Never "too old" for a play date ...

Several months ago, two of my friends and I decided we didn't see enough of each other, and determined to change that. I utterly adore these two fabulous women--in their own unique ways, they bring out the best in me. And sometimes snorting, when the three of us are together.

We agreed to meet regularly; the standing monthly appointment is on my calendar as a "Mental Health Break." We meet at Laughing Planet and hilarity ensues. Really, if you can't laugh at Laughing Planet ... At first, it seemed a little, well, silly, that three grown people would have to purposely schedule time to just hang out and catch up. But now we have done a few times, this is one appointment I don't want to miss.

We have no agenda for what's become a play date. We tried that once, an agenda. It didn't work. We were unanimous in that. So, we have no defined deliverable; there's no key indicator or metric used to measure our productivity. Wait. Scratch that. There is at least one measure ... how much my sides ache the following day from laughing at us. Laughter really is good medicine. And a fabulous ab workout. Never mind the dinosaurs. 

Last month, we discovered we all have birthdays within 30 days of each other. Who knows where it came from, but we ended up saying we should wear tiaras this month to celebrate. Kristina actually has one, and good girl, she wore it. I don't have a tiara, so I stopped at the craft store, and picked up supplies to make one. 

Unfortunately, Brenda couldn't join us this month. Since we didn't get to see her tiara, we made her a princess one. Complete with a castle, crown, cute little mirror, and frog prince (that I somehow managed to cut off in that bottom right corner). We'll deliver it tomorrow. :)

Two pictures at once ... talented paparazzi, we are.  

Long live play dates!! 

Forgotten UFO's

We all need them every now then ... a lovely, lazy weekend. This was one such. It's Sunday afternoon, and I just woke from a most delicious nap. {yawn}. One dog has assumed the position: belly up, feet against the wall, tail flat along the hallway, completely relaxed and sound asleep. The other is curled up at the foot of my bed, occasionally snoring. {bliss}

It seems a bit weird to intrude on the day's quietness by grabbing my iPad and plinking out a few lines. But you know what they say ... striking, hot irons, and all that.

I can hear spring enjoying the afternoon, too. The little house finches, sparrows, chickadees ... They are raising a ruckus in the rhododendron outside my window. The wind is taking advantage of the break in the rain and teasing the trees a bit and shadows dance across the far wall. I suppose I'll have to get up eventually, and go fill the bird feeder. Did you know, chickadees can be awfully pushy about dinner?

As low-key as it's been, it's also been an incredibly productive weekend. Saturday decided to pout. Or pour. Whatever. It bucketed. Which meant no outside chores (woo hoo!) and the opportunity to putter in my room. I cleaned, purged, organized, and found stuff I forgot I had!

There is the yarn I have finally acknowledged I will never turn into a project bagged and ready to be donated away. The photos FINALLY corralled into an album. A bulging bookshelf put back into order. The dusting put off too long. And, most importantly, the UFO's--UnFinished Objects--quilting projects rediscovered. Who knew I had stashed a few in THAT storage cupboard after I moved ... six years ago? Or tucked a few away in THAT drawer while I figured out how I wanted to organize my sewing room?

Doesn't matter, not really. They are found, fondly remembered, and now back on the To-Do list. I've neglected my sewing machine for far too long. Quilting is my form of therapy--the creative process, the soothing hum of the machine, the stunning finished products. I love shopping for fabric (especially if it's to be a gift), listening to what the fabric says it wants to be. I love the whole process. 

Left: a challenge quilt circa 2004, I think.
Middle: a crazy quilt started in 2001 (it's been tucked away a while)
Right: Round Robin circa 2005. 

Four of the twelve I found that are ready for backing, pinning, and quilting. I've challenged myself to finish at least 5 for the Scio Lamb and Wool Fair in May.  

I utterly adore batiks. I spent at least a year collecting fat quarters from different shops all over the state. I think my biggest stash might've come from the shop in Newport. I'm pretty sure I started this project in 2004. And I'm pretty sure it's been tucked away at least 3 years, maybe 4. I am really going to enjoy finishing this one. 

After dinner, I'm off to tame a UFO! 

Four-eyes

This puzzle by Jan van Haasteren was a gift from one family member to another for Christmas 2011. Last week we made a bit of family night of it--dinner and a puzzle. It's been a while since we've done anything like this. And I had a blast.  

As you can see, there's a lot going on here. As with any puzzle, sometimes you have to check the back of the pieces ... to be sure they fit. 

After mom fit these two together (and was proud of herself for making a match!) I just happened to look at what she'd connected. 

Um. A for effort, momma. {giggle} But not quite. {giggle} Try again. 

