I found this list in one of my old journals, from 2007.
*What Inspires Me...
- Sunsets.
- Brightly colored markers.
- Anything sparkly.
- Water.
- My childhood memories.
- Antiques.
- Costume jewelry.
- Twinkle lights.
- Flowers.
- Scents from my memory.
- Music.
- Movies.
- Dreams.
- Traveling.
- Blank paper.
- The perfect pen.
- Fun clothes.
- An new season.
- Interesting people.
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Treat
As children, we are prodded along with treats. "If you clean your room, you can have a treat". "If you're good, you can have a treat". "If you get straight A's, you can have a treat". I think that this whole being treated business follows us into adulthood. Or, maybe it just followed me.
I feel sometimes, when I've been "good", that I deserve a treat. And while I would love to just go spend my money on silly things like clothes and accessories- which I guarantee I would do if I was single and not a parent- I don't. Hardly ever. I don't remember the last time I'd gotten new clothes. Okay, that's a lie. I got a new dress in July. Still. That was over a month ago.
Um...can you tell I was just a tad spoiled when I was a kid? : ) Yeah.
Anyway, point being, I have felt like a good girl lately. I don't really know why...I have no solid proof. I don't even know what I define as "good" in this instance. I guess that I have resisted the urge to spend all our money on myself? HA. I am just so responsible! So this weekend, when the Monkey and I went on our weekly grocery shopping trip, I fell into temptation. First, I found a whole big display of scarves- the accessory type, not the bundle up for cold type. Now, I used to think that scarves were for old ladies (um, sorry), but either I have become an old lady, or I've just grown up, because I fell in LOVE with the whole display. After probably fifteen minutes of looking at every single one, I finally chose a black one with flecks of white, gray, gold, and silver. I figured it was the one that would go with much of my wardrobe! : ) THEN, I snuck around the clearance racks in the women's department and came up with two racer back tanks for $2 each. You can't beat that with a stick, frankly.
So. I got three treats this weekend, all for under $20. Maybe it's not that responsible, maybe its not even worth blogging about. But I do believe that we all need a treat once in awhile. And between my new tank tops, my new scarf, AND the new music I downloaded this weekend, I feel like a new woman!
Happy Sunday.
Just around the corner in every woman's mind - is a lovely dress, a wonderful suit, or entire costume which will make an enchanting new creature of her. ~Wilhela Cushman
Friday, August 28, 2009
Friday Movie Time
Yay for Friday!!! This one has felt like a loooong time coming, no? Yeesh.
And so now, a little Friday film inspiration. While cruising this afternoon to go pick up the Monkey from daycare, I popped a favorite soundtrack of mine into the player and jammed out like I do in that horribly cool way. HA. Don't be fooled, there is nothing cool with me jamming out in my car down the interstate. I'm sure I look like a completely idiot, but it keeps me from going crazy with all the nutty drivers around me, so oh well. Anywayyy...what soundtrack, from what movie you ask?
Mona Lisa Sm
ile! Ta-da!!
Alright. So probably the reason there aren't any MALE followers (um, that I'm aware of...wouldn't want to step on toes now) for this blog is probably because I just end up being way too girly. But...hey, I am a girl, darn it. And this is a good movie!!
I've always had a girl crush on Julia Roberts. I think because I've always wanted to be like her- with that killer smile and excellent acting career, who wouldn't? I feel as if she is one of those women you can actually look up to. I'm not saying she's perfect, but I feel that she is a bit more down to earth than some others that are in similar shoes.
Anyway....back to the movie. It's set in the 50s, and Julia plays a college professor who begins working @ Wellesley, a college for well off, conservative young women. The movie takes you on the tale of the lives of these women. It sounds a little boring, right? I kind of thought that when I first rented the movie, but thought I would give it a shot. I think I ended up watching it three times in a row before I had to return it to the movie rental store. I hadn't done that since Harry and the Hendersons when I was like 7. (Insert awkward pause here!)
This professor, aka Julia, teaches the Art History class (which, if I ever end up going back to college, I would like to study), but she ends up teaching the girls in her class much much more. She teaches them about life, and about demanding to live it to its full potential. She reminds me of a teacher I had in high school, who was remarkably inspiring and strong willed and passionate about all of her students achieving their own greatness.
I love everything about the 50s. I love the clothes, I love the culture, I love the way people still seemed to have class. I wish I had been a part of that time. Aside from the fact that women were still being bred to be the perfect housewife (as this film candidly captures), I think it would have been a fascinating time to be alive.
And then, of course, we come back to the soundtrack, which brought this movie into light today. It's great. Lots of songs from the time that were remade by artists of today, including Celine Dion, Kelly Rowland, Mandy Moore, Tori Amos, and Macy Grey. The songs really take you back to a different time, if only for a moment. The time of housewives, and red lipstick, and completely different ideals.
