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November 28, 2006

SPT Glam #4

This is the last week of Self Portrait Challenge Glam Month. It's been a fun challenge. I haven't had nearly as much success as Joy has. I love her photo shoots, I guess it helps to have a photoblogging husband that takes great shots! It's hard to be glamorus when you have to take the pics yourself. These are my "Lady sings the Blues" glam shots. Not that I am blue, I'm doing alright. There are so many things to think about, and the biggest conflict I have is the part-time job. I want it to be perfect. I don't want to put anyone out, and I don't want to be away from my kids too much. Joel thinks I'm crazy sometimes, well, most of the time. This has been something he doesn't get about me since day one. I want my job to be something that is applicable to my talents and he just wants to see the money. I have an opp to work for the book company I used to work for starting Thursday but the amount I will get paid is not quite the fundage I need for the drive it will be. I will give it a try though. And in exchange for watching little Lu, my two will have great company for two days a week. Even though we are moving gradually, I feel like it is an immediate process. Immeditely get jobs, immediately find activities for the kids, immediately unpack, help clean and cook, change phone numbers (email me if you need it BTW). There will be lots of opportunities to do things, more so than in Marietta.

If there are any blues for me its just been my body deciding to take sick leave when I need it to work. I've been wanting to dig back into two paintings that I've begun and my back has not been well. I am still walking, sleeping fine etc. I just need to stretch, rest and start some kinda exercize. Which if Cat had her way it would be walking with each other every evening, I'm sure. That wouldn't be so bad at all.

Self Portrait Tuesday | By | 4:13 PM | TrackBack

November 25, 2006

Movement

I've been emotionally in limbo here at the Parentals. Trying to shake off the restlessness and think 'new life', 'new dwelling', and wobbling between roles. And with these thoughts are annoying physical symptoms that make me distract me from doing anything truly relaxing. Could I have carpal tunnel from blogging since Feb of 04? Whatever, maybe it'll just go away.

We brought so much stuff up here it makes me wonder what we will employ a moving company for? Nah, we got a million boxes in our garage for them. And my couches, I miss my couches. Mom fixed up my old apartment in the basement of there 1906 travel lodge home to be a little living space/studio area for our family. That will be very nice, if I can shake off this weirdness and get back my motivation.

I know that I will shake this off. I know I will feel better and fall into a role where I will feel less like a moocher and more like a helper. Where I will have a job and help out friends. Where I will attend functions and play with my kids at playgrounds that become familiar. Right now, I'm a blob. Right now I am decompressing and trying to wrap my head around life here and not just vacation. I know tommorrow is only Sunday, but I want to start real life real soon.

the spirit within | By | 11:27 PM | Comments (6) | TrackBack

November 23, 2006

Stand in the Place where you are

As I drove a Previa full of stuff (everything but my toiletries-UGH) up to Chattanooga today Dave FM played this very familiar blast from the past for me. It has new meaning when you're frazzled and moving, only half way, back to your parents house. Stand in the place where you live. Yep, and eat some more sweet potatoes. Happy Thanksgiving y'all!!
I love this video, its the whimsical, low budget R.E.M. I love and worshipped as a teen-ager.

family | By | 6:14 PM | TrackBack

November 21, 2006

The Last Visit

Here's Eden enjoying the moving sidewalk at the GA Aquarium. She think she's such a big girl truckin' through the crowds.

looking through the pirahna bubble.

say bye to the whale sharks for us!

bye Deepo its been real...

This will probably be our last trip to the aquarium here in Atlanta unless family goes sometime in the future. Its Ok by me, I wouldn't recommend a membership. We'll enjoy our CDM pass alot, I have a feelin'.

family | By | 10:06 AM | TrackBack

November 19, 2006

What! You missed my Show?

This is an awesome shot isn't it? You guys missed the memo about my show at the High Museum? Well, someday. Not this painting though. This painting, 'Darren's V-neck' was destroyed in a house fire. But I have have a nice slide of it and cards and I'm over it. Glad that my friends are alive to tell about it all. That was years back. That painting wasn't nearly this big either. So here's to tales of the future and what/ where my artwork will be. I'm trying to pysche myself to put more paint down. I started my first adoption piece and another little bunny painting. Man, I'm so pumped about rabbits!! Maybe it'll be my new affordable art series.
I made the long haul yesterday to Rome, picked up my work. My pods (all seven of them) Good Morning and Reception 3 went to Dalton Creative Arts Guild's Small Works Show which starts Dec 1st. I hope all pods sell! The rest of my work came back to Marietta with me, Juden will come up with me to Chattanooga to hang on its desired wall.
So after 3 days of long mommy shifts I gave Joel all day Daddy duty. Felt nice to have so much time by myself. When I'm alone that long, driving in a car in the middle of Bumble GA my fears start to come back. Stress does that to me. I have to keep my mind focused on my goal and on the Kingdom. Cuz even my physical body is not top priority. I am reminded how blessed I am when I look at my kids and how healthy they are and I hear Roseanne tell her stories of tumor removal and nerve damage and broken bones and I realize that God has been very very good to me. At 1:30am I was in bed reading Hebrews 11-13. I love reading about all those guys. It's like a summary of all the nutty things God has asked people to do. My favorite verse is about Abraham. I've been identifying with Abraham for years now.
My favorite verse is Hebrews 11:10: For he was looking forward to the city whose builder and architecht was God
Makes me think about where we will live and how God will provide what we need exactly when we need it.