>~~<~~>~~<~~>~~<

It strikes me this is a good analogy for life. There's a lot going on. Sometimes it can be hard to tell if things fit. And, pieces that seem to fit may not create the right picture. Double-check. If necessary, get someone else to look, too. And take pictures! The best memories are made of simple moments.   :)

Puzzle Perfect

It was my first “grown up” two-week vacation, and I was staying with my very best friend. In London. It was the first time my travel required a passport! My flight was scheduled for Sept 12, 2001, and for obvious reasons, my whole itinerary was pushed back two weeks. But I did go, and I wouldn’t trade that trip for anything. It was the first time I’d seen my sister-friend in a few years, and we made the most it. Proper English tea. A weekend in Paris. Cheese and wine in a French museum followed by the most amazing Monet. The first time I’ve been moved to tears by art. A beyond-words lovely day in Bath (no small thing for a Jane Austen fan). We had SUCH an adventure. So many new experiences. So much time together, celebrating the moment and imprinting the memories.

~>~<~>~<~>~<~>~<~>~<~>~<~>~<~

For several summers, I've been part of my friend's hot air balloon crew. This year, he started teaching me to fly. No one in this season of my life knows  I've wanted to fly since I was 6 years old. Growing up, I dreamed of being a Navy pilot. I wanted so badly to fly aircraft off carriers. My junior year of high school, I started gathering the requisite recommendations for Annapolis. That summer, several family circumstances shifted, and I readjusted my college/career plans. These many years later, to be learning to fly ... I’m not sure there are words.

 ~>~<~>~<~>~<~>~<~>~<~>~<~>~<~

I'm certain Andrea didn’t know why that holiday and hot air balloons are so meaningful to me when she picked out a seemingly innocent Christmas present. It's really not important. What matters is she listens between the words found a gift with meaning across several seasons of my life. She must have bribed the keeper of my sentimental bits. In any case, I couldn't have picked anything more perfect.

My heart is full. 

Ode to popcorn and marshmellows

O popcorn ball, oh popcorn ball,

you are so very tasty.

In winter time the corn is popped,

The bowl it's filled up, it's topped.

O popcorn ball, oh popcorn ball,

you are so very tasty.

Oh popcorn ball, oh popcorn ball,

You are a treat most loved.

Marshmallows melted down just right.

Such a tempting sight. Delight!

Oh popcorn ball, oh popcorn ball,

You are a treat most loved!

Oh popcorn ball, oh popcorn ball,

First batch wasn't big enough

Too bad, but other stuff

Got in the way ... gee, that's rough.

Oh popcorn ball, oh popcorn ball,

Another batch I'll make tomorrow.

Shirk-um-stances Rerun

Last week, I noticed the iris on the north end of the house is trying to bloom.  In December.  I mused about boundaries, limiting influences, and living out one's assigned purpose. Here are my first take-away nuggets:

ignore the circumstances—do what you do

The iris is seemingly shirking its circumstances. It's not allowing boundaries (the blooming season) imposed by some outside force (time of year/weather) to shift its focus from its core function: to bloom. It might not be quite the right time, but that iris is ready! And in the meantime, it’s producing a little unexpected joy.

change is not an option

In some fashion or another, and whether we choose to accept it or not, we must change daily. On the micro level, our skin cells regenerate. Hair grows. We age. Life happens. If we only operate within pre-defined boundaries, we risk missing great adventure.

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Lately I've been working on our organizational 3 year strategic plan. This exercise has forced me to be more objective and view it from the outside-- the good, bad, and ugly—and be honest about what can be changed and what must be managed.  And I’m seeing two trends. We have some areas that, as the proverbial quip goes, “aren’t broken.” Yet I’m also seeing huge areas of opportunity. And in those areas of opportunity, we need to accelerate embracing the new way of doing things, even as we design on the fly. We need to start blooming now, or we may just miss it altogether.

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It’s unexpected to see this determined little iris in the midst of Christmas cheer. But just because something is unexpected, doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be celebrated. 

Raindrops on roses, and whiskers on kittens

You know what they say about the best laid intentions ... {sigh} ... today did NOT go as I had planned. But even so, it was a *great* day.

Even though it was derailed, well nearly from the beginning, as it unfolded, I decided to just roll with it. It may be cliche, but attitude really is everything. So, in spite of not accomplishing what I had thought I wanted to, turns out I couldn't have planned it better. What happened that I couldn't script was a day brimming with wonderful, from-the-bottom-of-the-gut-makes-your-cheeks-hurt giggling. Oh, and several new inside jokes with colleagues. These are a few of my favorite things.

Here are a few more: