Boxing

Work update: Yesterday afternoon I audited the Learn to Box workshop at Paper Source. Being able to participate in the workshops is one of the great perks to my job. It was a little tricky, but having the time allotted to do it right and learn the techniques was helpful and really fun. Besides a few glue spots and smooshed corners, it turned out ok for my first box. I'm eager to pick out more papers and make more boxes! ...maybe on my next paycheck.

Did It!

Today was my final test in the two hundred situps challenge, and I made it!
After my final situps (crunches) workout on Friday, I felt ready, but recuperating for the final test over the weekend, I got nervous. This morning I wasn't sure how it would go after two lazy days, but I flopped down this morning and got to it. I did 250 consecutive, nonstop crunches! woohoo!

Thanks for the encouragement, all. I can't say crunches are enjoyable, but I really took to this program and challenge. It's great because you're only working against yourself, and whatever you can do will be an improvement. :) My back has certainly become stronger (which it needed!) and my core feels stronger and tighter. Perhaps, even looks a little more toned? And so--a gratuitous belly pic to celebrate the good thing I've been doing for my middle.


On the other hand, the pushups challenge has been much harder! I'm heading into week 4 with that one and struggling to get stronger. At this point I can't imagine making it to 100 pushups, but I'll keep at it, even if it takes several weekly repeats!

To Remember

Thursday, June 25, 2009

One for the history books...Michael Jackson died this week. He suffered a heart attack in his home and could not be revived. Too many gifts for one man to handle, too much vulnerability and sensitivity to live in the limelight. It's hard to say what the world of music and dance would be like without him. How wonderful that one short life can change so many, can shape our culture, can make us better.
Thanks MJ.

Man In The Mirror - Michael Jackson

The Weekly Cute

Sorry for the lateness of the cute posting...somebody had to be at work at 7am this morning (not sure if I'm recovering yet or just sinking deeper into the sofa). One pic this week, but I think one is all we need.

Don't you want to hug that?? Oh my, if bears could talk, what delightful thing would this bear say? This is a perfect image to "submit your own caption." What do you think? Mine is: "Whhaaat.....? Did someone say....caaake?"

Bless you for this photo, Nathan. :)

One Year Ago...

Just a few weeks after bidding adieu to Chicago, my home of four years, we packed as many of my things as would fit into the back of my grandpa's white caravan (the best vehicle he said he'd ever had) and drove 1800 miles to Nathan's home in the Northwest. We left the flooded cities of Iowa behind, driving through S. Dakota and the tip of Wyoming, where we stopped when it was dark and we were tired. Bright and somewhat early, we were back on the road crossing Montana, Northern Idaho, and well into the evening the Eastern portion of Washington. It was late, we were exhausted, and with toothbrushes stumbled into N's apartment. One roommate was already sleeping soundly in N's room, and it took two more days to get him to pack up and move to the other side of the wall so we, N and I, could make a little home in his room. Within a few short weeks we moved into our own apartment, where we find ourselves now, cozy and homey.

What a year it's been! Some days feel so old, but I still have new eyes for this place. N and I recalled this time lapse over the weekend as Seattle celebrated the solstice in its own unique fashion. We smiled...we made it. We're here together! :)

photos from june & july 2008

Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day to my Papa!
(and to all the papas!)

Wish I could be there with you today, Pop--especially because I can finally cook!
(no more Father's Day raisin nut bran breakfasts!)

Have a wonderful day, thinking of you.
Miss you and love you!
xo

"We Are On Our Own"

Monday afternoon, I stopped into the library to return some books after dropping N off at school for a meeting. I had some time to wander in the meantime and ended up bringing home an Edith Piaf CD and this lovely book by Miriam Katin. We Are On Our Own is a short illustrated memoir about Katin's escape of Nazi Budapest with her mother in 1945. It is written to follow a very young Katin and her mother's perspectives omnisciently. An outlying story reveals the struggle she's had with her faith since these events. It must be a surreal experience to recall these difficult memories and have to concentrate on them so deeply as to repeat them in drawings. The illustrations are really lovely and expressive.

A Cute Addition

Shortly after posting this week's cute, I decided to take a first step towards something I've wanted to do for quite a while, which is to volunteer with animals again. I put it off through college because of scheduling worries, and I have put it off until now for want of paid work first. Now that I have some kind of employment there don't seem to be any more excuses. Though I might call myself a dog person, I decided to help at a rescue shelter for cats as it is only 2 blocks away. So I headed down the hill, walked into MEOW Cat Rescue, filled out a short application, got the facilities tour, and spent the next half hour or so introducing myself to cats.

