Rub-a-dub-dub, Luke-in-a-tub

And here's what I did with that background painting. I think maybe I will still collage over it. Maybe.

Book:04 Ida B

I just finished a sweet little book. I assume it's a children's book, even though I picked it up in the adult section of the book store, while Luke was whining about a movie he wanted to buy, so I must have been confused, or something. The book wasn't anything like I thought it was going to be (as are most things hastily bought when distracted by my son) - but what a wonderful and magical one it was anyway. Ida B by Katherine Hannigan. A very wise little girl who talks to trees and brooks and knows the wisdom of the stars - who makes plans every day to have fun and create a full life - who knows the best way to live is to find the good things and focus only on them - not wasting time for the boring or mundane. Then her mother gets cancer and her world changes - from bad to worse as her perception of the world changes and she only looks out for the bad things that could happen - and that's all she finds of course. Naturally, there's a happy ending, everything turns around and she finds her connection to the land and the trees, new people and herself again. It made me cry and laugh too. I think I would like to be more like Ida B myself - on her good days anyway.

Back "home"

Camping out is fun, but coming 'home' is really nice. First thing Luke said was "Mom! It's so nice to have a toilet that flushes the first time." He's right. It's also nice to have KPLU's "All Blues" blaring through the speakers we wired throughout the house... and bright lights, and warm clean floors that you can go barefoot on... and delicious clean water right out of the faucet, and... that big tub of mine that is calling my name - just wondering if there is enough hot water after 3 loads of laundry and Frank's shower - I'll find out soon, and it will be clear fresh water, not the yellow stuff that we filled the old claw foot up with in Edmonds. That house really needs a LOT of work. It will be nice though too... just give us enough time. And money. And patience. For now, I'll enjoy my little luxuries here while I have them.

More

Cut Flowers

Forced Bloom

Unfinished

ABC's

Luke has just not been interested in learning his alphabet. Stubbornly refuses to even try. Blocks his ears if I try singing it to him. Wouldn't get past his attempt at a shortened version: "A B C D F And G, X Y Z". I haven't been worried about it because he can count up to 100 and can do some simple math, and even reads a handful of words... but then... he saw a boy on TV burping out his ABCs and so NOW.... my sweet boy is walking around the house, trying to do the same. Amazing what motivates. That damn TV. Certainly a mixed blessing, as I'm sure he will have it mastered in no time.

Friday Eye Candy and Random Musings

Luke and I met the neighbors today - they seem really nice. That was good. We also went to the Edmonds Post Office for the first time - not too bad a line, the postman was very nice and gave Luke candy, so he will be wanting to go back soon. Good too.

And I think... that tree in my yard that I adore... might just be... a magnolia!





I love the wavy glass in my windows, especially on sunny days like today.

I think I've developed an almost compulsive need to stack rocks.



Work related, I set up a shipping station in my studio so I can just whip those packages right out the door from now on. I hope to use it Very Often. Next, to set up the photography station - so creations just fly onto my web pages with ease. But first, to get some of those creations out of my head and into existance. I've a bag of buttons calling to me, some poly-clay components, and then there are the blank canvases trying to pull me in. Luke goes back to school next week and so I might be able to grab a few hours on the torch too. Life is starting to feel like it's falling into place again. Good stuff coming my way.

New Etsy Shop

I just set up a new shop on Etsy. Check it out!

The Weirdest Thing

It is the weirdest thing. Wonderful though. My son SLEEPS in this house. He goes to bed easy, he wakes up after I do. This has not happened more than a handful of times in all of our 5 and a half years together, yet has happened every day we've stayed here at the new house. Sleep has been such a struggle for him, and because of that, for me too, and I'm a body who needs her 8 hours. I'd just about given up hope. But he sleeps here. He's still sleeping even - this kid who would get up any time from 5:30 to 6:30 and go turn the tv on by himself - is still in bed. I'm just amazed.

Catching Up

I'm happy to say I'm connected via my own wireless connection again (vs the neighborhood one that my computer just automatically hooked me in with). Frank (with Uncle Matty's help of course) even made it secure since we are in a neighborhood with 5 other wireless networks and I wasn't sure how safe that was if I paid bills online or downloaded a customer's credit card or something. So that's good to go! TV is working, the house is very cozy with this hodgepodge of chairs and beds and rugs and pillows and my new espresso maker and toaster. I even got the thermostat to work reliably and the house is mostly warm and comfortable. It's really nice here - I think everyone is happy with this arrangement. Except Zoe - she keeps asking to go back to Carnation. She'll get used to things though, she's my little worrier and doesn't adjust to change as well as anyone else. Well, not true, she's doing a LOT better than Amber - who is still in hiding, but she's now under my bed, and I think that's a huge improvement to the chimney and the floor.

