Hodgepodge of Ideas

Last week, we spent some time playing Bananagrams and now I'm addicted. Seriously, very cool game. Not hard at all, and you could probably just create the game if you already have Scrabble.

Also last week, with Bird staying at our home, I found myself not watching any TV at all. And it was nice. Lately, I've been in the rut of coming home, plopping my ass down on the sofa, and watching hours of mindless television. But, having been unintentionally deprived of it for almost a week, it's quite refreshing. I actually did things that needed to get done and that I wanted to do...like sew up a skirt, clean up my craft room, and sew on a button missing from a purse purchased at a yard sale. I know I know, this all seems so trite and simple, but whatever, it was a refreshing moment for me, so there.

I just finished The Knitting Circle by Ann Hood. Surprisingly, I picked this up at a yard sale (ha ha). A quick read certainly - but I wouldn't say it's contemporary literature at it's best. I like how it reminded me of why I knit, and keep knitting. The act and art of knitting does soothe my mind, and any stress or anxiety I may be feeling dissipates. Knitting is rhythmic craft.

Tonight, N and I are going to get a drink on the downtown mall, something rare for us during the week. I tend to run home and stay around the house. But this will be a nice deviation from the expected schedule of the week.

Quick thoughts

Websites I may spend more time reading:
Lifehack
zen habits

I wish there was one of these in Charlottesville

I can't believe I will be in Baltimore but be missing this.

Projects in the works:
- Compost Pile
- Another garden bed
- Painting the ceiling of our screened-in porch
- New patio
- Yard sale at the beginning of July

I'm sure I'll have more thoughts later in the day...at least I hope so.

What 5 seemingly insignificant little things made you happy today?

1) Going to court without another partner from the firm in the stands
2) The cool breeze outside - so different from the past few days
3) Sleeping in past 6:45am
4) Spying on Steve as she watched the birds from our screened in porch
5) N picking up my shoes from the gym (I accidentally left them there) on his own whim, simply because he's that kind of man

We have a wonderful house guest this week, BC. We met through her boyfriend, who went to high school with J and N. But the crazy thing is that she went to writing camp with J, way before she was dating the bf. She and I do not know each other that well - we've met only a handful of times (two to be exact) but she is someone that I would like to get to know better, since I am always on the lookout for more peeps to hang with here in Cville. BC went to school here and has all sorts of crazy fun jobs. She makes organic soaps and such, which she sells on her own. She writes about food for the Cville, she has a killer ebay business selling great finds at yard sales and thrift stores. Seriously, I'm liking that kinda lifestyle a lot more than my current position.

We are getting ready to go up to MD to continue the moving extravaganza. I can't wait for this to be over. Still trying to hunt down boxes and need to collect newspaper to wrap some valuables in. But N's mom, J and Nat are coming over this weekend to help, which will be an incredible relief. The whole process is much more enjoyable when you have many warm bodies.

The garden is growing by leaps and bounds. Our zuchs are going nuts while our tomatos keep us on our toes. We can't wait for them to get here. We have a few babies, getting us excited and all.

I will hopefully post some pics of the garden soon. And for those who have read all the way here, I apologize for lack of exciting news. BC's arrival is the most excitement we've seen in these here parts of town.

This weekend N and I are helping MMG pack up her house. Seriously, not fun stuff at all, but I am looking forward to helping her getting rid of a lot of shit. She's been carting around this stuff for 8 years and now we are going on the 5th move. I don't know where I get this compulsion to get rid of things - but I have this great burning need to pair down, simplify, declutter. And it's not just throwing stuff away. I like to do it in a very systematic way. For example, I have a ton of stuff in my basement right now that I have been putting away for a yard sale. But, I also have some of these items posted on craigslist, some on freecycle, some separated to be brought to a consignment shop. Of course, this is like a whole other job so I do a little bit each week.

This weekend, we are separating mom's stuff into a five categories:

1) Items that she will keep for the new place
2) Items that are not valuable and can be sold at a yard sale to be held in two weekends
3) Items that are valuable to be sold to an auctioneer
4) Items that MMG doesn't want but N and I want to keep
5) Items to be donated to charity
6) Items that MMG does want but can't bring to her new place cause she doesn't have any room (my plan is to keep this pile as small as possible cause our basement is filled with our own crap)

So that's the deal. If you are reading this (all 2 of you) and you want to come help, please don't feel like you can't join in the fun. Cause you CAN!!

Now, for some pics from the wedding:

Brother and sister!!


Feeling good.

Loving the mohawk.

Our unofficial engagement photo.

J bitch slapping his future wife.

Seriously, my favorite at the moment

The wedding weekend was beautiful. Seriously, good times with family and friends. Of course, Nat looked gorgeous, and J was full of humor and wit. I will be sure to get pics up soon. The evening before the wedding, J and V had a big party at their house for all out of town guests, but seriously, about 70 percent of those invited to the wedding showed up. And that's when it hit me - this is exactly what I want for our wedding. I just am not in the position to spend thousands upon thousands of dollars for a wedding, especially since I do not come from a family who has the funds at its disposal. But please don't get me wrong - Nat and J's wedding was absolutely gorgeous. It truly was. Especially the ceremony. When the bride circled the groom with the music in the background, it was beautiful. And the Klezmer band freaking rocked. So I know that I want a traditional Jewish ceremony and I'd love some music. But I just want everything at a house or at a restaurant. This way, N and I won't start our marriage off in debt. I also plan on doing a lot myself - like invitations, and party favors, and I probably won't buy any flowers - maybe just a bouquet - and my dress will be quite simple. Nat has already offered me the use of her veil and maybe even her dress. People, her dress was gorgeous, just so beautiful. If only...

MMG and I had a falling out on Monday, but then we fell back in yesterday. Things to do with finances and mortgages and attention towards one another and such. Being the only child of a widowed parent is not easy, especially of a parent who is still grieving the death of her husband 8 years later. She accused me of not paying enough attention to her - that she felt like she didn't have a daughter. I do the best that I can, but I don't think my best is good enough for her. Do I sound like a candidate for therapy or what?

She is in process of moving to a smaller place, and so we will be going through the painful process of letting go - letting go of physical items that she acquired when my father was alive, letting go of clothing that she's had since before I was born...she's moved quite a number of times in the past eight years and every time, we do get rid of stuff. But this time, she will be getting rid of a lot, whether she likes it or not. Cause you know who has to move it all? Yup, you guessed it. ME!

And to finish off this picture-lacking post, Steve did the cutest thing today. On any other day, it wouldn't have been cute. But since N didn't have any plans, and I was up earlier than expected, it was okay just this one time, that she rolled around in the leaves on the outskirts of the backyard, and came trotting back to the door smelling of horse poop. Seriously, she smelled rank - but at least she looked cute rolling around outside. Then the outdoor bath began and relished it for a while, so long as no water touched her face. Now she looks like a big poofy polar bear. Sweet Shenandoah Steve!