Today...

Mmmm. I am sitting on my couch on a Sunday afternoon, after a very lazy morning. I have my green long johns on, also lavender hoodie and fuzzy warm socks. My hair is in every direction. I just made myself a big bowl of clam chowder with extra clams, and I am looking out the window watching snow fall as the neighbors across the way build a fence. I need to get up and go to work some designs, at least do the next load of laundry or the dishes. But here I will sit eating my soup, not doing anything on my “need” list, or even on my “should” list. Mmmm soup.

One Year Later

This weekend marked my first year anniversary. We had the fortunate opportunity to spend it on the same island, at the same resort where we got married, while at the wedding of close friends. The beautiful weather and great company started Thursday, and lasted until Sunday.

There were many benefits of being there as a guest rather then as the Bride. I got to do all of the things that I was too busy to do last year. I kayaked, I hot tubbed, I took long walks down the beach where I spotted a swimming Seal and 3 bald eagles, I slept in, and 2 nights in a row I skinny dipped in the phosphorescent sound. It was an amazing gift to be there and be part of the celebration for a couple who have become our Seattle family.

As for our year, it has been great. We have both had a stellar year career-wise, we even did 6 shows together. The last few months have been ridiculously busy, and both of us needed the vacation that the island wedding provided. We both have enough jobs lined up for the summer to keep us busy and fed, and we still should have time to relax and breathe. We just got a grill and plan to cook out and enjoy what Seattle has to offer. So CHEERS TO THE YEAR AHEAD!

Going Retro

I have been feeling very nostalgic lately. It might be the New Year; it might be my busy schedule and a longing for a time before cell phone and internet. I am noticing fashion trends having that 80’s flare that is oh-so familiar. Fluorescent colors, leg warmers, leggings worn as pants, blue eye shadow, Vans, etc are all being resurrected by the hipsters in my neighborhood. It makes me want to grab my ghetto blaster and head down to the pool in jelly shoes and an oversized tee tied in a knot at the waist. “Celebrate Good Times –COME ON”

In this new era of mass communication and instant access, I have been able to find many of the lost treasures in jpg form. I admit I have been geeking out for the last 2 hours or so lost in my 80’s quest.

Here are some of the important artifacts:

Here Comes the Flood!

The last 2 weeks our perfect summer in Seattle has been spent indoors with vaporizers and Thera-flu. The ever-popular summer head cold was introduced to our apartment by my fella, then I caught it, and now I am finally on the upswing.
This go around, we were also introduced to a new trick in old medicine. Have you ever heard of the Neti Pot? It seems to be a buzz word at the moment. I have heard a few people refer to them the last few months, then when this bout of sinus congestion came around it was suggested to us to give a try.
The idea behind it is to clean the sinuses by flushing them with salt water. But this is your nose we’re talking about... it is meant for AIR, not WATER. But then again, the congestion was getting so bad that air wasn’t getting through anyway, might as well try this mini- waterboarder.   Surprise!  Surprise! It is not a confortable thing to pour water through your nostrils.  However it does work and I appreciate the simple logic behind it. Go yogic medicine!

The best part of the Netipot discovery for me has been the pictures on-line of models smiling as they demonstrate how to use it. Some obviously don’t have water in them. My favorite is when they are smiling with they head tilted and water gushing out of their nose! I would so fire my agent!

Nice Work if You Can Get It

The wedding was fantastic, no big catastrophe, no drama, tasty cupcakes, and good company.  A lovely time was had by all! 

            I have been married for exactly one month, and have yet to return to a regular routine.  We have been house sitting again, a cozy house with an incredible view.   The amenities include a deck with a grill and a patio with a hot tub.  For the last month, the hubby and I have been grilling, watching sunsets, and hot tubbing in the moonlight. The weather has been an amazing 80 degrees or warmer and hardly a drop of rain for weeks.  The raspberries are in season and I have been eating my share right off the bush. Hard life I know!

            The month has been packed with parties, small get-togethers, and soirees!  Frankly, we have been movin’ and shakin’ nonstop, the other day we decided we needed to go into a cleansing cycle from all hotdogs and beer.  Man! I have gotten tan and plump. 

