The Inquisitive Magpie

stealing JUNK mail?

2012-01-26T20:33:00.009-06:00

This is hilarious. I saw this story yesterday, and feel I should pass along a warning to all my artist friends. This is how it starts... First we like to make collages. And we all like to recycle. So we start saving scraps of wrapping paper, candy wrappers, bits and pieces of things most people toss in the trash. ETC.ETC.ETC. You KNOW what I mean. Then we start eyeing the junk mail that comes into the house and think.."I really should use this instead of tossing it, I can make it into something artful and lovely." And we do. So, before long we are asking the neighbor and the family to save their junk mail for us. Then before we know it.........We are renting a storage locker!
Go Here
Of course this weird story happened in Texas. I can't help but notice that a lot of crazy things that make the news happen here. I'm sure they happen in other states, but every time I see a headline that is particularly crazy, I think..oh no, don't let it be Texas again. I do think at least once a year we have an incident involving a postal worker.

what's goin' on here?

2012-01-25T09:24:00.012-06:00

I'm starting to feel like I live next door to a wildlife preserve and all the residents have escaped. Last night around 5:00 pm we were driving home along the same parkway where we saw the deer on Friday. Here's what we saw. It was raining, and there were several cars just stopped in the right lane, taking in this sight. There were a few neighbors from the development across the street who had walked over with their cameras. I was just coming from my eye appt. and my eyes were still so dilated I could hardly focus. I just rolled down the window and shot in their direction, hoping to capture something. At one point the two bulls were looking straight at me(well at all of us I guess) but I was so excited I got a very blurry photo.

Hub said later that I sounded like a little girl when I exclaimed, "I've never been this close to a real elk, the only ones I saw growing up, were the ones hanging upside down in my Daddy's garage." I grew up in a family of hunters, and it was a sight that always upset me. It led to a lifetime of family jokes of why I think they sent the wrong baby home from the hospital. I was the only one in the family who did not embrace hunting, and would never eat wild game.

But, I digress. Here are the beautiful live Elk that we saw.

Muddling through January

2012-01-22T11:22:00.010-06:00

I'm becoming a "homebody". The more I get to stay IN, the more I want to. Hubby has been around a lot more recently, and he's perfectly willing to run errands and bring home what we need. Every few days I do need to take time to go out for coffee, or at least run an errand or two myself. I'm afraid I could be in danger of becoming a total recluse! This winter I've discovered I really do like staying home a lot more.

I'm still sorting and reorganizing. Why is it everything I do takes longer than I think it will, and makes more of a mess than I started with? Things are looking up in the organizing department though. The other day I was working on a project and used the last bit of a Martha glue stick. I went to the cabinet that they should have been in to get a new one, and guess what? There they were...two of them. Lined up right next to a variety of other adhesives. Just like at Michaels, only I didn't have to get in the car to go buy a new one! Yay! Progress.

I did have to go to Michael's and JoAnn's on Friday. First time in weeks since I'd been there. In fact, the people I know who work there, all said "hey stranger" when I strolled in. Went in, got a few choice needed items, and left.

Hubby and I went out to a late lunch and it was close to 4 p.m when we were driving home. As soon as we turned onto the parkway that leads to our development, we saw these deer off to the side of the road. I couldn't get my camera out quickly enough, so he turned around and went back. At first they were all clustered together, standing very still. There was a young boy walking on the other side of the street who started to cross over. As he got closer, the three on the right began to move away. They still didn't run, but by the time I got these photos they had all moved a little farther away. See the houses right behind them? That was all field and cedar groves just two years ago. Now matter how old I get, when I see deer, my breathe catches in my throat. Wish I could have gotten a closer photo. That is a rentention pond in the foreground and I was right next to the sidewalk in front of that.

Easing Into Normal

2012-01-10T15:59:00.003-06:00

Trying to get back in the swing of things. There's always that sort of "in limbo" feeling after the holidays. At least for me, and especially this year. With both Christmas and New Years falling on Sunday and the holiday being observed on Monday, it was hard to even remember what day of the week it was.

Hubby and I both have started out the year doing what we normally do. Cleaning out the files, sorting and shredding papers. Moving things around, attempting to get more organized for another fresh start. There are no resolutions made around here, we just strive to tidy things up and begin with a clean slate.

He is always done with his part of this much sooner than I am. Well of course he is! I have tons more stuff to sort than he does. Last week I mostly re-organized art supplies and condensed the amount, and got rid of a lot. I am embarrassed to let anyone even know how many PENS, MARKERS, PAINTS, I had to toss. This has needed to be done for some time, and I've put it off for months. Well, I now have only pens that work, and several empty drawers and containers to put other stuff in. Buying stuff to store so we won't run out is foolish, and wasteful. How guilty I feel about having spent so much money on things that I kept around for so long they dried up.

After spending a few hours each day last week on this chore, I am starting to see some headway. I was even feeling enthused about getting started on some art projects. Then on the week-end the temperature warmed up to the 70's and we all got hit with CEDAR FEVER. This is the main seasonal allergy that strikes here every year right after Christmas and lasts a couple of months. I had it really bad for a couple of days. I could not stop blowing the nose, so got very little done. It cooled off yesterday and rained, so that calmed the cedar down. I immediately felt better. I vote for a long cold winter, as I can't function when the cedar is high. I'm back at my organizing this week. And keep finding little tidbits that make me want to sit right down and make a collage or two. Yay!

Happy, Merry, Cozy Week-end

2011-12-24T11:17:00.005-06:00

Merry Christmas to Y'all. Whatever you're doing, wherever you are, however you celebrate.

Our weatherman forecasts a "wintry mix" for tonight. It's 41 right now with a wind chill of 38. I like it! It's 65 inside, I'm bundled up in sweater/scarf/tall boots. Cozy. Candles burning. Me listening to Led Zepplin and Simon and Garfunkel.

A couple of neighbors stopped by with baked goods, I delivered a few myself. There's a neighborhood block party/open house later tonight. We'll stroll down for a hot drink.

Not a lot of decorating done around here, but hubby and I both had an artsy/crafty day yesterday. He's hiding something in the garage that he's been working on. He raided my Tim Holtz drawer of supplies, and made off with handfulls of stuff. Well, yes I said he could use whatever he wanted....I am afraid.

Today is my parents 69th wedding anniversary. Will call them in awhile. As a kid, we always opened our family gifts on Christmas Eve, then Mom and Dad went out dancing. Christmas morning we trekked 35 miles to Grandmas house, with all the Aunts and Uncles and many cousins. Forever, all the days of my childhood. Good memories.

Striving for Serenity

2011-12-19T12:41:00.002-06:00

Settling for Simplicity. It's all I can do right now. Some holiday seasons I can "get with it", this is not one of those years. I've been struck by the normal holiday melancholy I seem to have become inflicted with, gradually over the years. I didn't used to have it. I once was one of those Martha Stewart clones, a tree in every room, lots of baking and entertaining. All the trimmings so to speak. Besides working full time, I drove myself crazy to get all this done. By the time Christmas day came, all I wanted to do was lay down under that tree and go to sleep! That was in my "perfection years" and those days are long gone, thankfully.

Well, I know good and well all families have strife and sadness, it's just part of living. This year has been a particularily hard one for both mine and hubbies. We're just kind of skating over Christmas this year. We've never been caught up in the "buy, buy, buy" part of the holidays, so it's been even easier to scale back. Staying OUT of the department stores has been such a relief. The few gifts we have bought have all been handmade, from various Arts&Crafts shows from around town, or by me. Fortunately, the people I know and love and give gifts to appreciate handmade.

So, yesterday afternoon, I sat in front of the window, in hubby's big leather chair, for a good long time. I drank tea, watched the neighbors cat chase the blowing leaves, read the entire Sunday paper, drank more tea. Then I addressed the last few cards while hubby cooked us bacon, turkey and swiss cheese paninis. Pretty darn good...It was applewood smoked, thick sliced bacon, and NOT even low sodium. After dinner we both called our families and even that was nice and relaxing. My Dad never wants to stay on the phone for more than a few minutes, but he was very talkative last night. After reading for awhile and doing a bit of yoga, I fell asleep and didn't wake up once during the night. Very unusual for me. So I felt rested and really had a better outlook this morning. It's dreary and misty outside and I have stayed in all morning, and think I will not go out the rest of the day. I have some candles burning and am listing to Pandora radio. Cozy, that's me

Another Anniversary

2011-11-17T09:49:00.007-06:00

That time again. Another year flew by. On this day, 38 years ago, the hubster and I were married. All odds were against us for a variety of reasons. Then, the church we were married in burned down. The next year our minister got a divorce. The list goes on, but the thing about getting older is you can't recall most of the things that threatend to "do you in". Here we are still side by side. Unbelievable, I can hardly say the words 38 years.... people look at us like we should be ancient in wheel chairs, at least all the younger people we know.

As has happened for at least half of those years, hubby is out of town on business. So we celebrate whenever we can, but rarely on the actual day. We went out to dinner a couple of nights ago, for a fine steak and a bit of wine. We shared this cute little pumpkin spice tid-bit for dessert. When we first saw it, we thought we should have ordered two, but it was so incredibly sweet, it was just the right amount.

I've had a blog malfunction. While poting from hotel in San Diego (my last post) I somehow managed to disable the comment feature. I don't know how or what I did, or how to fix it. So this is a test to see if it was just a fluke. So here goes.

Sunny California Sunday

2011-11-06T09:21:00.004-06:00

I'm blogging from San Diego. It's pretty nice here in the Marina. This is the view I've had to endure for the past few days. This photo was taken while sitting in bed with the balcony door open. Nice crisp mornings and evenings. Warm, nice days. Except for the day it rained like crazy all day, and we were like drowned rats because we were out in it. Sleeping with the door wide open each night. No bugs, and no allergies. It really does feel like paradise.

Hubby and I came out a couple days early for the trade show, which started today. We played tourists, went to Coronado Island for one day, have ridden the trolley/train all over San Diego, found Anthropology store and visted there. Seaport Village is right next door to the hotel. We are also near the GasLight district, and there are a lot of interesting things to see there. I've walked miles, and it felt good. Have a few more adventures planned, between trade show duties and business dinners.

Halloween and Dia de los Muertos

2011-11-01T13:20:00.005-05:00

Halloween and Dia de los Muertos have always been my favorite holidays to decorate for and take part in. This year it crept up on me so fast and we had so much going on that I really didn't do any decorating. Did I send any cards...Nope, not a one. I have almost every Halloween decoration Martha Stewart has put out over the years, plus boxes of vintage stuff. I used to love to decorate the house, inside and out, and we even dressed up to hand out treats. Just haven't been into it that much this year. But you know what...turn around and blink and it will be next year again. Another chance to start earlier, and be in a better frame of mind as well.

This spooky card is from my friend Pam in Ohio. The friend I met through the INTERNET some 10 years or so ago. The friend who hopped on a plane and came to Texas for Thanksgiving. I don't recall how many years ago that was for sure, but she has been out a couple of times since. She is coming again this year. I can't wait to see her. We have totally different lives, but a common interest in ART, music, and other creative endeavors. The thing about a friend like this, is we can see each other only every few years, but it's like no time has passed. We pick up right where we left off.

I did unpack a few Day of the Dead things, but never got around to setting them out. Here are a couple of my favorite sugar skulls. I did not even buy a new one this year. My favorite one will always be the Frida.
Poor Frida, last year she had an accident and a few of the flowers in her head dress broke off. Must repair them before she goes back in her case for the next year.

Frida's broken flowers.

Blue Skies Above and Fall Festivals

2011-10-26T17:41:00.021-05:00

No matter how life is going, you can always look up and the sky is still there. Lately it has been such a brilliant blue. I love how the sky looks in the fall. The clouds are crisp, even if the air is not yet. In Texas it never feels to me like FALL...We go from hot hot hot to an ice storm, usually. It has been cool in the mornings, but not crisp like I prefer fall to be.

At least it's cool enough to start baking. I've made Pumpkin Scones last week, and these are Cranberry. Both were pretty tasty.

The world keeps turning. It has now been 10 days since Hubby's mother passed. It does not seem possible. Some days it seems like it has been longer, some days we speak of her and it seems like yesterday. Hubby is doing fine, it helps that he is in close touch by phone with his siblings, and knows he can talk whenever he feels like it. I had the weirdest feeling the other night, when it struck me that never again will I have to, or be able to, remind him to call his Mom. He used to get so busy that a few weeks would go by and I would always say "please call your Mom".

I had thought it might be too soon for us to go to the Dia de los Muertos Festival this past week-end. He said it was okay, and I think it may have been therapeutic. Too soon for a shrine for his Mom though. Probably next year.
I'm a bit disappointed in this years photos. For some reason the settings on my camera went a little wacky. I didn't get many of the parade at all, the streets were so crowded. I did get a few costumes and make-ups that I'll share. I totally loved the girl in the pink hair, because she was wearing a little golden antler on top!

Unsettled, Fragmented, Distracted

2011-10-16T18:26:00.011-05:00

That's how I've been feeling, since our latest trip to Idaho and Oregon. Wanting to post, but not quite knowing what to say. Or, I guess, how to put into words what I'm feeling. We've been on this path for some time. Health issues that come from having aged parents. Each illness, each episode, threatens to take them from us, each time they bounce back. Until the next time. It's always like waiting for the other shoe to drop.
In any family, when the diagnosis is cancer, it's a frightening feeling. You have no control over the outcome. You can do whatever is medically available, all the time praying that it will work. Knowing that it might not. That word changes everything. You must continue to live a normal life and take care of the every day things that need taking care of. But somewhere in a back corner of your brain, that shadow lurks, waiting to come to the forefront of all else.

As a family, we have walked this road with my Father several times in the past 20 years. Three different episodes with cancer. Add to that a heart attack, hip replacement, many other broken bones as well. Most of those as a result of falling. He is tough as nails and has made it to 96 years of age. I'm not sure I can even count or recall all the things he has been through. He wears a button on his vest that reads "At my age, I've survived damn near everything".

My Mother was always pretty healthy, up until the past few years. She's had gallbladder problems, and a few other things that knocked her down, but she always got back up. About 18 months ago, she was diagnosed with macular degeneration. She has undergone many eye injections since then and the Dr. says it is halting it's progression somewhat. However we have seen a serious decline in her ability to manage. Two of the things that were her hobbies, reading and crochet, she can no longer do. That has taken a toll on her mental outlook. Plus she can no longer keep a close eye on my Dad in an attempt to prevent him from doing foolish things that cause him to fall down. She has begun to suffer from anxiety attacks. I'm sure I would do the same if I could not see.

I have felt so fortunate to have had my parents live this long. It's difficult to live so far from family, because when something happens you cannot get there quickly. Hub and I both have done our best to be there a couple of times a year just for visits, when nothing is wrong. The trips have become more frequent as more and more things have happened, and now we usually go because something has happened.

We visited in March. My Dad was in the rehab center again, after cracking a bone in his leg(the same one they did a hip replacement on exactly a year before. We spent some days there, then went to Portland to visit Hubs family. Everyone was fine, we had a great time. My Mother-in-law has been living with Emphysema for several years, but doing quite well. The only thing that had changed in recent years, was her lung function had decreased to the point she was on oxygen 100% of the time. Still, she was doing well. Around June she told us she had been on antibiotics for an infection, and that she had complained to her Drs. of severe back pain. They attributed it to the hauling around of the oxygen tanks, and gave her pain meds. She was afraid of getting hooked on them, so she tried to get by on as few as possible. Finally the pain got so unbearable that the Dr. decided to do a MRI...that led to a PET scan, and a diagnosis of cancer. Bone cancer. It had apparently spread quickly, in her ribs and her hip. She had just had a chest ex-ray 6 months earlier and everything there was fine. The diagnosis came the end of August and the prognosis was possibly 6 months to live. We flew back out to Boise the first week in September, I stayed there to spend time with my parents. While there, my Dad did something foolish and fell again. None of us can convince him to let us help him with ANYTHING! Hub went to Portland to spend time with his Mom for a week. They spent some time talking about and making arrangements for us to visit again at Christmas time. Because of her weakened lung condition, they decided against radiation for the pain. At any rate we came home Sept. 17th.. October 9th we received word that she had taken a turn for the worse. Hubby left the next day. She had experienced 4 days of being completely incoherent, agitated and quite out of it. She then had 2 days of being rational and awake and alert while he was there. Then she had another couple of days that were pretty bad. Hubby flew home last night, arriving in Austin at 1 a.m. When we awoke this morning we got a call from his sister Jeri, that Mom had passed peacefully in her sleep at 4:30 this morning. As sad as we all are, we are also thankful that it was a relatively short time after the diagnosis, and she did not spend an extended time suffering.
Janet Merle Day Dunbar was 78 years old.

Needless to say, we are feeling a range of emotions, and this is sinking in a little bit at a time. Everything was prepared for in advance as far as arrangements go.

A few more Chicago memories

2011-09-19T19:29:00.018-05:00

It was fun to stay downtown, we walked almost everywhere. I get a kick out of when people say "it's within walking distance"...you know that varies, depending on who is doing the walking, right? Well, still, we walked almost everywhere.
Hotel we stayed in

I always notice the light fixtures, this one had giant steel brushlike bristles, was very interesting.

The view out the only window in our room. I like the graphic design of all the lines.

One tiny window. Very nice room though. #1210

These are all just from strolling about.

Six Days in Chicago

2011-09-08T13:46:00.033-05:00

I wanted to stay in Chicago till the snows came. It was beautiful this time of year. The high temp the entire week was in the mid 80's. Weather Heaven for me. We worked most days, but had a bit of time for just exploring as well.

I've had a hard time deciding which photos I wanted to share, without boring you to death, so I chose just a few and put the rest on Flickr. You can choose to go see them or not. A lot of them I didn't even crop or edit. Here's my Flickr link.. http://www.flickr.com/photos/8031244@N03/
All my links seemed to have slipped to the bottom of my posts, and I don't know how to fix it. I need to call on my pal Janet to help me. But right now we are preparing for yet another trip out west for another family emergency, so I will have to let that wait till I get back.

Well, sorry for the sidetrack. Here a are a few photos. This was a trip where everything was perfect, and we haven't had one of those in awhile.
Day 1 Landing, driving to St.Charles and the Pheasant Run resort.

The view from our 12th floor room in "The Tower"

After lunch we explored the resort, then at 5 went to the golf course, of course...

Hubby

ME driving the cart, enjoying the cool breeze blowing through my hair. This is something you would never find me doing in the Texas heat!

Day 2 Shedd Aquarium where part of Pondemonium was held. We watched the pond building for awhile, but had tickets to go into the Aquarium as soon as it opened. I wanted to stay there all day! But we had to go to some meetings over at Navy Pier, so we took a Taxi over there and were there most of the afternoon.
Just a few highlights. I loved the Jellyfish..more photos of those later.

One of the designs in the revolving front door.

We rode the water taxi back to Shedd Aquarium for the evenings events. Bar-B-Que, music, and speeches from the CEO, etc. On the back deck of the Aquarium looking out over the lake. Temps were in the 60's.
Me and Hub on the boat..

Navy Pier from the water taxi

The city from the deck of the Aquarium

Day 3, I had to work, so I stayed in the hotel and processed orders. Hub went to the Aquascapes headquarters for meetings most of the day. That evening we went to another B-B-Q and a tour of a huge landscape nursery. Lots of beautiful plants and ponds. I forgot to bring an extra memory card for my camera, so got only a handful of photos.

Day 4, Hub went to more meetings, I stayed in the hotel and did computer work all morning. Then after lunch, I went to a Scrapbook Expo that was going on there at the resort. HaHa. I only stayed a few hours, did a couple of make and takes, bought one pack of cool paper and left. Hub came back to the hotel and we went to yet another B-B-Que and a tour of the Aquascapes facility.

Day 5, a few more meetings in the morning, and then we were on our own. Thankfully, for me at least, no more B-B-Q. LOL We checked out of the resort and drove to downtown Chicago.
Next chapter, a day in the city.....

Barbara has left the building!

2011-08-24T08:58:00.009-05:00

Can't believe how long since I've posted here. I kept meaning/wanting to catch up. But since I last left you with promises of "How the Mockingbird story ended"...I needed to move along in sequence. So every day I put it off it went longer, and I couldn't just jump in from where I was at the present time. So weeks have gone by. Things have happened, just general life things, nothing drastic. After reading this post from Pam yesterday, I realized I am not the only one who finds themselves in this situation. So, here I am, jumping back in, working backwards to catch up. Meanwhile, on the other blog I've been working on the ICAD project from Daisy Yellow. But I will be back over here momentarily.

Happy Independence Day

2011-07-03T19:54:00.001-05:00

Do you remember back in the summer of 1998 when Peter Max licensed his Statue of Liberty painting to Arizona Iced Tea? I drank a lot of it, because I liked it, but mostly to get those graphics. I made a few cards using it as well. In my tall IKEA drawers where I store a lot of my rubber stamps, I have two drawers just for 4th of July stuff. Thought I still had a card sample with the label, but only found this one last label. If I recall he had 12 different paintings and I don't know if they used them all. Wish I still had some more of the labels. Actually, probably do, in a box in the garage somewhere, with bugs eating away at them. Eewwww!

Don't try THIS at Home!

2011-07-01T11:05:00.007-05:00

Well, I just had a really disgusting happening! There will be no photos, you can just use your own imaginations to picture it. First to set the stage: I am having back problems the past couple of weeks, so can't sit for very long. But I still keep multi-tasking like I always do. Figure if I sit awhile, walk to another location, sit awhile there, etc. You get the picture. Been working all morning on ICAD cards, painting some journal pages, tidying the family room, searching for little metal brads, this and that. Realized I've only been drinking coffee and haven't had breakfast. So what do I do, get another cup of coffee and a bowl of gingersnaps and head to the computer where I've been blog hopping. Well, I don't know how y'all eat gingersnaps, but I like to "dunk em". I'm trying to grab a blog button and get signed up for another challenge, and gawking at traci bunkers site with my mouth open. Both in awe at her stuff, and to stuff a dunked soggy cookie in it. OOPS...you guessed it. I held on to it a few seconds too long, and whadyaknow... It drops right on my keyboard. On the way down it slides on the front of me..oh yes I am still wearing my sockmonkey p.j.s. So there is a big nasty clump on my monkeys, and on the keyboard. For one little gingersnap, it sure made a big mess to clean up. Most accidents do happen at home, and even moreso when multi-tasking! Now my back really hurts and I need to go lay down. And I may need to go buy a new keyboard.

I do plan to finish the Mockingbird saga by the week-end, as everyone has been asking for an update.

Birdie Update

2011-06-16T13:38:00.005-05:00

Before we left to go to Dallas a few days ago, Hubby peeked into the nest and one of the three eggs was missing. Don't know if a predator got it or what happened. There seemed no evidence of a broken egg, and the nest didn't seem messed up. I don't know if birds move their eggs from one nest to another. Anyhow, the missing one was the one I had thought looked a little deformed. I have no idea. When we got home last night the two eggs were still there. It has been 15 days since she layed those two, so I think we should be hearing "cheep cheep" any moment now. We decided not to try and wheel the entire vine away from the door. I guess we will be taking our chances with getting pecked on the head. I do hope we will get a peek at the babies and maybe get a photo of them.

Captured: By Mother Nature

2011-06-13T09:42:00.013-05:00

There's a bird by my window. Soon there will be more. I've been trying to figure out how to tell this story in as few words and pictures as possible. For about a week before Memorial Day week-end, I'd been noticing a little more bird noise when I'd leave the house or come back in. We have a large pot with a trellis and vines in it right by the front door. A lot of mornings, one or both of us will sit out there and have our first cup of coffee. There had been a mockingbird hovering around the vine, and I'd seen him fly off with a twig in his mouth several times. I had told Hub that somewhere he was building a nest. Well, it took me about a week to realize he was not taking materials from there, but delivering them TO there. When I turned the pot, I discovered a NEST, right at the back of the trellis. So, Hub and I had this discussion about "should we move the nest, get rid of it, etc." We've been through this nest above door thing before. One year we couldn't even go out our back door the entire summer without getting attacked, because there were baby birds up above the porch light.

I got online and started doing research about birds and nests, etc. I've loved watching the birds for years, but really hadn't read a lot about their habits. So anyhow, it seems in most species, Papa bird builds several nests and Mama chooses the one that meets with her approval. For some reasons, she chose this one. Does not seem like a wise choice, since it is only about 6 feet off the ground, but what do I know. So I thought about it for a day or two..maybe she could just choose another nest. Then around Memorial Day, Hub comes in and says, OOPS...too late. There was an egg in the nest. The next day there were two, then there were three. The 3rd one looks a bit deformed, I told Hub that it's probably from "stress" on Mama.

So now we have a family in a high traffic area that will soon be attacking us or anyone who comes to the front door. The UPS guy and the FEDEX gal have already gotten a talking to by Mama Bird, and the eggs haven't hatched. She gets interrupted a lot, flys off to watch from a nearby tree, then comes right back.

I watched through the window and the screen for several days, but decided I wanted a better view, so I removed the screen, washed the window and now I have taken most of the photos from inside the house. I had to fix a small area so she wouldn't see my reflection or the camera. Hubby and I check out the peep-hole every night before we go to bed, and every morning. Can't sit on the front porch for now, but enjoying watching thru the window. We can go in and out through the garage and she stays put but sometimes the car door slamming will scare her off.

I'm wondering if we should wheel the entire pot down to the end of the porch. She'd have more privacy and maybe the comings and goings wouldn't scare her off so much. I'd love to see the baby birds and watch while they fly, but I don't want to get pecked on the head in order to do it.

For now, here is the story in photos. They are clickable to enlarge.

Vine by the front door.

Bird with building materials

Through the window screen

Bird at fountain

First notice of nest.

Mama just before she flew.

Sitting on the eggs.

Beautiful eggs. Notice the piece of blue string along the side of nest?

Screeching at the gardener.

Renegade Craft Fair

2011-05-26T10:30:00.015-05:00

The Craft Fair actually took place last week-end. I am just now getting around to posting about it. It was the second year it has come to Austin. Last year there were 150 vendors, and this year it was up to 200. That is a lot of booths to visit, let me tell you! A lot of walking. With that many vendors, there is a lot of repetition, unfortunately. After the first 20 or so Jewelry booths, and at least that many clothing booths, my eyes kind of glazed over. So there were a few known vendors that I missed seeing that I would have stopped by if I'd known they were there. Almost every vendor that I talked to had Etsy stores. So I wonder..how does someone stand out in a sea of like items? How does anyone sell their truly unusual things when there are so many shops to wade through. I hear this about Etsy a lot. I haven't shopped much there or tried to sell there either, so don't know all the ins and outs of it.

Outside

Inside overview

I took very few photos because I was moving at a fast pace. This is one really cute booth that I saw, and actually went back to. This was a very sweet lady, she had some lovely handmade books and journals. The way she had her booth set up was simple, but really impressed me. It was PAPER...so you know I was already smitten. She had strung cord back and forth across the booth and hung the small books, flowers and paper bundles from the cord. Very clever and festive looking. In the back of the booth she had an installation that was really interesting. She had sewn tea bag papers together, a LOT of tea bag papers, and I thought it was just gorgeous. She also had her collages mounted directly on the kraft colored background. They were pieced and stitched and really lovely. Check out her website. http://millionsofpeoplehappy.blogspot.com/ Sorry, I do not know how to make a clickable link here or I would. She has links to all her shops and you can see her work much better. Thanks Michelle, for being so sweet to us and so enjoyable to talk with.

Here is Michelle climbing up on a stool to take down one of the bundles I bought.

Had to shoot this...her color scheme was just what I am loving so much right now. Orange photo box, turquoise table cover, and soft chartreuse shoes. And her sweater and trim on her dress also. So cute.

Well, I must describe these paper bundles to you. She had taken all her leftover scraps from all her various projects and stitched them into these bundles. I'd not seen this before and thought it was so clever. Some of them reminded me of bird nests, others kind of like pinecones. There were folded pieces of paper, thin strips, some fabric (book tape I think) and the paper that is left when you punch shapes. I am not doing these justice in my description I know.

I hung them on my twig tree where I hang various garlands and other paper tid-bits throughout the year. It's difficult for me to get a photo of my tree that I am happy with, hopefully you get the idea.

Bundle close-ups. Photos are clickable to enlarge.

My Pal Pyewacket

2011-05-23T10:05:00.006-05:00

This is Pyewacket. He lives next door, but he likes to hang out over here. Last night I opened the curtain to go out back and he was snoozing on the patio table. He lazily looked at me for a few moments, then put his head down and went back to sleep. I closed the door to take this photo through the glass, so he wouldn't take off too soon.

Sometimes he likes to lay or sit in the bed of chives,as he did a few days ago.

I am allergic to cats, which is why I don't have one of my own. So when he comes over for a visit, especially if he comes in the house, I have to take a Benadryl. I usually go outside and sit on the porch with him, because a few times he has run in, and directly upstairs. Then I have a hard time coaxing him down and back OUTSIDE. I used to think it was a good idea to have him around, to keep the squirrels off the birdfeeder. Well, the squirrels seem to be running rampant, and the other day I saw one really huge one jump down from the fence and chase Pyewacket across the yard! This morning I looked out and saw 5 squirrels in the one oak tree. I don't mind one or two...but when they all jump on the roof and run across it together it sounds like they are in the attic. Must investigate this recent squirrel population explosion in the neighborhood.

Do Ducks Eat Pancakes?

2011-05-19T10:03:00.007-05:00

Or should they? Here I am talking about BREAKFAST again! Yesterday the Hubster and I went out early in the morning to do some errands, and decided we should grab something to eat to give us strength. He has started going to Mimi's, which has really decadent, French, New Orleans style fare. It is a chain restaurant, which I am not usually fond of, but the few times I have been there it has been pretty tasty. One should only eat there in the a.m. if they decide to expend their entire caloric intake for the day! Which I certainly think I did. Lemon poppy seed pancakes were yummy. Hub had French toast. Of course this was all accompanied with the eggs, maple syrup and BACON! We have had our bacon and syrup limit for the month I think.

Hubby went to the car before I did because he had a phone call to make. When I came out front, this is what I saw. I watched him stroll slowly from the corner for awhile before I decided to get out the camera.

He's getting closer now, just waddling along.

Making eye contact, I'm getting nervous.

As I run and jump in the car, two men who had been watching this unfold, said, "Be careful, that duck attacked me the other day". So when I fall into the car, laughing like crazy, Hub finally looks up and asked what was so funny. About that time a few folks were gathering to come into the restaurant, but ducky was blocking the door by then. Two employees came out the side door, one holding a plate of food. She gently "led" the duck back down the sidewalk and around the corner. I guess this is an almost daily ritual at this place. One of the other bystanders said this is a Muscovy duck and a few of them live behind the restaurant.

We went on about our way, and laughed about the duck the rest of the day. We walked a lot through the Domain, so might have burned off half of the calories we consumed. One can only hope.

Sunday Evening... 95 degrees

2011-05-08T17:48:00.010-05:00

Mother's Day Sunday. I cooked, we watched CBS Sunday Morning, went out to get a newspaper, called both our Mothers.
I made up this recipe for a savory bread pudding. It has bread, milk, and eggs, of course. I added some Italian herbs, and the best thing...lots of BACON. For an experiment, it turned out pretty well. It was a one dish meal, and very filling. Next time I will add some cheese, but only had cheddar on hand and that didn't appeal to me today. I'm thinking some Gruyere next time.

It got way too hot too early for me so I stayed in. With coffee, and a few chocolates and a big pile of books and magazines. Fine way to spend a Sunday afternoon as far as I'm concerned.

Hubby? He went golfing. The heat doesn't bother him. We did have a high of 97 today. Tonight a light salad and maybe a movie. A nice relaxing week-end. Oh, of course the hubby played golf yesterday as well and I went shopping with a friend for a few new art supplies. Now I just need to use some of those supplies this week.

My Engine is Stalled

2011-05-06T11:33:00.005-05:00

Shuffling along in the rut the past few weeks. I guess I am starting the summer blues a little earlier this year. I usually get into a slump after coming home from the Pacific N.W. every year. This time it coincides with the issues of family AND the hotter temperatures. Ugh... We have already had temps in the 90's. This week we got a cool front though and it's been in the high 80's for a few days. I have been working on some spring cleaning, and getting rid of a lot of stuff, as well as trying to make my "cave" comfortable for spending the hot days inside and getting some artwork done. Consequently, when sorting and cleaning, it gets worse before it gets better. No matter how many times I fill the trashcan and the recycle bin, there seems to be more. Too much saving of everything that I think has those endless "possibilities". Oh I think I am also cranky because I haven't done a bit of artwork in several weeks.

Hubby had to basically drag me out of the house yesterday to go for a Cinco de Mayo lunch.

I really tried shuffling these photos so the ones of me wouldn't be so large...but Picasa wouldn't have it so I gave up. The top goofy photo of me with a pot above my head... On the front porch before we left, I was showing hubby a copper wok that I was going to use to plant some succulents in, and of course he had the camera ready. The food at this particular Mexican place is the best. The greens on my salad were really fresh, and they use an entire half of avocado. Hubby had Gorditas..I think. See the phone..working lunch seems to be the norm for him these days. For dessert we shared the huge empanada with Frangelica sauce. Then I came home and had a Siesta! I had saved half my salad so I COULD have dessert. I ate the rest for dinner.

Monday Morning Funny

2011-04-25T12:30:00.004-05:00

Sometimes I watch Martha Stewart, sometimes I don't. This morning I turned on the telly to see what she had on her show. The crafty segments are usually pretty cool. Anyhow, I looked at the "guide" to see who/what was on. Tell me what is wrong with this photo.

