Whoa

One week (less now even) until the big show at GLAM!
(What happened to October and November? Sheesh.)


Since my last post I've been trying to finish up the loose ends involved in preparing for my first craft fair. The show down at Vicki's was cake - send my items and show up for the opening party to eat, drink, and maybe talk to a few people about my work and the process. Mostly just eat and drink though.
This one, I have to provide everything I need to both attract people to my area and make me look professional enough to want to buy something. Except the table, that comes with the registration and I am SO EXCITED about that.


Kim over at The Sassy Crafter has graciously put some fabulous tips on her blog for n00bs like me that were an awesome help in addition to the various Etsy.com resources for those just breaking into the craft fair scene. Now, it's all coming together. I cannot wait to take a million photos next weekend of everyone's amazing items and all the pretty smiling faces supporting Gainesville's local artists.

In the past 10 days I...

Enameled on fine silver for the first time. WHY DID THIS TAKE ME SO LONG?
Watched the Gators kick butt - twice!
Raided Smiley's Antique Mall for vintage baroque picture frames
Enameled necklaces, bracelets and another bowl
Perused the Gainesville Fall Arts Festival with Eve, eating an arepa and a mug of lemonade/cherrywine mix
Attended an art show at Daacha where I saw many friends and watched collaborative painting and my friend Adam drumming inside a box.
Spent way too much more money on supplies
Took advantage of and used our new gas fireplace every night since it's been installed
Worked a full 40 hours at the lab
Celebrated with friends for Cindy's birthday at The Top (nom nom corn nuggets)
Walked Early and Foster to the dog park
Got jealous of everyone who had Veteran's day off work
Ate delicious food out in Archer with Gabe and Jen, finally seeing Religulous
Got paid
Listened to Metal played in the second bedroom
Assembled more and more and more for the show
Loved on Lucky all warm from sunshine in the open windows

It has been busy, but lovely.
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fantasy vs reality

Last night I made spaghetti and meatballs. With half of one of those frozen garlic bread loaves with that are so good with their too much butter and seasonings built right in.
It was a really simple night.

I got home early from work and we relaxed and watched TV. Collin watered and looked after the yard while I started dinner. We went on a walk with Early down to the Thomas Center as the house filled with the smell of our meal.
After it was all done and we were both satisfied we just kept looking at each other and smiling these wide, bright grins. These looks on our faces kept saying, "I love you. And I love our life together." and we were both so sincere.

I said last night to him that I wouldn't change a single thing about my life. That I have not the tiniest piece of my life to complain about. Now, I know this isn't the first time I've felt that way. I've been in just the right place and time in my life before; happy and fulfilled. Now though, the present, feels more permanent. It is more permanent. I'm older now and more aware of what I need to make me happy vs what I want that could make me happy. In the past years I've been successful in sifting through the both and really focusing on my needs - things like a loving partner, a comfortable home, a handful of good friends, a satisfying yet enjoyable job.
These things I now have.
Sure there are parts of my life I would improve on; debt and Collin's school status are the two big ones but I'm not worried about them because we're actively working on all this together.

Yet I find myself asking whether I am simply settling or lucky to have found this place where I want to stay and raise a family? Why would I run off to start over in another city when I'm not unhappy here? I think it would take some miracle job for Collin and I to make a move and I just don't see that happening. Some of our friends are becoming restless though. Many moved here for college and are just tired of this town. I understand. Had I moved here for the same reason we would have probably jetted off to some other corner of the country by now. Maybe not though. I'm not a wet blanket or anything, I just like stability, and the comfort that comes from living in one city longer than two years. As Collin said to me once when we were still long-distance-dating, "I'm not a waffler". A handful of friends are starting to put some roots into our community as well. One just bought a house this past year. I find myself even more content knowing that we could be building the extended family we reach out to for the next 20 years.

I once heard about a study that stated womens fantasies were much more frequently about domestic life and milestones rather than sex (to hell with trying to find it, this was so so long ago). I want to say that they simply asked of both sexes, "What are some of your fantasies?" and let them answer openly without prompting. Thoughts about getting married, owning a home, landing a dream job were frequently first thought of by women - I am not surprised. This is me, but especially after marriage I find this to be true. Is it this way for most married women? Is it because we know we can have good sex when we want (assuming our husbands are similarly willing to drop anything for a romp) and these are the things in life about which we aren't sure? Are fantasies supposed to be your ultimate dream reality or something you can have if you're just patient and work hard?
Am I doing the fantasy thing wrong? Or am I, in part, living my fantasy already?
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SOLD

Thanks Chris!




