Creative Space

This summer I spent some time re-doing my creation studio. Yes, that is what I call it. It is supposed to be a living room. Which it is, because I practically live in there. If I am not doing lesson plans, I am creating. Part of my brief blog hiatus could be accredited to my new obsession with quilting. I forgot how much I love to sew, and how quickly you can get a finished product. But after thinking about it, it isn't just about sewing, it is about finishing. I have a million projects that I have bought supplies for, and they have been sitting for, well, let's be honest, some have been in the cabinet for years. So in my re-model, I wanted to do something to the room that would inspire me. I started with paint. That room has been a half a dozen different colors, and I have never been 100% comfortable. I have finally fallen in love with a pale lime green. It compliments the orange tones of all my wood furniture. I then cleaned, and re-organized. I discovered all sorts of things I didn't realize I had. I concluded that part of my problem is that I don't know what is behind the cabinet doors. I need to be able to see what I have in order to invent and create. A lot of the re-organization process was placing materials into fun containers. I found some old tea tins and colorful pots, glass jars and votive holders, etc. that have just been sitting in cabinets in other rooms. What better way to put them to use? Beads are now in clear containers (instead of a giant tackle box) and placed on shelves. I converted some old CD towers into fabric racks, and yarn holders, and pot notions into pots, tins, and vases. I then decided to inspire myself with "things". These "things" are knick knacks and wall art that my husband hates around the rest of the house. Perfect. Mainly, I brought out the bird decorations. I am still on the hunt for an antique birdcage for side table that I can use as another container for fabric or yarn, or even my favorite books. I also put some fabric into some needlepoint hoops and hung them on the wall, and I think they look quite adoreable. There are 2 chairs that my mother in law gave us when we moved here that are just begging to be recovered with something wonderful. I have a leather couch in there right now that I hate, and will promptly need to get rid of. But it needs a good leather polish and buff first.
I am now wildly inspired, and couldn't spend enough time in there during my days. I start to get cranky if I can't spend time in there. Just as I cross something off my list, something new comes to mind. I love, love, love it! Pictures don't do it justice, of course. Come over and create with me. It is a great environment for bonding.

Girly night

I realize I haven't posted in a month or 2. Every night when I go to bed, I replay the day, and think of how my blog would go. But I never seem to make it to the computer. Yet I have tons of time to check Facebook every night. Go figure.
But tonight I had really fun night, and I have felt giddy ever since I walked in the door. I went to Sepohra and got a make over. I bought tons of make-up that I hope I can figure out tomorrow, ang ogt a free gift for enlisting in their frequent shopper program. A girl loves free gifts. I felt sassy when I left. Then I went to a free styling session at my hair salon where they took a bunch of women and taught us how to style our hair. Sounds kind of lame. I mean, I am thirty something, you would think I would know what I was doing by now. But I don't. They sat us in chairs and taught us techniques on curling and back combing, and then we did it ourselves. And then, more free gifts! I received some really nice bobbin pins (who knew there was a difference?) and a special comb for ratting height into my hair. I went home with a super fun look, and was only sorry that I didn't buy that great purse at Banana Republic between activities. Maybe tomorrow...... You will have to keep your eye out for me, you may not recognize me. I look like a rock star.

What I did on my summer vacation

So its back to school. Three weeks in, and I feel like I have been hit by a truck. Where did the summer go? Did I do everything I wanted to do? No. But I have to be pleased with what I did do. I thought I would take a moment to reflect on the top 10 things I did this summer.
1. I finished chemo. It feels good to be free of everything for a little while.
2. I decided that it isn't tv that rots peoples' brains, it is Fox News.
3. I questioned whether or not to teach the Food Pyramid to my students because I think that while it can be a useful learning tool, it is a bunch of crap based on who lobbies Congress the hardest and not about what is actually good for us (but I am going to teach it anyway).
4. I took 18 college credits in 5 weeks that solidified my confidence, and excitement in teaching and the classroom.
5. I spent some good quality time with family that I love.
6. I did a lot of redecorating. Specifically, I made curtains for every room in the house, a duvet and throw pillows for the bedroom, painted 2 rooms, and created a studio for myself. Which takes me to #7.
7. I now have a creation studio in my own home. My living room has always been my office, of sorts. No real name for it. I cleaned up piles, after piles of stuff, and created a space conducive for creativity. I am openly inspired, and wish I had more time to spend in there.
8. I traveled to beautiful places, with beautiful people.
9. I decided that there is one thing my acupuncturist and I will always disagree on - cheese. I love it, she is against it. Too bad for her.
10. I fell in love with quilting. I forget when I knit how much I love sewing. I have been reinvented. Though I typically find quilts very country bumpkin, I love the construction. And with the right fabric, you can do amazing things.

