August 4, 2008

Too Many Hats

I was talking to my good friend Jenny English at church last night. Or I should say talking at Jenny. I feel dumb going over my business and woes with Jenny seeing as she's a mother of 6 and she homeschool's them all and maintains much property in the woods of North GA and I'm sure that just scratches the surface. But I had a moment where I just said,"I'm wearing too many hats these days!" We had a good giggle. I'm an expecting mother, a current mother, an art teacher, a newbie parent for kindergarden, a semi-pro artist, a daughter and granddaughter, and a homemaker. And I just got back from vacation, where all I did was sit on my pregnant backside either watching Law and Order re-runs (I LOVE IT) or sitting on the beach getting freckled, or sitting in the pool with this bathing beauty. Isn't she a vision in her purple mask?

I was supposed to be getting my ultrasound this morning to find out the gender of my new one but the tech couldn't come in. UGH! We've already put this off once! I hope she's on vacation or dog sick cuz any other reason I'd be a bit more pissed. Thankfully 1:30 I'll get my wish. I'm kinda dying of anticipation.

I called Vital Records in GA this morning and got someone on the phone! Amazing. They told me that Josiah's birth certificate was on it's way as of Thursday. So call me lazy that I waited until Kindergarden registration to get my son's birth certificate, but yeah, I'm biting my nails. Registration is Wednesday morning, and I'm not looking forward to it, I hope I don't cry.

Our Clothesline has a meeting tonight and I need to contact my peeps to cover the tasks we need done. I hope that not only are we talented artists, but we can make wonderful spreadsheets! The cards came in, and it's a nice card. I used GIMP instead of Photoshop so I feel I suffered through it, but GIMP is free so what can I say!

My mom and dad are vacationing this week in good old fashioned Ward style: the working vacation. They're going to hit some part of Maryland and the Jersey Shore. I'm glad they're getting a break, but that means I have to check on their demon spawn cat and make sure it's not starving, and do my grandmother's laundry. I am glad they vacation ever so often so I have no excuses not to visit my grandma. She's a wonderful woman, and she's the reason I have two red heads!

I'm finally making art. I finished my screen porch piece and put a very subtle circle/orb in it. I'm working on an image of the Whiteside church off of Washington St and I did a pretty adequate drawing on my vacation of one of the homes here in J Heights. It's really hard to get those angles right. I pray that God will just help my brain and hands learn to technically draw better each time.

And then I have to order art supplies for school. Can I put that off just a little bit longer? I'll leave that hat lying on the bed for another week.

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July 20, 2008

Posing at Antiques Roadshow

My friend Skip Gienapp was working Antiques Roadshow here in Chattanooga this weekend. I'm kinda a lurking fan of this show, mostly because my mom is an insane history-novelty buff. Kinda fun that Skip got his picture with the host Mark Walberg. I can't wait to hear when the show airs! I wonder what kinda Civil War and Coca Cola crap shows up! Now I'm curious as well if Skip will be working when American Idol comes to town....

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July 13, 2008

Clothesline Ladies

I'm playing around with the free program GIMP. Since I cannot afford a Photoshop option these days. I'm hoping I can just fudge everything I need to do with this free program. I do like this nifty filter. Now if I can just pull myself up from all the somewhat difficult discussion we had with our Board yesterday. It might just be that I was tired and hungry, but I felt a bit weary and heart sick. I won't give up my role or my tasks, but the debate and discussion just loses my attention. I feel that God is stretching us all as believers, artists, and friends. I did not come home from the meeting with any anger, for that I am thankful, but my emotions were raw. It was not one subject, but many, they are all important and God's grace has showered on all of us. These shows would not succeed without His loving care on all of our lives and our efforts. I believe our Clothesline Show is an important ministry to the community. I have been feeling this importance for several weeks now, maybe that's why the stresses of yesterday discouraged me. But God does not tell us that transition and growth will not be hard. I think I love control, and I have to give that up to my fellow artists, and to Him who gave us the gifts to begin with.

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July 7, 2008

In the Bag

I've been wanting to kick back and write and feel eloquent and relaxed but it just hasn't happened. We spent our 4th weekend sick with some kinda icky cold. Eden and I are still coughing a little. But we were able to squeeze in a lunch with the grandparents (I pray they don't get sick) a splash at the Aquarium and we zipped home before fireworks. Too crazy down there to be fun. We made a trip to the CDM and marched with Clifford, Josiah got to stomp on bubble wrap fireworks. Yesterday we went up to see the 'flying men' at the Hang Gliding Park on Lookout. The kids loved it. Josiah was about to hi-jack a glider and get off the mountain a whole new way.
This week my brother and his lovely family are in town. The crazy part is, I have to complete THREE pieces of art before Saturday. And as always I have multiple little fires to put out. Joel has to work over-time so we can't even squeeze in our ultrasound. UGH. I wanna find out boy or girl! It's making me nuts! I pray God gives me supernatural energy to complete at least my Fortune piece and two small bitties for Clothesline, cuz dudes I'm wiped. And Joel thinks I'm nuts for trying to do it all. Maybe I am, but I am not a needy person and I want to meet my deadlines. Until I'm dead I guess.

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June 26, 2008

Metro Tutorial on Whip Up!

They asked for submissions, so I gave them mine! My Metro tutorial for the painting Oslo is on Whip Up now. I know it's not crochet, but it's a technique and I hope someone likes it!

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June 23, 2008

Hey Psst!