I called hubby over to take a look and he cracked up too. So are we weird or would anyone have noticed this? Now this one is pretty glaring..but I catch stuff like this all the time. Once a proof-reader, always one I guess. GEEZ...don't ANYONE spell check this post!

I know Martha is not responsible for what it says in the "guide" section. But, knowing my pal Martha like I do(tee hee), I think she would be miffed about this..after she stopped laughing of course. I can't decide if I want to e-mail her about it, or send it to Letterman, or just continue to laugh about it all day. Some days I am so easily amused.

Chronicles of the Pacific Northwest

2011-04-18T15:12:00.013-05:00

I have finally gotten my trip photos somewhat organized. I haven't been able to organize my thoughts in any way to make enough sense that I felt anyone would care to read about it. But I'll try...teehee I have a difficult time with Reader's Digest(condensed version) of any story. This was a two week trip, so a lot happened.

Flying over the Rockies. No matter how many times, it always takes my breathe away.

Silly Me, the first photo I snap when arriving anywhere is usually clouds! Clouds over my hometown. See the snow on the foothills?

The main reason for the trip was because my Dad had fallen again and broken another bone. This time it was in the hip he had to have replaced after a fall last year at this same time. By the time we got there, he was already moved from the hospital to the rehab center. He was receiving physical therapy, but he was in a lot of pain. Of course all the people at the rehab center remembered him from last year. He was the life of the party even when he is in pain! They had moved a daybed into his room so my Mom could stay there with him. On the second day there, we went in to visit, and I somehow tripped on the leg of the daybed...and took a tumble. OMG! Well, my sister had to take ME to the ER this time. They all know HER because of all the times she has been there with my parents. There are photos of me on the floor, with my head a mere inch from hitting the cabinet.. yes my family documents everything! All of a sudden, there were staff everywhere, a nurse saying "don't move", two strong men to lift me up off the floor, another person to take my "statement", another nurse to get me an ice bag. In the ER, my sister and my hubby could not stop laughing. Actually, I was in pain, but could not stop laughing either, along with feeling like a fool. Fortunately I escaped with nothing broken. Swollen and bruised however, from my left knee all the way down to my foot, and my right hip and shoulder. I kind of twisted somehow to try and prevent myself from falling on the left shoulder, the one I had just had surgery on. My back was pretty sore and I hobbled around for a few days. I still have a lump on my knee, and the blood from the bruising has run all the way down to my foot. Guess what my DAD had to say..."see, even young people fall"... LOL

Most of our days were spent running back and forth to the rehab center. All the Aunts, Uncles and cousins came to see Daddy there, so I got to see them...or as my Daddy says.."Sure glad you got to see me".

A Tiny Preview

2011-04-07T18:53:00.004-05:00

Of my trek throughout the Pacific Northwest. Hubby and I were gone for two weeks, and returned last night, exhausted. At least I was able to sleep for 14 hours straight. All I have really gotten done today is unpack, and download my camera cards. When I get rested up I will post more photos and tell you about our trip. It was family emergency time again, but we were able to squeeze in a few hours of sightseeing along the way.

Yesterdays Clouds, Last Nights Moon

2011-03-20T19:04:00.009-05:00

The sky was bright blue and the clouds were crisp where I live. Driving home in the afternoon I can't help thinking of all the dreadful things going on in the world. What does the sky look like over Japan...will the cherry blossoms bloom again in Spring? Will the death toll continue to rise, and how long before her people will feel safe again? The skies over Libya...we can see if we turn on CNN...all the disastrous elements brought about by mother nature, and man as well. I'm actually weary of CNN playing everywhere I go. I don't want to dwell on the bad things, but how can I NOT? It's hard to avoid them. I did receive an e-mail back from one of the sketchbook participants that I sent a message to. He and his family are fine, in Kobe.

Hubby and I needed a small break and so we went downtown. On a Saturday night...during SXSW? What are we, crazy? A friend of ours was playing at a bar that was NOT on 6th Street, so we figured we'd brave it. We saw a couple of acts before his band, and a couple after. We were home by mid-night...so we missed the action on 6th Street and the kerfuffle with the police...only just now heard about it from a neighbor. Too many fans trying to get into small venues, add alcohol..spells trouble! I told you this town gets crazy around it's musical festivals. We love live music, but are not party people...I had one beer, hubby doesn't drink at all. We both felt hung-over from the cigarette smoke and lack of sleep.

We took a walk through the Capitol grounds before coming home. It was cool and breezy, and very beautiful. I could have sat there for hours watching the moon.

I still keep taking pictures of the moon, even though with my little camera, it's hard to get photos that do it justice. I still feel compelled to do it. The moon was huge last night, but looks dwarfed by the capitol.

Spring...renewal, growth, hope for peace and tranquility in the world.

Sketchbooks and SXSW

2011-03-15T11:46:00.018-05:00

Still in recovery from a busy, crazy week-end. We usually leave town the week of SXSW, because the entire city goes crazy. Influx of thousands of musicians, film folks, etc. from all over the world. Unless you have been, you can't even imagine what happens. Don't even dare to try to get a hotel room in this town right now.
Anyhow...the main thing that I wanted to see was the travelling sketchbook project.
http://arthousecoop.com/projects/sketchbookproject

When we got there at 11 for a 12.p.m. opening, we were told there had been a problem and the opening was pushed back to 2:00p.m. There were already a large number of people milling about in the museum. We left and went to a Teachers rally on the Capitol lawn. Then we went to a SXSW film at another location. When we got back to the museum, we got in line and were the first ones outside the door to where they were having the event. Hubby was peeking through the opening of the door and read the sign with the rules on it. First we had to get in one line and get a library card. Then line #2 to check out a journal, then line #3 to return, then back in the line to check out. There was such a mass exodus into the room that things got all jumbled and people didn't know what to do. The organizers hadn't done a real good job of explaining the system, and I think they were overwhelmed with the amount of people there. My hubby and another guy, who happened to be the two tallest people in the room, began trying to explain and help people out. A lot of people were grumbling about the small size of the room, and the disorganization. No matter, folks settled down, and started getting books. They let you check out two at a time, and you could give a name if you knew they had participated, or a city or a country. Since I was number 2 in line I actually got my first two rather quickly. On my second trip it took me 45 minutes from the time I returned two and got in the other line to check out two more! Then I had to weave my way across the room back to where my hubby had saved us a standing spot in a corner. Then he went to get his two, and so on and so on. We looked at books from people we knew, then just asked for random countries. It was really getting warm and crowded in the room, and it seemed like with this system we wouldn't get to see very many journals. I suggested to the people who were eyeball to eyeball with us that when we each got two books we all pass them around so we could view more at a time. So that worked out well, as long as we got them all returned to the person who had checked them out.

They were amazing, such a variety of styles and from all over the place. We met people close by who had participated, so we got to see their books. I wish I could show you all the books I saw. I started out taking photos and writing down names, but that didn't last very long. Here are some I can show, and I did them in collage style to try and take up less space.
Some have names, some I didn't get. Every person started out with the same size moleskine journal. Some were sketched, some collaged, every page used, some pages removed.

This person was from LasVegas, it was fabric and the pages had been removed from the book and the fold-out pages inserted.

Lenna Andrews- Bradenton, Fla. Know her from online.

Angie Beck from Australia. All postage stamps...see Russell Crowe?

Forgot to write this person's name and location

After I had looked at all the books from people I knew, I decided in light of what was happening in Japan, that I really wanted to see books from there. From that point on, both Hubby and I asked for two from Japan each time. So there we stood, with these books in our hands...praying and focusing on sending healing energy to the people living there, in the midst of this tragedy. Soon, there were several students who had been standing next to us, who did the same. In retrospect, I wish I had stood on the table and asked everyone in the room to do the same.

Kuniko Komaba-Tokyo Japan

This book really touched me. It was entirely filled with ink sketches, each one more fantastical than the next. These are just a few of them. They were really hard to photograph. This one appears to be the only one of the books from Japan I took photos of. One was from Kobe, Japan, and it was all rubberstamped words and quotes, all in Deutsch.

These were just some of the many books we got to look at. I would liked to have seen them all. One of the organizers told us that there were 10,000 sketchbooks that had been returned.

Week-end Getaway

2011-03-08T16:26:00.011-06:00

I went with the Hubster to an MS fundraiser and dinner party on Saturday, in San Antonio. We spent the night and had a leisurely time on Sunday. We were planning on doing a little sightseeing in some areas we'd never been before. However...I discovered there was an Anthropologie store nearby where we were staying. Of course, that is always first on my list of "sightseeing", no matter where we travel. HaHa We did get to walk around the area before the shops opened at noon, because we got there way early. I gave hubby a bit of a teasing about it, because if we'd checked to see what time they opened, we would have had plenty of time to sight see in other areas. It was nice and cool though and a beautiful morning to just stroll and plenty of places to sit and people watch.

The Anthropologie store was awesome, as they all are. To see the photos I took, go to my other blog. www.barbaradunbar.blogspot.com/ Sorry...I still haven't figured out how to do a clickable link in the blogspot. Someday...

Afterwards he took me for lunch at a little Mexican place he had been to before. It was very quaint and seemed to be where the locals go. That is always so much better than a chain restaurant where you always know what you'll get. Full parking lot is always a good sign that the food is good. The restaurant was pretty large, the front side of it was around the left hand corner of the photo.

We had flautas and chicken fajitas. We had planned to stop for a Starbucks afterward, but were too full. Didn't even have dessert. Traffic was very heavy going home, we got home at 5:30 and I was unpacked and had my p.j.s on by 6:30 and went to bed at 7:30. So nice to be back in my own bed. Hotel beds are never as comfy as ones own bed.

The Mailbox is a Museum

2011-02-28T09:44:00.006-06:00

I had that saying on a rubberstamp, back in the days when I sent a lot of mail art. I lost touch with a lot of my mail art pals. Seems when you stop participating in swaps, and you don't send a lot, the stream dries up. I also had a rubber stamp that said "Senders Receive" So if I want more Mail Art, I'd best start sending more, right?

Well, I signed up for a drawing on Janet's blog, and my number was picked. She sent me this lovely Asian style postcard. There's a lot of texture on this card that doesn't show up in the photo. Thanks Janet.

This reminds me of how much I like Asian style, and makes me want to go searching for yet another thing in my room of hidden treasures. I have a lot of Asian papers and rubber stamps. No surprise there, right...as I have a LOT/too much, of everything.
However, on this last day of February, I can say...I haven't been to JoAnn's or Michael's at all. With the exception of that stack of magazines I bought at Borders, I haven't purchased any art/craft supplies. Yay!

My Favorite Color Day

2011-02-26T13:29:00.008-06:00

It's a grey Saturday, a bit between mist and light rain. 65 degrees. Had an early morning appt. with the furnace/air conditoner man, just to make sure the system is working. Our weather this time of year is use the heater one day, the A/C the next. A lot of people complain about grey days, but I rather like them. Hubby was out of town all week, and I have still been sorting and re-organizing. This a.m. we went out for breakfast and a few errands, then he headed for the golf course. I have the rest of the day to play, create, or continue organizing. Or a little of each. We'll meet back up later for dinner and a movie. I think it's a fine way to spend a Saturday.

Look at my Crape Myrtle, known as the Lilac of the South. In February we are advised to trim them back, since they only bloom on new growth. Some folks do, some don't. I like the way Hubby trimmed this one. There was a little nest that he didn't want to disturb, so he didn't trim those two branches. I always thought most birds didn't return to re-use a nest the following year. I have seen a bird perched on top of that tree every day the past week. It does appear the nest is getting smaller, so maybe she's is just going for re-cyled building material, and building her nest somewhere else.

I enjoy the bare branch trees so much because you can better see the birds perched in them.

I Got Carried Away

2011-02-24T11:14:00.007-06:00

After hearing the news of Borders bankruptcy, and finding out that in their "re-organization" they are leaving some stores open...rumour? Anyhow, they are closing all of the ones in the Austin area. I stopped by to see if there were any real deals so far. The only thing that caught my attention was the magazines being 40% off. This is exactly the price I like to pay, but since we can no longer use coupons for them at Michaels, and JoAnn's has them on sale every week for 10% off, I haven't bought a single magazine for weeks and weeks. Especially those $14.99 ones. But I may have gone a wee bit overboard in the feeding frenzy...the place was a mess and the lines were long, and they still didn't have a couple of the mags I was looking for, so I bought a few I wasn't looking for!

Here's my stack.

There's the British ones, Tattler, IdealHomes, and Selvedge. Stuffed and Art Journaling from Stampington, seriously overpriced at $14.99. Well Selvedge is $14.99 also, but it used to be $25. (for a MAGAZINE??) Quilting Arts, just because I haven't bought one in a long time. Vogue, Bazaar, the Spring fashion issues have good ads and stuff for collage. Then Flaunt, really out there, with ads you don't see anywhere else, and nice quality paper. Whew!

Hubby hates when magazines come into the house and none leave. He reads his, then gets rid of them. Not so me. I felt the need to justify to him that there were two large paper grocery bags full sitting by the back door that needed to be donated to the library. He just wishes I would do that more often. But being the paper addict that I am, I always think there will be just the perfect image in that stack that I can use for journal or collage fodder. But one needs to take time to go through them once in awhile, right?

Two Steps Forward, One Step Back

2011-02-17T08:59:00.007-06:00

That's how I feel most days. Here we go again.
I've been busy cleaning and sorting. Mostly sorting, papers and art stuff. I am constantly reorganizing, trying to make things easier to find. I have been very frustrated with my current state of affairs of too much stuff, and not being able to find all the required items when I decide to do a project. Well, I do make such a mess when I do any project. Then if I don't put everything back where I got it, it gets buried under something else. It's a mess of my own making, so no one can fix it but me.

I'm breaking up the monotony of sorting by doing a few small projects. Nothing significant, just little putterings to keep myself convinced that I really am going to use all these supplies! HA I keep discovering things I bought that I forgot about, then a bell goes off..Oh yeah, I was gonna, you know, do that, this or there was a very important reason I needed that. Yikes!

I made a couple of cards for my Dad(horse diagrams), a card and mail art envy for my Mom, decorated some jars I'd been storing tiny things in, worked on some Lunar New Year cards(still finishing those up)and I made a quick Valentine hangy thing on VDay while hubby was cooking us dinner.

My goal is to do a few small things every week, even if it's just a card, tag, ATC or collage. I need to get in the habit of finishing things, instead of starting, starting, starting...you get the idea. My mind goes in too many directions at once.

Happy Heart Day

2011-02-14T11:35:00.005-06:00

Well, I started a few Valentines, but true to my state of disarray these days, I didn't get them finished. Almost, but not quite. I can't quite believe, and you probably won't either, that I used to do a yearly Valentine exchange that required 100 Valentines. It's been awhile since I have been able to manage that. I thought I'd show you a few of my collection of candy boxes. These are the ones I could put my hands on around the house. I started collecting the Choxie boxes a few years ago, but none of them are heart shaped, I just liked them. I'm a sucker for interesting packaging, and mostly little boxes.

The metal heart ones are from Brighton, came with jewelry not candy in them. I found a few more boxes after I took the photo. I have heart things tucked into shelves all around the house.

Yes We Have Weather

2011-02-04T12:17:00.007-06:00

We got just enough snow to make the weathermen ever so happy, since they had been talking about the snow coming for several days! I know they are so proud of themselves when they actually get it right. It matched the "computer model" of the impending storm to a T... I do love to make fun of those guys, because they don't often get it right. The storm that we are right in the path of, usually passes us by, or it arrives many hours sooner than they predicted. Oh well...here are my snow day photos.

It's still 28 degrees, but the sun came out and the snow is melting already. We have nothing severe like the rest of the country is having. I feel really worried for the folks who are having to dig out of many feet of snow, downed power lines, being withouut heat. Not to mention treacherous road conditons. I lived many years in climates like that, so I sure don't complain about Texas winters.

Hope it is warm where you are. Do you think that groundhog was right about Spring coming soon? Oh by the way, my friend Ruth Ann Gigliotti owns Stewart's Drug Store right in the middle of Punxsutawney PA. On Mahoning Street I think it is. You can buy a rubberstamp of Punxsutawney Phil there, plus other groundhog collectibles.

A Not So Secret Pact

2011-02-01T11:52:00.008-06:00

In almost every conversation with my friend Sue, we both bemoan the fact that we have too much stuff.... Not just art stuff, but everything. Mostly art stuff though. Yet we are constantly buying more. Having so much stuff means that some of it gets misplaced. So sometimes when we buy more, it is to replace something we already bought but can't find.

