It's been a wacky week and isn't looking too good for the week ahead! I didn't have time to paint, or to write a blog post. We were threatened by Isaac the tropical storm/hurricane for several days. It finally moved further west, so we didn't see much more than rain squalls and gusty winds, fortunately. As a precaution school was cancelled in the Tampa Bay area, and other events such as the RNC going on in Tampa were delayed a bit. Sure sorry to see the hurricane bearing down on New Orleans and that coastline tonight...and hoping it will not be anything near the disaster that Katrina was for the people there.
This turned out to be the weekend my daughter and her boyfriend moved out of our house and into an apartment near USF. It's been in the planning stages for several months but suddenly came together last week when they found the right place. I shopped a lot last week to help them get some of what they need for their household. Sunday was the big day; we were in a caravan of four cars on the way to north Tampa by 9:30 am. Then a tire on the trailer, full of furniture and towed by a friend, began to disintegrate on the interstate near downtown Tampa, necessitating a quick exit and waiting for a new tire delivery. Luckily it only delayed us an hour. Wish I had a camera with me!
It's a nice little apartment and we hope they will be very happy there. It does feel kind of sad to have one of my two kids moved away from our home, making her own home. It's not too far away and she'll be back frequently, which will help.
It will take awhile to get used to not having her here every day, and I know I'll miss her. But I also know we will adjust in time. Kids grow up and become independent, and we have to let go and trust that they will be okay. We've been lucky to have our kids with us for so long, but we don't want to hold them back from their lives. Our son likely won't be leaving anytime soon, so we aren't yet empty-nesters. One step at a time....one chick at a time.
Part of me is ready to focus on some of my own goals and needs after years of parenting being the priority in my life...but oh how I miss those years of snuggly babies, busy kids having fun, homeschooling adventures, etc. It flies by all too quickly. I'm so glad I got to spend so much time with them as they grew up, and they were so much fun (and still are!) And they are such intelligent, talented, honorable, and kind young adults. Can you tell how proud I am to be their mom?
Being a mom was my dream, even more than being an artist. I am so lucky, because that dream came true for me, and was everything and more than I hoped for. Recognizing this gives me hope for the dream of someday being a full time working artist too...why not? since dreams can come true!
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Sunday, August 19, 2012
Some Thoughts on Weddings
I've been thinking about weddings today. No one I know is getting married, but weddings are very big business these days.
There are multiple shows on tv about weddings. I like to watch "Say Yes to the Dress" on TLC, mostly because I love to see the dress styles, but also to watch the brides and their families interact. Maybe it's dress envy because I never tried on dresses when I was preparing to get married in 1987. Our budget was small and my mom was a wonderful seamstress, so it was natural for her to make my dress for me. After she finished it, I sewed the little bit of expensive lace I could afford onto it, and pearl beading as well. I still think it's lovely, but quite out of style, of course!
I think the extravagant designer dresses on "Say Yes to the Dress" are fantastic, though the prices are mind-boggling. Another show I watch sometimes is "My Fair Wedding," where wedding planner David Tutera produces an over-the-top theme wedding just weeks before the wedding date. Each event is orchestrated and blinged out to the max. It's kind of unbelievable how much work can go into one wedding.
At one time I thought about having an etsy shop for weddings. There are many such shops, related to every aspect of wedding preparations imaginable. As an amateur ballroom dance dress maker I was drawn to the idea of making the beaded, rhinestoned sashes many brides wear currently. I still think it would be fun, but I've got my hands full with painting! I think the sash below is beautiful and no doubt is quite a lot of work to create.
Today I happened onto "Bridezillas" for the first time and ended up watching for several hours, fascinated in the same way most of us can't help gawking at a car wreck. You have to wonder if the brides who agree to do the show actually realize how bad they look as they indulge in incredibly immature, selfish, and narcissistic behaviors, as the commentator makes snarky remarks throughout. But shows like that are often set up to create drama and conflict, so you can't tell what's real and what isn't. I kind of wonder what is going on in our culture, that many people have become so determined to create a spectacle where they are the Star on Their Big Day.
There is a sort of counterculture to this type of wedding extravaganza, however. Some couples are choosing to create weddings that reflect their convictions on green living, for instance by choosing a vintage dress such as the one below. Others are having entirely homemade weddings, small celebrations outdoors, and other very personal, private, low-key events. These weddings appeal most to me, probably because they are similar to my own wedding. (I made our church decorations and our wedding cake too!) I think it's great that there are so many choices and everyone can have the wedding that fits them and their budget the best.
