Sunday Adventures

Sunday was a beautiful day weather wise. Don & I quickly knocked out the housework, grocery shopping, etc. and during the early afternoon received a telephone invite from Dennis and Sheila to come over for dinner.

We arrived around 4 p.m., cooked some BBQ pork chops over an open fire back in the woods, scalloped potatoes, green beans, macaroni salad, and fresh sliced garden tomatoes filled us all up. We visited with John and Charlotte who also stopped by to discuss an upcoming party on Labor Day weekend........ complete with a live band. The party is being held in honor of Charlotte's son, Dustin returning from Iraq. It promises to be yet another great time!

We are not sure what is going on with the puppy situation. Dennis and Sheila's, black labordor retriever, got an AKC Chocolate lab pregnant before the 4th of July.... anyways, now the owner is looking at making $$$ from the 12 puppies. So, I don't think we will be getting one.... Maybe it is a good thing with me working now....... the cost of gasoline, utilities, and various other things on the increase........ we really do not need the additional vetrinarian bills, dog food, and other expenses at the moment. However, in the event that he changes his mind, we may reconsider it........

My job is going good; I'm adjusting fairly well although 10 hrs. a day with drive time certainly isn't too much extra time for my hobbies. I am certain I'll adjust to it more as the days go by and get back into the swing of stamping and bookbinding. Hope to have some new samples to post soon......... {smile}

My new temporary position is going well. I've successfully completed the first three days, although the real test will be next week when I actually work an entire week plus Saturday! I'm adjusting well.......... realizing I need to get to sleep a little earlier --- 4:20 a.m. rolls around might early. The first two days, I napped on the couch for an hour or so but yesterday, I was just fine.

I'm looking forward to my day off today. Got a bit of shopping to do for groceries, a load or two of laundry and a quick run through of the house --- dusting and vacuamming. Don and I are planning to run down to Scrapbook Art, I may call first to be certain they have what I want, Autumn Leaves new book, Designing with Paper. I have every DW book and am hopeful to complete my collection. Even if I purchased no other idea books, there is inspiration galore within these to keep my creative muse flowing.

Next week will be a busy week, besides working, I've two art journals in the RR to complete and get ready for Don to mail out for me. Once those are completed, I'm hopeful to clear off the tables in the studio and get it organized again. I'm hoping I can at least make it out there a few evenings a week to create artwork. Of course, it will require some juggling on my part so that I'm back in the house when Don returns home about 8:30........ and to get ready for the next day of work. I'm feeling a little thankful that this is a temporary position, LOL! But it may be just the boost I needed to get some time management skills under my belt...........

Well, I like the job. I'm inspecting boxes full of bottles, checking for broken glass, chips on the bottles, and checking the glue on them and the bottom and side seams of the boxes. Any glue on the boxes can get on bottles as they are not completely sealed or encasing the bottles. I create layers of 6 boxes, 10 high, and yes, I need a 2 ft. step ladder to place on the 9th and 10th layers on the skids.

The day seemed to fly by... and my feet were a little sore after standing on the concrete flooring. Huge industrial fans help to keep us cool while working on the line; when a skid isn't so high on the opposite side that you can actually feel it, LOL! Believe me you notice it when the skid is moved. It like, "ahhhhh......"

Don helped get dinner on, placing steak in the crockpot and on low since 9:30 a.m. Whipping up some potatoes and mushroom gravy made for a nice light dinner. My lunch is packed, water bottles for the day ready to go. I've supper dishes to wash up quickly, leftovers to be put away, and figure out what to take out of the freezer for tomorrow.

I took a tylenol upon returning home, and an hour or so nap, so I don't feel too bad at the moment. I'm not to sore at all, however, that is subject to change come Saturday. I managed to check in with two groups, answer a few emails, got a load of laundry in the washer, and plan to soak in the hot tub and relax before heading to bed about 10:30 p.m.

I also received some good news today. I am going to be a grandma! My dd, Amber, age 25 is expecting and the baby should be here April 16th. Please keep her and Chris in thought and prayer, as they miscarriaged back in December. I'm not so certain that either could endure that again. Of course, they say what doesn't kill us makes us stronger........ I think many of us can relate to graduating from the school of hard knocks, not entirely pleasant to experience, but such is life. I'm certain that they would appreciate it.

Today's question of the day for me has been what do I plan to do with the $$ I'm making.... many have suggested that I use it to support my stamping/art habit, which I am certain will be a reward of sorts that I will grace myself with.

The deciding factor for me to return to work was to assist Don and I to pay off a few debts, help with maintainance on the Jeep --- the breaks need replacing soon and of course, it is overdue for a complete tune up.

