Life To DO List II

Last year almost to the day I made a life To DO list and I thought today I'd like to add to it, since I am still pretty much on the same page as I was a year ago. So here are a few additions to the life list:

I want to be an awesome vegan baker. I can cook, but baking just sort of started about a year ago. I am gaining confidence, thanks to EnerG Egg Replacer! I am slowly working up the courage to try layered cakes.

I want to have shows of my art more regularly. I took a long break with the whole baby/move/thesis combo, but now it's time to get back on track. Eric and I are meeting with a gallery owner next week! We're planning a show in the not too distant future!

I want to raise a daughter who has a healthy body image. I feel like this has to start with my perception of my own self. I have been working on this for years and now it's time to put it into practice.

• I try to graciously accept compliments, even when I don't entirely agree. Why do women tend to put themselves down when they receive a compliment? Makes me sad.
• I try to eat healthy and exercise, but also indulge occasionally...trying for a healthy balance.
• I try my hardest not to put myself down, this is a tough one, but probably the most important.

Hopefully she will just grow up thinking she is as beautiful and wonderful as I think she is...and I truly hope she see's others with a kind eye as well.

Continue my battle to live without nail polish. I haven't caved yet! I had a weak moment recently when I saw a girl with beautiful toenails that looked like little apples on the end of her feet (it was pretty, my description sounds a bit creepy). I thought, maybe I could just wear nail polish on my toes. Then I had a flash back to when toenail polish left my toenails yellow, looking like the toes of a 90 year old man. Victory for one battle, but the war still continues.

I really want to rescue a gentle donkey. Have I mentioned how much I love me a gentle donkey (oh yeah here and here) ? I don't actually know what I want to do with a gentle donkey but in my mind's eye we sit in sweet green grass on a hillside. I will sip pink lemonade and the gentle donkey will gentle nuzzle me and ask for a treat, also the gentle donkey talks in my little daydream...anyway...

I want to buy a home. We keep getting closer, but then something happens and we back off. I am ready to be done with renting, but for now at least we have a place to call home.

I want to make sure my friends and family feel loved and appreciated, this is very important to me.

Have all of my teeth throughout my life. I am not talking about hanging onto to snaggle teeth, but rather taking such good care of my teeth that at my funeral (at the ripe old age of 116) I temporarily blind a few people with their vibrancy, not that people should be looking at teeth at a funeral, but you get the idea.

Anyway I think this list is slowly slipping into nonsense. Maybe we should just hear from you, my dear reader, what's on your life to do list?

A Night Out

Last night, as the cool air settled in after a hot summer day, we headed to the local park to watch the city band perform. We were eager to distract Cordelia from her current discomfort, teeth-two of them. So we figured at a lot of distraction would be the way to go. We went to the weekly concerts in the park a few times last year and it was high time we visited it once again.

We sat down next to some folks from a local nursing home and they were equally taken with Cordelia and Bumblebee, apparently Eric and I weren't particularly impressive to them.

At the show


On the go


Pettin' the Beast


Watching the show


Eric and Cordelia


I finally got my rings back!


Dancing


Finished off the night with a good time on the swings

How did you spend your evening?

This is Our Life

Last night Eric and I had a date night. We dropped Cordelia off with my mother and Sam (my dad is at the family farm in Montana this week). Cordelia has developed a special relationship with each member of my family and it's so neat to see it in action. Last night as we pulled her out of her car seat she walked, arms in the air, straight to my mother. So it was pretty easy to leave her and not feel too sick about it. No tears or anything, on either part.

Eric and I had a lovely dinner. We slowed down, ate and talked. We have no shortage of topics, just as it has always been. We reflected on how much has changed in this past year, how thankful we are, we talked about art, film, etc. Generally we just took our sweet time.

We picked up Cordelia. She was fast asleep in my mother's arms. Apparently my mother started to sing to her and didn't make it halfway through one verse before Cordelia was completely passed out. We carefully loaded the sleeping little girl into her car seat where she promptly awoke.

