Who do you look like?

I stole this from Abby's blog. I love checking up on her site, she is always up to something fun! Can't wait to see who you guys look like! (there is a link included) I love that it says I look like my fav VS model. Made my day :)

Patience is a virtue

I've meant to put these photos up for awhile but never got around to it. This is the last project I did with Jana and I think it turned out pretty cute. Of course I want to paint the walls but it actually looks nice the way it is, and better off light since it is a basement room.

This family has four boys and probably one on the way (she didn't want to find out, probably to hold onto hope that it might be a girl) Their dad played for BYU so they are very into sports. The basement is a boys dream come true. Well, sports fanatic boys at least. Big enough to play bball in, which they do along with a serious boot camp style work out they are very serious about. Funny boys.
We did the older boys room two years ago and it is a sports overload so when Heidi told us a jungle room would be fun I was syked to not have to hunt down sports related things. (not that there's anything wrong with that) I crafted the tree out of bamboo limbs and leaves then wired the whole thing to the wall. I wonder if I should have put a warning on it? Caution: strictly for decor only, no climbing. Does the elephant look familiar to you Kickbutt?


I couldn't pass up the opportunity to join my other crazy family members in a chewing bamboo leaves picture. Why do I always have to try and be like my cousins? Hey, Kwona and kids did it too. I'm not alone in the quest to be like Quinn.
Sooo... I'm still here in St. George wondering what I am doing here exactly. We were supposed to go to Vegas but in true fashion of the way things go around here; we aren't there. I have been fighting the urge to get back in my car and drive north ever since I got here Sunday night, coincidentally the same time the boss decided to return my call and tell me the plans had changed. Picture me now sitting cross legged like the Dali lama summoning strength and wisdom... but failing miserably.

I've had some time on my hands whilst I wait for Rowdy to deliver "a load of work that will take me hours to do" for two days now. I started my vigil for the promised faxes yesterday, gave up and went home and wasn't surprised at all when he called early this morning saying 'for real, I have a lot I need you to do.' And, hours later yet again, I am still waiting. Like waiting for Gedo (who, by the way never showed up, what kind of play is that?!)

I've been using my time to read up on a new diet. I might become an affiliate but I'm waiting to make sure I truly want to endorse it. Like Signe says, 'Jenna, if you weren't a Mormon, you'd be an Evangelist.' Because I like telling people about the things I love I guess. (Little does she know Mormons are good at that too.) If it lives up to the promises don't be surprised if I'm shouting about how fantastic it is to pretty much starve yourself for a week and give up, GASP! Dairy. And sugar. And red meat. Oh my goodness. The very thought.

The diet. Basically going to be the worst thing ever but with an outcome I can live with. (No, I'm not trying to lose weight, I am not that deranged.) If all goes as planned I will be breakout free and be completely cleansed of the toxins to blame. Sound too new age babblish for you? Me too, until I read a 200 page book on it yesterday and realized it makes perfect sense. I am one of those people who can say I have tried everything, but to no avail. And after a horrendous week of breakouts I'm so ready to do this.
So if all goes well, which I seriously believe it will, I'll have some seriously awesome before and after pictures for you. Seriously. (getting my vocab ready for Greys Season)

"Life is a succession of lessons which must be lived to be understood." RWE

soo crazy

Quote of the week for me: Casey whispered to his mom after I left the room yesterday, "Mom, Jenna is soo crazy."

Home Sweet Home

I miss Centerville already! That was quick wasn't it? I'm back in southern utah for a few days for market and I'm already itchin to get back up there to get back to things.

I went to my new ward today and left thinking FINALLY! I belong somewhere. I already love the bishop, he taught the fifth sunday class today and I was really impressed. I can tell this ward is going to totally rock. I already feel like I'm missing out cuz they were going to The Bees game tomorrow and I think baseball games are pretty fun in person.

Painting day started early after dropping Vicky off at the airport a few days ago and while the plan was to do something neutral and basic I was drawn to my favorite shade of blue as always and this time the temptation was too strong to fight.
I'll post better pictures once I figure out what is going on the walls. I'm trying to figure out a good way to make my kind of clashing bed stuff work better...so far, no inspiration.

