The cruise

The cruise was way fabulous. I'm so glad we decided to go.

Off to sea

We'll be going on the cruise on Tuesday. I've still got to pack but I have clothes selected. Who do I want to be?

Yuh huh

Working on the exhibit. Conservation on the dragon robe. Some dressing mannequins. Mary is back in CT and we can reclaim the house. Reluctantly.

Now

I really don't remember why I was thinking my friends were annoying but I suspect it had something to do with Facebook [um, yeah, read your title]. Mary is visiting for Thanksgiving and we're hanging out with her. It's been a good visit. But I'm feeling a bit anxious about the exhibition and all that still needs to be done.

Facebook

Why are my friends so annoying right now? Maybe it's me.

Tuesday

Today -- Research at the library finding some good info. It's going to require at least another full day, though. Easily. Then I finished the two petticoats and the under slip. Made eight pair of arms that need to be stuffed. Therapy. Sandwiches. Lunch at Courtneys. Quality kitty cat time.

It's the end of the week

And here we are watching TV. It's ok. Maybe tomorrow we can have a fire. 11-11-11

It's been a week since I blogged?

Dang. Where have I been? Research. Work. Purchasing fabric. Sewing. Yoga. Therapy. Kitty Cat.

Sunday Sunday Sunday

But not at Raceway Park. More sewing -- petticoats -- research and just general hanging out. Yoga in the afternoon and then pizza with Bob and Judy to repay us for Dave's work in their crawlspace.

Today

I'm watching possibly the last game of the World Series. I'm tired. I've been going balls to the wall for a while. This needs to change.

Tuesday

So it was a slow start after staying up to 1 last night. So today I worked on the chasuble from Mexico and the House of Worth dress. Photos of all of the uniforms. I'll be ready to get the final list tomorrow and go from there.

Underwear

Conservation on underwear today. There's nothing like working on someone else's dainty things. 

And John Hyatt was awesome tonight. I'm so glad we went!

Friday the 21st

Angelique is settling in. She's taken to sleeping in the stack of quilts in a basket. Very much like the princess and the pea. Right now she's hanging out with Dave and figuring if that's where she really wants to be. What a beautiful cat!

Tomorrow I begin making the two petticoats, one slip and two bustles for the exhibit. Another slip -- simplified -- may follow. I also need to go to the office store, shoot the shorty video on Alwin Court and do some other stuff around living my life.

Kitty Cat

Yay! We got a kitty. Who's now on the speaker, in front of the window, doing a tidy up on herself. They named her Angelique but we'll see--

Yesterday and today

Yesterday was spent preparing objects for exhibition. It's such satisfying work. I stitched and tidied and created bags for shoes. Today was scheduled to be more preparation but no water for hand washing. So I worked on the database and resolved several mysteries.

We looked at a girl kitty tonight named Angelique. With luck, no one has adopted her yet. The call is in with our adoption gal. The kitty reminds us of Bean. Hopefully, not too much. To be fair to everyone.

Seriously

Who reads this?

Last night

We went to the Trailer Park Boys show. It was f***ing AWESOME!

More research

The exhibition research continues. It was a lovely day and I was able to have the window open in front of my desk with a good breeze coming through.

I need to make a slip based on one in the collection. The silk is too shattered to be usable so we're salvaging the mesh and making a new understructure to sew it on. It's from House of Worth, circa 1925. There are a few interesting things about it. Even though it's a straight skirt, it's open from about the hip down with a wrap on one side. Which would make it far easier to walk or dance the Charleston in. The other thing is that there are underarm dress shields but they are weighted on both sides so that they won't slip out while the dress is worn.

Wednesday at work

Sometimes doing several things over the course of a day feels right. And sometimes not. Like today. I sometimes feel like there are too many balls in the air. I'm the only one who can do anything about it so --- note to self --- a different approach tomorrow.

