Midweek Hump Day

Where do I begin? After zipping through Google news, I stopped at the story about the New Jersey govenor who has been in the hospital since April 12th with all kinds of broken bones from an automobile accident. At the very end of the story, it states that his Suburban was clocking 91 mph and he wasn't wearing a seat belt. Sigh. What a way to get taken down a notch. It seems that today I am spending time reading about anything but VT. I've heard bits here and there but haven't focused on it. There is so much in the air that I think I am getting it by osmosis. On the bright side, a VT alum in Houston is putting together care packages for the students. All 26,000 of them. Gotta love that.

The garage sale on Saturday at Maridawn's was a great success. I had a fun time visiting with a great bunch of women, made a new friend, learned some new stuff and swapped some stuff. It was kind of funny because everyone was doing it. It went something like this... Oh, this looks neat. Take it. Oh, no, I couldn't. Yeah, sure you can - just take it. Okay, you look at my stuff and see what you want...

I've been enjoying looking at this website, Grandinroad. It's very Pottery Barnish with some great outdoor furniture. Speaking of PB, I LOVE those people. My beautiful seagrass chair arrived today and looks comfy and wonderful in the living room. There was a tiny flub up with the delivery that I mentioned in the survey and the wonderful lady who called me today is sending a $50 gift card for my trouble. Man, I need more trouble! I love a good company who understand customer service. Makes all the difference in the world.

Saw Wicked on Sunday night and it was excellent. It was the last performance in Houston. I loved how the story was weaved and came together at the end. Very cute. I imagine you could see it several times and catch something new each time. It's that way with Phantom of the Opera for me.

I've tried several times to post pictures from different events and nothing happens so I'm going to say goodnight now.

Finding My Way Back Home

I've spent the past three days cleaning up my scrap room, getting ready for the big garage sale at Maridawn's next Saturday. I am embarressed by all the stuff I have to sell and called to see if they have another table for rent. They don't. So, I guess I will put a bunch of stuff under the table and will move it up top when space clears. I have an entire box of books and magazines. It feels really good that I committed the time this weekend to go through what I have and purge. I also feel guilty because I went through alot of projects that aren't completed.

I broke up the clean up time this weekend by ordering the armless chair from the Seagrass collection at Pottery Barn. I am redoing my living room into a reading room. We'll eventually move out the TV and the couch will go to my BFF's daughter. I'm going to have 4 comfy chairs and lots of lamps. This is chair #2. I'll probably keep a white wicker rocker that is already in there. It's funny because my BFF's daughter has a complete set of dishes from my old house and a few other items of mine. She's graduating from high school this year and when she gets her own place - I will feel right at home! She is such a sweet girl - who likes to play with scrapbook stuff!

I've been listening to my Itunes this weekend, especially Lee Ann Womack's Finding my Way Back Home. I LOVE the video for that song - it reminds me of me so much, as a child. Riding my bike and exploring. It goes so deep that it makes me cry when I watch it! I think crying is so cleansing and good for your soul.

I made several changes in my scraproom. Moved acrylix stamps to binders with page protectors and cardboard. I moved stuff around, my paints and embossing powder, flowers and changed my cardstock from a shelf to the Cropper Hopper vertical storage, just like my patterned paper. Hobby Lobby was having a great sale on Friday and I snatched up all kinds of goodness. I also started drawing in my art journal at the end of the day. It's pretty simplistic but I know it will improve over time. And the main purpose it to stay in touch with my feelings by either writing about them or illustrating them.

I've been pretty reflective this weekend. I guess cleaning and spending time with your stuff gives you ample time to think. It was one year ago last weekend that Ruth (MIL) moved in with us. I remember being totally overwhelmed that weekend and realizing, I was responsible for another human being. It was the beginning of alot of responsibility and demands being made on me. Too much but at the time I didn't know how to say no. I'm much better at it today, that is for sure! It was also crazy time - every week there was something else on the calendar, a graduation or some new drama. Man, I am so grateful my life isn't like that today. I remember I used to thrive on drama and now I don't like scheduling three things in a weekend. Which, is what is happening this weekend: all day garage sale at Maridawn's, my brother is having an open house at his new casa and Sunday Night, I am taking Nancy to see Wicked. So, boom - there's 3. That's it - no more.