Have a fabulous weekend, readers. : )
See past the paint. Let's open our minds to a different idea. ~ Katherine Watson, played by Julia Roberts, Mona Lisa Smile
And so now, a little Friday film inspiration. While cruising this afternoon to go pick up the Monkey from daycare, I popped a favorite soundtrack of mine into the player and jammed out like I do in that horribly cool way. HA. Don't be fooled, there is nothing cool with me jamming out in my car down the interstate. I'm sure I look like a completely idiot, but it keeps me from going crazy with all the nutty drivers around me, so oh well. Anywayyy...what soundtrack, from what movie you ask?
Mona Lisa Sm
ile! Ta-da!!Alright. So probably the reason there aren't any MALE followers (um, that I'm aware of...wouldn't want to step on toes now) for this blog is probably because I just end up being way too girly. But...hey, I am a girl, darn it. And this is a good movie!!
I've always had a girl crush on Julia Roberts. I think because I've always wanted to be like her- with that killer smile and excellent acting career, who wouldn't? I feel as if she is one of those women you can actually look up to. I'm not saying she's perfect, but I feel that she is a bit more down to earth than some others that are in similar shoes.
Anyway....back to the movie. It's set in the 50s, and Julia plays a college professor who begins working @ Wellesley, a college for well off, conservative young women. The movie takes you on the tale of the lives of these women. It sounds a little boring, right? I kind of thought that when I first rented the movie, but thought I would give it a shot. I think I ended up watching it three times in a row before I had to return it to the movie rental store. I hadn't done that since Harry and the Hendersons when I was like 7. (Insert awkward pause here!)
This professor, aka Julia, teaches the Art History class (which, if I ever end up going back to college, I would like to study), but she ends up teaching the girls in her class much much more. She teaches them about life, and about demanding to live it to its full potential. She reminds me of a teacher I had in high school, who was remarkably inspiring and strong willed and passionate about all of her students achieving their own greatness.
I love everything about the 50s. I love the clothes, I love the culture, I love the way people still seemed to have class. I wish I had been a part of that time. Aside from the fact that women were still being bred to be the perfect housewife (as this film candidly captures), I think it would have been a fascinating time to be alive.
And then, of course, we come back to the soundtrack, which brought this movie into light today. It's great. Lots of songs from the time that were remade by artists of today, including Celine Dion, Kelly Rowland, Mandy Moore, Tori Amos, and Macy Grey. The songs really take you back to a different time, if only for a moment. The time of housewives, and red lipstick, and completely different ideals.
Have a fabulous weekend, readers. : )
See past the paint. Let's open our minds to a different idea. ~ Katherine Watson, played by Julia Roberts, Mona Lisa Smile
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Archives
I have many, many notebooks filled with random writings and doodles and blurbs from over the years. Some of it is good, some of it is ridiculous, most of it is at least endearing to this heart of mine, since that is where they all came from. : )
This is one of my favorite pieces of writing I have ever done. It may or may not be the best writing ever, but it is about my favorite day I have ever had.
Read on....
This is one of my favorite pieces of writing I have ever done. It may or may not be the best writing ever, but it is about my favorite day I have ever had.
Read on....
The Favorite Day
The perfect day. It did exist. I lived in it, I dwelled in it, I made it mine. And then I bottled it up to put on display in our home.
We went to the beach for the day. I had tugged on my swimsuit in spite of my five month swelling pregnant belly; Mark had made us a picnic. An hour later, we were tromping through the sand, looking for a place to settle among the crowd. We did, and spread our old blanket out, then lathered me with sunscreen.
I laid on the blanket; Mark jumps into the water like a child. I watch him go way out from behind my sunglasses. Soon he comes back and we go wading together, not as far out as he had been before. We wonder if the baby could feel the ocean's rhythm, and discuss this as baby's first trip to the ocean.
After our water frolic, we lunch on ham sandwiches, strawberries, chips and cookies, sipping Diet Cokes in between bites. We watch a large Asian family trot onto the beach in what could only be described as their Sunday best. Three little girls in flowered dresses, dress socks, and shiny black Mary Janes, and two young boys in khakis and polo shirts. The mother, father, and who I assumed to be the grandmother were all dressed a bit more casual, in shorts and tees. They rent chairs and an umbrella, then each child took a turn at changing while the rest of the family shielded them from view with brightly colored beach towels.
After lunch, we doze on the blanket, holding hands. A small airplane flies over the beachline, pulling a sign announcing 5 T-shirts for $10 at Famous Fred's. The waves crash onto the sand, kids scream with glee. A British family sits under their umbrella, staring into the ocean. Except for the mother, who is oiling her already well baked body. Gold jewelry dangle from her ears, neck, and wrists. None of them speak.
