hello thursday.

Awkward
- My hair. Do you know that the last time I had it cut, I was still pregnant? So basically my hair has eight months plus of split ends. And I still don't feel like going to get it cut. I'm justifying this with the fact that my post-baby hormones shed probably half the hair I did have...also awkward. Thank goodness that episode is over.

- How all the cutting down of trees and filling in our pool made our grass grow in five different shades of green. And I swear the fluorescent green grass that is now where our pool was grows exponentially overnight. Super grass?

- Going back a million times to edit a blog post so it looks just right. I blame my Virgo tendencies.

- Dallas is convinced the neighbors are still using that scary noise (nail gun) to build their shed, therefore the loves-to-be-outside-for-hours-a-day dog has turned into an i'll-just-stay-inside-and-sleep-scaredy dog who is in desperate need of a Thunder Jacket. But hey, when we're out for our daily walk he is all Mr. Tough Guy. My dog has a split personality.

Awesome
- Finally figuring out that S does like something other than milk! Hallelujah. I was starting to think that she would be a year old before she caught on to the solids thing. Turns out she'd just rather eat finger foods and skip those purees altogether. She's lovin' her some bananas, avocados, and mum-mums.

- Sun and Sand by Yankee Candle. Smells exactly like the beach...like rolling down your windows as your driving down Route 1 in Delaware and the ocean is glittering to your left. My absolute favorite scent in the entire world because it means my absolute favorite place in the entire world.

- Our local Farmers' Market starts tomorrow! One of my many summer loves. Just in time to buy fresh veggies for S to try.

- Decaf hazelnut coffee with peppermint mocha creamer and a Tuesday night DVR line-up. Just so you know, I'm a reality TV junkie and I'm not ashamed.

- S, because she rode in the shopping cart like a big girl at the grocery store yesterday. For the first time. She loved every minute of it, screaming and chattering away. To the obvious delight of most of the other shoppers we passed. Oh, and because S is always awesome.

memorial weekend.

Via my phone (my trusty BlackBerry, mind you - I knowww, what kind of bloggin' girl doesn't own an iPhone?!). Among our friends visiting us from out of town, lots of grilling sessions, and mini-golf with a baby on board, I opted against lugging around my camera. But my phone really sees all the best scenes anyway, so here's its tribute to our lovely long weekend.

Memorial: (noun) something designed to preserve the memory of a person or event.

I actually prefer the word "remembrance" to describe Memorial Day. We simply are celebrating and rememering the many men and women who have fought for and sacrified their own lives for the freedom and dreams of our beautiful country. And those who are currently fighting for her, for us. You deserve to be kept in our prayers today and every day. Because without you and God, this country would be nothing. I don't think people of this generation realize what a privilege it is to live in America and to have true freedom. To those who have gone before and to those fighting today, thank you for all that you have done and are still doing - you are braver than most.

And the Punk goes on...

It's nighty night time, and what a miracle, he's asleep!  Of course, that does not mean he will not wake up about 15 minutes before I want to turn out the light, and want to play.  Look, he still has his pig belly!  What a guy, my Punk.  That is his new training bra, just like the Pickle's, except hers is pink.  That turned out to be not my best idea, as it is now looking rather dingy.  Maybe I will get her a matching bra.  Punk's is still a little big for him, but I expect him to put on a couple of lbs in the next couple of weeks.  Nevertheless, he is a little guy, a true toy.  Which doesn't mean he isn't all dog.  He now barks with the Pickle at the neighbors as they wrestle their garbage cans down the driveway by the side of our yard.  And, like the Boo before him, he is in love with the front porch, now that the weather is clement and we can have the front door open more often.  Okay, not a lot of excitement around the little yellow house.  What did you want?  Drama?  Try TNT.

Worse, worser, worstest...

This is the third attempt I have made recently at a decent painting, and the best, which tells you where I am at the moment.  It needs a lot of work, especially after I lifted it up to tap off the excess and got black all over the water on top of the big bird.  Almost threw it in the round file after that.  So it feels like time for some alcohol.  No, not the sipping kind, the rubbing kind, that will smooth out the water so I can lay another layer of pastels on it.  Yes, that's an idea.  Or maybe it is just too far gone.  Whatever.  Have I ever told you my ex-husband used to put movie reviews on his answering machine?  Tempted to call him see if he has seen Salmon Fishing in the Yemen, a yummy little movie now playing at the smart people's movie theatre.  Also The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, another little film that is currently making over 10 times it's production cost.  Yes, Virginia, there are folks out there that can survive without CG or 3D, violence or sex.  We are old, but not dead yet.  More, please!  Oh, and back to the geese, time will tell.  It could be worse.  I think.