So, as we do often in every year, but obviously not often enough.. Ha Ha. We have declared February to be NO ART SUPPLY PURCHASE month! So if one of us is tempted by a coupon...or a sale at anyplace, we will call one another for support. Of course, right after making this pact once again, we started tossing in qualifiers.. What if Michaels or JoAnn's has a 50% coupon? What if we really do need another glue pot of some kind? Probably because we can't find the one we bought last month. OY How about a book we already "pre-ordered". Does that count? What if Tim Holtz comes out with a new die cut we cannot live without? We have come up with several excuses. We will just have to do the best we can. I know we can do it. Me more than her! Hear that Sue? Well, it's really only because she is exposed to way more tempting situations than I am.

Well, here is the plan. We will start today, and try to create something every day or two, using only what we have on hand. No new stuff! I think I could be locked in my art room every day for a year and not need anything new. Providing I could find it. Two examples are: I decided I wanted to carve stamps again. Can't locate my entire box of carving tools. Then I decided I really wanted to just do some old fashioned stamping. Found the embossing powders, and the pad and ink refill...Now where is the heat gun that I probably haven't used in 5 years? Nowhere to be found. Both a heat gun and carving tools are not lightly replaced because they are kind of costly. I probably don't need to mention how many other categories I went through before I found a couple that I actually can LOCATE everything I need for it. I can do some FELTING, because all my felting supplies are in one of those large plastic 3 drawer organizer thingies. But I don't really want to felt right now. I could do some stenciling, as all of those supplies are in one place. I'd really like to do some of that. Oh but wait, right now it is 28 degrees in the garage, and even colder outside. I can't do my stenciling without spray paint.

So...it's back to the drawing board. I may have to rethink the felting. Maybe a few small things just to get the feel of it. That's what I usually do with the felt stuff. Take it all out of the drawers, FEEL it and then put it back.

Hopefully I might have a project to show in a day or two.

Yesterday.....

2011-01-25T10:47:00.004-06:00

On Sunday I had told Hubby I would bake something for him, but ran out of time. So yesterday around noon I decided to bake. It took me all afternoon to make a huge mess, bake, clean up the mess. I was exhausted by the time he came home. I was saved from cooking dinner by presenting him with this big plate of mincemeat empanadas. Actually he said he had a late lunch and wouldn't be wanting dinner. I probably could have only managed to lift a frozen din-din into the microwave. For some reason I was really tired yesterday. I had done ALL my physical therapy exercises, so I should have felt energized. Anyhow, a tall glass of milk and a couple of pastries were pretty good.

Building.

Cooling.

Finished.

Fortunately, I put a big bunch of them in a bakery box and sent him off this morning with them to share with the guys at his meeting. The rest of them I stuck in the freezer...after eating two of them. I do not do well at home alone with pastry in the house!!

12:57 A.M. 31 Degrees, Feels Like 20

2011-01-21T00:57:00.005-06:00

That's exactly what the weather channel on my desktop reads. When there is a lot of humidity, they factor in what the temperature "feels like", or the wind chill. Since Hubby has the bedroom window open, it "feels like" pretty darn chilly. He's snoring, but the neighbors haven't called yet, so I guess it's okay. One day my neighbor was over visiting and mentioned that she hadn't slept at all the night before because of the snoring. My Hubby said..."I wasn't even HOME last night". So, all up and down the street, I can imagine the other snoring spouses, keeping other someones awake.

I just drank a glass of milk and ate 3 Ritz crackers. I hope I can get to sleep or I will surely need a nap later on today. Plus, I will be crabby to the one who kept me from getting to sleep in the first place.

Flight Delayed

2011-01-16T08:28:00.004-06:00

It never fails! I hate winter travel of any kind, because it is "fraught with peril". Hubby is stuck in Chicago again. Every single time he or I fly to that part of the country(why does it always have to happen in WINTER). No one ever needs him to come there in the Summer!. I'm not sure it's weather issues in Chicago, or someplace else, but he made it from Ft. Wayne Indiana to O'Hare, and thought he would get out on time. But just e-mailed me about some kind of delay. He should still get home today, but it is just another part of the saga of winter travel.

Look what he found in the airport.

Wintery Road Trip

2011-01-15T12:12:00.007-06:00

Hubby had to go to Dallas on business earlier in the week. I had made plans to go along and had alerted friends I'd be coming. When it got so darn cold I almost backed out and stayed home. Especially because parts of Dallas had 5" of snow the day before we left. Hub still had to go, so I promised not to whine, and went along.

This is a farmhouse along the way, that I have been taking photos of for at least 12 years. Every time we go to Dallas. So I have pics of it in every season. I do think this is the first one I have of it with snow on it. I'm really in love with this house. Someday I may just stop and knock on the door....

It was 22 the next a.m., which doesn't sound so bad if you bundle up...However, those of you who know about humidity and wind chill...It was DARN chilly. Hub was there to oversee an outdoor project, so he was pretty miserable all day.

My friend picked me up at the hotel early and we did a wee bit of shopping, but mostly just hung out and got caught up on things. I hadn't been up there since I had my shoulder surgery in October.
A great way to warm up for lunch. El Chico's chicken tortilla soup. I NEED to learn how to make it this good at home.

After a bit more shopping we needed a Cinnamon Dolce' Latte' to warm up again. Hub and I spent the night again and after a morning meeting, headed home, so he could re-pack and fly out again, to a REALLY cold place!

Are All The Birds Crazy?

2011-01-08T12:40:00.008-06:00

Or is it just the ones in Texas? We have this phenomenon here that occurs every night about sunset. The trees are filled with birds that seem to come alive all at once. It looks like something from that long ago Alfred Hitchcock movie that scared the crap out of all of us. I have heard it from a lot of people who visit Texas. I know I have seen it in Austin, and in Dallas. I am pretty observant when I travel, especially about the birds, but I don't recall having ever seen it in other places, to this extent. If I'm wrong, please tell me, does it happen where you live?
At 6:52 beautiful sunset

At 6:54 crazy birds

These photos are a bit blurry. I am constantly trying to get good "bird on a wire" photos. I'm not always prepared, and those birds move fast.

01-01-11 Another New Beginning

2011-01-01T10:18:00.006-06:00

My first post of the new year. How cool is this date? I love new beginnings, winding up the clock and starting over with the same numbers, but falling on a different day. Simply because of my love of all things paper, I also love fondling the new calendar and choosing the one that goes on the wall, the one that goes inside the kitchen cabinet door, the date book for appointments, the journal to alter, I guess that's about it. I know most people keep track of it all online, on their computer or hand-held. Well, what can I say, I still love the paper one. Even if I ever do start keeping an electronic calendar, I will still have to have a nice Cavallini calendar to hang on the wall. But here it is the first day of the year, and I haven't chosen any!! By this time I have usually bought 3 or 4. Mister bought a cow one from Chick-fil-A, it has free food coupons every month. I guess I will have to use it if I need to look at one in the next few days. I may have to buy a $1.00 one at Michaels if I get over there today.

Resolutions? NO, I don't make 'em. It dawned on me years ago that most peoples, mine included, were the same every year. Lose weight, be more organized, quit this or that habit, save money, etc. etc. Whatever it was, it was gone in a few weeks or months, and you were left with a feeling of failure. Yes, I do set goals, which I choose to think are different. I can look back on the goals I set for myself last year, and some I did okay on, some could have been better. But no guilt or feeling of failure has crossed my mind, yet. Well, the day is young...also it may be a result of the new Anti-depressant!!! LOL I gave up awhile ago on thinking I could function without one, so I have accepted the miracles of modern pharmaceuticals as something I may always have to rely on. Anyone who suffers from the evils of melancholy knows exactly what I am talking about. So, on with it I say. Today is a good day, and I expect tomorrow to be the same.

Did we really buy all this STUFF to leave out for SANTA? I think not!

Fortunately, most of it is gone, with the help of a friend or two. We've been eating the Rio Grande Valley grapefuit we were gifted with...TWO boxes. So we are combatting the sugar rush with plenty of natural sugar and some Vitamin C.

Happy New Year to everyone, no matter how you spend the day. Did you watch the Rose Parade? How about a ton of football? I can only handle about one game a day. Will probably watch the Rose Bowl with hubby later. My sewing machine is still out, so I may sew some more of those goofy little garlands. Have a grand day/week-end.

Merry Christmas!

2010-12-23T21:02:00.020-06:00

Well, everything that needed to be done has been done. Very simple Christmas around here this year. No travel, no company, just me and the Hub. A friend or two dropping in for a bite to eat or football watching. Lots of snacks and a little baking. I feel more relaxed than I can stand. I have been focused about 95% on Physical Therapy and just taking care of myself. Everything else has taken a back seat. Besides making a lot more rosettes, big and small, I've become addicted to sewing yards and yards of paper garlands, and hanging them everywhere. I've delivered both rosettes and garlands to the gals at Starbucks, the mail lady, the physical therapists, etc. I can't stop making them! And everyone thinks I'm so clever. LOL At least I'm doing something crafty and no pressure or deadlines. So I DO feel pretty clever!
This rosette is 6" in diameter.

Oh, and here is the card I would have sent some of you, if I'd actually gotten around to mailing cards. So I guess I have my cards for next year, if I can manage to pack them away in a place I can find them when the time is right. I totally fell for these Anna Griffin cards, they are all the colors I'm enjoying right now, silver, grey and sparkly. Plus add "deers" to anything and I am hooked.

Very best wishes to everyone, no matter what or how you celebrate.

It's Beginning To Look Like Christmas

2010-12-12T13:25:00.014-06:00

Even though I love decorating for Christmas, it seems like I do less and less each year. I still enjoy getting out all the decorations and looking at them and remembering where and when we got them, etc. The whole memory lane thing. I just don't seem to have the energy to decorate the entire house like I used to. When there's only the two of us living here, and not a lot of entertaining, I do as little as I can get away with. Hubby wants to haul it ALL out and really deck the halls for just the two of us, so he does a lot of the work. Especially this year, with my shoulder surgery and continued rehab. After getting the tree up, I do feel more like getting into the spirit, so will probably still be putting stuff up for the next week or so.

Trees are really hard to photograph. I think my tree is much more beautiful in person. Using a flash totally washes it out, without flash it's blurry. I had to settle...just couldn't get it right. Hopefully I can get some better photos later.

Papier Mache' deer are about 30 years old.

Hubby and I buy at least one new ornament each year. We like acorns. Some years we buy a pear, some years a bird. The acorn is in the upper left corner, kind of hard to see. It is pretty large though.

Dear Sweet Hubby played golf all day yesterday, with the promise he would hang lights today. Of course it was cold both days, so here he is, getting started, 38 degrees and windy. He did the front yard today and will work on the back yard tomorrow.

I spent a big part of today making these Tim Holtz rosettes. They are NOT as easy as he makes them look. One needs 3 hands to hold and glue them. The perforations that you fold on are very easily torn apart. I am glad I don't have to make a living assembling these little things. Also, glad I have decided I won't be making enough for a garland! If I were, I'd have had to start in July!

We had a great Sunday, just hanging out together, doing stuff, went out for coffee and a newspaper. Weather forecast says we will get into the low 30's tonight.

Did Your Grandma Make Mincemeat?

2010-11-24T19:07:00.005-06:00

Hubby and I are happily spending Thanksgiving alone, just the two of us. Like we have for the past few years. Both our families are in parts of the country where snow is flying right now. Fourteen degrees today where my parents are in Idaho, and they expect ice and snow in Portland tomorrow. It was 31 just a bit ago when HUB spoke to his Mom. My Sis texted me awhile ago, that it was snowing and blowing with ice already everywhere. We had 80+ here today, but expecting a cold front to blow down from up North tomorrow. We are supposed to see the 50's. Ah...Thanksgiving in Texas.

Not much cooking, we got our smoked turkey and Brisket from the B-B-Q joint just up the road. Also a double load of the dreaded Green Bean Casserole. Ugh We usually make a few desserts(weakness for both of us) and this year HUB requested Mince Meat Empanadas. So I had to run out to the store this morning in search of the stuff since I hadn't found it yet. Needless to say, the store was a madhouse, with gridlock in every aisle, especially the baking aisle. So everyone was calling out what they were searching for. I said "Anybody seen MINCEMEAT?" Well, at least 5 young people said, "I don't even know what that IS". The only peeps who knew were the old ones like me. Had to flag down an employee and even he didn't know where it was except he thought they got some in. We finally found it, and it was waaay more expensive than I thought it would be..but after all that I got it anyway. So he will get his empanadas. Anyhow, when I was a kid my Grandma made her own canned mincemeat, mainly for my Dad, it was his favorite. I wouldn't touch the stuff because it had MEAT in it. This new stuff may have some beef broth or something like that in it. It won't matter anyhow, since I still won't be eating any. So, I wonder if anybody's Granny makes mincemeat in this day and age. I seriously doubt it.

Here's my favorite vignette from the B-B-Q place.

Happy Thanksgiving! We are going to a movie tomorrow at noon, then Texas football tomorrow night, and a nice long week-end of football, more football.

One Month Since My Surgery

2010-11-13T17:54:00.005-06:00

I can't believe it has been a whole month since my surgery. I've been in a slow-motion time warp. The biggest part of the day is spent doing exercises, then having to take a nap. Since I'm now down to two days a week at PT, I really have to focus on making sure I get all the exercises in at home. Emily(my therapist) showed hubby some things that he can do at home to help me....the massage part in particular. Although he doesn't do it quite like she does, it does help. I'm starting to get impatient with how long this recovery is taking. I've missed a lot of events and doing things I really want to do because I just don't have any energy. The weather is starting to cool off and I want to be out doing things. But if I do, I get so tired that I can't enjoy myself.

A friend of Hubbys gave us football tickets for tonight, and I would have liked to go, but I knew that I would be worn out just getting there, then hubby would worry about me. So I sent him off to the game and I will stay home and veg. on the sofa. Well, I may watch a bit of the game, and I did muster up the strength to make me a snack. Here it is, one of my favorite things. Crispbread with smoked turkey, Havarti with dill, and an ice cold beer. So I have that waiting for me as soon as I do a few more exercises!

Fall is Finally Here

2010-11-05T16:59:00.006-05:00

41 Degrees This Morning! Yay! Slept with the window open last night and an extra comforter on the bed. I always feel better as soon as the cool weather arrives. I drove myself to Physical Therapy for the first time this morning. It was a little uncomfortable, but I have soooo much more movement than I had just last week. It seems to be improving a bit each day. After PT I went to Starbucks and Target. Guess what, all the Christmas "stuff" is up, out, and all over the place. Well, it is just around the corner after all. No new Christmas stuff for me, there is not a thing I want nor need for decorations...so these darn retailers better not be trying to tempt me with those little paper mache' forest creatures that I have been seeing in all the catalogs!
Oh, but I do love looking at all the new scarves, hats, and fall accessories. I have wanted some of those fingerless gloves for quite some time. They have them in many styles and colors. I succumbed to buying something that wasn't even ON SALE...and got these cute arm-warmers! I'm not quite sure what the point is, they are just cute, and maybe I really liked the way they look with my new nail polish.

BOO! HAPPY HALLOWEEN

2010-10-31T11:43:00.004-05:00

This gal looks like I feel after two solid weeks of intense physical therapy. Actually she looks BETTER than I do. My hair is ragged, I have no make-up on, the only difference is my tears are just tears, not bloody ones. Even though they feel like it and I have several bruises from the work-outs I've been getting. Every day for an hour, then home for a nap, then wake up and do another hour exercise at home, then again before bed. I had an evaluation on Friday. I get to decrease to two times a week at Rehab, but must do an hour every day at home. So, it is paying off, but, darn...I am exhausted. All I want to do is sleep. I guess it is part of the healing to be tired. I'll do 4 weeks on the new schedule then be evaluated again.

I've missed out on several fall festivities that I like...Halloween, and Dia de los Muertos. But guess what? A year goes by so fast that it will be time for them again before we know it. Next stop...unpack the giant Christmas tree and drag that stuff out again. And the beat goes on. Actually there are a LOT of festivities going on in November that I think I can manage, so it's not too bad.

Don't eat too much Halloween candy! I've worked my way through a large bag of M&M peanuts this past week. No appetite for food, but still want me some CHOCOLATE! Did you know that M&M peanut now comes in dark chocolate too?

It's a Full time JOB

2010-10-20T15:36:00.003-05:00

Today was my fourth session in physical therapy. I've had 3 different therapists so far. Emily is a tiny little thing, but very strong. The exercises she has had me do have seemed very easy, but her massage technique is very good. The second day I had Aaron, and he is a bruiser! I recall him from before, when I went there for therapy with my broken ankle. He really worked me over, and pushed me way beyond what I thought I was ready for, and it hurt. But I felt better afterwards. All three days I have come home and taken a long nap though. Today I had Robert, and he is very gentle, didn't work me nearly as hard as Aaron did, but his manipulation technique was pretty intense. I was feeling a lot of pain, but also had more energy than I have had any day so far. Today is the first day I haven't had to come home and collapse in a heap on the bed! I am pretty sore though, and have ice on my shoulder right now. I guess it is helpful to have different therapists instead of the same one every time. They all have just a wee bit different technique. It seems my range of motion is pretty good so far for only having 4 sessions. I see the Dr. tomorrow and I think he will agree.