Dear Mother Nature

Dear Mother Nature,
Thank you for a making this summer cooler than the last few. It is much nicer to sit by the pool and get that sun-kissed glow when it is only 108, and not 115. However, I believe there has been a grave misunderstanding.
This morning, I awoke to the wonderful aroma of bacon. I don't believe there is a better way to wake up on a Saturday morning. It was early, but I was willing to look past the time. Upon rising, and moving into the kitchen, I was informed that the bacon was for the dog we were house sitting for, but since I was up, could I please get dressed and help with yard work. Seeing how I don't wake up well, I couldn't think clearly enough to come up with the correct answer of "No, I am going back to bed if there is no bacon," and I stumbled back to the bedroom to put on my tennis shoes. I even forgot temporarily about breakfast, which rarely happens. Upon entering the front yard, I attempted to see the positive. But it failed to come to me. I just couldn't understand what I was doing in the 90 degree heat, trimming bushes at 7 a.m. on my summer vacation. The fact that every pretty plant in AZ has tough needles and barbs that continued to scratch my arms didn't help. The only needles I should be exposed to on vacation should be my knitting needles. The whole ordeal was quite shocking to my system.
Now I am not writing to you just to complain. I have some very logical solutions to this tough situation. I hope you consider some of these options, for many of them have multiple benefits.
1. Stop communicating with my husband. I know you two are in cahoots to try and make me a morning person. Never going to happen! Wouldn't your energy be better spent somewhere else? Like on a date with Father Time, perhaps? This would allow our relationship to blossom in the morning, and I wouldn't hold against him all day long that I am hot and tired before I have had a chance to do anything fun around the house in the air conditioning.
2. Stop making pork smell so delicious when it is cooked. This would also help slow the obesity epidemic that has plagued the world. And I could sleep through the yard work window. I am a much nicer person if I have had 8 hours of sleep.
3. Make it so plants don't grow in the heat, sort of like bears that hibernate in the winter. Arizona plants could hibernate in the summer. This would assist in the push for water conservation, and there would no longer be a need to trim and prune during the hotter months.
4. I don't know how close you are with Lady Luck, but if she owes you a favor, she could rig the Powerball Lottery so that I win. Then I could pay someone to do my yardwork and I could spend my well rested, awake hours doing thing more productive for the community. While I feel this is the best option, I understand that it may be somewhat out of your control.
As you can see, these are all great options for beating the early morning summer heat. I love what you do here, most of the time. You are my most beloved mythical figure, and will continue to speak positively of your work. If you will please excuse me, I must now take a nap and recover from the trauma of the morning. I need to recover so that I don't talk mu husband out of landscaping our backyard someday. I will make sure I double and triple think the plants we put in so I don't run into the same problems in the future.
Cara

Rocky Mountain HIgh

I guess looking back, life has been a little stressful. It doesn't seem bad in the middle of it, but I get it now. I was tired. My last day of chemo was on June 22nd. June was no break from life, as I crammed 18 credits into 5 weeks for my teaching certificate. Though intense, I learned a lot, and things for work make a lot more sense now. I finished an 11 day cleanse, and flushed any last chemo out of my system. I couldn't think of anything I wanted more after the last 3 months than a few days in Colorado. We met our friends Pete and Jess, and went camping for 3 days. It was perfect. With the exception of the mosquito bites on my ass (man those blood suckers are quick! all I wanted was to use the facilities!) I feel relaxed, and refreshed. I needed the fresh air, and some down time with my husband and good friends. There is something very healing about the mountains at home. We came home for a few short days, and now I am off for the healing properties of the beach and sea air of California. Aaaaahhhhhh.... To feel normal again.

Past Lives

My new favorite radio station is a Spanish channel. I think this is because in one of my past lives I was Latina. I believe my soul still wears the vibrant colored skirts with ruffles that I wore then. I danced to mariachi and flamenco, slow and mournful, full of heart and sex and passion, in courtyards with lanterns and fireworks after feasting on tacos.

I think the Transformers could be my new most favorite movie franchise. We just saw the second one and it was intense! My heart raced through most of the film, and I think it was comparable to a long cardio workout. Star Wars is a classic, yes. And Harry Potter is one of my favorite book series ever. But the action was packed, and the effects were outstanding. If you haven't seen it, you need to. This one is must see in the theater.