Eat your veggies:-) May 26, 2009

The girls and I went to the Farmers’ Market this morning….it was a dreary a.m. with rain and clouds and when we arrived, there were only 4 or 5 vendors set up.  The ones that were there, however, had some goodies.  We bought a flat of strawberries to make jam, some lettuces and radishes and onions (with which I plan to make soup and salad for lunch) and some asparagus and a mini loaf of pumpkin bread.  Yummy.

I plan to go to the Farmers’ Market every Tuesday and Saturday that I can…..I much prefer it to the produce at the grocery store.  I wish that we had had the foresight (and the money) to do a CSA share this summer.  One of the vendors at the market had baskets of goodies for his CSA people—there were lettuces and greens and eggs and onions—-a whole bunch of good stuff.  That would be so cool.

I’m off to find a recipe for onion soup.

Dating and Contemplating May 9, 2009

Tonight David and I are going to accompany my friend and colleague, MB and her husband S to the Fox theatre in Atlanta to see SPINAL TAP–UNWIGGED AND UNPLUGGED.  It is a welcome occasion for David and I to be in the company of adults that are comparable in age and temprament—and have fun.  We call all our our “childless” outings “dates” even if it is just a run to the grocery or Lowe’s.  Tonight, however, I think qualifies as a bona-fide DATE and we are both excited and happy to be going out.

I suppose the entire SPINAL TAP thing dates me as I remember the movie when it came out, although I don’t think I actually saw it until I was older.  I’ve become a huge fan of Christopher Guest and his compatriots—-always droll and funny and a bit obtuse, just like “real life”.

I am a week away from being done with my contractual obligations at work, as our contracts go from Aug 15-May 15 each year.  There will be the odd couple of times that I will need to go in for a meeting or to pick up a book I’ve requested, but I have tried to be steadfast in my committment to “taking the summer off”.  My boundaries about this have been tested recently with an administrative refusal to pay a stipend that I thought was due me for extra work that I have done for the university.  I am naieve, I admit, because as I have said before, I always expect people to do the right thing and when they don’t, I am ALWAYS surprised.  I can’t say I was surprised about this, but that is another matter having to do with intuition and history.  At any rate, I won’t do any more work in this vein without some sort of contract or written agreement.  Lesson learned.

So what will I do with my mountains of free-time this summer??????  I have a stack of books to read, I have several things cut out for the girls and I that I need to construct/sew, I’ll go to the beach, I’ll go to the pool, I’ll take yoga classes twice a week, I’ll have a massage.  Mainly, I will have dates with myself, my husband and my daughters—–oh, and the beach and the H’s and the J-N’s visit from NZ and hopefully lots of lounging and relaxing with friends and family.  Relaxing–a very nice concept.

What is and what is not… March 20, 2009

There are lots of things happening–or not happening today.  I think that we can all agree on that, huh?

The first thing that is happening is that I am reflecting about what it was like, 17 years ago (and also on a Friday, I might add) to be preparing to marry my loving husband, David.  One thing that was happening then was that I was frantically finishing Henry’s “Obi Wan Kenobi” shirt to wear during the ceremony.  Why, oh why, did I think it was a good idea to make David a kilt and Henry a shirt for the wedding????  You live, you learn.  Also, I remember that the flowers were wrong when they arrived and my sister-in-law to be, Angie, drove them all the way to Gallatin to get them fixed.  NO PINK, I told the florist, and yet, when the flowers arrived, there was pink fill in every blessed thing.  I think that some of the buttoneires were all pink.  I also remember some good things, too, like the rehearsal dinner at the Holiday Inn.  All those friends who helped make our day so special–Tracey, Henry, Norman, Richard, David B., it was truly a group effort.  I also remember that I was scared.  I knew that I loved that man.  I just didn’t know if I was the settling down type.  17 years later, I’m still not convinced….of course, we haven’t really ever settled down for too long:-)

It’s weird to think of the GA connection as well.  We moved to GA about 4 and a half months after we got married.  Since then, we’ve been everywhere man, and here we are in GA again.  Being in Athens as a young married couple was heavenly.  It’s pretty heavenly here in G’ville, too.  Just older and maybe more creaky.  Now, as then, however, we miss our friends in other places.