Back in the USSR

....sung to the Beatle's tune...

It's my favorite kind of morning... the sun is shining, the coffee is flavored with whipped cream. I cuddled with puppies before I got out of bed, just hanging out at home. Oh wait, here - this will give you a better visual.

I love the long shadows across the grass, which is getting very very green these days. In my first house, I lived in a neighborhood I called "Pamper Box Row" because on garbage day that was all you saw - pamper boxes. It was a simple tract-home starter neighborhood with lots of babies. And I was the token single girl (see, Charleen we're all token somethings at some time). That's why I love this neighborhood so much with the big trees and tons of squirrels - it's 50 years old (like me). And it's because I stayed on PBR for 15+ years that I can live here comfortably. It all works out, which was hard to believe sometimes when everyone was moving up and out while I stayed. But I'm enjoying what I have now.

Perhaps you've noted, I went AWOL for a while - not sure really why other than life got busy. We had the Passport Saga before I went to Vancouver. Final advice - renew your passport NOW if you're planning any travel in 2007 or 08. Mine arrived less than 24 hours before I left. Nope. Not the way I like to live. But it all worked out. I met 6 friends from CE in Vancouver for an art workshop that was fantastic. Each full day with a different teacher, which I find to be an excellent format. You can play and make stuff without jumping up and rushing off + hanging out with my peeps (Charleen, Megan & Mel) was great. We made poppets with collage artist Claudine Hellmuth that look something like this. She is very sweet and loves animals. I had a great time in class playing. Also had my first class with Ali Edwards, which was terrific. She is as nice and great as everyone says. On Day 3 we had class with Donna Downey, which was great fun. I was surprised because I wasn't sure what I thought of DD - sometimes I think she's too commercial, kind of like Rachel Ray of the scrapbook world. But once I got over feeling jealous of her good fortune, I realize she's crazy and fun and has a good heart and is a good teacher. We made two projects in her class - a chipboard book on a ring and a 6 x 6 folded book. I just figured out that the chipboard project will be ideal for a project for my neighbor. Excellent!

Jeanne, Tanya, Sandy and I went up to Vancouver early so we could enjoy the city. I feel so fortunate to have met these girls and that they're willing to go and do - just my kind of people! We had a blast even with the cold and wet! You can see my pictures here: http://picasaweb.google.com/pegomh. Vancouver had a wicked storm earlier this year and it created chaos in Stanley Park: lots of huge, mature trees were down. Stanley Park is a gorgeous park on the edge of the city, 1000 acres and its one of my favorite parts of Vancouver. In talking to local Canadians, the damage at Stanley Park is tragic and I share their sadness. It was rainy both days we went to the park but that's okay. It's still amazing. In the past when I went to Vancouver, it was always warm and gorgeous weather. So, I finally "get it" - the pics of the flurry of colored umbrellas. I saw the winter Vancouver and it was still great fun!

Okay, I'm off on my southern tour, i.e. Scrapbook Junkie in Kemah, (my favorite LSS) and since I'm getting an early start, I'm going to stop at Michael's and use the 30% coupon on entire order and Hobby Lobby! And possibly Novel Approach and Just for Fun. Why not. Then I can focus on purging my scraproom for Maridawn's garage sale next weekend, where I will surely make big bucks selling all the stuff I don't want! Right. Happy Easter!

Few more pic... olives at Granville Island market .

A giant inukshuk at the beach. I bought one of these in glass. In 2010 the Winter Olympics are being held in Vancouver and you see this symbol everywhere. It a directional marker that signifies safety, hope and friendship. Love that..

Probably my fav pic of the weekend - Tanya looking pretty relaxed and accomplished while making a poppet of her family. I still laugh out loud when I think of Tanya's antics in the Business Center at the Hampton Inn (which was great, btw). Jeanne's on the computer, so I handed a ringing (in my mind, at least) phone to Tanya who answered with a naughty smirk on her face and a long Noooooooooooooooo. No idea who her imaginary friend was but I'm thinking the question was along the lines of what are you wearing, are you alone? It was priceless. It was so great to get to know her and Jeanne, Charleen (our favorite Canadian) and Sandy better. And we meet again in September for CE! I'm a lucky girl.