I'm just here to catch up. Really the summer's been plodding right along with little pockets of joy here and there. I still feel a big weight about this summer, but I am not dwelling on it, we still are ourselves no matter what changes. And I desperately want to feel sand in between my toes and spend an hour or more in a large chlorinated space with my kids giving little "hooray" jumps and splashes over and over. I do think I am getting away this weekend though. Because of Joel's reoccuring hunger to not be "charismatic light" but to go all the way. I guess that goes for me too. I feel like a honeymoon period has ended. New friends become real, new experiences become hard work, and questions pop up that you don't want the answer too. The place inside of me that grows is that place that wants to feel God building me up. I know I don't have to run and find Him, but sometimes (and I think many do not even try) you have to take a chance and get out of your space and go somewhere. Whether it be a weekend alone with your spouse, a long drive with the windows down in the country, a long cry that comes from almost nowhere but everywhere at the same time, or it could be to go to Lakeland Florida and see what all the hub-bub is about. And that's my version of Bobby's Last Thoughts. Abbreviated like.
I have been battling some tell tale pregnancy demons. Headaches for one. They aren't always bad, but they are annoying and they don't really go away. I'm irritable. My volume level goes up quicker than it should, and little things that I could handle pretty easily will just send me retreating into a place of denial or send me on a rampage to straighten out every last frustrating tid-bit. My little darlings will have to forgive me every day for something I feel I went overboard on. Thankfully they forgive so well, with big hugs and kisses and 'I love yous'.
With a little less than 3 weeks to complete 3 pieces of art I am hoisting myself up and in front of my easel again. I am hoping to capture a very interesting Tokyo at night piece. I'm not straying too far from my Metros right now, because I've gotten good feedback and I want to perfect certain things. So I have a long skinny black panel waiting to be painted on and I think I'm ready to start plotting out the composition.
I hope a weekend in Lakeland will bring some good stories and inspiration, I look forward to being out of these four walls.
Headache and all, I watched Be Kind, Rewind last night. What a charming movie! If you loved what High Fidelity tried to do for Jack Black you'll love this one because it's got a better plot and better characters (and less gratuitous language). And I love Mos Def, I think he's one of the best looking men around. It just had those fun laughs that you love to have, and it's heart warming. Check it out!

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May 29, 2008

I should not be on the road

Maybe I am a really bad driver. Maybe I should just let Joel drive everywhere. Maybe be a Stay-At-Home-Mom that stays at home is a good idea. Because I had a car accident last month that totaled my beloved Prev. Today, sheesh, I didn't have an accident. I cut someone off. Totally on accident and I checked my mirrors and everything. It was just one of those "Oh, crap! My blind spot!" moments. Am I alone in this experience? Do the rest of you guys not have these accidental highway no-no's? Well, the person I cut off obviously was not happy with me and was not just going to give me the finger and drive away. They got in front of me and slowed down to 40mph. Whatever, I know, if that makes you feel better, go ahead. Then I got off at the wrong exit because I was flustered and not thinking. They cut over too and drove very slowly down the off ramp. Then, they stopped. Dead stopped in the middle of the off ramp! Cars went whizzing by their little Nissan Sentra. I sat in the car going, "No! This is not a good idea!" I know I was wrong, and I did cut them off. I really didn't mean to! They got out and confronted me. I rolled my window down a half inch. I locked my doors. Many F-bombs were dropped by the people I had wronged. The grandma in the sweater vest was particularly strange using that colorful language. I wasn't even thinking about what I had done to them because we were in jeopardy of getting smooshed by the eleven hundred other folks getting off the highway! "I know! I'm very sorry! I didn't mean to! But please! We have to move our cars! This is not smart AT ALL!" I abandoned all sense of actually feeling bad for these people because obviously their anger had completely overcome their sense of reason. When the dude went back to his car (I think he realized that the next shiny white Caddy could take off the doors that he had left open. Both sides, were open. Yeah.) The grandma said that I shouldn't be on the road. Maybe she's right. I remember that last time I was pregnant I came face to face with road rage for the first time. Then she said she was going to get my plates. That's when I left. I'm not sticking around for that. I'm sure the police are going to be glad to know that you blocked one of the busiest exits in East Brainerd to chew out a fellow driver. The funny thing is, our bike rack is a permanent installment on the back of our car. We have no where else to put it and we use it at least twice a week. You can't read the numbers with that rack on! Especially when the car isn't sticking around!
But it was a moment that I was not proud of. I was very bothered when I realized I cut them off. And the circumstances that they chose to confront me just made me distracted from my wrong doing. It makes me think that it's not easier to drive places to be entertained. And it makes me realize that I am powerless against my wrongs. Waiting on someone else's forgiveness is painful and humbling. It makes me realize that some people cannot handle anger, or being wronged. They can only react in one way. I hope that I remember to react in a way that reflects Jesus. I don't think I did that today, I wasn't sensitive but I wasn't insulting. I said I was sorry a buncha times. But I did not make those people my focus. And they should have been my focus.
I had to calm Josiah down, he was all worked up over the experience. I had to explain why the man was so mad. I had to find a place to pull over and talk to the kids and keep my hands from shaking.
A lot of hub-bub for something that I can't change.

