Sunset

"Happiness is a Swedish sunset; it is there for all, but most of us look the other way and lose it." - Mark Twain

The sun going down on the river last night. Sigh.

Mental Break

I'm going away for a little bit... physically. Just for a few days. And since I've been slacking so badly here recently, I thought I might need to alert the presses of my continued absence. I'm headed south to a small piece of paradise with a tin roof and dirt road. My (and other's) favorite place to relax and renew while doing nothing.

I expect good food, conversations, lots of sun, good wine, little work and few phone calls. Maybe I'll get rid of the stress tension running through my neck and shoulders right now.

So, if you're looking for me. This is where I'll be... (well, until Tuesday).

I don't DO quiet

If you know me, you know I'm loud...

I talk loud, laugh loud, listen to music loudly, and the list goes on and on. My mom always tells me I walk loudly... it's just who I am. I've accepted it and we all can move on now.

I was the kid that got in trouble for talking too loud, then for whispering when I wasn't supposed to, them humming when I finally would remember to stay quiet and then for exclaiming loudly when I should have kept the answer/comment/etc to myself. It's just who I am.

There are people that are quiet... they balance me out. So in this big, ole world, all is as it should be.

So I had a "minor" meltdown earlier this week when my computer itunes program started skipping everytime I touched my mouse or keyboard or anywhere else on my computer for that matter. Do you know how often during a normal workday you touch your computer? THINK about it. It's ALOT!!! All caps, three exclaimation points ALOT!!! And people, I don't do quiet. I can't stand silence... not even in nature - bring on the crickets, birds, wind blowing through the trees, etc. Quiet makes me nervous so just shutting down itunes and going on about my day was NOT an option. Not with all the work I had to do...

But taking the time to fix it wasn't something I wanted to tackle either - my whole technological world is breaking on me... computer, phone, printer, etc... they're all dying a slow and painfully annoying death. Nothing works as it should and I'm tired of coaxing them, promising sexual favors and such to get them to work. It's a daily battle and I was not prepared for battle with itunes on Monday morning. I was barely prepared to sit and stare at my screen while my brain decided if it was coming to work.

I need to consistent, soft stream of music coming from my computer to keep me focused... I know it sounds contradictary but I'm not actually listening to the music. But it keeps me from hearing the conversations around me and the random noises which occur here on a daily basis. It's another one of those weird things that make me, Me.

So I walked around our business for a while to simultaneously warm up (let's not discuss the temperature of my office) and cool down and I was muttering to myself*, "I don't DO quiet" over and over again. Several of my coworkers found this hysterical... and I answered several questions through out the day with the phrase. So I decided it should be my new motto.

I don't DO quiet.

Just in case you were wondering:)

On a side not, my Netflix was "The Duchess" and I loved it. Had no expectations of the movie, knew little to nothing about the story and I loved it. I'm interested enough to look up the Duchess of Devonshire and learn more of her story. Kiera Knightly did an excellent job.

And the costumes were amazing!!! A well deserved Oscar if I must say so myself.






*Another part of my quiet avoidance, if there isn't anyone to speak with or to hear me, I just talk to myself.

Progress

"Optimism is essential to achievement and it is also the foundation of courage and true progress." - Nicholas Murray Butler

I know you don't see it... probably can't even tell the difference but I can smell the paint drying and I know there is a difference. My forearms and shoulders ache from painting, I have paint in places that one shouldn't have paint, and I'm having weird dreams from the fumes. But I have (finally) painted my kitchen cabinets.

I can see the light at the end of the tunnel and I can see the cute room that will be. The room that lives in my head, in my imagination - heavily influenced by House Beautiful magazine and HGTV.

I hear the negativity out there... the "how's the house going?" and "how long ago did you move in?" or "you're still painting..."

I know there are some doubters out there... some haters, if you will, who never thought I'd get it done. Who know how short my attention span is, how easily I move from one project to another, who have identified my lack of follow through as my biggest problem. Followed closely by procrastination.

But after a brief pause (cue summertime, 2 weddings, other people's illnesses and vacations, plus trying to have a life of my own) I am BACK! And better than ever!!! I spent my weekend working on the kitchen cabinets...

sanding...

tearing down unneeded shelves (thanks Chad!)...

repairing damages and holes...

learning how to use wood filler...

shopping for hinges...

replacing light fixtures....

and of course, PAINTING.

I finished the priming and started the actual painting which made me feel oh so accomplished. I'm about half way through with the painting... I think I'll be able to finish them tonight or at the latest tomorrow (Putting that insomnia to good use). Which means, I'll be able to hang the cabinet doors this weekend!!! Whoot! Whoot!

Up Next: Floors, Countertops, and Back-splash.

Girlfriend is going to learn how to tile.

So Me...

“I get up every morning determined to both change the world and have one hell of a good time. Sometimes this makes planning my day difficult.” — E.B. White

I know I said I wouldn't cop out on entries with just quotes anymore but I saw this, I love it and I needed to put it somewhere I wouldn't lose it. So the blog wins. It's perfect.

Small Town Snapshot Sunday

All the world's a stage,

And all the men and women merely players:

They have their exits and their entrances;

And one man in his time plays many parts,

- Shakespeare

I've spent July helping at our local playhouse and the children's workshops that have gone on there for at least 25 years. I spent many a night as a child, pretending to belong to the worlds of "Peter Pan", "Scrooge", and "Br'er Rabbit". It was great to help formulate those memories for the next generation of actors and stage lovers.

This is a shot from backstage during our dress rehersal... to avoid any upset parents, I don't want to post identifiable pictures but these little guys (k-5 through 2nd) worked hard that week and put on a great show. I had a blast... they couldn't sit still and I couldn't stop giggling. My small town has a little bit of culture mixed in with all the country and beautiful land.