How super cool is this? The fabulous Jennifer Perkins of Naughty Secretary Club posted an interview with me on Craft Gossip! Woo Hoo! I'm getting my 5 minutes of crafty fame!
Hope you all have a famously wonderful weekend as well!
We are all treading the vanishing road of a song in the air, the vanishing road of the spring flowers and the winter snows, the vanishing roads of the winds and the streams, the vanishing road of beloved faces.
Richard Le Gallienne
Today I took my son to pick up his clothes, and favorite toys from his grandparent's house in Berkeley, where he lived when he spent every other week with his father. He had a friend in tow, softening the reality of the fact that he was removing these little tangible bits of himself from the life he'd shared with his dad, until now. He was brave and distracted and in a silly mood. He shot hoops in the driveway, until the car was packed up and we were ready to go.
Afterward, I drove into Berkeley, and parked on Bancroft Avenue, adjacent to the UC Berkeley campus. RJ's Dad and I both grew up in Berkeley. We met there, in Jr. High.
"Come on," I said. "We are going to walk around a little."
"Mom! Why?" asked RJ, confused - and bored, already, before we even left the car.
I didn't care. The boys followed me as I walked a pathway through the University - one I hadn't walked in decades, but which I still knew like the back of my hand, the forefront - of so many memories.
And then we were there. The stream. It's not a big stream. Not particularly lovely or special. But it is a tiny hidden bit of nature running through the campus, none the less. My brother Jesse and I knew how to find our way to this tiny watery world - from the time we were 4 and 5 years old, on. We'd walk the mile or two from our house - just the two of us - and then rest our feet with great reward, in the cool stream waters. We'd balance on rocks and catch tiny guppies when we could. Days and hours we spent traversing this tiny meandering liquid path.
Just a teeny tiny stream. I'll never forget it. A soft and special memory. Silly maybe, but it these types of sentimental etchings in our hearts and brains that stay with us always.
I wasn't born in Berkeley - I was born in San Diego. I didn't go to UC Berkeley, my education took a circuitous route. But I am forever connected to this city and the campus within, by childhood memories, one of which is that, of the very same stream I took my own child to visit - today.
After a few sighs, and "what are we doing here!?"s - RJ and his friend figured it out. There were big blue dragonflies in the air, and they began to chase them, balancing on rocky little paths through the water. Laughing.
It won't be as profound or lasting, this little stream excursion - as the memories of that stream for me - but I did what I could to give my son the same kind of wonderful and lasting memories of the city that he "half" grew up in (up until now) - that I had, when I was his age.
Indeed - we are all treading a vanishing road, but our memories can guide us and sustain us as we venture forward on every new day's new pathway.
xo - Chel
I have the icky yicky flu. The kind that makes every inch ache, and even sleeping difficult.
High temp, sheer exhaustion, what more could a girl ask for.
Some relief soon, I should hope! Until then - here's to hoping that you all have a great and healthy weekend!
xo - Chel
IN CONCERT in OUR LIVING ROOM!
Friday May 23, 2008
6:00 p.m.
We'll be feasting on a fiesta buffet, and dancing around as Jon Troast plays a live concert. He's coming to us all the way from Wisconsin! If you haven't heard Jon Troast's fabulous folksy rock, check out his website, and give him a listen, today!
Too fun, and wonderful. Or here! Check out this video:
(Now, before you ask - the answer is - no - I will not be tap dancing through his performance. Ok, ok, at least, not as well as she does.)
I should note that I have the incredible Izabella to thank for mentioning on her blog, months ago, that Jon Troast was scheduling mini concerts all over the country, and because of that, I oh-so-optimistically threw my hat in ring.
This year, it just seems everything is coming up roses. Or, Troast-es. : D
Thanks Bella! When I say YOU ROCK, I'm totally serious. Tee hee!
Have a great day everyone.
xo - Chel
Today is not only Easter, but it is my wedding aniversary. I am constantly amazed at the blessings I have received by being united with my wonderful husband in this marriage. He is an extroardinary man. He has a wonderful sense of humor, he can fix a car, build a deck, and unclog the toilet all in the same day. He's a motorcycle riding, hard working, wonderful dad, step-dad, and partner.