One of the things that is not happening today is that I am not going to be stressed out.  I have declared Fridays official “stress-free” days.  I taught my 3-D design class this morning, I met with a local couturrier (spelled wrong) to discuss his making some of the designs that were a result of our China collaboration so that they can be modeled in our university fashion show next month.  He was delightful to talk to.  He does mostly prom, wedding and pageant gowns.  He has a beautiful shop on the town square here.  Really nice and talented man.  I’ve been working from home this afternoon and being leisurely.  I’ve decided that I really must have this—stress-free ness on a regular basis.  So Fridays it is.

Maybe I will post one of our wedding pictures on my Facebook page tomorrow in honor of the occasion.   What is the 17th anniversary?  Lint?  Car Wash?  Facial?  Hmmmm, I don’t know, but I’m not stressing about it.

Have a great weekend!

Counting down to the beach…and the Kiwis’ visit:-) March 4, 2009

OK, I made it to spring break.  SIGH.  It snowed–thank you–it was beautiful and magical.  I caught David’s cold–BLECH!  My nose is running AND sweating.  Lovely.

Oh, well.  Much other stuff to think of:

Right now, I’m counting down to The Beach. The H’s and the Smith-Gann-Smiths are going to visit Myrtle Beach this summer.  I am so happy that we finally pinned down the particulars and have made our reservations.  We did this a few years ago–went during spring break to Gulf Shores–and we had a blast.  Now that all the girls are older –I mean, M wasn’t even BORN last time   — I really think it will be great.  I’m scoping out a new bathing suit and a big fluffy towel for David.

Later in the summer D and M from New Zealand are going to visit.  I’m pretty excited about that too.  It’s been ages since we’ve seen each other.  M is thinking of coming to stay with us in a year or so and do her senior year of high school in the States.  She’s both an American and a New Zealander–having her Kiwi parents and being born in Athens, GA!

Speaking of, I’m at the teaching fellowship in Athens today through Friday.  I kind of hate to spend my spring break doing work-related stuff, but I also did not want to miss any of the symposia.  I think I really need something to boost my teaching powers since only one student passed the midterm I gave in Menswear. 

Off to read now…we are discussing the book SCHOLARSHIP RECONSIDERED at dinner tonight, and I’ve not finished it yet…a bad teacher and a bad student, I guess.

Harumph. February 25, 2009

People whine too much.

When spring break won’t come fast enough… February 16, 2009

I don’t want to live my life wishing for the future, but I swear, if spring break doesn’t get here soon, I’m gonna take somebody’s head off!!!!!!

I digress, already.

We had a wonderful Valentine’s day and After-Valentine’s day.  Some of our friends from grad school, their spouses and children came for brunch on Sunday.  It was great to chat and relax.  I hope to see them more often now that we are mostly settled here in GA.

Back to the rant—I need a break.  I need for my students to get a clue about the fact that if you want to accomplish something, you must DO IT.  Not think about it.  Not wish it to be done.  Actually, DO IT.  I need to sleep for about a week.  I need to quit craving carbs.  I need to do some of the things that I long to do, like finishing some pieces of art I’ve started and put aside, write letters, look at the stars.  Breathe.  2 more weeks until my spring break.  whew.

no more capitals today!

hope your day is pleasant and rant-free.

Mind your head February 2, 2009

David and I think it is so amusing that you see the “MIND YOUR HEAD” signs all over the UK, mostly due to low-hanging beams or small doorways or whatever. But the first time I ever saw one–and then every time afterwards–I thought of it as a perhaps more metaphysical reminder. (We are so amused by this, that Santa Claus brought us a “Mind Your Head” sign for our house this Christmas!)

At any rate, I am trying to mind my head by cultivating mindfullness in my life. It is a difficult path for me, the ESCAPER, able to obliterate giant problems or dilute dilemmas with a single book, big plate of chips and fake sour cream or a well-aimed nap. To be conscious of doing, being, laughing, crying, wanting, needing, hurting, longing, stretching, all this in the moment. Not distracted by past or future. Not wondering, while I am answering emails, what we will have for dinner tonight. Not half-listening to David or the girls because I am thinking of whether or not we need laundry detergent. Washing the dishes to wash the dishes, not just to in the future have clean dishes. It sounds easy. It is not–for me at least.

I have flashes of this mindfullness when teaching. When doing yoga. When gazing into the eyes of my husband or my children. When I connect with someone or something outside myself or with my innermost self. These experiences are precious to me and I find that I desire to have more of them.

I want to mind my head rather than my head minding me.