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May 27, 2008

I want to go somewhere else

I am so wanting to go somewhere. I shouldn't, gas is insanely expensive. But I want to just be somewhere, not in my house. I don't want to stare at my unvacuumed carpet, my asymetrical bushes and the need for mulch underneath, the chalked up front porch and the footprints that lead inside, and my horribly crazy office! I just want to escape. Self medicate with eating out, buying fancy groceries and finding great deals. It would help if I got to go somewhere beautiful too. I have 62 days before the beach. Before the beach I have a week that I will be widowed to the Ragbrai across Iowa bike trip. After the beach I will have to hit the ground running getting school ready for me and for my kindergartener.

I need a trip now. Just a couple days. So when I get back I will WANT to vacuum, and organize my closets. I need to want to make a new piece of art for Art.a.ma.jig. I slowly am gaining some energy, spending yesterday at the pool was very very nice (thanks Greens). Maybe I just need to spend time that encapsulates the relaxing beauty that is right around me. And a trip to the ATL.

Go to the High
Go to Trader Joe's
Go to the A-Z Thrift Store
Go to Value Villiage
Go to Zyka
Go to IKEA
Go to a Hawks game- I know basketball season is over, but it's still something I miss.
Ride the Silver Comet Trail
Go to YDFM
Go to Laurel Park

I don't miss much, but sometimes those options are hard to not have anymore.

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May 19, 2008

Toyota Previa: Best Machine Ever Built

I was weeping with laughter while watching this video. Just to warn you, there's some rough language in the first 3 seconds, after that it's smooth sailing. And I do mean smooth. Bow to the Previa, you know you want to.

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March 24, 2008

Great Carnage

This is me procrastinating. I need to be cleaning, starting dinner, finishing grant stuff. Which, by the way, I'm feeling more confident about because I got one letter of Rec today and one is on the way. Woo-hooo! Now, the ball is pretty much in my court. But I still need to do my budget (ugh that budget)and edit my essay. Oh, and I need to get better images of two of my pieces. Maybe Amber and Mark can help me out with that? Oh, you owners of a nicer camera than mine? I need to make that images CD.
But we have a large Earth-Mover-o-Saurus behind our house that is always a quick form of entertainment. Especially this past Friday when it took down the tree. *CRACK* went each limb!! I was letting out a "Whoah!" and a "Holy Cow!" everytime that mechanical creature took a chomp out of it. I think I had more fun than the kids. They are leveling the ground back there for Avenue 3. Should be fancy, expensive and a pain for me to get out of my driveway easily. It was a nice empty lot for this, our first year in Jeff Heights.

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February 21, 2008

Yeah Baby!

For an actual visual of what's happening see Amber's post on her family's wonderful enjoyment of 'red-neck sledding'. The audio is totally worth hitting the play button. You won't be disappointed.

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February 17, 2008

I am a Gen X'er

Oh my my my. I am such a Gen X'er today. When I am by myself quietly working on art I take a secret jouney back. ABC helps me with this. They have been putting up a new episode of My So Called Life online each week and I look forward to watching each new slice of time. I can't say my life was exactly like Angela's, but man, it's eery sometimes. I had a Jordan Catalano in my life and sometimes, whew, it's like reading my diary. The clothes, the music, the hairdo's, the awkwardness. I love this show. I did when it came out and I still do. I guess it'll go on a wishlist sometime.

How many other X'ers can relate to this. How many of you had a Jordan Catalano? How many of you can guess who mine is? No don't answer that, seriously. I love John Hughes films but I was a little kid when those teen-agers were around. MSCL is my memory.

I guess I've been thinking alot about "memory" and "the familiar" as I work toward a new body of artwork. Fuel for the fire,eh?

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January 18, 2008

Accomplishment

I tried to think of a list that was a little more thought provoking for Thursday. It was harder than I thought. I think mostly it's because I"ve discussed alot of my feelings about the New Year and other issues that have been close to my heart recently. But yesterday did involve tasks that touch on those issues. So I'll just wing it and see what happens. Sorry this list is arriving late, but as I said these tasks are ongoing and not necessarily achievable by the end of a day.
Thursday's List:
1. Visit my grandmother: this as been a long time coming. I wanted to visit her over Christmas but she was having health problems right after Christmas and I couldn't see her with the kids. I am trying to work on my patience and compassion levels. I've been feeling a bit callous and I need to get outside of myself and be a bit more like Jesus. So visiting my grandma is an easy first step that I'd like to make a more regular scheduled thing.
2. Call Amber so all the boys can play: As soon as the snow started to fall and I saw that Hamilton Co. schools were out I made a mental note--call Amber tommorow. Mamas need some solidarity. It can be the only thing that keeps us sane.
3. Pray for leaders:Sometimes this seems futile, but I believe that prayer works. From the presidential elections to my church leaders to my husband, all these guys need prayer. I especially prayed for Joel's future, and NRV's leadership.
4. Reflecting on the importance of the spiritual in the everyday: I have been thinking of how I can effect the world and the Kingdom of God. I have been thinking of epidemics that surround my generation and even my friends. I have been thinking of the importance of being a good wife and working on a strong marriage and united household. And not to repeat myself too much, but discipline. Discipline in my health, my parenting, my artistic pursuits, my educational responsibilities, the list goes on. Discipline in my physical life parallels with the spiritual disciplines which we will be discussing at church for awhile.

This weekend will work on my patience as we drive down to Atlanta to visit with family. Giving over my self serving agenda and just dedicating time to visit and catch up. I would love to get measurements down and go to IKEA while we're down there and buy shelves!! Money is really tight right now. Measuring and planning would just be torture. Playing cool board games with the fam is much cheaper.

