At Last

Jun 2, 2009 | This Life

whirlygig

The number of corners in the soul can’t
compare with the universe’s dimensions folded
neatly into swans. In the soul’s
space, one word on a thousand pieces
of paper the size of cookie fortunes falls
from the heavens. At last, the oracular
answer, you cry, pawing at the scraps that twirl
like seed-pod helicopters. Alas, the window
to your soul needs a good scrubbing, so
the letters doodle into indecipherables just
like every answer that has rained
down through history, and you realize, in
your little smog of thought that death
will simply be the cessation of asking, a thousand
cranes unfolding themselves and returning to the trees.
~~Stefi Weisburd

Playing Catch-Up

Jun 1, 2009 | This Life

cedarportland

Cedar Trees in Portland Heights

 

I’ve been painfully out of touch for the past 10 days.  So, I’m not going to even attempt to artfully craft this post. Instead, I think I’ll just give you a straight forward update. I’d like to start back at this as if I’d never been gone. But, that feels like leaving open a door needing closing—drafts of unfinished business tend to make me cold. And you know I’m not a fan of cold.

Almost 2 weeks ago we set about to put in a lawn. That was a Thursday. The Tuesday before my child informed me that he was “coming down with something.” That’s code for, “Hey mom, I’m sick. You’re going to be sick too!” And sure enough, we rolled the green and 12 short hours later I succumbed. 

If I hadn’t gotten so sick, I would have described the intricacies of our putting in a lawn. It was a feat of scheduling genius—between rentals of trucks and equipment to the timing of purchasing sod. And then you would have been compelled to leave witty remarks about lawn. Yeah, I’d say you’d dodged a bullet.

Instead, I got sick and set up camp on the couch. I watched a LOT of television. I discovered that Bill Curtis has a very soothing voice. He does. I slept through numerous episodes of something he narrates. What it is, I’m not quite sure, because, um, I was sleeping. And  can I just say, Jon and Kate + 8 makes me sad?  Very, very sad. TLC was nice enough to run a mega marathon of all the seasons while I was sick. I didn’t see them all, but I saw enough. Even hopped up on cold/flu meds that show screams TRAINWRECK. With eight tiny souls at stake, well, that’s just sad.

Anyhow, the couch and I communed all through the holiday weekend. The sunny holiday weekend. The elegantly formed schedule for the yard, the schedule I was keeping, slipped. I’m now 2 weeks behind and gradually scraping energy together to tackle bits and pieces. Symptomatically (that’s code for SNOT!) I’m free and clear, but I’ve not rebounded. I find that by 3 in the afternoon I’m spent. I fall exhausted onto the couch, a strawberry flavored jello puddle, channel hop until I find  Bill Curtis so I can sleep. Needless to say, it’s not just the yard schedule that’s suffering. I’m behind on every front.

Everyone dreads getting sick, but I dread it for really odd reasons. Getting sick means work stoppage. I know that if we don’t  keep moving we will stall out. Ever so subtly we will drift into doldrums. Paralysis of analysis sets in and the necessary wind required to make decisions and act on them disappears. So, even sick, I’ve found myself outside tackling odd projects between blowing my nose. Eventually, IZ comes outside and chides, “You’re a woman on a mission, crack that whip.” He can mock all he wants. But I’ve seen my studio space and I know what stopping looks like. Not pretty, Bueller. Not pretty.

So that’s about it. I put in a lawn, I got sick, and I’m now desperately behind schedule. Lucky for me, though, I’m not above rewriting the schedule so it looks like I’m on target. History is flexible like that. 

The Best of Etsy — Hey Daddy-O

May 27, 2009 | Best of Etsy

baseballpainting

A fabulous original by A Cagey Bee. There are also prints!! 

 

We’re shopping EARLY for Dad’s Day! We’ve learned our lesson and we’ll admit, we’re shooting for “favorite kid” status this year. That darn Emily  may be first born, but she won’t be on top for long, oh no! We’re buying something handmade and groovy—just like Dad. Because, our dad is pretty darn cool and he deserves it! 

 

The  Best of Etsy — 27 May 2009 — Hey Daddy-O!

Dad likes to play with fire. Encourage him!

Give Dad these and he’ll stop stealing your mom’s salad tongs!

Indulge his inner child. Oh come on, even YOU want a robot! 

WARNING! This might induce plumber’s crack! 

Every cowboy needs a skillet. Especially your dad! 

Beer. And more Beer. Did we mention, Beer? 

And don’t forget to check out A Cagey Bee! There are prints available of this fabulous painting! 

 

Awesome list for your  fabulous dad, right?  Take THAT, Emily! 

 

Photo used with permission. All rights reserved. 

The Best of Etsy — Just a Few of My Favorite Things

May 20, 2009 | Best of Etsy

naokosstoop

The fabulous work of Naoko Stoop.

 

 

The Best of Etsy —20 May 2009

Ninon’s dog, Gazpacho makes me deliriously happy. 

What stylish laptops are wearing this spring. 

There is nothing “semi-fantastic” about him. He’s simply smashing! 

I’ve been waiting for the Mu-Mu to come back into style–but I never expected it to look THIS GOOD! 

Looking to spruce up your space? Try a new lamp shade. I’m digging all the vintage flair! 

You can never have enough shoes. Or storage space. Especially if you keep buying new shoes! 

Finally, you owe it to yourself to take a peek at Naokosstoop. The watercolor prints are so lovely. (and affordable!)

 

Tell me what you think! Next week: Father’s Day ideas.

 

Image used with permission. All rights reserved. 

Path of Least Resistance

May 18, 2009 | Boy Wonder, This Life

The last of the lilacs — on Boy Wonder’s window.