fine art | By | 9:55 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack

November 18, 2006

Fun*

These past few days have been long and hard as Joel is interviewing someone for his position. Joel has been hired by BC/BS of TN and will start his training the Monday after Thanksgiving. We're going to drag ourselves up to Chattanooga and live with Mom and Dad Ward until our house is finished being built. So I've been going through another 'deer in headlights' moment where I kinda do little things to get kinda ready but avoid doing the really big packing. But I gotta say, we dont have to do a lot at once, and this might be a blessing in disguise. See, NO ONE has come to see our house and our real estate agent is sending us the Market is Horrible and You are Doomed letters that make you want to sell your house for a hundred bucks. But it is better in our minds to leave our house on the market at the same price (154,9) while we live with Mom and Dad and then think about dropping the price closer to the peak season of Spring. Mom and Dad already have 2 generations worth of stuff in their 1906 former travel lodge house, they dont need 3. We will leave our furniture in Marietta for brief weekend stays to shop at all the stores Chattanooga doesn't have, rake leaves, sweep up dead bugs, and Joel will train his replacement.

My days have felt kinda long, and my kids show their desire to have Papa-time. My daughter, the sweet red-headed peanut girl who is so coy and shy and precious has been testing me every evening this week. Eden has been showing me that she wants what she wants with a long clinging screech and goes on a hunger strike in further protest. Oh, my girl. She was tossing one crayon at a time on the floor until the whole box was empty. Oh, my girl. She wanted playdough, I gave it to her, she ate it. Playdough gets put away and screeching ensues. I give her a second chance, playdough goes in mouth, playdough gets put away. More screeching. But when I get her into the bath tub and she repeatedly takes a cup and fills my belly button up with bubbles that's when all is forgiven and my sweet pea returns to me.

I go to Shorter College tommorow to pick up my artwork and then transport a few of them to Dalton for their Small Works Show. I hope I can rid my collection of all PODS! Also I have put Good Morning in my Etsy shop if anyone is interested. It'll be nice after 3 days of long days with the kids to leave them with their Papa and come home to a happy reunion with my little reds. And a nice evening with our #1 all-star babysitter and buddy Roseanne.

*Birthday Bounce House from party today

mommy time | By | 12:14 AM | Comments (3) | TrackBack

November 15, 2006

SPT Glam #2

Remember those Oil of Olay commercials back in the day that would show some totally non-wrinkly woman applying this anti-aging creme in the most sophisticated of ways and the creme was applied in a totally opaque swab-blob and in a graceful movement it was transparent against her olivey skin? no? I do. It made me want to wear make-up that very instant!!

The one luxurious thing I have for myself every day are the beautiful products I now have to put on my body! This birthday, my 30th, I was showered with Burts Bees. I now have the Wild Lettuce Toner, Milk and Honey body Lotion, Shea Butter Hand Creme, Carrot Complexion Soap and all the tid bits from a head to toe package. But the best I think is the Radiance Creme with Royal Jelly. Man, that stuff is like putting whipped marshmallow fluff on your face and it truly makes it glow right after!!

So this is me being glamourus applying my Radiance Creme and looking radiant. And don't all those commercials have the woman with with her perfect hair or wrapped up tightly and perfectly in a towel? Well, I set it up and snapped a few then I set it free!

Self Portrait Tuesday | By | 9:09 PM | Comments (3) | TrackBack

Chattaboogie

you said it Lang. Brought to you by Andy (aka Dice) Montgomery.

| By | 4:33 PM | TrackBack

November 13, 2006

A Taste of a New City

After a buncha planning and conversations. After balancing on the line between visiting and living with my folks. After the goods and maybes out weigh the bads. We're back in Marietta for the last couple weeks of suburban living. Our plan, for this weekend, is that we'll be up in Chattanooga for Thanksgiving and we'll stay. Joel is still waiting on Blue Cross-Blue Shield to tell him for sure that he's hired. We met with Live Urban real estate agent Caroline to sign papers and start the process of purchasing our new home. I hope by March we'll be in. I picked out the exterior colors and I get first dibs. We're the first signers on the block therefore everyone else's colors will fall into line with MY choice. Moo-hahaha the Power!! Sage with off white trim and a black paned door.


We used my birthday present of a CDM membership and had a ball with the kids. The giant guitar was a hot spot. Definately could burn some hours there. My favorite part was the mini-theatre complete with moving backdrop and stage lighting. Speaking of stage, we saw The Potting Shed at Covenant to see Joel's sis Amy act a little bit, but mostly to check out her wicked make-up!! Nice play, very thought provoking. And the cast was excellent. Good job dudes.

Went to NCF for the small art show they had there and got to take some shots of some art that New City has in there possesion. Doreen Kellogg banners and two posters designed by Cat that I never really saw finished. But probably what was best was seeing Garrett Nabors who I haven't seen in years. He looks very happy and should be, a good woman finally found him.

One thing I don't think I will ever get used to is running into so many people I know. I am shy about it. I want to run in the other direction. I saw my former boss' daughter at church. I would have gone to see how she was but she left early, she looked happy and was pregnant. We were having lunch with Bucky from NRV and I swear, I swear I saw Chad Hardeman. I felt 15 again. Seeing this class of '93er who looked exactly...the... same...paralyzed me and I jetted across the opposite side of the street unwilling to face the fact that this is my future in Chattanooga. It's wierd and I need to embrace it but today I tried to not notice. Yeah I'm a chicken but I'm happy, a little anxious, and pooped!!

the spirit within | By | 11:18 PM | Comments (3) | TrackBack

November 8, 2006

SPT Glam #1

This month's Self Portrait Challenge I can get into. Even though I don't feel like the most glamorous person. I don't wear my hair all polished, I don't wear heels, I don't wear lipstick and I can't really make it through classic movies. I know some folks are all into Audry Hepburn, eh, not really me. Ella Fitzgerald though, have a listen (thx for the tip J-nette) But even though I don't need mascara really, I wear it every day. Submit mascara laden dark lashes under the macro and juice it up in Photoshop and there you have my glamour.

I know, my dear readers that you don't sign up for this, but I have to share a bit. This past week and a half I've been feeling really cruddy. I haven't wanted to talk about it that much because honestly I started to get worried. Worried that I was pregnant. I have been careful and I am that kinda woman that birth control works for. So feeling nauseous all day long and moody, falling asleep at 8:30. These things happened and I was waiting, waiting for the gumption to get a test. Last night even Joel was convinced. We talked quietly about how it would still be wonderful. So many of you all, my readers, have experienced unplanned pregnancies, and they seem so wonderful but at the moment of realization wasn't it terrifying? Wasn't it something you wanted to change just for a moment? I was groaning through my emotions thinking about going through it again. My biggest sadness was that I wanted so much to spend more time with Eden. I want her to be my baby a little while longer. She isn't weaned, she loves to snuggle, she's my baby girl and I want to have a little time when Josiah is in school so it can be just me and her. This morning at 5:30am Eden woke up and I realized that I wasn't pregnant. I was so thankful. I love my children. I would like to have one more, but God is good. He decided that my wants were Ok today. I am a bit troubled that I felt so bad. It was like a week and a half of PMS. It's annoying and I don't want to deal with this every month. I have definately decided that I need to start charting again. And that means replacing my basal thermometer battery. It's beepin' kinda worbelly. Did I keep ya on the edge of your seat? Just a little bit?


Glad I have just two.

Self Portrait Tuesday | By | 5:54 PM | Comments (4) | TrackBack

November 7, 2006

Happiness

This video is a little over a year old, and since I have mastered YouTube I am trying to upload some of my faves. Enjoy a little Grandpa vs grandson magic.

mommy time | By | 11:47 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack

Blog Fodder is Goooood

What have you done: mine are in bold....

01. Bought everyone in the bar a drink
02. Swam with wild dolphins
03. Climbed a mountain
04. Taken a Ferrari for a test drive
05. Been inside the Great Pyramid
06. Held a tarantula
07. Taken a candlelit bath with someone
08. Said “I love you” and meant it
09. Hugged a tree
10. Bungee jumped
11. Visited Paris
12. Watched a lightning storm at sea
13. Stayed up all night long and saw the sun rise
14. Seen the Northern Lights
15. Gone to a huge sports game (and survived the crush afterwards)
16. Walked the stairs to the top of the leaning Tower of Pisa
17. Grown and eaten your own vegetables
18. Touched an iceberg
19. Slept under the stars
20. Changed a baby’s diaper
21. Taken a trip in a hot air balloon
22. Watched a meteor shower

Continue reading "Blog Fodder is Goooood"

community | By | 9:20 AM | TrackBack

November 5, 2006

Our House

This is the lot we want to buy in the Jefferson Heights neighborhood in Chattanooga. There will one day be a 3 bed/2.5 bath house on this spot and we will live in it. Across the street is a well loved playground. Nothing to write home about, but it's safe and fuctional. There is a large field and a pavillion with 3 picnic tables. While we were there we met a neighbor of ours. He and his wife live down on 16th street and have been here for 2 years. He was walking a beautiful dog named Charlie.