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January 17, 2008

snow night in jefferson heights

Jan 16 2008 around 9pm. We enjoyed the thick of the snow. Needless to say I didn't walk this morning. I hate wet feet.

It was very magical to be out with the kids after bedtime and getting wet and cold. It was tough finding the setting on my little camera to get the right shots, but I'm glad a figured it out. B&W seemed best, the orange streetlights with snow just isn't as pretty. I'm so glad we took them out because they would have melted down (no pun intended) if they didn't have a chance to play in it. Sometime soon we'll take the kids on a vacation where they can truly enjoy snow. You know like Gatlinburg. That's my attempt to be funny today. I'll get my list together later on, today is more reflective, those lists are harder to just make in one sitting. They also are made for more than one day/week. Now go make your list!

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January 16, 2008

Not too late

Wednesday List:
1. Get my butt outta bed and walk! *check
2. Take Eden to Niedlov's for our girl's day *check
3. Go to thrift store *check (and I found a slide projector!! Mine's a 135 and I wish it was as nice as the one listed)
4. Research info on my slide projector *check, man light bulbs can be expensive!!
5. Listen to sermon Lynn sent me *in progress
6. have coffee *in progress
7. Clean house for small group
8. Make lentil stew for small group
9. Contact Bucky

This is a really good exercise guys! I think the pressure of putting it online and knowing I will have to review it at the end of the week puts the pressure on and keeps the lists interesting and do-able. Give it a try!

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January 15, 2008

Tuesday List

Tuesday:
1. Get up at the crack of dawn and walk *check
2. make grocery list/ pay bills *check UGH
3. Go to grocery store and drug store
4. Deliver Sit N Stand to Jess?
5. Hang chimes that have been sitting around for 6 months
6. Go outside with kids
7. Download critter images for new art!
8. Make a massive pot of potato soup enough to share (any takers?)

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December 3, 2007

Oh to be published

I was in the Chattanooga News Free Press today. I stumbled into Niedlov's with the 2 kids after a not so smooth bike ride there, and Jeff Canon roped me into an interview. I'm so not complaining! I got some free advertizing! I just happened to be there.

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November 17, 2007

A burning flaming soapbox

There is not much about Chattanooga I can complain about right now since moving back here has amped up my career as an artist, but I've said it before, I miss my stores. It was so easy to get groceries, clothes, pictures, froo-froo coffee and I didn't have to drive to the 4 sides of town beacause there were 8 of each of your necessary stores in a 20 mile radius. Of course, if you wanted the best Indian food in the ATL you have to drive through an hours worth of traffic to get to the other side of town. So, I'm not really complaining, BUT, I hate with great passion, Hamilton Place Mall. I can drive around the mall and tolerate what surrounds it. I guess not for long, since holiday shopping is begining to rear its ugly head. But yesterday I had to go inside the belly of the beast, Hamilton Place Mall. I had to take down my students art show at HHL then I had to go to Wolf Camera. The closest one was at the Mall. First, we are fighting off pink eye again. Eden has had it since Wednesday. And she is recovering nicely. But after we got into the Mall I saw Josiah's eye start to get reddish. By the time we left his eye was puffy. Ugh. I forgot our diaper bag and Eden pooped her pants before we even got upstairs. We got to Wolf after 15 minutes at the most boring indoor play area ever.

I was ready to off myself! All the parents sitting around looked terrible in their sweatpants and baseball caps. Their kids are dressed up for Christmas photos and the models at Express and Abercrombie mock us as we sit there. The kiosk vendors are out in full force and I had a good excuse today, a kid in each hand (one that smells, the other with a communicable virus) kept them from approaching me.

At Wolf it took everything in me not to send Josiah out of the store to the bench across the way just to keep him from punching the touch screens. See, I never never would have taken on this challenge but I was down a day. My Grandma fell and was sent to the hospital. She's Ok, they're keeping her to treat a mild pnemonia, she's fine but it's my mom's top responsibility and my kids are mine. Also Sandi from Hollis called me to say that her images of my artwork were corrupted and the guy doing the card needed images STAT. So plans changed and I had to go to get my images today.

So off we went, sorry kids, we'll play another day. Mama's sorry. I wanted that 8 hours of my life back so bad too.

We ate at Chick-fil-A, and the tables looked so gross. They were not clean, neither was the floor. The gumball machines next to where we were eating made me cringe and I wished so badly I had my diaper bag that was well equipped with Clorox surface spray and Purell. Oh, never again! Lord, protect my children with the blood of Jesus so they won't get a thousand cooties and protect the other children from the cooties my kids have.

But thank God I have my pictures! The guy thanked me up and down for sending the pictures and it was worth it, but it makes me sad and a little crazy when a waste so much time of my kids life. I count on Friday to do something fun. But when life throws curve balls sometimes I rise the occasion and when the Mall was thrown in to the mix I fumbled, coughed, wretched through the whole thing. Hopefully I can postpone this kind of experience and venturing into Hamilton Place again.

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November 6, 2007

We caught up

This past week our good friends from Boise came to visit. And we partied until we couldn't party no more! On Thursday the mom's met at St. Elmo playground and we stayed until the kids were falling over tired. That night we had the crew over to Jeff Heights for Kickball Night and we hung out until it was too dark and too cold. Saturday we went to the Monahans and had a bonfire, dawgs and Yuengling. The kids had hot chocolate and Jonah. Sunday we went to Isaac Perkins 3rd birthday party at his Nana's house. Cindy can never be undone to have plenty of goodies to eat and play with. I enjoyed sporting a witches nose, it smelled like an old Strawberry Shortcake doll.