There are several remodeling projects around the home front that have been put on hold, so hopefully we will be able utilize some of it to have the carport repaired. I'd really like to do this for Don since he gave me the two car heated garage for my studio. The carport is in dire need of a new header, a garage door, and several sheets of OSB board replaced. I doubt that we will be able to get vinyl siding, however, placing sheets of Tyvek will work until we can come up with add'l $$$. I am thinking approx. $600 should take care of it. If not the carport, purchasing the oak laminate wood flooring for the 12 ft. x 16 ft. section of carpeting and subflooring we rip out last winter is an option. We are not too concerned with it, one because it indoors, isn't as pressing as the carport is, and is managable to purchase a box on a monthly basis if needed until done. The good news is even with a grandchild on the way, they don't crawl until at least 5-6 months! {grin} For me, making the $$ is the easiest part, using it for what it needs to be used for is the real challenge. Don and I are both good at budgeting our $$$ so that should be a huge help.

We'll off to finish up so I can soak in the hot tub, relax a bit, and retire early..........I'll write more soon.

Out of the Blue...........

Don and I have been discussing the possibility of me returning to the employment world for quite a while recently. Well, tommorow is The Big Day!

I applied at a temporary employment agency today and will be starting work first thing in the morning. I've a feeling 4:30 a.m. is going to roll around mighty quickly..... as I'm so excited I can't sleep! I've been laying in bed since 10 p.m. with my a variety of thoughts running through my head. Is 3 bottles of water going to be enough, do I have appropriate attire, will I be able to perform the job? Do I have an adequate lunch packed?

It is factory work, I will be inspecting packaged boxes of glass bottles for proper adhesive while filled, stacking the boxes which are approx. 14" in height on skids in layers of 10 per skid. I've heard a 2 foot step ladder is provided. Thankfully, as I am only 5'1" tall {or is that short?}

Anyways, the hours are 8 hrs.per day, 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Yep, 48 hrs. per week; with mandatory Saturdays. Including travel time to and from the site, my hours will be from 6 a.m. to approx. 4:15-4:30 p.m. {So out of state family and friends, and those near to me, may desire to keep this in mind ;)}

I'm certain it will take some time to adjust to the New-for-me schedule, the work itself, and juggling both work and home responsibilities. The job assignment is possible to last through Christmas, if there continues to be work available.

I am both excited and concerned. It has been 3 1/2 years since I've worked outside of my home based-business and in a factory setting. I wonder if I'll be able to keep up.... I've aged some in those 3 1/2 years and got quite cushy sitting in this office chair at my computer, LOL! I realize I am in for some adjustments, and may just love the sight of the hot tub come about 5:30 p.m. tomorrow! I had Don adjust the tempature up from a cool 98 degrees to hopefully around 102 degrees. A good 20 minute soak {and a 325 mg. tylenol} should take care of any aching not so often used muscles I've forgotten I have!

So keep me in your thoughts while I'm traveling to and from and wish me the best. I have a feeling I may just truly need it. I just wanted to let you know I maybe missing in action for awhile. I'll check in as the opportunity presents itself, continue to update my blog, groups, and email. I'll let you all know how it goes!

Until then................

Bookbinding and Handmade Books......really?

Just out of curiosity today, I decided to check out who on Blogger is in to Bookbinding and Handmade Books and decided to check out some of their blogs; what I discovered is very few have any handmade books and bookbinding information. One is the blog of a calligraphy artist, so I'm certain you'd find some actual books there; most calligraphy artists are into creating books. On another blog there was a link provided to a site that sells handmade journals. Interesting................ not much discussion and chatter regarding them..............

Maybe it the cost of bookbinding classes or internships that plays a factor. For me, I know it is that even though I've been creating books for several years my creative interests vary from rubberstamping, mixed media, collage, and trading ATC's so often my love of bookbinding and creating handmade books often gets put on to the back burner. So, time to create them is a huge factor.

Another factor, is $$$. Supplies to bind books from tools necessary, to the supplies of handmade and imported papers, book boards, etc. play a factor as well as the style of book I desire to create.

I still consider myself a beginner/intermediate bookbinder....... meaning I know how to create more of the simple structures of Accordian and Concertina book; and I know a few basic stitches and in the process of learning more of the stitching techniques; and I have the basic down for actually binding more of the traditional style books, like a Codex bound.

I receive a variety of emails for book recommendations, tool questions, stitching methods, and how to instructions. I would love to be able to write tutorials for some of these, however, with out actually seeing the step by step references, I would probably only confuse someone desiring to learn. Then, there is also the possibility of omitting a step. Unfortunately, I do not have access to a digital camera where I could photograph the pictures step by step of the way, nor do I have access to any computer program where I could write the tutorial with pictures included. I also think if I was to go through with doing so much work and putting so much effort into writing that I would probably try to get it published in a book where I could receive royalties for the sales which I personally don't think I am quite yet ready for, LOL!

Anyways, there is some of the thoughts that ran through my pretty little head today. Food for thought, perhaps?

Monday wasn't quite so productive of a day for me, I did very little as I must be in the lingering in the garden mood from yesterday's visit to the Park of Roses. I read emails, visited some of my favorite message boards and groups, posted a couple of replies, watched TV.

I received Claudine Hellmuth's new book, "Collage Discovery Workshop: Beyond The Unexpected" which I quickly and quietly devoured. In all honesty, I liked her first book better, the original Collage Discovery Workshop. I'm not quite certain what it is about this book that doesn't thrill me as much, if it is the change in her style of artwork --- although gorgeous, or if it is not filled with as many techniques, or the techniques she's using would mean purchasing more supplies for me to utilize them. Anyways, I do understand her desire to branch out, to grow, and experiment more as an artist and I feel she definately accomplished that.

The re-organizing of the studio is still on my mind although I didn't make it out to the studio yesterday. There is still quite a bit to accomplish. I did cut up some pages, imported papers, and covers for yet another book although I haven't began assembling, gluing, and stitching it together. I figure it will be there when I'm inspired to begin again. I'm learning to know and trust my own creative process more, realizing that there is more to being an artist than simply creating artwork. Re-oganizing, paperwork, marketing, ect. also plays a big role...... possibly one day I'll discover my own sense of balance with all that as well.

Today's agenda consists of simply enjoying life, picking up, putting away and cleaning the kitchen, bathroom, and living area. I believe I mentioned receiving two add'l journals to work within for the art journal RR. I made a mistake in working ahead of schedule and forgot to trim the pages down before I began. However, all is not lost as I can use the instruction sheets by cutting them down due the way I designed them a little differently. Trust me after creating six to seven of them, you get a little more creative, LOL! The content is the same as the others so I suppose that is what is important. I've decided since the Whimsical Writing pages I'm contributing are a mix of pencil, pen, and colored penciled alphabets to be used as a guide for the recipient to use to recreate the artwork within their work that it wouldn't be too big of a problem to take them to the Office Supply store to have them reduced and colored copied. I believe that is what I am going to try to do. In the event that I don't like the copies, I'll simply have to buckle down and re-create them. The good news is that there is one journal coming my way shortly that the original page I created and forgot to trim down will work in that one so all is not lost!

Well, I have a few more things on the computer to do: check emails, make a few replies, visit one of my favorite message boards before starting in with the house work. Don's schedule flips beginning today ---- he now will be working from 4- closing at the store so I may make it out to the studio yet today. I'd like to continue to work on the re-organizing, as I am making process. It is cloudy and overcast, looking like rain so I doubt that I'll be carrying any additional supplies out there to be dealt with yet, which is fine, it makes doing this a little more managable!

OH, I changed my settings so that anyone can now post comments on my blog. If you'd like to leave me a comment, ask a question or whatever, it is no longer required that you set up an account with Blogger. I didn't do this previously due to some of spam, advertising, etc. I've seen in replies on others weblogs but I thought that I'd try it and see how it goes. *tootles*

Thought I'd write since it has been a while since I've update........

Sunday, Don and I took a ride to Columbus's Westerville area. It was a gorgeous day after the rain and thunderstorms on Saturday had cooled things down and we were finally out from underneath the god-awful humidity. We had dinner at a small roadside cafe with an outdoor patio along High Street, called "A Bag of Nails" that featured excellent food and service. We we're thankful about deciding to share a wonderful Fish Sandwich platter of alantic cod, fries, and dill pickle and a house salad with a variety of lettuce, tomatoes, bacon, bleu cheese, and ranch dressing as they definately give you your money's worth. Tall glasses of cold ice tea were constantly being refilled. We sat quietly eating our early dinner, people watching as couples, some with children, and other young children rode their bikes and window shopped. An older couple who were said to be staying at the Westerville came into the Pub-style cafe in their wedding attire brought a smile to my face. They were adorable and their love for one another shown through in the sweet way they chatted quietly. It's great to know that such a romantic love still exists in the world regardless of one's age.

After our early dinner we drove further into Columbus to visit the Columbus Park of Roses. Every Sunday there is a band in the park on a gazebo tucked in between the fragrant floral beds. We could listen to the band as we gently strolled through the small herb and larger beds of roses. The gardens were absolutely breathtaking! Roses of assorted varieties graced a variety of shaped beds, trellis filled with climbing roses sent the sweet perfume of their scent throught the air along on a gentle breeze. An iron work gazebo with a spiral staircase offered amazing views throught the vistas within the gardens while Don and light-heartedly chatted as we stroll along the paved pathways. Memorial stones and carved blocks are scattered among the pathways and a rock with a favorite Emily Dickenson quote graced new pathways.

Unfortunately, I didn't have my camera with me however, it is close enough to us that an additional drive can be made sometime in the future. I'd love to have had some photographs to use withing my Secret Garden AB I'm planning to create at a later date. All and all, it was a beautiful, relaxing day. Something we all need sometimes, just to get in touch with nature and renew our spirits.