Coming out of the fog.

2010-10-17T16:20:00.002-05:00

I'm recovering nicely from surgery. I can type with only one hand as my left arm is trussed up in a sling. Remember I said I was preparing to sleep for 3 or 4 days straight? When I woke up from the surgery I could hear my hubby and the nurse talking, scheduling my physical therapy evaluation for the next morning. YIKES! I got home from the hospital at 8 p.m. on Wednesday and was in physical therapy at 9:15 the next morning. That was a bit of a rough day, then day two I felt a little better. Yesterday I felt like I got hit with a ton of bricks. Besides going to PT every single day for 2 weeks, I have exercises to do at home, every two hours. So much for my plan of enjoying a lot of sleep. Let's see, I can sleep for two hours, do my routine, then sleep for another 2 hours. I haven't eaten much, have no appetite, but at least this time I didn't get nauseous and throw up for days. They gave me something extra in my I.V. to prevent that. Even though I am in quite a bit of discomfort, it is still not as bad as the pain was before I had the surgery, so I know it is going to get better bit by bit. Well, I've used up some of my sleep time writing this, and my pain pills are kicking in, so it's back to bed for awhile.

Countdown to Surgery

2010-10-12T15:55:00.004-05:00

Yay! I am finally getting this rotator cuff surgery out of the way. It's been bothering me for far too long, and has gone past the point of where exercise or physical therapy relieves the pain. I did my Pre-Op stuff yesterday, so all I have to do is walk in there tomorrow and get it over with. I told the DR. I wanted him to give me all the drugs the law would allow, and I planned on sleeping for the next few days...LOL Besides pain killers, he wants me to take a sleeping pill. I've never taken them before, except for the occasional OTC thing like AdvilPM. So reluctantly I said I would take the Lunesta throughout the recovery from my surgery. Hmmm..he did not give me that when I had my ankle surgery. Anyhow, I took one last night, just to see what kind of affects it would have. I was still awake 3 or 4 times in the night, just like I normally am. I am not sure I slept any better or sounder, but I think you probably have to get it built up in your system. I will use everything available to make sure I am not going to suffer in pain.

I've got everything prepared for a very long nap anyhow! A stack of magazines by the sofa, and another by the bed, just in case I can't sleep. A few art supplies and a sketch pad, just in case my muse decides to make an appearance. I fixed a tray with all the TEAS on it so Hub can find the right ones. I'm making another attempt to take an herbal vacation. We also took a tour of the pantry...I tease him about having tunnel vision. He will think we are out of something and open a new one, when the one he should have used is right in front of him. Oh well, he is going to be my nurse and he really does take very good care of me, so I can't complain about having several packages of the same things open at once, can I?.

We are off to the store to get a few last minute food items. I need to find some soothing foods, as the anasthesia always makes me really nauseous, I guess it does that to most people. Darn, I guess spicy tortilla soup is out of the question for a few days. I'll be back online in a few days.

Treat from Hubby...A Trip To IKEA

2010-10-10T19:05:00.006-05:00

I've only been leaving the house to run neccessary errands or go to the DR. So after the latest run, Hubby decided we needed a treat.. I think he meant me, whiney me.

Walked for ever...you know how that goes in IKEA. Fun store. They have discontinued the wooden Moppe boxes that I've always loved. Drats! Here's what I bought. This fabric has dark grey/black/brown/white and touches of mustard and a wee bit of orange. I've changed my mind several times on the way home about what I'd use it for. A chair cushion cover for sure and a little pillow to match. I love tossing fabric over the stair railing and just looking at it for a few days! I did need a nap after we got home.

Driving myself Crazy Relaxing!

2010-10-07T10:09:00.005-05:00

I've never been good at pacing myself, nor making time to relax. The motto of the household where I grew up was "We play when the work is done". Well, the work was never done, so we never played. I've made so many attempts to change the order of this dynamic...but never succeeded for very long. But when hampered by pain, I can't just work through it, like my Father still does. This time around, I think I am finally to the point where I can do so little, that all I WANT to do is relax. This past week-end, I sent Hubby off on a golf retreat, and I did just that...relaxed. I read, I slept, I watched t.v., slept some more. Of course, all this was under the influence of pain pills. After 3 days I was ready to scream! Because I wanted to actually DO something.

But I did finish The Girl with The Dragon Tattoo. This is huge for me, because I almost never read novels. The reason being, when I start one, I want to read it straight through, and ignore all else. Ha Ha...reminds me of when I was a kid and my Mom would tell me to watch the pot and not let the potatoes boil over. I would sit right there next to the stove with my book and let the potatoes boil dry and scorch. I have never learned to read the way most people do, a bit here and there. Or like Hubby does...He reads two or three books at a time, and always reads 20 minutes or so before going to sleep at night.

So, I sat in Hub's leather chair by the window, in the sun, read, drank iced coffee, an occasional chai, took a break to check e-mail, watched Sundance channel, read some more, slept. Once in awhile I remembered to eat. This was my little what they now call a "stay-cation" I guess.

Restricted Movement, Small Art

2010-09-28T11:04:00.008-05:00

I had my MRI last week. It was a weird experience. Funny, I was not nervous at all on the drive out there. After all, I've had many MRI's before. But...at the place I have been going for several years, I always request the same tech and he makes it a breeze. It takes an hour to get to Dr. C's place, and of course it's commuter traffic. I had taken a pain pill before we left home, and was doing some breathing exercises in the car. I was fine, or so I thought. They checked me right in, then moved me to the area for the injection. The guy who came to get me was really gruff(but he was wearing a cool scrub hat with airplanes on it) and kind of off putting. I was in so much pain that I had to ask him to call someone to help me get my bra undone. This has been an ongoing problem, getting myself dressed and undressed, for a few weeks. The gal who came in was real sweet, but I still had a heck of a time getting into the wrap around robe. Anyhow, all of a sudden just as I was entering the room where they were going to do the procedure, I had a melt-down and started crying and shaking like a leaf. I couldn't explain why..and they all started trying to comfort me, assuming I was scared because this was my first MRI. I felt like a fool, and kept trying to assure them I didn't know why I was crying. Actually, I think I am so darn sick and tired of feeling helpless and in pain! Plus I have been really emotional about my parents lately and all their health issues. So, anyhow, they bring out the big needle and the Dr. was real nice, etc. etc. Then after about 20 minutes they tell me they have to move me to another room for the actual MRI. I'm calmed down by this time, but still dizzy and a wee bit embarrassed. I get escorted out the building and across the parking lot, back to another building. Never had that happen before and it seemed odd...I felt like I was in some surreal dream. I've been having a lot of those lately as a result of pain meds at night. The rest of the procedure was easy. The tech was nice and talked to me through it, but it still wasn't the same as having Johnny O from the other place. After I got out of there, we headed straight for Starbucks. Then I came home and took a nap.

Of course I don't have the results yet, as I have to go IN to get them, and since I haven't been able to drive, have to wait for Hubs schedule to clear. Going on Thursday. But have already scheduled to start Physical Therapy next week. Dr. C says it will help to strengthen before surgery. Can you hear me screaming in pain already?? They are brutal at the PT place.

So, I can show you a couple of small pieces I did last week. I've been sewing little bits of things together, and resurrecting my embroidery skills. It's something I can do that doesn't require a lot of movement. I'm out of practice, but I do love French Knots. These are a little larger than 5x7. The one on the left is for my pal Sue. The girl in the photo is a sweet young model from Dallas whose fashion blog we like to read. Photo is kind of blurry I realize now.

Waiting

2010-09-22T07:02:00.006-05:00

Ever notice how when you go to the Dr. office, they take you right in, then leave you to sit inside behind closed doors for what seems like forever. You can hear voices in the hall, voices next door, and the Dr. talking and you say to yourself..Hurry the heck up! Even though my appt. was at 9:50 he was already running behind. Then he finally comes in and is there a few minutes then gone in a flash! Grr... He used to spend a lot more time with me, but I guess like all Drs. around here, has gotten extremely busy. He was formerly located about 8 miles from where I live, now I have to go clear across town. He is in a new fancy facility with other sports Drs. At least the room has two windows. Wow!

This morning I have to go back across town to have an MRI on my shoulder. It's in the same complex, just across the parking lot at the hospital. Dreading it, and had nightmares last night, when I was sleeping that is. Thankfully, Hubby is taking me, as I can barely drive with my shoulder being so messed up.

The Rest of my John Derian Collection

2010-09-20T15:46:00.010-05:00

It took me about a week and visits to at least 6 Target stores to collect it all, but I got everything I wanted. I even bought some of the things I hadn't cared for in the photos, but when I saw them in person, they looked better. Some things looked worse, and believe me, this looks like a LOT...but I did leave many things behind. They have a very large assortment, and some of it just wasn't my style. I've been back to a couple of the stores since, and they are sold out of most of the trays. I'm glad I swooped in as they were putting it out, or I would not have gotten them. They were not easy to get. I made friends with several new employees in a couple of Target stores that did not already know me. One very sweet guy who was working there on the Sunday morning that the collection was supposed to be "out"...went into the back room and dragged out a big flatbed cart with boxes on it and went through it in the aisle. I'll certainly never forget him, nor he me. LOL What a sweetie...he even went in the back for me again a few days later and found the Phrenology tray.

Large serving tray. I really like this one.

I was not going to get this one because it did not look as good as it did in the photo. But wise hubby said he was going to get it and if I didn't like it later I could return it. Well, I like it.

These are the smaller trays, 9x12, will hang on the wall. Also tiny plates, called appetizer plates, and a fabric covered media storage box. They have many styles of storage boxes.

I was not going to get the larger plates, as I don't really want to eat off melamine, but they look pretty cute stacked up like this. I may cement them together to hang on the wall. Or just leave them as a display.

So that's pretty much it. With the exception of a couple smaller pieces, and a few paper items, I am done with my John Derian gathering for this year.

John Derian for Target

2010-09-04T13:10:00.004-05:00

Did I mention the reason for the Target gift cards from Hubby? It's for the new collection of decor items from John Derian. It's advertised to come out tomorrow, but several of the locations have already gotten a jump on setting them up. I was at 3 Targets yesterday, and picked up a few items. Mostly stationery stuff, compo books, file folder, storage. The main things I want are the trays, for hanging on the wall.
I found this one, which I love.

I'll be heading out tomorrow in search of a few others. If it is like the last collection, not all the locations get exactly the same items. Wonder how many Target stores I will have to hit to find the other 4 or 5 trays that I "want"...LOL
I know, I am a silly girl, but give me nature themed home items, or paper stuffs, and I have NO self control. And I rarely ever shop for clothes!

Happy Birthday to Me!

2010-08-31T14:50:00.005-05:00

Check out what my hubby/aka Mr. Sweetie made me for my birthday. He snagged some broken piece of a candlestand I had picked up off the clearance rack somewhere. He attached a circle of wire and a bunch of fancy threads, and from the threads and wires, he hung cupcake gift cards from Target. They all have $$ on them, and it adds up to $67.00. Why, because I am 67 today...YIKES.

Below the cupcake giftcards, are a bunch of Mentos, the mints I am addicted to.

Of course I can't eat any NOW...since I ate a handful night before last and pulled a crown off. Which resulted in spending 3 hours in the dentist chair yesterday! I thought I'd just run in quick and they'd glue it back on. Well, after he gets me numb, he says, Oh, by the way, this crown really needs to be replaced. And since he'd already drilled the remaining tooth down, the existing crown would no longer fit. I was really angry...I am having less and less faith in my dentist these days. But what could I do, couldn't run screaming out of the place. Hubby was right, I should have just got out the super glue and put my own crown back on! Anyhow, I spent last night not sleeping well because of pain and a sore jaw. No steak dinner for me tonight either.

Hub did take me out early this morning to watch the sunrise, but it rained and was cloudy so no sun in sight. I did get to go with him to his eye exam and help him pick out some new glasses. Then we went to Starbucks for coffee and a pastry. Did a little shopping, then came home. Now I need a nap, if I am going to stay awake while we go out to dinner. Here is me, on my 67th birthday, in a hat I bought at the beginning of summer, and finally wore today.

Drats!! It's Another Birthday

2010-08-27T15:18:00.002-05:00

Creeping up on me is another birthday. They have a way of doing that, every year. I rarely get excited about them, nor even dread them. It's just another day, really. Only one day older than the day before. Maybe I will just ignore it, as I prefer the age I am right now. Hubby and I have developed traditons, and we don't make too big a deal out of the Hallmark enforced holidays. But we like our birthdays, and instead of just one day, we call it the birthday month. We try to do extra special things for each other when it's our birthday month. We buy each other gifts throughout the year so there's not much left to get for birthdays that we don't already have. So, it's small little gifts throughout the month. So far he's given me things like a bit of rusty wire, and a bird feather he found in the parking lot, an extra coupon for JoAnn's or Michael's, little things like that. He knows it doesn't take much to please me. I like junk, especially found objects.

Jokingly, I told him I wanted him to build me something more for storage, you know, of my junk and found objects. I showed him these two photos. I'm pretty sure he has the tools for these rustic simple designs. I haven't heard any pounding and sawing noises coming from the workshop/garage though, so I think I am going to have to be content with the photos. I know he is making me something paper related though, he asked me where my beads and wire that he could use were located. He has his own little stash of paper goods.

Love Love Love both of these...but Anthropologie prices are way beyond reasonable.

Days Go By

2010-08-16T11:33:00.007-05:00

One day melts into the next. A few days in Dallas again, home and doing only what must be done, while I wish the rest of summer away. A friend stopped by the other morning on the way to work, and standing outside saying goodbye, I looked down and caught my breathe in midsentence.

I was the first to see this, blended into the shrub.

Nice, huh? A beautiful sight, made the morning and the rest of the day feel happy and bright.

Lazy Sunday in the Neverending Summer

2010-08-08T15:16:00.007-05:00

Swirly summer skies

I haven't had much to write about. At least nothing eventful. This summer I kind of feel like I have been taking a sabbatical from life. The weeks have flown by, and every day is kind of a busy one, but they have all run together. I guess this might just seem boring, but it has been kind of a joyful relief from the craziness of the spring months. The parents health seems to have leveled, at least to a more manageable stress level. Maintenance, I guess you could say. So I have spent most of the summer just maintaining as well. Out in the early morning to run errands and do what needs to be done. Home as quickly as possible to beat the heat. We are in triple digits now, so I am happy to have an air conditioned house.

Busying myself with sorting, organizing, a bit of artwork now and then. I have a lot of things "in progress", as it seems I am much more capable of starting things than finishing them. I am not hopeful that I can correct this character flaw anytime soon!
Hub says I am like a butterflie, just flitting around from place to place.
I made a cute little card for my Sister's birthday package, and a few other die cut projects. Finished a couple more jewelry projects, but mostly am trying to gather all my jewelry making supplies into one area, or at the very least, one room. This upstairs/downstairs storage is not working.

My Never Ending Quest

2010-07-19T11:13:00.004-05:00

I know I am not alone in this constant search for storage organizers to hold my various and sundry "supplies" for all the artistic endeavors I venture into. I do fine for awhile...maybe 6 months or so. Then I go on a tear and start to re-organize "stuff". Well, realizing that if you keep bringing stuff in at a faster rate than you use it up, you are always going to need more storage. Then as soon as you bring said storage home and fill it up, you realize what looked like the perfect solution at the store, isn't quite going to do the job you thought it would. So on and on it goes.

Last week I had a few 50% coupons...Oh how many times have these things gotten us into trouble? Well, I dragged this monstrous thing home to put SOME of my bead and jewelry stuff in, so I could work in different places, then close it all up. I really like more attractive storage solutions, but this looked like it might work.
Well, it may be going back as not only does it not seem like what I need...I don't really like the look of it. I think I may just be getting burned out on the sight of plastic storage boxes.

Now this is more like the kind of things I like for storage. I have used baskets for years for storage everywhere. I think I even still have the first basket someone gave me back in High School. I found this one for 50% over the week-end.

This morning I ran into my Target(where everybody knows my name)Channeling the Cheers crowd...tee hee. The picnic stuff is 75%...Now that's really more like it!
Yes, I know I always buy things in even numbers, but they only had 3 baskets and two trays. I bought them all. One of the gals said "Barbara why do you need 3 picnic baskets". STORAGE my dears, NOT picnics. The trays are kind of cool because they are two levels. I think they might work well for project trays.

Oh and I won't even show the 6 decorative boxes I bought at Michaels over the w/e. So, I am good to go for awhile. Hubby is going out of town for a few days, so I will be hunkered down in the well cooled house, trying to focus on a bit of re-stacking.

Bowls and Eyeballs!

