Unobligated Random Bits

:: it would seem I've been readily adopting the Blogging Without Obligations mentality the past couple of weeks... and I'm okay with that
:: Ron and I had a lovely anniversary last week, even if the pink champagne we bought was overly sticky sweet
:: filled with relief that Andrew's IEP review for the 2012-2013 school year went off with out a hitch, though we are still struggling finding the right meds for him
:: Jacob scored a goal in a lacrosse game last week... it's a rare thing for a defensive player... he is playing long pole middie these days
:: played in the studio with a wrapped bracelet design... I really kinda like it... still in the experimental stages though
:: I wonder if I will ever be able to find the drive/determination/motivation that had me running regularly last summer again for this summer... I really think I need it
:: an hour and a half long yoga class on Friday morning with my friend Lindsey led to a constant reminder of my out of shape state via my smarting muscles all weekend
:: the new Step By Step Wire magazine is out with my latest Color Canvas piece... I'm looking forward to sharing that with you soon
:: it took nearly 20mins to comb Lauren's wet hair before school this morning... I think it might be time she had a hair cut

:: Saturday Lauren, my sister, my Mom and I ventured down to the Finger Lakes to visit the antiques barn we found last summer while visiting Keuka Lake
:: I picked up a beautiful hand sewn quilt facing made of lovely vintage fabrics... it needs a backing but I'm nervous about sewing it by hand myself... I'm more of a machine quilter but can't help but feel a machine would ruin the quilt's beauty
:: I'm pretty sure my Mom nearly peed her pants laughing too hard, more than once, while out and about on our adventure
:: speaking of Mother's... I hope all the wonderful women in my life had a splendid Mother's Day... I did
:: super sad that the first season of Once Upon A Time came to an end last night... Lauren and I have absolutely loved watching every episode together... what will we watch this summer
:: irked that I woke up to a sink full of our dinner dishes from last night and two loads of laundry in the living room for me to fold this morning... can't Mother's Day be longer than 24 hours
:: I've gotten some really lovely emails recently that I have been lax in replying to... I'm thinking about them though, and the people that sent them... I.will.reply.today.
:: wondering when my desire to pick up my "real" camera (instead of my iPhone) will return
:: oh goodness... we are taking part in the street wide garage sale this coming weekend... I hope we survive

Lessons Learned

:: last week, I tried in vain to make some glass colors act like my favorite colors... lesson learned: you can't make colors be something they are not.

:: last week, there was an afternoon where I thought I just needed to close my eyes for a few minutes, I slept for an hour and a half... lesson learned: sometimes I just need a nap... heck, I'm sure we all could use one from time to time!

:: last week, not once, but two times I had packages NOT delivered to my house because the seller put signature confirmation on the postage... lesson learned: I will warn people if I ever decide to put signature requirements on stuff.

Yep, just 3 little lessons learned last week. I'm sure there are more that I am forgetting, but these are really sticking with me. What do you remember learning last week?

random stuff

:: friday it was in the 80s, today we woke to an inch of slushy snow... with more on the way
:: i've been automatically switched to the new blogger and i can't say i like it... argh... let's hope this post looks alright!
:: my inspiration board is up in the studio, it's different in the new space, but i love it
:: it's time to start making some beads
:: dang snow has me wanting to curl into a sleeping ball on the couch with a book next to the fire
:: i spent saturday out antiquing with a friend from high school... we had mexican cuisine for lunch
:: while i was gone, ron made a fantastic pot of beef stroganoff, it was so so good
:: i was spoiled with food all weekend and my tummy shows it

:: yesterday we were lazy most of the day
:: as we watched movies and folded laundry, i embroidered a fabric cover for my sister's nook case... i want it for myself
:: i'm so so inspired by embroidery lately, probably because i'm finally sharing it with y'all as part of the new book... good things are cooking... or should i said good things are stitching... or waiting to be stitched...
:: there is an interesting phone call happening tomorrow at 10am... things are in the works peps
:: oh, i should mention, i decided to start a new collection... old, pretty, china, dinner plates... i didn't find any on saturday, but i'll keep looking
:: this morning i put pepper jack cheese on a bagel with a scrambled egg... i highly recommend it
:: i really really don't recommend this new blogger... it's been a pain all morning
:: time to get the day rolling... what's on your agenda?