When we got home she decided that it was no longer bed time. She rolled on the ground, played, ran for the dog water and carried her coasters around the house. The animals were hanging out lounging with us, save Ophelia who was probably brooding under the bed, still angry that I cut her hair.

Bumblebee, Mia and some loose coasters

I looked at Eric and he said, "This is our life."

I smiled and said, " I know, I love it."

He laughed as Cordelia bounced between the two of us giving kisses (kisses= a delightful open mouthed application of drool) and said, "Me too."

What's your life like?

3 Topics: Lots of Photos

Eric being filmed for the news.

1. The News

Yesterday Eric was on the news! Yes, he was on the news, dressed up like he is in the Army. He isn't in the Army. He is a curator. Well, yesterday his curatorial duties included a camp for kids where he dressed like a WWII Army guy and talked about rations. He met a newscaster, again! We're all over the news here in Wyoming.

Eric on the news.


Eric handing out "war rations" on the news.

2. Walking
Also, have I mentioned that Cordelia has gone from a few clumsy steps to tearing her way through the house, often carrying her 3 best friends--3 coasters? She looks sort of like King Kong with her wobbly gait and her arms thrown above her head, just like her mother. I'm kidding, no it's true I walk like King Kong---no I don't (yes I do).

On the go.


So cute!

3. Thrifting

Finally,after a long day of cleaning we stopped at a thrift store and I got quite a haul for less than $10 total. Missing from the photos is a cake donut pan.

A runner.


8 handmade napkins


Several yards of fabric


A Bunch of clothes for Cordelia


Another scarf

So, overall it was a wonderful and productive day.

Editing My Life

With my thesis written, YES WRITTEN!!, and with the editing process well underway I am coming out of my trance. What do I see?

Well, it's a huge mess. I have totally neglected more than the most basic of housecleaning chores over the past couple of weeks. I feel like I am camping or something; I am even in that if-y area of needing a shower (in case you wanted just a tad too much info). The recycling is out of control, the vac has been sitting idly in the corner, pet hair reigns.

This morning it is on! I am a cleaning machine. It's not even 8am and I've already mopped, that is just how serious I am. I feel like I've just come home at the end of a long and exhausting journey. Once things are back in order I can settle back in to creativity.

I think maybe that's been the most difficult part of the thesis completion process. I have had to put off my creativity. Every idea and whim has been put on the back burner and I am kind of proud of that. Mostly because I found it to be incredibly difficult.

Anyway, I am going to wash the dirty business of thesis writing off and get back to it.

• I need to catch up with my blogger buddies.
• Um, shower!
• Clean the entire house, top to bottom.
• Work on art.
• Sew.
• Edit my cookbook.
• Work on my other writing projects.
• Hang out and play with Cordelia.

What are your plans for today?

Nude Ring Finger

My ring finger is nude and it feels weird. Oh wait, maybe I should start at the beginning. Way back when I was but a wee little lass in love. Eric had just nervously proposed and I, of course, accepted. The ring was one we had looked at months earlier, but I had thought it was just something we'd done to kill time one afternoon. I didn't realize that Eric had made a note of it and saved up to buy it. The ring is perfect, suits us 100%, antiqued gold and a small beautiful diamond.

Anyway, back to the proposal. I put the ring on my finger, on the wrong hand. Who knew? I'd never been engaged before and I hadn't given much thought to which hand wore the jewelry. I went to show off the ring and my mom quickly and quietly corrected my mistake.

The next morning I woke up and before I even opened my eyes I used my thumb to feel that ring, to make sure it was still in place. So began a years long practice of unconsciously checking my finger, making sure the ring was still there.

A few years ago I noticed the ring was getting loose. Then I got pregnant and I figured my hands would swell-problem solved, no dice. My ring continued to get more loose. I think maybe my youth is leaving me hands first and they are withering, just a theory at this point.