2010-07-09T18:12:00.004-05:00

Good News/Bad News.. Broken bowlie makes me sad. Hub thinks he found all the pieces and can glue it back together. At least I can use it for buttons, beads, or storage of something. I think we all have our favorite bowl, coffee cup, etc. At least I do, and it changes over time. However these little polka dot bowls, I have had for at least 10-12 years. Because I have borderline OCD, I always buy things in multiples,even numbers, and would have bought 6, but they only had 4. It is my favorite bowl to eat my morning oatmeal from, as well as soup. It's round and deep, so things don't cool off as fast as they do in some bowls.

So, how did this happen? I have not broken a dish of any kind in years.
Yesterday I had to see the Opthamalogist, for my full exam. Since I have glaucoma, I also have to have field vision every 6 months. I needed some good news health-wise, and it was all good. Pressures good, nerves good, tiny cataract still tiny, no change in glass prescription. Happily, the Dr. was able to give me a sample of my eyedrops, which cost me dearly when I have to refill them. A big problem I have when having my eyes dilated, is that they take forever to return to normal, sometimes even 12 hours. I thought they were doing okay, and I prepared myself a bowl of soup, in of course my favorite bowl. Sat down to eat it and hubby called me to come look at something he was doing on the computer. I left my spoon in the bowl, and when I came back I didn't see it, bumped it and the entire bowl of hot soup came over into my lap. It went everywhere, burned my leg, and my bare feet. Hub came running and was concerned about ME...but I was already shrieking about the broken bowl. Of course he said "It's just a bowl"...which really got me upset, so I ran upstairs crying, tore my clothes off and tossed them in the washing machine. Then I started this entire soliliquy about "special bowls" etc. etc. and he was baffled at my ridiculousness. I finally calmed down for awhile, but then it hit me that even though I still have bowls, I have an uneven number. But, when we glue the broken one back together, I will have an even number again. Geez...

Getting Creative in the Kitchen

2010-07-06T11:53:00.004-05:00

First time Quinoa

Well, I do usually paint papers and such on the kitchen island and counter. But this time I actually cooked for a change. Yes, food prep can be a creative endeavor you know. I've loved quinoa since I discovered it only a few years ago. But I've only eaten it in restaurants, or bought it already prepared at Whole Foods. Was a little uneasy about cooking it at home. Seemed too labor intensive to me...soak, rinse, toast, then cook. I don't know what came over me, but I finally bought some to try at home. I researched tons of recipes online, but couldn't come up with one using stuff I already had at home. Also, many of the recipes called for two items my dear hubby dislikes...cucumbers and tomatoes! Anyhow, I cooked some up...thinking that it "doubles" like rice. Well, it Quadruples...So I had tons of it. I dragged out a bunch of ingredients and just played around. I made two different recipes, and both turned out well. I didn't measure or write anything down, so will never be able to make the exact ones again, most likely.

No.1 has Olive oil, lemon juice, celery, onions, garlic, and one of my favorite spices, Sonoma Pepper. It is cracked pepper with lemon and orange rind. This one turned out yummy. Hub liked it and so did a friend. Good thing, as we ate it for several days!

No.2 I wanted to be sweet, so I used olive oil, balsamic vinegar, juice of a whole orange, cinnamon, and a bit of nutmeg. Chopped some dried apricots and added those. Put chopped walnuts on just before serving. It was really good warm for breakfast the next day. Hub liked it too.

I'm happy I finally tried it. I'll be cooking this stuff every week now. I'll still do the one with cucumbers and tomatoes, for myself and friends. I found several recipes the Hub will like...One has yams and chile powder..going to try that next.

Summer...Bummer...Hibernation!

2010-06-21T18:08:00.004-05:00

Yes. That's me. I'm going into hibernation again for as many months as summer lasts. In Texas, it is a lot longer than some places. Such as the Pacific N.W., where you all know I'd rather be. Oh scuse me, Y'All know I'd rather be. After 17 years living in the South, I've finally gotten the Y'All down. I would normally just hunker down in the A/C house and work on projects, but with the shoulder being out of commission, I am limited to what I can do. I've been sorting things and doing some re-organizing but can't really move many things around.

We did get our A/C replaced before the heat descended upon us, so that is a good feeling. Knowing that we can get through the long hot summer with no fear of a break down, is comforting. Also, our electric bill should go down this summer with a more efficient unit.

However, over Memorial Day w/e, the washing machine decided to kick up its heels and die. We had talked about that being the next thing we would replace, but we weren't ready just yet. Well, what do you know, early morning as hubby was getting ready to go golfing, I had started some laundry, and all of a sudden we heard a very loud screeching and a thumpety, thump thump...technical description here..ha ha. Of course it was full of water and would not spin out. This required baling the entire machine tub out and hand wringing heavy towels out and ferrying them into the bathtub for storage. Thankfully hubby was home to do that.....he wished he had already left the house, I'm sure. But, being the Superman he is, can fix all/most things. Even though he's never repaired a washer before. He said, I think I know what it is...got online and watched a video and confirmed his suspicions, and went to the store. Of course the part was not easy to find and he had to go across town to a specialty store, and got there just before they closed. But a small part, and 8 hours later, the machine was humming along like new. Here's the part: It's a motor coupler.

While he had everything moved out, he replaced the hoses on the machine and of course cleaned everything. I did suggest that perhaps while he had things torn apart, "we" might want to lay some tile down, and repaint the laundry/closet. He didn't fall for that one though. Do y'all have a "we" at your house? Around here we also have a Someone, and a Somebody. We take turns playing those parts. But mostly "we" is the hubster.

Well, Happy Summer. It's only 91 here right now at almost 7 p.m.

Sunday Clouds

2010-05-23T19:51:00.004-05:00

I've really had to take it easy today because my shoulder and back are still killing me. So, no artwork today and very little computer time as it hurts to even move my arm. I did very little today but go for a drive with Hubby. It drives me crazy to do nothing, so I had to really concentrate on just sitting and watching the world go by. It was 93 degrees again today and very windy. But look at these gorgeous Sunday Texas clouds.

Map Your Day

2010-05-21T15:44:00.007-05:00

It's been a long rough week around here. Work coupled with jury duty for Hub and a lot of pain issues for me with my shoulder. I haven't been able to do much physically, and have been crabby and whiney all week. It doesn't help that I haven't been able to get comfortable at night, so am sleep deprived. Hub decided this morning he was going to force me out of my doldrums....I really wasn't too interested in his plans, but knew it would do no good to protest. So, off we went and I decided to kind of keep a record of our adventures of the day. Downtown early...before 10 a.m. First stop, Whole Foods for olive oil and scones. We drank coffee with the scones, brought the olive oil home. Walked across the street to By George and Waterloo Records. I'm already melting by this time, as it is hot and humid. I'm really warm by the time we get back to the car. I REALLY dislike humidity and heat! So we drove to Anthropologie instead of walking. Then Hub heads out Lamar St. for a scenic drive and we go to Starbucks, Skandanavia, then full circle back towards home. Stop at Target for a few things and see all our retail pals from there. Mikey the sign guy saved me some stuff from the Liberty of London...yay! Then lunch at ChickFilA, then get a Frappucino and head home. I'm exhausted, it is 2:30 and 93 outside. My shoulder still hurts but at least I got out and about for awhile. I am so exhausted that I might even sleep tonight...except for the caffeine in the coffee beverage.

Targets' Liberty of London collection is all on clearance now, not much left at my store but got a couple more packs of file folders. The butterfly was one of the promo items the sign guy saved for me.

Old Age is NOT for Sissies!

2010-05-13T14:57:00.000-05:00

I've heard this saying for many years, but it has begun to ring more true with every passing year of my life. When your parents age, it can be a heartbreaking thing to watch. It creeps gradually, then all of a sudden, you look at them closely and it has arrived. Then you look in the mirror, and it is apparent that it is creeping upon you as well. It is inevitable of course, for all of us. I've mentioned how fortunate I have been to still have my parents, who are 95 and 87. I have been absent from here for some time because I have been spending time with them and with my sister, who has been trying to help them for the past couple of years. The past two weeks have been a blur, from the time I arrived to see my Dad installed in an assisted living center after his rehab for a broken hip and hip replacent surgery. The second day I was there, we spent 4 hours with our Mother in the emergency room and she was subsequently admitted to hospital with severe pancreaitis and kidney infection. She spent 3 days there, and we were told it was pretty serious. She will most likely have to have gallbladder surgery. My sister and I spent this time driving...driving from her house to the assisted living place, to the hospital, back and forth 2 and 3 times a day. Moment by moment, day by day, we operated on auto-pilot. Both of my parents are hilariously funny and a hoot to be around. Everyone at both places were cracking up at them and fell in love with them. They are both also very strong willed, stubborn, and focused on what they want, which is one of the reasons I guess they have lived so long. It can be very frustrating trying to protect them from themselves. They are both determined to keep living at home, on their own, even though several incidents have proven that they need help. My Dad is a fall risk, and has fallen many times in recent years, breaking his arm,his shoulder, his ribs, and so on, up until this last one which broke his hip. In spite of my sister and I finding a wonderful service for at home care, my Dad was angry, and after a week, they have let them go. We do not know what the immediate future will bring for them. We have had to step back and allow them to do as they please, and live their lives on their own terms. That's what we all want for ourselves, isn't it? It was never about us taking control, we just wanted them to be safe, and we don't feel that they are. It has been difficult for me, but even more so for my sister who lives close by and has put her life on hold to be there for them each time they have had an emergency. They keep insisting they don't need help, yet every day they expect her to be there. Already I've been told that the washing machine shorted out and caused an electical fire the other day. The physical therapist happened to be there at the time and was able to take care of things for them. I have to wonder what they would have done if they'd been there alone. I feel like we will constantly be waiting for the other shoe to drop, and it will be something else next time. I'm having to focus on getting back to normal life and taking care of my own health for now, and my sister has to do the same. In twenty years I will be almost the same age my Mom is now. I have to start thinking about how I will want to live at that time, and hope I can make sound decisions.

It's Raining in My Heart

2010-04-20T13:38:00.000-05:00

I've been walking a fine line lately, the one between sadness and chaos. Alternating between feeling I should post here, but also being so private that I only want to post happy thoughts. Things aren't always happy, and the struggle to maintain wears us down, does it not? Sometimes the struggle for life just doesn't seem fair.

Because of life choices I have made, I have for many years lived far away from family members. I've been removed from their lives and they from mine. I have missed a lot, seeing nieces and nephews, and subsequently their offspring, grow up. I've found as I've gotten older, this matters more to me than it once did. Oh sure we see them several times a year, but the day to day stuff is what I miss. I feel like I am always on the outside, looking in. Hub has the same situation with his family.

I know how fortunate I am, at my age, that my parents are still living. However their quality of life has deteriorated the past few years and the reality of their ages has struck me. My father is 95, but has always had the vitality of someone 30 years younger. He has outlived all his brothers, and most of his friends. In my heart, I thought he would live forever, but in my mind I can see that he is not going to. Due to a fall three weeks ago, he has had a hip replacement, a week in hospital, two weeks in rehab, and now has been moved to an "assisted living" facility. My mother, who is 87, is not physically able to care for him on her own, but feels she can, so she wants him out of there and back at home. He is a fall risk, so this entails having 24/7 home care. There are so many decisions to be made, and my sister has had the burden of handling them because she lives nearby. We talk every day, but I need to get there as soon as I can, to be able to help out.
Since I have a bad shoulder, I cannot lift things, so what can I do in that regard? Just being there should make us both feel better, I hope so. The stress of other things in my life right now has caused my shoulder and back pains to get worse. Yikes.... One thing just leads to another, always. I've done very little artwork of late, and that is another thing that makes me cranky. So I am going to try to find a window of time to do a few artsy things today. My journal pages of late have been pretty dark and NOT artsy!

Spring Fever

2010-03-29T16:47:00.014-05:00

Blossoms are blooming,the trees are leafing, the wildflowers are rampant, and along with that come the Spring allergies as well. My favorite Sunday afternoon activity is to take a nap, being lulled to sleep by the sound of lawnmowers in the neighborhood, through the open windows, and a cross breeze blowing through the house. It was 80 degrees. You see, all too soon for me, it will be hot and humid again and the windows closed and the sounds of A/C throughout the neighborhood. Every spring I have these mixed feelings about another impending summer in Texas. I long for the Pacific N.W., the Forsythia, the Azaleas and Lilacs. I'm trying to enjoy as much outdoors as I can before I begin my summer hibernation. You know, where I go out of the A/C house to the A/C car, to drive to somewhere else that is A/C. Yes I am a real grumble puss about heat and humidity. The only good thing about humidity,IMHO, it makes your skin feel nice. LOL

Have you seen the new Spring stuff at Target? Everyone is talking about the Liberty of London promotion, so had to go there to see it myself. I am not a real girly-girly, flowery type, but I loved their bright colors, so took a few shots of the displays, and even bought a couple small things.
Like this set of bowls, because of the color, they match a bright fuschia tray that I have. Because I love paper, I also got a couple gift bags and some file folders.

Sorry about lights in the ceiling. I couldn't find anything to climb up on to get a straight on shot. HaHa

These cute little fellows are a combo of Liberty of London and Easter. ( I guess) Don't know why folks always look at me so strangely when I am taking photos of things like this.

Oh and then there was this one.. I had to wait quite awhile while people stopped going in and out the sliding door, and to get him with no peeps in the photo. My friend was cracking up laughing. We are both very easily amused. I like how he looks like he is sitting on the sidewalk. This is my Easter card!

SouthXSouthWest-ing

2010-03-20T09:27:00.010-05:00

I haven't had much time to work with my new computer, because the Big One..the SXSW conference has started, and been going on all week. It's big, really big, folks. Like Texas Big. International Big. I do like to avoid the crowds of 20,000 or more, but feel comfortable in rooms that hold 100 to 500 peeps. Have been to a few of the broadcasts in person, watched a lot of it on the internet, and some on T.V. It's definitely the place to see folks and hear amazingly good music and see new film. I won't even mention all the famous peeps that strolled through the lobby of the Four Seasons the few times I was there this week. Musicians, actors,writers, etc. That is just the ones I saw personally. I heard mention of a few I didn't see, but might not have recognized anyhow. But I will tell you this,I came eye to eye, face to face, up close and personal with John Hiatt, as he made his way through the crowd to get into the filled to capacity Music Lounge. I was standing right by the door, helping the manager try to keep folks from sneaking into the crowded room if they hadn't already been granted a seat or a standing spot. He said Hello and I think I grinned and mumbled Hello back. Some guy behind me said, Wow, do you know who that was? Yup..I sure did.

Things are winding down tonight and tomorrow and the city can get back to normal. These festivals are a double edged sword. They bring tons of money into the local economy, but for awhile the traffic is almost unbearable.

It's a lot of fun to live in such a city, where we are exposed to so many performers on a regular basis. There is always a movie or two being filmed around here so there are many stars who are in town on any given day. You never know who you will run into. I am always pleased to find out that the majority of them are just as nice as we think they are. However there are some who are just as nasty as we've heard they are too. That's amusing as well.

Early on before the crowds get so packed, you can see some fine costumes. I got a few shots of some great boots and outfits. These floral ones were my favorite boots. After it gets so crowded you'll only see heads if you are standing or behinds if you are sitting.

Boots everywhere.

Cute cowgirl jacket.

T-Bird and The Breaks. Good local band.

Damn Crappy Lemons!

2010-03-12T15:57:00.005-06:00

Just got off the phone with Justin, the repair guy. My hard drive is fried/defective/fatal/etc. etc. CRAP! I had such hopes. Just went through my camera card, not much there, I used to be afraid to delete anything even after I downloaded it to the computer Recently I have gotten into the habit of deleting it from the camera each time I get it onto the computer. Well, I have lost some of my photos, a LOT actually, a lot of BIRDs, Trees, AND Clouds that I have taken lately. Plus, I haven't even dared to think about "remembering" all the trips lately and the around town artsy stuff, stored in several files on the desktop. I lost most of my San Francisco photos, except for the ones I put on Flickr, but I still have my photos from Savannah and Charleston, so I have to be grateful for that. Justin said they can send it off, but the cost starts at $200. and can get as high as $1200. for that kind of recovery. Not prepared to go to that extreme.

Well, this is one of the days I can feel thankful that I am on anxiety meds. For I am just reasonably frantic, not having a total meltdown. On my way out to pick up my new computer, get Hub to install it, then I will move on to making crappy lemonade out of my crappy lemons! Will be spending all my extra money now, buying little flash drives to store my photos on. I sure as heck won't put anything on the desktop. I know....this thing that happened may never happen again. But I sure as heck will take time to back EVERYTHING up from now on.