Both of us share the experience of utter heartbreak during the dissolution of our first marriages, and the miracle of n
ew love and new beginnings, when we met.
Our courtship came after our friendship, and our friendship is still first and foremost in our relationship. I fell in love with him partly because of the fact that his dedication as a parent was beautiful to behold, and I thank God every day that the same dedication translates to his loyalty and caring towards myself and my son.
I love you Richard John Hery!
Big deep breath, and nice happy sigh.
So, it is Easter. It's early. Abigail is at her mom's house this weekend, but my son is here with us - though he is still sleeping right now.
<That's RJ and I, five years ago.
Putting together an Easter Basket for him was near impossible. He'll be 11 years old in a little over a month. He vascilates between wanting to be treated like an adult (!) and nearly lighting the house on fire ("I just wanted to see what would happen when I put the army men in the microwave!"). He no longer really likes "toys." Not the kinds I want to buy for him. Sure, he has his stuffed animals, but he is just as likely to toss the large ones on the ground in an attempt to demonstrate a decapitating wrestling move on one of them, as he is to cuddle them. I want to buy him picture books, but he has outgrown them. He asks for things like WII and PS3s and other befuddling acronym laden - astronomical costing - I never had one of those when I was a kid! - "things."
More recently, he asked for a cell phone. HE'S TEN YEARS OLD! However, Abigail's mother bought her one for Christmas. "Abigail has one!" "All my friends have one!" - I found this hard to believe, and imagine my horror when I pulled up to school to pick him up one day, and I noticed that the entire fifth grade class seemed to be pulling tiny little flip phones from their backpacks, and making a call. To Who? All their friends were right there! Their mothers were 20 feet away, waiting dutifully in their SUVs to pick them up! Who in the world were they calling? Just checking on their stock portfolios?
Oh, this world.
So, RJ decided he would earn his phone. His father, stepfather, and I all refused to pay for a monthly service. I had to walk to school barefoot in the snow, when I was his age. (And I grew up in California, where it never even snows!) Not to be put off, he selected sleek red pre-paid T-Mobile "unit." I told him if he wanted to earn it for himself and pay for his pre-paid minutes, well - of course, that was up to him...
I thought it would take him ten years. That child's birthday and Christmas money burns a hole in his pocket quicker than a flaming comet.
For a week, he begged everyone he knew, both of his families (ours and his Dad's) the neighbors, and passing strangers, for jobs. He swept floors, cleaned out the fridge (including a tupperware container of potato salad from 1992, in the way way back of our fridge), folded laundry, massaged feet, washed cars, and worked his little ten year old fingers to the bone.
One week later, which was last week, he had his money in hand, and earned his phone. The phone came with ten minutes of pre-paid calls. He used them up the first afternoon. The next few days he stared at his minuteless phone with a combination of pride, and misery.
I had dustballs the size of tricerotops in my closet, and there were funny growths of I don't know what behind the toilet in the front bathroom. I went to my little worker bee son, and offered him some jobs, so that he could earn some more minutes.
"Mom, I'm all jobbed out." He said, dejected. For the past two days, he has still kept the phone with him at all times. Even when he is sleeping, he places it on his bedside table, so that he can see it last thing at night, and first thing in the morning.
Tonight, I tucked a box of chocolates into his Easter basket, an Oaklan
d Raiders toothbrush, and a gift certificate, for $25 worth of more minutes, on his phone.
(Here we are, this past Christmas)>
I know he'll make more silly calls. "Hi Joe? It's me RJ. I'm calling you from my cell phone. Well, that's it. Goodbye!" And I also know that a right of passage has occurred. Right before my eyes. He's got years to go, and of course a lifetime of being my little boy, no matter what. As he grows, and goes - I hope he will always know that he is in here, in my heart, forever. No matter where he is, if he is lonely or remiss, that always, he can think of me, and return to my heart. And hey, maybe he'll give me a call every now and then.
To those of you who celebrate the holiday ~ Happy Easter. For all of you, may you take time to celebrate what comes and goes, and the miracles that abound in growth and change.
"And he departed from our sight that we might return to our heart, and there find Him. For He departed, and behold, He is here."
St. Augustine, Confessions
My Bella-Enchanted Easter Basket Swap partner was the lovely Jeanie from www.SouthernNest.blogspot.com.
