Labor day.... how fitting a name!

First thing and very important; Happy Birthday Judi!

Starting the weekend trying to finish the third book of Twilight series then on to packing and organizing a lifetime of "stuff". I sold the condo but with the ability to stay here for several months while the new owners sell their Detroit home. So my moving experience will be much less stressful and better executed than usually is the case when you move a lifetime of "stuff" to it's new home.

I also am desperately struggling with trying to figure out the new IPhone I received this week as a bday gift (Thank you friend). Not easy for a tech-challenged girl like me. Thank you to all who sent me Birthday wishes this week. I love you too!!!

So it is perfect rainy weather for my weekend plans of purging and packing, reading & watching the US Open (tennis).....

Check out this video that I really love. I am off to look for my bra; but I think I burned it years ago! LOL at myself!








Have a great weekend!

Friday night video.....

Can't believe it's been almost a month since posting. 2 part time jobs and full time job search are filling my days. I just wanted to post this video making the news circuit today. This is my kind of wedding..... I absolutely love it! These kids got married last month in St. Paul MN. I wish them the best!

To see correctly Double click on the video to enlarge the screen....





I have been gifted tickets to the Women of Faith Conference this weekend at Key Arena. I have gone before & am sure to get a boost of Inspiration, Hope, Lovin'. There is something special when women hold women up isn't there?

Have a great weekend! It is going to be a hot one!

friday night video on a monday.

wow its been a while since I ranted on the old blogaroni.....

I have had a little trouble adjusting to all the different duties now required daily. I will get there and am making progress. James moved out and now I am living completely alone for the first time in my life. That reality alone, with all its pendulum swing of emotions, will take some time for adjustment. One moment I love the perks, the other I fall into a loneliness I have never experienced. I know I will be ok. Just another opportunity for growth even though I kind of wish I hadn't had so many growth opportunities over the past 1.5 years.

Moving on; changing topics.....

Lately I have been thinking about the topic on the video below. My family would definately confirm the I am one that has been preoccupied by the external appearances for most of my life. Over the last several years I have been gradually letting that go. Now I know I have a few non churchy readers but this is still a very effective message about todays obsession for the tan, thin and beautiful. This video will hopefully make you smile or laugh and more importantly think about the bigger picture. I especially like the Washington white joke. Now you watch this video while I go spread on another coat of self tanner...... lol! It is all about progress, not perfection!

Burning Barbie from Overlake Christian Church on Vimeo.

The birthday girl......

Just a quick note to show off the birthday girl Megan and her new awesome haircut! We had such a great time and we ate our brains out.... I am feeling a bit guilty because I didn't get charged my fair share for dinner. I will have to do something really nice for Jennifer who carried most of the burden. It was so much fun and a really big deal for me as I can't remember the last time I went out.

I have been working 2 part time jobs lately which is really helping ease the stress. I am still in negative cash flow but at least at a slower rate. The job listings have decreased lately, so I am really grateful to those who are giving me the occasional odd job for income.

Monday night TLC watch and getting ready for Jon & Kate + 8. Now that is a storyline that helps me keep my life in perspective. I count my blessings ......

a birthday wish.....

Pulled together this simple canvas for a friend celebrating her twenty something Bday. We are meeting at PF Changs for a celebration so I wanted to give it a fortune cookie theme. The fortune reads "you will always be surrounded by true friends". It is shameful how easy this was to do. First I have a collection of small canvases bought long ago during the major Dick Blick sale. When I see a technique I like on other blogs I like to play around creating canvas backgrounds to keep on hand for future. I had done this one a while back and it became a perfect base for this project. Like usual, I pulled out my Studio Calico stash and began cutting and gluing....... so simple yet so different from the other birthday cards she will receive. I will hate to see it go, it kind of looks good next to an old photo of a Monk at a Buddhist Temple in Bangkok, Thailand (circa 2003).


I hope everyone is having a great weekend and keeping with the Chinese theme.....

Nee How Ma !
(good day in Mandarin)

wonderful wanderings over the weekend....

Jennifer and I went to Luther Burbank Park on Mercer Island for some sun and conversation.

Later we met up with Megan who took us to lunch where we sat out on the patio and relaxed a bit before walking through downtown Issaquah....

I am a bit depressed today as I had a job rejection last week and another one yesterday. I guess I should be thankful that I at least had interviews....... but interviews don't pay the bills. Tomorrow is another day and I pray for better spirits!

One awesome thing to celebrate is James was informed last night he received a scholarship from the Chemical Engineering Department. He will have half of his tuition paid for his final year at the U of W....... I am really proud of him.

additional post:

I have just learned from a friend that a family I know is in extreme crises. Both husband and wife, parents of small children, are taking a nose dive straight to their individual bottoms due to addiction. This family would make TLC's Jon and Kate count their blessings.....

It breaks my heart to see this happen but driving home tonight, I reflected about it. This has helped me put things in proper perspective. While I might be unemployed and in financial crises, I at least have my health. Who cares where I live, who cares if I have to start over again. I am healthy!

Thank you God for revealing what I needed to see.......

what a nice saturday in seattle.....

I spent the day outside working in the garden. I know I told myself I was going to wash my car today but the back yard and the mid 70's weather just beckoned..... I had been waiting for a good day to spread the compost throughout the beds.


Compost..... "Black Gold". I find it cool to put old flowers, weeds, and kitchen produce in a barrel and return a year later to this wonder soil and organic fertilizer. It's not quite that simple but I've been composting since the early 80's and still get that awesome sense of accomplishment when your large pile is reduced to this........

Connor was also working hard with me. Always following close behind with the ball just in case I got the urge to play...... we did get some good fun time in the sun today too.

Gosh - I love the look of the gardens with the rich dark soil spread around the borders and feeding my precious roses and flowering shrubs.

I hope to get outside tomorrow afternoon too. I still have the car mats to scrub and looking forward to doing it in the sun after church.....

Great day! Great Weekend!

spring rains and a little art

Todays rain is making the garden look lush and green...... The lilac is just about ready to open in full bloom. I am a patient gardener; waiting 5 years for this colorful explosion.

Connor even enjoyed his time outside. He takes his fetch job so seriously. He too is patient....

I did these layouts this past weekend. The first layouts I've done in months. I used a mixture of past Studio Calico kits ......

James and Megan at Disneyland and California Adventure - Spring Break 2009.

Happy May Day!

Thank you for all the encouraging words. The act of writing down emotions tends to be quite cathartic for me. Putting thought to paper helps the process and I am today more focused on the exciting aspects of upcoming changes. James moving out, a career change and a home change all at the same time can be daunting at moments. But I was reminded this week how often being uncomfortable accompanies times of great growth.


So I took my earlier advise and have watched the Mike video a couple times; gaining perspective once again.


I am off to wash my sofa slipcovers and look for a few throw rugs per realtor advise. We are going to have great weather; sunny and in the 70's -
Nothing will get in my way of enjoying today!

Have a happy Friday! and a happy May Day! I am adding to my to do list.....

Make a Posie and put on my bedside table!

saying goodbye

With the close of my business during a horrible employment market I made the decision to sell my condo in order to get some capital out of my investment. You see the self employed experiencing a down turn in business just can’t go refinance with the banks. So as I stage the home for sale I am reflective and falling in love with it all over again.

Why is it so hard to let things go? Why am I having such a hard time in saying goodbye? Why do I find it impossible to call the realtor and sign the contract? Maybe it’s because this home holds a significant place in my heart as the first place I was able to own since my divorce in 1993. I worked hard to get a broken life pulled together and to focus on achieving some pretty lofty goals made in 2000. This place is my sanctuary, a place where I feel both safe and free.




It is a place where I had my own business for five years. I enjoyed much success before the eventual fall of the furniture industry…….





I will miss this yard, the second garden I have designed, and the beautiful sunsets on the back patio. I will miss my hydrangeas and clematis collections which I adore and Connor will miss his only home and favorite place to stretch out in the sun…..



I will miss this Rose. David Austin’s Shrub Rose “Evelyn” was planted shortly after arriving in 2001. It shares the name of my mother who is responsible for planting the gardening seed in me many years ago. Mom’s ashes are sprinkled beneath this rose among the campanula.......




My family has shared many holidays here and I have attempted to form new traditions.


