Sunday, September 30, 2012

Barking Chihuahuas

Today we have a visiting chihuahua, Max. He is about 2 lbs of energy and playfulness. Sophie has met her match. The others are just thinking "what the hell?"  Mom is feeling a little better today. She and David have been glued to football all day.






Rick is so happy! Thesis 2.0 for Wordpress has been released and he has been working night and day learning the ends and outs, so he can pass that knowledge over to us. I mocked up this Barking Chihuahua Cafe site today for him to use as a test to put together in his lesson. Can you guess where my inspiration came from? He is teaching a new class starting tomorrow! I can't wait to shove more knowledge into this little-bitty brain of mine.



Friday, September 28, 2012

Doggie dreams

Have you ever dreamed of being one of your own dogs? I have! Mom is home, getting her all settled in to be all rested and comfy. The dogs definitely like having her back!

Leonardo Ulian

Italian-born, London-based artist Leonardo Ulian's latest work creates these beautiful symmetrical mandalas with refurbished computer chips and electronic components. Via Trendland.

Thursday, September 27, 2012

Ryo Takemasa

I absolutely adore Ryo Takemasa illustration style. A fresh blend of vintage meets modern. Click on a piece below to go see more of his work on Flickr. So Much Talent!

Chestnut




Onion
 

Tuesday, September 25, 2012

"Where is Mudder?"

The dogs are very confused. Mom is in for a couple of days at the hospital. That was 12+ hours yesterday in ER. And then ... my car (or rather Matt's car) would not start at 12:30a! I really couldn't help but just laugh a little in exhaustion. Back to the dogs confusion ... mom feeds them a little treat each and every morning. Something they look forward to. They listen for her to go fetch the paper, walk up the stairs. They lay at the front window to see when she is walking for paper so they can meet her at the top of the stairs. And right now, they are all a bit confused. This is Pixel's "confused and tired" ear position while she waits at the window. 


The colors of the hydrangeas are making me happy this morning. The fall is rolling in, with the fog and cold. Trying to get my work done this morning so I can head back to the hospital. Thank you very, very much for all the good thoughts and wishes!


Monday, September 24, 2012

Something went right

The light is so lovely this morning! I am trying to stop and smell the roses this morning, have not had a moment to do that lately. Home repairs! The dryer went out last night ... and this morning I realize it is still on a maintenance agreement! Yeah! Something went right. The electrician is here now and probably tomorrow, fixing what went left last week. 

I worked at the gallery the last two days and it looks like I sold another Brantler ... that is 3 total! With all that is going on here, was thinking of leaving the gallery. I just can't decide what to do. 

Mom has been sick all weekend and I am pretty sure C.diff is back. We are off the urgent care in about an hour. This stuff is deadly! Mom is so sick right now and I wish I could do something, more, make it better. It is very frustrating. 

I have a 2 freelance jobs, must finish one by Wednesday. The pressure it on. ;) So grateful to have a freelance job!


_MG_9236


_MG_9239


_MG_9233

Saturday, September 22, 2012

Coupons by Answers.com

I would like to welcome and thank you my new advertiser, Coupons by Answers.com. The newest way for consumers to find and share the latest deals from the most popular online stores. They have brought a community-based Q&A expertise to the deal hunting experience to help people like you find the best bargains on the web. On Coupons you'll find everything from the most popular stores to niche retailers, all offering incentives to get you to shop on their sites. Also find Coupons by Answers.com on Facebook and Twitter.

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

It could be worse

It could be worse. That is what I keep telling myself in regards to the plumbing and electrical problems we have had the last couple of days. 

The last time we had some big back-up in our plumbing system, it was a very expensive venture of removing the driveway and cutting into the city street and replacing the entire section from house to street. As I think of it, we might still be paying for that ;) 

This time it was the same place we have had problems before. Taking chunks out of mom's bathroom wall and ceiling. I almost cried as they made their cuts. The ONE room in our house that was finished and didn't need any repair or paint. But I just kept thinking, it could be worse. ON the bright side, I have had the best plumber for almost 20 years, B & L Plumbing has been our constant companion in our hour of need. It feels good to have someone you trust and that knows your plumbing! He is not just our trusted plumber but also a friend.

My body is completely exhausted from all the moving stuff from one room to another to clear out space to get the source of plumbing problems. Lots of lights removed from ceiling, cleanup, vacuuming, mopping, washing, more moving, more mopping.

The electrical problem was the same. What David and I talk about all the time is that these 50-year-homes are not wired for a computer in every room, TVs, microwaves, printers, scanners, freezers, and all of those power tools. As soon as we can, we are going to have the garage put on it's own box. I am always juggling what to unplug before I plug in the vacuum in certain rooms.  I have "task lights" hanging in place of a few lights in the laundry room until Marty gets back. Speaking of ... I also have an electrician I also love, trust ... Blue Ribbon Electric. That is one bonus of living in the same place for a long time. When I have something go wrong, I know exactly who to call to get it right.

I had tried to get some Brantlers made for the upcoming Artwalk but now I have today. We will see how far I can get. It is hard for me to concentrate on art when the entire house in a mess, disarray is more like it.

For the electrician, we had to re-organize the studio. Move D's big drawing table out of Marty's way. One of the task on my list was to get rid of my old Macs that have been taking up table space there. We put them all out on the driveway, on their way to recycle. Dismantled the big computer table, and out to the driveway it went ... to Goodwill. Moved the big drawing table. Go through drawers, etc to clean it all out. All of these things I had planned to do ... not just in one night. All of this AND stopping to drive D to work. ;) It has been a very busy couple of days and now I am just trying to get caught up with daily stuff that has been neglected.

The hour I look forward to getting through this mess is happy hour in Rick and Laura's front patio covered with blooming jasmine. That is indeed my little happy hour! 

Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Slow Cooker Pumpkin Chili

Doesn't this sound perfect for fall? Mommy Hates Cooking's Slow Cooker Pumpkin Chili.

Speak with conviction

Sunday, September 16, 2012

Taking note of blessings ...

My horoscope today" You might be tempted to think negative thoughts on Monday. Take note of all of the blessings in your life and read the list to yourself often. 

While I was cleaning out the p-trap on my clogged up kitchen sink ... I was saying in the back of my mind ... I am grateful that my toilets still flush

Clog bigger than I thought ... I need to clean out 2 rooms to figure out where the clog is and what portions of wall need to come out. 

Later in the day ... David and Matt told me to just go to the garage and work on Brantlers to get ready for an art walk later this week. Delighted after the three of us had a pow wow about the direction I should go off on my new ones ... I started up the radial arm saw and trip the breaker. We spent all night trying to get half of the house electricity back on. The electrician is here now. The plumbers coming later today. All I could saw last night was "good grief" ... but so glad the the other half of the house DOES have electricity. 

As we all know, when it rains, it pours. 

Friday, September 14, 2012

Tohmei Yamashita

This made me so happy this morning ... TOHMEI's Model Club

Thursday, September 13, 2012

Reclaiming

I am reclaiming my home from the mess, filth, disorganization that has taken over. That is where I am been hiding out the last couple of days. That and taking mom for doctor appointments. Pebbles like to assist mom in her crosswords.


We are down 2 cars, so I am driving D back and forth to work ... today, during my drive home ... I said my mantra ... I am grateful to have this working car! I am grateful for this gorgeous day! I am thankful I am have been invited to another Art Walk in Edmonds September 20th! I am grateful for my sister and the long talks we have been having lately, after the death her mom, my step-mom. I am especially grateful for my husband and his never-ending support and patience.

I ask myself while watching all the dogs roll in something incredibly nasty in the grass ... why did I bother bathing them this week? ;) 


I have made the big decision to bag the garage sale we were planning ... have crap all over the driveway ... to the point that people stop and ask if we are having a garage sale. The thought of organizing that feels overwhelming right now ... and to the Goodwill it all goes. (Grateful to have made that decision after sitting on and maneuvering around all of this "stuff". So off I go now, to continue to reclaim my house, and clean! Have a glorious day.

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Agustina Woodgate

Agustina Woodgate rugs via World of Textures. More about Agustina on Sight Unseen

Saturday, September 08, 2012

Sun Spots

Sun bathing in the house is of the most importance. ;) 

Pink Dahlia

The Dahlias I bought at the market the other day are dying off and becoming just a lovely. 


Pink Dahlia

Thursday, September 06, 2012

Someone having fun!

Grandma post. 

I like this quote ... found while I was making my new facebook banner ;)

“Enjoy your youth.
You'll never be younger than
you are at this very moment.”
― Chad Sugg


The kids had a fun weekend. Having a *work-play weekend*.

David's car broke down and it looks like we need a new engine. My mom has been in and out of the hospital this week. David's step-dad is in the hospital. So with all of this going on around us ... it really is good to know that there is also some "fun" going on as well. We can live vicariously via the kids. ;)







Wednesday, September 05, 2012

Rachel Lévy

"French artist Rachel Lévy photographs flowers that are past their prime: wilting, fading and revealing visible signs of decay. Nonetheless, captured in the last fleeting moments before perishing, they are strikingly beautiful."

Loving these! 






My Beautiful Afterlife collection.