Wednesday, November 28, 2007

hives

I hate hives. I have had them so much during my life- days on end for a year or so, and they are back- even after going to the allergist Monday and having been hive free. Yesterday- today- there's a lump on my lower lip, fear they'll show up in my intestine...will I look like a respberry tomorrow?
More diving today- to the PO, to pick up Katie and a friend at the late bus...tomorrow she has driver's ed again...
And I'm tired, been that way all day. Must have something that's causing these hives...
red and bumpy...that's me.

Tuesday, November 27, 2007

so much for conservation



Yesterday and today I have been DRIVING. Yesterday I went to work, drove home early (worked only a half day), drove to Wolfeboro 20 minutes north to get Katie at school, drove back to Portsmouth (45 minutes SE of here- also where I teach) so we could go to allergist- drove home, drove Katie and our neighbor to driver's ed- a 30 minute drive each way- worse in the heavy rain and thick fog. UGH. Today I drove to work, drove home at the end of the school day, drove Katie to driver's ed so she could drive- drove the 15 minutes to Wolfeboro, stopped and got a pizza for dinner, picked her up at the Wolfeboro driver's ed stop and then drove the 25 minutes home. How many miles was that? Wish I had kept track.
What a week!
Although Sunday I stayed home and put out some of my holiday decorations (photos to follow at another time), since back to work its been back to the run around- no art time, and with mom here over the weekend I had hardly any art time. Maybe tomorrow, maybe not. At least I had a good unload with my dept. head today- she's a good listener, so I feel good about that...and my school day was pretty good...so I guess I won't complain. I'm going out to the hot tub and we're watching our recording of the Amazing Race once Davey-Man gets home from work- which should be shortly.
Let's see what tomorrow brings- since I thought it would be a quiet week except for Monday- which I knew wouldn't be....but the rest of this week....Makes time fly by. That's for sure.

Saturday, November 24, 2007

more ATCs

Some more of my holiday ATCs. Been hanging out with Mom this weekend- its really cold out and so Katie and Dave have been hanging out too...went out for lunch and yesterday took a trip to the quilt store in Center Harbor- just for a change of scenery. Weekend is going by WAY TOO FAST though. Its already Saturday night.









Friday, November 23, 2007

Holiday ATCs














Images from Thanksgiving

I had sooooo much turkey and licked sooooo many plates....I can't move. Nap time. (Is it the tryptophan in that turkey?)
Dave and others. Let's eat, drink and be merry!
From far to front, Mom, my sister-in-law Linda and my brother Len.
Who wants Turkey? My niece Julie, Kate and my nephew Josh.
More cooking going on!
Me and my turkey-ready to take its temp. I look like I weigh 200 pounds-suck in the gut girl.





Wednesday, November 21, 2007

One of my latest projects




In honor of my Dad, who passed over 3 years ago on October first. I also sent this into Somerset Studio, their call for Heroes. I have yet to get published in their magazine- I've been in Stamper's Sampler and Take 10, but this would be an artistic goal.

I also signed up to take a class at AE in March- Laurie Mika- the woman who wrote the book that got me going making clay tiles last summer. It was pricey- but its a 2 days class-should be excellent!

Since tomorow is turkey day- Happy Thanksgiving all. I am thankful for my family- even though I might complain about my mother and get a bit stressed out when I see them...but still, they are my family. I know they love me, and I love them too- and really thankful for Dave and Katie...I guess family isn't perfect but they are your family...

Eat lots of turkey and pumpkin pie...or whatever it is that makes your tastebuds thankful, and enjoy those you love too.

Tuesday, November 20, 2007

What a difference a day makes

SUNDAY! It was cool but it is November!
TODAY! Raw and winter weather. Our first accumulating snow.

You can tell its just about Thanksgiving-cold, short days, winter will be here soon. (But then again, so will Christmas!)