Some major highlights were: While swinging hearing Gideon ask Cat, "Cathy, is my tail wagging in the breeze?". He was wearing a full body dog costume. Watching Lulu "mommy" baby Naya. Watching Josh push Juden into the stratosphere on the Monahans little plane swing. The whole crew zoned out watching a movie for like 15 minutes. Arriving to Isaac's party greeted by the sounds of Ibachs zooming on dirt bikes. Phineas in his lion costume, oh my gosh, so cute! And a close second was Eden wearing a pirate patch and saying "ARGH" to passers-by. It never seems like enough time, although when it's over we realize it was exhausting. We hope to plan a get-away this summer. Sounds like there's a plan in the works.

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October 18, 2007

Calling all Chattanooga Crafters!

I was approached by Debbie Blackman about a Christmas Bazaar at Alexian Brothers. Not sure which one, but its somewhere in the greater Chattanooga area. I know some of you out there either are in Chattanooga and have a supply floating around of jewelry you've made, purses, cards, onesies, knitted items, small original art etc that you would love to make a little extra Christmas money with. Alexian Brothers is an assisted living community and I'm sure some of the residents would love to get all of their Christmas shopping done at this bazaar. So if you would like to give it a go the event is in December, not sure the exact date, but it'd be before the 15th I'm sure. You can contact me if you think you'd like to do it but wouldn't be able to be there all day, we might be able to have a few of us that would be glad to sell in shifts etc. The booths are free, yes FREE! Think of what the residents would like best and if you can accomidate them. Debbie said she doesn't have anyone doing cards yet, and original art is welcomed enthusiastically. It's kinda a chance, but it may be worth it! Also, if any of you non-Chattanooga residence would like to get in on this and are passing through for Thanksgiving let me know if you want to drop stuff off and I'll sell it for you! You can email Debbie directly here. Please drop my name as I told her I would be mentioning this to friends thanks!

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October 11, 2007

Community Benefits

We went for a walk last night to the Choo-Choo and instead of cutting down Washington we walked all the way down to Main to visit with Rachel Conn. She owns the brightly colored Victorian places next to MayCreate and the Alfonsos. She has a bunch of dogs in her yard and we talked over the barking (and squealing kids) about my upcoming art show. She's a big fan of the Metros and was going to buy one. I talked about how my neighbor Jan was going to help me make a panel. She said, "You know you should just buy a door and cut it where you want". First I was thinking a door with sections, then I thought about the hollow kind like we had in Marietta. How would that work? "No a solid hardwood door" she said. Hmmmm, not a bad idea, I mean that would save a lot of carpentry! Then she said she had some wood in her shop. We walked out back and she showed me these beauties! Two average large and then two smaller skinny pieces. They have an awesome texture! I'll have to clean up some of the edges but man, they are really smooth!

It's like a loaded gift from God. "Here you go Kate, time to work harder!" It's great, it saves this Mama a lot of precious, expensive time.


It's getting closer to being done. Time to start a new one!

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October 2, 2007

Birthday list

It's October, and that means my birthday is right around the corner. I turn 31 on the 12th. Happy 31st to me!! Unga. I haven't made up a really complicated list this year because I pretty much know the important stuff. #1 Really, only I can pick out the furniture and home decor I want. #2 I'm not really sure what all that is yet. I know I want a new purse and I want some new earrings. Some perfume would be gladly accepted too. But mostly I love my birthday because I ask for music. This is what I want:
Regina Spektor-Begin to Hope
The Shins- Wincing the Night Away
Travis- The Man Who (I lost this in Norway and I NEED it)
Athlete-Tourist
Ryan Adams-Easy Tiger
Neko Case-Fox Confessor Brings the Flood
and because the past is so important when turning 31:
Heart- The Essential Heart
Bangles-The Bangles Greatest Hits

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September 28, 2007

death

well, it was coming, I knew it. After an evening of the kids playing on pbskids the computer decided to go blind. Funny thing is, I'm blogging on it right now. Seems the only problem is that the bulb has burnt out. I can see what I'm typing if I lean the screen over a little too far. Thankfully, we have not lost data, but we cant go very long without a temporary solution. I have another monitor that I figured out how to hook it in, but my applications are not showing up on the other desktop. Not sure how to navigate that with a blind eye. So now is your chance. If you can help me with this monitor before the weekend is over you'll get some credit for art. Of course you'll have to know how to contact me in other ways. So that limits you a bit. But those of you who know how, please help!

**********
Ok, here's an update. Our computer is still dark but because I'm a sharp cookie, I figured out how to extend my desktop onto the monitor that works. Thank God!! We still will have to start shopping, but I'll definately start downloading my important documents now. So thanks if you even thought about helping, but I think I'm in the clear for now, until I have to explain it to Joel. Ugh.

I made this "Be Still" study for Dottie at Niedlovs. She was very moved. She said the image reminded her of when she's done designing a set (she's a theatrical set designer) she steps back and takes it all in. She feels God's arms around her embracing her. Makes you tear up huh? So I want to thank Julie and Dan for posing and taking this picture. I'm geting lots of financial miles out of it.

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July 14, 2007

week in color::pink

Pink seems to be visiting me often these days. I think primarily it's because if my pink paint pen. I love that thing.

