It's amazing, really, the difference in my patience level after having been away for almost a week. I guess I really do need that time to recharge and refresh and hit the giant 'reset' button on my life.
Maybe I should make this an annual occurrence...?
Monday, October 18, 2010
Monday, October 11, 2010
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
So much
So much to say....and so little ability to put it all adequately into words.
I'm being overrun by nostalgia, even knowing that the good ol' days were hardly as good back then as they seem to be now. How did so much time go by so quickly? How did I manage to miss the passing of so many years?
Or did I really miss them?
I wonder if it wasn't just a case of one day slipping into the next as I moved on, moved through, let my diverging path take me down a road I didn't know was taking me further from a time which I should have spent much more introspectively. I often wonder how my life would be different had I made different decisions, chosen different roads. Scanning back over the years, now I recognize certain markers, points that constituted momentous decisions in my life that, at the time, seemed nothing more than generic 'yes/no', 'here/there' choices similar to determining whether toast or eggs would be on the breakfast menu.
I don't necessarily live with regrets, although I cannot help the temptation to wonder 'what if...' at certain points now.
What if I had stayed? What if I'd left sooner?
What if I chosen this, or that, or these here?
What if I'd learned then, and not now?
I'm being overrun by nostalgia, even knowing that the good ol' days were hardly as good back then as they seem to be now. How did so much time go by so quickly? How did I manage to miss the passing of so many years?
Or did I really miss them?
I wonder if it wasn't just a case of one day slipping into the next as I moved on, moved through, let my diverging path take me down a road I didn't know was taking me further from a time which I should have spent much more introspectively. I often wonder how my life would be different had I made different decisions, chosen different roads. Scanning back over the years, now I recognize certain markers, points that constituted momentous decisions in my life that, at the time, seemed nothing more than generic 'yes/no', 'here/there' choices similar to determining whether toast or eggs would be on the breakfast menu.
I don't necessarily live with regrets, although I cannot help the temptation to wonder 'what if...' at certain points now.
What if I had stayed? What if I'd left sooner?
What if I chosen this, or that, or these here?
What if I'd learned then, and not now?
Monday, October 4, 2010
End of the Harvest
The garden, which was ridiculously productive this year, is giving up its last fruits. Of course, my husband and I are terribly lazy gardeners, so I think half of the production of the garden was in spite of us, not because of us. Either way, we did get an insane amount of vegetables this year, and even now, with the 100+ degree heat over, the tomatoes and peppers are roaring abck to life for a bit.
Right now it's 49 degrees outside, so I suspect this is short-lived.
But a few days ago, this is what I gathered from our small growing area...
A basketful of green, red and yellow bell peppers, and a few green tomatoes. I was surprised by how many peppers there were, and in such great shape, but what really struck me was the colors! LOOK at those gorgeous, gorgeous reds and greens and yellows!
This deep crimson red has to be one of my most very favorite colors. It's so vibrant and feels so alive to me. My car is just about this color, and I love to wear this color.This past Saturday, I closed out our CSA share for the year by indulging in a large bouquet of flowers from our CSA farm.
The past few days have been sunny and cooler, and with the recent rain, I am sure we will see the trees changing soon, too. Somehow, this change in seasons is always so vibrant in terms of color...as though the summer forces out one last ostentatious show before turning off the lights and closing up shop for the winter. I love the reminder of how bright everything can be, right before the bleak days of winter.
Friday, October 1, 2010
Reflections and Plans
I had such a fantastic time last weekend at the art retreat I attended! There's really nothing like being in the company of many other creative souls, and spending the day working, learning and sharing. This is what I wish I could do more of....although my best creative friends in the art jewelry world all live someplace other than here. :(
Travis just got back from being out of town overnight to a work-related meeting. I suspect he didn't enjoy the traveling and overnight hotel experience as much as I did, though. I wish he did; it's nice to get away for a while, even if it *is* for work. I'm trying not to feel guilty about enjoying it ; I'm very very lucky that I get to do these things at all, and I can do them because I have the support of my husband. I guess we're both lucky that neither of us travel for work like our friends do.
My next trip to going to be a longer (slightly) and much further excursion. My friend Kitty and I are traveling to upstate NY, to the Corning Museum of Glass. She's never been there, and we are both really excited about attending a few of the lectures in the Annual Glass Seminar, which is all about medieval glass and its influences.....no, not at ALL up our alley, is it? ;) Anyway, I'll be gone three or four days, and truthfully, I am very much looking forward to it. Not only for the lectures and the trip to NY, but also for the serious hangout time with a good friend I haven't seen much lately, and for the chance to see some of my family and old friends. I've already planned a stop in Geneseo to visit my alma mater, and a quick trip up to Rochester to see my grandmother and some other family members. I'm hoping to reconnect with an old college friend, and also to have margaritas with a new friend. It's going to be great! I really, really miss New York sometimes.