Fencing

:: remember when I told you a while back that my cousin was moving in just 5 houses down the street and she is bringing her 2 horses with her... we helped work on the pasture fences this weekend
:: I love watching Lauren and Amber (my cousin's daughter, aka my 2nd cousin) together... it's like watching Charity (my cousin) and Bonnie (my little sister) all over again... there is going to be an incredible bond between them, despite the 4yr age difference
:: it's hard to work in a field in rain boots all day... it makes one's feet quite sore the next day
:: I was part of the rail crew and I now know what a ratcheting cordless screwdriver is... and yes, it is supposed to make that noise, I wasn't stripping the screws
:: picnic lunches and pizza dinners
:: oh so many HUGE rocks to unearth before setting too many posts
:: when it's said and done, Clover & Shamrock (the horses), will have nearly 3 full acres to roam

:: I'm going to learn to care for the horses and stables to help when they're out of town... I'm too excited about it
:: there is something so easy about being around family as neighbors instead of regular neighbors... they know you... it's okay
:: a few beers and a bonfire is the best way to end a long day of hard work... forget baths and bedtimes
:: I could feel where the sun kissed my nose and cheeks, the few times it came out from behind the clouds, when I finally made it to bed
:: and then... Spring break was over... the kids are all in school and I can find my routine again
:: it's balmy today... a whopping 80 degrees
:: my sister has finally seen the studio and we ended up rearranging the furniture... I like it
:: I picked up fresh rolls for burgers for dinner and something cold to drink tonight... perfect combination

Moving Day?

:: it's Spring Break... we're being lazy... at least for the next couple of hours
:: it's *supposed* to be studio moving day... as of Thursday, Saturday was moving day, then Friday said it was Monday (today)... we'll see
:: I hate limbo... my over planning personality wants things to happen at set times a set way
:: Easter was nice... we went up to my sister's for a simple lunch and we went for a walk down Oxford St where there are 85 sugar magnolia trees in bloom... the weather was delightful
:: we had a little Masters party on Saturday and I bought a chocolate cream pie from Wegmans... I had several slices throughout the day yesterday
:: the Easter Bunny stuffed eggs with Rice Krispie Treats this year... kids.loved.it.
:: there are still 5 eggs missing... hmmm... wonder where they were hidden
:: got an awesome email on Friday that I can't wait to share with y'all
:: I totally plan on recreating this photo in the new studio... with Lauren, now that she is an expert cart wheeler like her Momma

just another random monday

:: this is my 1600 post on this blog... dang!
:: I was at a loss for photos to share, so I edited some more from my time on the Bead Cruise. these are postcards from Labadee, Haiti
:: that dreamy day on the beach was so very different from this past weekend spent caring for sick kids, running a fever myself, and helping my cousin move in the pouring rain
:: I learned what "feverish planning" really is... while unable to sleep, yet completely exhausted, my brain was arranging studio furniture in my thoughts and I had ideas for new classes come to mind too
:: the cat is outside my window, covered in mud, begging to come in
:: I loved some really special Sunday morning texting with my best friend
:: recommit, reconnect, remember we're awesome





:: today is a studio day... I'll be packing
:: I doodled the class ideas I was thinking about so I don't forget them, since I can't work on them at the moment
:: fyi: the $30 Target "American Girl" style doll is just as awesome as the $110 real one... Lauren said so
:: I really need to get back into my running routine... it's time
:: Ron keeps insisting that it is going to take seven years to get blueberries on our blueberry bushes... I really hope he's wrong because I am craving berries
:: I love a friend that knows my favorite flower and sends me a photo of them, in stock!, in our local grocery store... so thoughtful
:: on the way to the studio, I'm buying some of my favorite flowers
:: I'm still not gonna let that muddy cat in...