Tuesday's musing

Breakfast. Work. Move pottery. Database work. Chicken salad sandwich. Staff meeting. More database work. Organizing some stuff that hasn't moved in 10 years. More database work. Vote. Therapy. Working on the driving thing. Grilled cheese for dinner. Computer work. Lexulous. Blog. Snack. That's pretty much it. And baseball -- American League -- Detroit vs. Texas Rangers.

Columbus Day

Oh yeah. The post office is closed. So that's still on the list. But I did get the Quicken thing worked out -- sort of. But I'm only 20 cents off at this point which is way closer than before. And now I know where I spent my earnings this year so far.

Hopefully we'll get a kitty soon. We'll work on it.

Tomorrow ---

Frass, again. And lunch with Bekah. Then mail some stuff that's been pending for months.

Sunday

It's fall. Today was changing out summer clothes to the heavier ones. A few things will end in the trash. And more will end up at the thrift shop. Today was also a day for loose ends. Still many more to tie up but one has to start somewhere. Also, a restful yoga practice was on the schedule.

Kitten!

Ok, I know the exclaim is a little excessive. I was sad to see Jeanine leave but it was time for her to get back to her kids. I always feel so comfortable with her. I'm so glad she's my friend. We went to look at available kitties at the pet store. The orange cat -- Cardinal -- wasn't available anymore. So we'll keep looking for another rescue.

Today and tomorrow it would be good for me to concentrate on unfinished projects. And getting the summer clothes put away and the winter clothes out.

I hate spell checker sometimes. It's like someone who finishes your sentences and incorrectly predicts what you were going to say.

Latvia!

Why would anyone in Latvia be interested in my blog? That so surprises me. And Russia.

Frass

Mmmm. Frass. Lots and lots of it. All over my clothes. They went straight into the washer. Then a hot shower and hair wash. Working with the Timme swatches. Finally. They've been in storage for 15 years or so. Lots of time for the moths to enjoy the alpaca. And everything else.

And then there's the witch

Ok. So, she was just accused of being one. And hung. But still.

Froglets and research

I think it's time for a new pet. There are at least six frogs in the pond, that I can count. And I keep checking on the caterpillar working on the parsley.

I got the free trial of Ancestry.com. It turns out that mom's mother's relatives are from CT and MA from WAY back and one, Ahimaz Willey, served in the Revolutionary War in CT. Who knew? So I could, theoretically, join the DAR.

Even closer to going to CT

Yes, it is. Need to pack tonight. Yes, yes. And press. One of the caterpillars went "underground." Another one shed its skin and I got to see the last part of it. Taught today. Worked on the final exhibit list. Went to therapy and worked on trust issues.

Almost time to go to CT

Doing some work. Catching up on things that need to be done. Had my nails done -- and my eyebrows waxed. Neat.

Friday

There are some fabulous orange mushrooms in the front yard. And four caterpillars on the fennel. Frogs in the pond and one bonus gardenia. Not to mention the four watermelons.

Today

Work. Research. Need to return emails now and prep handout for class.

Today

Groceries. Walked home from the store. Research. Made potato salad and quiche. (Sauteed the onions in bacon grease.) Cleaned dead stuff from the fridge. Mostly a few leftovers. More research. Worked on my master list of exhibition objects. Worked on Ann's class project explaining Adobe Illustrator in a fairly straightforward way. More research. Talked with Sandy. Played Lexulous. Showered and washed hair. Dinner. Now movie. The Black Swan from Netflix.

Sometimes I wonder what I do with my days when I'm home. That's pretty much it.

Oh, yeah

There was also the earthquake and Hurricane Irene.

Tuesday

So today, there were an awful lot of things scheduled. First, meeting with the appraiser. Then work on flat files B. Oy. Jeez, we have one of THOSE? Then staff meeting. Then lunch with Dave. Coffee with Susan to go over our proposal for a class. Then dinner parts. Then therapy. Then update the resume, fill out forms, return emails, play lexulous. Then work on the prototype for the mannequin arm. Which should work.

I need to spend some alone time, I'm thinking.

Back to work

The inventory. It's in a strange limbo of "almost done" and "out of my jurisdiction". So I do what I can.

