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One little, two little, three little eggs!

Hmmmmm

I think Allister likes the purty ladies. . .He's been watching quite intently

Shadow Box Project

A sneak peek at the end result.

Shadow Box Project

A hand painted wooden egg is secured with industrial strength epoxy. It needs a day or two to cure. That should give me enough time to figure out the hanger issue on the flip side.

Oh Expletive!!!

See where the hangers are? See where the clothes pin is?

Um yeah, the pin is the "top" of the flip side.

Paying the eff attention doesn't hurt when you're doing this sort of thing..

Saturday Projects

Decided the egg I have could work if I could fill out the space just a tad. I'm using some shiney faced ribbon in a cool, deep garnet. I think this will make the brilliant blue egg pop and not get lost with the background pattern.

Remember This Project?

The shadow box from a few weeks back is one step closer completion. I need to figure out for sure what should go in it. I think the eggs I have are just a tad too small. It begs for something torquiose or Tiffany blue.

Tagged

I pretty much only use white spray paint. I can do enough damage with that.

This metal piece was a pillar candle holder that eventually succombed to the elements. Its been tucked beside the secretary in our living room for ages now. The white should help it stand out in the dark corner-before you could barely notice it.

Not looking to get a perfect coating of paint. I want it to still look weathered and aged.

Blog Improvement

Dexter may have something to share?

At Aaron's suggestion I've spent the past half hour adding some labels to the blog. I have a lot of posts but I'll just work a little at it here and there.
Considering doing some home improvement projects - spray paint is likely to be involved. I'd better get started! Before I know it half the weekend will be over!

Morning in the Basement at 606

Rainy here this morning. Good weekend to get some stuff done around the house. Just waiting for some motivation. . .

Say what?

Is Allister really a Maine Coon Cat/mix?

All signs (i.e.breed websites) point to yes.

Can't believe its so. I've always wanted a Maine Coon. Had no idea they came in all varities of colors.

He fits the stereotypical descriptions. But most of all, he fits in our hearts.

File in the WTF Category. . .

The Baltimore Sun online has a blog about pets called "Unleashed." Found this a few weeks ago:

http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/features/mutts/blog/2009/07/its_true_theres_now_a_snuggie.html

It cracked me up. Yet why on earth do we feel this is necessary? I'm a big proponent of making sure all animals are cared for and treated with dignity and respect. . .

But. . .

What if everyone in America who spent money on a dog snuggie instead purchased a bag of dog food for a shelter? A blanket for a homeless shelter to help a person?

Dogs don't need Snuggies.

Hell, do human's need Snuggies? Can't you just put your bathrobe on backwards?

Here's Trouble

Two tabbies plus one table equals a partially disruptive sleep!

BLAH!!!!!!!

So I try to maintain a low on-line profile in general. But I still want more traffic to the blog. Because I firmly believe in my impromptu mission of:

Where domestic need not be perfect and artistic sometimes resembles realistic.
(and you have fun while wasting your time. . .)

That's not really my mission statement (yet). At any rate, I thought I could sign up on Facebook, just this blog. What a glorious holy nightmare that has been! I don't think you'll see much because facebook wants my NAME. . .FULL NAME.

I always thought names were changed to protect the innocent (or at least horrifically insane)?

It's been a harrowing experience and I'm not pleased with the outcome.

At any rate, I learned Facebook really is for a younger generation and if I want the blog to have more traffic, I need to write better and talk about it more.

Or something. . .?

Maybe I should start with a mission statement? Or a business plan? (What a novel idea, d!)

I've written a few of both in my time. Maybe it's time to be serious. After all, if I'm going to get all sentimental and mushy in my later years, I'll need a profitable online outlet. . .My current livelihood leaves little room for either.

Sentimental. . .Growing Up. . .Who d?

I'm not sure what exactly is happening lately. I'm not sure I like it. Certainly it smacks of middle age and mellowing.

My feelings are very much mixed about these new developments.

Today C and I were walking. There is a glorious over-rehabbed row house a block from ours. . .yet worlds away in terms of space and design. It's for sale. I took a listing sheet. Yikes! It was built about 20 years after ours. It's nearly 3 times the size and has nearly 50 times the amenities. It also costs $725,000.

C and I discussed our next moves (again). . .family. . .literally moving. . .How will this work? I've been very stubborn about some of the items on my list for a second home. I've also been a huge proponent of don't dare even settle.

My focus has been on doing things bigger, better, faster and more with as much fun and crazy enjoyment as possible along the way. I guess my focus has predominately been on trying to develop, fix, and fine tune myself.

But after dinner, after C was long fast asleep, as I sit here in the quiet of my basement, within earshot of the central AC unit gently humming, I wonder. I question. I re-evaluate.

How long can anyone go on focused on bigger, better, faster, more? Does it matter in the grand scheme so long as our priorities are in order, we do things with valor and conviction and integrity? Does it matter whether our home is 1000 or 10,000 square feet? Does it matter if my shoe is scuffed, I have a hair out of place, my mascara is slightly smudged, and I only made hard-boiled eggs for dinner? Can I EVER stop judging people - myself included - for allowing these things to happen. . .Can I cut myself a break? I doubt it, but at least I'm open to the idea.