Saturday, November 17, 2007

Finally

I'm getting to watch Wed. night's Project Runway. My favorite show! Thank goodness for this Direct TV recorder receiver. I can't wait to see the personalities and what they do for clothes.
Katie and I went out and spent cash today- bought food-since the larder in my kitchen was about empty. Also, getting the family for turkey day, so bought a 17+ pound turkey. Yummy. I love to eat Thanksgiving dinner. Picked up a couple of Christmas gifts too. I am going to finish my shopping early this year- and pay cash too! That's my plan. Let's see if I can actually do that.
Tomorrow I need to pick up CLUTTER- going to have to do some studio cleaning out to set up a bed for Mom when she comes and spends next weekend with us- need to de-clutter my downstairs, want to get some stuff out into the addition and get the holiday things down from the attic-not that they are going up yet...one must get through turkey day first. (Although Katie and I did listen to Christmas music all the way to Nashua and back!)

Thursday, November 15, 2007

Chlly Willy

Thanks to Google Images for this blue lobster photo. Saw one today at Seabrook Station in the Science and Nature center where we met for Leadership Teacher- the one there is called Chilly Willy and he really was blue like this guy. Way way cool!
I looked it up and they say it is similar to being an albino in people- and VERY rare.
Had a great day- we walked around the power station and got to go inside where the generator and turbines are that make power from the nuclear side of the plant (which we didn't get to go into). That room was SOOOOOOO hot. First time I ever went through a security sensor for explosives, had a hand scan to let me in and also a radiation scan to leave the plant. The cement baricades and barbed wire were pretty impressive too...all security thanks to 9/11. Learned a lot, and I love doing things like this- I am such a geek. I guess I can add this to the museum of the month for November- never made it anywhere in Sept. or October....so it was just for fun anyhow.
The lobster though- was a high point of the day. Its nice to have a great day after the way I felt yesterday.

Wednesday, November 14, 2007

Its like I'm 10 again

I didn't get asked to join a team at work-well I got asked but not by the organizer who asked everybody- like everybody but me- and this person is my friend- and I feel very hurt. (Sorry if you think I should just chime in and join- I don't). Its like I'm 10 or in middle school and didn't get asked to a party or to dance at a dance or really, like back in gym when I was last person asked to join a team because I am so bad or team sports-that always HURT big time as a kid...some days I don't believe I belong at my job any more and when this kind of thing happens- I really feel that way. Never mind I withdraw- a left over from being knit-picked at so much growing up. I need to not let things bug me so much...but I am so sensitive.
Tomorrow I got to Seabrook Nuclear Power plant for a visit with Leadership teacher- that should be interesting. Have never been there either. I guess we are really going in- and need to pass through security and background checks...also we need to do a metal detector and our leader tells us we better not wear underwire bras (those with wire not plastic). That gave me a good laugh when I needed it most. (and the good thing- Seabrook is maybe 15 minutes from AE, my favorite craft store-guess where I am going tomorrow at 3 when Leadership Teacher gets over?)

Monday, November 12, 2007

no Photos yet

Made some more holiday ATCs today-(as well as finishing my raking-thanks to help from Katie)-making them is a blast- but notice my cards today have a different style from yesterday- a little more contempary and a little more really old fashion, rather than yesterday's classic swirl and feminine style. Is it my mood translating to my hand? (there is no art without the hand acting upon the brain-there is a quote about that by someone at sometime I believe...)
No photos of them yet- but will get them up.

Sunday, November 11, 2007

FROSTY


NOT THE SNOWMAN BUT MORE LIKE FROST ON THE PUMPKIN- OR ACTUALLY THE LEAVES STILL FLOATING AROUND MY BACKYARD.
Today was a frosty and leaf day. First of all I raked some leaves down in 1 of my gardens and in the driveway- man my shoulders feel it now.
Then I pulled out all the Chrismas stamps and played with making ATCs all afternoon- getting some ideas for holiday cards- and even some for a holiday advent calendar project I'm thinking of. Plus, it was so much fun to play with some new holiday stamps I've collected over the past year. I love making Christmas images...tomorrow after I play some more I will post some of my more favorites.