When I was on a walk last summer I made a wide gesture (a habit I certainly picked up from Eric) and my ring went flying, right along with the wedding band. I recovered them both and decided that they needed to move up to my middle finger until I could get them re-sized.

Last fall my aunt asked if I wore my bands on my middle finger for some special reason. I wish I had a cool reason, but I didn't. Time continued to pass and still I didn't get the rings re-sized.

Finally on Saturday we were walking downtown at CRAZY DAYS and I spotted a jewelry shop. I walked in with my crew to find an empty shop.
"I'll be right down," called a feeble elderly voice.
Soon a white haired woman climbed down a step ladder. She had jewelers glasses on over her eye glasses, making her eyes rather enormous. I would also like to mention that she had a pit bull named Samantha.

I left my rings in her care, waiting to be adjusted by two full sizes. So now I am obsessively checking my fingers for rings and there is nothing there, weird for sure. I can't wait to put the rings back home on my finger, where they belong.

* For the record this blog post was originally called naked finger and Eric thought that was creepy, but he was OK with the more artistic use of the word nude.

A Photo and Few Words

Just a quiet sence from last night. Ophelia, our cat, was enjoying the evening breeze, probably watching the rabbits that are out at that hour.

Super Saturday

Holy smokes I got a wonderful night of sleep. Since before Cordelia was born (last September) I have only had a small number of complete nights of sleep. Last night was one of them. I am generally a high energy kind of gal, but now I feel like I've added about 10 bajillion cups of coffee to it. So we are off to an early start. I am determined to do everything there is to do today.

Speaking of which, the winners from the drawing have packages all ready to go. I still need to hear from you Homegrown Colorado! If I don't get your address by Monday afternoon I will be forced to choose a new winner...so hop on it!

Finally, here is another photo just because.

OK I am off, in a flurry, to carpe diem, be here now, taste the rainbow, with gusto, and my family. Wahoooooooooooooooooooooooo!

Wonderful, Simple

Yesterday was simple and wonderful. Quiet and perfect. Probably one of those days that I won't remember exactly as the years pass, but one that will become part of a collective mood from this time in my life.

Strawberry muffins


My girl


My husband, working on a painting


My father with Cordelia and Bumblebee


Playing with the scarves


With all of the scarves


Playing with the scarves too.


The birthday boy


My mother and daughter

What was your day like?

Sam

To the outside world we all grow old. But not to brothers and sisters. We know each other as we always were. We know each other's hearts. We share private family jokes. We remember family feuds and secrets, family griefs and joys. We live outside the touch of time. ~Clara Ortega

Dear Sam,

Happy birthday, the last year before people start calling you an adult. I wish you every happiness life has to offer. Your are a good person and I am thankful to call you my family!

Love,
Sister

Beauty and the Basset and Reminder About Giveaway Winners

I am frequently asked how our much loved basset gets along with our lovely lady. The answer is that they have a beautiful relationship developing and it is a complete joy to watch.

When we return home from an outing Bumblebee is beside herself with joy and desperately tries to lick Cordelia's face, too bad she has terrible breath. Cordelia loves it.

Dinner time has been figured out by both. Cordelia loves too see her food magically disappear and Bumblebee is happy to hoover it up.

When Bumblebee approaches, Cordelia often screams with delight!

We've taught Cordelia how to pet Bumblebee so there is no pulling (yet). So Bumblebee loves the extra attention.

Cordelia loves to give Bumblebee toys so she will go over to Bumblebee's toy box and pull out her rope toys, kong, or whatever else is in there. Bumblebee gently receives each item.

Of course Bumblebee is still a dog and we would be foolish to assume that she is only a gentle pooch. Sometimes she goes joyfully bounding through the house, howling and barking. We simply pick up Cordelia as she hysterically laughs at Bumblebee's antics.

Actually, Cordelia is laying on the dog bed as I am typing this. So cute!

A beautiful friendship is surely forming!

Don't forget to check my previous post and see if you've won. Congratulations, if you have please email me your mailing address.