If this is a side effect of the lifestyle challenge I'm definitely not cool with it -Yet. Still something about it feels "right." Right in the inexplicable way that complete strangers used to refer to C and me as Husband and wife when we had just started dating. . .An uncomfortable "right" that is inexplicably wholly comforting.

d's Paper Problem

I have a love affair with paper OR I have an issue with paper. Depends on your perspective. I love things printed on paper. I love keeping coupious amounts of paper - neatly organized and at the ready.

This translates to my art supplies certainly but it also reflects my life long love of reading.

I love thoughts and information in print. Someone cared enough to put pen to paper and share their thoughts or opinions or knowledge. I respect that and believe in keeping certain snippets for myself and others.

Snippets become volumes over the years but I'm pretty selective and organized.

I maintain three-ringed binders for various topics - Idea files, information files. . .recipies, fabric, paints, decorating, housekeeping, lists of books, gift ideas, fashion ideas. .The list goes on.

I guess its another form of scrapbooking or memory keeping or even archiving. Some of it seems stupid since I could surely get info about making a family energency kit off the internet via this blackberry in several seconds but I'm still hooked on print. Lovely, cool paper that quickly warms to the touch.

It also reinforces what I've read once. I see it again as I'm organizing it. I retain something more or different on the second glance.

I'm sure (hopefully a long time from now) when I leave this world, a huge bonfire will be in order. But, these mean something to me and maybe just maybe, my own children will be able to glean something from them. Maybe they'll even tear a few pages for themselves before my flaming farewell!

Beach Boys Concert #57 - This Guy

What has two thumbs and takes his work VERY seriously?

This Guy! The People Police!

I am a proponent of doing something correctly and taking your work seriously. However, surely sometimes it's okay to loosen up a little.

C and I had a fun time watching this employee (as evidenced by the standard issue polo, khakis and radio) towards the end of the concert.

The "bridge" leads to the balcony pavilion seats. I completely understand for safety reasons, they want this mostly kept clear of lingering people. But it has a decent vantage point of the stage if you lean a little and occasionally people would wander and stand for a bit.

No sooner would people set foot on the area and he would come loping out from the pavilion area and shoo them away. He kinda' reminded me of a junk yard dog guarding a fence. Most people understood and respectfully left the area.

The funniest part occurred during the encore. One would think that by the time the encore happens, they would be a little more relaxed about what the crowd was doing. Not This Guy. He was still on duty and no one would be on the bridge during his watch.

A gentleman and what I think might have been his adult son and daughter wandered onto the very end of the area. People Police came power walking over. Instead of paying any bit of attention, the man basically just kept clapping to the music in People Police's face.

This did not please People Police. However, he had little recourse. So he chose to stand in uncomfortable proximity to the violator and make these little shooing motions with his hand - motioning for him to move back. All the while the violator just kept clapping in People Police's face.. ."She'll have fun, fun, fun 'til her Daddy takes the T-bird away." I watched this bizarre stand-off through the entire encore.

This pic was taken after the concert. Here People Police pushes harmless folks away so he can slam the metal bar across the bridge securing the area for the rest of the day.

A job well done.

Beach Boys Concert #39

You might notice in this pic they have two drum sets. They "guest drummer"? This is a little odd. . .You'll likely never guess. . .

John Stamos!!

That's right Uncle Joey from Full House was playing drums with the Beach Boys. How did that happen?

He seemed to do just fine.

Beach Boys Concert #37

It was pretty hot on the lawn. The venue was really nice and the crowd was amazing. Boomers, their kids, and their grand kids. Everyone seemed to be having a blast.

Beach Boys Concert #43

Saw the Beach Boys at Wolfe Trap on Sunday. It was fantastic. They played for over 2hours straight and the crowd loved it!

Gerbera Daisy and Hydrangia #30

There's a florist a few blocks from our house: A.F. Bialzak. They are clearly a mom and pop outfit and have been a presence in the community for years. There's nothing flashy about their digs but they make beautiful and quality arrangements. If C is getting stuff for the house he typically asks for a certain dollar amount of mixed flowers. They give him a humongous bouquet and I arrange them at home. They are so nice and very accommodating. . .an asset to our community and they will have our business for years to come.

Flower #19

Is it a daisy or some variety of mum?

Tiger Lily #22

Lifestyle Challenge Update

Um. . .Yeah. . .C occasionally purchases things - but I can't complain if they're thoughtful and meant for me to enjoy!

So here's a couple of thoughts:
1. Swearing off the grocery store is virtually impossible. Sometimes, it's the only solution.

2. It's mild torture to look at all the fall fashion magazines and know I've sworn off purchasing anything. The good news is it appears I have enough make up sitting unused in a drawer that I could easily do any make up trend. I'm also thinking creatively about clothing and accessories I have and seldom wear. Tho the new Tods bag (at nearly $1400!!)is still deadly-sin-worth coveting. I just try to remind myself it will be so over in three months. (Which isn't necessarily the truth. It looks pretty classic and likely has good staying power).

3. I'm still on the fence regarding Amazon scheduled bulk deliveries. I dream about how nice it would be not to have to spend time on the weekends shopping for unglamourous household necessities but I'm just not sure how the storage would work.

4. It's actually been pretty easy so far. Part of that could come from my elaborate fantasizing about what I'll do with at that cash I save. Which I still haven't figured out how to quantify. I have no idea how much I used to spend. I just knew I wasn't spending everything I had and that seemed good enough. I'm hoping it will be dramatic and obvious. Much like my weight loss, I doubt that will be the case! haha.

5. I do have reservations about holidays. On the plus side, I've been thinking about them so perhaps I can get some creative stuff in the works now.