Little Japanese Doll Vase

It was a good week - finally getting warmer in Houston. I was getting tired of the cold and wind. I went to Crate & Barrel on Monday. That store just totally inspires me. Pottery Barn's catalogs inspire me but the actual C&B store does it for me. The colors and textures are great. Makes me feel alive and motivated. And I'm not a modern, contemporary decorator but they have plenty of other things to choose from. This chair really caught my eye. It has a nice little stripe- I would like the blue I think. But the price is $1200, which is alot. Its very comfy too. I really want to redo a room in the classic blue, yellow and white. It will probably be my living room. I love that look - Southern Living has done is several times. Yesterday, at Randalls I picked up the BHG Creative Home magazine which has a cute yellow mosaic table on the front. I've always liked BHG magazines, especially the decorating magazines whether its bedroom, bath. This one is about home decor projects - right up my alley. I would like to try some stenciling on a dresser. With spring on the horizon, it would be a good time. Back to the shopping trip - I did pick up a pretty rectangular basket at PB for my current craft magazines. I had a shelf that wasn't working - this way I can grab them quickly when I need a quick read while waiting in line. The older ones are in the mag holders on the shelf.

The BIG find this week was another Japanese doll vase at The Guild - this one is purple, which I don't have in my collection. Here is my original one. Now, these vases aren't expensive or fancy - just sentimental. A lady named Iris Gillespie gave it to me 30 years ago when I first started working at Alexander & Alexander. She was a sweet older lady at the end of her career, that was receptionist and I was 19 and just starting mine. About 2 years ago, I saw another one at an estate sale and decided to start collecting them. Since then we have looked all over Texas, including Trade Days in Canton and never see them. I've found 2 at The Guild (a resale shop in Montrose) and 1 other one at Trader's Village. I've searched ebay and never seen one. I think they are local but I should would like to find others or know some history about them. Wonder where I could post a pic and ask?

Love The One You're With

This was taken several years ago and I'd like to say that they've learned to share and play nice, but it just ain't so. They still fight like this, each and every time... damn kids!

Happy Valentine's Day! I'm grateful for the people that are in my life, letting me love them. I saw an old lady pushing a shopping cart on the street, wrapped up against the cold. It made me totally grateful that my Mom is with me and doesn't have any hardships whatsoever. Her only decision is what to buy next from QVC - some food product we won't eat or another faux fur coat that doesn't get worn. I'm only half kidding. - we've had barbeque beef, crab cakes, cheesecake, pretzels, steaks from QVC. The cheesecake rocks (Junior's) - and the bbq wasn't bad but the rest... eh. (not being very grateful right now, am I?)

Two years ago I got some roses from my favorite florist, The Cutting Garden. I love this place - they always use quality flowers plus this vase is so unique - heart shaped and etched. Just love it! I did a layout a few months later - I'm too lazy to dig it out and get a pic. Sorry.

Have several projects on the burner tonight - the letter H for a friend, an altered tin project (wish me luck on that one!) and a sympathy card.

Oh, and a beautiful chocolate dipped strawberry that's calling my name. Hope you are sharing some love tonight.

Missed Connection

It's been a great week so far. Relaxed and I am enjoying being rid of my cold/flu. Yuck. I'll admit, I can't just say cold because it doesn't express the full distress of being sick. It's too plain, it's not painful enough! So, anyway, I'm glad to be feeling well again plus it got to 70+ degrees today. Nice. I'm tired of cold, especially on my Mom's behalf, because she doesn't tolerate it very well and she smokes outside. She's fine during the summer with the Texas heat.

I finished my TRUST LO - pic added. On the CE Yahoo board someone mentioned a cruise with Tim Holtz, which actually doesn't happen until 2008. I've looked at the August 2007 cruise with Sweetpeas and Snapshots and I am seriously thinking about going now. I feel pretty indulgent and a bit selfish if I book it - that's really the only thing stopping me. I can scrape the money together - it's not that expensive. DeWayne and I were trying to do an Alaskan cruise last year but it was too late. So what's not to love about scrapping and Alaska? It would at least keep me out of the casino for the most part! I don't know anyone else going but what the hell - there's got to be somebody I would connect with! I'll think about it over the next couple of days.