The Winners

I am so happy and so sad at the same time. Happy to announce the winners and sad that you can't all win. I had over 120 entries into my seven days of giveaways. Thank you all so much for reading and your kind words.

The entries, don't worry I gave it a good spin before drawing names.


The Winners

Congratulations.

If you are a winner please email me, see my profile for my email address!

Long Hike and 1,000th POST!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yesterday was hot, like crazy hot. I had only our toilet fountain to cool me down (still waiting on the plumber). So I was looking forward to getting up out of this and into the cool mountain air. My friend Sarah invited me to join her and another lady for a nice long hike.

Sweet Eric was worried that it would be really hot up on the mountain and left me a reminder note for water. He took Cordelia and retreated to my parent's air conditioned home.

So, up the mountain we went. My two new gal pals (can I really call them gal pals when I had just met one of them?) and I taking on the trail. OK, the hike was only a couple of hours and about 5 miles, and it wasn't too intense or anything.

Stream along the way


Sunlight through the trees


Path goes between boulders


The view


Flower along the way


Crossing the stream again


Rocky crag

As you can see it was beautiful. Ah, nature. I left the mountain feeling happy and contented, part of a bigger picture. I love that feeling.

Oh yeah, it's my 1,000th post!!!!!!!!! I have been writing for quite some time. I have had such a fun week, hearing from all of you! I can't wait to announce the winners later today. I wish I was rich and you could all win, but I am not so there will be only seven winners. This is your last chance to enter. Leave a comment today before 6pm mountain time. I will announce the winners shortly after that!! Please forgive me if it's a wee bit later, we're waiting on the plumber this evening, so it's all up to his schedule.

Toilet Fountain and Giveaway Day 6

Late yesterday morning Eric and I had some soy latte's as we drove around the outskirts of town, Cordelia was sleeping soundly in the back seat. We used to go out for coffee, but have discovered that the newborn that would sleep through anything and everything has somehow turned into a big baby (I can't call her a toddler yet and you can't make me) who is interested in everything. So, rather than risk waking her up we just did the around town cruise. We talked and made each other laugh as we drove around sipping our soy latte's.

When Cordelia woke up in the car seat and started chatting we decided to head home. We had to meet with the plumber at 1 o'clock anyway. You see, the other night while we had company our toilet decided to turn into a water park. Our guest on Friday night was using the restroom and was in there for a while. A polite hostess never mentions such things, but when he came out we learned that his absence was a result of our toilet. Ah, just what one wants to hear while company is over.

So anyway, the toilet sprays out of the tank, the clean part, though anything spraying out of a toilet doesn't actually feel clean. It sprays a fine mist several feet, no avoiding it. It also flows over the back like a new Wyoming waterfall. So, we played the renter card and called our landlord who said the repair man would be there in 30 minutes. Two hours later a very ill looking man arrived and said he couldn't fix it without certain parts. So we rescheduled for him to come by at one on Sunday afternoon.

I asked Eric at 1 how late he thought the repairman would be and he smiled. We waited for four hours and he never showed up or called us back, so we are still dealing with the toilet/fountain feature in our bathroom.

The girls


Peanuts, just because

Thankfully we had made evening plans with my mother to take our mind off of the bathroom situation. We met up at the ball park to watch a game/people watch. My dad and Sam totally bailed on us. We ran into a few friends, they have a 2 year old son who likes to hug Cordelia's head. The evening was lovely, chatting, trading off Cordelia who was in a great mood as well. We spotted a couple of newscasters, but nothing major.

Watching something awesome happen in the game

The highlight was when one of the players dramatically slid to second base, but he came up a little short, like by several feet. So he rapidly crawled to the base, he made it.

Monkey baby

Giveaway Day 6!!!
Wow, it's been nearly a week of giveaway's already. It has gone so fast, but it has been so much fun to hear your comments and to hear from some of you who have been quiet for so long!

Today just leave me a comment for an opportunity to have another entry into the giveaway! If you haven't already you can go back over the other 5 posts and follow the directions in order to get more entries.