Nearly two months late, but completed none the less, here is my video I put together for 52WoC Task #46
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When I was in elementary school, it was one of those three story school houses with creaky wood floors and death trap fire escapes out the windows. I remember we had lunch and gym class in the basement, and that my favorite room of all was the library. I especially liked to sit near the shelf to the left of the librarian’s desk where the Little Miss books were located, when the opportunity presented itself. I liked the pictures and smallness of the books.
Friday’s were always a big day for lunch because we had a choice between regular milk or chocolate milk. It was a very big deal. I remember eating vanilla waffers and milk during storytime in kindergarten and the big wooden block shapes I enjoyed playing with. For first grade I will never forget the four reading books we had that year, Bears, Balloons, Boats and Sunshine, in that order. My teacher also wrote all of our names on a little bird for the birthday tree – my bird wore skis for January.
Second grade was my all time favorite classroom. The cursive alphabet that was neatly posted along the top of the chalkboard was Disney, and all of my favorite characters smiled back at me. Playing Snakes and Ladders or G.I. Joes at recess was just icing on the cake.
So many things come back to me from that schoolhouse, and being pushed down the stairs by my classmate Dave is fortunately not one of them (Mom assures me he got in deep doodie for this). What I remember most, is the school janitor who always had a smile on his face. Though I probably never even knew his name, we became buddies, him in his all brown janitor suit, me in my plaid jumper and navy sweater. Because my Dad owned a soft drink bottling company in town, soda was always plentiful in my house growing up. I never remember having a conversation about this with the janitor, but I do remember a lot of mornings before class started, I snuck downstairs and left a single can of Coke on the floor next to his door, before turning around and running back up in my Keds.
The schoolhouse has since been torn down and rebuilt with a much more modern design, and the scary fire escapes and jungle gym I once stuck my tongue to, found new homes in somebody else’s life. Somewhere though, in the pile of old brick rumble and rusty metal, I can always easily locate the chalk dust I sprung from, and of course – my friend the Janitor.
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Pumpkin Patchin'!
Some days I think it would be nice to have a photographer follow me around all day so they could capture all the fun things I do. With so much to see and accomplish, I don’t always get a chance to record the moments that I would like to share, and as a result I forget to write about it as well.
In between uni assignments and lesson planning, I soak up rays of fun when the ticking of the clock slows down a bit. A trip to the pumpkin patch last week brought some unseasonably chilly weather with equal bursts of carefree spirit. I enjoy being swallowed up by the holiday enchantment that lurks about in the pumpkin patch.
I take comfort in knowing that each and every year, Halloween will fill the air right on cue, and that I will be toasting pumpkin seeds in the oven. Being a creature of habit, however, it doesn’t mean I like being surprised any less. As I continue to get older, my enthusiasm for checking the mail each day remains that of a child. It continues to amaze me that something so mundane to most, has the ability to completely turn a bad day around for me.
Just when I was least expecting it, a package from AU was waiting snuggled in my post box. A drawing at Shai Coggin’s blog named me a lucky recipient of a prize pack. “It came! It came!” my inner child exclaimed. Eager to make the most of the moment, I put the package right into my handbag and took it down the road with me for my sushi dinner. It felt like Christmas morning as I unwrapped the package while sipping on my iced tea. I wasn’t quite sure what to expect, but I was most pleased to say the least.
Goodies from Shai!
It was as though the postal carrier knew I was walking around with a sweet tooth that day. The Milka chocolate bar was going to be the perfect dessert following my dinner. I was instantly intrigued when I saw the craft tube inside. I’ve never seen those around here, and I think the idea is genius! Everything a girl needs to complete the craft is inside including thread, bean pouches and pre-cut felt pieces. I hope before too long, I will be able to show you my completed beany bunny creation. I’ve got a start with the two ears done, and a foot, so sneaking in a stitch here and there should allow me to do so. Behind the chocolate bar is a lovely handmade note card that is now up on my bulletin board where I know it will bring me a needed smile or burst of inspiration. Thank you again Shai!
With life crazy as ever, it’s good to slow down long enough to enjoy the day’s adventures. I couldn’t be more thrilled that I will have family in town for a few days. Even though it’s been less than a few months since I last saw them, it always feels much, much longer. It’s time for me to kick my feet up a bit. At least, for a few days.