Next assignment is to make a master list of costume for the exhibit. It should be interesting looking for fabulous objects and coming up with swell things to show. The question is how to limit it. And see how the exhibit evolves. The potential conservation issues trouble me, though. And I would so love to be done with the inventory so the loose ends are tied up but it will have to wait. January will come up faster than we all realize.

Lynn

My friend Lynn. I'm so sorry she's passed. We were the same age. I met her at the same time I moved to Raleigh so my experience here is colored by my friendship with her. Some things she taught me:

Value of a good support bra
The shortcut home from work
Neomonde
The Arboretum
Where the Edwards' used to live
How to be a kinder person in the world
Cyndi's Sunday yoga class
How to be a southern gal
A different model of how to be a mom -- a better one

Lately

The Baltimore trip was great but unbelievable hot. Even the inner harbor rides were still wicked hot. Got to see Francine and hang out for a while. Which is always like no time has passed. Rode the train and got to see some bad tattoos. Baseball, Ft. McHenry and the Visionary Art Museum.

Karen will be here on Thursday to help celebrate my birthday on Saturday. I'm looking forward to that, too.

I'm working my way through the pottery and glass collection. The really big pots are still to be inventoried. Oy. Patience will be required. Then through it all one more time to see if the numbers and locations are correct since I'm not sure if things are still on the shelves or not. Possibly clear up some mysteries.

The bead weavings are coming along. Girx is almost done. The other designs are printed out in their rough state so I can develop the designs from there. Probably in pencil first, then digital.

Baltimore

Now it's off to Baltimore for a few days. I've never been there, only through it on the highway. Why not?

Indigo dye class

Sometimes I forget what I like about teaching. But this weekend's class was wonderful and reminded me why I enjoy it.

Indigo dye

This weekend in Beaufort we teach indigo dyeing as well as Procion dye. I spent today getting ready -- physically and mentally. I'm expecting it to be fun.

Linked In

Yes, Bean is linked-in. As an independent operator at a think tank. Yeah, that's about right.

I, however, am not. At a think tank nor using Linked in.

Today

I'm achy from the tetanus shot and sweaty and in a funk. My friends will be here on Saturday and I so enjoy their company. Respond to emails before lunch. Haircut at 2.

I'd like to get some traction again on my artwork. That can be today's goal -- revisit my current work.

My left foot---

---Had two splinters in it. It was more of an ordeal having them taken out than they should have been. One tetanus shot later ----  was my last one REALLY in 2010?

Fayetteville

It's amazing how much damage there was to the old neighborhood in Fayetteville. Some of the buildings were destroyed -- it looked like a bomb exploded. I'm still glad I'm here and not there.

Work work working

Back already and working. The transition is startling. In California, I remembered who I used to be. I feel like I'm in two places at one time right now. Maybe three, including work. Time for more integration and rest.

The last day in California

I'm sorry to go but I feel filled up with friends and I'm content.

Exhausted

Today was such a full day. Lunch with Barb, a walk through the old neighborhood. The curtains I left behind are still in the living room. Then coffee at the Royal Exchange, more hanging out. Beads at General Beads. Which smelled like cat pee. Then the Thursday evening event at the Academy of Sciences with Jim and Sandy. And a quite fabulous planetarium show. Then dinner and a MUNI ride from hell --- two hours later we're back home.

Oakland!

First thing to do is to have a burger. That was one long flight. When did we decide to stop in Phoenix?

My friends---

---are the best. I love that I can tell them anything and it's ok. And we can laugh and laugh.

Leaving home

Must -- quell -- anxiety -- over -- trip.

More work

There's a lot of it right now. I'm trying to get the hours in before the end of the fiscal year. The end of the inventory is in sight. The next step will be to find the missing items. This is me, wishing myself luck.

Memorial Day

We have the flag out for the holiday. I think the birdhouse needs one, too. Dave and I went for a long walk one of the Greenways -- from Shelley Lake to around the Mall. It was about 1-1/2 hours total. Then got hot dogs at Snoopy's. I usually figure that everyone else is having a far more interesting life than me but I really do know better.