Random Monday

:: oh how I'm loving Instagrams these days... little vintage inspired snippets of moments from my days
:: the cold weather has returned and my toes feel frozen solid
:: it feels like ages since a book series really sucked my in... Soulless: The Parasol Protectorate has completely run away with every moment of my free time. I started book #3 yesterday.
:: The Hunger Games was the last series I was glued to... I saw the movie Friday night in a packed theater and LOVED it!
:: speaking of Friday... I picked a color called Beach Grass Green to paint the door of my new studio
:: the studio is *supposed* to be ready by April 1st for me to move in... I have a feeling it might not be ready
:: I'm still reeling from the excitement of sharing all that studio news last week... book edits turned in last Thursday, sweet
:: looking around my living room at the moment has be feeling like I need to do some major cleaning today

:: I went out on a dinner date with my sons on Saturday night... must do that more often
:: Jacob is going to be going on Spring Break with his best friend's family this year... excited for him, but sad that his first trip to Disney won't be with us
:: I ordered some fun new tools from Rio Grande and I can't wait to have them at the studio to play with
:: wishing those tools would get here sooner rather than later... sometimes I think inspiration will slip away in the waiting and I'll be idealess when it comes time to work
:: I hope the apple trees survive the cold snap
:: dang my cold toes are really distracting... must get some socks on
:: Lauren said yesterday "Mom, I think adults are spoiled... do you think your spoiled?" I asked her, "What makes you think we're spoiled?" "You get to buy things all the time and do what ever you want." I stifled a laugh.
:: Hmmm... she might be right, but adults earn the right to be spoiled, yes?
:: Here is to an afternoon of reading and tea after cleaning... yes, just a wee bit spoiled.

monday

:: February Break is upon us... no school for the kids until the 27th... weren't they just off for Christmas? Wasn't that just the other day?
:: wonderful Buckeye Muffin recipe from JCasa Handmade... the absolute best way to guarantee Lauren will eat some breakfast.
:: I finally broke down and tried Greek yogurt... I'm head over heels for it... why in the world did I wait so long to enjoy it?
:: I've been contemplating cutting my hair... we'll see.
:: so very sad that Downton Abbey Season 2 ended last night... I'll be lost on Sunday nights without it.
:: I started a new sweater on my birthday... this one: Jaina... with the yarn Woobu, in the color Deep Unrelenting Grey, by Blue Moon Fiber Arts.
:: this morning I switched from French Vanilla creamer in my coffee to Hazelnut... gotta mix things up sometimes... I'm enjoying the switch.




:: I spent 5 hours packaging kits for the Bead Cruise on Friday... so much wire cutting and sticker stickering... so much more still to do.
:: am I really setting sail in just 12 days?
:: somehow, someway, Andrew needs to get to his dentist appointment today at noon... it is going to be a challenge.
:: new studio daydreams continue at full pace... I have a new/old yellow chair from an estate sale this weekend.
:: Saturday my sister and I went shopping... like at the mall and stuff... and it so totally SUCKED.
:: why is it that when I want to shop, and spend, there is nothing worth getting?
:: LUSH is lovely though and I have some BB Seaweed mask in my fridge.
:: there was a very intriguing/interesting/challenging/scary/exhilarating opportunity in my email on Friday... we'll have to wait and see what comes of it.
:: I've had to referee 3 sibling fights already this morning... deep breath

hello, friends...