I hope your new lady friend has a happy birthday later this month
Also thanks for helping me to cross off (or in my case, turn pink) #26 on my list of 101 things to do. Even if we did kind of cheat because we did the whole thing in person and then I just asked you to "buy" it on Etsy so I can get some sales feedback. You're a true friend. Read more...

G.L.A.M.

The woman who runs this event contacted Meggan through Etsy.com the weekend of our art show at Heart's Desire. While I was a little bummed she didn't find me herself (I have Gainesville as my location, too!) Meggan was kind enough to pass on the event information so I could apply for myself.

An email to the SassyCrafter, a week of wait, and I'm in!




The show will be November 22 just a few blocks away at the Thelma Boltin Center downtown. Just one week before this will be the Downtown Arts Festival - a much pricier and bigger event taking over all of downtown with booths full of paintings, glasswares, jewelry and street food. OOOOhhh the street food at an art festival - don't get me started. I already have plans to walk around the festival like usual, but this time with fliers in hand for our own show the next weekend.

I also get to cross another item off my 101 in 1001 list (sell at a local art show).

I know I'll be working like a mad woman with just about a month to make everything I'd like to sell. All while constructing our Halloween costumes (Thor and Sif, husband and wife Viking Gods) and letting myself have fun for Gator football, The Fest/Halloween weekend, and an occasional Thursday Ladies Night at 101 with the girls.
Of course, with all this going on I signed up for another show coming December 4th. My friend Megan (one G - I know a lot of Meg/g/ea/h/ns) works at the Lighthouse Center for the Arts down in Tequesta, FL. She's started an amazing monthly event where young artists come to show/sell and demo their work on a Friday night. Food, music and tasty beverages are all part of the fun and I am really excited to go.
It's been too long since I've seen Megan and I'm all for another opportunity to sell my pieces. I am really nervous about doing a live-demo and talking in front of people though. Something tells me the library card I picked up last week will come in handy as I try to research some more on enameling technique and teaching so I can be clear and concise. I think my worst teaching nightmare involves dropping a piece of 1500F metal and glass, setting fire to the table and building. Unlikely, but my work table at home has the burn marks to prove this has happened before. I don't know if I'll be making much for this show specifically (unless I sell out at G.L.A.M.) but who knows. The show at Heart's Desire ends on November 30th and I am going to try to get anything that didn't sell a few days early to take home with me after Thanksgiving and bring to the LCA event.

Oh, and I have those custom orders from friends and family that have been trickling in these past couple weeks. Thanks facebook, my business appreciates your social networking capabilities!
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my 101 in 1001

I mentioned this challenge back in January, and I guess I never got around to posting it here (or completing the list, for that matter). Cleaning up at work last week I found my list. Sure it only had about 60 goals on there but I figured that since I'm almost a whole year into this thing, I might as well round it out to 101 and put it in writing. I've actually accomplished more than I expected and after months of not even looking at this list. Surprisingly (or, not surprisingly?) I haven't completed a number of goals on that list that seem so simple - I have to keep them on there and get motivated - no back tracking to erase things I have yet to do, even if I'm incredibly tempted.

I'm setting my start date at January 1, 2009 since thinking about new years resolutions was what led me to find the 101 in 1001 in general. I had a hell of a time thinking of a full 101 things. Am I not that creative? Am I not adventurous? I think I just have reservations about putting things on the list that are counter productive to each other. Like, wipe out half of our credit card debt while listing vacations we want to go on.

Goal:
Complete 101 preset tasks in a period of 1001 days.

Rules:
Tasks must be specific (ie. no ambiguity in the wording) with a result that is either measurable or clearly defined. Tasks must also be realistic and stretching (ie. represent some amount of work on my part).

Why 1001 Days?
Many people have created lists in the past - frequently simple goals such as New Year's resolutions. The key to beating procrastination is to set a deadline that is realistic. 1001 Days (about 2.75 years) is a better period of time than a year, because it allows you several seasons to complete the tasks, which is better for organizing and timing some tasks such as overseas trips or outdoor activities.