Saturday, November 10, 2007

What I'm reading...(plus)

These obviously aren't books I'm reading, but they are the plus- some closeup photos from my latest photo project.




Reading too many books right now:
1-The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde-I think. This was book club book this month- started it-read about 100 pages. Not a bad book but not what I'm into reading. We met Thursday at bookclub and the few who read it said the book picks up right about where I am now-but should I finish?
2- My Life in France by Julia Child. Picked this up at Costco last weekend and started it Wed. when I had it with the Eyre Affair. LOVE this book
3- My biology reading- a great read- Survival of the Sickest.
4- 1000 things to do in London by Time Out. Not that we'll do even 5 of them- but its fun to read what NON-touristy things might be fun to do when we're there in Feb.
5- Also my art reading-Living the Creative Life by Rice Freeman-Zachary. This is what I read when I need to remind myself that just because I work another day job (call it a career even though after 23 years-this is year 24- it might be time to start thinking of a change)-I am an artist. Just because people of work (and even at home sometimes) don't see me as more than the card-maker and scrapbooker- and I am those, I do more. They just don't know because I wear such a different hat at school. And that I must say is very difficult at times for me emotionally. I feel like it gets in the way of doing art- and I would love an art career at this time in my life...but I only have so many hours in a day...so maybe in time I can make that switch. Just don't give up give up that some day I can make it happen.
6- Bought another bio book I want to read- well its a history book of bio- The Guniea Pig's History of Biology. Looks good.
7- And next month's book club book-Water for Elephants? The book title is something like that. Heard it was good- both my friend Dee and my mother-in-law read it and liked it.
8- Want to reread Jane Erye though and some Jane Austin- its been years.
Oh yes, and above, a few more photos from my close-up photo project.

Friday, November 9, 2007

Today...

1) we has our first snow
2) Katie came to work with me
3) got my flu shot (and Katie gots hers)
4) Kate and I went shopping and had a blast- she got a dress and spent some birthday cash, I got a blanket to finish my quilt, some fleece pj bottoms
5) we met Dave for dinner at the Texas Roadhouse
6) we started a nice long 3 day weekend.
Happy Friday! It may have been routine in some ways but not in others. I love Fridays!

Tomorrow-
I don't have to get up at 4:45!

Tuesday, November 6, 2007

Tea with the Queen

NEW PROJECT! Its called "Tea with the Queen" and its whimsical look at the cup of tea I sooooo love.


















Monday, November 5, 2007

New Blog View


Was finding my blog a bit boring, so tried a new title with some color and changed the font (like that better too). Also added what right now is my studio logo- I love the name Big Leo Arts- as my big orange guy spends a lot of his time with me in my studio (he thinks its his room)- and he loves when I go through boxes or bags...anyhow, not certain the logo is exactly the finished product, but will give a try for a bit. As I get a new idea I will add to it, like maybe printing it out and stamping a bit on it...
What do you think?

Sunday, November 4, 2007

A few cool items...

I went to my favorite craft shop Friday afternoon (Absolutely Everything in Topsfield, MA) and bought too much stuff!!!!! (OH WHAT FUN IT WAS!) Anyhow, here's a few items I bought that I really like.
First of all Angela Cartwright's new book Mixed Emulsions. Wasn't sure before hand that this was a book I needed- but after looking through it- I needed it. (Of course) Being someone who takes mega numbers of photographs, who scrapbooks but who doesn't always want to do a standard scrapbook (which I don't think I ever really do anyhow) and who wants to do something more with her photos...this is the book for me!

Then I bought these Technquie Tuesday Christmas words. I love them. I love holiday stamps, and there's always so many to be tempted by. But I think these words will be really useful when I do art with my photos and make holiday cards. FUN.


And 2 fun items from Hambly Studios- A clear sheet with white mini-chandeliers all over it- I want a chandelier stamp...and these bird rub ons. I have always been a bird person (except for caged pet birds-ugh), but I love wild birds, love to bird watch- and the owls are so retro back to my teens- and FUN too.
Just a few examples of my fun new play toys. Time to go play with them instead of writing!