More than slightly distracted.

May 23, 2008 | 7 Comments

Oh, the Lemur. She is in her adventurous, mischievous mode again. She cannot be stopped and resistance is futile.

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I feel like I am neglecting lots of things and many, many people. In actuality, I am just extremely focused and taking care of myself more than I usually do, which is a good thing. Be happy for me. Be patient with me. I’m sure I’ll be writing and communicating more often in the near future.

Why am I sure? Because probably within a month or so it will be so hot and humid outside that I’ll be trapped in the air conditioning - then you won’t be able to shut me up. Right now I am enjoying the wonderfully cool, dry weather and having a great time being out and about.

And I am not in physical pain for the first time in what seems like forever. It amazes me the way the emotional pain and spiritual pain lifted as well.

Here I thought they were all separate issues. Silly me!

Posted by Christine | Filed Under The Scoop

Randy hearts Maizey (and vice versa)…

May 19, 2008 | 4 Comments

Say it with me… “Awwwwww…”

I just took this about 10 minutes ago. Sometimes they are so adorable that I actually forget what little brat-cats they can be. The part that I like best about this is how they are pressing a couple of their paws together. Too cute.

By the way, that’s Maizey on the left and Randy on the right. Littermates, but polar-opposites in almost every aspect imaginable. Just like many siblings, I suppose.

Ahhhh - there. Thanks for indulging me as I show you all my cyber Cat Brag Book. I now return you to your regularly scheduled programming.

~ XoxoXOoo

Posted by Christine | Filed Under Pussycats, Under This Roof

Hahaha!

May 19, 2008 | 1 Comment

I was walking past the mental hospital the other day, and all the patients were shouting:

“13….13….13…”

The fence was too high to see over, but I saw a little gap in the planks, so I looked through to see what was going on…..

Some jerk poked me in the eye with a stick!

Then they all started shouting:

“14….14….14…”

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(Special thanks to my awesome sister Laura for this one. She always brings joy to my heart! If you laughed on Monday morning - mission accomplished!)

Posted by Christine | Filed Under Funny Ha Ha, Joke of the Day

Pastimes.

May 18, 2008 | 3 Comments

I really like this one.

It’s the first time I worked with double curb chain and I’m surprised that I was able to handle it pretty well. You have to watch what you’re doing or the links will separate and twist around on you - it is almost like working a puzzle at the same time you’re holding a pair of pliers and wrapping wire.

This jewelry making is one of the most enjoyable hobbies I’ve ever had. I learn something new with each project: a new technique, color combination, properties of gemstones, and so much more. It’s also great therapy. And love - it’s an intense practice of love.

Which is why I have to keep it in the hobby category - one that pays a little bit, but is still just a pastime.

I’ve had to consider this lately because in the past 2 weeks, I’ve had offers from retailers who want to purchase my items wholesale for resale in their brick and mortar stores. It was neat to hear praise from people who know about merchandising and such, but it also made me a little queasy. It took me a while to figure out why.

If I chose to mass produce selections that were “good sellers”, the whole thing would immediately lose its charm. I’d feel like one of those painters in the warehouse schlock art industry whose job it was to paint the “M” shaped birds on the skies of the beach landscapes.

Or like Thomas Kinkaid, that paint-slinging whore.

I love the idea that each piece is one of a kind, even if I sometimes make a homely little bracelet or necklace that no one would ever buy in a million years. (Oh, trust me, I’ve got a growing collection of those and Miss Maizey has an exquisite wardrobe of fancy, beaded collars. Hehe.)

I’m not even sure why I’m talking about this except for the fact that I just finished photographing 10 new pieces (and I’m a little groggy and it’s getting near my bedtime.) In some strange way, taking pictures of my creations always gives me psychological distance from them. At first I thought it was a “clinical” feeling - you know, like the attachment was broken a bit? But then I realized that it’s closer in feeling to a mother who moistens a handkerchief with spit and dabs at her child’s face, smooths down their hair, and hugs them before the portrait photographer sweeps them away to be posed.

Posed in front of a backdrop of an artificial beach landscape with “M” shaped birds in the sky.

(Whoa. And on that note, it’s time for bed. Ni-ni, kids.)

Posted by Christine | Filed Under Creative Moments, I've Been Thinking, The Scoop

Friday’s Feast and then some.

May 15, 2008 | 8 Comments

Appetizer:
What is the nearest big city to your home?

Madison, Wisconsin is pretty big (about 100 miles away) and Chicago is enormous (about 175 miles away.) Both are wonderful places to visit, but I wouldn’t want to live in either.

Soup:
On a scale of 1-10 with 10 being highest, how well do you keep secrets?

Definitely a 10. I take it very seriously when people share things in confidence with me. Or even if we’re just planning a surprise party. Ain’t nobody gonna hear it from me! It’s in the vault, baby!

Salad:
Describe your hair (color, texture, length).

Chestnut brown with natural gold and silver highlights. (Lots more silver coming in this year, but that’s ok. It’s a sign of wisdom. *cough*) The texture is straight, thick and fine. I wear it in a classic bob-cut, chin length in the summer and a little longer in the winter.

Main Course:
What kind of driver are you? Courteous? Aggressive? Slow?

I’m an EXCELLENT driver. I drive for the conditions; I am courteous to pedestrians and other drivers and I don’t allow myself to indulge in distractions while driving. I’ve never had a moving violation – and only 2-3 parking tickets in the past 30 years.

Now, all that self-praise aside, please be aware: I will not hesitate to flip you off or bitch you out if you are another driver and you’re weaving around in traffic, tailgating or otherwise being a nuisance on the road. I’ll even leave you a personal “love note” if you park like a jackass, signed with my initials and a little heart.

So if you get one of those little notes, you now know who loves you in that *special* way.

Dessert:
When was the last time you had a really bad week?
It’s been a while. (Mind you, I only count depression or dark mood weeks as bad.) I had quite a few last summer and fall, but since then life has been pretty sweet.

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Today was the last round of Synvisc shots in the knees. Woot! I got through it! I’m good for 6 months now. All I can say is: if you’re considering it, DO IT. It’s worth every penny and momentary discomfort.

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I’ve been trying to hold back on getting a whole bunch of flowers and bedding plants this year, mainly because I wasn’t sure if I would be able crawl around in the dirt. Then it dawned on me that Jerry would do the crawling around in the dirt if I asked him too (and maybe made him a cake or something) – so I bought a few things the other day.

A reddish pink Hibiscus. A climbing Pink Clematis. A few pink Dianthus plants.

I am sensing a pattern here.

I think I better grab a few pots of marigolds and daisies to throw in the mix before things get over-pinkity-pink out there!

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The political bullshit is really getting annoying now. You can’t just simply avoid the news shows to get away from it. Candidates are even infiltrating the comedy shows, late night talk shows… every-freaking-where.

My fellow Americans, there’s only one solution: