Lemons

Everyone knows the old saying, "When life gives you lemons, make lemonade." I have explained in preceding post that I'm a pessimist, well, here is incriminating evidence:

This is a sketch I did a few nights ago in my notebook. My version reads, "When life gives you lemons, they squirt you in the eye." I think it's a little grim but that's just how my life feels right now. Yesterday I was messing around on CS3 and I liked the slogan so much I decided to refine it:

Motivation

Lately I have been lacking motivation all around. Dishes need cleaning, laundry to be done, empty studio waiting for an occupant, I just think to myself, "I can do it later..." Yesterday I took initiative, drove up to one of the local community colleges and enrolled in a few web design classes. At this point it takes a financial investment and grades to motivate me. I know that when I grow up I need a career that involves creativity and art. I decided that web design includes both of those things and is in demand. I have also been considering careers with advertising companies. Wouldn't it be fun to head a campaign like this?:

here
The design world is so vast, I'm bound to fit in somewhere!

Building Something New

It has been tough trying to think about things positively. It's just hardwired, I have always been a pessimist, which makes the rough times harder than ever. I keep trying to tell myself this is a new beginning, a time to build something new...see the world. But at the end of a day I come home to an empty house (except for my dog, who is always happy to see me) and sit for hours until it's time to go to bed. I have even got myself looking at the clock and saying, wow! still 2 hours until bedtime? Time just creeps. Work, home, Monday, weekend, doesn't matter, I can't feel happy. As they (the optimist) say, 'time flies when you're having fun' but a pessimist, like me, would say, 'time crawls when your miserable.'

I found these neat blocks while carousing the internet:

They are made by a company called Fidoodle. The colors are magnificent and compliment the delightfully, whimsical imagery! A little out of nowhere? Not really. The blocks actually made me consider building something new. I'm not sure what that entails, maybe several things: new friendships, new attitude, new career, new projects. Who knows, the list is endless (Let's be optimistic)!

Before and After

About 2 or 3 months ago I found this patio bench at a thrift store: It was a little pricey (especially for a thrift store), I believe it was around $30/40!! I guess my frugal heart couldn't pass it up due to it's potential and now (drum roll...) the after:
Let me just say, I'm ecstatic that I broke down and spent some cash on it because I absolutely love the after! Fabric and all I invested about $60/70 which isn't bad considering what new patio furniture cost. Plus, I wouldn't trade it for new furniture any day, it's just to "me!"

Stained Glass

Yesterday my mom brought me a gift: The lighting in this photo is really off but I think you can get the idea. This is a piece of salvaged stained glass that my parents have had lying around. I had told my mom I wanted one to hang in my kitchen and yesterday she brought one over and helped me hang it. After staring at it for awhile I declared my kitchen complete!

In Memory

I didn't make it out to visit the grave of my great grandmother today but I was out there a month or two ago and left some fresh flowers. Today my parents, brother and his girlfriend came over for lunch. We had beans and cornbread and mom's famous cheese dip, Mmmm. My dad was impressed by the color of a couple of roses blooming in the front yard. I took these photos for him and thought they were very appropriate for this Memorial Day holiday. In addition to remembering those passed you can also get a detail of the great work my mom did while cleaning up my yard.

What Not to Do

My bedroom is one of the few rooms left with mini blinds so today I decided to sew the curtains for the windows. I have had the fabric for some time but the motivation was missing. A couple of days ago I purchased some 'cheapo' curtain rods since I wanted the fabric to make the impact (not fancy hardware). Well here is a good example of why thrifty isn't always the way to go:
In case you can't tell by the photos the rods sag. The fabric is to heavy. I lose. I used one panel per window because I plan on using some old, crystal door knobs I picked up from a flea market years ago for a tieback. I mounted the rods as close to the ceiling as possible because I think floor to ceiling curtains add drama, good for a bedroom. Once I get the curtain rod dilemma worked out and the knobs mounted I will post an update. For now, lesson learned...