 

I spent the greater part of this afternoon helping Boy Wonder prepositionally clean his bedroom. Beneath his bed, inside his closet, on top of his computer hutch, under his rug—if it could be cleaned, we did it. He did the 3 weeks of laundry he’d neglected; which really means the 3 weeks of laundry I neglected to nag him to do. He’s 12. So, I feel like it’s a victory that he actually knows how to use the washer and dryer and most of his dirty clothes end up in a hamper, not under his bed. But if I don’t remind him, “Hey! It’s laundry day, get on it. And by on it, I mean now!” it’s not happening.  For the past three weeks I’ve been preoccupied and after seeing him in the same shirt for several days, I took a peek into his closet and declared today a Prepositional Cleaning Day. There’s a reason I buy underwear and socks by the dozens!

It’s amazing sifting through the things he keeps. The things he fishes out of the trash bag, “Hey! That’s tech. I can use that someday!” The mounds of rocks collected on all our vacations, the boxes of legos he still uses to test inventions, the shoe box full of packaging material, “I love that box, Mom! Those bubble sheets make me happy.” His interests have shifted with time, but he’s not ready to let the past go. Not just yet. Next to his 7 year old obsession with Scoobie Do mystery books are last year’s obsession, all the Harry Potter novels. And this year, it’s an alphabet soup of programming languages. Texts on Java, html, php and MySQL are stacked up with pages marked by crunchy papers with cryptic notes. He wrote the code for his first database last week. He just didn’t do his laundry.

In truth, I expect a unified theory of physics from him. Someday.  I just don’t expect him to keep his room clean. I know it’s the path of least resistance. I could yell, and rant, (and trust me, that is what it takes!) and watch him struggle with the process for six hours. Those days usually end with me declaring, “Well you better be one heck of an inventor and make lots of money, because finding a housekeeper willing to clean your mess doesn’t come cheap, Bubba!” Or, “NO WOMAN is ever going to marry you with a room like this. Think about that!” These are appeals that his 12 year old self is willing to ignore, no matter how right I might be.

But there is another option. One that requires less time and less yelling and less suffering. And sometimes, I have the clarity of mind to  choose it. This path, it is full of laughter and insight. Glimpses into this child of mine, this child who is growing up as quickly as he’s growing out of shoes and jeans and shirts. He is interesting and full of ideas. He is compassionate and loving and kind of funny, in a quirky irreverent way. It is a path full of gentle moments, sweet nagging and reminders—this is how you dust, remember to hang up that jacket, uh trash does not belong on your floor, I’m pretty sure I said only ONE water bottle in your room at a time, does Six look like ONE. . . gently, now. Gently.

“I forgot how much I like my room, Mom. I haven’t been this excited about it since I moved in. Thanks, Mom.”

As I placed the last of this year’s lilacs in his window, because he loves the smell of them as I do, I watch him. He’s already fast at work on something new—in a language I do not speak. 

How to Eat an Elephant

May 15, 2009 | This Life

The beginning of the new Summer line for Mireio

 

I’ve also been busy digging a new walkway to the backyard. However, mud is not as pretty as Mireio. I’m working in two hour shifts. Two hours in my studio, two hours in the yard slinging mud, two hours cleaning this pit of a house before I’m shangheid into some dirty house reality show. Stop for coffee to admire my hard work and whine about my 80 year old connective tissue. Two hours later, ahem.

You know, it’s all in a day’s work. 

The Whole Package

May 14, 2009 | This Life

This afternoon, IZ installed the arbor he built. And for an encore, he’s busy making me dinner. I’m smitten. With the arbor and the darling man who kept me entertained all afternoon with raunchy innuendo about power tools. He’s the whole package. 

The Best of Etsy — Enchanted

May 13, 2009 | Best of Etsy, This Life

My favorite piece from the amazing Julie of Puffluna. 

 

The Best of Etsy — 13 May 2009 — The Enchanted List

I love just about everything in Bullfinch and Barbury—but this Luna Moth has to be the most divine piece in the store! I think it would make the most beautiful addition to a wedding dress. 

Everything about Sweet Anthem appeals to me! The photographs and packaging are stunning. I’m anxious to give this fragrance a try! 

I’m not the only one enchanted by these necklaces from Babette. They are flying out the door!

This Chocolate Tea comes in the sweetest tin–perfect for gift giving. And did I mention chocolate?  

Sweet! The onesie is pretty darn cute too! 

I can’t stop looking at this quilt. The color and texture is amazing. 

Flying Bird Botanicals is one of those stores you just want to linger in—everything looks so soothing. I’m a huge fan of Rose Water and this looks ever so lovely!

 

So, just a few things I find completely enchanting this week. What enchants you?

Show and Tell

May 11, 2009 | This Life

  

Before and After

I’ve been distracted from this blog. Clearly. Good weather has a way of doing that. I thought you’d like to see what I’ve been up to. The lamp post is the most  glamorous of my projects; I’ll spare you photos of the trenches I dug and then filled. My lawn is still pretty torn up, and will be for a few weeks. But! I’ve discovered that we can actually lay sod on our own. Muahahahah. So, ahem. That’s next on my agenda. I’m just waiting for a weather break and my super husband to have a few free moments to do the heavy stuff. Then it’s off to rent a rototiller and lawn roller and to buy 40 some odd rolls of sod.  Have I mentioned  that I get high just walking through Home Depot?

Green = Giddy.

Anyhow, that’s where I’ve been. Sidetracked, preoccupied, and really grateful for an excuse not to write the post I promised on blogging.

I say I’m going to write one every year. And every year, I find a way out of it. But this year, I’m writing it. Because I don’t want to write a series, I’m going to put this lengthy post beneath the cut. And it’s totally OK if you decide you don’t care what I think about blogging. But if you do, clickity click. 

(more…)