Yikes!

I'm trying to play catch up after my last few busy weekends: New Orleans, Chicago and then bathroom shopping (turns out we're in for a major overhaul! OY!). May was a crazed month with the travel then the work madness. I'm hoping the summer will settle down but I still want to head north for art and shopping with Kecia so it's on the list of things to do this summer.

As for the bathroom, my quest to update the faucets on the ba†htub resulted in finding major leaks in the bath and shower so we bit the bullet and are planning the remodel a year sooner than planned. We called in the re-modeler who lives across the street and he's planning to start on the 15th so we'll be down to 1 ba†hroom until July. At least I'll have something to really look forward to for the 4th!

I promise, next post New Orleans fun, art and then Chicago pics should be ready to go. Until then, this pic sums up our trip to Chicago - self portraits are the way to go when you don't want to bug fellow tourists! Also, before pics of bathroom.

Edited to add: Oh yeah, if anyone can tell me where to find this clock I will be incredibly happy and grateful! It's the blue clock with the red clock face.

First Time Ever!

For the first time since I purchased my camera the memory card is empty! I've gone through and finally gotten the photos in the right folders and processed some of the images into usable sizes. I still need to go through all the New Orleans photos and share those with the ladies from the trip. In the mean time, I'm planning to fill the card back up starting in a few hours since I'll be in Chicago!

The trip was questionable yesterday after I came home more tired than I have ever been in my life. The husband was skeptical about our weekend plans. But today, I feel refreshed and ready to hit the windy city. I do have some puppy guilt about taking them to be boarded since we can't pick them up until Tuesday am. Holiday on Monday and all. We found a place that looks awesome so they can have their own puppy door in and out so that helps a little. Still would rather be able to have them home on Monday.

Anyway, I've added some random photos from the card to share until I can get back to the art pics and new Chicago additions.

These are pics of a commissioned piece from my friend Suzanne. It was a birthday gift to her friend Elizabeth who is a fellow graphic designer. They have an awesome business together where they screen print on organic onesies, tees, etc. Seriously, if you need an incredible shower gift check out Sutecchi




This was a birdbath that was in my Mom's yard for years and I topped it with a St. Francis statue I got in Mexico on a family trip. I love them together and it feels very relic like. I love the faded blue on the pots. This photo is also old enough that you can see the old fence we replaced in November!



One of my latest etsy finds from a bead seller in Austin, I'd provide the link if I could find the store - I'll update if I find it. I can't wait to do something fabulous with them but in the meantime I open the bead drawer just get the imagination going.



Enough for now. I've got to get the last minute packing done and then we're off! Deep dish pizza, Field Museum and shopping (they have an actual Dick Blick store!!!) are all on the to do list!

Have a great weekend.

Holy smokes it's been a while

I've fallen off the blogging bandwagon! It's been hectic here as I prepped for my trip to NOLA and then it's been crazy getting back and getting ready to hit Chicago next weekend. I've squeezed in a few art projects and promise a real post soon but just wanted to put up a few pics from New Orleans that may tied you over until I can get through the 100+ I need to go through.

I was obsessed with balconies, foliage and signs this trip so it's a little sneak peek. The other photo is of me and my friend Suzanne, whose b-day we were celebrating, in front of one of my favorite pieces of wall art.

p.s. Rolland couldn't stop making fun of the hat but I loved it! It saved me from sunburn and bad hair.:)

New Orleans

I have some pics I need to post but I would have to walk the gauntlet of fur babies to get it so you'll just have to wait for another entry. :) I'm not without updates however, I am headed to New Orleans Friday evening for a girls weekend and I can't wait. This should also give me a couple of full cards of pics to post! I love NOLA and have been there twice before. Each time I find more things I love from the architecture to the constant motion of the city. This time I won't have the husband, who hated it, walking around with me begrudgingly taking in the sites. He does like the food but as for the rest, not so much.

One reason I'm anxious to wing away for a while is that it's been a difficult period at work. Also, I have been a little blue lately so my friend Suzanne and Rolland - who truly is the best husband ever - urged me to stay an extra day (I was coming back Sunday am) so now I've updated the flight and will be staying until Monday afternoon. That one day can make a huge difference in how many visits to Cafe du Monde I can work in! We've also scoped out a new district I haven't checked out before that has lots of art galleries and studios. Super excited to see this one.

Suzanne also talked me into staying out for a drink last Friday (post the Wolverine viewing we did for our team building - movie was not bad but not as great as I wanted) and I was out until 9:30. I know this sounds incredibly early but if I'm out after dark it's a monumentous occassion! We had an awesome time and Suzanne truly is one of my favorite people. I also got to meet her friend Chris who was super nice.

Since it's now 9:50, it's time to head for bed as we've previously established I'm an incredibly boring person and have a bed time. Although, I did break the bed time rule this week when we saw a Star Trek screening on Monday. Also... it totally rocked! This movie is greatness and I'm encouraging anyone who loves a good action flick to check it out. It's not overly trekkie at all. It's got some good stuff for fans but newbies won't feel left out. I'm encouraging this one for a good date night possiblity since it buys lots of hubby good will (although I'm the big geek in my house).

Happy Wednesday!

Patience

Saw this on Lisa's blog this morning and it was exactly what I needed.

“Hope begins in the dark, the stubborn hope that if you just show up and try to do the right thing, the dawn will come. You wait and watch and work: you don't give up.”

—Anne Lamott (b. 1954), author, political activist