Apricot Wars

I couldn't help myself. Parker was asking for it with his clean white tee shirt. Besides, how much more fun can picking up nasty rotting apricots be when you throw them at your unsuspecting cousins? Way more fun than JUST tossing them in the dirt.
I have honorably taken the place of Vicky as daily apricot picker upper and have enjoyed my new position immensely. :)
But I am most excited about the peach tree. It is loaded!! I'm picking up my moms monster dehydrator while in St. George this next week with hopes of making lots AND LOTS of snacks for months to come. I think grandma will even oversee (from the luxury of her brown chair) the attempts at some canning if all goes as planned. Is it too good to be true that there are apples out there too?! New found hobby: dehydrating fruit.

Asian Funk

I have been putting together another color board for my application and this vintage wall paper was my inspiration. I went to the fabric store and came out with some fantastic samples so now I'm on the hunt for some photos of lamps and furniture to include. What fun.

While it is crazy paper I would love to do it on a whim in a bathroom or guest room or maybe even a walk in closet? But as for longevity I'd probably end up redoing it after a year. My dream: to find rich clients as crazy as me so I can live out my dreams in their homes and keep mine pretty simple, funny right?

My reasoning behind picking something so bold is I want my board to stick out. I'm guessing I'll be the only one with this kind of funk.

Oh. I'm not sure my idea to share designers with you is really taking off but if you never check any of them out but one, go check out Kelly Wearstlers site. I eat up her books and could spend hours on her site. She has an insane amount of talent. Her business name: KWID. like squid. Wish mine sounded as cool JRID. Not quite.

Rockin Dog

That's my dog! I won't bore you with further details, I've already posted way too much about those two but I got a bunch of new pictures from Katy and these were my two favorite.

Not much to report from the land of Bountiful, Grandma is working out right now, we just had lunch, the apricots are off the lawn, my room is a really great color (still don't have pictures yet) and I have been having fun reconnecting with my friends up here. Maybe I'll go challenge grandma to an arm wrestle after she's done pumpin iron?

Painting Day

No 'before' photos but can't wait to show you the end result of the project I'm in the middle of right now. I came over to grandmas for a ladder and to apply for a job online (more on that when I know more but can I just say HOW cool would it be to be a visual designer for Nordstrom???) so I thought a quick blog was needed.
My friend has a Photo of the Week website and asked if he could the picture I have up from Devins post a couple of weeks back. Monday and Tuesday people write in captions to go with the shot then Wednesday and Thursday they vote on them, Friday the favorite is chosen. A fun idea I think.
Here is the link if you'd like to check it out. I don't know what comment I would chose, I had planned on putting in my two cents but with the move I lost track of the days and missed the deadline. None of them are quite right for what I remember of the day. If it were up to me I'd say something like.. "Devin sits back innocently as Dillon follows the order to: Drench the aunt. Much silliness ensues... "

Among the boxes

Today has been so surreal. It felt like my last day in St. George even though I'll be back at the end of the summer for work, and even next week on the way to Vegas, but today felt final.

I packed up the rest of my stuff at the office, turned off the radio (which I never do for some reason) and locked the door with a long look behind me. It felt really, really sad. An end to a business and a lot of subtle things I can't put names to.

Jana ultimately decided to close like I thought she would and we'll be having a big 'summer' sale when I get back. She wants to keep it quiet that we are closing the doors for good.

Today reminded me of three movies (at least) rolled into one. This part of the day was totally You've Got Mail, I could hear Meg Ryan's monologue about the Joni Mitchel and letting go of her business.

Before this I had such a typical day I couldn't have asked for a better last day. I was whiling away the afternoon when Signe came over and said the usual one word "market?" which I responded in normal form by grabbing my change and heading off for our daily walk to the store. We never finish our conversations on these walks so we go to her studio to enjoy our snack and check out whatever cool thing she is up to these days. (Today it was loleta, holy smokes) and she gave me the usual giblets of wisdom I've come to expect from her. I had a cloud of indecision in my brain the last few days and with her very blunt way she straightened me out right quick and I will really miss her advice and pitch perfect taste.