Mark suggests a walk. We take an empty tupperware with us to collect shells. We walk just along the water. People watch us go by, probably looking at my protruding stomach. I barely notice. I have never felt more beautiful than I do this day.
We gather shell after shell until we can hardly put the lid successfully on the tupperware. We walk back hand in hand. Mark kisses my fingers and tells me he loves me. The airplane is flying over head again. There is a soft breeze coming off the ocean, just enough to cool the sand. We get back to our spot and I ease myself back onto the blanket. Mark goes to take one last dip. Only the Chinese mother and grandmother are on the beach, sitting in chairs, still fully clothed; the father is in the water with all the children.
The sun feels so warm, so comfortable, so happy. I drink the rest of my Diet Coke, even though it is near boiling. The British family is in the water, including the mother. Mark is bobbing in the water about twenty feet from them. The sand pipers are at the water's edge, scuttling along.
When Mark returns, we pack our things and leave. We rinse off at the out door showers and take turns toweling one another dry. We drive home, both of us tired but blissful. At home we take a nap. Before we fall asleep, Mark kisses my stomach and says, "I love my babies".
Now, all our shells from that day sit in a large glass bowl. They remind me of that simple, pure day. That day, my favorite day.
The perfect day. It did exist. I lived in it, I dwelled in it, I made it mine. And then I bottled it up to put on display in our home.
We went to the beach for the day. I had tugged on my swimsuit in spite of my five month swelling pregnant belly; Mark had made us a picnic. An hour later, we were tromping through the sand, looking for a place to settle among the crowd. We did, and spread our old blanket out, then lathered me with sunscreen.
I laid on the blanket; Mark jumps into the water like a child. I watch him go way out from behind my sunglasses. Soon he comes back and we go wading together, not as far out as he had been before. We wonder if the baby could feel the ocean's rhythm, and discuss this as baby's first trip to the ocean.
After our water frolic, we lunch on ham sandwiches, strawberries, chips and cookies, sipping Diet Cokes in between bites. We watch a large Asian family trot onto the beach in what could only be described as their Sunday best. Three little girls in flowered dresses, dress socks, and shiny black Mary Janes, and two young boys in khakis and polo shirts. The mother, father, and who I assumed to be the grandmother were all dressed a bit more casual, in shorts and tees. They rent chairs and an umbrella, then each child took a turn at changing while the rest of the family shielded them from view with brightly colored beach towels.
After lunch, we doze on the blanket, holding hands. A small airplane flies over the beachline, pulling a sign announcing 5 T-shirts for $10 at Famous Fred's. The waves crash onto the sand, kids scream with glee. A British family sits under their umbrella, staring into the ocean. Except for the mother, who is oiling her already well baked body. Gold jewelry dangle from her ears, neck, and wrists. None of them speak.
Mark suggests a walk. We take an empty tupperware with us to collect shells. We walk just along the water. People watch us go by, probably looking at my protruding stomach. I barely notice. I have never felt more beautiful than I do this day.
We gather shell after shell until we can hardly put the lid successfully on the tupperware. We walk back hand in hand. Mark kisses my fingers and tells me he loves me. The airplane is flying over head again. There is a soft breeze coming off the ocean, just enough to cool the sand. We get back to our spot and I ease myself back onto the blanket. Mark goes to take one last dip. Only the Chinese mother and grandmother are on the beach, sitting in chairs, still fully clothed; the father is in the water with all the children.
The sun feels so warm, so comfortable, so happy. I drink the rest of my Diet Coke, even though it is near boiling. The British family is in the water, including the mother. Mark is bobbing in the water about twenty feet from them. The sand pipers are at the water's edge, scuttling along.
When Mark returns, we pack our things and leave. We rinse off at the out door showers and take turns toweling one another dry. We drive home, both of us tired but blissful. At home we take a nap. Before we fall asleep, Mark kisses my stomach and says, "I love my babies".
Now, all our shells from that day sit in a large glass bowl. They remind me of that simple, pure day. That day, my favorite day.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Tuesday Tune
Okay, really, I'm not depressed. I promise. I'm actually a fairly happy, near-bubbly person. Well...maybe not bubbly. But definitely optimistic. Bright eyed.
But, still, I guess most of my favorite songs really are sad. I guess they just hit me deeper or something. I apologize.
The actual song I wanted to showcase today was a very happy song, very lovey. But since its from Sister Hazel's new album, Release, that's been out maybe a week, its not on my Songza site yet. So we have to go with an oldie but a goodie from them.