Silverware

Yesterday I bought some new silverware. Since my boyfriend turned into former boyfriend and moved out there are many things I now lack, like silverware. I am still tremendously vulnerable so the last things I wanted to think about, let alone purchase, were things like silverware but yesterday I broke down and bought some. Part of me didn't want to buy new things in hopes that I would wake up one day and things would be back to normal (just a bad dream) but days passed and after reaching for various utensils and finding nothing, I decided it was time. I found these at Ross and couldn't resist them:They are made by Cambridge although these colors weren't on their site. I think they go nicely with my kitchen theme: Revived Chrome.

Mother's Love

Let me first begin by saying even under "normal" circumstances (and things have been far from normal recently) I don't do anything to my yard(s). I'm not, nor have I ever been. a 'green thumb.' I don't get joy from pulling weeds from flower beds no matter how gratifying having blooming flowers may be. I had never even mowed a lawn until yesterday (womyn unite!).

While I was at work yesterday my mom snuck over to my house and worked on the front lawn (wish I had a before photo b/c it was awful). The flower beds were filled with tall weeds they were covered with leaves and the conglomeration of bushes in the front were a complete mess. I was so excited and relieved that she had taken care of those things that were so long overdue. I guess she knew I wasn't in the state to worry about the condition of my yard. Thanks mom! You're the greatest!

Just look at it! Blue sky and all!

Me

[Me. c.2004]

I'm struggling with so many things in my life as of late. One of which has been weighing on my mind quite heavily: Who am I? I used to know this and be proud, but unfortunately today, I have lost track. It's probably better because looking back, I realize that I was a stubborn, arrogant teenager. At times I miss it but most of the time I know I need to work on changing. Here are some things that you may not know about me. They are trivial but it feels better to take my mind off of the 'big picture' for awhile.

1.) Catch me on the right day and I can eat an entire pizza.

2.) Van Morrison must play at my wedding.
3.) There are a couple of Britney Spear songs that I absolutely love!
4.) I always carry a $2 bill in my wallet for luck.
5.) One of my dreams is to race Nascar.
6.) I can't sleep unless I brush my teeth first.

7.) I have only had 1 cup of coffee in my lifetime.

8.) I sing in the shower.

9.) Driving is my escape, it's the one thing that clears my head.

10.) I have this odd obsession with Chandler, OK.

Kitchen

Things are getting better, slowly... I have been thinking about working on my house. I have so many projects going on and even more ideas. I wish I had something to better organize my ideas and projects. I need an assistant! My kitchen is probably my favorite room in the house. I don't cook so it's all in vain but it looks pretty. The cabinets most likely are original to the house and they are cheap. I painted them but i would like to update the cabinet doors (at least on the top). Considering the size of the house I just don't think a full renovation of the cabinets would be wise. In the end, a house has a cap on how much someone will pay given the size and let's face it, this house isn't worthy of the most lavish taste (unless I plan on living in it until I die, which I don't). Here is the kitchen:

The counter tops are 6x8" white ceramic tiles and the back splash tiles are 12x3" glass, accent tiles. One idea is to make some new cabinet doors with glass faces. Like so:

I would really like textured glass or something with a pattern but I thought if I just did standard glass I could wall paper the back of the shelves but maybe it's to much? I like this wall paper but I think it maybe overkill (I'm attempting to simplify things). [Paper]

Although I think if I converted to all white dishes it could be very stunning against the paper. Maybe even some lights inside the cabinets, fancy! I know that a project like this won't actually happen until I finished the hundreds that are in front of it but it sure is fun to consider the possibilities.

The Beginning

This blog is an extension of my previous blog, Becoming a Relic. My former blog had lost direction, which is a reflection of my life at the moment. I decided I wanted to start anew. Not only in my real life but also my "cyber life." I'm still not so sure about the drastic changes yet but today was better. This blog will document my secrets and other "fun stuff" throughout my adventure to become a better human being.