I finally finished my third book of the year - I can't believe it's the end of February and I'm only on book 3... but I guess I've been busy. Life is crazy right now. Or was. I feel like I'm on vacation when I'm here at the new house - it's so nice not to have to always try to keep things just so and ready to go at any moment... and to be able to relax. So maybe I'll be able to do more reading again. Art too. Anyway, I really enjoyed the book. A novel about life and art in Italy in the late 1400's. The Birth of Venus.

And here is just a random link - check out this cave - it is so COOL. Big enough for helicopters to fly into!

Monday Links and Eye Candy

Chiyogami Monday - creating and sharing chiyogami patterns (aka background web images).

Fabulous Rainbow Photos

101 Zen Stories

How to make Faerie Wings

Anne Martin McCool - colorful paintings.

Places of Peace and Power around the world

A Walk Through Durham Township, PA - beautiful photos.

Beautiful Sunday

My friend Kim from Something to Say said something about Beautiful Sunday - a flickr group where you can upload beautiful things on Sundays - check it out - it's so.... beautiful!

New House Stuff

View from my kitchen sink. Reminds me of New England, especially with the snow across the street:



Valentine's Tulips:



Frank is tearing up the bathroom floor. Discovered some old vinyl tiles under the ceramic ones... and under that is rotten floor boards. Ah, the joys of an old house. It will be so nice when we are done - we are going to put heated floors in there.

Tarot Reading Last Night

Q: "What does our new house want to tell me?"
Layout: Past, Present, Future
Cards: 10 of Swords, Queen of Swords, Three of Cups



Beautiful.

My Three Dogs...

er... well, he *thinks* he's a dog. And tells everyone he has two sisters.



Luke's bathroom looks like a real bathroom again. Can't get a good shot though. And appearances are deceiving: water pressure and temp are still an issue - but Frank is working on that.



Had a bit of a scare yesterday with the cable guy leaving the studio door open - thought Amber got out. But no, turns out she was under my bed with Tyger. Tyger was a nervous wreck but he was determined to stay under there to keep an eye on her. Poor guy - then we put him back in the car and took him to Carnation where he crashed from about 6 at night till 8 this morning. I've never seen him sleep so soundly or for so long. He doesn't know it yet, but he's destined for another car ride today. Poor cat - this will end soon though.

here I am...

...sitting at the computer that I turned on right before the cable guy showed up to install my internet... and voila! it's already working. Haha! Someone in the neighborhood has a very fast connection. I'll have my own in a few minutes - or hours as the case may be. Of course they have to run all new cable from the street - what was here (in almost every room of the house no less) is the old stuff and not grounded and not going to work. Does that surprise anyone?

I'm especially happy today because Luke's bathroom looks like a real bathroom now - Frank hung the medicine cabinet/mirror thing we pulled out of the old bath and I put together a little cottage cabinet thing for towels and stuff. And got a little white wastebasket and a thing that goes over the door with hooks. It looks good :) I'd share a photo, but I don't have the connector thingy to download the pics from my camera. I'm obviously having a tough brain day - everything is a *thingy* today.

Plus the sun is shining. And someone is coming to look at the Carnation house this afternoon. I woke up this morning with the feeling that we'd have an offer on it soon. I hope I'm right.

The Adventures of Living in a New Old House

We did it - we spent our first night at the new house. It was wonderful, and at the same time we didn't sleep much. Here are the highlights:

Luke rode his bike through three rooms for almost half an hour singing about all the things he loves: Valentines Day, the color pink, the color red, his dogs, his cats, his house, his mom, his dad, his family, the color tie dye, the world, the earth... etc etc. It went on for a very long time and was actually calming to watch him just circle through the three rooms over and over again listing all the things that make him happy.

Amber made an appearance and the hole in the floor got blocked up. Amber got loved on and loved back. She drools when happy.

Zoe stuck her nose in the curtained windowsill where Amber was and got a bloody nose. (I think she thinks Tyger did it - she was really hurt (feelings hurt, more so than her nose).

Tyger spent the first several hours hiding under Luke's bed, but then spent the entire (and I mean entire) night exploring every corner and nook and cranny. He's happy now - I think he likes it.

Turned on Frank's computer and discovered a couple of unsecured wireless networks in the neighborhood. Were very low strength and didn't quite cut it, but at least made me feel like I was connected to the world there. Cable guy comes tomorrow so I can have my own network again.

