I do enjoy a good Wednesday... The middle of the week always finds myself calm. Wednesday are MY day. I enjoy every second of being in the presence of Mike, but on Wednesdays (When he has practice with either the Smoke Bubbles or Jekyl & Hyde) I know I've got most of the night to myself. We always have a nice dinner before he leaves(Tonight was spinach ravioli with a garlic/white wine/butter sauce with thinly sliced Ciabatta on the side) and then he is off to Rock N Roll while I have the whole night to do whatever I please. On most cases that means getting together with Beverly, having wine and whatever's vegetarian that night and making all sorts of creations, from blowing glass to wrapping/cutting sliver wire, to painting mailboxes to painting canvas....but tonight, this Wednesday was for me and for me only and I cannot tell you how much I was looking forward to it! So, tonight...I FINALLY made the necklace for Kai (at work) that I've been promising to make for at least 2 months! ( I even cleaned up after myself and put all my little beads away rather than leaving them out on the counter for FORCED inspiration like I normally do.)
I would have to say, this is my best piece yet. I used the best stones, the best silver spacers (and lots of them) and even my own clasp I made at Cathie's and I am very proud. So proud in fact that I've been wearing the necklace all night and I will dread the moment tomorrow when I give it over to her. But for the use of her $400 Dolce Gabbana Dress twice in the last year....I suppose it is worth it. (Maybe she'll just spring to GIVE it to me, this time around:) BIG SMILE:)..........................So among making her necklace, the kitchen is clean, I've listened to numerous Jackson Browne CD's as well as the Grateful Dead and a little Alison Krauss/Robert Plant 'Raising Sand' thrown in there as well for good measure....or great SONG! Planned my early morning Saturday shopping in Norwhichtown at the 1700's Red Salt Box that opens twice a year, with Katie and posted a few Birthday pics on FB. I call it that, because I DESPISE FACEBOOK. Always have, ALWAYS will.
Moving along- My brother is getting MARRIED on Saturday.......Saturday. That's 3 days away.....I cannot imagine how I would feel If I was 3 days away from getting married!! I guess it's more nerve-wracking for the girl being more concerned with looking just perfect and everyone having themselves a wonderful time....They (him and sarah) have made it safely to North Dakota. The winds were intense today and a few flights were delayed, but they landed safely. I hope they have the most beautiful day and I wish I could be there to see them, but on the night they return we will all be together at my parents so that will be nice.
"I believe in LOVE. Love that's real, love thats strong, that love lives on and on.........." (Okay now the Dixie Chics are playing)
Clearly, I am on a late night rant as to all of my thoughts.
My last comment is this: I got an email from Bev today asking "How does it feel to be 30" to which my answer was " I feel good, secure and calm, whatever that means. Does that make sense" To her response, "That totally makes sense. Your 30's feel very secure and you are confident. You are a real grown up in the eyes of the world now, but more importantly you really know yourself at that point which breeds confidence. Enjoy them and savor them...they go way too quickly." So...in the end, I guess it does make sense. Because that is exactly how I feel.
Goodnight World.
(I am sure my mother is wondering how much wine I've had)....Only a few glasses:)
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Thank you!
To Katie & John, Kathleen & Ryan, Mona & Louie, Tony & Julie, Jen & Jeff, Shane & Jackie, John & Sarah, Dawn & Mike, Beverly, Sarah and most of all...the most romantic man I've ever met, my love, Mike. You are all amazing and I really had NO IDEA!! I am truly blessed to have such good people in my life.
Friday, April 23, 2010
30!
Sure its really just a number and just another day, but boy, it was a great one! Part of me had been dreading this since late December of last year....It wasn't anything to do with actually TURNING the big 3-0, I think it was more that I felt forced to look inward (more so than I do on a regular basis) and look back and review, where I was in life, How far I had come and where I wanted to go. And I looked at it, in a way, with a sense of panic as If time was running out. But somehow, as this week came about, I started to gain a sense of calm and realization that by 30, I have really done alot....
I graduated college early, toured in Scotland at the largest Arts festival in the world, worked off broadway, driven across the country twice, lived in LA, have experienced so many different jobs and finally landed upon one, that on most days, I kind of like...Found great love in the life, a relationship that is easy at times, comfortable, honest, accepting of who I am, all idiosyncracies included! Purchased my very own home, all by myself, really what more can I ask for? I have my family close by (I am about 5 miles from my parents and still call my Mom every single day!) and I have a great group of friends, at the end of the day, I am pretty darn happy with the path on which I've landed. So rather than to create "lists" of the things I feel I need to do, or should be doing, we never know how long we have here, so taking one day at a time, appreciating all the good & beauty in the world and just being happy is really what life is about. Spending time with good people, loving and being loved in return.
Anyhow, let me get off the track of being all sentimental over here, its 9:05am, I've just finished a delicious cup of coffee. So let me tell you about my day yesterday:
I awoke, early, because that is what I do when I don't have to work! Fresh flowers on the counter and the most beautiful card Mike has ever given me on my Birthday! Mom picked me up and we headed over to the DMV, I had to renew my license, they wouldn't let me keep my old, cute & younger picture. Damn them, so I had to get a new one....They don't even tell you when they are taking the picture. Needless to say, its the worst ever and I am stuck with it for 6 years. No biggie, I am over it already. (Good points is I was second in line and the whole DMV experience lasted less than 15 minutes which is about all I can take.....DMV stresses me out even a little bit more than WALMART does!!) So, we were out quickly, had time to get some shopping in, which also worked out as I got alot of great things without having to go in the dressing room (which I also despise) and everything fit when I got home. I went for my haircut at the new salon (I hadn't been to a real hairdresser since last year in Arizona!) Her name was Terry and she was awesome. She started gradually putting long layers into my newly straightened hair and then we decided to go for a little more and take more of the length off. I LOVE it (which is funny because right before we walked in, I said "Mom, I've never liked a haircut my whole life, I don't expect to like it today either"...) But to my surprise, I did, In fact, I think we could have taken even more off, so I will go back in a few weeks. We picked up Gram and the three of us had an awesome lunch at luigis, I had my favorite clams oreganato and broccoli and ricotta pizza! Gram baked me a chocolate cake from scratch using a whole box of cocoa! Mom then brought me home and the clock hit 2:41pm, It was official, I had come into the world at that minute 30 years ago. I relaxed outside, made myself iced coffee and just puttered around, took a long hot shower, styled my hair "curly" and loved my cut even more! We had an incredible thunderstorm (my favorite and most missed thing when I lived in LA). Around 6ish, Mike came home and surprised me with Lobsters!! Lobster scampi is my absolute favorite dish. He fried up some hake that Dad had caught and we had that as an app. then later the scampi over rice, watched a GREAT/Sad movie. I highly recommend it to everyone "Everybody's fine" with Robert DiNiro, (Mom, swing by today, I want you to watch it!) Steph called and we all had a celebratory drink over the speaker phone close to midnight (a little tradition we have started over the years since we live far away and share the same birthday...(she's got me by about 4 years though:) Hehehe. And then I fell into a deep sleep (the first in a while)
Today, I am going to sit out in the sun, read a book, eat chocolate cake for breakfast and just relax. Mike told me to be ready by 6:15 and get dressed up, but not too dressy...Okay.... does that mean flats or heels? Anyhow, I think he has something up his sleeve, but I will be ready!
Gram's homemade chocolate cake:
After the thunderstorm, the sun came back out:
Reisling wine called RELAX!:
Lobsters!!!:
Fried Fresh Hake:
Enjoying Lobster Scampi!:
I graduated college early, toured in Scotland at the largest Arts festival in the world, worked off broadway, driven across the country twice, lived in LA, have experienced so many different jobs and finally landed upon one, that on most days, I kind of like...Found great love in the life, a relationship that is easy at times, comfortable, honest, accepting of who I am, all idiosyncracies included! Purchased my very own home, all by myself, really what more can I ask for? I have my family close by (I am about 5 miles from my parents and still call my Mom every single day!) and I have a great group of friends, at the end of the day, I am pretty darn happy with the path on which I've landed. So rather than to create "lists" of the things I feel I need to do, or should be doing, we never know how long we have here, so taking one day at a time, appreciating all the good & beauty in the world and just being happy is really what life is about. Spending time with good people, loving and being loved in return.