:: sigh, well that didn't work. If I want to reflect about my day in a blog post, it is just going to have to be the next morning. Evenings are way too full.
:: you might think things are busy busy here, what with the lack of posts and all, but nope, just the opposite. Things are simple and quiet and flowing, and I'm floating along for the ride.
:: Friday I picked up my new specs from the eye doc's office. I wear contacts and haven't bought glasses with my current script in over 10 years. I thought it time to give it a go. I'll still wear my contacts most of the time, but give my eyes a break more often.
:: I've been doodling color combinations for my surroundings for new beads. I hope to be torching before the week is out and have new beads to post next week. Any special shape requests?
:: current color combo love? grey, dark navy, and orange. oh so different than my usual turquoise and orange love.
:: I hate to be so cliche and talk about the weather, but dang. Friday I took a walk to the local yarn shop, to meet a friend, and it was so balmy all I wore was a light sweater. Ron even golfed on Saturday!
:: oh how grand it would be to get a good old snow storm.
:: I have a haircut planned for tomorrow and I can not wait. My ends are all frayed and splitty.
:: knitting on a new sweater from sock weight yarn is going by oh so much faster than I hoped. I separated the lower body for the front and back just this morning. I only started it 10 days ago.
:: my run this morning was absolutely marvelous. I've been watching Netflix on my iPod while on the treadmill and it makes time fly. Stopping a movie at the end of my run makes me look forward to the /runfun the following day to continue the film.
:: I finished watching James Stewart's Harvey (1950) today. Wonder what I'll watch tomorrow? I love old movies.
:: speaking of running, JCasa is challenging herself to walk, run, or jog 1000 miles in 2012. I'm seriously considering taking up the challenge too. I think it fits my want to aspire to a healthier me.
::  6.3 down 993.7 to go...
:: I think I'll make myself a grilled cheese and tomato sandwich and head into the studio before the day gets any further away from me. Do you like grilled cheese and tomato? You should make one too! (I just pop in the toaster oven to warm it back up when I'm ready for lunch.)

Early Morning

:: yes, I step quickly into the snow, barefooted, to get a few pieces of wood to start the day's fire
:: it is so wonderful to finally see some white and wishing it will last but knowing rain is on the way
:: last night, restless, I watched the outline of a deer graze in the dark of my backyard
:: I hate the annual debate about what is enough when it comes to gift giving
:: finished two of my handmade gifts over the weekend, starting another today
:: Lauren is completely convinced her Momma-made gift is some hand knit socks... it isn't
:: Ron decided we needed to purge and organize our master bedroom closet yesterday... I hung his golf shirts in color order
:: saw a short piece on PBS that is causing me to long to make marmalade, but sadly I only know one good marmalade recipe and the 24 half pints would probably go to waste
:: marmalade recipe... a few spoons of marmalade, cream cheese, finely chopped bacon... amazing on bagels and a wonderful party dip for pretzels or on crustinis
:: I think I know my One Little Word for 2012
:: confession, I am avoiding email like the plague... sorry... if you wrote, I'll reply eventually, promise
:: and... I am also avoiding photographing rings and brooches for my website as well
:: sometimes I say to myself "I just don't wanna" and then I don't
:: looking forward to sharing some heart whispering with you in the new year
:: since it is the holidays, let's call it heart twinkling... what is your heart twinkling?

Tree Trimming

:: it feels like the season has finally begun... we found our tree and the traditions, old and new, are under way
:: old, the same little Christmas tree farm
:: new, this time Jacob cut it down instead of Dad
:: this time last year we already had more than 40inches of snow, this year we have hardly had an inch
:: Lauren, despite learning the "Santa Secret", has more spirit than any previous year
:: old, that same old star that was on our very first Christmas tree
:: new, not putting the tree up in that same ole spot in the living room
:: I went out for some shopping the other day and created my handmade list of goodies
:: I have a lot of handmade work to do in the next 13 days
:: it is easy to get caught up in thoughts, though, while sitting with handy work. I'm trying not to get lost in the sadness some thoughts bring





:: old, Momma and Lauren do most of the tree trimming and Daddy hangs the high stuff
:: new, this year Pappy hung the high ones
:: I think something is percolating, in my mind and in my heart
:: mornings making treats that flow into afternoon naps on the couch followed by evenings with the jukebox playing make for the best kinds of Sundays
:: old, stocking hang on the fireplace
:: new, it seems a different cut out cookie recipe is tried every year
:: I like holding my husband's hand while watching tv at night
:: how in the world was I up at 4 am so.many.mornings.in.a.row? I can hardly rouse myself at 6am these day
:: I know the fire needs another piece of wood because my feet are getting cold
:: wondering if my studio misses me... and if I go there, will I know what to do with myself.