Turned the lights on in the Kitchen this morning and one blew. But then none of them worked. Turns out the old wiring is like old christmas tree lights - one goes out, they all go out. Frank says we must re-wire entire house too.

Managed to make an almost-hot mocha in the dark kitchen while Frank figured out the lights. The next one will be perfect, I'm sure.

Stress Level: Orange Alert

Or is it amber? Or red? Crimson? Whatever. I'm doing it to myself... there is no pressure, no hurry, no need to get my nickers in a bunch... but there it is anyway... that stress that is going to do me in if I don't knock it off.

Yesterday we took the spare beds up to the new house and made them up. The old ugly futon will be our couch for the duration... the most horrible wicker coffee table sits in the middle of my beautiful living room making things very shabby, with absolutely no chic to be had anywhere. Furniture from before we were married, odd, ugly pieces that just had never made it out of the house like they should have years ago, but now proving useful again. And so we decided if Luke didn't have his school Valentine's Day party tomorrow, we would spend Tuesday day *and* night up at the new house.

So here I am today, finding out that the party is today after all, and so running around like a mad woman - hunting down that espresso machine I want for the new kitchen, an extra mattress pad for Luke's bed, some curtains, a shower curtain, a bath mat... I don't know what else. Oh yes, Valentines day gifts. And calling the garbage service to set that up, and the cable and most importantly, the internet, because I can not live without that. I really can't. I've already looked up the coffee shops in Edmonds that have Wi-Fi, just in case. Just in case what? I sell a necklace? In case I think the sky will fall if I can't check my live journal and my forums? Yeah, it will too. Don't even try to tell me otherwise.

Shopping done, I have yet to pack. The clothes, the food, the dog beds, the cat, the cat food the dog food, do I need the cat box too? Or will he use Ambers'? What is he going to do when he finds a cat in his new house? Will he be ok with that? The computer... and... do I need the printer too? And what about my painting and art stuff? And all the beads and clay I've collected after they were packed and moved and unpacked up there already?

And after the packing, I've got cleaning - to leave this house sparkling, and then we drive away... and not come back. Well, we will be back, but what if tonight is the very last night we sleep in this house? Just like that, my home for 9 years, the only place I ever lived in for more than a couple of years at a time... an era really - a huge chunk of my life, all over and moved on. I know it will be ok. Unless it isn't. In which case, my bed is still here waiting for us - I can come back home if I need to. At least for now.

Photo Friday - Blur

Seriously, this week's challenge was kind of a cheat for me - I really didn't put much thought into it at all since so many of my pictures come out this way - almost every picture I take of my kid, my cat, my dogs... is a blur.

A Three Eagle Day

That's right, three bald eagles spotted today in different places around and about. Also, the first robin-red-breasts of the year - waiting on our fence as we drove up the driveway. It makes me so happy to see them usually, but this year, I can't help but wonder - what are they doing here so early? And also, why is my evergreen clematis budding already? And my tulips are up... it's just too early for all of this - what's going on?

Today we were going to take a load of things up to Edmonds so we could start camping out there and getting settled in - and to save me from having to constantly clean the Carnation house just in case someone wants to walk through.... but we got two calls for showings and had to be out of the house from 10:30 to 3:00 and so did not get to load up the trailer as planned. It's loaded now and we will run up first thing in the morning. Have guest bed, one of Luke's bunks, a futon and a coffee table. Will make due with that stuff for now. It will be fun. And it will give Amber a few new hiding places so we have a better chance of catching her out of the floor.

Another Button Bracelet

Not done... I spaced the hearts out wrong and ran out. Hope to get some more this weekend but am doubtful.

A Button Bracelet

(pst! the buttons are plastic too - what's going on?)

View From The Treehouse Today

Not *Just* Plastic

The urge to create overcame the little voice that kept whispering "it's plastic, Pam". Yes, these would be great in glass... and maybe I'll work on that soon too. But for now, I needed to squish the clay. I wish I'd used ivory instead of translucent, but it still works. Two sets of components for necklaces:

My Beach Today

Last Luke Story, Davinci Code, Etc.

Last Luke story, at least for the day, I promise. I kept him home from school today because he was coughing still... and he didn't fight me when I told him the news, so I figured it was the right decision. But now he's running around the house yelling "I sure am happy it's sum-MER!" over and over and over again. And he just came up to me and said, "I loooove summer! There is nothing better on a hot summer day than a coooooooold lemonaid!" and pranced away. So... he's fine. Except, maybe not, since it's NOT summer and it's cold and grey out. Either that or he's taking positive affirmations and manifesting your own reality to a whole new level!

