Wednesday, October 31, 2007

You Don't Want Me As A Friend

Well, I didn't run today, BUT, I did work out. I found one of my old exercise videos circa the 90's. It was a 2 mile walk. I thought it would be really boring but was pleasantly surprised! I liked it because I didn't have to leave the house and go walk in the dark by myself around the neighborhood. This might be a good alternative. No matter how cheesy.

Last night after work, I went to have a quick dinner with hepsmom , www.teacherperson.blogspot.com one of my dearest friends. We went to a local wrap restaurant where she ordered the last of the salmon and I had to "settle" for shrimp. It was SO good. Their mango salsa is to die for! We decided we could drink their balsamic vinaigrette, it is that good. (She had the side salad-she's so good!)

BTW, just went to hepsmom's page and, "hello, friend? I didn't know it was your freakin' birthday yesterday! Why didn't you say?" AAARGGH. Bad friend alert!!! (Me) Go wish her a happy birthday guys....and help me redeem myself. Please.

Happy Day everybody!

Monday, October 29, 2007

Do it or Die.

May I just say, nothing incites self-loathing more than going to try on jeans after lunch on your lunch hour (or two.).

I am fat AND short.

This may be the motivation I've been looking for, because, after trying on jeans and seeing my soft belly hang over the waist band of jeans that are my size, I want to immediately go run about 10 miles.

I've been thinking recently about taking a 6 week challenge with myself. It goes like this:

For 6 weeks, I watch what I eat more closely and make better choices more often. (That way, I'm not REALLY on a diet.)

I exercise EVERY day. Somehow.

The proposed schedule is this:

SATURDAY- Run
SUNDAY- Body Pump
MONDAY- Run or walk
TUESDAY-Body Pump
WEDNESDAY-Run
THURSDAY-Body Pump
FRIDAY-Run

Monday or Friday could be my day that I opt to take a day off. Just so I don't burn out.

O.K. Deep breath.

It's public. It's official.

Oh, crap.

Weekend Synopsis


Gosh, I had such a good 3 days off, that I started to feel as if I were on vacation. When the alarm went off today, I had to reorient myself to the fact that it is a work day.


I'm feeling smug and self-satisfied because I exercised 2 days in a row. I ran Saturday with the Pacers and went to BP yesterday. I'm a bit sore today and am glorying in my "battle wounds".


I scored a couple of good books from the bookstore. One is, "Bend the Rules Sewing" by Amy Karol and the other is, "Collage Unleashed" by Traci Bautista. (I have Traci's website, in my links on the side of my page.)


I put the finishing touches on a shadow box project I started a long time ago. I have to get pics of that. My girl painted a small pumpkin. (And painted, and painted, and painted.) I also am working on a small side table. I'm experimenting and not quite sure if it's going to be what I had hoped, but hey, it's all for education.


You see in my post yesterday that we also made homemade pretzels. I wanted to try my hand at donuts also, but will have to work up my courage to work with that hot oil. I don't need doughnuts (or beignets either) anyway.


I did watch a couple of movies. One foreign film called "Bread and Tulips" I had to read the subtitles, but I was in the mood for it, so that was O.K. It is set in Italy with Italian actors and the plot is essentially a housewife runs away from home and life and sets up a mini life in another town to catch her breath and get away from it all for a little bit. I don't think she has the intention of leaving for good, just a bit of a breather. (Completely identify and consider that upon occasion myself.)


I also watched "Bee Season" with Richard Gere. Was not at all what I was expecting. True, it is about a little girl and her gift for spelling. I thought it would be cozy, homey and feel good. It was a bit bizarre as far as I was concerned, filled with mysticism, religion, and mental illness. The way they unfolded it, you could tell the characters were filled with angst and secrets, but didn't know what was going on at first. That is so uncomfortable to me. It was rather unsatisfying and disturbing.


