Saturday, July 31, 2010

Embarking


Usually I sum up the month of posts when I do one of these ridiculous post-everyday-for-a-month-challenges. But I don't feel like doing that.
I decided to not look back.
Instead I will focus on what lies ahead...fix up the house, fix up the career, fix up the kid, and then see where we end up.
(post options is my friend)

Friday, July 30, 2010

Blurry


Late night in the train station. Don't you love it when trains are late? We're home now. Wish us luck.

Thursday, July 29, 2010

Balance



In the garden. Yin yang...weeds and chosen.

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Time Saver


Or so I thought. There are many things on my list for today, this might actually take two days. I'm cleaning out, polishing up, hoping my timing is just right. It will take a miracle for everything to fall in place the way it needs to...

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Saving My Sanity

Pie, cheesecake,

wine, and

FRENS!

Monday, July 26, 2010

Be My Guest

The guest room is finally done. It's been 5 years since I daydreamed about making this space into some place welcoming. And it's been 2 years since I started the project. What got in the way? College expenses for one kid and a major health crisis for the other one. I was a little distracted.

From the front door...


Down the hallway...



Little tiny room...



View from the bathroom...



View from the bed...



Did you forget something?



There have been people staying in this room before it was finished (sorry Don, Martha, and Rachel). Not visible is the power strip in easy access to the bed, so you can use your laptop in bed.

Wanna come visit me?

Sunday, July 25, 2010

Strawberry, Blueberry, Strawberry


'08. Back when I was happy.

Saturday, July 24, 2010

More During


The room needs to be trimmed out.

Friday, July 23, 2010

This Week's Flowers


Did you know that fruit flies love organic sunflowers? This may be the last time I buy some.

Thursday, July 22, 2010

During


The ceiling fan is up and running! Also, the dining room and upstairs hall light are working again after 2 years. For some reason, all 3 were connected. I can't tell you how excited this has me.

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Before


A handyman-type person is coming over today to help me finish some projects around the house. I started remodeling about 2 years ago, then got distracted in a major, health crisis kind of way. This is the guest room sort of before. The real before picture would have been way too embarrassing to show.

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Saving Even More Money


Sold it! And I almost paid for the new computer.

Sunday, July 18, 2010

Record Data: Save


Exactly 18 years ago today, I found out I was pregnant with this kid.

Saturday, July 17, 2010

When You Say Uncle Like You Say Daddy

The sun penetrated right to my bones. The waves slurped against the edge of the lake. We sat back in our chairs on Uncle David's deck, looking up at the sky and identifying birds that flew over.
"Cardinal." he said.
"Gull." I said.
"Turkey buzzard."
"Any more chemo?" I asked him.
"Nah." He took a crumbled cigarette pack from his shirt pocket. Out came lighter from under the plastic outer layer, along with a cigarette.
"Doctor said no point in quitting now." he said, lighting it.
"Blue jay."
"Chickadee-dee-dee." I imitated the call.
I had my bathing suit on under my shorts.
"Uncle David, do you think I should swim across the lake to that rock and back? Or should I paddle your canoe around the lake?"
"You're going to do what you want no matter what I say."
"Canoe then. Wanna come?"
"Nah. I'm gonna sit here and watch for birds...Pat, I should have kicked his ass for you when I had the chance. I should have treated you more like a daughter after your dad died."
"It's okay, uncle. I stood up for myself, eventually."


Uncle David with his big sister (my mother), dressed for dinner

Friday, July 16, 2010


What saves a man is to take a step. Then another step. It is always the same step, but you have to take it.
~Antoine de Saint-Exupery

Thursday, July 15, 2010

Redemption: Save



"Hallelujah"
by Leonard Cohen

Now I've heard there was a secret chord
That David played, and it pleased the Lord
But you don't really care for music, do you?
It goes like this
The fourth, the fifth
The minor fall, the major lift
The baffled king composing Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah

Your faith was strong but you needed proof
You saw her bathing on the roof
Her beauty and the moonlight overthrew you
She tied you
To a kitchen chair
She broke your throne, and she cut your hair
And from your lips she drew the Hallelujah

Baby I have been here before
I know this room, I've walked this floor
I used to live alone before I knew you.
I've seen your flag on the marble arch
Love is not a victory march
It's a cold and it's a broken Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah

There was a time you let me know
What's really going on below
But now you never show it to me, do you?
And remember when I moved in you
The holy dove was moving too
And every breath we drew was Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah

You say I took the name in vain
I don't even know the name
But if I did, well really, what's it to you?
There's a blaze of light
In every word
It doesn't matter which you heard
The holy or the broken Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah

I did my best, it wasn't much
I couldn't feel, so I tried to touch
I've told the truth, I didn't come to fool you
And even though
It all went wrong
I'll stand before the Lord of Song
With nothing on my tongue but Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah

Wednesday, July 14, 2010


Probably not the best time to have committed to posting everyday.
Unbloggable circumstances.
I need some major universe intervention. Some positive thoughts, prayer, intentions, meditation, etc. Please.

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Refrain From Harming: Save

Oh, look at Henry, sleeping so peacefully. So sweet!


Not for long!



They really play rough, but they don't hurt each other. They remain the best of friends.

Monday, July 12, 2010

To Keep Up and Reserve for Personal or Special Use: Save



Here's the dining room table. Adorned with garage sale salt and pepper shakers, thrift store table cloth, candles, and flowers from my garden. The flowers are representative.

From WikiAnswers:
The Hydrangea is a Chinese flower and represents expressing love, gratitude and enlightenment. It is a good choice of flower to give as a gift.

From Symbolism Wiki:
Garlic is a symbol of courage and strength.

Sunday, July 11, 2010

Saturday, July 10, 2010

Capture and Save


Tomato art. I expect to be out of this weird slump/depression by Monday.

Friday, July 9, 2010

Save It For Later

Today I have
  1. Mowed the lawn
  2. Taken the trash and recyclables to the transfer station
  3. Visited the farmers' market
  4. Breakfasted with a friend
  5. Returned the bottles (5 cents each for water and soda bottles=$11.75)
  6. Donated a box of treasures to the Goodwill
  7. Bought milk and OJ in glass (returnable) bottles
  8. Wasted time playing Sims (OMG why did I start?)
  9. Wished my son would speak to me
  10. Played with the dog
  11. Bathed the dog
  12. Fed the animals
  13. Run 2 loads of laundry
  14. Cleaned the kitchen
What have you done?

Thursday, July 8, 2010

Bring Into Safety: Save



Did you ever wish you could just leave all this behind? I'm tired of all this dark.

Wednesday, July 7, 2010

Salvage and Save From Ruin




One day, I left my computer on the kitchen table and went to work. I never did this before, and I will never do this again.

Either a cat or a very mean person knocked over a glass of water which seeped into the logic board, or a very mean person poured water into the logic board on purpose. The very mean person denies having done anything but trying to rescue my computer from what the cat did. His story leaves many questions, but I decided to let it go. After a long time.

It would have cost more to fix the laptop than buying a new one. So I got a new one. The genius at Apple said I could sell the ruined computer for parts. Which I will try to do.

The flowers are on the stove because nothing will get ruined if the cat knocks over the vase.
My behavior has changed since this tragedy.

Now I never leave my laptop anywhere but in my bedroom with the door closed.

Now if I drink anything, I stay away from my computer.

Now I try to make sure the cat has no opportunity to knock over containers of liquid.

Now the very mean person is not allowed in the house when I'm not home.

Now I need to try to sell the old computer.

Tuesday, July 6, 2010

Saving More Money


I made myself 5 simple A-line, elastic waist skirts. These, mixed and matched with solid tanks, t's, and cardigans, make it easy to get dressed in the mornings. Keeping my legs shaved? Not so easy.

I took the wardrobe pledge again, for 6 months this time.

On the list (in the pile):
  • silk blouse (alter it from size 3x to medium)
  • re-fashion 2 messenger bags and 2 totes ("gifts" from text book publishers)
  • make some light weight walking shorts
  • change a long sleeve t into a cardigan
  • A new skirt out the the kid's old jeans
I love summer clothes, the real wardrobe challenge starts with the new school year and cooler weather.

Monday, July 5, 2010

Saving Money

My kid asked me,
"Has the Renaissance Fair opened yet? I want to go there and get a turkey leg."
Hmmm....$25 admission so we can watch grown ups playing dress up and conversing in really bad British accents? So we can purchase a $7 turkey leg?
Maybe we can try this recipe instead.

Sunday, July 4, 2010

Maintained or Preserved (Saved)



Ahhh...5th grade love letters. Do you remember? This anonymous note came to me from the recipient. He wanted to know how to prevent such embarrassment, but I couldn't think of anything.
"The girls just love you." I told him.
"Yeah, I guess." he answered, resigning to the inevitable.
"Do you want this back?"
"No!"
So I took a picture of it and put the original in the recycle bin. Later, I smudged out the identifying bits. And I saved it to my online album.

Saturday, July 3, 2010

Trying To Save Us



About every first Saturday of each month or so, these people stand on the busiest intersection of town and shout Bible verses at the passers-by.


The women wear skirts and the men wear polo shirts tucked in to khakis.


As I slowed down for the red light, I sighed, closed the windows, and cranked the AC.


When the light turned green, I drove off forgetting all about them.

Friday, July 2, 2010

Saved From The Dump - er - Transfer Station



Formerly a nursing home - the residents have moved on and the workers now stay home.



We rescued a chair and 3 bulletin boards from the dumpster out back. I wanted to paint the chair with hammered texture paint, but the big kid wants to use it in the back yard just like this. I will restore the bulletin boards; 1 for the classroom, 1 for the sewing room, and 1 for the kitchen.

Thursday, July 1, 2010

Saved


(Returning after 2 technological tragedies, in a big way)
I will attempt to do the daily blogging challenge. This month's theme is "Saved."

I saw this video posted at Subtle Rudder. And I heard this guy interviewed on NPR and jotted his name down on a scrap piece of paper for future i Tunes reference. And I blogged about this sentiment a long time ago on my old blog Seemed like a good way to get back into the blogging swing. Maybe.
(And I'm mostly out of debt.)