While the plan was to hurry home and get the rest of my packing done Laurie called and asked if I was up for dinner, I totally was, so we spent the time chatting and missing each other already.

I fought tears on the way to the restaurant so I wasn't surprised as I fought them again leaving. And this is where the other two movies come in to play.

I thought of Spanglish first when they are leaving Mexico and the little girl is allowed one tear, that's all, and then they would go. So I thought, Ok. One tear. So I continued to kinda cry, but no actual tears. Then of course, The Holiday came to mind when she tries and tries to cry and I thought Oh this is pathetic! so now I'm laughing and crying and not really thinking about my allotted one tear anymore.

I enjoyed my drive home, it is overcast and really muggy (LOVE it) and as I looked around my car at all my scraps of projects and fabrics, paint paraphernalia etc etc I started to lose it again. Each scrap represented to me part of the life I've built for myself here. My job could not possibly frustrate me more for the fact that I've reached the limits but the journey to this point has been an incredible one for me and so satisfying. I can say I've made the most of every opportunity that came my way here and tried and failed at so many things.

A day like today might be making me wonder what will come next and make me laugh and cry all at once but in a month (or six) I'll be able to look back and see the direction my life has taken because of the decision to let go of all the familiar favorite things and stretch.

The car is packed to capacity and ready to go. I just wasn't ready yet until I got in one last blog in from this life. "Onto the next."

Wicked fans everywhere

Note of interest for the Wicked fans: I was checking out at Walmart yesterday, wearing my Defy Gravity tee and the checkout guy practically screamed WICKED!! at me. I was so shocked that he knew the song and even MORE shocked when he busted out singing it!!! So cool. He saw it both in NY and LA and said he loved them both equally.

This week's designer isn't exactly a designer. I've been spending a lot of time looking at artists with small store fronts and thought I'd share the one that stood out the most so far.

I found her on a fun site 1stdibs.com a site with lots of crazy stuff like the flying ant for instance (#17). Who doesn't want a flying ant? It's always fun to see what the trend forecasters say about whats going to be hot, then go to market (in a week, YEA!) and see it first hand carried out by almost every vendor.. then finally see it filter down into the stores and watch it become THE hot commodity.

What would you pick? I'd pick #2 or #12, can't make up my mind. #13 looks fun too! I have a thing for chairs in pairs...

Quail Creek

I'm glad to be rid of my dog sitting duties today although I had lots of fun minus my rude awakening. It is just nice to be home in my own spot, happy as a clam.
Yeti and I went to the lake both nights (I needed an excuse to drive the Titan) We wandered along the shore and I threw in sticks for him to wear himself out with, we hunted a lizard for an amazingly intense few minutes until a silly fisherman distracted us with his silly questions about what we were chasing. Can't you see we're busy man? Lizard's lucky day I'd say, we were this close. The run back to the truck was my favorite. There are these bumpy hills all along the side of the park, perfect for bmx but also fun for a crazy kind of trail running with lots of inclines and jumping about with the dog close behind. The second night I decided to try n ditch the dog. Not easily done but I had him confused a couple of times.

I ran a bunch of mindless errands after work and tried to de-scatter my brain. You would not believe the drama going on in my place of work. I won't even try to fill you in but let me just say that I am so glad to be leaving right now.
The perfect way to end the week, a hot, but not too hot, night at the Dixie Bowl for the ShaDaisey concert. I like them (some of my favorite holiday music) and they put on a good show.

"She doesn't want the kind of love she can live with, she wants the kind of love she can't live with out."

They don't sing this, but some country person did. I've had it on my mirror for the last week or so. Words to live by.