I want to thank you for coming to visit my tiny corner of the world. It's exciting to receive comments and I enjoy reading them. Keep 'em coming. It amazes me that any one would find my ramblings remotely interesting enough to keep coming back.


So thanks.


You are too kind.


All 5 of you.



*smile*


Sunday, October 28, 2007

We Knead Pretzels, Mommy!






We decided to make pretzels from scratch. I've always wanted to do this. I love big, soft pretzels. After this experience, (which took all day) may I just say, I think I definitely need to work on the technique. (Or just buy them at the store.)

Friday, October 26, 2007

The Height of Luxury


Yawn.


Stretch.


I have been afforded a weekend of true days off. Mmmm.


Bliss.


Hubby has been house bound with the puny punkin' all week long. Bless him. This morning I quickly assessed our checkbook and decided it would be the height of wisdom for me to become house bound and thus reduce our tendency for weekend expenditures. Rescheduled the massage and the doctor's checkup that snuck up on me. This affords me the luxury that no amount of money can buy: time at home with no obligations to leave the house for 3 (three!) whole days!!! (Perhaps with the small exception of going running with the Pacers on Sat. morning.) I have a mental list (that would run the length of me if I wrote it out) of things that need to be done around the house. That, I'm sure will occupy me nicely. If I grow tired of being productive, I visited the library yesterday for a weekend stock of movies and books. Oh yes, I'm sure I'll have no end of things to do.


Bonus: I just looked out the window and it's raining. One of my favorite things is to be at home on a rainy day.


I've been thinking lately of making a list of the things I love. I've already started the list and hope to figure out how to post it on the side of my site. Another goal I have that I shall start at the new year is to keep a list of books that I've read. I attempted that this year but quickly lost track. I'd love to know how many books I read in a year. It would help me also organize my reading better. I sometimes read a book that is part of a series or by an author that I really like and after returning it to the library I neither remember the title or the author's name. Makes it difficult to go back for more by that author. I also think I need a list of classics that I "need" to read. I just recently read "To Kill a Mockingbird" and loved it so much. "The Scarlet Letter" has been highly recommended and I am also interested in "Walden Pond". Feel free to recommend your favorites.

Thursday, October 25, 2007

Are You Kidding Me?!

Body Pump (BP), has undergone a change. I have a new instructor on Tues.
The "problem"?
She's interactive.
She expects audience participation in the form of feedback while you're working out. (i.e. "you feel that?" Our response: crickets chirping. Her response: "I thought there were people in here with me!" Our response: low mutters, groans.)
At first her determination for audience participation in the form of conversational feedback aggravated me, now, it humors me because she is so sarcastic.
But...
I AIN'T TALKING!!!

If you know me at all, (and you will by the end of this post) you know that I don't speak many if any words before about 7 or 7:30 in the morning and that's after about 2 cups of coffee. Minimum.
Body Pump is at 5:30 am. I'm barely awake at that point, forget speaking and being the least bit sociable. I'm a BP robot. Go in. Work out. Home. Coffee.

Who knows? Maybe with persistence she will get this class actually appearing excited about being in a gym at 5:30am huffing, puffing and straining to beat our bodies into a svelter version of ourselves.

I'll be excited on the inside.

Wednesday, October 24, 2007

Medical Maladies, Rich Restaurants, Magnificent Magazines

I awoke to the sound of rain.

At 7:00am, the sky is blacker than coffee.

It's only Wednesday.


We took our girl to the doctor yesterday. Before yesterday, I was content to watch her symptoms knowing that if I took her to the doctor, I would pay them to tell me to put her on a bland diet and give her lots of clear liquids. However, after 4 days of diarrhea, I was ready to pay for my peace of mind. It felt good to know that my intuitions were right. It just has to run it's course. No dairy. He (the doctor) did tell me the things I was expecting. He didn't prescribe medicine. He doesn't recommend the anti-diarrhea medicines because if you are vomiting or have diarrhea, it's the body's way of cleansing the bacteria inside and those medicines just hold it in the body. It was our first visit with this doctor, but I think I like him very much. I don't think he'll prescribe a pill at every sniffle. He sounds like he has some common sense.