Travis just got back from being out of town overnight to a work-related meeting. I suspect he didn't enjoy the traveling and overnight hotel experience as much as I did, though. I wish he did; it's nice to get away for a while, even if it *is* for work. I'm trying not to feel guilty about enjoying it ; I'm very very lucky that I get to do these things at all, and I can do them because I have the support of my husband. I guess we're both lucky that neither of us travel for work like our friends do.
My next trip to going to be a longer (slightly) and much further excursion. My friend Kitty and I are traveling to upstate NY, to the Corning Museum of Glass. She's never been there, and we are both really excited about attending a few of the lectures in the Annual Glass Seminar, which is all about medieval glass and its influences.....no, not at ALL up our alley, is it? ;) Anyway, I'll be gone three or four days, and truthfully, I am very much looking forward to it. Not only for the lectures and the trip to NY, but also for the serious hangout time with a good friend I haven't seen much lately, and for the chance to see some of my family and old friends. I've already planned a stop in Geneseo to visit my alma mater, and a quick trip up to Rochester to see my grandmother and some other family members. I'm hoping to reconnect with an old college friend, and also to have margaritas with a new friend. It's going to be great! I really, really miss New York sometimes.
Friday, September 24, 2010
Travelin' On
I've been anticipating today for at least a couple of months. Today I am heading up to Northern VA, to attend my very first art retreat. It's ArtBliss, run by two extremely talented ladies, Cindy Wimmer and Jeanette Blix Ryan. I'm taking a class tomorrow on metalsmithing and enameling -- in particular, how to make enameled copper beads out of sheet copper and some hand tools. Neat, huh? I can't wait. Among other exciting things happening this weekend is my ability to FINALLY meet a friend and fellow jewelry/glass artist, Kerry Bogert, whose work I have admired for years. I am thrilled beyond measure that things finally fell into place for us to be in the same location!
Originally I had planned to drive up to the workshop on Saturday morning. It would make for a long day, but the budget is tight, and I didn't think I wanted to stay overnight someplace that is only 2 hours from my house. Really. BUT, I was persuaded to spring for the hotel room and stay overnight so I could attend the reception for the instructors and participants that is being held tonight. I am glad now that I decided to do that, although today has been an interesting day inside my head.
I haven't traveled much over the last 3 or 4 years for a variety of reasons, not the least of which is money, and my very young children. I think the last time I went anywhere was sometime after Wren was born and I attended an out of town SCA event with some friends, or took my daughter's Girl Scout troop camping.
I've never spent the night away from Noah.
Now, lest you think I'm about to get all mushy over going out of town for about 36 hours, I will tell you that THAT is not what causes all the mulling over and contemplation. Traveling -- the act of planning even a short, small trip -- seems like such an *adult* thing to do. Making hotel reservations, deciding what to pack, getting in the car and actually going to the destination....these all seem like such grown-up tasks. Never mind that I *am* a grown-up, and I do terribly adult things all day every day -- raise kids, work professionally, cook dinner, organize, clean, be responsible. It's different somehow.
I never was in a position, with the career I chose, to travel professionally on business trips. Maybe that's why it seems so grown-up to me. REAL adults go away on business. I have plenty of friends who probably detest the whole airport/hotel/meals out/business meetings routine by now, but I have never experienced it. Leaving this afternoon seems like a big deal. I know *how* to travel, and I know how to take care of myself alone and out in the world, so to speak, but I have never had to do it repeatedly, nor manage my family AND do it, like my IT and statistician and sales friends do. It's this sort of thing that has been running around in my brain all day.
I feel like a grown-up today. In addition to getting my act together for this trip, I also made hotel reservations for a much longer, much more distant trip for next month. I'll be joined by a friend of mine for a fun few days to glass-geek in Corning, NY. That's going to be a fun trip, too, and one I am so looking forward to.
I feel like I am about to press a giant 'reset' button on my life. I know that when I come home from these two trips, I will be refreshed, in mind and in soul. I know that I will have new skills and new knowledge that is going to help me advance the art I make, and maybe, just maaaaybe, help me get turned in the direction my soul really wants me to go in. It's been so hard to be still and listen to what I am sure the universe is probably shouting at me by now.
My family will be in the extremely capable hands of my ever-loving and wonderful husband, and I have no worries about him managing our brood, our house and home, and whatever else comes up, while I am not here. It's all good.
My 'soupcase' (as Noah so beautifully calls it) is packed and in the car. I packed more than I will need for an overnight trip, and this is because even though I *am* an adult, I barely know how to dress myself. I am so far from girly most of the time that I realize I don't even know what to do to cover up the deep, dark circles under my eyes. I never wear makeup, unless I am going someplace really dressed up, and I don't have any sort of skin-care routine or knowledge of particular fashion trends. It figures. I get the chance to go someplace by myself and dress up a little (sort of, I mean, we are going to be making art), and I don't know what to do! Heh. I'll survive. And at least people tell me I in no way appear my actual age (which is 40, for those playing along at home), so there's a bonus. I just hope I look my best. I want to look my best, even though I will be among friends and have absolutely no agenda and no need or desire to impress anyone.