Anyhow, let me get off the track of being all sentimental over here, its 9:05am, I've just finished a delicious cup of coffee. So let me tell you about my day yesterday:
I awoke, early, because that is what I do when I don't have to work! Fresh flowers on the counter and the most beautiful card Mike has ever given me on my Birthday! Mom picked me up and we headed over to the DMV, I had to renew my license, they wouldn't let me keep my old, cute & younger picture. Damn them, so I had to get a new one....They don't even tell you when they are taking the picture. Needless to say, its the worst ever and I am stuck with it for 6 years. No biggie, I am over it already. (Good points is I was second in line and the whole DMV experience lasted less than 15 minutes which is about all I can take.....DMV stresses me out even a little bit more than WALMART does!!) So, we were out quickly, had time to get some shopping in, which also worked out as I got alot of great things without having to go in the dressing room (which I also despise) and everything fit when I got home. I went for my haircut at the new salon (I hadn't been to a real hairdresser since last year in Arizona!) Her name was Terry and she was awesome. She started gradually putting long layers into my newly straightened hair and then we decided to go for a little more and take more of the length off. I LOVE it (which is funny because right before we walked in, I said "Mom, I've never liked a haircut my whole life, I don't expect to like it today either"...) But to my surprise, I did, In fact, I think we could have taken even more off, so I will go back in a few weeks. We picked up Gram and the three of us had an awesome lunch at luigis, I had my favorite clams oreganato and broccoli and ricotta pizza! Gram baked me a chocolate cake from scratch using a whole box of cocoa! Mom then brought me home and the clock hit 2:41pm, It was official, I had come into the world at that minute 30 years ago. I relaxed outside, made myself iced coffee and just puttered around, took a long hot shower, styled my hair "curly" and loved my cut even more! We had an incredible thunderstorm (my favorite and most missed thing when I lived in LA). Around 6ish, Mike came home and surprised me with Lobsters!! Lobster scampi is my absolute favorite dish. He fried up some hake that Dad had caught and we had that as an app. then later the scampi over rice, watched a GREAT/Sad movie. I highly recommend it to everyone "Everybody's fine" with Robert DiNiro, (Mom, swing by today, I want you to watch it!) Steph called and we all had a celebratory drink over the speaker phone close to midnight (a little tradition we have started over the years since we live far away and share the same birthday...(she's got me by about 4 years though:) Hehehe. And then I fell into a deep sleep (the first in a while)
Today, I am going to sit out in the sun, read a book, eat chocolate cake for breakfast and just relax. Mike told me to be ready by 6:15 and get dressed up, but not too dressy...Okay.... does that mean flats or heels? Anyhow, I think he has something up his sleeve, but I will be ready!
Gram's homemade chocolate cake:
Reisling wine called RELAX!:
Lobsters!!!:
Fried Fresh Hake:
Enjoying Lobster Scampi!:
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Early Birthday present from the wonderful Sarah & Chrisann at work!!
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
At work....Can I share my opinion?
So. I am in one of those....I need a life change, change of career, change of pace moods. So I thought, why not be a Cosmotologist? I looked into a local academy and an administrations officer should be calling me soon.....
I know, I know what you are thinking. Katrina, you are kind of crazy, you have a full-time job that pays you good $$ with benefits and don't forget you only drive 4 miles to get there. Right, however, on a day like today. I am burnt....no scratch that, totally dried out of this business....I mean, WHAT DO WE EVEN DO for the sake of pete?
I know. I know, also, TEACH (The European Academy of Cosmotology & Hairdressing....) It's $17,600. Not possible. (However, I proceed to share my new found thought with Sarah via email.....we are clearly very busy at work today!)
Then I get this email from Sarah-
So. There you have it.
I know, I know what you are thinking. Katrina, you are kind of crazy, you have a full-time job that pays you good $$ with benefits and don't forget you only drive 4 miles to get there. Right, however, on a day like today. I am burnt....no scratch that, totally dried out of this business....I mean, WHAT DO WE EVEN DO for the sake of pete?
I know. I know, also, TEACH (The European Academy of Cosmotology & Hairdressing....) It's $17,600. Not possible. (However, I proceed to share my new found thought with Sarah via email.....we are clearly very busy at work today!)
Then I get this email from Sarah-
Sarah:"...okay, a little out of left field. but you could do it. actually its kind of perfect for you, people will pay you to give them your opinion!...you should totally find a job where you get paid to give your opinion. i think you'd be really happy."
Me: "...Really, you think that's all I need?"
Sarah: "...yes, i do, i think i just solved all your problems about your life, turning30, etc. you're welcome!"
So. There you have it.
Peonies
Peonies is my new favorite place in Centerbrook.....(less than a 1/4 mile from the office!) & on Tuesday's they put out their new items on consignment. They only take the best of the best and ONLY designer brands. Sarah & I (aka Tuesday shopping buddy) have managed to score some incredible finds at INCREDIBLE prices! Here is an example of one such find. This is a HOBO INTERNATIONAL wristlet (typically prices range from $88-$138) I scored this spring beauty for $28!
A few weeks ago I snagged a black cotton & silk vintage dress by designer Catherine Malandrino....which is on it's way to Sheila in Washington as we speak!! (I hope it fits!!)