Thee Holy Ghosts - S/T EP [2012]

support the artist - buy at bandcamp / shithouse

try

Davila 666 - Pa Que Vives 7in [2012]

support the artist - buy at oops baby

try

New Coke - He Got Stabbed in the Throat 7in [2011]

support the artist - buy at slovenly / bandcamp

try

Broken Water - Boyfriend Hole 7in [2009]

support the artist - buy something at bandcamp

try

Sswampzz - Sleeper CS [2012]

support the artist - buy at bandcamp

try

Brain F≠ - So Dim 7in [2011]

support the artist - buy at grave mistake

try

Cola Freaks - Ingenting Set 7in [2008]

support the artist - released on hjernespind

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Balaclavas - Second Sight 12in [2012]

support the artist - buy at dull knife

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Progress not perfection...

Well, there is always a new day.  Until there aren't any more, of course.  Looks like I will remain vertical for a while, and today, it is better than it was yesterday, which was better than Tuesday, which was hell.  Have decided to let it be what it is, not try to muscle through my current low energy/high headache phase.  If tests show nothing physical, committed to doing some counseling, which is never a bad idea.  And working at doing more art during this time.  It is the only thing that gives me surcease from the constant barrage of self-interest that runs like DOS in the background all the freaking time.  Well, the Punk helps, too.  He has been the easiest pup since the Boo, is pretty much trained to go outside (with a little help from Mom), and can be trusted more, which makes my life ever so much easier.  So, not jumping up and down, but pretty contented today.  Off to start another masterpiece.  Loving the animals.  This may be what I was looking for when I was casting about for an idea that worked for me, and a style I liked.  The pastels seem to be my medium.  And I even went online and found mats in the size I had been paying a small fortune to have cut for me at our local craft store.  Ordering them even as we speak.  See, not entirely stagnant here.  Sort of treading water, not going anywhere fast, and that's okay.  Yes.

The cookie has crumbled...

Yesterday was one of those days I could have lived forever without experiencing.  Got up early, never a happy thing, and headed for the lab for blood tests to determine why I cannot get my butt off the floor and what is causing hellish headaches.  Nice hour spent there.  Fortunately, I took a book.  Unfortunately, one of my talky friends was also waiting for tests.  The needle-sticker guy was dandy though.  Five humongous vials, he took.  Home again to pick up the Punk, take him for his rabies shot, and out to the animal shelter to get his license so they don't send me a bill for major bucks like they did with Pickle.  What can I say, live and learn.  It was closed.    I stopped for gas, and this annoying guy was tailgating me, pulled up beside me to tell me my gas tank was open.  Red-faced about that.  Home again to peruse Animal Shelter website to figure out how to get Punk official, at senior rate, sans penalty, and languish for a couple of hours before heading out to Costco for prescription, TJs for milk. Found that my glasses had fallen out of my tiny purse, so back to the car to look for them, where I stepped on them and they were totally trashed.  Luckily, I had just sold a painting, so I had $200 to get new ones.  The day ended when Punk threw up in bed shortly after I turned off the light.  Did I mention I put him down every night on a towel?  Best thing that happened all day was that he was on it when he hurled.  Puppy-motherhood.  Not much different than infants, except that yesterday was the first time Punk got left home in the general population instead of his cell in the kitchen.  And he did just fine. 

baby's getting smart!

Who'd ever thought peek-a-boo could be so fun? Daddy sure was proud that he was able to join you in playing your very first game. And we were surprised it only took you about a day to catch on! Smartness does run in the family :) 

I find it amazing, the enormous amount of information that a baby digests in their first year. Even more amazing that they are able to take that information and so quickly learn it. I nonchalantly played peek-a-book with S every now and then, covering up and uncovering my face or hers, and all the sudden she takes a placemat and plays the game like a pro. I'm guessing any baby her age is becoming well-versed in this simple game. But I still think she's one smart cookie.

guest post >> beachy keen.

It's that time again. Guest post a la my lovely sis! This month, she's talking about her numero uno picks for inpromptu beach getaways. Or planned beach vacations. Or whatever might be your little heart's summer destiny. Me, I'm in love with the sunglasses and the bag, and the adorb bathing suit...although I'd need to sport a bottom with more, um, coverage of the belly. (Still have those last five baby weight pounds to lose. Think I can do it before July?)

So read on, fall in love, and go shopping! Oh, and check out the rest of my sister's fashionista blog over at Rock Paper Scissors. You will love her!