Start Date: January 1, 2009
End Date: September 28, 2011

Completed item
Working on it

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Artsy Fartsy
1. Learn watercolor technique for enameling
2. Paint a portrait of Lucky
3. Sew cute pillows for the living room (March 2009)
4. Finish Collin's Converge skateboard
5. Re-finish the round table with the glass top
6. Make a wedding album for Erin and Craig (May 2009)
7. Put all of Matt's radio show cd's on the computer (June 2009)
8. Get Collin to organize said music on the hard drive (April 2009)
9. Backup all photos to hard drive (April 2009)
10. Create something using GIMP program (July 2009 - business cards)
11. Make wedding album for guest photos, cards, and pre/post wedding events March 2009)
12. Take a class at UF or use their resources (Screen prints in November 2009)

Wanterlust
13. Nashville, TN
14. Boston, MA
15. NYC
16. Gem mining in Tennessee (June 2009)
17. Charleston, SC
18. Visit 3 giant heritage oaks 1, Cellon Oak Park

Material Girl
19. 4 skirts for everyday wear 1, 2, 3, 4
20. New couch(es) or steam clean the ones we have
21. TV stand for bedroom (June 2009)
22. Have more than 1 pair of wearable jeans at once (September 2009)
23. Have aquamarine from Mexico set in wearable jewelry
24. Finish Collin's tattoo in color or get his Rollins tat

9 to 5
25. Start store on Etsy.com (July 2009)
26. Sell an item online to a stranger (December 2009)
27. Sell an item in person (October 2009 )
28. Get in an art show/festival (October 2009)
29. Get in a local art show/festival (November 2009)
30. Make back all money invested in enameling (December 2009)
31. Set up hard and computer filing system
32. Get a raise at the lab each year 2009, 2010, 2011


Domestica
33. Hang photos and artwork in the frames that are laying around (August 2009)
34. Purchase a rug for the living room (June 2009)
35. Re-cover dining room chairs (March 2009)
36. Create better enameling workspace (July 2009)
37. Clean under the fridge and oven (August 2009)
38. Get renter's insurance
39. Tend to the fishtank monthly for 6 months in a row 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
40. Collin and I live with no roommates (August 2009)
41. Landscape the yard (April 2009)
42. Bake 5 bread recipes (5/5 - no knead bread, MS dinner rolls, bagels, pizza dough, fruit tarts)
43. Go through and purge old cooking magazines for recipes (May 2009)
44. Write down favorite original recipes somewhere (August 2009)
45. Go 2 weeks in a row without buying groceries
46. Sweep/swiffer the kitchen and bathroom every week for two months
47. Make a compost bin for outside and small container for daily use inside

Finances
48. Stop using credit cards entirely for 3 months (1, 2, 3)
49. Get life insurance (May 2009)
50. Pay off 50% of all credit card debt
51. Create a budget and setup online monitoring (September 2009)
52. Contribute to 401k at work (March 2009)
53. Save 1000$ emergency cash (November 2009)
54. Quit paying for vices (August 2009)
55. Start to save for an emergency fund (February 2010 - baby step #1 accomplished. again)

Health and Self
56. Find a general practitioner and get a physical (January 2009)
57. Find a dentist and have a routine cleaning (September 2009)
58. Fix crown (December 2009)
59. Get wisdom teeth out
60. Quit smoking cigarettes for 6 full months (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
61. Chart cycles for 2 full years (4/10-4/09, 4/09-4/10)
62. Fix up a bike and ride it to downtown
63. Get prescription sunglasses
64. Go 6 months between hair appointments for 1 year (December 2008, June 2009, 12-09)
65. No fast food for 1 month

Socialite
66. Make 3 new girl friends (Cindy, Eve, Rachel (again))
67. Meet 3 more neighbors (Tom, Melissa, Rod)
68. Go dancing downtown
69. Send a friend in Boston a present for "no reason" (June 2009)
70. See my laark ladies once a year each (at least) 2009, 2010, 2011
71. See my parents once a year (at least) 2009, 2010, 2011
72. Send out Xmas cards each year 2009, 2010
73. Go to 1 Gator game each year 2009, 2010, 2011
74. Send Piper a surprise present (April 2009)
75. Have 6 parties over the course of the 1001 days 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 - NYE '08, St. Patrick's '09, St. Patrick's '10, Piper's 4th Birthday picnic, housewarming at 931, Labor Day Chili Dogs