Today

I'll go to yoga. And press some work clothes. Help Dave set up the Blu-ray player. Work on some beading. I already looked up the bird in the backyard. It was a brown headed cow bird. Thumper is still out back. I think the fledglings have left the nest, though. I need to call some friends about the California trip. Maybe do some graphics for additional weavings.

News from therapy

So, I managed to recreate the dynamics of home in the dynamics of the office where I work. I fully expect that others do this, too, but it doesn't make it easier.

The Grilled Cheese Bus

I love you Raleigh. You have a grilled cheese bus.

Integration

That's the key word this week. Integration.

Yesterday

The dust on the rack in the "land that time forgot" was just remarkable. My sinuses will not be the same. But the metal rack has been completed. That's a reason to celebrate with chocolate.

Rugs today

Vacuuming Chinese rugs, that was the task of the day. Beginning the rack of long rolls and see what's there. We're ok so far.

Friends

Testing one-two-three

Is this thing on?

This is a test to see if we can create a new post. Janine

Friday

It's great to be home alone today with the windows open. Mary's coming for a visit next week. So there's stuff from one end of the house to the other. Spring cleaning -- more like spring tidying. Do I really have permission to get rid of stuff?

Tornado

Oh. Yeah. That was closer than I realized.

Home

It feels great to be home. Even with the tornado chasing us here.

On the road

Here at the Econolodge in Brunswick, GA. Heading for Florida. Had a great talk with Dave last night. The weather is perfect for travel. If I could only stay awake. Being a passenger makes me sleepy.

Florida!

Tomorrow! For a week! I'm looking forward to sunshine and water and baseball and Fort Desoto. And Red Mesa.

Tuesday

More moisturizer is needed. So sayeth the dermatologist.

Sunday

I made it up as I went along. Worked in the yard picking up sticks and debris, cleaned up the garage of mice poo. Then I read for a while on the deck and worked on the bead weaving designs on the computer. Somewhere in there, I ironed some stuff for next week. Dave and I went to dinner for his birthday. The weather was beautiful and it was a delightful day.

Harry Nilsson 2

Several of his songs are on a short loop -- The Moonbeam Song, The Puppy Song, I Guess the Lord Must Be in New York City. For days now. I'm not saying it's a bad thing.

Working on the bead weaving designs

So I have a number of bead weaving designs in the works. I've scanned my sketchbook drawings and I'm going from there. I'm depicting my "cast of characters". Invisible girl is first.

Tuesday

Back to work already. One long day off wasn't enough. I've been thinking about Florida next week. How could it be so soon? I need a pedicure and to review warm weather clothes. Working out bead weaving designs based on my "cast of characters." Let's see where this goes.

Today's thought

Creativity requires constructive discontent--
--Aly Khalifa at Friday's symposium

Symposium

That was fabulous! It was so great meeting and talking with artists and hearing them talk about their work and life views. Raleigh is such a great place to live!

Another energizing day

The symposium at work began last night. Today all day and tomorrow until lunchtime -- for me. I need a rest from activity and maybe a massage. I'll see what I can work out over the weekend.

Drawings

But I also made drawings for bead weavings of my "cast of characters" including "Invisible Girl" and "Missing Person". Let's see what happens.

Public me

This week at public me. Class visit at work, workshop and yoga, inventory the rest of the racks, teach, teach and teach, symposium at the end of the week -- Thursday pm and Friday and Saturday all day. Then graphics. And research. And homework. There are far too many balls in the air right now and I'm feeling fried.

Today

We drove back from Gary's after hanging out with Nattie and the family. She's such a great little kid. We met with the Threads group which I always so enjoy. Tonight, I need to prepare for a long week.

Lists

And more lists. That was today's task.

I love how the dogwood has been blossoming slowly - and I've been paying attention to it daily.