I've spoken with my sister since the weekend and we are both fighting some kind of cold something or other. She scared the daylights out of me asking me to look up the symptoms of spinal meningitis on the internet. (Symptoms: achy back, stiff neck, headaches, sensitivity to light...) Could be mistaken for the flu but can kill you in 24 hours! We decided it wasn't that dire, she only has a cold. Good grief.

My week at work has been littered with 2 and 3 hour gaps of freedom. Nice when you don't feel good, bad at the end of the week when you count your pennies.

The girls at the salon all went out for dinner last evening to celebrate the wedding of one of the employees. It's fun watching this young girl who began as a client of mine, went to cosmetology school, became an apprentice under me and is now one of our full time employees and doing a great job. I'm so proud of her and love watching her grow in confidence in her work.

We went to a new restaurant in town. Always playing Russian roulette when you do that. We are so excited when an independent restaurant opens. It seems there are only chain restaurants wherever you look. The new restaurant called Christopher's is one of the first fine dining restaurants to open in our town. It's rather expensive, but not completely out of reach. The entrees are heavy with French titles, none of which I remember at this point. I had a seared tuna spring roll as an appetizer. It was beautifully presented and delicious. My entree was a prosciutto wrapped grouper with butternut risotto and wilted spinach. There was a sauce as well that escapes me and I can't describe it other than tangy and creamy. Others had difficulty finishing their portions, but I found I could eat every bite. We all tasted each other's choices and found everything absolutely delicious! So nice to eat with people you feel close enough to to ask for food from their plate!

Oh! I got the most wonderful surprise this week! Did you get yours ksw? Victoria magazine is back in production and I am thrilled. I have always loved that magazine and can thank my bestest friend for sharing that with me all those years ago. It went out of print a few years ago and I have missed it terribly. When it arrived I looked at it with critical eye waiting for it to be completely different. The look is different. I think that has to do with the photographer. Beautiful photos, but they lack some of the richness that their last photographer had. The magazine still has the same spirit about it and I am glad. I look forward to every issue.

In the 30 minutes I've been writing, the sky is beginning to lighten. No sign of the sun. Makes me want to hunker down on the couch with movies and a book.
I think that is as high as I will aspire this weekend.
Movies.
Reading.
Little girl snuggling.
Cat petting.
Hubby holding.

Mmmm.

Tuesday, October 23, 2007

Yawn. Smack. Smack.







Thought you might like to see some more photos from this weekend. Especially since I have nothing else to talk about other than a girl who STILL has an upset tummy, or how tired I am and how I overslept and didn't make it to BP today.

Yeah, I didn't think so.

Look at the pictures.

Monday, October 22, 2007

Trip Hangover


Went to see Momma and Daddy (and the rest of the family) this weekend. It was a good trip overall. Poor baby girl was puny with an upset tummy the whole time. She still has it and I think her Daddy is taking her to the doctor today. I tried some over the counter med, but she abhorred it so much I've stopped giving it to her. It didn't really work anyway. Poor baby. Breaks my heart when my girl is sick. I just want to sit with her all day and hug her.

The visit was so fast. I am so tired. We stayed up too late on Friday and then just as I was dozing off, hubby was up to change my girl. Then we were up early to join others in "Making Strides for the Cure". It was a walk for breast cancer held at a horse farm/track. It was lovely countryside. It was also incredibly humid. I walked instead of running because I wanted to be with my sister and because I was pushing my girl in a stroller and it was hard to do in grass. After 1 loop, my girl wanted to walk so I let her out and she walked and ran that last loop which I estimate at about a mile and a half! When it was over, we went to my sister's for breakfast/brunch. The day kind of evolved from there. I cut hair and purchased plumbing for my parents toilet. (Which I ran out of time to fix.) Dinner at a homestyle restaurant and our grandmother was able to join us. I was up late Saturday also, but I was able to spend some time with my immediate family. Sister, mom and dad.