On a separate note, please continue to send your good thoughts to my mom who is on the mend in the hospital. We had a few days of touch and go, but she is on the road to recovery. Thanks for all your thoughts and prayers for the past few days. I am grateful for your concern.

Hail to the Chief! January 20, 2009

The change has come—and I for one am GRATEFUL!  It is a great new day for our country.

Let’s hear it for Barack, ya’ll!

Update…. January 18, 2009

I am home from Las Vegas now and after sleeping about 12 hours, I am up and at it again.

My students did very well at the AOBA conference!  Marie-Claire was named 6th place winner for the Fashion Design competition.  Kristie was named 3rd place winner in the Fashion Design competition.  Both received ribbons and Kristie received a check for $500.  We also got a very nice plaque to hang in the Fashion Lab.

On Saturday before we left, the Consumer’s Choice award was announced.  All AOBA members who attend the conference can vote on this award.  Kristie won this as well!

All in all, I think it was a good and encouraging experience for the students.  It is good for them to see other work from other student designers and other schools.  It is great for them to see that they are competitive in these circles.  We’ll be back next year, I’m sure.

Now, back to reality and the work for classes next week.

A little less conversation, a little more action, please…. January 16, 2009

OK, so I am having an “Ocean’s 11″ moment–sue me…..I am in Las Vegas, America’s Playground.  Bummer, I have yet to spot one Elvis impersonator.

On the up side, my students are not only finalists in the Fashion Design competition for AOBA, they have placed somewhere in the top 6….I found out this morning that only those students who are receiving awards were invited to the convention.  We just don’t know what they’ve won yet.  That will be announced at tonight’s reception for the student winners.  All of the design boards were displayed today and I am proud and pleased to say that the work that M.C. and K did for this project/competition is top-rate.  I think that they both will place well.

After attending some conference sessions this morning, the girls and I went out sightseeing.  It was my objective while here to have my “Ocean’s 11″ moment by visiting the Bellagio, seeing the dancing waters and (ocean’s 11 aside) seeing the Dale Chihuly chandelier and other works inside the hotel and casino.  This I accomplished.  The Chihuly stuff is breathtaking to see in person.  I love his work.  The Bellagio has a Chihuly store where you can purchase paintings, glass and other works by him—I decided against the $12,000 gold flecked, limited edition pieces and got a book instead.   If Vegas is in my future, I want to come back and stay at the Bellagio.  It is classy—not a “gaudy monstrosity” like some of the other places on the strip (ALERT–I plan to keep using all the “Ocean’s 11″ references and quotes, so if it is getting old for you, stop reading here:-))

I did a little slots gambling at the Bellagio and won $20.00.  I quit while I was still $10 ahead, so I feel pretty good about my little foray into the dark underworld of the wager.  I just like walking through the casinos and watching the people.  I have noticed a couple of things about the hotels and casinos—First, there is no place to sit down in most of them unless it is in front of a slot or poker machine, a bar or a restaurant.  If you are loitering, they want you gambling.  Second, there is a distinct line dividing the “old Vegas” and the “new Vegas”.  We are staying at the Riviera, a definite part of the old—the buffet is still high on the list, the folks are older and the casino is smokier.  The decor looks like it has probably not been updated since the 1980’s.  At the Bellagio, the Wynn or say the Paris, the crowd is younger and the restaurants and bars are more edgy.  The decor is more up to date, or true to the theme.

Here’s a little example of what I mean:  I had lunch at the Paris….really good veggie sandwich and pomme frittes.  Very French cafe-like.  Then I walked through the casino to get a pain du chocolat from their patisserie…yum.  All the decor is very Parisian.  Nicely done, not kitchy.  Then I return to the Riviera.  I wanted to stop by the “Chocolate Heaven” shop they have to get a little treat for my kids.  Featured prominently amongst the die lollipops and poker chip chocolates are an array of choices in candy attire.   Candy posing pouch, candy thong, candy garter belt and candy pasties.   Old Vegas, baby.

“You think we need one more?  We need one more.  OK, we’ll get one more”

Tonight, we are all thinking of going down to Freemont Street which is really OLD VEGAS, we understand.  There is supposedly a light show and music.  Interesting.  Side note–no one here could confirm or tell me anything about the NEON GRAVEYARD, a place I’ve heard about where all the old Vegas signs that have come down in the past few years have gone to rest.  I’d love to see that.

I’ll update tonight after the awards are announced.  Did I mention that if one of my students wins 1st place that I will get $500?  Wish us luck!