Work has started to pick back up and I have become a pro at procrastination.  All I want to do is bake, and eat!  The drafting table is calling and I will dust off my pencils, and get my head back in the game. 

            The rightful owners of the house get back in town on Wednesday, and we will return to our cozy one bedroom apartment.  I am looking forward refinding our day-to-day rituals. 

Sugar and Spice

I am getting married one week from today.  Things are going smoothly, I have the dress, we have 2 caterers, the photographer, a huge tent for bad weather, and an officiant.  GOOD to GO! (knock on wood)

We are not having cake, we are having cupcakes.  I have been in a cupcake delirium for the last week, I have been surfing the web drooling over red velvets, strawberrys, caramel crunch, cheesecake surprizes!  Trial cupcake 6 is in the oven now.  I have found the perfect vanilla recipe and now I am onto chocolate.  Yes, I want to stick with the simple flavors of chocolate and vanilla.  I am a novice baker and as we will need to have 90ish cupcakes, I don't want  to have more steps then Mix, Bake, and Ice, Repeat.  There are 2  trial icings in the fridge I will be trying a chocolate ganache frosting this afternoon.    MY APARTMENT SMELLS AMAZING!  

3 days and 4 chocolate cupcake recipes later...

Yes the apartment still smells amazing, but he not been able to capture the amazingness in the flavor.  Currently there is trial 9 batter in the oven and trial 10 on the counter waiting in line for oven time.  Hopefully these are not the chocolate hockey pucks that resulted in trails 7 and 8.  Fingers are crossed, standing with icing at the ready, and am covered with chocolate freckles!

Take a Good Look

Lately, I have been aware of a distinct lack of focus.  

I spend a lot of my day lost in details of things no more then 18 inches away from me.  Whether, drafting, model building, photoshopping, or goofing around on facebook my attention is usually right in front of my face.  I've recently discovered I have trouble seeing the big picture... literally.

I have been reading road signs by shape and length of words instead of actual letters.  I had been thinking "my eyes are just tired, because of drafting all day", but then I would wake up and think "my eyes just haven't had their first cup of coffee yet".  It has taken me a while to realize that there wasn't a time between coffee/tired eyes where there was good focus.  So off to the optometrist I went.  The results are in.... I am nearsighted with a slight astigmatism.  

Turning 30 has made me aware that I am not 18.  I realized that I should have known this since I was 19,  but the big 3-oh has made this fact sink in, more then any numerical digit has.  It's like my warranty ran out and now I'm starting to pay for the rough treatment of the machinery.    

A call last night informed me that my glasses were ready.  I picked them up and then off to the grocery store.  I put them on and walked around feeling like I was in a ridiculous disguise that nobody seemed to notice.  This must be how Clark Kent feels!  I was hoping the glasses would give me a mysterious allure, or a distinguished air.  There was no mystery, no air...  just a personal sense of new and unfamiliar.  I was so self-conscience that I could barely pick out bananas.  However, the most amazing thing happened... I could read the signs at the end of the aisles.  WOW!  The letters  had a beautiful clarity to them.  First FLOUR, SUGAR, BAKING NEEDS,  then  CEREAL, HOT CEREAL, ENERGY BARS, followed by FROZEN DINNERS, ICE CREAM, NOVELTY TREATS.  It was not the most efficient shopping I have done, but it was eye opening.  

So you may not recognize me out and about because of my new disguise, but I will sure as shootin' see you!