Max the Drifter

It's the dog days of summer. I don't know what that term actually means but being with Yeti reminded me I hadn't heard from Max's mom for awhile so I wrote for an update and she told me he has made friends with the cat, learned his manners and impresses her with all his progress. Only one problem. He barks ceaselessly from when she leaves until she gets home. No matter what. So because her HOA is giving her hefty fines for each complaint by the neighbors and she doesn't want to lose her house or Max to animal control, Best Friends is taking our boy back to Kanab tomorrow.

We've passed tearful emails back and forth since she broke the news and have only been able to keep each other from breaking out into a new fit by sharing Max stories.
Here's one she just sent me:

"And he gives the cat a nightly bath and freaks out when she goes outside. Every once in a while she'll wander out to chew on some grass. She wont go more than 10 feet from me and my yard is fenced so I just leave her be. She'll tell me when she's ready to come in. Max goes nuts. Checks under the bed, checks all her hiding places then yells at me until I find her and bring her in."

This from the dog who, if we so much as crossed a cat on our walks he'd act as though he thought it was the evilest creature alive with the soul purpose of snatching his brain.

She updated me on Gibson telling me his family has gotten him a slide for his pool. (this is an actual pool in the ground Gib has taken on as his own personal play ground) She said he actually slides down the slide, splashes into the pool, swims a lap, rinse and repeat. That's my water boy.
I feel for her as she gives Max up. I don't know if being moved around so much even effects him? He seemed in his element at the sanctuary and sounds like he couldn't be happier in Vegas with Elvis. I wonder where he'll end up next?

PS Changed the picture since the other one is up somewhere in my archives (can't have duplicates) Plus, this is one of my favorites. I sent it to Katy to make her smile too. Anywhere Gib went, Max went they would chase each other for hours, seriously, HOURS! This is what I found one day when it was so quiet I thought they'd escaped again.

Wake up!

I've been staying at a friends house the last few days hanging with their dog, Yeti, while they are away.

He is a funny dog, he definitely has the proximity thing down, (something my runaway dogs never got) but he takes it to a new level. Anywhere I go, he goes. So of course he insists on sleeping as close to me as possible, leaving me about an inch to spare and hour increments of uninterrupted sleep between his many relocation attempts in finding the perfect cool spot on the sheets.

This morning I gained semi-consciousness in the early grey am to the sound of him gagging. As I opened my eyes I saw him lunging at me. I rolled off the bed right as he puked all over my pillow where I had been sleeping only seconds before. Close call eh?

You'd think I'd put him out after this, but he cries if he is out, so we moved locations after I put everything in the wash and I think he was trying to make up because he'd wedge his face up near me when given the chance and hiccup at me. Maybe he was testing my reflexes and only faking? I wouldn't put it past him.

Fretwork

I'm telling you right now: I am sick. I need professional help. I can not stop my obsession with decorating and I'm a little concerned that leaving my job and not having the creative outlet (and spending other peoples money) I will go entirely insane because I don't allow myself much in the decor budget, what with no permanent address.
Since I'm only taking the basics with me I'm trying to mix up my already eclectic collection of room stuff and incorporate some of my favorites right now in the most inexpensive way I know how. Pillows.

A harder challenge than I had originally thought it would be! I knew my search would take me online since Joann's is my only option in town and I've exhausted that source no end.
So I've found plenty of fabric I would die to own. IE this stuff. But I won't even entertain the thought of spending upwards of fifty bucks a yard on fabric!! I think anything more than $5 is a rip off. What a chintzy girl huh? Who are they kidding?? The top colorful fabric swatch would be my first choice in a heartbeat. It'd tie everything together for me perfectly. It has every color I'm using so it makes my hair brained idea to combine all my stuff and make it come together somehow. Blast. And the fretwork? Words escape me.

This one caught my eye too as a more subtle option but then what would I do with my lime green office stuff? I know. There are starving people, forest fires burning peoples houses to smithereens, my parents are doing the work of angels... and I just spent time writing about fabric. Where are my priorities?

But you just wait for the finished result.