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Seeing as my sister and I are still newbies to this big'ol blogging world, we decided it would be fun to write a guest post on each other's blogs every month.  Now last month I wrote this post here about my favorite trends I'm seeing this spring for the upcoming summer months.  So check it out if you missed it!

As I do with most everything in my life, I am greatly anticipating the summer months ahead and all the time I will (hopefully) be spending in a foldable chair with my feet in the sand.  With all of this anticipation and the temperatures creeping in, I'm itching with the idea of packing up and heading to the beach.  This obviously has my mind wondering on what I would pack, and what is obviously a must have (or at least a few key items) for these glorious planned trips, or impromptu excursions, to the beach.

And find them all:

1/ 2/ 3/ 4/ 5/ 6/ 7/ 8/ 9/ 10

Now, like I said, these are simply not the only things that I would need for a quick get away to all things sandy and sunny, but they are the proper essentials.  Now substitute have you will with the bathing suit, but I adore the trends of mixing and matching of patterns and solids (and half the time I'm not too sure if my suits even should go together, but they work).  A hat to shield the sun, a large tote to pack in all of the other essentials, ie: magazines, books, lotion, towels, snacks, etc, and shades for the late afternoons when the tide is high and a cold drink is in your hand.  I choose simple pieces for all adventures off of the beach.  A shimmery tanks with some crisp linen shorts for an ice cream cone on the boardwalk, a maxi dress for dinner, and throw on that 3/4 sleeve shirt for a cool salt air breeze while wondering up and down the boardwalk.

Now, who is with me?  Let's go!

Intelligence with Kelley Stoltz - the Galaxy 7in [2012]

support the artist - buy at in the red

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link fixed w/ both tracks.

FNU Ronnies - Meat 7in [2009]

support the artist - released on richie records

DL

Brain F≠ - S/T CS [2010]

support the artist - released on statuestory tapes

DL

Eat Skull - S/T 7in [2007]

support the artist - buy the LP on siltbreeze

DL

Brazilian Money - Friendly Neighbour 7in [2009]

support the artist - buy something at bandcamp

DL

Boston Chinks - Coltrane 7in [2007]

support the artist - buy at goner

DL

Fretting, as usual...

Yesterday, I went online to see how puppies grow.  How big will my Punkin be?  He has already topped 6 lbs, which is 1/3 the size of Pickle, though this picture makes him look bigger.  I was prepared to find that he would triple his size.  And was I surprised.  Small dogs reach their full size at 5 months.  And, suddenly, it looks like he will remain really small, for this household, anyway.  He may top out at about 8 lbs.  As with anything, one never knows.  I also looked at pics of other Shipoos.  They are enormously diverse.  Some have curly poodle hair.  Some have really short noses.  Punk didn't really look like any of them, though his coloring was there in abundance.  He is, of course, much cuter than most.  And has the sweetest personality to boot.  So, what will be, will be.  Despite all my web searching and fretting.

And this is the (maybe) finished product.

Heard a wonderful Ted.com talk today on how so many of us were discouraged from pursuing our creativity by peers and teachers who put our work down.  What is that about, anyway?  Does it help folks who are small feel bigger, do you suppose?  In my young days, it was considered bad to praise a child.  This would lead to prideful behavior, swelled heads, bragging.  How sad is that.  It is still hard for me to take a compliment, especially where my art is concerned.  It came from somewhere deep inside, I listened and plugged away at it.  And suddenly, there it is!  I feel peculiarly graced by the ability to take some chalky stuff and paint a picture.  Strange way for a grown-up to spend her time, n'est-ce pas?  Oh, wait.  I don't qualify for that moniker.  I am really only five years old when I do this kind of thing, in love with fingerpainting. 

The struggle...

Don't know if there is anything wrong, but life seems so tedious these days.  Little headache that never seems to go away.  Bane of my existence.  Though I am happy there is not some great big awful disease gnawing away at me, there little irritating symptoms keep pecking away in the background.  So I decided to ignore them, took myself over to Target where, FINALLY, I found a jar opener I can live with, and some other intimate items for other pesky age-related problems.  And came home to work on this new pastel.  I think it is coming up rather well.  And that is what happens, the image just emerges, rises up from the paper , defines itself, says "lighter value here, please" and "okay, this part is done, work somewhere else".  As usual, I am not happy till the whole image is there, filling up the space.  Oh, my.  I am liking this one.  Lots of color.  Lots of values.  Lots of sweetness, without the coy thing happening.  Off to take a pill for my headache, and keep plugging away at the art.  Letting my daemon out to play.

high five for friday.