Yes, I'm tired.

It was so worth it.

Saturday, October 20, 2007

Ooops! I did it again!

May I just say, you haven't lived until you've taken a 7hr trip with a mostly potty trained little girl thinking you've packed enough underwear and then discovering she has an upset tummy. I could have been very much worse. But---and this IS a news flash for the ENTIRE world, SHE PUT STINKERS IN THE POTTY ALL BY HERSELF TONIGHT!!!!

HURRAY!!!

WHOOPEE!!!

HALLELUJAH!!!

Thursday, October 18, 2007

the "blog" of "unnecessary" quotation marks

the "blog" of "unnecessary" quotation marks


For hepsmom

Lost. Found.

Well, the salon made it's trip and we returned intact. Brains slightly scrambled. We received a lot of good information on the color line we use. So much so that some of us were left slightly cross-eyed, I think. Good think there were several of us there so if one didn't get something, another did, perhaps. We were driving home beginning at 9pm and about 3/4 of the way home, discovered we were lost, yet still headed for home! Driving through one of the towns, somehow we took a bypass and went through a neighboring town. I was amazed that instead of coming in the way we intended, we came in from the opposite side of town. It was hilarious to think we were coming into one town and realizing we were in another! How did we get here?!

Probably going to see my folks this weekend. Planning on running in the Breast Cancer walk/run they are having down there. This will be my first "race" and I don't even think they are billing it as such. Still, a big deal for me.

Ciao!

Tuesday, October 16, 2007

And They're Off!

Well, I've launched into a new week. I walked into the salon yesterday morning and was greeted with 2 clients. One was a haircut on my schedule, the other was a color on NEXT Monday's schedule! I assessed my book and took them both. Got the color on and cut the hair. May I just say, I am so grateful for my assistant?! I couldn't do half of what I do without an assistant. Well, I made it through the morning, still had lunch, and survived another color that was a half hour late. Sometimes I let people know and reschedule them. Sometimes I just roll with it. Yesterday, I rolled.

Chose not to go to BP this am. This afternoon, everyone in the salon is going to a town 1 1/2 hours away for a color class. The class is from 6-9 tonight, so I don't see us returning before 11 tonight. I was afraid if I got up at 5am, it would be too long a day. Weeeeelll....hubby woke me up arranging covers at some ungodly hour. Then! As I was drifting off to sleep, I was startled when his arm began hitting my chest. I sat up in bed and looked at him like he had lost his mind then realized he was asleep and his arm moved on it's own accord. Of course, now it's 4:30 and I'm thinking " Maybe I'll go to BP anyway." I went to the couch to watch a movie and finally drifted back to sleep to have bizarre dreams. Sigh.

Let's see what adventures I run into today!

(p.s. for kim-- As I drove by, the building called out to me. I was being sarcastic and taking creative license.)

Sunday, October 14, 2007

Flitting

Ah, here we are at another Sunday night. On to Monday! I've decided that if I want to be profitable on Sunday, anything I want to do must be done before 2:30 BP class Sunday afternoon. I can't rev up my motivation after that because the afternoon is waning and I feel I should be winding down my activity.

Memo to self:
1 Eat something before BP to aleviate food visions during BP. Very distracting to smell pork chops cooking while working out.
2 No coffee an hour before working out. Bad to be on the treadmill counting minutes, not because I'm falling over because of exertion, but because I'm afraid I'm going to pee my pants before the 25 minute mark.