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week in color::red

Red is wonderful, lets celebrate it!

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July 13, 2007

Week in Color:: Oranges

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July 12, 2007

color catch up

MONDAY::YELLOW


TUESDAY::BLUE


WEDNESDAY::GREEN


THURSDAY::BLACK/WHITE/BROWN


I just had to play along, and play catch up. I mean, my kids are still napping and I got to clean my floors. A little time wasting on the blog is deserved.

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July 2, 2007

Thick Summer Home

With these days and nights of activity I have to plan time for the monotonus and practical. But I think that my exhaustion, although never fun, makes me joyful for the days and years ahead. There are things that need time to grow. There are things that must be tended and cultivated. There are things that need to be pruned. Pruning hurts, and takes self control. But all this analogy to say that I am happy, and to be a person of maturity I have been examining all this activity and working it out through my spirit. What does God want from me? How can I apply all that I know in my head and my heart to these days where I am meeting so many new people. How can I be important in their discovery of Jesus.


We took the jaunt down to Nightfall on Friday where we ran into Mark, Paige and Olivia. Dancing was prominent and delightful. On Saturday morning we went to Niedlovs and ran into a buncha friends. Joel took the kids to a movie and I worked on my art class signs and handouts.

Saturday night we spent with our old friends the Englishs, Rhudys, Dreckmyers and Andrew Lohr. Great food and good times. I hope that we can always get together and witness the goods and the bads in each others life. Most of all enjoy the fellowship that God intends for all of us. It's with these friends that I learn about what is truly important. They help me realize that the best position to be in is on my knees.

And we rounded out our weekend with a Jefferson Heights cookout on Sunday night. We played hookie from church so we could meet and greet more neighbors and stand out on the rain drinking Coronas. Josiah got some mighty swollen feet as he found an ant pile to stand in. All the boys found that romping and throwing rocks around the swale was more fun than the muddy playground (thank God we'll get a new one soon). Amber and I giggled about how we felt nerdy wanting to meet some of the artist super-stars that just happen to live in our neighborhood. It's funny, but it's cool. It was so worth it. What a broad mixture of people, it's really fascinating to sit back and watch.

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June 9, 2007

Who's your Midwife?

No y'all. I'm not pregnant. But I do request the services of a midwife for well, just the purposes of womanly things. So you Chattanooga women, who do you recommend? It's been 5 years since I've seen someone for check ups in this town and I need a good review. It'd be nice if I didn't have to go out to Gunbarrel Rd. Thanks dudes.

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June 6, 2007

Fellowshipping

We've been fellowshipping with these young people from church the past two days. On Monday we had a get together at Tara's and last night we had our kick-off small group get together. Way fun. Our kids loved it too. And after eating awesomely good cheeseburgers (at least they tasted awesome because I was starving!) We played a make-shift bocce ball game in the park across the street. Chris the third Reich took these pictures of us crammed on our front porch. The fellowship took turns toward church tradition, worship, secular music with redemptive qualities, and what/when salvation took place in our lives. It's funny to those of us raised in the church that you can speak of these things in a safe way while drinking margaritas on a Tuesday night. It reminds me of the small group I was in at 22 and how fertile the ground was for integrating a comfortable, feast-like get together with many talks of the Spirit, prayer, family, relationships, sex, pop culture and life calling. It's what community is all about. It isn't pleasant to sit in a cold Sunday school room and try to get to know each other. If I can be the one who opens my home to people in the "after college-early career-before marriage-early marriage" category and give them a homey place that isn't 'Mom and Dads' I'll gladly take that role.


Now on the flip-side I've had to address some neighborhood kids this past weekend that I was hoping wouldn't be this uncomfortable.

Continue reading "Fellowshipping"

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May 24, 2007

Dog Tired

Happy, overwhelming, satisfying exhaustion.



A million places to explore, a buncha projects to do: art and home. The reunion with my beloved couch brings the kinda sleep that forces you into load bearing clumsiness. Oh Lord, help me to use this time to the fullest.

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April 10, 2007

More to Show and Tell

The Bird Pair I'm working on...


A hat that I botched the bill on, but the part in this picture is pretty...


And the beetle commission that is the first in line these days.

And we have an agreement for our Marietta house! Joel and I wish we were more celebratory. Offers and counter-offers suck. Home sales is hard. We listed this house for 10K more than we sold it for. When we walk away from this sale we won't quite have enough to pay off our home equity debt. But it's over, the waiting, the wondering the continual desire to make the house seem better. It's over!! Yeah!! We will close on our new house on April 30th, maybe a little before. We will close on the old house on May 15th. What a way to celebrate our 8th wedding anniversary, closing on our old house, finally! We are thankful, we're also entering into a very fast paced month. I hope I can have some time to breathe. I have to get my course descriptions for my fall art classes in by the end of this week. And I have stuff to do for the Clothesline Show. Ohhhhh, way too much to do.

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April 5, 2007

Therapy of Springtime

Thanks to those of you who read my sorrowful sigh yesterday. I'm glad I didn't go into everything because that will be reserved for those of you who talk to me in person. Which alot of you got to do last night! Whew! We were joking about how the St. Elmo Playground is a meeting place, a gathering if you will for the whole community. How they need a web-cam there so we can tune in and catch up on what's going on. It's refreshing knowing that there are lots of adults watching over all the kids. Josiah got to play with the Cooleys and Cat came and chased all the boys up the big BIG hill. We got to see the Ferris' and the Sweets. It was so therapeutic. I forgot all the reasons I thought something was wrong when I saw Josiah ask and respond to kids he knew and didn't know with smiles hugs chasing, sliding etc. I am glad I'm not the only mom who has these worries. I guess that's pretty obvious. We played until darkness made Eden's tiny form invisable and we came home full of spring sunshine. The kids slept good and so did I.

