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Wednesday, July 30, 2008

WORK GETS IN THE WAY...

Work gets in the way of life. It physically binds me from spending quality time with my son on a daily basis, and sucks precious, irretrievable time away from my writing and my art.

What an odd concept to be brought into a world, into a society, to work for other people, for what seems an eternity, and pay the government a part of what we make and then struggle to make ends meet. What part of this makes sense? I say no part of it makes sense. Why aren't we brought into the world, into societies that allow us to live life, barter for and grow what we need to survive, and get along with our neighbors. Just to tend to small daily chores only necessary for survival and be blessed with the rest of the time to fulfill our every need, be it emotional, physical or spiritual.

The older I get, the more I realize how much time has literally been wasted in getting up early, going to a job (that unfortunately I don't love) and working all day to pay for things I keep in a home that I pay a mortgage on (which in reality, 5 days a week, is a storage facility and overnight motel) and I never really get to spend much time in it doing things with my son or submersing myself into my art.

I think I was born to the wrong country. Isn't there a European country(ries) in which people work when and if they feel like it, take naps during the day, drink wine for lunch and either go back to work, or not? If so, I need to consider moving us there. I would like my son to not have to work as hard as I have, and be miserable all his life. Of course, he already has a life plan (at 15) to go to culinary school and business school and get a degree in both. Thank God he says those things make him happy. If I've done my job as a parent to the best of my ability, he won't have the struggles I have had.

My idea of the ideal life would be to wake up (which is always a good thing), when I got around to it (I'm a morning person, so it would be with the rooster), shower, get dressed, wander out into my extremely large vegetable garden, graze until I was full and call it breakfast. I would then go for a leisurely walk with my camera along to document all the beautiful sights I saw along the way. I would live in an area with a large redwood forest, streams, creeks, rivers and oceans. Beauty would abound with every step I took on this walk. I would them wander home, go back into the garden, graze some more until I was full, and call that lunch and dinner, and then write for awhile. I love to write. I love to create in any fashion, really.

I know that all of this is possible--somewhere--somehow--for some people. I wish I could be one of them. My heart longs to be entirely free to be who I am and express myself in every way possible, without the oppressing shackles of capitalism.

Work sure gets in the way.

Friday, July 25, 2008

ROUND ROBIN EXPRESS GROUP & GENERAL TOPICS ON MY MIND

I am having SO much fun with my Round Robin Express altered book/altered art group. This is the first group I've moderated (ever), and I have to say, I really got lucky. I have seven of the coolest lady artistes in this group and we all care about keeping it fun and making everything run like clockwork.

I've been in many, many, other altered art groups, and I have to say, I was never very excited about them for several reasons. The largest altered book group on Yahoo has something like 1,800 members. I used to belong to that group, but when I went to the messages area and looked around, I really never had much of an idea as to who was doing what and what swaps were active or who's running the swaps. It's very chaotic and very frustrating for me, because I like to be organized and orderly. It's the only way to make sure that everyone gets their altered books back to them in all of their fabulousness and that the swaps are set with guidelines so they will run smoothly and result in an awesome product in the end. There are a couple of people in the group who I can tell by their blatancy aren't very fond of me all of the time (or most of the time), but I had to realize that you can't please all of the people all of the time. I let people know exactly what is expected of them going in, and I don't understand why they would join if they are not sure they have the time or the devotion to put forth. We are a very hands on and communicative group, but it does require effort and keeping up on the discussion board.

I find it kind of funny how there are people who will join a Yahoo group or other internet group, knowing full well that they are joining an "internet" group, and then make comments like, "I don't like to get on the computer that much, so I won't be posting often." Okay, so I ask, "Why join an internet group? You will be expected to participate, and often." I like to get on the computer and now that I moderate this group I try to be on as often as possible to toss ideas around, answer any questions, make sure things are running smoothly and that everyone is creating, being fulfilled in their art, and having a fabulous time. Ugh!

We are at the halfway part of our altered book round robin. All 7 of us created books to float to each other for altering, so when we are done, these books will have literally circled around the United States. It's such an exciting endeavor when you think about it, how people around the United States are able to come together as a group, in this case a group of artistes, and communicate and create with one another. Without the internet, this would not have been possible.