Well, I flitted all over this weekend. Dabbled in this and that. Did exactly 3 haircuts and one face peel Saturday morning. Started at 8am, left at 11am with a couple of 30 min breaks in between here and there. That's the way to work. (Except not a good way to make money.)
After work, I dashed to Plunderosa (my favorite second hand store) to grab a couple of rolls of fabric I've had my eye on. The fabric has couch possibilities. Then a walk across the street for a muffin and coffee from a local bakery, pet store for cat food and the local bookstore for some books I'm looking for. ( Feeling very indie shopper today.) The bookstore did not have the books I'm looking for but will order them. Drat. I've been looking all over for Amy Karol's book, Bend the Rules Sewing (click on my title for the link). Later in the day I took a spontaneous trip to Goodwill to donate a small batch of odds and ends and swung in to see what I couldn't live without. (A new skirt and matching top, and some colorful, beaded napkin rings that will most likely never see a napkin, but--who knows where they'll end up?) Before I could get very far from Goodwill, Payless called and said my frequent shopper status was in jeopardy if I didn't get in there THIS INSTANT! What's a girl to do? Of course, I found a cool pair of tennies with hearts on them for $6.00! Completely shopping sated at this point, I turned toward home.

Back at home, today, I've spent a little quality time on the couch reading the paper and sipping coffee, my favorite early Sunday morning routine. I've straightened a couple of corners. By no means did I move heaven and earth. Just a couple of piles of stuff. Put a coat of paint on a table, and some children's chairs outside. Like I said, I've flitted.

Guess I'll flit off to work tomorrow. Tomorrow is another day!

Friday, October 12, 2007

Amazon.com: Extraordinary Interiors: Books: Brian Coleman,Dan Mayers

Amazon.com: Extraordinary Interiors: Books: Brian Coleman,Dan Mayers

Hurray for me! I figured out how to add a link!

Score!!






The local library's fall booksale is this weekend. Look what I scored! I tend to go through and pick what strikes my fancy and hold my breath when I check out. All this for $15.50! My favorites are the Arts and Craft book, (love that graphic cover!) the Do-it-yourself book, and the organic gardening book. I love to buy children's books that I remember from when I was young(er). I find that I still love them. Hurray for books!
(I really need to learn how other people intersperse their photos throughout the blog instead of wadded up at the top. It doesn't matter that I type a little and add a picture. It puts them where it wants them. So much to learn about blogger.)

TGIF!!

Pant, pant. I made it. I feel like I ran a marathon this week. Why did everyone want their hair done THIS week, I wonder?
I still have my Friday obligations. But if I get them done early enough, I'll have the rest of the day to...whatever.

I'm doing something interesting this morning. I'm going to do a voice over for a t.v. commercial for the local cable company. A friend of mine works there and asked me one day to help her out and now she calls me when she needs me. I enjoy it. Our salon also elected to do a promo (not a commercial) with her company and guess who was elected to do the talking for the video promo? It's amazing what you can do when no one else will do it. It's good for you. Makes you gutsy.

I'm hoping that I don't simply crash and burn this weekend. My brain's still rather mushy from this week. Maybe a massage will reconnect my circuits. I really hope to do some cleaning (eww) around the house. Rearrange some things. Think about the blue hallway. It's just too much blue. Funny how you can love, but hate something at the same time. My hair and the hall. That blue is a gorgeous color. I just hate it on the wall. I have the coolest haircut I've ever hated. Love the cut. It's modern, different. Good lines. BUT... it hangs on either side of my face. I think I need to open up my face more. Pieces fly across my nose and tickle. It gets in my lipstick/gloss. It ends up behind my ear which completely ruins the effect of the geometric lines. Wah,wah. Pity me. I just want short hair is all. I'm not getting into why I don't just go get it cut, but I'm trying to be considerate of someone else's preferences. (Hi, honey!) :)

Definitely need a massage. Hard work makes me whiny!

Thursday, October 11, 2007

Re-Learn How to Tie Your Shoes

I stumbled across this site last night. They show ways to tie shoes that I've never seen. Who knew? Fascination. Also, look for a recent past post of trash being made into art. These people build trash sculptures that look like piles of trash, frankly, but then when a light shines throught them, they look like people shadows and even a motorcycle! Truly amazing!
http://www.hourlylaff.com/15-amazing-ways-to-tie-your-sneakers
(Somebody please tell me how to get the link button to work. I click add a link and type in the address, but when I post my blog, everything is there except the link!)




