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August 30, 2006

SPC-enclosed places

I've been on Office Depot's case about my broken camera and so-called extended warranty. Turns our they really didn't want to go throught the hassle so they gave me credit of the price of my old camera for a new one! I didn't get the Nikon I want, but I got a new Nikon! It has this fun mosiac shot thing that I thought fit well with the SPC this month. I've started a set on flickr of my other funny mosaics. Enjoy!

Self Portrait Tuesday | By | 6:11 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack

August 29, 2006

Friends 4 Ever

Thank you my friends, my family. You have been around for so long and every morsel you give me is beautiful jewelry I wear with pride. Thanks blogworld, I hope you don't think I am not grateful for what I have, I am. So grateful. I have to express it more often. I express it with mail and picking up a paint brush and singing along to the music.

So thanks, and I will post something happier, funnier, well written and with nice photos soon so you can have a mini vacation from your dishes, your cubicle, your paperwork, your drive home and laugh with me at how special it is to be connected via the www and most importantly connected by Jesus.

community | By | 10:11 AM | Comments (7) | TrackBack

August 26, 2006

Shared with no one

As my kids get older, I have found that a day at the house when there are things to do for the house just gets crazy and Joel and I end up mad at each other and the kids are bored, with a capital B. I can usually get a smidge done every day while the kids are napping. It's really only an hour and a half, but I got all the lattice painted for our new screened porch which will get started on on Monday. Joel needs bigger chunks of time to do bigger projects so I'll take the kids out on Saturday so Joel can work. Last week we went to the opening of the Dozier Centre in Kennesaw. Super fun musical instruments and clogging and free BBQ and a monsterous tiger to jump in. Great times but I went by myself. Me and the kids.

Today we went to Grant Parks Summer Shade Festival. Really neat. Lots of kids activities, free crafts, and music. Expensive food, but great music and a professional story teller! The art was better than expected too. Josiah and Eden had such a good time. But again, we went by ourselves. Me and the kids.

Joel has found a few folks on Myspace that were close friends in highschool and he has been reeling in delight emailing them and breaking into spontaneous laughter here and there reading the messages. He found Christian, amazing. Joel used his second set of Father's Day Six Flags tickets to go with his friend Christopher for the day. I detest Six Flags, so he's going with buddies. I'm happy for him, it's good for him to get a social boost!!

I am weary, weary of Atlanta. I love the special moments I have with my kids. I love having a big city to explore with all it's many attractions and opportunities. But I'm lonely. I'm tired of driving 30 minutes to see my friends. The great Exodus has taken place, and we are looking at fewer and fewer friendships. I don't like that Joel and I have one date a month! A month! And the last sitter, although she rocked, was expensive!
This post was a lot longer. Full of whining and poor thoughts. But I will stop. I know that I need to have adult interaction and I just haven't had enough this month. It will change.

Thanks for bearing with me.

mommy time | By | 10:35 PM | Comments (6) | TrackBack

August 25, 2006

TILT: Thrift Stores!!

The other say I dragged my kids to the thrift store. You know you're an addict when your 3.5 yr old requests to go to the thrift store. It is fun at the A to Z, the toy section is at the end, closed off, and the staff is so kind, "Just put the toys back when you're done" is there only plea. So with no real reason (besides fall clothing) I cruised around just to kill a tid bit of time, but it ended up being a real score!! First of all I found Hannah Anderson clogs! They are too small for me, they are Euro size 35. But I just had to get them! I didn't know they were Hannah Anderson at first, cuz the mark is almost gone, all you could read was Made in Sweden. After a little online investigation, I found them to be HA's!! So, we'll see what their future is, ebay might not work so well since the mark is gone. Maybe I should make them a prize for something in the future, who knows. The best part, they cost $1.50!

I got a cool wool sweater that I will try to felt in the future. Can you ust imagine some cute item of baby clothing made out of that fun sweater! Or shoes! Yum, can't wait to give it a try.

The white Birk's I found are kinda a toss up. Again, I'm not sure how well they would do on ebay. They are not leather, but they are my size. Too bad the deadline for white is Labor Day. I guess I should wear them every day until then. I love that they have an ankle strap. They remind me of he sandles the mommies wore when I was a kid in the eighties. I also have toyed with the idea of coloring them/painting all over them like the way I defaced my converse all stars in Middle school. I probably won't, unless you guys have a good idea!

The vintage kids book is also great. I always look at the A to Z for books that are cool. But what stops me from coming home with an armfull is that these books are likely to get torn and they must must be applicable to my children's desire in books. Cuz unlike Ward, it's not my hobby and I don't know anything about the illustrators. If you guys know something about Dale Maxey, the illustrator please lemme know! All I know is that I cannot stand the poorly done drawings of some of the books you see these days. That's why we stick to the library. This book goes through lots of animals and the inside is in great condition. This will be an on-the-shelf book along with One Kitten for Kim and some of my salvaged Richard Scary.