I received my goodies today, and they are too cute for words! And glittery too. WOO HOO!
I love it all, but my favorite item by far is the adorable yellow polka dot mug. Just TOO CUTE!
I sent her stuff last week, and she received it, so I can show it to you all, now.
Jeanie said that she liked the color green, the scent of cinnamon and fresh linen, tea, stationary, bunnys, and hydrangea's were her favorite flowers.
So, here you can see that I put together a little package with one of my art cards, some notecards and a notepad, a cinnamon scented candle with a little votive holder, some floral printed tissues, a linen scented packet, a little prim floral painting on a wood chip, and a basket with some chocolates in it - and two faux hydrangea stems.
Oh, and I added a little bunny figurine too.
I also added two little carrots filled with chocolates and teddy bears for her two kids:
Here is the whole package, when it was all wrapped up - just before I boxed it up and sent it out:
I hope you all are having a wonderful week so far!
xo - Chel
I thought this would be a great Valnetines Day Post ~ but yesterday's post was dedicated to announcing the One WOrld One Heart winner instead (!) - so I figured I would post this manifesto I found on lululemom today. Also, scroll down for my Illustration Friday Entry.
Wonderful things to remember, and fabulous ways to start your day (over and over, every single day)!
You can also read the text version here.
Happy belated Valentines Day everyone!
Oh, and ~ it's Friday - so I created a very quick silly doodle for Illustration Friday. The theme this week is: THEORY -
xo - Chel
This is a picture of Suhartini, an Indonesian woman who received a loan from Kiva. Suhartini is 27 years old and married. She sells clothes and fabrics on credit. She goes from door to door to seek customers and collects payment at the end of each month.
ZNE contributed to a small loan made to Suhartini to help support her business. The total amount of her loan was $75, and just as required, Suhartini has made several payments in repayment. Each repaymnet has been on time, in the right denominations.
I get emails when she makes a repayment. When I receive them, I feel proud. I feel hopeful for her, and even - for the world. However, I also feel humbled and embarrassed.
I think it is time that I take a hint from Suhartini, and take care of my own business.
It's winter, year end / year beginning - so that means that our tree out back is producing lemons, and it also means that I am doing my year end finances. I hate finances. I hate hate hate them. Some months, things are fruitfull at ZNE. Some months, we have a loss. Fairly normal business stuff, still - it gives me a migraine and makes my stomach turn. And then, there is the really sour part. The unfinished business.
I have these horribly past due advertising invoices. Every month I think, let me just pull from the profit and pay this off in its entirety and that will be that - and every month when I can't quite do that, they get put off again. And again. Honestly - its gotten to be quite ridiculous.
Of course, on a rational level, I know what to do. I need to write some letters, extend mea culpas, and pay up! Even if just in small payments, and even if it takes me a few months. Just because that was not the way I wanted to handle these (lottery winnings falling from the sky so that I could handle 'em all at once woulda been nice) - its time to handle them - however I can. I get it.
There is some sweetness here for me as well. I need to focus on being humbled. Suhartini doesn't have the life luxury that so many Americans take for granted - myself, certainly included. She doesn't have the same resources to draw from . and yet, she knows how to take care of business.
I don't have any excuses, and the time is now.
So, I am sending checks and sending letters. Its a bit stressful, but pales in comparison to that unfulfilled obligation hanging over my head. In the end, taking care of business - no matter how far behind or overwhelmed you may feel - feels good.
Do you have an overdue obligation? I challenge you to take a step to make it right, today. The fear around dealing with it may feel awfully scary - but taking the steps to make it right, will change that.
This weekend, my son was grumpy and bored. So I sent him out into the backyard, and told him to pick those lemons on our tree.
In truth, Suhartini's accomplishments are greater than mine. Her ability to take care of business speaks far more about the capacity for individuals to make what they can of their circumstances.
My having such long overdue advertising invoices is almost the opposite, a sign of my not fully appreciating my circumstances. I am so glad, I have had this reminder to turn that around.
Yes, sometimes life is a bit sour - but those experiences are the ones that put the meat and meaning in your words - such as this weekend, when I told my son -
If life hands you lemons, make lemonade.
:D
xo - Chel
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