Wednesday, October 10, 2007

CrAzY wEeK


I am just trying to keep up this week. I haven't even left for lunch in the past two days. Today, I made sure I have a lunch hour especially because I'm booked solid from 9a-7p. Ah, well, that's the way the business is. Feast or famine. I'm very grateful and blessed for all that hair that sits in my chair. Truly.

Yeah, so, my mind is so blank today. I never seem to be at a loss for words or thoughts, but it would seem so today. I got nothing.

The photo above is an original piece of art by me. Sorry for the grass at the bottom. That is not part of the piece,but seems appropriate considering the subject. The lighting is just better outside. Especially to show the colors. It was an accidental painting. One day, I started painting with no plan and that's what happened. It is nothing profound, but I do love how the colors evolved. Simple. Happy. My goal in life.

Monday, October 8, 2007

Road Trip


Little road trip to Savannah yesterday. So glad to get out of town and have a change of scenery. I had visions of tours of funky shops and some artful influence. But, alas, you have to be 4 year old flexible. We went to B & N in search of some of my favorite mags that I can't get here. I found my Dwell fix and Somerset Home (by Stampington Company). Somerset Home is an artful magazine showing creative handmade peices for the home. Stampington also makes a mag called Altered Couture, which is what I was actually looking for but they were out. Love all of their magazines. Very creative. Amazing how I dashed in for a couple of magazines and an hour and a half later....

By then we were starving, so we found food then headed down town. After grabbing some coffe at a very cool coffee shop, we went to Forsyth Park. It reminds me of Central Park in New York because it is a vast expanse of green and lined with old oak trees. In the middle is this massive fountain. It is a beautiful park. My girl spent some time on the swing/slide. Very happy to play. Very Sad to leave.

That was it. But you know, it was so nice to be together as a family. Hubby and I got a chance to really talk while we drove. A luxury we don't seem to have at home. We discovered we feel the same way about some things and it was just one of those days where you seem to understand what each person is saying. Where they are coming from. It was very good for us. Relaxing and restorative.

Hurray.

Sunday, October 7, 2007

The Sweetest Wedding

I had to go out of town and do hair for a wedding yesterday afternoon. I was looking forward to it for many reasons. I have been doing hair for many in this family for several years now, so I feel almost a part of the family. This was not going to be your traditional wedding and I was really looking forward to that. The bride and groom had a renaissance/medieval theme. It was also held at a castle! There is a place called Celebration Castle that was built for just such occasions. It was more ambiance that authentic. But still. She got married in a castle!

What I loved was what they wore. The groomsmen wore creamy shirts with large sleeves, doublets, I think they are called. Over that was a long vest type "jacket" reaching mid thigh. It was collarless but stood up a bit at the neck and was black and embroidered all over with gold. Not flashy, but rich looking. They also wore black pants with that. The groom wore a full kilt. Very dashing.The bridesmaids looked like maidens. Each wore a different color. Rust, deep green, and red. The flower girls had a matching outfit in maroon. They too, wore cream blouses, theirs with scooped necks and a vest that laced up over that. Long skirts completed the outfit. Simple, but effective. Their hair was worn down and simple, adorned with a piece of narrow ribbon strung with jewels that complemented the colors in their dress and tied behind the head so the jewels rested on the forehead. Sweet!

The bride. She looked like a Grecian goddess. She was breathtaking in a simple dress that was very simple creamy sheath overlaid with a filmy layer of sheer fabric that was straight in front and fell to form a train in back which she held in her hand as she walked. She had added sheer flowing sleeves to the dress. It scooped across her neck and barely sat on her shoulders. There was a simple band of beading just under the bust. She has very long dark hair which we gave loose curls and braided two small pieces on either side and pulled them back. She had a wreath of flowers for her hair to match her dress. I think she and I were expecting a more delicate arrangement. It didn't overwhelm her though and looked perfect once we got it pinned in. That was the biggest challenge. It would have been helpful had the florist put some wire loops in so I could attach it to the hair with bobby pins. As it was, the flowers were taped together and that formed this big "spine" that was a challenge to pin. It was just so big! We did it though, somehow. It was the "crowning" touch. I did her makeup also and... she was just breathtaking. I would look at her and dance with pleasure. The flower girls, sisters (5 and 7), also wore colorful wreaths of flowers in their hair. All I can say is... thank God those wreaths stayed. The girls were not wild, but they were active young girls and I was just amazed that those wreaths did not slip and slide. Especially because they were so challenging to attach. I tend to watch the groom when the bride walks down the aisle. I just wanted to see his face when he saw her. He cried. She cried. I cried.

At the reception, they served ham, sliced turkey (turkey legs), and dressing along with crudites. I loved the turkey legs. Yes, I had one and didn't care (much) that I looked like a cave woman eating it!

I was able to see a couple of the family members that I haven't seen in awhile. Sister-in-law once was my client but moved away. Her daughters were the flower girls. I gave the oldest her first haircut. Sister-in-law worked at my ob/gyn's office when she lived her and to make a long story short (very short), it was she who told me I was pregnant. She will always have a special place in my heart. Plus, she's just so dang fun!

Now, this post has been heavy, heavy on description. I've worked hard to try to describe it in as much detail as possible for two reasons: I didn't want to forget and I want you to see it too. Why? you ask. Why not just post some pics? Infinitely easier! Yes, but if you know me very well, you know that sometimes I do things the hard way rather than the smart way. In this case, it's because I FORGOT THE DAMN CAMERA!!!!

Saturday, October 6, 2007

Culture, Dahling

Yesterday, a friend called and said she had an extra ticket to see Philadanco I had no idea what that was but said "sure!" Any excuse to go do something and see a friend. It is the Philadelphia Dance Company. Once I arrived and looked at the program, I realized that I had wanted to see this performance when I received the schedule of events for the Performing Arts Center at the university. Then, I promptly forgot. How serendipitous that my friend would call and invite me! Thanks ACE!

I enjoyed the performance. They make it look effortless. I feel if I knew the routine, I could do it. (Right). They began moving on stage, some moving in unison and then it seemed everyone was dancing to the beat of their own drummer as it were. Spinning, leaping, twirling, whirling...they were whirling dervishes. Then it stopped and they would be controlled and precise in their movements. One piece called, "The Mourner's Bench" involved one male dancer and a bench. The section was a collage of Negro spirituals and he danced using the bench. All of his movements were slow and deliberate. You could see the muscles in his body as he stretched and balanced. Amazing.

The last piece was called "Enemy Behind the Gates". The program note reads: "Enemy Behind the Gates" is a work that was inspired by enemies that are within our midst. THEY LOOK LIKE YOU..THEY ACT LIKE YOU..THEY LIVE LIKE YOU BUT, THEY ARE NOT ONE OF YOU. The gate is not invincible but it's yours to secure. Set to the burning music of Steve Reich and danced by the explosive energy of PHILADANCO.
Now, I could see the theme in the other performances. The "Southern Landscape" about slaves and "Philadelphia Experiment" which was hip hop. But this one, Enemy...aside from the more regimented style of dancing, I have to say I didn't get this one as much. But that being said, it was all very fascinating.

Well, I'm off to the races, so to speak. One of my clients is getting married (in a castle, no less, in a medieval themed wedding) about a hour away. I must go gather my tools of beauty and schlep them over. I'll have more to share about that later, I'm sure.

Toodles.

Friday, October 5, 2007

Dawn Patrol

I love getting up early. It gives me some time to myself before the family activity in the house begins. It's quiet, peaceful, I can do what I want. There's no one asking to watch a 'bideo, there's no one asking me if there are any clean clothes they can wear. I'm free to be just me for a short while. Decadent.