Oh did I tell you about the bargain hunter I am? Well, I am. I consider it a sport. I wandered into Pier One yesterday, drawn by the big red End Of Season SALE sign. I found the coooooolest jute rug for... can u guess? 18 dollars for a 6' x 9'. I just sold one of my big rugs to a client so I thought I did well in my replacement cuz I still made a profit. All in a days work!

miki amano

love (LOVE!!) her style. I decided to add a link to my sidebar to feature the designers I've been loving. This is the perfect website to start with.

sometimes you wouldn't trade anything

I was sitting down to eat dinner when a friend called and said she was on her way out to see me. I never get visitors, I usually go into town to play cuz I'm clear out here where the tumbleweeds roam free... No, not really, but it's weird. There seems to be an invisible barrier when you move out of St. George proper into the great yonder, it involves much planning to breach.

So I knew something was on her mind to make the journey and as we talked I didn't like what I was hearing. I don't like when my friends are unhappy. Listening to her I realized her situation is a lot like mine was at the end of last year. Faced with decisions about whether to keep living a life where you know you'll always have to make excuses for why things aren't the way you dreamed they would be... dangit! I feel for her and it's made me sad because I don't like seeing her in such a difficult place.

She talked about how she has always been a strong person but because she started making exceptions for the actions her husband (then boyfriend) was making, it slowly cut her down and made her weak when it came to standing up for how she knew she should be treated and what she would tolerate from any guy.

Like my silly story, there were lots of warning signs as they dated but it is so easy to excuse those things away and make everything seem right when you really want it to be. Now that she is facing the problem head on and making big decisions on whether or not her marriage is salvageable she said she feels the confidence she forgot about coming back and she was so adamant when she said she won't put up with the state of things, I have complete faith in her that she'll do what is best for her.

As she talked about how good it felt to find that confidence again I realized confidence is exactly what I couldn't describe that has been so dominant as of late. I catch it all the time, I've just blamed it on the happiness my new found freedom has brought me. I explained it to a friend recently that everything seems more vibrant, as cheezy cinimatic as that sounds, it is SO true. I'm enjoying the things I used to enjoy, I feel like I'm more me than I've ever been (I know, who was I before?) and it is that stinkin confidence she talked about! I don't know why it took hearing her say what she did to realize this was the secret ingredient in my life, but it did.

So yeah, I guess it is always about me. My friend is going through a really rough patch and I'm happy to have an 'ah ha!' moment. Lame friend I am.

But really, I'm not worried about her. She'll figure this out. She's one of the greatest people I know and so maybe she made a mistake? I'm not the one to say, but I know she isn't going to let it stay that way if she did.

Why did I pick these images? The shirt made Jana and I laugh the other day at Walmart and it fits now in this story. We both should have done exactly that with our old boyfriends. And the funny dog? Signe chucked this at me today and I thought it was fantastic. It's Lofey (or the new Wii spelling: Loafii) gum for sure. I should only chew this gum from now on. She wouldn't share. I'll have to go to Balboa Island if I want cool dog fun gum.

Miss Cari Cheyenne

After talking about Devin last night I wanted to talk about Cari next. I had fun digging thru even more pictures saved on this computer. I didn't realize I had neglected an entire folder of undiscovered memories! I went a little overboard on sharing, I couldn't help it. There were too many fun pictures to chose from!! You are getting the abridged version. There are so many more awesome pictures of Cari!

When I met Cari for the first time she was wearing the prettiest off white lace dress and I carried her around with me showing her off to the neighbors. I thought she was the prettiest thing I'd ever seen. And she still is.

Every one came to St. George one summer to play (and mom and dad closed on the house I believe that same trip?) Cari was most impressed with my job driving golf carts all day but very unimpressed with my tiny apartment, "This is it?" after the 24 second tour.

We cruised around the golf course with her at the wheel enjoying the small relief that comes with driving a golf cart at top speed in the scorching sun. I promised to find a lizard. It was too hot for lizards even. I still owe her a lizard I think.

Cari and me at the Capital at the end of a fun, rainy day hanging out in DC.