Unfortunately, I looked for the Kelty Kids baby back pack I'd seen three seperate times, and it was gone. Sorry Jen, I wanted to get it for ya.

I'm working on promo postcards for my two small upcoming shows and a painting with a jack-rabbit! Yeah! It almost feels done. I'm also pulling teeth to get my camera fixed. I hate taking pics of my art with the Dino-Mavica.

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August 22, 2006

SPT enclosed spaces

Another awesome pic from the phantom cat.

I'm lucky these days to join any of my little themed days. And since SPC has gotten harder (at least for me it has) I just don't always have the stamina. I thought this photo was absolutely awesome!! I want to say thank yous a million to my friends who shot so many pics that I never get to because I'm the one leaning a quarter of the way down the kiddie slide grabbing Eden's arm so she won't fly full speed down the big kid slide. And this time it was especially great because the slide was extra slick and I asked Josiah to stand at the bottom and catch her. Her shoes ended up slowing her down quite a bit, but Josiah did his job and gave her a big brother lift from the end of the slide to the ground. Special times. There are many other pics that Cat took at the Botanical Gardens of the kids having a blastola. Check them out!

Self Portrait Tuesday | By | 6:10 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack

August 20, 2006

Meme-O-Mania

Ugh, I've been ignoring meme invites for too long. Sarah has a great book one, but I never read! I can use that with great honesty, I never read. Well, nothing without pictures these days. Even the Bible I read daily has pictures (thanks Sarah!) Andrea has a fun one too. But this one I thought I could do, but man, it's taken alot of effort!!

1) What is a movie that changed the way you think and act? Or just got you thinking, if the first question is too intimidating.The Fisher King. I was 15 and was introduced to it by a wierd boyfriend. Besides Robin Williams being extremely funny and perfect for the role of Parry, the movie is full of literary illusions, symbols and hilarious character development. It was in NYC which made it magical all by itself. It influenced me by reminding me that I loved the strange and ecletic in people. That I believe being smart makes you cool. It reminded me that literature and art very much intertwines with your everyday.

2) It's a late autumn evening and rainy and cold, What do you have for dinner/snack? What movie do you pop in the DVD player?
Old school popped on the stove popcorn. Big Lebowski (if the kids are asleep) can't you just dig that Bob Dylan song right now? Nemo (if kids are awake, and only then).

3) You are off to wee Himalayan hamlet for a year, your laptop hard drive can hold one film. What will it be?
Yeah, I'd hafta agree with Kirk, Lord of the Rings. Mostly because I was in a wee Scandinavian wintery place when I read all three books and saw the 1st film, so it's kinda hard to remove that. I would describe how awesome it was to have such appropriate visuals during that time but that's too much of an ear-full right now. But if it were the Himilayans maybe Crouching Tiger would be more culturally relevant. I mean it is pretty beautiful.


4) What movie made you laugh the hardest? What movie made you cry?
Rushmore, Bill Murray is a riot. Big Lebowski again, the ferret in the tub, ohhhh I laughed so hard, the poor folks that went with me. I think Andy M was one, he just kinda got a nervous laugh goin' when I couldn't stop uncontrollably laughing. Mr. Deeds, oh my goodness John Turturro! Meet the Parents, oh yes.
Life is Beautiful made me cry, so did Dancer in the Dark, Finding Neverland totally surprised the H out of me, I bawled.


5) Favorite actor (female, male)?
I like Scarlet Johanssen, Julia Roberts, Mary Stuart Masterson, Julianne Moore, just to name a few.
I like John Cusack, Robert Deniro, Orlando Bloom (yummy), Owen Wilson, and yeah, Johnny Depp. just a few.

6) What book or story would you like to see made into a film or what book do you love that could never be made into a film?
Well I haven't read that many books, but I can imagine that My Name is Asher Lev would get butchered on film.

7) What is a movie that immediately after you watched it, you wish you hadn't? Kids, High Art, Seven, Candyman, Horseman on the Roof.

8) Do you read movie reviews? Before, after, never? Whose reviews do you find the best? Are you an analyzer?I don't read reviews but Joel does, so we end up seeing what he wants to see most. But I take a lot from trailors and I try to keep up with what directors like are doing.