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This past month, a six day school week left me feeling a bit drained and in need of a mental and spiritual boost. I have been taking extra vitamin C to try and revive myself with minimal progress. Part of it I’m sure is the cold moving in and shorter days arriving, however it’s no excuse for me to be unproductive.
The timing couldn’t have been more perfect then, when my November issue of Body + Soul arrived in the mail yesterday. It was a smile I needed assuring me I would get over this slump of feeling run down and useless. What particularly grabbed me by my braids however was an article on page 100 called The Giving Cure by Cami Walker. In a nutshell, Cami was told to give 29 gifts in 29 days, and the result of her doing so speaks for itself.
From Cami’s experience the 29-Day Giving Challenge was born, and now people from all around the world are joining her. While I am already living this practice on a day-to-day basis for the most part, I thought it was all the more reason to give it a try. For me, nothing ever makes me feel better than doing something selfless for others. It’s the ultimate high knowing somebody is having a better day because of you, or maybe in some tiny way you helped to influence positive change in the world.
Whatever reasons you may or may not have for taking a closer look at Cami’s challenge, I encourage you to consider the possibility of seeing what change may come about in your own life. I have always found that the more I go out of my way for others, the better I feel mentally and spiritually.
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A serene butterfly garden
While it’s true I put my autumn decor up a month ago, it remains springtime in my bedroom year round. For an insomniac, and especially during chaotic and stressful times, this is my go to spot to turn on the serenity. While I am always changing and rearranging things, I seem to remain true to the earth girl in me with a soothing palette.
Last month I transformed my window with a great vintage find of sheer curtains with blue blossoms and accompanying leaves. My most recent addition, however, is the light and airy patchwork blanket top. After insisting nobody made a quilt like I was searching for, my mother (being the crafty lady she is), sewed this fantastic last piece of the puzzle as a surprise! It is every bit as wonderful as I pictured in my mind, and I’m so pleased with the tranquility I am able to find by merely walking through a doorway. I wish I felt like that every time I walked into a different room.
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So delicate and graceful
The rain stopped this afternoon, but the gray skies did not part. Always in search of inspiration, I made a trip to one of my favorite local spots in the city. I know it’s only a matter of time before the green fades away from the leaves, and the bold autumn colors introduce themselves for the season. Despite the gloom and doom of the day, the gardens at Woodward Park lifted my spirits where butterflies were dancing among the flowers, and the Koi swam freely in their pond.
View the complete set of photos here.
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Plants
Bambi III
The past couple of years I’ve branched out of my comfort zone, and added other species to my house plant family. All green family members seem content for the most part. In the bamboo family, Bambi II has been going strong several years now (following an upsetting death of the original Bambi). He survived an amputation about a year ago, and is now so big he’s awkward to photograph. Bambi III is about half the size and despite some dry tips he’s doing well.
Bonnie Bonsai
Bonnie is also doing well after surviving a surprise attack from Destructobunny (Pancakes’ naughty side). She has new growth coming from her right side now where she was temporarily lopsided. Perhaps since Pancakes is a half lop bunny, he wanted Bonnie to have the same look?
Last but not least I’ve been carefully observing Orchie. I haven’t got the first clue on orchids to begin with, but seeing how they both are still alive I must be doing something right. Spotted recently is some new growth that seems to be frozen in time. I had hoped for some flowering, but at this point there’s no telling.
Creativity
I continue with a number of projects as always, and even have managed to finish one or two. The things required for Uni are obviously given priority, even when they are just simple cut and paste type projects.
Art class so far has proven to be good for warming up the right side of my brain in the morning. As most of the projects will be for school-aged children, I am looking forward to letting my inner child out and covering myself with glue.
Art class portfolio project
On a more grown up level, I finally have been tackling something I’ve been wanting to learn for many years.
As I’ve only had one lesson (which I begged my mother for at my last visit in August) it wasn’t nearly enough time to get comfortable with a sewing machine. I finally found a machine of my own, made by Singer, to see if my Grandmother passed any of her expert skills down to me.
It’s been a lot of trial and error in learning the machine, however I finally managed to get her up and running! Overall I’m pleased with my very first solo project – a pillow. I’m in the process of giving my bedroom a face lift, and I thought a new pillow would help perk things up. All in time for National Sewing Month too!