You're Never Really Alone

I am house sitting this week. It’s a week of fantasy living for me, beautiful view, a big studio to work in, plus a hot tub! However a shadow has fallen over the house of dreams. ANTS. I ate one damn graham cracker and dropped the most minuscule of crumbs and now a colony has emerged. I have been passive aggressive for the last few days but now it’s full on WAR!!! At first I was like – there are only a few I’ll gingerly sweep them up and throw them outside. Their brazenness reigned down tenfold that night as I crawled into bed. I had just snuggled down with the laptop to do some late night facebooking, when suddenly one by one they started to crawl out of my KEYBOARD… yeah I know…GROSS! I have to say I was incredibly calm throughout the attack, I got up and got the can of spray air and whoosh out they flew. If it had been spiders rather then ants I would never have typed a word again.
I vowed to deal with the infestation in the morning and went back to bed. I must have missed a few in my clean up, because I now have bites in several strategically uncomfortable places. IT IS NOW PERSONAL. NO MORE MARY-POPPINS-TYPE-CATCH-AND-RELEASE. I have been doing a little googling and there seems to be many home remedys, so yesterday I swabbed the deck with vinigar and windex (with a good measure of stomping). They are not all gone but the number seems to have decreased, but still could be considered to be a colony. More googleing is required, back into the fray! CHARGE!!!!

A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away….

...a Jedi master needed a prom dress. Not just any dress, a dress laced with the Force!
I find myself in the all too familiar position of dress hunting, this time however for a wedding dress.  This go around I thought I would give ebay a shot, that means every few days I scroll through literally hundreds of dresses one by one looking for the perfect dress.
     Monday as I was browsing this listing popped up:
It is made of green and gold organza, and goes perfectly with Luke Skywalker's lightsaber! 

     Someone took a picture of this dress, then photoshopped it creating the photo that you see here now.  Someone thought that this photo showed the dress in its best light.  Someone thought that this photo was their best chance to get the highest bid possible.  Then someone bought the dress for $49.95.

emmh... go to homecoming with me you will....

Sigh....

I am sitting on my sofa amidst the carnage of 2 people too busy to clean for 2 1/2 weeks.  I started to try and catch up the other day with dishes, we both had gone through every dish, Tupperware, punchbowl, you name it and it was in the sink/ on the counter. Then we resorted to take out. My sweetie and I have been very occupied with various jobs and obligations and unfortunately apartment has had some collateral damage.   About a week and a half ago I was down to my last pair of clean skivvies and squeezed in 2 loads of laundry, however I did not squeeze in folding time.  So all the clean clothes have been in a pile on the floor... next to the dirty pile of clothes and now they have joined forces and become a superpower. Tomorrow I am going to enter into negotiations We are slowly chipping away at putting things in order, but to be honest it has taken a few days to catch my breath after the marathon we have been running.  I am lucky because I have reached a point in my schedule where I can sit on the couch and blog.  My significant other is still on his toes and running at full speed, and will not really get a break for a few more weeks.  I'm hoping to snag him this weekend for dinner, to celebrate both our birthdays!

All Work and No Play Makes Me a Dull Girl

   I am supposed to be constructing a model at this moment. It is 10:30 on a Friday night and I sit among my knives and chemicals in a distinct non-recreational manner. I have taken on a couple of over-lapping jobs lately, and they are keeping me occupied. I have to admit my fight or flight reflexes are starting to kick in! So, instead of pushing through (I have a good 4 hours of work a head of me) I have chosen to blog of course!
Here is a short list of things I wish I was doing instead:
-Mani-Pedi
I have super glue all over my nails and one of those massage chairs sounds awesome!
-In a Movie theatre
don't care what movie, as long as it has some car chases and I get popcorn
-Playing Poker
with a PBR in one hand and a royal flush in the other- NICE
-BOWLING
STRIKE! seems like an appropriate exclamation of my mood
- Playing a Wii,
or Xbox, or whatever the cool kids have these days
- Sitting in a Hottub
under the stars, out of cellphone range
-Going out for dessert
mmmm dessert
Do you see a distinct lack of knives and chemicals in that list..... Me Too. Hmmm.... Maybe next weekend.

Dusty Blog

Happy Halloween/ Thanksgiving/ Christmas/ New Year/ MLK Day/ Inauguration! So, where were we?

There are many things on the cooker right now. I am in the midst of balancing my life as an artist, and my life as an eating person. Wedding plans are beginning to solidify, we now have invitations, a venue, an officiant, and a possible caterer. It is not going to be a traditional wedding so it is not traditional planning. My mind is full of work schedules, design schedules, wedding details and resolutions.