Cari, Dillon and a friend at the swimming pool on post. Cari and I spent a few 'girls only' days walking to the pool or riding the subway to shop and hang out. I wish I had that time to do over. I would spend even more time with her. It was so nice having those afternoons together. It'd be a little harder now to plan but I hope we'll get some more girls only time.

This is an absolute horrible picture of me but this night was so much fun I had to put in a picture of it! Mom was visiting for Cari's baptism and we took off to the coast for some fun. (Same trip that 'Holy Chow' originates from for those who remember that post awhile back) This was my favorite part of the night, goofing off walking around the streets of the seaside city of Sokcho and laughing with (at) each other. Cari and her mom rocked it when we went to the nodaybong afterwards to do some singing. Cari's a natural.

This last picture should have been in the last post because Devin totally steals the show with his expression. He was really getting into that story huh?! Totally cute. I LOVE YOU CARI!!

Devin Devin Devin!

Devin has been on my mind all day. I'm a sentimental nut if you haven't already figured that out about me. Talk about my family for even a minute and I'm getting misty eyed. My parents told me a cute Devin-ism this morning when we were chatting online that had me rolling.

You've really gotta know the kid to appreciate it so I'll try to set up the story with pictures and some fun facts about the guy. He is a super character. He has a heart of gold and always looking out for everyone else. I've been impressed with Devin's ability to sense some one else's needs and meet them in his own special way. When I unpacked my suitcase from Korea I found bunches of notes from Devin telling me he loved me and I knew he meant it because I also found loads of coins stuffed in my bags. He was always asking for 'eagle money' (quarters) and hording coins so the fact that he gave them to me meant the world. I still carry a baggie full of his coins in my car with me. What am I going to do with a bunch of Won? If I could, I'd buy a bunch of HiChew with it. Only the best candy on the planet. But for now it just makes me smile and think about Devin.

Unrelated but useful knowledge: The kid is solid as a rock. I can't pick him up. He's made out of titanium or something.

OK. So the story goes, and forgive me if I get it wrong, since I am getting it three times removed. Ben can clear it up if I don't get it right.

Devin is pure energy and in constant motion. So I can just imagine the scene. The family is sitting around the table for dinner, Devin is up to something. As usual. Probably involving some kind of crazy stunt off of his chair.

When in the middle of his antics he falls from his chair and smacks his face on the floor.

Everyone waits for the wailing to ensue....

....nothing....


....still nothing......

....then one little finger rises above the table with a voice attached saying "Warning, don't try that again."

I love you Devin. Keep it up dude.

In other news... the weather here has been fantastic since I wrote about the rain storm a few days back. Still super hot but wacky clouds in the afternoons and humid! Love it!Even thunderstorm clouds today. I wandered outside bunches of times today just to sniff the energy and watch the clouds get more and more ominous. Later on I laid on the cement talking on the phone trying to get my back to calm down and watched the lightening storm. The folks called from Africa. All is good there. I'll post something on PBPB when they send pictures. Hint Hint.
I know, what's with blogging about the weather? We're so passed talking about the weather. You'd think I was making small talk on the worst first date ever. Weather is cool tho. It has a bad reputation for awkward silence filler.
Honestly. I don't know what else to post about. You all know I'm sad and excited all at once about moving. I can't write more about RC1 or dating antics...too incriminating... so really, weather is all I got. I did watch Finding Neverland today. Auh hottie Johnny Depp.... a good way to end my babbling wouldn't you say?

My Little Transformer

Ok, so this is probably only funny to me but I could not stop laughing when I opened this link. I had to share it. My friend in Reno and I were talking about Transformers earlier this week (I really am not that obsessed, I just like movies. Period.) and the toys we liked back in the day. I said I was pretty into Transformers (thanks to playing with the neighborhood boys too much probably) but I liked My Little Ponies a lot too and made the comment that I didn't think there would be a major motion picture featuring my favorite flying mammals coming out anytime soon...
So I totally thought he'd made this site up since he is a wiz at that kind of thing (remember the sushicat a few months back? His creation) But it's the real deal, there are people out there coming up with this stuff. Imagine the hype, the empire, the action figures...

More than meets the eye

Be careful what you wish for...