Friday, it's been a craaaazy busy week. So thanks for the gorgeous weather you're promising for the weekend. S and I are taking a break from a list of a million things and having a day of coffee, Dance Moms Miami, and playing outside. Happy weekend to you!

1. Beautifully gorgeous days like yesterday and today. There's just something amazing about going for a walk in 65-degree temps. Where the green-ness of the trees goes so well with the cloudless blue sky. A day God made only for spring, perfectly painted.

2. The first roses blooming on our rose bushes! They've survived through a smidge of malnourishment (oops - we had just moved in!) and the dog chewing off branches (thorns don't phase him). Man, those plants are troopers.

3. S deciding to become adventurous. And a daredevil. Definitely not my genes! She's been exploring and climbing up everything - her crib, her exersaucer, my legs.

4. The grass has finally grown to a decent level in our backyard. No more mud pit. Rain, I wasn't too happy when you were here, but thanks for doing your job. Soon time to shop for that swing set...

5. These faces. My heart.

H54F

Pamela - S/T 7in [2012]

support the artist - buy at southpaw

DL

Dead Farmers - Out the Door 7in [2011]

support the artist - buy at bandcamp

DL

Ooga Boogas - the Octopus is Back 7in [2008]

support the artist - released on aarght

DL

Nice Face - Thing in My Head 7in [2008]

support the artist - buy the new LP at hozac

DL

Mean Jeans - License 2 Chill 7in [2009]

support the artist - buy the new LP at dirtnap

DL

Mean Jeans - Stoned 2 the Bone 7in [2008]

support the artist - buy the new LP at dirtnap

DL

backyard visitors.

We heard them for the first time last night. The official evening sound (at least around these parts) signaling that summer is on its way. The music wasn't too strong, as if only one pair had made their return so far. By the middle of June, however, we'll be hearing an entire symphony.

Tree frogs.

They're only about three or four inches long, yet they make a gigantically loud noise. Especially when all their brothers and sisters and friends are singing with them. We may not actually see as many as we did last year since our pool is history, but they'll be around, thanks to the trees on our neighbors' properties. Welcome back, little visitors. Our kids will grow up falling asleep to your summer music.

Our little "tree frog". Nicknamed as such by her daddy because of the way she used to fall asleep on our chests. I'm sure one summer evening she'll be outside catching lightning bugs and she'll ask us what that "noise" is. And we'll tell her, and say that mommy and daddy and grandma used to call her a tree frog. She'll say "ewww!" (or possibly "cool!" if she continues to have her daddy's personality).

99 things.

Besides trekking out to the grocery store, the insurance company, and the dry cleaners, I am completely lazy today. Has to be this rain. Lazy and rain apparently zap creative juices right out of me. Not that I actually have much of it to begin with. But the idea of writing is not appealing at all to me at the moment. So I'm turning lazy into fun and linking up with Jennifer at I wanna feel that fire... (thanks for the idea!)

Hopefully you'll find me interesting enough to read all 99. Probably not, but that's okay!

Happy rainy, yucky, lazy Tuesday.

((The ones I've done are bolded. Things I'd like to do are starred. Also added comments to a few.))

1. Started your own blog

2. Slept under the stars - I'm guessing in a tent doesn't count?

3. Played in a band

4. Visited Hawaii - Maui and Kauai

5. Watched a meteor shower*

6. Given more than you can afford to charity

7. Been to Disneyland - but been to Disney World three times (it's better)
8. Climbed a mountain

9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo

11. Bungee jumped - and never will!
12. Visited Paris

13. Watched a lightening storm
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch

15. Adopted a child* - even though we will continue to have our own biological children, lately God has put this possibility on my heart
16. Had food poisoning - worst sickness ever

17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty*

18. Grown your own vegetables*

19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France

20. Slept on an overnight train*

21. Had a pillow fight

22. Hitch hiked

23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill - many

24. Built a snow fort - fave thing to do with my sister every winter...and playing Global Guts (don't ask)

25. Held a lamb

26. Gone skinny dipping

27. Run a (half) marathon*

28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice

29. Seen a total eclipse

30. Watched a sunrise or sunset

31. Hit a home run

32. Been on a cruise - there's just something unsettling about being trapped on a ginormous boat with thousands of people in the middle of the ocean

33. Seen Niagara Falls in person - American and Canadian sides

34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors*

35. Seen an Amish community - grew up near many of them
36. Taught yourself a new language

37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied

38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person

39. Gone rock climbing

40. Seen Michelangelo’s David

41. Sung karaoke

42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt*

43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant

44. Visited Africa

45. Walked on a beach by moonlight

46. Been transported in an ambulance

47. Had your portrait painted

48. Gone deep sea fishing

49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person - it's a lot smaller than you would think!