9) What movie do you think is a must see, but that you can only recommend with caveats? What movie do you really like, but can only recommend with caveats?First of all I had to look up what "caveats" was. Kirk, you NMS!! Well, the most recent occurance of me recommending a movie that was terribly rebuffed was with Joel's cousin. I recommended V is for Vendetta.I mean the Wachowski Bros?! I thought it was a good movie, interesting and all but NOT for her. She likes musicals. oops. True Stories I mean, this movie is classic and funny. The music is really cool and nerdy at the same time, but not for Joe Moviegoer. It truly is a cult classic. Baraka is a full length documentary that is beautiful!!! But this is no Friday night movie. There is no dialogue, just soundtrack. I have witnessed many fall asleep during this film, it is quite mesmorizing. It will make you want to travel the moment it ends.

10) What movie do you most wish to share with your friends? Well, most of my friends have seen the movies I have already, but a few that would fall into that catagory would be: Pollock, Curious George, Murderball, Diary of a Mad Black Woman.

community | By | 8:32 PM | TrackBack

August 19, 2006

Bird Pod is UP!!

It's up on Etsy, in a pretty silver frame. You know you want it, it's calling you. tweeeet tweeet tweeet. That's the way I beg in bird tongue. Anyway, I hope to make more bird related stuff. Maybe pods, maybe not. The house always comes first so it makes me glad to finish small things.

Sorry for the crappy photos. I am using the Dino-Mavica until my Canon gets fixed.

fine art | By | 10:30 AM | Comments (4) | TrackBack

August 17, 2006

TILT

Things I love Thursday: I love my Sit and Stand stroller!! I don't know where I would be without it! Josiah loves it, it's as lightweight as a "double" stroller can be. I get so many comments about it. "Where'd you get it?" "That's a neat stroller!". They ask Josiah "Is that fun to ride in?" My only complaint, no cup holder, at least not for my drink.

/Feel the love

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August 15, 2006

To Balance the Greatness

Since I'm back to the slow pace of film and the Pentax K1000 I am blatantly stealing pictures from my friends. Cat took this shot and Jen took the last one. thanks ladies, what would I do if other people didn't think my kids were worth photographing.

Yeah, so I dropped my Canon A400 on the floor of the ladies room at Ryan Adams. I have some sort of warranty from Office Depot but I"m thinking that they won't really approve a repair for a dropped camera. Jen asked, "If they asked you if you dropped it will you tell them you did?" Hmmmm, probably because I suck at lying. And that would be wrong I guess.

I finished up the tiny little blurbs on my Bird Pod. I just need to get a frame for it. I think I'm gonna go silver because black and wooden just don't work really. I've had so much interest in it maybe I should do ebay. *snerksnerk*

Sometimes my beloved husband comes home during a time of stressful spirit and sighs. After much prodding he admits, as kindly as possible, that he wonders what I do all day. Like, do I sit in front of this glowing screen and let the little ones tank up on PBSkids all morning until my boredom and body odor take over. Believe me, that's not an impossibility. It is a challenge moms, especially those of us that don't have a permanent schedule, to write down your day as it happens. Not to count every diaper change, disciplining pause, phone call, and quick clean, but to write down the time consuming stuff. I did this yesterday and I realized that my 14 hour shift went full force and left me with a partial migraine. But the schedule made me keep going. I had much to do. Today, I am taking it easier because I am at a balancing point. Fires have been temporarily put out, laundry must be done, art must be made. Journalling is so important, which is what this blogging world has become. A public journal.

This week began with the adrenaline of clearing out the garage. "Our garage ceiling is falling!" cries Chicken Little. And he would be right. We thought the only option would be to tear the sucker down. As fun as destruction sounds, it is not always the best way to go when you want your garage to look sound, clean, useable. I called our plumber, who is well trusted, and asked for a name of someone who could finish our screen porch and give us advice on our garage ceiling. Yesterday I got a name. Check. I think that fixing the holes is better than tearing the ceiling down. If Mark-the-Fix-it-Guy can repair our ceiling so it will look happy, and dependable that's all right with me. So I am at the balancing point of not clearing out the garage.

Laundry must be done so I'm not painting the laundry room. I could/should paint the mailbox stand and get plants. Maybe tommorow. But today I have found the balance. I have clean clothes, and dinner. I have happy kids and have taken a huge bite out of my credit card bill. I have started some art and have a phone appointment with Mark-the-Fix-It-Guy.

If you want to read my 8-6 schedule for yesterday read on .

Continue reading "To Balance the Greatness"

the spirit within | By | 4:56 PM | Comments (4) | TrackBack

August 13, 2006

Back to the Checklist

After one week of vacation and another week of recooping and hosting guests Joel and I are back to the list. The To-Do's if you will. And with the List comes the overwhelming grey heaviness that surrounds it. The 'oh-no's', the 'what-if's', the 'how much's' are what make life hard right now. We just pray and pray that God will bring wisdom and patience and joy. Joy seems to be hard to hold onto when you are in a nomadic mind. All of a sudden you don't belong where you are and you can't get to where you need to be. And in between is confusion and lonliness.

We had a sweet visit with Joel's family on the way back from vacation. My parents swung by after flying in from NJ on Monday and bought us a yummy Mexican dinner. Thursday and Friday I had the pleasure of the greatest bunch of company. Cat, Jen and Erin came to remind me that I am still part of club. Still part of a sister-hood. That I might feel lonely, but I'm not alone. I wish it was more than once a year. But I have a feeling there will be more reunions.

I was hoping to get into this artist market in Inman Park. We drove around looking for it. It was supposed to be next to a Jake's Ice Cream, but everything around that address looked half finished, and absolutely no sign of an artist's festival. I'm glad I didn't try to get down there for set up at 9am! There was a sign though, so maybe I'll email the dudes from Jakes again and see if they're for real, again.

My children are such a blessing. I just wanted to write that down for all to read. They are beautiful, fun, they make me laugh and cry. They love me too. These years when they are so young and need me so much, they are something that I believe I will miss. At the same time, I look forward to seeing them grow up and need me less so I can do things like go back to Europe with Joel, without the kids. They make me proud and I am so grateful that I have them.

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August 8, 2006

Freezing Pods

Props to Cat. I didn't realize how much this would look like her Freezing tree until I put the third layer on last night. Thus the name must be Freezing Pods

What I did over vacation (while watching Entourage!)

I gotta a couple more pairs that are WIP.

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August 6, 2006

Sand and Freckles

We arrived in Atlanta yesterday afternoon and spent some time with Joel's aunt and cousin and of course Oma and Papa. We arrived home with both kids completely exhausted around 10pm. We had a good time and enjoyed the surprise arrival of Laura and Kaden for the final 2 days. It's hard coming down off vacation. So much to think about and do at home. I don't know where the energy will come from, but it's gotta come. Just not today.

This upcoming week we have my 3 greatest friends visiting for hijinks of sorts. Before that AVA is having a thing on Tuesday night. I'm severely tempted to go but that's just plain ridiculous. We still have some small battles to over come with our house. Those of you that pray with faith and regularity here are the specific battle zones: The screened porch, that we would find an affordable handyman to do it. The faucets. We have 2 really leaky ones and the kitchen one is causing cabinet problems. The holes in our ceilings. Joel has patched them, but one continues to show water problems, again, the affordable handyman is needed. The garage ceiling. We don't know what to do, but we may rip the MOTHER SCRATCHER DOWN! These things must be done before we even get the house on the market. We appreciate your prayers as we plod through the home stretch of home repair. It is very easy to get discouraged.

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August 2, 2006

Back to the Film

I got two rolls of film back from the 1 hour today as I strolled around a Mall. Yes, a beach mall. It had no Starbucks, but the Piggly Wiggly did. It was nice to see some beautiful pictures from Santa Barbara as well. Josiah saw those pics and said "It was cold!" It was, unlike here.

I'd like to thank the little blogworld I'm part of for the props. Thanks to Gypsy for her entire post dedicated to some of her favorite kwk's in the midst of her culture shock. Thanks to Kirk, the employee of NCF St Louis, for using my latest piece. And thanks to the Cubicle Reverand for finding me and posting his thoughts on my work. Thanks everyone, I love the free publicity anyone out there feel free to write me and ask if you want to post work. Of course, Gypsy and Kirk you're family and patrons, no need.

family | By | 5:13 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack

August 1, 2006

Slow Motion

Ryan Adams show at the Tabernacle
We're soaking up sun and chlorine in Hilton Head. We usually leave for HH on Saturday, but instead we stayed and hired a sitter and went to a concert. It was quite enjoyable although our ears were ringing more than we'd like. Too much treble, yikes! Amy and Josh came from their grunt jobs at Cov and cat came an joined us as well. We luckily sold the last three tickets thanks to craigslist. What was life like before craigslist?? It was also cool to get together with Chris and Ann Ammons after the show. Our poor sitter stayed until 3am. Is that a major no-no? I mean, we called her before we went out for drinks, and we totally made it worth her while.

Unfortunately for our beach trip, I dropped my camera on the floor of the ladies room at the concert. It's flashing E18. We do have a warranty with Office Depot, but I did drop it. We'll see. Joel seems to think that these places don't care and they'll just give me a new camera. It is an older model. I'll be ecstatic if that happens! If not, I'm saving up for a Nikon D50. It's not like I need a lot more pictures of Hilton Head. The scenery does not change. And Josiah doesn't look that different from last year, except he's mastered the arm swimmies. Yes! I can take the 17 dollar life vest back! I'm enjoying trying my creative hand with my Pentax k1000. It's a tank and it takes great pics, even with the light meter broken. There's something beautiful about film.

mommy time | By | 1:20 PM | Comments (3) | TrackBack