***A COUPLE ANNOUNCEMENTS!! Easter Egg Hunt with North River Vineyard this Saturday at Coolige Park!!! Bring all the kids you know! It starts at 11am with games and ends with the hunt around 12:45-1pm!

Check me out in the latest edition of In the City magazine. I cannot find it in print anywhere yet, and it's the 4th, 5th?? But you can check it out online at In the City's website! Eden's portrait is published!!****

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April 1, 2007

If I could build a playground...

We schmoozed with a friendly Sarah Morgan, representative of the Lyndhurst foundation during the art show on Friday and she told us if we had any suggestions for the Jefferson Street Park and playground. I said I would love to give them notes! So Amber and I need to get together and petition. What would you want? Have you seen something at your local playground that you love?Help me out Y'all!

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February 16, 2007

If you Believe

If you believe that God can heal than pray for Him to heal me!! I am on my second cold since Christmas and this time it came with pink eye. Yum! I went to the Dr today and I got the info that I was sure I would get. Prescription for eye drops and some kind of antibiotic. My dad pleaded with me to go to the Dr.
I sat in the curtained off section and many feelings raced back to me. All the memories of sitting waiting for things to happen. The prints hanging in the midwife's office, the charts with different birth control methods. Really, the most time I've ever spent in Dr's offices is either taking care of or preventing pregnancy (BTW congrats Green's on little Naya's arrival!). Those are definately better than what I was doing today. I stared at the empty chair across from my paper covered perch and I honestly pictured Jesus there sitting across from me. I have felt so helpless and wrung out, and I don't know what I would do if I didn't have a lot of helping hands to make the kids feel loved. I sat in that empty space, sterile with clinic wear n tear, and I wanted to lay down on that paper sheet and take a nap. I don't think the N.Prac. would have minded. That's the medicine I need more than anything, NAPS. Going to bed at 9pm isn't the answer, it's short recharges all day long. But more than anything, I want to understand why I've been sick and what I need to do to keep sickness at bay. I don't want it to just happen to me, I want to claim control, because God has plans for me. Am I having a Job moment? Or am I being attacked and needing some prayer warriors by my side? It never hurts to have some.


These make the coughing and sore throat not so bad. I get to sip my breakfast tea and look at my V-day roses. I love my Joel. We get to share Pink Eye together!


And here's my new bird WIP. Waiting for me to get well. And say so long to Cookie and Little Finch, they found a home in Brooklyn.

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February 14, 2007

XOXO

Oh how much I love you all. Thank you for your kind words. I needed so much to use my blog as my journal just then, and I felt a huge sigh of relief after writing it all out. And then my studly, sexy knight in shining armour (Joel that is--he's kissing me on the head right now) swoops in and handles all our immediate bill problems and does so with a calm in-charge sorta way. I'm a lucky woman.

You remember these little beauties from last year! I love them, they make me so happy. And I'd love for them to make you happy. But I want to give them to the lurkers. Those of you that read my blog all the time and never comment, or comment very rarely. So if you haven't commented in, oh, a week go ahead and comment now and I will email you for your mailing address and send you a loverly heart mobile made my me! The first 5 commenters that is. This is a challenge for me because I'm sure some of you lurkers still won't comment, so come on! Prove me Wrong!

I mean, these things are so cute. I'll send them blank, so you can give them away again, or hang it in your home and watch the breeze spin it around.


And speaking of love, I received a sweet Valentine from Molly Goatwax today in the mail. It has a special place of honor:

Next to the Dr Suess 4th birthday card from Uncle Nathan and Aunt Laura. Red-fish, Blue-fish, but not-as-fun-as-you-fish!!!

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January 21, 2007

Paying for It

We've had quite an adventurous weekend. Well it was actually just Saturday. And man we are paying for it. Ugh. But when I was feeling beyond exhausted this afternoon and thinking I was going to skip church, I thought about if it was wrong to do any of the things we did yesterday. And I deduced that God wanted us to do it all in a very short amount of time. And I'm here to tell about it.

We met with Caroline, our bitchin' real estate agent, to look at one of the homes in Jefferson Heights. Not the one we're buying, but one that's more finished. We wanted to look at the materials we were picking out on a grander scale to make sure we liked it. All this is so exciting, I can't reiterate that enough. What an amazing occurance, the revamping of the southside. So we are hanging out in the house for a while and the builder comes in with a potential buyer. Turns out its a friend of mine from highschool! Crazy. Justin was like,"Katie you don't recognize me do you?" That's when the lightbulb turned on. Joel said, as we went to romp on the playground,"How much more likely is he to buy this house knowing we're 2 houses down?" Pretty cool knowing your neighbors.

After a futile trip to the lighting store and finding the tile store was closed we got our little family home. Joel and I planned to go to the TenShow, a graphic design juried show. This show was in an old A.M.E. church that Cessna Decosimo owns. The ambiance was incredible! The art was great! And the turnout was totally insane. So many bodies. I'd like to think they were all here to look at sweet graphics and support the reviving of Main Street but there was free booze. Booze=Turnout. Amazing paper-like light fixtures hung in the center of the main rooms. They were beautiful and I should have taken a bunch more shots of the one in the main room.