Crash and Burn

2010-03-12T10:54:00.004-06:00

My hard drive crashed a few days ago. I've been attempting to use the laptop to check e-mails and post. Where is the darn CURSES key????? I am not good with a laptop...Hub has a superfast computer and sensitive. I barely breathe on the keys and they take off on their own! I should find out today if they are able to retrieve the data from my hard drive. Thankfully I had stored a lot of stuff on an external drive. However....TONS of my photos were stored on my desktop with no backup. NOT a smart thing to do. But the repairman told me not to feel too bad, that he stores his on his desktop too. I am keeping my fingers crossed that it can be retrieved. They told me if they could not do it, there is a company that they can send it off to, but it would most likely be very costly. The time has come to buy a new computer, and I knew it was overdue. Sure wish I'd done it last week though, instead of this week. Although, like I've said before, most of us don't replace things until the old one breaks.

Green Grows the Lettuce

2010-03-07T15:41:00.006-06:00

I realized I haven't made a food post in quite some time, so here is one. Hub did the Sunday shopping today, while I stayed home and sorted and moved art supplies around. Besides supplies for dinner and the coming week, he brought home this totally beautiful bunch of lettuce. I know most people don't get this excited about greens, but I sure do. We love salad around here, and eat a lot of it. So I really like to use the best ingredients I can get my hands on. That usually means the Farmers Market, but haven't been able to get there in awhile. No, this came from the grocer, the plain old grocer. I did not have to toss ONE leaf or morsel. So along with our petite steak and baked sweet potato, tonite we dine on a huge green salad, with all kinds of additions...soy nuts, olives, some bits of Asiago cheese, and vinagrette. I could just bury my face in the lettuce and be perfectly happy. Hub needs the steak and potato.
Look, it fills the entire sink.

After our steak dinner, we'll settle in to watch the Academy Awards. Every year I say I am not going to waste time with these, since they seem to go on forever. But I do like to see what ridiculous costumes people decide to put on, so that is the fun part for me. I've only seen a couple of the movies that are up for awards so I don't really care who wins what.

Monday Night Movies

2010-03-02T13:10:00.004-06:00

I am not a movie critic/reviewer by any stretch of the imagination. In fact I pay little attention to any reviews, because usually if a movie gets really good ones, it is a movie I dislike, and ones that get not so good reviews, it will turn out to be one that Hubby and I like a lot. We don't go out to the movies much, in fact the last one we saw in theatre was Sherlock Holmes. Haven't seen Avatar yet, even though we may. Next theatre movie on our list will be Alice in Wonderland, which comes out in a day or two. But, back to the reason for my post.... We rent a lot from RedBox...it is so convenient and simple. First Monday of the month, we get a free one, and even tho it is only 99 cents...Hub likes to take advantage. So after the Olympics being over, we thought we'd enjoy a movie last night. My first choice was Amelia, then we moved on down from there. Our first 4 choices were already gone! Nothing left but violent action flicks, and insipid comedies. We almost walked away empty handed, then I spied one that had no appeal at all, except for the actors listed. Liam Neeson, Antonio Banderas, Laura Linney. It was called The Other Man, about a wife's affair and the husbands search to find the guy she had the affair with. I find infidelity movies usually pretty distasteful, and Hub turned his nose up as well. But we decided with such good actors to take a chance. After all, it was free, and we didn't have to watch if it turned out to be a dud. Never heard of this movie, it must have been one that went directly to video. Anyhow.....this movie had us on the edge of our seats from the get go. The music was suspenseful, the filming done very well. Suffice it to say, NOTHING in the story was as it seemed. We both liked it a lot, and it may be on our list of ones to re-watch sometime. I like obscure, low budget movies most of the time over the hyped high budget extravaganzas.

Full Moon

2010-02-28T10:44:00.003-06:00

Nice moon last night. I am always amazed by the moon, I love watching it. Why does the moon always look so huge in the sky and so tiny in a photograph. I know it has something to do with perspective...so there. But sometimes I wish I had the Hubbell Space Telescope in my back yard. We have a nice telescope, and before there were houses built behind us, we used to take it out and have Star Parties. Too many lights around here now, and we rarely haul the telescope out away from the city. I kind of miss that. Perhaps I need to talk to Hub and see if he would consider doing that one of these times. Anyhow, here's last nights moon through the trees. Because the heaviest snowfalls usually occur in February, the full moon for the month is called the Snow Moon. I think I read that some Native American tribes called it the Hunger Moon, because hunting was difficult during that time because of the snow.

Remains of The Day (Snow)

2010-02-24T19:27:00.006-06:00

I would not have complained if we had two days of snow...a week would have been too much. But by noon it was pretty much melted off. There is still some evidence in shady parts of the yard and on some of the roofs. It got up to 53 today.

Here's what was left by mid-day. A comparison shot of the patio table and back yard.

Off to watch some more Olympics, speed skating, my favorite event. Just because of Apolo Ohno.

SNOW They Said

2010-02-24T07:41:00.006-06:00

And snow it did.
Huge Fluffy Snow.
Proof was fleeting.
Most has melted.

But for one day, we had SNOW in Austin, the most they say in 25 years. Certainly the most I have seen in my 16 years here. Wow, that was fun! Glad I was home to see it. Parts of town got a LOT more than we did out here. A funny moment, yesterday morning when I was out taking photos, me being raised in Idaho, and my across the street neighbor, being raised in New York, was out doing the same. She says "what, ya nevva seen SNOW before"? LOL

Snow falling, just starting in the a.m.

Back yard, table

Snow on metal flowers, backyard

Front yard, car, fountain

Another Blue Norther

2010-02-22T08:29:00.004-06:00

Here we go again. The cold front coming down from the North has arrived. It is 38 right now, and the prediction is that we won't see above 40 tomorrow. Those temps are really not that cold, but when you factor in the wind, it feels much colder. It was 74 yesterday and everyone was out in short sleeves. HUB even played golf...but of course he will play golf even in snow, but around here when it snows they close the courses. LOL The weathermen are so enamored of the word SNOW because here in Texas they don't get to say it very often. They expect more snow in the Dallas area and it may even reach central Texas as well. I doubt that we will get snowed in here in Austin, we haven't so far... but if the COLD keeps us in, we have plenty of supplies. Soup, bread, comfort foods. We are on our second pot of coffee and it's still very early. I cooked Oatmeal for breakfast, and we feel like that made up for the entire box of Girl Scout Thin Mint cookies we ate last night while watching the Olympics. Can you tell, we are still trying to wean ourselves off the "sweets"? That is such a challenge.

I wouldn't even care if we got snowed in...as long as I am not here alone, and HUB is snowed in up in Dallas.

Does Trouble Really Come in Threes?

2010-02-16T10:39:00.004-06:00

Remember the old superstition we always heard our parents repeat? At least mine did, maybe it was just the "time", but it seems I've heard that my entire life. It has shown to be true around here the past couple of weeks. But, I find myself thinking...maybe it is just pure coincidence after all. Or...maybe...I think my wise old self has figured out something entirely different. Well,I'll tell you my troubles, then what I have figured out about them. Number one was the water incident earlier in the month. Last week while driving home from Dallas in the dark, the headlight in Hub's car went out for the second time in 6 months. This one sounds like an easy fix, right? Not so, as the entire insides have to be taken apart to replace a little bulb, racking up about a $100. in labor charges. This is not a DIY project. Then this week-end my computer modem died, leaving both Hub and me internet-less so that had to be replaced. My computer is old and needs replacing anyhow, but there are no funds for that. Nor were there funds for all these other things. Now, here is where Barbie figures things out. In the old days, back when we had a steady income, we always kept a "slush fund" for emergencies and things of that nature. Now, during this limited income period, there hasn't been money for a lot of the basics, let alone any emergency slush fund or things that inevitably happen. So the first thing happens, and you groan...well if there is no money for the first thing that happens, it stands to reason there will be no money for the second and third thing that happens. We are living on such a shoestring now that any thing that comes up which would ordinarily be just the normal "stuff" that happens in life, becomes an emergency. Then you find yourself standing on one foot, dreading the next thing that might happen, yet another demand that you don't have the money for. All three of things that happened would have happened regardless, but when we had the money set aside for them, they are just blips on the radar screen so to speak, but when funds are so tight, they became real "troubles" that came in threes. That's what I have figured out. Now I hope the troubles in threes will just stay away from my doorstep for the next little while. I've had my turn.

Water, Water, Everywhere

2010-02-08T19:41:00.006-06:00

Yes, there was the rain. For several days and nights. I wish I could say that is the only water I saw. However, last week we had a plumbing problem...what do I mean we...It was ME. Hubby was out of town. He is usually out of town when disaster strikes, I have a long list of events to prove it. He used to travel a great deal, and the weirdest things would start to happen round here when he was gone. Usually things that I couldn't repair! Anyhow, one morning I came downstairs and proceeded to do the normal morning routine, open the shades, start the coffee, etc. All of a sudden I noticed my fuzzy boot slippers felt a little soggy. Looked down, and I was standing in about an inch of water. I heard a whooshing noise, and I wondered why the heck hubby was running the sprinkler system, as that is what it sounded like. Well I opened the cabinet doors and more water came rushing out on my feet. I ran, kind of "sloshed" rather, out into the garage and grabbed a pile of towels and blankets and tossed them on the floor to soak up the water. Then I managed to get down under the sink and get hold of the cold water shut-off and get it turned off. The whooshing stopped but I could still hear a drip-drip so I got a bucket and put it under there. I diagnosed the problem, I hadn't the strength to get it totally turned off, so worked on it a bit more. Then I proceeded to clean up all the water. Thought I had, until about an hour later, I walked over to open the back patio drape, and I was standing on really soggy carpet. UGH.... So that entailed more clean-up. By the time I got it soaked up with more towels, and another inch of standing water under the table, and got the towels in the washer, I was exhausted. Thankfully, it was not as bad as it could have been, but it was pretty bad. But if this had happened while we were out of town for several days it would have ruined a lot more. Most likely the entire downstairs carpeting, and who knows. As it is, my art table is in the family room and I have a bunch of boxes of supplies stacked under the table. I had to move those, find a place to put them and get the papers out of them. Only three boxes of stuff were ruined where they had soaked up the water. I had to throw away a couple of paper shopping bags that were sitting under the table with magazines and catalogs stored in them. I mean the contents were soaked as well.... That was a really crappy day. I sure did need a nap that afternoon. Luckily, with hubby coming home the next day, I did not call the plumber, which would have cost a bundle. When hub got home the next afternoon, he ran to Home Depot for supplies, replaced the broken pipe and it's all good. Having a hard time getting the carpet entirely dried, as the weather has been so cold and wet. Oh, the joys of home ownership. Our house is 16 years old, this is the longest we have ever lived in one house. We used to move every three to five years, so have had lots of new houses. I want another NEW one...home repairs suck. Having to move the boxes of art supplies out from under the table did uncover several treasures I hadn't been able to get to in awhile. And stuff getting wet, did force me to actually toss more than I have been able to in awhile as well. So that worked out well in a way.

Happy February

2010-02-03T12:06:00.006-06:00

I'm totally enjoying looking at my Paper Source calendar. This months is bright and vibrant, a really nice contrast to the greyness of the atmosphere of late. I think it would be nice to have a little sun peek through the clouds at least for a short time, a promise that it is still hanging out up there.

I like February. February contains holidays for me...Birthdays. My Dear Daddy will be 95 tomorrow. He is an amazing man.. still very active, walks several miles each day, works hard, is funny as funny can be. He's a cowboy..he still wears his boots and jeans and is quite the dapper gentleman. All the ladies, both young and old, love him. This does not always sit well with my Mother however... she sometimes gets a little irritated when the ladies flirt with her husband. LOL She will be turning 87 on the 9th, and she is a corker too. She still crochets doilies and other things, using the finest thread, that I can barely see. She's always crafting something. Ask her if she can make a snowflake, and 10 minutes later she hands you one, a lovely crocheted one. She makes killer deviled eggs, and she can be a real devil herself at times. I mean this in the nicest way...she cracks us all up. Both my parents are pretty darn funny. I miss them, as I live far away and only get to see them a few times a year. Hub and I are planning our February trip and will be going there later in the month. There are a lot of other family birthdays this month...son, brother, cousins. But I consider my parents birthdays extra special, and feel so fortunate to still have them in my life.

Frosty Winter Grey

2010-01-31T09:38:00.009-06:00

30 degrees this morning. Still sleeping with the windows open, we are brave, no? Both the man and I sleep so much better when it is cold, even though he probably wouldn't mind waking up with icicles on his nose...I draw the open window line when it gets that cold. The birds are huddled on the feeders, with Sammy Squirrel waiting on the fence. The neigbor's cat is watching Sammy. I like standing outside surveying the neighborhood before it wakes up. Coffee, newspaper, then later,CBS Sunday morning with Charles Osgood. Habits, routine. The things that lives are made of. Wrapping up January, in a warm and fuzzy blanket. Feeling aware of blessings, changes, hope.

Grey skies overhead, I love the bare branch trees

My Chai and I

After Hub leaves for the airport, I have a cup and the last of the Lemonade Girl Scout cookies, we bought just yesterday from the freezing little pink cheeked girls outside the Walgreens store. Well, there weren't that many in the package, really. Got to get off the sugar, somehow...

Heartbreak for Haiti

2010-01-18T13:24:00.008-06:00

I really am not one to sit through long award shows, I rarely watch them. The part I do like to see is when the stars are arriving in whatever ridiculous and outrageously expensive costumes someone loaned them to wear. And their overpayed "stylist" convinced them they looked good in. What are some of these peeps thinking, don't they have full length mirrors? At any rate I went to bed at 8 last night but couldn't get to sleep so turned on the telly. To my delight I did get to see my man RDJ (from my previous post) win an award, and give what I thought was the best speech of the night! At least of the few I heard. I love his sense of humor.

Anyhow, the real point of this post is this....It was announced that Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie gave 1 million to the Relief for Haiti, and also Sandra Bullock gave a million. That is very nice, but of course I have to be snarky and ponder how many of those other folks there could easily give that much? And it is really not my place to make a judgement on any of their circumstances. And how many others have given vast amounts of money and it went unmentioned because they wanted it that way? If I had a million dollars I would give it gladly. But I do not, so I will give (gladly) what I can, to the Red Cross and a few other organazitions that I feel can be trusted. So many people will give, and have already given. What really makes me sad is that while the logistics are worked out,of getting aid actually delivered to the people who need it so desperately, many more will die waiting.

I have really not watched the news regarding the disaster because it is just so upsetting. I don't watch NEWS anyhow...so it was a few days before I even knew about it. But I do tune in on Sunday mornings to watch Charles Osgood, and the program was mostly about Haiti, so I got a full dose of it. Sad to say, that was enough. It is very hard to bear. My prayers are with the people of Haiti.

Cocooning at Home

2010-01-15T13:43:00.008-06:00

Yesterday at breakfast, Hubster announced he was taking me out to lunch and to a matinee. My first reaction was reluctance, as I have been perfectly content to just stay at home of late. Only going out for the necessary supplies and errands. For some reason I have been leaning towards staying home snuggled up, drinking tea or coffee, having soup and bread for lunch or dinner. I've been sorting art supplies, but not really making any art. Cleaning out drawers and rearranging things. Just fluffing my nest I guess. My life has become really simple and I have been enjoying it a great deal, but I feel I could go overboard and become a real recluse if not careful. Perhaps I am shutting out reality and am in denial. I have found myself avoiding some of the important things that probably should be done, but I feel certain they will get done in good time.

So,anyhow, we went out to lunch and to the movies. Hubster said how could I turn down a chance to see the love of my life on the big screen. Soooo...off we went. We mostly watch movies at home, not at the theatre often. It was a good movie, and RDJ was at his best as he always is. The only problem I have with movies lately, is they all seem so visually dark and I have a hard time seeing what is going on. This was no different. The thing I like about the theatre we go to is we always go to the early show, and we wait till the movie has been out for awhile. There are usually only 6 to 8 people in the theatre, sometimes fewer, so it feels like a private showing. Yes, I am certain that most people who wanted to see this movie did so on opening day, but I decided against that, because I don't like crowded theatres with germs flying about. I wonder if getting more cautious is just a part of old age creeping in?

RDJ is such a good actor, that I will go to see him in any movie he makes. He's pretty darn cute too!

Happy New Year !

2010-01-04T10:52:00.012-06:00

A little belated New Year wish for everyone. Here we go, on an exciting new adventure. I feel really positive and good about the next year. I don't always feel that way at the end of a year and beginning of a new one. It's odd, that I would feel more positive this time round, as it has been a weird year. My hubby and I have had a rough one, with lots of challenges. Most centering around a job that was lost and a new venture begun, resulting in a drastic decrease in monetary rewards. We have had to revisit a lot of older lessons we had learned earlier on in our marriage, mainly, how little we really actually NEED to get by. I guess I would have to say that the drugs have helped...LOL I'm not sure I could have made it through the past year without taking something for the anxiety/depression. Even though I hate taking meds, and want to get off them asap...It is an ongoing process, which I hope won't take more than a few months of this new year.

Christmas was spent very simply and laid back, as have been the last few days. As promised, we did go out in the back yard and howl at the moon on New Years Eve... A special Blue Moon, that to me, means good luck any time it occurs, but especially at the beginning of a new year. Whether or not it happened in 2009 or 2010, makes no matter, it was still in the sky when I went to bed and when I woke up.