Family
76. Adopt a dog (July 2009)
77. Talk about a time line for building our family (January 2009)
78. Have a "nice" dinner date every 2 months for a whole year 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
79. Take professional photos with Collin
80. Walk the dog together to the dog park each week for 2 months 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8


Generosity
80. Donate clothes to hospice (January 2009, May 2009)
81. Donate to operation catnip once each year 2009, 2010, 2011
82. Donate 10 cans of food
83. Give $$ when asked by a homeless person (August 2009)
84. Gift food to a neighbor unexpectedly (January 2009)
85. Buy from the farmer's market 5x 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Gainesvillian
86. Go to the Butterfly Rainforest exhibit (September 2009)
87. Visit the Natural History Museum (not butterfly part)
88. Visit the Harn Museum of Fine Art
89. See the nutcracker during the Christmas season
90. See a performance at the Phillips Center (Ben Folds, March 2010)
91. Spend a day at Newnan's Lake
92. Try 6 new restaurants around town 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 - reggae shack, peach valley cafe, boca fiesta, mexico lindo, ichiban, shooting star
93. Visit the Tree of Life Meggan always talks about - Cellon Oak Park
94. Walk around the Spring and Fall arts festivals (spring, fall)
95. Go to two Downtown Friday shows at the community plaza (June 2009)

Floridian
96. Visit the Cedar Key seafood festival
97. Float down the springs (in a canoe)
98. Hike Paine's Prairie and/or visit for a meteor shower
99. Tour the Lakeridge Winery
100. See more of St. Augustine with Tom and Melissa than just their house
101. Take Early to a dog friendly beach (October 2009)
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One Year

I'd be posting all about my wonderful weekend celebrating the opening of the art show and the first anniversary of my marriage.

Except...
My nose is buried in my new book.



The Year of the Flood, the latest by Margaret Atwood. I read The Handmaid's Tale in high school and wrote my final research paper in Dystopian Lit juxtaposing Oryx and Crake between it and Brave New World. Sigh. Now this is a sequel (of sorts) to Oryx and Crake and so far, so good. I read she is writing a third for the group and you can bet if things continue as the last 75 pages have I'll be reading it as well. I'm making it obvious that I have a crazy love for utopian/dystopian novels. Anthem was the first (as I'm sure it was for many teenagers in American schools) but it was just the beginning.

Collin bought me this book for our first anniversary. We decided a while ago that it would be fun (and cheaper?) to stick to the time-old traditional anniversary gifts. Paper it was for Year One. He had some help with this pick, but I gave him a few ideas that I would love all involving paper. I was excited to see the package on our couch this past Sunday when we arrived home after our weekend away.
I was also happy to see a bottle of champagne left chilling in our fridge by our awesome neighbor/friend/cat-feeder Craig.

For his gift I ended up purchasing Collin a ticket to go see Deathklok again this year in Orlando when they come on tour. They're playing with two of his other favorite bands even! It may seem more romantic to buy tickets for the both of us but when I really thought about it I wanted to gift him a night away with the boys, too. It's purely coincidence that this second gift actually saved me another forty bucks ;)

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In Review

November 2008

December 2008

January 2009

February 2009

March 2009

April 2009

May 2009

June 2009

July 2009

August 2009

September 2009

October 2009

So this was a year. One of just many of the future if we are lucky. If not, at least we got life insurance in this span of the past 365+.

We've done more than this together, and more apart as well. Dealt with health issues, road trip vacations, working multiple jobs and a new member to the family who ate our ipod (to his dismay) and a nude high heel (to mine).
It all works out in the end.

I sure as hell hope that people are right when they say your first year of marriage is the hardest. I don't think they are, but if so, we're set for a great life.
I love this home we have and our little family of four (when you include the fuzzy black children of ours). Next year will hopefully be more of the same. Days and months flying by. Filled with love and smiles and good things. There are hardships, but this partner I have here, he gets it. He knows how to support me. When to shut up, when to talk, when to draw me a bath and when to start doing the dishes. He cleans the litterbox and doesn't take it personally when I don't finish the sandwich me made me because it has too much mustard.
I love him. More than I ever expected.
and he gives me more love than I ever knew possible.
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