...because you might just get it all.
Lyrics of a song that came to mind today after I asked the Big Guy for help finding a good painting job before I moved so I could have some peace of mind about not having work lined up yet. I kid you not, an hour later Jana called me and asked if I wanted to be extremely busy this weekend? Heck yes I do!
One of our long time clients moved up the street from her old house and decided last minute to have a few rooms painted before settling in. Plus, her husband is conveniently out of town this weekend giving her free reign of all decorative decisions (not a normal thing for her) So all the stars aligned and I now have a project that will eat up the rest of my weekend. Ask and ye shall receive... I'd normally say 'lucky me' and then pipe in my dad's response, 'luck has nothing to do with it' but I am too grateful to joke.

My green friend here jumped out of my geraniums and onto my shoe while I was watering this morning. I don't see a lot of cute grasshoppers (as opposed to the ugly brown flying ones) here and he was really too cute, I had to take a picture of him. I put him back in the plant so he could have a feast. What do I care? My pretty plants are all going to bite the dust when I leave anyway, no way will they fit in my car to come with me!

Practice

I ran oodles of errands this afternoon getting last minute things for the Safari/Jungle room we're hoping to get put together by the end of the week. I like to break up my errands with little stops to make all the driving around more fun. So after I found the last thing on Jana's list I stopped in at Home Goods to check out the latest arrivals (always dangerous territory for me, I had to stay far, far away from the clothes) and found a print that made me stop and think, "I've never tried to paint birds before..." So this is my first attempt at birds. The color is way off from the actual painting cuz I used the nasty light enhancer in microsoft (ugh)
I don't think I got it, they look stiff and pointy instead of light and graceful like the print I got my inspiration from, but it was a really fun way to spend the evening. Since all my canvas is at work I found a frame not in use and used the cardboard backing to paint on. A cool thing to paint on cuz of the fun ridges and the way it soaks up the paint. I watched (or listened to) Bourne Identity and broke up my project with a bike ride and cereal (because I can get away with cereal for dinner for days with out caring) and finished up my bird study watching Bourne Supremacy and another break chatting with RC1 ;)
I'll probably try the birds again since I'm not satisfied with these guys, but it was really fun to just paint for me with no clients specifications on my mind making me worry over the outcome or how much time I'm spending on it making my profit seem less!
Now if I could burn off all the excedrin I took to make it through the day I can go to bed! But Kickbutt, I'm listening to my Wicked soundtrack and it's not helping me wind down, that is for sure! I hear it is fabulous in London, maybe we should go on tour, NY, London...

Good time for a rainstorm

Our furniture arrived today for the two projects I mentioned last night and the funny thing about freight truck drivers is they refuse to go a couple extra feet and put the crates IN the store for us. So luckily Shad, one of Rowdy's crew, is still in town this week and he came and helped move in the shipment. I was most grateful he was here when I lost my hold on the dolly carrying a box taller than me but he was watching out and steadied the monster. Squished for sure. Last year we had to do it ourselves and my feet were scorched and bloody from carrying the boxes barefoot (it was that, or 3" heels) into the store from the road. All in the name of beautiful rooms right? Right.

We got the last box inside just in time for the rain to start. It has looked deceivingly overcast with all the smoke so when I smelled rain this morning I thought my wishful thinking was really getting the best of me. OH YES, IT IS ACTUALLY RAINING! Summer rain, is there anything better?
And good timing, I'm sure an entire state praying for rain could have something to do with rain on a day with a forcast of 90 and partly cloudy? FEMA is here to help out with the massive fire burning more than 350,000 acres in Central Utah. Hopefully they are getting some of this rain there too.

"The Singing Butler" One of my favorite rain scenes. I've got a bunch of course, but this one is a classic for me. I could decorate a room entirely around this picture. Beautiful!






















I can't think of a better type of day. Cloudy, dark, weird lighting.... It's the kind of weather that calls for a hat or hoodie, a dog, and a place to explore. Maybe a cozy spot by a window with a view and a good book. Or, I guess, sitting in my little yellow shop, surrounded by boxes watching traffic and raindrops and playing with scraps of paper. That will do just fine! "no time like the present"

If I could bottle the smell of wet desert I would.