I really hope our group will "live long and prosper" (yes, I borrowed that line from Spock). I have decided to keep it down in number. A small group is easier to run smoothly and keep everyone as happy as possible, which is my goal.

On another note, I am sad that a couple of my friends, one in particular, who was excited about my getting a blog initially so she could, "stop by and see what I was up to," seems to have dropped off the face of the planet. She lives in a state that starts with an O, but I won't which one - lol. She has two young children (which I know leaves you very little "you" time,) but even when she has been on the computer to update her blog, she has not read or responded to the comments I've left for her, or left any comments or stopped by my blog. As a matter of fact, the emails and phone calls have stopped also. I know you are busy girl, but we've had too many years of friendship for you to just drop the ball. If you read this, know that I miss you and that I love you. I am here to talk to-just a phone call away.

As it stands right now, my boss is officially retiring. I have to find another job in this small area, that pays what I'm making now or lose everything, within the next three months. I haven't had to look for a job in 11 years. Wow, I can't even believe I've been working here for 11 years. I've never worked anywhere for more than 4 years. I've always had a Nomad spirit and have moved every 3 to 4 years to another city or another state, but when you have a kid, I guess you want to stay put and make sure he/she has roots and a place to call home with the same friends and school. The older he gets though, the more I find that spirit calling to me. I remind myself of Juliette Binoch in Chocolat. When the wind blows, I'm ready to move somewhere new and start over. I love a clean slate and the thrill of getting to know new people. It will be exciting to see what the future holds. I hope I get a good job, too. It's very scary.

I guess I've rattled off long enough. Thank you so much for stopping by, and please leave a comment if you can. I get a little lonely around here sometimes *grin*.

Sunday, July 20, 2008

RECYCLING MY MANUSCRIPT - I Made Paper

I have wanted to make paper for a lot of years, but never found the right moment to gather everything I needed and get down to it. This weekend I decided that I wanted to make paper to use on the covers I am making for the cookbook project we're doing in my Yahoo group. I wasn't sure that I wanted to use torn up newspaper for my pulp, so I decided to use all of the sheets of paper from so many revisions of my first book (I'm on my third now, so you can imagine the volume I have from edits). I thought it would be neat to know that, besides my efforts in making the paper, a little more of me was put into the process.






I love how it turned out. For half of the batch, I threw a piece of sag
e card stock into the blender and got a faded, beautiful green hue. I also added to the blender, various colors and types of flower petals from my garden, and some pretty, long leaves. I put some eucalyptus oil in the mix as well and the paper now has a beautiful scent to it.
I managed to make 12- 8x10 pieces of two different hues.

This was a very
calming experience. I really felt at one with nature, you know, I was recycling, I was using things from my garden that were about to need dead-heading, it was a rainy day and the doors were open with a gentle breeze cooling the kitchen and the scent of new fallen rain pleasing my nose. I started to contemplate the process used by early man in making the first sheets of paper or papyrus.

For weeks I've been searching the Internet, looking for people who make and sell paper. I was stunned by the prices, not to mention the shipping added to it, although now I understand them both. That's when I decided I could make it cheaper myself, and this way, I get to put in the items and change the colors as I like. I think I'm going to be doing a lot of this.

WE ARE NOW A 2-INCOME FAMILY

My son is employed!!!! We are now a 2 income family, that is until school starts in two weeks. Brice just got a job at McDonald's cashiering. He is working 5 days a week now and will change to just weekends or one weekend day when school starts.

Finally, we can afford to feed him to the amount which he believes he should be accustomed. LOL. I'm beaming from ear to ear with pride over how good hearted my sweet boy is in wanting to contribute to our dire financial situation. Not many kids these days are willing to work and then spend the money on such dull things as groceries and household needs.

I was surprised at the colors in the uniform - back and brown? It doesn't say McDonald's to me - but then again, I don't really ever eat there. I think the last time was 12 years ago and they had yellow shirts and red hats. Times, they are a-changin'.

Wednesday, July 16, 2008

TRIP TO TOMBSTONE ARIZONA - 2008

My son and I took some guests to Tombstone this weekend and I got some more great pictures. I forget each time, just how much I love visiting there. One fabulous thing I discovered, which would only be fabulous to no one but me, is this smoke shop who sells cigar boxes for $1.00 each. I bought out his stock. I was SO excited, I was saying things out loud like, "Oh my God, this is SO cool" and "I'm SO excited, I can't believe I found these." The poor man thought I was really gone for flipping out over used cigar boxes, but when I explained I used them in my art and made cigar box purses, and altered boxes, he said he wanted to see some the next time I went down there.