I also like to sleep in upon occasion. Last night I stayed at work late to finish all the book work so I don't have to go in today. Bliss. A true day off. I would luxuriously sleep in until 7:30 at least. Yeah. Scroll down the page a little way. See that precious innocent face of a cat? She's nuts. Clearly, I forgot to inform her that I was sleeping in this morning not to be disturbed under any circumstances because at about 6:15 this morning, I heard something fall, there was an awful racket and she began running across me. It woke me, but not hubby. Of course. I thought I would just go back to sleep. No. She comes up and rubs her face against my hand, grabs my hair with her mouth and pulls it. Walks on me. Demands attention. Wants a love fest. I'm up, I grab her hug her close and roughly pet her rubbing her face. Oh yeah, loud purring commences. Now that I've fed her, she's nowhere to be found. Brat.

I like getting up early.
Really.

Thursday, October 4, 2007

Shhhh....

I wonder what it would be like to go an entire day without talking to someone. I think I'm envisioning a day at home ALONE. Although, these days it's possible to go shopping and never speak to a soul since salespeople and cashiers can be anti-social occasionally.

Yesterday was so quiet and rainy. I had to work, but the day was different. I sat through a 3 hr. class on a major brand of skin care. It wasn't boring, but I was sleepy and it was rainy and I hadn't had enough coffee. Then I did 2 haircuts, barely speaking to the poor clients, I felt so laid back and sleepy. Then I went to lunch with a friend. At least we both were subdued. I'd hate to be a wet blanket if someone were in high spirits. After a pleasant lunch, I went back for a few hours of "scizzing". I hardly felt I worked.

That feeling of being subdued and quiet has carried over into today. I even feel a bit withdrawn. Hubby and I had an emotional talk last night and while no one is angry, I find myself tentative. Wanting to go inside myself and be very small. Leave the barest imprint today as I live this day. A bit improbable as I have a full schedule today and really need to gear up to be "all things to all people". But... I have this moment, this moment where I am alone with my thoughts. My quiet place.

Tuesday, October 2, 2007

I'm So Blue


After the weekend flurry of activity, life seems a bit anticlimatic in comparison. Everything is on hold as we go back to our regularly scheduled programming. It seems to take until Sunday to motivate myself into action to accomplish anything around the house. A very small window of accomplishment on my part.

That hallway? It is very blue. The color itself is beautiful. Hubby likes it. (He's fairly agreeable about such things.) He did make a comment as he came from the bedroom through the hall for the first time: " I wonder if this is what the Children of Israel felt like as they walked through the Red Sea?" It does feel a bit like you are walking through a tunnel of water. I've had suggestions paint a mural and make it like the ocean. Not the direction I'd like to take, I think. I'm living with it to see if it grows on me and mull over my options.

We had supper on the sofa last night and watched a video. *smile* After spending a pleasant Sunday a.m. on it drinking coffee and reading the paper, I haven't seen much of it since. Still, I smile everytime I look at it. Let me tell you, nothing makes you appreciate something more than not being able to have it for awhile. I experience that with the library and now the sofa. I feel a little more grateful towards those things now. Hmm. Maybe we should do some voluntary fasting of things we think are essential in order to appreciate it more OR find we didn't need it as badly as we originally thought. That requires some thought. Or maybe just some serious deliberation on being thankful. For instance, I couldn't go without my job (practically speaking), but I need to be more thankful for the fact that I have a job and I am blessed to enjoy what I do. God sends me enough clients each week to feed our family and pay our bills while hubby stays home with our girl.

Speaking of our girl, a minor miracle happened last night. After work, when I get home, I tend to put my hair back in a ponytail. Last night, the girl who will have nothing in her hair to hold it in any way shape or form, asked me if she "could have a tail just like my mommy." Be still my heart. She opted for 2 ponytails. One on either side of her head. She even slept with them!

Goodness, at the excitement around here!