So, how many calendars have you all hung so far? Here are mine. These are the ones that will get used. When B&N puts theirs on clearance for 75% I will probably grab a few more just to tear up.

Hubby gets me this one every year, by Cavallini. It hangs on the leaf green wall next to my computer desk.

Gift from my friend Pat, this one has gorgeous artwork, and each page is printed on the back with templates to cut into other things. File folders, gift cards, little boxes. Very cool recycling ideas.

Daybook organizer, Polar bear from Half-Price Books, Spiral bound from my insurance agent.

I love the book that my insurance agent gives me every year. On the left is the altered one from 2007, and on the right the new 2010. Now I will make a journal out of the 2008 one.

Close-up of Daybook organizer

Little Silver Circle

2009-12-21T17:49:00.004-06:00

I bought a dozen of these at an after Christmas sale several years ago. I had never used them because I had planned to change the red ribbon out for some other color. I would get them out every year and look at them, but never quite get around to altering them. This year when I decided to only get a few boxes of decorations out and only put up one tree, I found them again. This time I took the time to exchange the ribbon for moss green ones, and I hung them on the tree. Now, if you look closely you will see that they are all the same bare branch picture. It's a photo I like, but I think next year I might take the time to cover the words "Restoration Hardware"... LOL It is the photo that came with the frame!! So you've never done this before??? Well, I really hadn't. A few days ago I ran into a friend in the store and we were discussing how hard it is to do "everything" for the holidays. I told her what I had done, and she started laughing so hard she was crying. She then told me about the year she had bought a bunch of picture frame ornaments and had plans to put B&W photos of all the family members in them, but never got it done. Around time to do the tree, she was so tired, she just hung them all on the tree. She said she forgot about it, until some of the family members were looking at them, trying to figure out who the people were in the photos, because they sure didn't look like anyone in the family. She said she has used them every year since, just like that, and they all get a laugh out of the "faux" relatives.

I'm feeling more like Christmas

2009-12-20T12:22:00.010-06:00

I have recovered from my little meltdown of last week-end. I ran away for a few days and it seemed to help. Of course a day or two in a nice hotel, drinking lots of creamy coffee and eating chocolate for breakfast will remedy lots of ailments, I'm sure. Add to that a great pal who delivered a big box of books and magazines to the hotel before I even arrived. I definitely had a respite from real life! I'm facing life a little more focused right now. Taking one day at a time instead of letting 3 or 4 attack me all at once. Everything is done around here that is going to get done. I swear I am not going to do one more thing.

This morning I woke up at 4, made tea, and spent a long time sitting snuggled up in a blanket, admiring my Christmas tree. It looked ugly to me last week, but this week it is beautiful, and it didn't have to do a thing, but sit there and wait for me to look again!! I love sitting in a dark room with only the twinkle of the tree lights on. I went out later to World Market for a few food items and a quick stop by Michaels, for a couple of Tim Holtz items to play with later. No pressure, just play.

Notice the round silver frame in this photo? Look at it closely. I will tell you a funny story about it tomorrow.

Close up of clip-on bird

I love these white paper ornaments from Hallmark from I don't even recall how many years ago.

This year I used gold,silver, white and turquoise

I wish I had a river I could skate away on.....

2009-12-13T11:34:00.006-06:00

If you listen to the Joni Mitchell song "The River", that describes my Christmas spirit. I swear every year that I will ward off the blues, but my nature, being what it is...well.... I used to be Martha Stewart, with a tree in every room, all perfectly themed and color matched. Tons of baking and entertaining and the whole package. Some years I was so tired on Christmas day that all I wanted to do was crawl under the tree and take a nap while everyone enjoyed the fruits of my labors.

Circumstances change, years pass, we are far away from family. That makes a huge difference. Hubby and I have developed many new and different traditions, so we don't buy into the commercialism, not that we ever did much. As far as gift-giving is concerned, we keep that real simple. Some gift cards, food items, and charity.

I am just really blue this year. Part of it has to do with medication problems that I am working on, so I can't blame it all on the season. Anyhow, since I last posted, I have been moving slowly, dragging my feet, sleeping a lot. This week-end, I finally got the ONE tree decorated. It took me all week. Hung the wreath on the door, and I think I will call it done. And I think I will run away from home. Oh wait, the bird-feeders need filling. Better do that first. Oh, and I should probably tell hubby I am leaving.

Lime and Turquoise, my signature colors

Close up of wreath

Tea and Chocolate, Anyone?

2009-12-07T12:58:00.007-06:00

Stories of another action packed week-end here in the big city. Saturday was spent alternating between watching football, raking leaves, and organizing and putting out Christmas decorations.
Sunday, I went to a local tea shoppe for a tea and chocolate tasting. I usually pair my chocolate with the Evil Bean... but I was intrigued, since I really am trying to learn more about teas, and shift my drinking habit from so much coffee. It was a really fun event. We got to taste 5 different varieties of tea, each paired with a chocolate of their choosing. Then we discussed and rated them, on how we thought they went together. We met a lot of nice people and the owners of the shoppe are really nice, and very knowledgeable.

Christmas display at Zhi Tea

Display near front window

The adorable Erika Martin, serving up her handmade chocolates

Packaged Blissed Out chocolates made by Erika

Our table. Notice the growing pile of foil candy cups, that is my place at the table. When my friend Pat started saving hers and slipping them over to me, the rest of the guests noticed. She told them a little tale of what I do with recyled bits, so they all saved theirs for me too. Gold mine!! And silver, and pink, and turquoise! Yay. I am so happy with little bits of papers. What a goofball, huh?

The rest of the afternoon, and into evening was spent at one of the many local holiday affairs. All local artisans and crafts people in one location, with many great things to choose from. Jewelry, pottery, paintings, photography, wearables, and the like. I came home happily worn out from another fun filled day in December. More festivals to attend next week.

Studios Part Two

2009-11-24T11:08:00.006-06:00

The metal arts area from yesterdays post. There was a lot of cool rusty stuff laying around to photograph.

These would be so cool to have to rust paper on.

Old sign in corner with weeds twining round.

What a hoot, reflected and distorted.

Not a studio, but a cute cottage next door to one. I love the colors, and would adore having this house as a studio. Or for just me to live in. See the lime green house to the right of the photo in the background? Hubby said we would have to have it as well, for him to live in, and to store my "stuff". It is one of those two story McMansions, in an old neighborhood of little cottages.

At the Tillery street location. I forgot which artists were there, I was so enamored with this rusty old cabinet in one of the spaces. I took a lot of shots to use for collage backgrounds.

I forgot Abby's ATC yesterday. I met her when we sat across the table from one another. Hers is the one with the hand. The other one is an older one of mine, using one of my favorite quotes. I think they go well together, don't you?

Empty Bowls and Studio Tours

2009-11-23T09:15:00.008-06:00

Today I am recovering from such a wild week-end. There is always a lot going on around my town, and the holiday season is off to a busy start. The Empty Bowl project. Taking place the Sunday before Thanksgiving, this is a benefit for our local food bank. Local potters donate handmade bowls, and local restaurants donate soup. You buy a bowl and get it filled with soup, and yummy breads to go with it. It has always been held at a Pottery studio, but has gotten so large that they had to move it to a convention like center this year. We used to get there at 9 and wait 2 hours to get in at 11. We were usually always among the first 50 peeps in the door. However this year, there were people in line at 7 a.m. for an 11 a.m. opening. Yikes... We went to artist studios and came back a few hours later, and only waited about 20 minutes to get in. It was so crowded I didn't have an opportunity to take photos. A friend of mine was serving soup, but I never did even see her. The Empty Bowl project started as a grassroots movement and has pretty much become a national project in many cities.

Ah, the studio tours. I love them, they are so inspiring. You get to meet so many artists and see them working or at least see where they do their work. Also to make purchases. This too, has grown over the years, so choices have to be made. One can't possible see it all. We have our favorites we go to every year, and always add new ones. My head is still swimming with all the things we saw. I'm sorting and filing photos and business cards, for folks I may want to contact later. I have a few to show. For some reason I was struggling with the settings on my camera so did not get a lot of good photos. There are a lot of real nice studio/gallery spaces, but the ones that appeal to me the most are these first two...a collection of artists in old houses or industrial areas.

A wreath from favorite metal artist Barry George

A small fraction of Barry's collecton of "stuff"

One studio had this labyrinth in the back yard, it was fun. She makes floral mandalas from dried flowers she grows here.

One studio space had an Artist Trading Card workshop going on. We made a few, then traded with other peeps there. A lot of fun. Met some cool people.

More tomorrow. I must rest up then get something done around here and start prepping for Thanksgiving.

A Walk on the East Side

2009-11-19T07:18:00.005-06:00

Hubby and I went on a walk the other day(on our anniversary) and I wanted to go to Big Red Sun...However they were closed. We called, and they are now only open by appointment, and do mostly commercial work. Sad, another indication of hard economical times I guess. They have some things that most other nurseries don't carry, so will have to look elswhere for unusual plant material.

Looking towards downtown

Love their blue porch and the colors of this light fixture

Plant material, I like the dichondra

Pink...love the plant, lantern, house across the street

Of all the things I've Lost....

2009-11-16T11:24:00.003-06:00

I miss my mind the most! A funny little saying, yes? Well, it describes perfectly the way I have been feeling. November is slipping right on by, just as the previous month did. I have been having some medical issues, mainly medication problems. I'm attempting to get off a medication that just isn't working, and try something different. That entails a bunch of experimentation, and feeling crappy and out of control. One medication makes me feel numb, but I sleep at night. Another one makes me feel normal, but I am awake all night with anxiety attacks! So, I just haven't been posting. The struggle for life is taking what little energy I have.

November is a month full of activities here locally,that I normally enjoy immensely. I really have been trying to keep up, but am falling behind a bit more each week.

Artist Studio tours this past week-end, and I gave out early on, so didn't get to see as much as I wanted. Thankfully it is on next week-end also so I have hopes to hold up for a longer time period then.

I've done very little artwork in weeks, mostly just sort supplies and move stuff around, waiting for the spirits to move me. Lots of ideas bouncing, but just clanging up against one another in my brain.

Tomorrow is mine and hubby's wedding anniversary.....I started a card two weeks ago and it still lies unfinished, so I will slip out to the store in a bit and purchase one. Hubby won't mind, but he will know how guilty I feel, especially since he has been hiding a project he is working on for me.

Texas Book Festival

2009-11-03T11:23:00.007-06:00

I spent yesterday recovering from two fun filled days at the Texas Book Festival, a yearly event that I eagerly anticipate. We get to hear a lot of authors speak about the books that they have written the previous year, plus purchase books, hear great music from local musicians, and hang out at the capitol and grounds. All this is free to the public, it's a wonderful family friendly atmosphere. The weather could not have been more perfect, Lows in the 50's Highs in the 70's to low 80's. My kind of fall weather. The reward for having suffered through all those triple digits for the past few months. I even got to take a little nap on the capitol lawn, until a squirrel started dropping nuts on my head.

This place was centrally located for Hubby to make several stops at during the w/e.

Besides hearing authors speak, gathering ephemera,I humored myself by taking photos of some of the gorgeous boots I saw people wearing. I also photo'ed a lot of peoples dogs, but won't show those, at least not now.
Love your boots Margie

Wimberley boots

Suede and tied

Bag and boots of the lovely, sweet & talented Patricia Vonne

Perfecting my Disorganizational Skills

2009-10-30T09:44:00.007-05:00

Some days I feel like I spend half my time searching for things. Doesn't matter what it is I need, I have to go on a search for it. No wonder I rarely get any artwork done. By the time I have uncovered everything I need for a project, I am so exhausted I don't have the energy to create. There was a time many years ago I was probably one of the most organized people on the planet. That is what is so baffling about the problems I am having now. How and when did this happen? Well, I suppose part of it is just amassing so darn much "STUFF". Living in the same place for 16 years has contributed to it as well. When one moves every 3 to 5 years there is a constant cleaning out of things to lighten the load. Being able to indulge in my passion for all things paper, as well as my shiny magpie nature, has led to gathering way too much. I haven't had to make many choices over the past few years, just gather whatever suits my fancy. Gather it in faster than you use it up and pretty soon you have a problem. I was thinking I might be a hoarder, until I actually saw an episode of that show. Well, what a relief to find I am NOT. Of course it is just one of the many jokes among us creative types, that yes, I really DO need 27 pairs of scissors. Actually if you ask the hubster, he would probably say I have more than that. Sigh. Well, what prompted this ranting and raving, you ask? Once again, I have misplaced something that I have spent days searching for. My lovely Frida Kahlo necklace that I made for Dia de los Muertos several years ago. I didn't have it for the parade last Saturday, and it appears I won't have it for the actual celebrations this week-end. It is very important to me, so why don't I put it back in the same place twice? No, I lay it down wherever I happen to take it off, and then it gets buried with something else, or swept into a basket when I am "tidying" up. And that is not the only Dia de los Muertos jewelry I have misplaced, so it must all be hanging out together someplace. Even though I did have a few things to wear, I really need and want my Frida necklace. The hubster wants the shrine I made for him a few years ago too, but says he understands...Odds are I will find it next week when I am searching for something else.

The small collection I was able to find to wear.

It was a fine night for a Parade

2009-10-27T09:33:00.003-05:00

One of my favorite events of the year, among all the Festivals and events, is Dia de los Muertos. Even though the date is not until Nov.1st and 2nd, the parade and party was on Saturday the 24th. Colorful, lots of good music and wonderful food. The weather was cool and so comfortable. Some years it's so hot it doesn't feel like fall. Y'all know how I feel about HOT weather...ick. I'll be putting some more photos up on my Flickr site, but here's a few for now.

Windows Wide Open

2009-10-19T13:27:00.007-05:00

The week-end was wonderful weatherwise. After mid 90's again on Friday, we got a cold front and 30 degree drop in temperature. I love sleeping with the windows open, even though sometimes it wreaks havoc with my allergies. I'd rather put up with that than constant airconditoning.

Saturday I was able to clean house a little bit, between watching several hours of college football with hubby and even a movie. The fresh air gave me a wee boost of energy I hadn't felt all week. Oh, and remember I mentioned all the "unfinished" projects I had, I did manage to finish something...I cleaned off the table in my entryway, yet again. This is always an ongoing project, as we tend to drop things there as we come in. Keys, the mail, library books, found items such as rocks and bird feathers, etc. It gets to looking pretty cluttered, but yet we don't seem capable of breaking the habit. Once the first thing gets put there that doesn't belong, it just seems to snowball until there is a big stack. This is not a big accomplishment, such as finishing an art project, but I decided I'd better start looking at some of my chores as finished projects to keep myself from feeling like I am getting NOTHING done.
So this is the way I like it to look!

Close-up

Sunday, I had a friend over and we looked at books and magazines, planned a few art projects, watched a couple of recordings and ate this!
Vietnamese coffee, along with Italian Pizzelles. A nice little treat.

Where does the time go?

2009-10-16T12:24:00.005-05:00

Here we are, halfway through October, and here I sit, with a dozen projects still halfway finished. I usually get such a burst of energy as soon as fall comes, and I feel renewed and capable of getting thing done. I am faltering this time, and it makes me feel crummy. Actually, I guess that is why I am faltering. I have been feeling physically and emotionally "crummy." Is that a medical diagnosis, I dunno...guess I could also describe it as feeling like crap, and that is not one either. I am dragging around with no energy, feeling sorry for myself. Doing things in fits and starts, and finishing nothing. I have spent the last couple of days sitting in front of the computer sorting photos, trying to find some "fall" stuff to post. Even my photos are a disorganized mess. But in every single album, there are birds and clouds, so here are some more.

Seven p.m. Grackles

Three on a wire

Wispy evening clouds

It finally FEELS like Fall

2009-10-09T16:22:00.016-05:00

I've been so envious of those of you who have written that you are experiencing fall like weather. Even though we've had tons of rain, it was a wee bit cool then got hot hot hot again. Yesterday was in the 90's and heat index up to 100. Felt really awful. We had a cool front trying to come in, but the heat hanging over us wouldn't allow it...according to my trusty meteorologist, MM. It rained in the night a lot, and when I got up this morning it was 55 degrees. OH YEAH! Dug out the woolie socks and boots and a long sleeved shirt, along with my shiny green raincoat and scarf. Went out with hubby for awhile, for a stroll through the neighborhood. Then we went to the mall(outdoors) with our umbrellas in hand and strolled some more and got a coffee. Cold and windy, and it felt so good. It is supposed to stay cool through the week-end. I won't ever complain about it finally feeling like fall. It feels like it could be a spicy tortilla soup kinda evening. Maybe I can even dig out my flannel jammies this week-end, along with the wool throws for the sofa and chairs. Oh boy! Can you tell I am really ready for cold weather?

Bundling up a wee bit

Pomegranate blossoms after the rain