I am hoping that I will be able to commit to one or two times per week once I have a better understanding of my work schedule. I'm excited and a little nervous--when first walking through I became a slight overwhelmed and wondered what I'd gotten myself into... It hit me when we entered the vet room in the back. Turns out today was one of the bimonthly spay/neuters, and many post-op kittens were mewing diminutively from stacked carrying kennels. But the volunteers obviously care so much, and it just goes to show how many animals need help and homes.

And so, here's one little sweetie I'm adding to the cute! Her name is Gracie and she's going to be my pal. One of the volunteers described her as "Rubenesque," and I can't think of a better way to say it! I hope she'll be my friend until someone gives her a home.

The Weekly Cute

Welcome to Wednesday, my dears. Some cute and silly today!
Thanks to kosure for pointing out these "50 Animals" lists on Best Week Ever!

This week samples a few of my favorites from their list of
"50 Animals with Day Jobs." Enjoy!

Jay Wong, IT Guy


Sister Martha Bishop, Catholic School Teacher


Vincent Van Arkle, Nightwatchman


Thelonius Jackson, Museum Curator


Bunny Ableman, Librarian



Judge Silas Hornsby, Judge


Christopher Anderson, Professor of Law


Nat Harmon, Banana Republic Salesperson

Some Inspired Ideas

Here we are, Tuesday afternoon--what's new: I started training/working last Friday, and so far it is going well. It will take me a while to get the hang of the routine! I feel so pleased to be going to work, learning new things, and making myself productive. Plus, the feeling of accomplishing something of responsibility has me feeling good about taking on some of those personal side projects I ignored for a long time. For instance, I rearranged the furniture today (it's almost been a year, holy smokes!) We'll live in it a couple days and let you know if it's an improvement.

I've also had fun putting together these inspiration boards! I've been saving many of these images and ideas for a while, and now with our engagement, it's fun to imagine how they might come together for a wedding someday. These two boards are focused on the same idea: a late summer, outdoor Iowa wedding. That transitional time of summer to autumn, September/October, has always been my favorite time of year in Iowa. As a kid it was the start of school, Friday night football games, and upcoming Halloween. It is still warming in the sun, but the summer heat has given way to fall's crisp, cool air and those beautiful colors.

Board no.1 started with my favorite fall treat--caramel apples! Thinking an orchard would be a lovely outdoor setting, it made sense to go from there. Trees carry much of their own symbolism that could be incorporated (like the family tree), and the rougy, burnt reds in apples would be a gorgeous palette...plus, apples make for a sweeter Iowa theme than corn! ;) This board is styled in a more rustic, romantic way.

Board no.1

row 1: kate towers, life archive, jcrew; row 2: martha stewart, martha stewart, saipua; row 3: dresses by etro via style.com, sign and table via martha?

Board no.2 also follows the seasonal theme, but is more about the fun of late summer. It appeals to my love for things crafty and homemade, as well another great Iowa tradition--the fair! (I might have already promised Nathan we could have funnel cake at the reception.) Here I've tried to strike a balance between casual, comfortable, and elegant. I think of it as the best of country kitsch! :) I especially like how these images show that laid back, everyday things, like the glass mason jars and bandannas, can be quite stunning as a collection! There would be games at this party, oh yes.

Board no.2

I've accidentally lost the sources for most of these! :( tablecloth, flags (and ribboned chairs?) via martha stewart, lemonade jar is crate and barrel, mason jars via apartment therapy?, funnel cakes were googled

xo

Dog Day Afternoon

A not-quite-sunny, lazy Sunday afternoon out with the dogs
(and my favorite guy, of course).

*Did you know the term "dog days" refers to the "The hot, sultry period of summer between early July and early September"? Also: "The term "Dog Days" was used by the Greeks (see, e.g., Aristotle's Physics, 199a2), as well as the ancient Romans (who called these days caniculares dies (days of the dogs)) after Sirius (the "Dog Star", in Latin Canicula), the brightest star in the heavens besides the Sun. The dog days of summer are also called canicular days."

Isn't that cool? I like anything named after stars.

This little pug was very sociable, though he didn't want to go in the water (understandably). What characters, those pugs. I'd like one or two, to have or to visit (what do you think, Melinda? Or maybe a pup that will fetch?) ;)

Employed

Cat's out of the bag...
I got a job at Paper Source!

I had my orientation this morning and think I will really like it. The people there seem very nice. Their stores in Chicago were very friendly too, so I think it is just that kind of place. :) Besides being a little worried about having enough hours, needing a second job, I am quite excited. The store is colorful, bright, and there's so much interesting stuff to look at throughout the day. Tomorrow afternoon I will be observing and greeting and perhaps doing some stamping at the demo table. woohoo!

PS, I can also wear jeans, which makes the last post happily irrelevant, at least for now. :)

all images via Paper Source website