Resolution 1: Reduce Procrastination
This has yet to be put in motion.
Resolution 2: Keep a more Organized Life
This resolution is meant for everything in my life from scheduling, work spaces, closets, even dishes! I generally have a lax attidude about keeping things straight, but am tired of always looking for things!
Resolution 3: Lose 8 pounds
Okay now this one is the kicker. As you may remember I joined a gym last year, and it turns out that gym life has very little to do with an eighties movie montage. I have not renewed the membership, a decisive move to not pay to not go, because I can not go for free! To simultaneously quit the gym and resolve to lose weight is not producing the desired results. I am looking into exercise methods more suited to my lifestyle.
Resolution 4: Travel and be more Outdoorsy
Last year, there were few non-business related outings. I want to explore my surroundings more, and get out and hike around. I used to do a bit of this, and am resolved to get out more!

We'll see how this goes!

Face Time

I have a Facebook page, a Myspace page and a now seeming archaic Friendster page. I have been addicted to Facebook for a while now, I have a mob, cyberpet, greenpatch, I am a fan of Tom Waits, This American Life, and Barack Obama. It is a very full virtual life that keeps me online into the wee-hours of the morning. I have found friends that I haven't had any contact with for years and years. I get updates on events, birthdays, and special occasions. Along with all of this access comes a convergence of worlds, there is no way to compartmentalize people, who as to this point in my life were neatly separated - like a elementary school lunch tray. It is like the 6 degrees of separation in computer form, and people come out of the woodwork.
This morning I was perusing the homepage and a highschool friend had posted that she was "fasting so Prop 8 would pass". Now, I have posted things about my political views too, and other friends have posted things that I haven't thought twice about it. What really struck me is that these views on religion and politics are subjects that I have always avoided with the highschool compartment of my friend tray. I was largely outnumbered in highschool by people who felt the opposite of me, at a time when non-conformity felt like social suicide. If anyone asked my opinion then I would tell them exactly what I thought, but I was never the one to bring up the subject. I figured I would meet more open minded people in college, which I did. Now when I don't agree with someone, I am less likely to keep my mouth shut, I'm not combative- but definitely not silent.
I clicked on the "Fast for Prop 8" event to see what exactly it was. This was the description:
"We are asking the nation to fast for Prop 8 at 10am for 24 hours. Fast for parental rights and religious freedom!"
In my view, prop 8 restricts rights and religious freedom. As I read the comments a sense of panic began to set in - the only cure was to go directly to the No Prop 8 website and make a donation. There seems to be a lot at stake in this upcoming election, and my former stance of 'don't ask don't tell' feels inadequate. Before this political season, I have never made a donation to anything political. Now I have donated to Obama's campaign, Planned Parenthood, and No on Prop 8 (mainly because of things I have read on Facebook.) I guess Facebook not only has allowed me to get in touch with old friends, but also get in touch with my political voice.

Autumn Schmatumn

With the coming of Fall, I find a restlessness settling over me. (Can restlessness settle? hmmm...) Seattle has officially accepted its Autumn standing and we are starting the rainy season. Yay! Sweaters are back! I have to say have been missing my sweaters- but still I will begrudgingly trade their spots in the closet with the summer dresses. With the move to indoor activities I want to stretch out and read, quilt, finished all of the little projects that were set aside mid-thought last Spring. Perhaps, this surging urge to up my cozy activities will pass, and my evenings will carry on as the computer surfing-facebook dwelling- avoidance of all things work related- Status quo. That and buckle myself in for months of chilly feet... but then again YAY! Fuzzy socks!

Checks and Balances

I received an award today. I didn't even know I was in contention for an award, but Lo and Behold! it was on my doorstep when I got home!
I am assisting a designer who has a huge project that needs to be Fed-Exed to L.A. by 3:00 tomorrow. Today was a busy day, that has followed a busy 8 day week without a weekend. We are on schedule, so we are not in panic mode but the pace has definitely has increased in tempo. By 4:30 my efficiency and productivity levels dropped considerably. I was working on a very elaborate 3/8th inch scale chandelier, when I super-glued my ring finger to my pinky. In my defense, this is not an event that denotes dull-wittedness, just something that is unavoidable from time to time when you work on small scale models. However, it does make one feel pretty stupid. Gluing your fingers together isn't painful (initially), and it is fairly easy to undo. The key is not to panic, and calmly get out your nail polish remover (acetone is the important ingredient) and in moments you will once again be free to play the piano, open doors, pick your nose, and get a high score on your nintendo gameboy with 100% dexterity... that is if you have nail polish remover handy... which I did not. With the push to get the project out tomorrow I wasn't able to seek out the necessary solvent. I figured I only had two more hours of work before quittin' time, and since it wasn't my index finger to my thumb (which yes I have done on a separate occasion) I could still continue model building. Here is a hint, if ever in this situation: tape the glue fingers together as well. " What!?" you might say, "You're crazy, that will make me look sillier and bring attention to an already sticky situation!" Here's why: your fingers want to be free, and will continue to try to pull themselves apart, causing the painful development of ripping skin (gross I know). By taping the offending fingers they will not pull and hence buying time until you can get to the all important acetone.
I finished the day, got in my car and drove home where I found a package on my doorstep. Inside, was a plaque that reads "in recognition of your talent and dedication as a Design Assistant". This was for a project I worked on in February. "Ha! Cool!" I thought and before the accolades went to my head, proceded to the bathroom to de-super-glue my fingers.

The Quilt

In my family when someone gets engaged, traditionally the girls in the family make a quilt block. The blocks are then sent to the mother of the bride/groom and then are put together to make a wedding quilt.
After my Mom met my Sweetie she wanted to start the quilt for our wedding ( jumping the shotgun a little.) In an effort not to scare my Sweetie off too much I asked if the theme of the quilt could be 'Art History', instead of say 'Couples in Love'. Now my Honey and I are officially betrothed, date set and everything! So, the quilt efforts are in full steam, and I thought I would share the progress because it is (to put it in my native Utahn) Freakin' Awesome! My mom, who is an amazingly talented artist, did many of them, and there are blocks from sisters, aunts, cousins, and friends. Here are all the blocks that are completed so far:
It will be Queen sized when it's all finished, the due date for quilt block submissions has been set for the end of September.

Happy 4th of July!

I have just snuggled into my pj's and am calling it a lovely day. I enjoy Independence Day, people become neighborly and really seem to take delight in each other's company. Unfortunately, my sweetie is away on business, this is the 1rst 4th we've spent apart since we started dating. So I was flying solo for today's festivities. I've decided to share my day via Cell Phone Pics!


I started the day at a low-tide party on the Sound this morning. There were sandcastles and bagpipes, and gorgeous table of great food. This is the castle as the tide was just coming in............
And here it is 20 minutes later. Gurgle, Shloosh!..........and gone....







The best display of fireworks in town are set over Lake Union, and the best place to see them is from Gasworks Park. Many, many, many people show up, and I decided I would be one of the masses. There are inflatable slides, contraptions that toss people around with bungee cords, carnival food, and a mini city of port-a-potties.



When I arrived I surveyed the status of firework viewing real estate, being a small party I could fit in anywhere I wanted so on to the food!
CORN!!!! I love this roasted corn. It Seattle's own festival fare, and is mmmmm Yummy. It is roasted in a huge roasting contraption and given to you piping hot. The line is hella long I stood for 20 minutes to get my golden ear of goodness. They will dunk it in a vat of butter if you like, but I prefer squeezing a lime over it with a dash of salt. I know it sounds shee-shee healthy but it is fantastic! Besides it is not that healthy if you follow it with this:


An Elephant Ear!!! Mmmm Fried dough with sugar. It is basically a large Utah scone sprinkled with sugar! The line for these hot mama's took about 30 min! It stretched past the gyros, past the sno-cones, past the corn line, and almost to where the port-a-potties began. They are definitely worth the wait. Besides, the best people watching happens when standing in lines. Here are a few examples:


Seattle children are known for their advanced intelligence and are wise beyond their years.