Sister Hazel is sooooooo great. (Insert me gushing here) They sound amazing, and their lyrics are nothing short of magical. They are horribly under-rated in my opinion. Which, in this blog, is all that matters. HA, kidding. Kind of. ; )
Champagne High sounds fun, right? Bubbly and light and effervescent. After all, we usually drink champagne to celebrate, to toast, to congratulate. However, our clever little band showcased today has keenly used one of my favorite things in life, irony, to make an incredibly beautiful, yet sad, song. A song about lost opportunities, and having to let go of someone who is no longer ours. Letting go and actually moving on from them, with your own life. One of life's most real moments is when you realize you are in the wrong place, with the wrong person, and while you know you have to let go, you find your shoes filled with cement and your heart stuck in place. At that point, I believe the only thing left to do is to turn around and leave.
And, maybe, drink a little champagne. : )
I highly recommend Sister Hazel's new CD...and when you do check it out, listen to Track 9, One Life. THAT was my original song for today's blog...its quite the beautiful love song.
Happy Tuesday, ya'll. And I will get started NOW for next Tuesday, and I promise to come up with a HAPPY song!!!!
But, still, I guess most of my favorite songs really are sad. I guess they just hit me deeper or something. I apologize.
The actual song I wanted to showcase today was a very happy song, very lovey. But since its from Sister Hazel's new album, Release, that's been out maybe a week, its not on my Songza site yet. So we have to go with an oldie but a goodie from them.
Sister Hazel is sooooooo great. (Insert me gushing here) They sound amazing, and their lyrics are nothing short of magical. They are horribly under-rated in my opinion. Which, in this blog, is all that matters. HA, kidding. Kind of. ; )
Champagne High sounds fun, right? Bubbly and light and effervescent. After all, we usually drink champagne to celebrate, to toast, to congratulate. However, our clever little band showcased today has keenly used one of my favorite things in life, irony, to make an incredibly beautiful, yet sad, song. A song about lost opportunities, and having to let go of someone who is no longer ours. Letting go and actually moving on from them, with your own life. One of life's most real moments is when you realize you are in the wrong place, with the wrong person, and while you know you have to let go, you find your shoes filled with cement and your heart stuck in place. At that point, I believe the only thing left to do is to turn around and leave.
And, maybe, drink a little champagne. : )
I highly recommend Sister Hazel's new CD...and when you do check it out, listen to Track 9, One Life. THAT was my original song for today's blog...its quite the beautiful love song.
Happy Tuesday, ya'll. And I will get started NOW for next Tuesday, and I promise to come up with a HAPPY song!!!!
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Motherhood 101
Fine, follow Daddy's footsteps...Just don't forget your mother!!Tonight, while I was trying to get the little Monkey to settle down for sleep, he began a little game he's been playing quite a bit at bed time lately, because he KNOWS it's too irresistible for me to deny. It's not even really a game, so when I explain it, don't say "That's it? That's the lamest game ever!", because....I am aware. : )
Basically, Monkey will kiss me on the face or on the lips until one of us- AKA, me- starts giggling. Then he starts giggling and even though I sound completely and totally insane when I say this, in that moment of our giggles intermingling in our ears, it feels like there's magic in the air. Like fairy dust and serendipity and all things fanciful are just floating around us, enclosing us in our own secret little bubble, bonding us so perfectly, if only for that moment.
I do worry that eventually the time will come and Monkey will no longer fit in my lap, or kiss me at will, or even giggle with me. He and his father are the spitting image of one another- both physically and in personality. They both love sports and all things "boy", and while I actually enjoy sports too, I worry that I will still just be "MOM" and not cool enough to possibly understand the magic of a touchdown, a home run, a great drive down the fairway, or a three point shot.
Which is why, now, just in case, I will enjoy every kiss from him. I will cherish each giggle, and I will tear up every time we giggle together and I have that fanciful feeling in the pit of my stomach. I will force my memory to recite those moments to me every day, forever.
Just in case.
Friday, August 21, 2009
Friday Film Day: Southern Flair
I have always loved stories that are based in the South. There's something about the region...something magical, eerie, potent. Somewhere between the home-cooked hospitality and the voo-doo believers there's something that intrigues me so. Toss in a dash of murder mystery and you have yourself a great little tale. : )
I don't remember how I stumbled upon this movie, but I watched it one night when I still was single and living alone back in Montana. I was instantly hooked and it became one of my all time favorites. I'm not even sure why. I don't like death and killing, and I'm definitely not into voo-doo. But the story's so well unravelled that I can't help but be sucked in. Then, of course, there's John Cusak, whom I've always been a fan of, as well as Kevin Spacey, who is excellent in this film.
Oh, and then there's the fact that it's set in Savannah, GA. Maybe that's my biggest draw, in some self-absorbed way. While the city isn't really my name sake, AND I have yet to visit, I still feel as though it has some claim on me. Someday- soon- I will travel through this mysterious town's streets, and wonder about all its secrets.
Any city's secrets you'd like to explore??
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