It was a really good sign to see someone walking around and it was someone who also saw the potential in the neighborhood. He filled us in on more info about the neighborhood.


The two 2bed/bath homes next door to our lot

We walked from our 'house' to the Choo-Choo and talked about all the development that will happen there. There will be new sidewalks and sculptures up and down Main Street. The Union Mission and Flat Iron Building are being renovated and ownership is changing. Niedlov's and Mojo Burrito will have places on or close to Main. It took us 20 minutes to walk to the Choo-Choo and it would be cool to take the Shuttle other places with the kids. We peeked inside Battle Elementary and told Josiah that it will be his school. And it would be so easy to walk to Cat's place from our little home.

Nice little jaunt this afternoon, we will hope that this house gets built sooner than expected. God can do anything. And we'll expect no less! Ok, now we're off to North River Vineyard!

house | By | 4:56 PM | Comments (4) | TrackBack

November 2, 2006

To Save the Day

Here the Super Hero in action. Promise Eden was not hurt, but funny how the Mom trigger finger pops into action when a large (although fluffy) object is flailed towards the head of a a little one.

We have a little breather. Sorta. The folks that want to see our house are not coming until tommorrow. But it doesn't mean I won't leave the house looking good. Around 4 last night Josiah came knocking and said those words you just LOVE to hear in the middle of the night, "Mama, I barfed". Now I know my son pretty well. He has a very good gag reflex and I'd been hearing him cough for about a half hour before he finally revealed the conclusion to this coughing. He emptied his stomach alright. But I asked him, "Did you tummy hurt? Or did you cough and then barfed" He said he coughed. I believe him actually. When the boy very upset will not chew and swallow all his food he will gag and spew everything he just got down. Ugh. None of us have been feeling really hot. Joel of course is the most resilient. Eden has had no appetite. I have been feeling pretty twisted inside, I'm hoping its just PMS. I know you guys are glad I'm sharing all this. I'm trying to figure out if we should have a sitter today or if I should go to Rome by myself. I'll see how this morning goes.

It's amazing what a good cry will do. After my Dad sent me a new Sara Groves CD I've been like on the brink of tears every moment. And as I crawl into bed and pray with Joel about all the things that are upon us (good and bad) I cry. Because I need to. Because sometimes a good cry to God keeps you from yelling at your husband and your children. It keeps road rage down. It helps balance the pressure in your head. I'm Pro-Weep. I think everybody needs a good cry, and whether its good or bad things you're crying about it is an action that God created and it has healthy benefits. So listen to your favorite music, watch your favorite tear-jerker, snuggle with your loved ones and have a happy cry.

the spirit within | By | 1:18 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack

November 1, 2006

Tricks and Treats

Here's our library crew! All decked out in their Halloween goodness! From left to right: Josiah (the Superhero of Rock), Sierra (woodnymph), Eden (Fairy, princess, ballerina-terrifica), Carlie (Pochahontas), Evelyn (Uhhhh I think she's a pumpkin, maybe). So glad that storytime day was also Halloween!

I have been wanting to post our joyful Halloween pictures all day but I have to clean my house. Because the first people ever to come see the house are coming tommorow between 1 and 4! This may be the beginning of a trail of viewers, or the beginning of a contract deal! Who knows. I am trying to be realistic but also I am trying to remember that God WILL sell our house and we have no idea how or when. God does want us to be in Chattanooga, but as I've always said, until then I will enjoy Atlanta.

We made the trek to Decatur to check out the smokin' hot spots that Ward talks about so much. We met up with the whole Jenkins fam and cruised the Halloween strip full of ghouls and goblins. A little over the top for my taste. I think the creepy ghostly death thing isn't fun to celebrate with. The dressing up, pretending, carving pumpkins and eating yummy things that is worth celebrating. We had tons of fun with the Jenkins, although it was brief. Checking out the dry ice and the skeletons that move when ya clap, that's pretty fun. Josiah had a blast but couldn't get it through to him that you don't really open the candy until you're done and then you examine the Booty!

Tommorrow will be complicated. I thought I would just take the kids to the playground or something and then Rosanne (our super-sitter) will come at 3:30 while Joel and I drive to Rome for the opening at Shorter. Now I have to have the house clean and empty from 1 to 4 pm. Maybe we can make it to the High, have our lunch and see the Louvre exhibit. Hopefully they will be happy kids to whole time. We'll make it back up to meet Rosanne at 3:30 leaving just a half hour to wonder if folks will come. Then, on then road to Rome. I still have yet to write notes for a mini-speech. But even if I fumble through, I have a feeling the message will get through.

family | By | 5:49 PM | Comments (5) | TrackBack