd go upstairs to the art studio and play around on the computer or mess around with a project or two. Since getting here and with the studio in the basement of the house, although a walkout (or maybe especially because of this as there are so many windows and doors), it is cold and I haven't learned yet to pull on all the snugglies I need to keep myself comfortable down here. So far that has resulted in not much time spent here post midnight, but too part of that is I am just now unpacking my supplies and stashes (and stashes and stashes). The pattern since the onset of all this has always been sleep, get up for awhile, go back to bed, start the day again about 7 or 8 o'clock. Do know when I had to get up for work at 5am things were a bit different in I had to maintain some sort of schedule but it certainly curtailed my doing much of anything much of the week, mostly trying to get to bed before the sun even set - pathetic!

The point of all this is I am feeling sort of at loose ends, more tired than I've felt in quite some time yet also too busy getting settled to take the naps I think of incorporating into the day at some point in time when I am starting my mornings. Which, anyway, doesn't do anything whatsoever for sleeping then at night so it is just as well. Life, in most ways, just seems a continuous Catch 22, it's all half a dozen of one, six of the other.

who, what, where, when......

I don't think I will ever get past just how people can discard family photos but I have to say when I come across them I feel I have found treasure. I enjoy so much sitting right down on the floor and going through a box or basket of them. I am always wondering what their stories are and feel quite an intimacy with the people in the pictures as I view a slice of their life from a bygone time. Today I found a photo album from the 1940's which was put together by a girl with quite a sense of humor - I like her! If she is still alive today she would have to be at least 80 years old, and I'd like to think just as spunky as ever! (Note to anyone who doesn't want 'em: send them to me, I'll be more than glad to pay postage)! And by the way, yes, that is a bit of my pj's at the bottom of the picture I took - to know more about my story, it was a damp, dark, and cold day, I've had them on since about 6:30 this evening - I love my pajamas, and fleece is the new silk in my book!

sunshine on a cloudy day

a quiet little corner where I started my day with a cup of coffee. A bit rainy this morning but this is my own bit of sunshine. Now off to start the rat race!

{precious}

He has brought me so much comfort, joy and laughter. ...and to think, he only came into existence one year ago. Happy birthday little Ernie!

random thoughts

these are the days -

- must be getting used to my glasses because I just thought, "where are those things", not because I couldn't see but because they are finally becoming a part of me and not feeling obnoxious.

- makes me irritable signing and sending in my tax statement. Bush.

- speaking of $$ - why is gas $2.67/gal??

- room-darkening blinds are new and improved since I had bought them years ago, I can't even tell it is daylight (well, I can't tell it is daylight alot of these dreary days but these are helping and I say, yeah!)

- however, why do so many appliances/electronic devices come with clocks and why do they have to glow in the dark??

- today I ate 'breakfast' for all meals, cereal, waffles, and lots of orange juice. I am so loving SILK vanilla soy milk.

- I feel I am becoming a putterer, spending ridiculous amounts of time arranging and rearranging - it is a luxurious feeling to have unlimited time to do mundane things.

- Ernie will be one year old tomorrow, do dogs know how old they are without having to convert it into "dog years"?!!

- Hey Luke, did you wonder last week why, if they are called "wisdom teeth" they get pulled out??!

music

I finally got my mp3 player up and running - right, Luke did (he also bought it for me for christmas), he showed me the ropes last week and I have hundreds of songs I'd like to get on this thing, and I'm well on my way. I'd been peacefully lying in bed reading and listening to music when suddenly I got a bug I needed a particular song (eva cassidy's Songbird) and was at it nearly an hour again this time around. Music is one of my basic necessities of life. I can't believe it has taken me so long to get one of these things.

progress

I've gotten much unpacked and am to the point I am starting to hang pictures and art on the walls today, finally - in some ways I can hardly belive a month has nearly been spent in this house but in others - well, I'll just say I am ready to be settled! This should improve my general frame of mind and bring this house all together, make it HOME. I have a room full of boxes of books and such upstairs yet but waiting on IKEA to deliver an identical couple sets of bookshelves to those I had to leave behind as the new owners of my NC house wrote them into the contract (I think they lusted after them as much as I do); they are for a full wall so as to convert a bedroom into a library. So, still lots to do, but am putting as my next plan of attack the art studio - I am so ready. Cross my fingers - by week's end I might be able to lose myself blissfully in creating some art - oh happy day! (was unable to add my pic yesterday, something wrong but I've amended it as today seems to be, indeed, a new day!)

bridal shower

From the left - Becca my neice, my sister Peggy, and her soon to be daughter-in-law Heather. My nephew Rick is the first of our kids to be getting married, he and Heather are both 21 and students at GVSU, they are planning a June 3rd wedding. All the aunts (all seven of his!) gave a bridal shower this afternoon. I know I was feeling my age!

trying my {patience}

Today was cold and gray, I look forward to the little bits of color popping out of the snow, that hint of hope this won't last forever. This picture was taken by a wonderful photographer, Al Hyams, who specializes in photography of the northwestern half of lower Michigan - many places which are very dear to my heart.