My completed pillow
Sightings
As if there hasn’t been enough excitement in my home, I nearly broke my nose as I ran to the window upon hearing this song.
If I would’ve been feeling real adventurous I may have tried to grab my piggy bank and run downstairs – bad knee and all, but I’m afraid I only continued to press my face harder against the window with my tongue hanging out.
Ice Cream Man!
Inspiration
If you are a fan of Martha Stewart (my BFF Martha!), all of the holiday fun is about to begin! Her annual Halloween magazine special issue hit newsstands on August 31 if you haven’t gotten your copy yet! If you are a total Halloween fanatic like me, you may also want to consider signing up for the Halloween workshop which is beginning on Monday already!
Just thinking of all the upcoming holiday festivities has me bouncing in my chair with enthusiasm! So much to look forward to, and who knows – maybe by the time Halloween arrives next month I will have sewn something I wouldn’t be embarrassed to show Martha. Then again, maybe not 
Enjoy your Labor Day Weekend!
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Anticipating Autumn
The first sign of cooler weather-to-come has arrived and I could not be more thrilled! It is a month that brings many good things which I look forward to each year, and this September is certainly no exception! While we’ve been spoiled with below normal temps in recent days, it is only a taste of the crisp air that is yet to follow. Letting Mother Nature take over the cooling of my home is a sweet melody to my ears and such a welcome shift from the stuffy A/C running all summer long!
The month is like a cornucopia overflowing with a dozen of my favorite things! Even though the Autumnal Equinox doesn’t take place until the twenty-second, I must admit it’s already been Fall for at least two weeks in my heart. The scent of my Apple cider candle burning on the fireplace mantel tells me change is just around the corner, and I am welcoming it with open arms.
So what am I overfilled with joy about? Birthdays to begin! September is always a busy month of celebrations, or for those from whom I am separated by miles, an occasion to send a most festive greeting card with well wishes. Next the season premieres of all of my favorite Fall prime time shows that have been on hiatus all summer return! So many new and tempting picks this year!
While television dramas are great, they come in only third to my anticipation for the new Nicholas Sparks novel and Mika album. Books and music are truly the way to a girl’s heart. Last, but certainly not least, is the promise of new Martha Stewart Living episodes for my daily dose of happy homemaking and crafty goodness!
Before any of that can happen however, I must first ace my second week of classes back at Uni and be rewarded with a three-day weekend for the Labor Day holiday. What more could a girl ask for?
As I continue to gear up for the approaching season, rotating sun bleached swim suits with fuzzy sweaters, and prepping for Autumn crafts and colorful photography outings, I wanted to find out what all of you are looking forward to this month? Setting leaf raking aside, I wish you all a bountiful September surrounded with family, friends and a spoonful of your favorite things!
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A rainbow of colors
There are a few things in life that make my day a little more fun and bright. When I was scolding myself at the end of the Spring semester for slacking on my journaling, I put together a little on-the-go bag to help remind me. While it’s pretty basic containing only scissors, glue, markers, etc., my gel pens always beg for me to pick them up.
I nearly always reach for one of the metallic gel pens, as a hint of glitter in anything will always grab my attention first. Sparkly things for sparkly people I always say The pages of my journal look like they swallowed a bag of skittles – rainbow flavor and all.
Something else that gets tossed in my backpack – my snail mail kit. As I am a chronic worrier about getting places on time I tend to arrive early wherever I am going. Ten minutes here, another fifteen there – and I have a letter written, sealed and stamped.
On-the-go snail mail center
It can be easily seen in my sticker selection that I am a child of the 80s to the core with my Lil Miss and My Little Pony stickers. By the time I was a teen in the mid 90s all of my retro favorites had disappeared, and I was forced to deal with less than acceptable stickers. Thank goddess for the retro revival!
Also in the different folder sections and pouches are stamps (.44 & .98), greeting cards made by yours truly (thank you Hallmark Card Studio), and pre-printed labels with both my return address, and those belonging to my regular mailing recipients.
By surrounding myself and keeping handy those things which inspire and make me smile, my day always runs a bit more smoothly. Traveling light has certainly proven to be a challenge with loads of school books and supplies, however if a few more things are going to make my day a little brighter, it’s worth the weight.
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