Friday, August 28, 2009

Unique

It was Ashley’s birthday the other day and we celebrated at J’Amy’s house. We took a couple of pictures of us three girls. Here is one that I just love.






As I looked at it, I was reminded how different my girls are from one another. And not only that, but how different they are from me. We are each so unique in our way of thinking, and I love that about us. I have always tried to encourage my children to be themselves, but always to remember who they are and what they stand for. In fact, that is a sign that hangs above the front door so that when my kids leave the house, it is the last thing they see before leaving the comfort of home.

Some time back I read this poem that really struck me of things that I hope for my kids. I thought I would share it with you.

Take These Thoughts With You On Your Journey To Your Dreams

Don't ever forget that you are unique. Be your best self and not an imitation of someone else.

Find your strengths and use them in a positive way. Don't listen to those who ridicule the choices you make.

Travel the road that you have chosen and don't look back with regret. You have to take chances to make your dreams happen.

Remember that there is plenty of time to travel another road - and still another - in your journey through life.

Take the time to find the route that is right for you. You will learn something valuable from every trip you take, so don't be afraid to make mistakes.

Tell yourself that you're okay just the way you are. Make friends who respect your true self.

Take the time to be alone, too, so you can know just how terrific your own company can be.

Remember that being alone doesn't always mean being lonely; it can be a beautiful experience of finding your creativity, your heartfelt feelings, and the calm and quiet peace deep inside you.

Don't ever forget that you are special and you have within you the ability to make your dreams come true.

~ Jacqueline Schiff ~

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Newer Creations

So with all the remodel going on my creativity has really suffered. The makeshift kitchen has been in the studio. My creative juices just don't flow very well when I am sitting in there and all I can smell is the pizza pocket that Jake just heated in the microwave.

However, I have been able to get a few things out - - - All are available in both of my Etsy Shops. My steampunk shop, which uses watch movements and Victorian style jewelry can be seen here. And my Lilikoi shop, which uses semi precious gemstones, sterling, silver and fine silver can be seen here.

Monday, August 24, 2009

Day 30 of 37

Well it is all coming together! Yay! Here are the latest pictures of everything. The appliances are in, all except the dishwasher. There are some minor punch list items to be done, but all in all I think I am just about there!

Jake even scrambled eggs over the weekend on the new stove…seemed odd, but you never know what a 17 year craves and why he craves it. I think it is kind of like being pregnant.

I soooooo love my new faucet. It is totally the bomb. I am really digging all this counter space too! Having the microwave over the stove is a real bonus.


I totally need my mom here to help me organize. Whenever she comes and stays at my house she organizes for me. I love that about her. I really look forward to her cleaning out my utensil drawer. But the best of all is when she does the sock basket. Seriously, I love that. She is the queen when it comes to organization and I totally need her to set me up…. Maybe I can fly her in for the weekend…. hmmmmmm

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Day 23 of 37






So here is the granite!! Wow! It has totally begun to pull the kitchen together! Yesterday Mitch the Tile Man (M-TM) came. He started putting my random thoughts into a pattern. We drew it out and before I knew it, it started to be a pattern. Hmmm is this a sign from God? Maybe I should marry this man…. No one ever seems to be able to put my random thoughts and asymmetrical behavior into a pattern… let alone put it into tile. There may just be something to that… anyway, I digress…

Tile on the floor will also need to be patched and I appreciate M-TM’s attention to detail and that patterns should be maintained and matched. I appreciate consistency. And I also appreciate M-TM’s ability to put my rambling, random, asymmetrical thoughts into some semblance of order…. well ..... at least as it relates to tile!

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Day 15 of 37

Well here are the updated pictures of the cabinets! Aren’t they gorgeous!! I soooooo love cherry! I really love wood with character and this wood has a lot of that. But what I am really digging is the color variation and the beautiful knots in the wood. It is just stunning.

Carlos, the painter, is such a hard worker. He showed up at my house on day 12 and painted from 9:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. I kept trying to feed the poor boy (geesh I am turning into my mother) but to no avail. But 9.5 hours later, I have a lovely buttercream paint throughout!

Check out the canned ceiling lighting… I am sure that I am going to be able to illuminate my neighbor’s kitchen 2 blocks away. Hmmmm...I guess there won’t be any more streaking through the kitchen - -

Friday, August 7, 2009

The Moment

Have you ever gone through something in your life when all time seems to stop? When everything around you seems inconsequential except that very moment?

Seems like an odd interruption in the middle of Day 12 of 37. It actually happened on Day 10 (just in case anyone is keeping track). Anyway….

That moment happened for me. While it didn't completely happen in a moment, it was over the course of several hours. I will never forget what I saw and how I felt right then. It was altering for me. I will never be the same ~ ever.

Amen.

Wednesday, August 5, 2009

Day 10 of 37

Okay, so at the beginning of this project I was really excited about the fact that my kitchen was going to be all brand new ~ and then it happened…and then I was certain I was out of my mind for thinking I could handle a remodel project all by myself.

But how does that saying go? What doesn’t kill you will make you stronger. . . Okay I have some pretty mean strong forearms ~ I don’t need to get stronger, but I was fairly certain on Day 6 of construction that I was going to die. Yes, I was going to keel over and die right there - - - ‘kilt on the spot…. Why you ask? Two words - - sheetrock dust. Lordy almighty. Day 6 brought the men from hell…. the sheetrockers… I think it must be a game for those folks to see just how far they can blow that stuff throughout the house… Everything was covered in a layer of it. I don’t care how much I covered the furniture, how much I closed the doors throughout the house. It was everywhere…the goobers in Maggie’s eyes were even white…. Eeeeewwww.

Day 7 – I cleaned

Day 8 – Cabinet delivery folks showed up and piled 4 trees worth of wood in my living room.

Day 9 – All those lovely trees look beautiful in my kitchen - - - when they are installed as cabinets.

Day 10 – I think they are painting today.. Yay…(she said with mock enthusiasm) now it will be paint fumes…

I am going to have Popeye forearms soon…. I just know it....