Anyhow, today for our typical Tuesday we headed over to see what's in store...I got a long black cotton 3/4 sleeve tunik ($16) a black & white floral belt ($7) and a heavy (maybe 10grams or so) .925 Sterling Silver Bangle Bracelet with a hammered finish ($22). It was a good day at Peonies!!
Anyhow, today for our typical Tuesday we headed over to see what's in store...I got a long black cotton 3/4 sleeve tunik ($16) a black & white floral belt ($7) and a heavy (maybe 10grams or so) .925 Sterling Silver Bangle Bracelet with a hammered finish ($22). It was a good day at Peonies!!
Happy Tears
This made me tear up with such joy this morning! Congrats to Susan Boyle! Amazing!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lp0IWv8QZY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lp0IWv8QZY
Friday, April 9, 2010
Day 1 of 30 before 30
Well, I did do my 10 pushups and it wasnt easy. Pathetic was more like it. I left work at 4:55, ran over the Peonies, rushed in in a frenzy, " I know your closing right now but I am looking for a salmon colored sweater!, It was here on Tuesday!" and the pretty red head says, "Did it have a hood?" To which I replied that it did and she informed me that she had just sold it this afternoon.
DARN IT!
As for water, I've had a few glasses, but now im switching to Pinot Grigio....I am finding it refreshing on this rainy evening.
Mike is lighting a fire (strange that we went from 90 degrees to 60 in just a day!)
& We are going to make some nice breaded sole, asparagus and basmati rice and watch movies!
Fyi: glad its friday and suddenly quite displeased with my current job position, but thankfully home with what matters more than the job that pays the bills!
To all, a wonderful weekend, as I am taking my 2 days off from blogging!!
DARN IT!
As for water, I've had a few glasses, but now im switching to Pinot Grigio....I am finding it refreshing on this rainy evening.
Mike is lighting a fire (strange that we went from 90 degrees to 60 in just a day!)
& We are going to make some nice breaded sole, asparagus and basmati rice and watch movies!
Fyi: glad its friday and suddenly quite displeased with my current job position, but thankfully home with what matters more than the job that pays the bills!
To all, a wonderful weekend, as I am taking my 2 days off from blogging!!
Thursday, April 8, 2010
30 before 30
& in 13 days!
1) Chop hair to look like that of Thandie Newton http://riddickgallery.miniarchive.com/gallery/albums/newton/newton_thandie_photo_thandie_newton_6235169.jpg
&
http://www.hairpedia.com/hair-styles/Celebrity-Hairstyles-Women/Thandie-Newton/thandie-newton-021267.jpg
and get some highlights too!
My appointment is Thursday early afternoon!!
2) Break out my old Canon 35mm camera and start using it again....Maybe even buy a lense...
3) Finish raking that one last pile of leaves in the backyard
4) Wear something colorful instead of the usual all black
5) Drink more than 8 glasses of water a day (this I can keep long after 30!)
6) Take one day off of work and spend it getting completely pampered, Massage, Facial, Manicure, Pedicure.
7) Go back & buy that Salmon little sweater from Peonies (I hope it is still there!)
IT WASNT!
8) Spend Sunday working on the Garden
9) Set up the table upstairs for glass bead making and actually make some beads rather than dragging around the tubberware!
10) Finish my Calla lily painting
I think i'm happy with the way it is:)
11) Finish Kai's "birthing" necklace
12) Take a complete day off from reading Blogs!
I took 2 days!!
13) Go for a nice & long Hike with my sweetheart and Stella
A walk works too:)
14) Make dinner and eat outside by Candlelight
(That's tonight:)
15) Plant the bulbs Dad gave me for Easter
16) Clean out the gold fish ponds & put new fish in them (Hope the cats don't eat them this time around!)..............UPDATE: YEA RIGHT, THIS IS NOT HAPPENING BY THURSDAY!!! (Second update, John & sarah got us fish and we cleaned out the ponds! Wohooo!)
17) Finish the 3rd Book of Book Club at least 1 day before the meeting this time! (I've got until May 19th for this one:)
18) Go out for Mexican & Margaritas. My favorite
We tried Ortegas. It was awesome!
19) Wash & Vaccum my car
20) Make my own pair of Flip Flops at the Cobbler Shop!
21) Buy a Straightening Iron and USE IT!
My new Solia kicks butt!!!
22) Call AT&T & get our DSL line split for upstairs, then move the computer back upstairs
23) Do 10 push-ups every morning before work
24) Not pick 30 things and be okay with 23 things!!!
My appointment is Thursday early afternoon!!