The best part of this show was that we got reconnected with old friends and met some new ones. John Sweet was serving his awesome bread with Dice mingling about. Met some of our new neighbors Christie and Butch, and met Caroline's husband, we hope to get them outta Ringgold and into Jefferson Heights! Ran into Mason, one of Kirk's highschool friends. Mason is fixing up a house on Mitchell Ave. I mean, how amazing is this.

Mason's dream is to finance some sort of market on the Southside. I'm all for it, down with Bi-Lo and Walmart!! Finally met blogging creative cohorts Mark and Amber Cooley, great to come full circle on these relationships! But the best surprise by far was to learn that D-Master, Darren 'the Birdie' was in town to wish cousin Brian a happy wedding.

We mosied down to the Pickel Barrel to catch up and ended up travelling to LaMarr's and closing them down at 3am. So again I say UGH. But great fun was had by all. Joel and I along with Cat and her brother Aaron bonding over PBR with Darren was so worth the groaning. I really believe that it's all part of building community.

As Bucky reminded us at church tonight, community is what the church is for. I am so looking forward to seeing what God will do with the Southside of Chattanooga. I wonder what our little family has to contribute. And the fact that the motto/theme of all this is 'Revival Main' and it begins in a church building, I don't think it's just a play on words. I think there is power in what's going on. It's very important to follow that money. Because no matter who is writing the checks, it all belongs to God.

"There's a lot of money out there, and God wants to give it to us!" SpC

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December 27, 2006

Color Play with Joy

Eden got a helium tank for Christmas. I also discovered the color accent effect that Cat has been playing around with. Here's a video with the effect that I just love. Kinda sums up the magic of our every day holiday.


Eden and grandpa with yellow balloon.

Josiah, Joel with green.

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December 18, 2006

Why the web is great

Thanks to J-nette I found another tasty gadget. Everyone try it!!
Call 1 641 955 7500 then punch in this code *2592542

I'll give you a topic to discuss amoungst yourselves: Creative Arts Guild of Dalton has my piece Good Morning on their site for the Holiday Show! Yeah! Any press I get is awesome. I'm going to print the page right now!

Get Your Own Voice Player

Manage

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November 7, 2006

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"

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October 27, 2006

The John Hughes Movie I wanted to be in

IF YOUR LIFE WAS A MOVIE, WHAT WOULD THE SOUNDTRACK BE?
(and my shirt says "A city built on Rock N Roll would be structurally unsound)

So, here's how it works:
1. Open your library (iTunes, Winamp, Media Player, iPod, etc)
2. Put it on shuffle
3. Press play
4. For every question, type the song that's playing
5. When you go to a new question, press the next button
6. Don't lie and try to pretend you're cool..

Opening Credits:
"The Celibate Life" The Shins.

Waking Up:
"When it was Over" Sara Groves

First Day At School:
"Improv" 1000 Portraits & Waterdeep

Falling In Love:
"Something" The Beatles
Very fun coinsedence!

Breaking Up:
"Not Dark Yet" Bob Dylan
Also a good choice by the POD

Prom:
"Harvest Moon" Neil Young
This probably WAS playing at my prom, freakin hippies.

Life's OK:
"Hold Me" Fleetwood Mac

Mental Breakdown:
"Nice Time" Bob Marley
This made me laugh out loud

Driving:
"Please Me Like You Want To" Ben Harper

Flashback:
"Enemy Fire" Ryan Adams

Getting Back Together:
"Big Lie, Small World" Sting

Wedding:
"Carey" Joni Mitchell
Awwww, I love this song!

Birth of Child:
"It Takes a lot to Laugh, It Takes a Train to Cry" Bob Dylan

Final Battle:
"Once in Royal David's City" Sufjan Stevens
Again, laughter. Christmas music!

Death Scene:
"Love is No Big Truth" Kings of Convienence

Funeral Song:
"All these Things that I've Done" The Killers
Very lame, what can I say.

End Credits:
"We Shall Not be Moved" Dan Zanes
When we're playing banjos we shall not be moved!

TAG! You're It:
Kirk, Andrea, Jeanette and both Perkins.

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October 8, 2006

Pure Adult Silliness

So I have no pictures of my art show. Oops. I just have pictures of Joel's high school reunion. Sorta. Jesse, Christopher and Jason came out to my art reception and we all hung out after at the Earl. It was really cool. We're all about to be 30, or are already that. Most of us have kids. We had a couple youngsters hanging out with us, you know those 26 yr olds. They all shared stories and our faces hurt from laughing. I have memories with these people too. Not many, but some. Christian I spent the most time with, he's in Miami. They were warm and comfortable. I am happy to let Joel reminesce and listen to them laugh, re-tell old jokes, talk about people I don't know because it makes my husband even more endearing. It's like meeting the boy I fell in love with again. It makes me confident that I am a secure wife who loves to see what was before her. I have no fear of who Joel knew before. We've had 10 years together and that's bigger and overall more important, but this time that these people share is one that Brat-Packs are created for. They had a mini Breakfast Club time. They have different beliefs, went to different schools, have different garbage, it's rich, it's life. I like being the center, I admit it. But what a change to have these folks meet at my art opening. I am glad I had an event they could all join together for.

Take the Which Character Am I? Quiz

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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.

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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 intert