Intellectually I can recognize that career and living changes might be good for me now. But I am just waiting for my heart to follow my head. Because the heart is hurting just a tad right now……

TGIF

You know that I must have a thing for Rebecca Sower since this is the third time I mention her. I loved her mixed media style since she had her scrapbooking books published through CK. She inspires me to play with fabrics and look at the world through a different lense. Her art is just plain inspiring and her photography just draws you in. But it's Rebecca's post today that exemplifies why I admire her. She encourages me while prodding me to reflect and take action.

You can read it Here.

The lawns are being mowed right now and the sun is actually shining through my window. I can hardly wait to sweep my porch and water the pots today. It is still too cold for me but the sun is just too inticing. Besides if I don't work outside then I must be working inside -YUK.

Here are a few layouts- Have a great day and weekend everyone.

off to get my work done so I can take Connor to Marymoor Park. Besides his head on my leg right now means he wants some attention. Little does he know that cutting his nails is on my to do list. (twirling my handlebar mustache right now)

PS- The new banner is from House of 3 and there is a link on my sidebar. I have a ton of fun on that new website.......

Have a great weekend!.

look straight ahead, not behind you....

Back at the job hunt again. I'm not sure what is up, just can't seem to seal the deal or get the job offer. Another one lost after getting to the final step.... Keeping my head up and looking straight ahead for the next opportunity.

Just a little something for us Moms to smile about.......

Why GOD MADE MOMS
Answers given by 2nd grade school children to the following questions:

Why did God make mothers?
1. She's the only one who knows where the scotch tape is.
2. Mostly to clean the house.
3. To help us out of there when we were getting born.

How did God make mothers?
1. He used dirt, just like for the rest of us.
2. Magic plus super powers and a lot of stirring.
3. God made my Mom just the same like he made me. He just used bigger parts.

What ingredients are mothers made of ?
1. God makes mothers out of clouds and angel hair and everything nice in the world and one dab of mean.
2. They had to get their start from men's bones. Then they mostly use string, I think.

Why did God give you your mother and not some other mom?
1. We're related.
2. God knew she likes me a lot more than other people's moms like me.

What kind of little girl was your mom?
1. My Mom has always been my mom and none of that other stuff.
2. I don't know because I wasn't there, but my guess would be pretty bossy.
3. They say she used to be nice.

What did Mom need to know about dad before she married him?
1. His last name.
2. She had to know his background. Like is he a crook? Does he get drunk on beer?
3. Does he make at least $800 a year? Did he say NO to drugs and YES to chores?

Why did your mom marry your dad?
1. My dad makes t he best spaghetti in the world. And my Mom eats a lot.
2. She got too old to do anything else with him.
3. My grandma says that Mom didn't have her thinking cap on.

Who's the boss at your house?
1. Mom doesn't want to be boss, but she has to because dad's such a goofball.
2. Mom. You can tell by room inspection. She sees the stuff under the bed.
3. I guess Mom is, but only because she has a lot more to do than dad.

What's the difference between moms & dads?
1. Moms work at work and work at home and dads just go to work at work.
2. Moms know how to talk to teachers without scaring them....
3. Dad s are taller & stronger, but moms have all the real power 'cause that's who you got to ask if you want to sleep over at your friend's.
4. Moms have magic, they make you feel better without medicine.

What does your mom do in her spare time?
1. Mothers don't do spare time.
2. To hear her tell it, she pays bills all day long.

What would it take to make your mom perfect?
1. On the inside she's already perfect. Outside, I think some kind of plastic surgery.
2. Diet. You know, her hair. I'd diet,maybe blue.

If you could change one thing about your mom, what would it be?
1. She has this weird thing about me keeping my room clean. I'd get rid of that.
2. I'd make my mom smarter. Then she would know it was my sister who did it and not me.
3. I would like for her to get rid of those invisible eyes on the back of her head.

Have an awesome day!

don't let the virus get you down....

I am back after a short computer breakdown due to famous facebook virus seen on 60 minutes this week...... I will be back with more but leaving you this morning with some fun pics of James and Megan at Disneyland over the weekend!

You are never too old to have fun at Disneyland right? See you later on - have a great one!

Blessed Blog affirmations.....

a.k.a. OMG! Stacy Julian read my blog!!!!!!!! and better yet- even left me a comment!!!
a.k.a. recipient of wonderful affirmation from Studio Calico "hope to call girlfriends" too.
Blown away by it all but extremely energized by the comments left. Thank you so much.