the itch

It has been waaay tooo long since I have had the opportunity to make art and I am starting to feel the itch in a very big way. Maybe it has something to do with the fact I spent the weekend trying to come up with an idea for some twenty bridal shower giftees as "the aunts" are giving a shower this coming sunday for my nephew's fiance'. After some trial and error I decorated some votive candle cups which I finished this (past, is it really nearly 4am??) evening, wish I had a picture to share with this post but the camera battery died and I have to find the charger tomorrow somewhere amongst this chaos. They did turn out cute, her color for the wedding is hot pink and they sure look springy and fun with the ribbon I found, a few patterns of the pink. I added a button (surprised?!), a bead, some lettering. I guess it has gotten to the point I am looking to create in unexpected ways - that bruise on the side of my head/face I mentioned the other night? It has turned into a black eye for god's sakes. Not really black and blue but the most interesting shades of black, yellow, brown I have worn in a very long time! Magnify this behind my new glasses, and it really is something to see. Wish I had a better story to share - I fought off a boogey man or something - but I clunked myself quite hard on the edge of a cd cabinet as I was bending down to plug in the iron saturday morning. Note - things are in different places here, watch what you are doing or you are going to hurt yourself repeatedly! I am excited, tomorrow (make that today) Luke is coming for a short visit as he is on spring break. We will do a little heavy lifting together (move this desk which weighs an estimated gazillion pounds, and the bookshelves) so I will be able to start unpacking the art supplies by weeks' end - hurray!! I am sure we also will EAT, as that is a favorite passion of this nearly 23 year old's, and probably snuggle in and watch some March madness basketball and a movie or two (complete with snacks)! He hasn't lived in Grand Rapids since he was in the third grade, and although we've visited many times we were always very busy with family activities so he is also wanting to do some exploring. Alot to cram into a short time period but that's what we've always done, and I miss these boys and all the action which was our way of life.

glasses

My new specs, transitional lenses, getting used to them makes me feel the ground is rising up too fast, what I probably have looked like all day is drunk! This self-portrait doesn't show the whopping headache I've gotten wearing them since picking them up this morning (nor the bruise which is developing due to my plugging in the iron and whacking the side of my head on a cd cabinet - but that's another story). In addition to being able to see much better, I hope it will help to minimize or slow down the progression of those deep squinty wrinkles between my eyes I have acquired as a result of this diminishing eye sight. Turning 40 my eyes began to deteriorate, I have a couple years before hitting the next decade marker, wonder what will be next?!!

{bright and beautiful}

Although I tend to like sepias, faded prints and all the romance of the shabby chic look I have never used it in my house except in extremely limited ways, I guess given I lived with all males and tended to want them to feel comfortable in their own home (not withstanding the wearability/dirt factor of boys!), I tended to lean more towards a sort of muted jewel tone palette. Thinking this house through I still do not see myself going in that direction when furnishing and decorating it, and that's a good thing I guess as my bedroom did not turn out to be the soft soothing yellow I envisioned but slightly more BRIGHT. It took three coats of paint to cover that gray and I am not in the mood to repaint so have been looking for a way to tie this altogether into a look that will be comfortable and fun. I happened across this pattern at The Company Store and think I am going to go with it - the newer, bolder, wilder side of me just may be emerging!

a new day

Today's view of my backyard (taken out of a very dirty window I will add) - one thing I do remember is that March is a very fickle month! Lots to do inside though(including window washing as blinds will be installed thursday) where it is warm and toasty and smelling heavenly with the folgers chocolate-flavored coffee I've got brewing in my new braun coffee pot. All in all it will be a GOOD day!

making ourselves a home

What a weekend in western michigan, a place where the average temperature is 40 degrees at this time of year, it was in the 60's this weekend. Not only did I get a few things done inside but a very dear friend came and helped put up a temporary fence so Ernie could enjoy our new backyard until the lawn and such can be put in a couple months from now (he loves it so much I cannot get him inside right now, even the temperature has fallen almost 15 degrees in the last couple hours - our taste of spring about gone for a bit - as he is fascinated with chasing leaves and all the new smells here).
Still stacks of boxes all over the place and tradespeople in and out of the house but we are starting to feel it a home. Very comforting.

hmm...

Two things I don't like - being cold and sweating. Well, one thing I've learned along the way is that there is no such thing as perfect, or at least not on an every day basis. But right now I am having a hard time typing my fingers are so cold. I am not going to be a whiner or complain, I made this choice to come north for reasons other than the weather obviously (either that or my mental capacity has deteriorated more than I thought it would before the age of 50). But did you know that you cannot buy an electric blanket in Michigan, or at least not here in Grand Rapids, much after christmas - a place where it is now at this minute on March 7th just barely above freezing (35 degrees and falling) and where it won't truly be open your windows warm until May or even June?! So I'm wondering on my chances of finding a space heater for this new downstairs office/studio space as I certainly don't relish paying a heating bill as high as my mortgage. Thank goodness for the internet, I need to do some online shopping right now. Nite.

we aren't in "kansas" anymore! (and it's good to be back home)

Originally uploaded by blubird Ernie and I are here in Michigan, truly a "winter wonderland" (only isn't it almost time for spring?!!). His favorite treat is an ice cube, when we got out of the car at my sister's house he acted as if he was in paradise, running and eating all his little tummy could hold of the snow covering the ground! He continues doing this and is going to be pretty surprised as it is starting to melt and we are to have warmer temperatures and rain by week's end.

Moving is an experience I hope not to have again for a very long, long time. Things went well all things considered with a few minor glitches here and there, but there are just so many details to attend to in getting a life in order in a new place. I believe it is finally catching up to me, last night I slept for ~twelve~ hours, absolutely unheard of in my life - but oh, it felt great!

I am now back in the 21st century as yesterday was a busy one - appliances were delivered, a mailbox installed, although still somewhat temporary as the ground is too frozen yet to do it properly, so I could have mail delivered to the new house (why can the mailman come to the door, ring the doorbell and tell me I have mail accumulating but cannot give it to me until he can put it in a box at the end of the driveway - truly a government agency, is it not??), I got cable tv and my internet access and was able to put my computer together and get it up and running this afternoon - quite proud of myself for this as two years ago when I moved things didn't fare quite so well in this area (and I have a mere 337 email messages to peruse). And I shoveled about six inches of snow at 6:30 yesterday morning - not warm yet. OH, it's great to be HOME (really, it is)!!