Monday, May 28, 2007

Goal Accomplished!

Cindi and I each made at least three goals to accomplish this month. One of my goals was to set up an etsy shop. Well its now set up! Theres nothing in it yet, but there will be next month!

Thank Goodness for Gurlfriends!

... and family too!

I met my friend Nan over 10 years ago when we were working on our masters. From the first time I saw her I knew I wanted to be friends with her and we have. Right after graduation she and her husband moved back East. We have managed to talk on the phone almost every Sunday for the past nine years! What a gift her friendship is!

Sunday, May 20, 2007

A Long Way Gone

I wish I could post a picture of the cover of this book, A Long Way Gone Memoirs of a Boy Soldier by Ishmael Beah. What a great read! I highly recommend it! It is the autobiography of a young boy from Sierra Leone who gets caught up in the civil war and what happens to him. I had the good fortune to travel very briefly to Sierra Leone 20 years ago. Although this story happened after my time, I know that there was a lot of bloodshed going on while I was there. The capital, Freetown, looks much like the Bay Area, so it felt like home after being away for almost a year. I have very fond feelings for Sierra Leone and the good hearted people I met there.

I also just finished What is the What by Dave Eggers. Another fabulous book! This is the fictionalized biography of Valentino Achak Deng of Sudan who becomes one of the Walking Boys or Lost Boys of Sudan. I know, fictionalized biography sounds strange, but the story is based on a real person's life. I think the story is fictionalized so that the author can include some things that might have happened to someone else or a way to tell some of the history of that time.

My other recent favorite read is The Hummingbirds Daughter by Luis Urrea. (I think that's how to spell his last name). Another fictionalized biography about an amazing Mexican woman who was considered to be both a healer and a saint. I loved this book too!

Being an avid reader, I am now at a bit of a loss for what to read.

I should have a new computer in about two weeks so posting pictures will be sooooo much easier! I cant wait!

Tending to the Nest


This weekend is about tending to our nest.... I have been doing loads of laundry, including felting more thrift store buys, straightenng up, cleaning the bathroom, and under the kitchen sink. The cleaning under the kitchen sink happened right before leaving for a friend's 50th birthday party last night when we realized the garbage disposal has a leak.
Of course, I am squeezing the cleaning in between an anniversary party for my favorite yarn store Stash, a 50th birthday party, attending a music video shoot that my sweetie's son is doing, trying on loads of beautiful handmade sweaters at a trunk show for the new book Runway Knits (beautiful designs), and getting together with my friend Laura!

Sunday, May 13, 2007

Happy Mothers Day!


This little girl is now lucky to have a wonderful mother who she counts as one of her best friends. This is rare. My mom is smart, funny, super well informed about what is happening in the world, generous, kind, a great cook, a very good friend to her friends, and absolutely devoted to her family. I count my blessing in her everyday. Happy Mother's Day Mom!
Happy Mother's Day to two wonderful mothers Cindi and Nan, You have and are raising some daughters who are beautiful inside and out!

Wednesday, May 9, 2007

Poked & Proded!

Today I took a sick day and made what felt like hundreds of appointments. I am so grateful to have good health insurance... but, whew, I am tired! I still have many more to schedule, but at least I got some of them out of the way.

The best part of the day was I got to have lunch with my BFFCindi who I never see often enough. We sat outside, the weather was just right, and ate at our favorite lunch spot. Life is good!

I also ran into Karen, my mentor when I was getting my masters and a dear friend, and a man who I hired over twenty-five years ago. He is still as sweet as ever. I remember him calling me at least once a day until I hired him. Today he told me that he owes me everything. It isnt true. He worked really hard in what I think is a very under-appreciated position. He stayed with that company for 10 years and said he had enough money afterwards to further his education. Its amazing. You never know how something you do for someone can make such a big difference.

A Great Everyday Reminder

I saw this poem by Michael James posted on another blog:

"DO THE WORK
DO IT FOR PRACTICE
JUST DO IT
IF ONLY TO TRAIN
UNEVENTFUL EVENTS
REPEATED
AGAIN AND AGAIN.
DO THE WORK
DO IT TO PARDON
JUST DO IT
AND NEVER COMPLAIN.
TRANSCENDING THE FEAR
OF BLAME
AND REJECTION AND PAIN.
DO THE WORK
DO IT WITH PATIENCE
JUST DO IT
BUT WITHOUT DISDAIN.
SHARING THE SECRECT
AND KNOWING
IT'S NEVER IN VAIN.
DO THE WORK
DO IT WITH PLEASURE
JUST DO IT
TO KEEP YOURSELF SANE.
TICKLING THE FANCY
AND LETTING
LAUGHTER REMAIN.
DO THE WORK
DO IT WITH PASSION
JUST DO IT.
NEVER, EVER FEIGN
AWAY WITH THOSE DOUBTS
HAVE FAITH AND
YOU ALWAYS WILL GAIN.

Saturday, May 5, 2007

New Favorite!

I have a new favorite website Whip Up! I LOVE this site and visit it almost daily. It has great links, tutorials and information on a variety of crafts. If you haven't been here dont wait. Go now!

So Many Good Things!

This week I found out that the ArtFiberFest Quilt Swap that I participated in last year, and beautifully hosted by Shari Beaubien, is featured in this issue of CLOTH, PAPER AND SCISSORS! My quiltlet is at the top of the second hanging from the right. Thank you Shari for all of your work!

I am also the lucky recipient of a give-away by the talented Rice Freeman-Zachery! She was giving away copies of her book Stampartistry... and I am getting one! Thank you Rice! By the way, if you ever have the opportunity of taking a class with her do so! She is a talented, patient, generous and fun teacher.