There is one comment from Scrappyoga (love that name) that brought me smiles today. As I took pics of the last canvas art I was aware of the background and made a mental note to talk about my lunchbox sometime soon. So I was so delighted when scrappy sister called it out.....

I love this lunchbox and am so grateful for a mother with the art background and the foresight to store this little box away so I can recover it later on (after her passing).

First reason I love this box is that I know my father carried this lunchbox (in its original form) every day to work and he was my life example of hard work ethics. Everyone who knows me knows that my father is to date my favorite man in life and I have learned much from him. Secondly my mother took this lunchbox from him and painted it for me when I started freshman year in high school. One end has my name and the other has RHS '75. yeh yeh yeh I'm an old fart. So what, I'm a cool old fart. My mom would be horrified to have this as a published example of her art but it remains a cherished reminder of my youth and one of my favorites today.

so thank you art and scrap world! I love you and am inspired by you daily!!!!

see you tomorrow with my sunday inspiration post.......

the scrappers' angst......

I have a few gifts to make and even more projects in progress but just don't have anything around to complete them. Aaarrgh! Knowing I have what I need but it's just packed away and stored up in the garage is of no comfort to me right now....

I am trying this really clean and clutter free appoach to living but it is a real DRAG when it comes to exploring creativity and making things! This is supposed to be relaxing and gentle for ones soul..... not creating the angst I feel..... got to get my work done today and head up to unpack a few essentials....

Rebecca on the brain......

Woke up pretty early today since James had to shower and get out the door to work opening shift at 6am. Not that I actually said anything at 5:30 but the brain was roused and working. After reading my Somerset Studio mag last night I had planned on a trip to my favorite antique market to see if anything was CHEAP and available to fill my craving for vintage fabric & needlework.

Shortly after my Saturday morning ritual of coffee and Jaime Oliver (English bloke that has a fantastic garden and is an incredible chef) my birthday boy James called to tell me he was having problems with his wisdom teeth and in "excruciating pain." Knowing full well he would not go get the ambisol I suggested until after his shift ends, I put it into speed gear to get out the door. If you missed it, today is sort of James' birthday. Sort of because he is my leap year day baby born 21 years ago....... Any hoo I dropped off the ambisol to my guy in the orange apron as he mixed paint for customers and then I chatted a little with an older Depot employee who had such nice things to say about my kiddo..... "Boy he is a really good kid, works hard and smart" to be exact.

I finished my other necessary errands before I treated myself to an antique escape..... To my surprise, they were having a semi annual sale with everything being 15-50% off marked price. Now since everything with a vintage or antique label in my town is marked way too high to begin with, it was hardly the bargain I read about in the south. With an eagle eye for only things that were garage sale pricing and calculator in hand I found the above goodies. The score of the day was the antique photos and the big bag of embroidery goods and saffron tin. As I opened the bag of yarns I found a crumpled up old note about the cost of taking the autobahn from Yugoslavia to Austria then Hungary. Yugoslavia? Seeing that was an omen that it was meant to be mine and not to feel guilt in the selfish indulgence. See I am 1/2 Macedonian aka part of Yugoslavia. I showed great restraint and kept my total purchase to less than a 20 spot for all the goods above.

So I have had a great morning but now I must get back to my painting. Today is James door and casings day...... Since he won't be home much he can do without the door. Everyone I am asking a favor. James is going out tonight with his buddies for the official "21 run" so I could use some prayers that they do nothing really stupid and they stay safe. I know I will be a bit tense until I hear him come through the door tomorrow or get a phone call that they are at least off the streets!

See you tomorrow for Sunday inspiration!!!

bring it on.....

I know that my local grocery clerk and I agree (on a weekly basis) that we are ready for the next season..... Tired of the cold and snow showers of winter. I am really ready for spring and the rebirth that it signifies..... I am looking for daily signs of an emerging garden while cutting out what winter has destroyed (I lost the two rosemaries pictured here to the freeze).

Did you know that our seasons are coming earlier than they used to? 1.7 days to be precise. Did you also know that seasons change at different rates over land vs. over ocean? There are several explanations for it and I have attached an article from National Geographic Here so you can decide for yourself.

Any how, I am ready for the sun and ready for the renewed spirits that the sun can bring to ones soul....