Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Checking In

I'm trying so hard to focus on school and keep everything straight. Group projects, papers, analyzing strategic plans. Haven't looked at my thesis in weeks. The house is a disaster, as usual. Sold some books and art materials at the DCAD sale, but it didn't even make a dent in my "stuff."

I don't believe in multi-tasking. My brain goes in too many directions as it is. I believe in doing one thing at a time, but the world doesn't agree with me. Let me just finish my sales list, before I move on the Annual Appeal letter. Let me refine my grant calendar and collect my documents, before I prepare for the next project. Ah well.

Friday, September 18, 2009

Experimentation

I'm trying to add a cool background and am having a bit of a difficult time getting it done. Arg.

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

Yeay! Fall!



I know it's about to get hot again, but right now I am enjoying this incredible weather. I always feel more creative in the fall. So, to get things started, I spent Saturday in the studio making letters out of bits of everything! Too fun. Now it is all hanging in the Delaware College of Art and Design Toni and Stuart B. Young Gallery. I actually finished an artsy project! I'll be teaching calligraphy and party planning this fall, so it's great to be able to show people the possibilities!

Some people argue that calligraphy isn't "art," but I couldn't disagree more. There is something so satisfying about creating a piece that people think was done on the computer. Or that they are proud to hang on the wall. Or that speaks emotionally to them. The motion of lettering is like that of a conductor of a symphony- the sweep and rhythm of the arm, the sound of the pen against the paper. It's dangerous because it is addictive. And school starts again next week. Different kind of creativity and pen and paper- not as much fun. But when that is complete (in December) it will be amazingly satisfying. I won't get to letter my own diploma, but I'm OK with that.

Christine and Leaf are very close to being homeowners. We checked out the house with the inspector. Things are not in great shape, but they are manageable (as long as the seller takes care of the roof). My dad and I were laughing at the desire to own a home. I think we would both move to a condo (his would be on a golf course; mine would be in the city overlooking water of some sort). But my mom and my husband would never indulge us. Funny how much we're alike.

Grace took her senior pictures and they are gorgeous. We had a lot of fun picking out the "best" ones. Rosie started school this week and her good friend is either in her classes or has the same break time as Rosie. That will be nice for both of them. We're still sending warm fuzzy thoughts to Emily that she'll find something soon. She saw her Godfather for the first time in twenty years. He lives in LA too. Such a small world.

We'll be visiting mom and dad this weekend. My sister Christine will come down from Connecticut. We haven't all been together since our vacation earlier this summer. Time gets away from us, and months go by without being around my family. But mom will go crazy cooking for everyone (which makes her happy), Chris will bring stuff to make handmade cards (which makes her happy) and I'll just take it all in: Mom, Dad, Chris, Matthew, my girls, maybe Scott, Susan and my nephews.

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

What now?

We've moved Emily to LA, Christine is putting her name on a mortgage, Rose will be going to Neumann every single day, and Grace will be starting her senior year. Too much, too fast. We are really in the thick of things right now. Matthew is studying for tests, and I'm finishing my summer classes. Meanwhile, we are getting the house reappraised, so let's throw some elbow grease into the mix!

I wanted to put a piece in the staff/faculty show to promote my calligraphy class I'll be teaching this fall. And I'll be doing a weekend workshop for party-planning. Extra $ is always welcome. I like the idea of teaching. I think the people I grew up with assumed I would teach (or just find some way to continue being bossy!).

I really don't have anything profound or clever to say today. I just wanted to say hi to everyone. I've lost my creative zip, but it will come back soon. I'm looking forward to having a spotless house for a little while. I'm looking forward to having these school assignments done. I'm looking forward to starting fresh with Matthew so we can map out our future. So much to do. I wouldn't trade any of it.

Thursday, February 26, 2009

Change is coming....

I was looking forward to Lent. No really. It usually flies by and then Easter comes and I feel like I didn't do my part. So yesterday I really prayed- for my beautiful and feisty daughters, for my amazing husband. I made my promise not to eat out every day (save money and calories), to get up at 6 when Matthew leaves on a "regular" day, and to get to work early. I got up at 7:30, upset my stomach, and got to work at 9:30. But I made it to church, and that was a win.

This morning I got up at 6:30 and got to work by 9:00. OK. Better. I will improve.

Matthew gave up coffee. I told him that in the interest of public safety, a nuclear engineer should be FULLY AWAKE on the job! He disagreed while he nodded off after dinner. He'll do it. He's so much stronger and more disciplined than I am. Thank goodness.

I am trying to balance homework and preparing a room for my good friend who will be joining us soon. We've had a couple of people stay with us before- Grace's friends. The first one, the girls called the "Temp" as in "temporary brother. Then we had Gabi, and the girls called her the "Perm." But she wasn't. When I told Christine that Roberta was coming to live with us, and it would be nice not to have someone sneaking out in the middle of the night or drinking all our alcohol, she said, "You don't know that for sure." hahaha. You hear that, Roberta? I have been forewarned. But at least when you come sneaking in through the patio doors, I won't be standing there with the evil eye; I will be there to give you a great big hug!

Sunday, February 1, 2009

Uh oh.

It's happening. My husband asks me what something says. Neither of us needs glasses, but we have to adjust to very small type. He was fixing a door in the kitchen, and needed the tape measure. I was making a very late breakfast (spicy pear muffins, scrambled eggs with ham and cream cheese, French press coffee. Mmmmm.)Heading to the fridge, Matthew asks me what is says on the side of the tape measure (3 1/2"). I thought to myself, "wow. He's squinting, poor thing. Maybe he should get get glasses. We really are getting older." I turned back to the fridge....and stared. For a long time.

So we are both getting older. We go to bed early so we can make it through the day. But truly, we are blessed. My favorite spot in the whole world is about 8:00 in the morning, Saturday, when the sun is streaming into my bedroom. Matthew is making me coffee before his morning phone call to work, I can hear the dogs tumbling down the stairs and the girls fighting over....anything. I can grab a book and read until my husband finds me again (the phone call has turned into internet boat shopping).

This is my moment of bliss. Before the guilt starts- messy house, have to do homework, yes, sweetheart, I know you're hungry. I read about creative women who jumped, fearlessly, into living creative lives. I drift, thinking about projects I'd like to do. But I know I like my steady paycheck. I liked being an artist, but I never felt legitimate. And, as much as I like being by myself, I like being around other people. I like being creative around others, but, truth be told, I find we brainstorm more than anything else. More dreaming, less action. I feel guilty about creating before finishing my work (no dessert before you finish your vegetables!).

So, I have been making deals with myself. I will study. I will do some laundry. I will work on my paper, and then I will allow myself something fun to read. I am more calm. I have something to look forward to. And I still don't need glasses.