Lawn Gnome

I caught the California bug bad. When I told Signe how much I loved it there she said "Now do you see why I pine for it?" I do understand. I think I'm having post vacation blues. Be it the extreme heat, super smokey skies or the circles I'm running with my undecided client - I have a huge desire to pack up my car, cover it in crazy knickknacks and sit on the beach in some sunny spot and live off donations from tourists checking out my snazzy ride. (yeah, saw a guy who does just that on the beach in Santa Barbara.) He's living the dream baby, and probably makes more money than me doing it! What am I waiting for?



Syke, really I am excited for my next adventure. The big move up north. I met with my client I've been banking on this morning and she's not even close to ready for me to start so I guess I'm ready to go as soon as Jana and I finish up our two outstanding projects in the next week or two.

But will I ever feel any more ready than this? I'm as sure as I'm going to be about my decision so I've gotta run with it now. I've learned I can ask and ask if I've made the right choice but ultimately I've gotta show some faith and jump. Life is what you make of it right?

The pic of the lawn gnome and me was taken right before the move outta the country and look what good came from that? Centerville may not be as exotic as the land of the morning calm but I think it offers even more potential and I'm really excited to see what direction my life takes because of this decision. Now if I could just get all of me to agree that I'm ready... and maybe I should tell Jana... I've been dreading this conversation. It isn't like I'm just quitting, it will pretty much be the death nell for her business when I leave. This makes me feel extremely responsible. But I think ultimately it will work out for the both of us.

Auh, the ramblings of the restless mind. Apologies. I rode my bike for hours tonight hoping to leave the indecisive funk on the road somewhere but alas, still here.

Tech support quickie

Title Bar not working? It should be resolved shortly (so says blogger) I thought I'd share what I found to be an easy solution until then.

Happy Blogging!

Instead of positioning the mouse pointer in the vertical center of the Title (or Link) box, as is normal, you have to move the pointer upwards very carefully. With the pointer positioned just below the top edge of the box, the pointer will turn into the standard insert icon, and you can click in the box, and start typing.

Family Ties

Family ties are precious threads, no matter where we roam, they draw us close to those we love and pull our hearts toward home.

I thought of this quote today as I flew home today because for me, the girl with no real home these days, home has become anywhere where my family can be found. I had bunches of thoughts on this but too much for a blog, but I did want to share the quote and tell you all for the one hundred thousandth time how much I luv ya and can't believe how unbelievably lucky I am to call you family! Auh sappy sap stuff. Get on with it already!

WICKED!

WICKED! LOVED IT!!! WANT TO SEE IT AGAIN, like, RIGHT NOW!I am an easy critic, I enjoy almost everything, but don't let that fool you. I absolutely 100% LOVED Wicked! We had so much fun at the show, we laughed, we cried, then talking about it for the rest of the night. I wasn't expecting it to be so witty and fun. I had been told I would appreciate the set design but that was the understatement of the year!! The Pantages is a sweet theater, sorry to post a pic with your eyes closed Devry, but it was a great shot of Vicky hammin it up, I had to!
La Brea Tar Pits. Stinky. The smell of tar has to be my least favorite smell, ever. I started whining before we even went into the park. Vicky told me to 'suck it up' and 'stop being a baby' What a cool place though! We really got in so many truly California experiences in just a few days. I loved driving around seeing the unique houses and beautiful west coast sights.

After the show and killing some time cruisin around we met up with the guys and Serge's brother George and his family at Gaucho Grill for dinner. It was a relaxing end to a simply perfect day. Good conversation, laughing with people I love so much and good potatoes... ok, so I don't have much to say about my still breathing steak (and I do like em on the rare side) but wow, this one could have walked away had I not eaten it first. This just proves that while I like to prove my independence and chose my own meal, I should stick with copying others cuz it always come down to my catch phrase. "Yours looks so much better than mine!"