We really had a great trip and my son and I got hung. We now have official death certificates because the man with the gun in the street said, "Ma'am, you don't have a permit to use that camera and we hang people for that." LOL.


Thursday, July 10, 2008

PARASOLS, PINK LEMONADE & POLKA DOTS SWAP - ITEMS


I have had such a great week opening and sorting through the two packages Renee sent to me for this swap. I don't think I could have asked for a more compatible partner in the sense that we both idolize shopping at thrift stores, yard sales, estate sales, you name it. We agreed to purchase items only from the stores mentioned above. Nothing new, other than
candy items, or other food stuffs. Just look at the multitude and variety of goodies. She even found an old Frigidaire ice tray, you know, the metal kind you freeze and then pull the handle to loosen, and filled it will all kinds of trinkets. I washed it up and put it in the freezer. The ice cubes from that things are huge to say the least.
She even wrapped it in a beautiful piece of purple netting and tied it with a huge baby blue bow. I loved the miniature white metal chair, the beautiful blue bottle and the vintage Avon cold cream jar.
It doesn't get much cooler than that! As a matter of fact, check out this sweet little hand mirror. On the left side is a butterfly perched on a tiny spring. The paisley metal box was
filled with a pretty flower rubber stamp, wire/fabric leaves and vintage cutouts. I don't know if you can see the multi-colored candy necklace next to the beautiful pink dinner gloves. A personal favorite of mine.
Look at the beautiful wooden music box/jewelry box adorned with glass flowers. It plays "Theme from Love Story", which I love.
Kudos to you Renee and to the Parasols swap ladies at Sweet Goodness Swaps.


Wednesday, July 9, 2008

ROUND ROBIN EXPRESS - ELEMENT TAG SWAP

It definitely took a while, but here they are--16 tags for the Round Robin Express Element Tag Swap. One thing I was really happy about was finding tag templates that were larger than the original tag size as it is much easier to work on a surface of a larger size (especially when my glasses prescription is out of date and there are no immediate prospects of affording a new one).

There are five people in this swap (including myself) and we had to make one set of tags for each person, in this case four people. I made 4 tags for earth, 4 tags for water, 4 tags for fire, and 4 tags for wind/air. When all of the mailing is said and done, each person will have 16 awesome elemental tags to keep on their jump rings or save in whatever format works for them.

Creating these tags made me realize what an "outdoor" person I am and how into photography I am. I really wanted to make sure I used actual photographs to represent the elements, because I SO love being out in them, gardening, hiking, biking, chatting with a neighbor, floating in the pool. I think if I were able to find a place to put up a yert, I would find a nice river or creek down in a forest, preferably in the redwoods, and live in it there. I could then build huge gardens and live off the land. This is a long time fantasy of mine (not necessarily in a yert, a small cabin would do), which, in the near future I pray comes true.

Sunday, July 6, 2008

MIRROR MIRROR ON THE WALL

I just finished my second spread in Tiffany's book. This one is entitled, "Mirror Mirror on the Wall." I have really gotten into this vintage wallpaper background thing. The mirror is shiny as it is made with an interior of foil. I found a beautiful button that resembled a vintage broach and glued it on the picture of the woman. This spread was a bit simpler than I usually do, but I really think it needed to be. I really like this piece. I hope Tiffany does.

Saturday, July 5, 2008

HAPPY FOURTH

I hope everyone had a fabulous fourth. I had my niece and nephew over for a couple of days while their mom and dad had an "alone time" getaway - much needed. I took my son and the two of them to Lake Patagonia and we rented a peddle boat - a four-seater. We pedaled all over that huge lake and boy did I need the exercise. The kids jumped off of the boat in every little cove we visited and swam for a while in their clothes. They loved it. I, on the other hand, opted not to swim as someone had to keep the boat in the local vicinity, as there was no place to tie off. We had a great day together. I took this picture of my niece when we docked in the only cove we were able to run aground in. This picture reminded me of the epitome of the "girl next door" look.

L to R - My niece Sarah (11), My son Brice (15), and my Nephew Alex (8)