I've been thinking and talking with friends quite a bit about my disconnect with health and weight and working out. Hear me out. There is some kind of emotional issue that is stopping me from making the mind connection with my actions. Remember when you were 16 and you took chances - whether it was driving fast, drinking or drugs but you did it because you knew you wouldn't die young. That just didn't apply to you. Well, I have some health habits that in my mind, I know will result in not living longer, but I cannot stop doing them. And I don't think it's an issue of willpower or just making my mind up - there is something that stops me from getting off the couch and walking those 10 steps to the treadmill. In the past, I've realized that I use my size to protect myself. I feel stronger and more in control because I am larger. Same way I drive my Tahoe (I will admit it) rather than in a Corolla. People use their SUVs to make space - especially in Houston, especially in the Galleria area! It's a whole different world over there. Well, I'm pretty sure I do that with my body - I feel safer being bigger. Logically, I know that an attack/rape is more likely to happen to a girl in her twenties at an apartment complex and that's not me. It's an old fear that I want to weed out. (Is this WAY too deep for a blog?) I have some other old issues that I need to deal with and I think the time is now. If not now, when? I want to study this issue and ponder it and blog it and scrap it and get it worked out in my mind so that the end result is that I eat healthier and more in tune to being hungry. I move my body more so it doesn't ache like it does now. I want to be limber so it doesn't hurt all over when I stand up. I want to feel powerful because I work out. I don't want to be afraid of heart attacks because I get these racing flutters too frequently. I want to be proud at 50 and I don't want to feel 50. That's my goal for this year, for the rest of my 49th year. I think its also going to be my AYTR challenge. I know, I'm late but what the hell. It is what it is.

I'm looking forward to the weekend... I don't have anything planned. I may go up to the Woodlands on Saturday and shop at their mall (which I LOVE) and Lone Star Scrapbook and maybe the outdoor mall there with Sur LaTable, since I got a gift card from there for Christmas!

Creating An Escape

Whew, it was a long day and I just got back from the movies with my brother. We went to Angelika and saw Little Children with Kate Winslet. The Angelika theater is pretty cool, I like it alot - no kids, free parking after 6 and not too crowded. People actually get dressed up to go to the movies - it was wild. (And no, of course, I wasn't one of them...) The movie was interesting and thought provoking and I'm still thinking about it. I liked it because it brings out all kinds of emotions and thoughts. I was going to say that it didn't have a happy ending but it really did - KW got what was important in her life. I'm sure I'll keep thinking about it for a few days.

The morning started out with a bit of sunshine and coffee and the freedom to enjoy waking up naturally and snuggling with my pups. That's a good day. I waited til eleven for the registration for HKS/Bazzill Creative Escape in September. It sold out in two minutes - yep, TWO. Isn't that crazy? I registered but still waiting for the order ID confirmation email, which I guess everyone is waiting on. I don't know anything about programs that handle registration but it seems like someone really didn't understand how to set it up. It was nerve wracking and stressful for alot of people. I feel bad for one girl in Toyko who stayed up til 3 am trying to get in. I didn't understand it myself but kept playing around with it until it accepted a credit card. I don't know why it was so confusing. Anyway, a few people were raging about it on the Yahoo board and I've realized something - which is pretty profound for me. I used to be one of those gripers who would try to get people on my side and validate my position. Now, I realize - just say it to the people who can do something about it. Don't publicly bitch about it. It's immature and pointless. If you really have a complaint - tell it to the right people. Okay, enough of that.

I've finished the LO for my TRUST page - I'll glue it down tomorrow and post it. I'm also going to start my KNOW page for Ali Edwards and then pick a contest to enter. And who knows what else will get done tomorrow. I'd like to go to a crop - I think that would be fun but don't want to load up all my stuff. I think I'll just focus on scrapping here and getting the kitchen table cleared with all the Christmas junk still sitting on it. I know - what an embarressment! And Officer Bob of HPD comes here on Monday morning at 8 am to do an inspection and suggest better security. It's a good thing too... I found out today there was a break in at 4 am while the grandma and grand-daughter slept. That's too close for comfort. As soon as I get the details tomorrow, I'm going to make sure the security committee has all the details and we take action. That's just not acceptable at all. I'm so grateful to have my yappy little dogs because Killer isn't afraid of anyone and he barks like a maniac. That and the 38 next to my bed - I've got my protection. Good night.