I'm happy to say I got some floors mopped - finally. It's a job I hate, but the house smells sooo good now. It's almost worth it. I'm also happy to say I finished The Davinci Code last night - from a book I was having a hard time getting through to one that kept me up till the wee hours - I think it was pretty good after all, for a fun read. I wish he included some references though - I'd like to know what parts he made up and what parts he pulled from research. And I'd like Robert to be a real person because I'd like to read HIS books on the subject. Best news of all, I get to start a new book tonight! (If I can stay awake long enough, that is.)

(psst - the sun just came out - imagine that!)

Just Because He's So Cute

Some Good in the News

This is such a wonderful story - a lost world found in Indonesia - new animals and plants discovered, species thought to be lost or almost lost, found. So nice to know amazing beautiful pockets of the world still exist and are thriving.

And here is a tree photo from today. You can't tell, but it was sunny and beautiful out.

Three Conversations

Luke: Mom? I think I just saw something dead in the road.
Me: I think it was a newspaper, hon.
Luke: Oh. Or a squirrel.
Me: I think it was really a newspaper.
Luke: .... Mom? What kind of animal is a newspaper?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Luke: Mom? This chair! Mom! It's a Movie Star Chair! Why do you have one in your studio????
Me: Because I used to be a Movie Star.
Luke: You did? Before you had me?
Me: Yes - I stopped doing that so I could be a mom.
Luke: Which one do you like better?
Me: Oh, Mom is pretty good. Movie Star was fun though.
Luke: But you like Mom best, right?
Me: Of course I do.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Luke: Mom? Why did you think you were going to have a baby that looked just like you?
Me: I just did. I thought I'd have a brown-haired, brown-eyed baby.
Luke: But NOPE!
Me: Nope. I got a blonde-haired, blue-eyed baby instead. What a surprise that was!
Luke: Aren't you glad? Because I am much cuter.
Me: Cuter than the one I thought I was going to get?
Luke: Yup.
Me: Well... you are pretty cute.
Luke: Cuter.
Me: Yeah, you are just about the cutest thing I ever laid my eyes on. Except for Tyger, maybe.
Luke: Yeah. And Zoe and Kesia.
Me: No, you are way cuter than Zoe and Kesia. But you and Tyger just about tie for cutest.
Luke: Yeah. But don't tell Zoe and Kesia, ok? They would feel left out.

A Finished Piece

Not quite as big and wild as it was in my head, but still big and very fun. Poly clay components and seed beads.

Sunny Day

We have beautiful weather today - it's just perfectly sunny and mild and such a relief after the storms we've been having.

I sold one of my favorite necklaces (I know, I say that about all of them, but it's true) and packaged it up today and mailed it off. I love wrapping up my jewelry and packing it up - I put a little surprise in too - and always like to think people enjoy unwrapping their jewelry and that they feel like they are opening a special gift (even if they bought it themselves).

I have agreed to donate a piece to three auctions already this year - wow, that was fast. I think that will be it for awhile - unless something really near and dear to my heart comes up.

Oh and the Seahawks did great yesterday - I never thought I'd see them go so far. Not that I really saw them, I napped through half the game. They did have the best outfits though, I have to say.

My Best Heart Beads Yet

There - I managed to get them just the way I wanted.

More Hearts

Gravity was working for me today - I figured some things out. Luke even helped me design one - he wanted a heart with a bellybutton - I think it's the best one. I can't wait to get back out there to play some more.

Jewelry Components

These are the hearts I made. They are wonky and funky and I'm looking forward to making more of them tomorrow.



And these are some poly clay components for a really big wild necklace I've got going on in my head:

Good Things

I made beads. Heart beads. From glass. I'll show them off when they get out of the kiln.

Odwalla has a new drink out and it's really yummy and good for me. It's called Berries GoMega and has Omgega 3s from flaxseeds. Yum!

Puffs has new tissue boxes out that are really cute - 3-D under-sea scenes. Luke had to have one, I'm so glad.



I've been listening to Abraham-Hicks tapes. They are fabulous. All about raising your vibrations so you can be happy and in tune with your true self... about getting in the flow and taking it for a wonderful joyous ride. Manifesting your life. Creating what you want. Following your dreams. Following your Bliss. I'm all over that!

Aquarium

Colorful day. The two birds remind me of an old married couple... and that obscene one... a giant clam.

Photos

Today I got a call to show our house and had to evacuate. Decided to go for a drive and see if there was anything worth taking a photo of. I think it was a great morning.