There are multiple shows on tv about weddings. I like to watch "Say Yes to the Dress" on TLC, mostly because I love to see the dress styles, but also to watch the brides and their families interact. Maybe it's dress envy because I never tried on dresses when I was preparing to get married in 1987. Our budget was small and my mom was a wonderful seamstress, so it was natural for her to make my dress for me. After she finished it, I sewed the little bit of expensive lace I could afford onto it, and pearl beading as well. I still think it's lovely, but quite out of style, of course!
 |
| Penny and Craig, 10/17/1987 |
At one time I thought about having an etsy shop for weddings. There are many such shops, related to every aspect of wedding preparations imaginable. As an amateur ballroom dance dress maker I was drawn to the idea of making the beaded, rhinestoned sashes many brides wear currently. I still think it would be fun, but I've got my hands full with painting! I think the sash below is beautiful and no doubt is quite a lot of work to create.
 |
| Wedding Beaded Sash by luxebridalcouture.etsy.com, $175 |
Today I happened onto "Bridezillas" for the first time and ended up watching for several hours, fascinated in the same way most of us can't help gawking at a car wreck. You have to wonder if the brides who agree to do the show actually realize how bad they look as they indulge in incredibly immature, selfish, and narcissistic behaviors, as the commentator makes snarky remarks throughout. But shows like that are often set up to create drama and conflict, so you can't tell what's real and what isn't. I kind of wonder what is going on in our culture, that many people have become so determined to create a spectacle where they are the Star on Their Big Day.
There is a sort of counterculture to this type of wedding extravaganza, however. Some couples are choosing to create weddings that reflect their convictions on green living, for instance by choosing a vintage dress such as the one below. Others are having entirely homemade weddings, small celebrations outdoors, and other very personal, private, low-key events. These weddings appeal most to me, probably because they are similar to my own wedding. (I made our church decorations and our wedding cake too!) I think it's great that there are so many choices and everyone can have the wedding that fits them and their budget the best.
 | |||||||||||||||||||
| 1950's Vintage Wedding Dress by SybilStyle.etsy.com |
Thursday, August 16, 2012
Back to School Nostalgia
I don't know about you, but this time of year makes me nostalgic about those last summer days leading up to starting school again. I loved summers, but I also loved school. As one of those geeky, earnest kids, I felt such excitement about the new school year and everything I would learn. And I loved the fresh new notebooks, paper, pencils, lunchbox, thermos, shoes, and clothes my mom bought for me. Not as good as Christmas or birthdays, but close! Even in college I loved getting my books and supplies ready each year.
I was able to relive that feeling when my own kids were young and we participated in that late summer ritual of shopping for all the stuff on their school lists. Way more than I ever needed for school, but all useful and necessary. Even after we began homeschooling we still went out to shop for supplies at the back-to-school sales. Now they are in college and don't need my help to shop, plus, it's all about laptops now, not paper and pencils! (I so wish I had had a laptop for all the notes I took in my college classes!)
I was shopping at Target last week and picked up some spiral notebooks, Sharpies, and index cards. Some supplies are still useful around the house. I felt some sadness and yearning for days gone past, seeing the moms and kids there filling their shopping carts with all the great stuff that they will lug into classrooms next week.
We can't go back, of course. Just treasure the memories and look to the future. I still love to learn, still get excited about new books and programs and classes. I still love the fresh-start feeling I get at New Year's, and at Back-to-School time.
I don't have any school items in my etsy shop, so I've shared a few from other etsy shops for fun. Enjoy your last days of summer!
 |
| Back to School Door Hangar from brookesullivan.etsy.com |
I was able to relive that feeling when my own kids were young and we participated in that late summer ritual of shopping for all the stuff on their school lists. Way more than I ever needed for school, but all useful and necessary. Even after we began homeschooling we still went out to shop for supplies at the back-to-school sales. Now they are in college and don't need my help to shop, plus, it's all about laptops now, not paper and pencils! (I so wish I had had a laptop for all the notes I took in my college classes!)
 |
| Old Industrial School Globe photography print from captaincat.etsy.com |
 |
| 8x8 print from brightsidesdesigns.etsy.com |
We can't go back, of course. Just treasure the memories and look to the future. I still love to learn, still get excited about new books and programs and classes. I still love the fresh-start feeling I get at New Year's, and at Back-to-School time.
 |
| Four book collection home decor from jaysworld.etsy.com |
 |
| Oh Happy Day blue engraved pencil 6 pack from earmark.etsy.com |
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)