I will be me, and that will not only be enough, but will be perfectly enough. In twenty minutes, my oldest child gets off the middle-school bus, and I am. On. The. Road.
Travelin' ON!
Originally I had planned to drive up to the workshop on Saturday morning. It would make for a long day, but the budget is tight, and I didn't think I wanted to stay overnight someplace that is only 2 hours from my house. Really. BUT, I was persuaded to spring for the hotel room and stay overnight so I could attend the reception for the instructors and participants that is being held tonight. I am glad now that I decided to do that, although today has been an interesting day inside my head.
I haven't traveled much over the last 3 or 4 years for a variety of reasons, not the least of which is money, and my very young children. I think the last time I went anywhere was sometime after Wren was born and I attended an out of town SCA event with some friends, or took my daughter's Girl Scout troop camping.
I've never spent the night away from Noah.
Now, lest you think I'm about to get all mushy over going out of town for about 36 hours, I will tell you that THAT is not what causes all the mulling over and contemplation. Traveling -- the act of planning even a short, small trip -- seems like such an *adult* thing to do. Making hotel reservations, deciding what to pack, getting in the car and actually going to the destination....these all seem like such grown-up tasks. Never mind that I *am* a grown-up, and I do terribly adult things all day every day -- raise kids, work professionally, cook dinner, organize, clean, be responsible. It's different somehow.
I never was in a position, with the career I chose, to travel professionally on business trips. Maybe that's why it seems so grown-up to me. REAL adults go away on business. I have plenty of friends who probably detest the whole airport/hotel/meals out/business meetings routine by now, but I have never experienced it. Leaving this afternoon seems like a big deal. I know *how* to travel, and I know how to take care of myself alone and out in the world, so to speak, but I have never had to do it repeatedly, nor manage my family AND do it, like my IT and statistician and sales friends do. It's this sort of thing that has been running around in my brain all day.
I feel like a grown-up today. In addition to getting my act together for this trip, I also made hotel reservations for a much longer, much more distant trip for next month. I'll be joined by a friend of mine for a fun few days to glass-geek in Corning, NY. That's going to be a fun trip, too, and one I am so looking forward to.
I feel like I am about to press a giant 'reset' button on my life. I know that when I come home from these two trips, I will be refreshed, in mind and in soul. I know that I will have new skills and new knowledge that is going to help me advance the art I make, and maybe, just maaaaybe, help me get turned in the direction my soul really wants me to go in. It's been so hard to be still and listen to what I am sure the universe is probably shouting at me by now.
My family will be in the extremely capable hands of my ever-loving and wonderful husband, and I have no worries about him managing our brood, our house and home, and whatever else comes up, while I am not here. It's all good.
My 'soupcase' (as Noah so beautifully calls it) is packed and in the car. I packed more than I will need for an overnight trip, and this is because even though I *am* an adult, I barely know how to dress myself. I am so far from girly most of the time that I realize I don't even know what to do to cover up the deep, dark circles under my eyes. I never wear makeup, unless I am going someplace really dressed up, and I don't have any sort of skin-care routine or knowledge of particular fashion trends. It figures. I get the chance to go someplace by myself and dress up a little (sort of, I mean, we are going to be making art), and I don't know what to do! Heh. I'll survive. And at least people tell me I in no way appear my actual age (which is 40, for those playing along at home), so there's a bonus. I just hope I look my best. I want to look my best, even though I will be among friends and have absolutely no agenda and no need or desire to impress anyone.
I will be me, and that will not only be enough, but will be perfectly enough. In twenty minutes, my oldest child gets off the middle-school bus, and I am. On. The. Road.
Travelin' ON!
Friday, September 3, 2010
Summer 2010
*Kira got "most improved in math for the 6th grade" * We adopted a new kitty* I rode my scooter to the farmer's markets * we celebrated a fantastic Father's Day * Our garden grew (and grew and grew!) * We ate chicken wings at our favorite place, Quaker Steak & Lube! * Flowers! * Fun in the fountains at Stony Point * Fun in the pool! * Fun on the playgrounds * We went roller skating! * There was a whole lot of grass-cutting * We studied hawks in our backyard * We threw a party on the 4th of July * Sparklers! * Noah got a big-boy bed * Tomatoes and more tomatoes (and cucumbers!) * We visited Hollywood Cemetery * Played in the sprinkler * Mommy and Daddy managed to have lunch ALONE one day * there were some BIG summer storms! * Our dogs were happy * I got my first piece of jewelry published * We baked and decorated cupcakes * We built lots of forts * And played in the pool * And watched the birds * And celebrated Kira's 12th birthday * And cheered for Kira getting her first belt in martial arts!*
We've had a terrific summer!
It was unbelievably hot this year, and that really limited some things, but all in all, we had a great time, spent lots of time together, and are looking forward to a fun fall season.
I can't believe how big all the kids are getting. Time definitely marches on.
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