4) Wear something colorful instead of the usual all black
IT WASNT!
9) Set up the table upstairs for glass bead making and actually make some beads rather than dragging around the tubberware!
I think i'm happy with the way it is:)
I took 2 days!!
A walk works too:)
(That's tonight:)
15) Plant the bulbs Dad gave me for Easter
17) Finish the 3rd Book of Book Club at least 1 day before the meeting this time! (I've got until May 19th for this one:)
We tried Ortegas. It was awesome!
19) Wash & Vaccum my car
20) Make my own pair of Flip Flops at the Cobbler Shop!
My new Solia kicks butt!!!
22) Call AT&T & get our DSL line split for upstairs, then move the computer back upstairs
23) Do 10 push-ups every morning before work
24) Not pick 30 things and be okay with 23 things!!!
Monday, April 5, 2010
For the wanderers...
"This is a passage born in my heart, born in the pain of ending one life and beginning another, born in the excitement of continuing the search for life's meaning. Some people do not have to search; they find their niche early in life and rest there, seemingly contented and resigned. They do not seem to ask much of life, sometimes they do not seem to take it seriously. At times I envy them, but usually I do not understand them. Seldom do they understand me.
I am one of the searchers. There are, I believe, millions of us. We are not unhappy, but neither are we really content. We continue to explore life, hoping to uncover its ultimate secret. We continue to explore ourselves, hoping to understand. We like to walk along the beach; we are drawn by the ocean, taken by its power, its unceasing motion, its mystery and unspeakable beauty. We like forests and mountains, deserts and hidden rivers, and the lonely cities as well. Our sadness is as much a part of our lives as is our laughter. To share our sadness with one we love is perhaps as great a joy as we can know-unless it be to share our laughter.
We searchers are ambitious only for life itself, for everything beautiful it can provide. Most of all we want to love and be loved. We want to live in a relationship that will not impede our wandering, nor prevent our search, nor lock us in prison walls; that will take us for what little we have to give. We do not want to prove ourselves to another or compete for love
This passage is for wanderers, dreamers and lovers, for lonely men and women who dare to ask of life everything good and beautiful. It is for those who are too gentle to live among wolves"
James Kavanaugh
San Diego, 1970
July Wedding
If all goes as planned....that means I only have 126 days for a new roof, new patio, fenced in yard, painted house....A DRESS......When you put time into perspective, perhaps, eloping really is the way to go!
Clean Cut
Can you say ...Mug Tree
Saturday, April 3, 2010
Saturday OFF of WORK!!
Lets see....
I went shopping with Mom from 9-12, picked up some paychecks, went to the bank and had the super nice teller....I wasn't in the mood! We had an early lunch, no luck with bras & panties at Marshalls, or shoes for that matter. DARN! However, I scored some great Antique shop finds! Then, I raked the rest of the yard, scrubbed down an old bookshelf from the shed to bring inside and put in the mud room for stacking of the shoes, mopped the mudroom, hung a new shower curtain, removed the plastic from all the windows, vaccummed, took a break and had a late late lunch/early dinner of fresh homemade pasta, broccoli and parm with 1 manicotti and delicious wine at my parents, came back, scrubbed the toilet, mopped the bathroom, vaccummed the bedroom, brought all the laundry downstairs. Everything is clean, pristine and perfect! Here are some photos of my 4 great scores at the Antique shop today. 2 chairs of the same finish as my bar stools for a sitting area in the den, 1 distressed old chair, and a great pc. of pottery. Its 8:27 and i'm boiling eggs! Happy EASTER everyone!
I went shopping with Mom from 9-12, picked up some paychecks, went to the bank and had the super nice teller....I wasn't in the mood! We had an early lunch, no luck with bras & panties at Marshalls, or shoes for that matter. DARN! However, I scored some great Antique shop finds! Then, I raked the rest of the yard, scrubbed down an old bookshelf from the shed to bring inside and put in the mud room for stacking of the shoes, mopped the mudroom, hung a new shower curtain, removed the plastic from all the windows, vaccummed, took a break and had a late late lunch/early dinner of fresh homemade pasta, broccoli and parm with 1 manicotti and delicious wine at my parents, came back, scrubbed the toilet, mopped the bathroom, vaccummed the bedroom, brought all the laundry downstairs. Everything is clean, pristine and perfect! Here are some photos of my 4 great scores at the Antique shop today. 2 chairs of the same finish as my bar stools for a sitting area in the den, 1 distressed old chair, and a great pc. of pottery. Its 8:27 and i'm boiling eggs! Happy EASTER everyone!
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