50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris

51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling - snorkeling in Hawaii

52. Kissed in the rain

53. Played in the mud

54. Gone to a drive-in theater

55. Been in a movie

56. Visited the Great Wall of China

57. Started a business*

58. Taken a martial arts class - kickboxing

59. Visited Russia

60. Served at a soup kitchen

61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies

62. Gone whale watching

63. Got flowers for no reason

64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma

65. Gone sky diving

66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp*

67. Bounced a check

68. Flown in a helicopter

69. Saved a favorite childhood toy - My Little Ponies, Barbies x100+ (sister!)

70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial - and watched the sunrise from the steps, a la Wedding Crashers

71. Eaten Caviar

72. Pieced a quilt

73. Stood in Times Square

74. Toured the Everglades*

75. Been fired from a job

76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London

77. Broken a bone

78. Been a passenger on a motorcycle - my dad's :)

79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person*

80. Published a book

81. Visited the Vatican

82. Bought a brand new car

83. Walked in Jerusalem*

84. Had your picture in the newspaper

85. Kissed a stranger at midnight on New Year’s Eve

86. Visited the White House - and been a lighting of the National Christmas Tree

87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating - could never do it!

88. Had chickenpox

89. Saved someone’s life - my dog's <3

90. Sat on a jury

91. Met someone famous

92. Joined a book club*

93. Got a tattoo

94. Had a baby - x1...hopefully God has more babies in store for us :)

95. Seen the Alamo in person

96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake

97. Been involved in a law suit

98. Owned a cell phone

99. Been stung by a bee

Well...39 out of 99 isn't too bad. Almost half! I hope to be able to check off several of the items I starred within the future as well. Especially starting a business. I know  making and selling baby headbands and accessories are a dime a dozen these days, but I love making them for my daughter. High hopes!

By the way, as I write this post I have S on the floor by me, playing with her cups. She's on the verge of crawling (currently in the shuffling-backwards-on-belly-stage). This is how I found her just now...

Bazooka - Jupiter 7in [2011]

support the artist - buy at dusty medical

DL

Blss this mess.

The Mother's Day peonies, all immortalized in messy pastels.  No patience today.  I spent most of it chasing Punk around, keeping him from devouring all of Pickle's food on top of his own generous helping, shooing Pickle off the top porch step so Punk could exit the house, taking him out for his numerous potty breaks, in short, being the Punk mommy ad infinitum.  So only a few seconds to slap away at the pastel.  And while I am whining, let me say I really resent the new Blogger template.  I used to be able to select the size and placement of my uploaded photos.  Now it just plunks it down in the center, plop.  Nothing artistic about that.  Well, not a lot artistic about the painting either.  Little headache today.  Static on my art receiver.  Just happy to have done something at all.  Many a day has passed when all I did was play numerous games of solitaire here on the Big Bad Mama computer.  Heck, I even made the bed.  Totally successful day, in my opinion.

Wow, what a Mother's Day had I!

To begin with, it lasted two days.  Big kiddo, my son, came up on Saturday, with this huge box under his arm.  In addition to his card and a Blick gift card, guaranteed to bring glee to this artist, he brought pictures of himself and his new love, and a plethora of gifts SHE sent to me, in gratitude for my son.  Art books!  Watercolor paper, D'Arches, the best!  A necklace she made herself!  What a sweet gal.  Then we took Punk and went to In and Out for lunch, just about my favorite fast food in the world.  And he accompanied me to my mother's  for the afternoon, and that was his best gift.  I was spared being the solitary target.  In actuality, she was gracious and grateful.  Who are you and what have you done with my mother?  On Sunday, little kiddo and her new husband arrived with peonies (currently being immortalized in pastels), sweet journals, and roobios soap, and we climbed into her Mini Cooper to sojourn over to Montgomery Villlage for brunch at Viola.  No reservation, and it was bursting at the seams, but, wouldn't you know, someone didn't wait and we got a table lickety split for a lovely meal together, and some catching up after their latest world junket to South Africa.  I am so blessed with these wonderful kids.  And best of all, they all adored the Punk.  No one has been that enamored of my dogs till now.  This baby just has it all - cuteness, personality, affability that just disarms even the most diligent curmudgeon.  Motherhood - it rocks.