Here is one of the many "Liberty Belle's" I saw this evening. There was more crack then you could heat on a spoon.




Finally, the sun set, and the fireworks came out. I love fireworks, I find them truly inspiring. What an art of mixing just the right explosives to make an incredible noise and shape that lasts at most 30 seconds! I LOVE IT! Everyone in the crowd turn into kids again and you can't help but smile, and cheer. My seat was so close to the action I actually got soot in my eye!





It is nice to be snuggled in bed now, the fun continues tomorrow with a Classic Car show! Very Cool!

Time to Catch-Up

It's been a while since I posted last. I was just reviewing my past posts and thought I should give a few updates.

1rst- Resolutions.
I am back to my old ways of flossing, I am thinking maybe the investment in a Sonicare would be beneficial. The dishes are currently piled in the sink, I ate my cereal out of tupperware this morning.. Granted, I have had a busy schedule this last week, so the order of the apartment has slipped a bit, hence the dishes. Overall however, the dish situation has gotten better.
And finally, I am still struggling with being more social.
2nd- The Dress
The wedding was over a month ago. The dress I got went well, I bought 6 dresses in total and returned 4. There was a last minute switch in wardrobe that turned out to be great. FYI The first dress that I bought and returned was identical to one that a bridesmaid was wearing! The wedding itself was a blast, I drank to much, and danced until I couldn't wear high heels. May is the perfect weather in Savannah. We enjoyed the sunshine and even took a swim in the ocean.
3rd- Work
I have been fortunate with design work and assistant work lately. I had two shows open this last week! I just started a summer job as a carpenter for a steady paycheck. It is kicking my ass right now. I have become a bit of a pansy and haven't done much manual labor for awhile.
4th- Announcements!
I'm an aunt! My sister gave birth to twins last Sunday! A boy and a girl. They were 8 weeks early and very tiny, both kids and mom are healthy!

A Sigh of Relief....

I have a dress! I was beginning to doubt the existence of a dress that I not only liked but also fits! This gives me much JOY!
I have purchased and returned a total of 4 dresses, and tried on a plethora of others. Lo and Behold then I gave the internet a second try. The last one fit beautifully but was so 'Sparkle Barbie' I felt ridiculous and looked like not-quite-30-trying-to-be-17-clutching-to-my-youth-kind-a-sad-Dress. The new dress arrived this morning, and is simple and fun! The 5th dress is the charm! I am going to have to stuff the bust a smidge so it stays up, but other then that it's kick ass!

It is a lighter blue then the photograph portrays. Easy-Breezy-Have a Glass of Wine and enjoy the party-Dress.
New issue, I need a not-as-fancy dress for the rehearsal dinner!

Update: A-Dressing the Issue

So the beautiful dress didn't work. In consultation with an friend/expert it would have been a LOT of work to overhaul, plus the quote I got for altering was well out of my price range. I didn't have the heart to try to fix it myself taking the high risk of butchering it altogether. Begrudgingly, I returned it, somewhere out there is a size eight person with a fantastic dress.
So on with my QUEST! I have since tried on so many dresses I have permanent price tag imprints in my armpits! I turned to the internet for more options and at last a shimmer of hope. I found another dress which I am hoping is perfect, it is a similar shape to the prior but shorter in length (like me!). I consulted four different size guides to help select the right fit before pushing the order button. I have never bought clothes online before- so this is unexplored territory.
I always imagine myself as a laid back no-big-deal kind of girl. Then these events show my true colors as the over-thinking-worry-wart I am. Inevitably, I will arrive at the wedding and think "why did I make that such a big deal?" I think I am just excited at the idea of a truly formal occasion. Not fake formal like the prom where, sure you're in a nice dress, but you are still drinking out of red plastic cups, and jump dancing to overly loud music that makes your ears ring all the way home. I guess I want to see if I really clean-up-good, or if should just stick to the paint overalls.