Tuesday

It was a short day at work. One more rack was done. Tomorrow, research in database. Tonight, research in books. Lat afternoon at therapy. Thursday will be teaching. Next week and the following should be busy. There are too many balls in the air right now.

Meanwhile back at the ranch

Today I inventoried three racks of clothing in the way back. So many things need to happen to this collection it might not ever get fully resolved. Talked with Jennifer from Oakview Park about her textile exhibit about textile production in women's lives -- perhaps I really am a textile consultant.

Birdhouse thing

The Dennis tribute birdhouse was auctioned off last night. Dennis' parents won it -- it went for $105. Which is just great. The proceeds go to the music school where he taught -- WO Smith.

oooh look at me---

Hanging out with rock stars.

Who is out there?

There have been 252 views of my blog so far. I find that amazing. Today we'll meet with Jenny for lunch then the Birdhouse Thing tonight -- the reason I'm here.

The answer is "baseball card collection"

So, I'm here in Nashville with Karen. I'm looking at Dennis' baseball card collection with Wheel of Fortune on the TV. And the answer to the puzzle was "baseball card collection". Trippy.

Yesterday in Nashville

It's Ash Wednesday so I'm giving up sweets again for Lent. The first year was 1993 -- the year after I quit smoking. So I did indulge yesterday. Karen and I went to a Tin Pan South songwriters event. I had some totally random conversations with people and felt so much more self confident. I used to be so self conscious and awkward at these things. But then, I don't know these people and have nothing to lose. They had free Jack Daniels -- that was tempting. And lots and lots of cheese. At the end of the event the caterer had put out to-go boxes and we took some home. How great is that?

Yoga today

First design work. Then yoga. I'm preparing for the Nashville trip. Mostly it means trying to stay calm and organized about the tasks I need to do when I get back -- and before I go. There were incredible storms tonight but they were short lived.

Harry Nilsson

Harry Nilsson is a freaking genius. That's my post for today.

Friday

I feel like I'm finally figuring some things out.

Today

The laser treated ankle is still a little tender. But I'm goo-ing it up so it should heal just fine. I finished the deaccession racks today, all three of them are done. It would so help to have had proper numbers on everything. At least a hint of what it could be. They all do now. Tomorrow I get a haircut and work on some more graphics. The Nashville trip is Tuesday and I need to feel like I'm ready. And as of today, I'm not at all.

Laser treatment

Today I had laser the laser treatment to get rid of the discoloration on my ankle. Since I got 15 minutes with the doctor, and the ankle was pretty easy, they threw in treatment to the veins in my legs. Bonus!. The ankle is a bit tender. Two days of goo. Two weeks of protection from the sun. Two months and I see the doctor again.

Threads

I am so lucky to have a wonderful group of friends to share with. And lucky for my yoga group, too, to share with. I'm so glad to be here.

Textiles

I love working on the textile collection. Today we had students looking at the textiles from India and I got to see some of my favorites. Swiffered the floors -- I went through about seven of them. When was the last time it was done???

Today

I'm going to see a therapist. I'm wishing myself luck. Things come up in the workshop and I need to address them. Ah, well.

Today

Cheryl is helping with the collection. It's good having company in the back room.

This week's observation

There's a hunger I feel -- more like a longing -- that I've been confusing with actual hunger. But it lives more in my "heart center" rather than in my belly. I've been trying to satisfy it with food, with smoking, with alcohol, with shopping. The only thing that really satisfies it is to be fully engaged.

Yesterday

I finished digitizing the cassettes. I'm back to uncovering unfinished projects. They'll take on a new life and turn out differently than they started out but that's the story of so many things.

Pay attention---

Pay attention. I've heard that from three sources this week. I'm thinking this is a good idea.

A quote from the movie Magnolia

Jimmy Gator: The book says, "We might be through with the past, but the past ain't through with us." 

Jan Ru

I love hanging out with Jan Ru. I helped her set up her exhibition at UNCW and she helped me look at my life differently. It's time to tell stories about the work I make and see how all of the things I do relate to each other.