Marsbarn Designs...

Time flies when you keeping giving away brains.

Friday:
Ladies Art, donated brain to class Halloween Party,
dyed Little e's hair Ginny Weasley red. 

Saturday:
Went to huge antique show,
fell in love with a giant chest of drawers that could be the centerpiece of the studio I don't have,
took Mac and Cheese and second brain to a Halloween Pot Luck.

Sunday:
Wishing furiously that I had a studio and $2500
so I could buy massive cabinet,
procrastinating about 
the 500 things I should be doing before attending
Halloween parade.

Some nights I feel like my own echo

One girl is in bed.
The second girl is on her way.
I know I have a ton of stuff to get done,
but after the epic crazy nothingness of
repeating myself ad nauseam,
assembling school friendly Halloween outfits,
and getting a 7 year through her shower, 
I can't remember what the hell I'm supposed to be doing.

Project Runway Season Finale?  
Is that what I'm supposed to be doing?
I swear there was something about dishes...
Or that it's garbage night...
Or friends coming over tomorrow... 
Or a Holiday Market that I need to make things for...?
Didn't I have a To Do list somewhere?

How did the remote get into my hand?
And tomorrow morning, when I realize I haven't done anything I was meant to...
will I remember why?

Never will the library slips bother us again.

 

Oh, yes.  This has become that blog.  The one with cute pet videos.
I particularly like it when that wily library slip tries to get away, but the kitty is too quick.

Really, is that the date? Ack

Today is a get. stuff. done. kind of day.
I have squeeze purses to finish, crowns to sew,
dice bag orders to fill, and a kitchen to clean 

There is only a little over two weeks before the Holiday Market,
and I have to edit the "could do" list to a "can do" list,
which will eventually morph into the "Did and be happy" list.
Ack.

my contribution to the Hogwarts cause

This weekend I did some work on my contribution
to the girls' Halloween costumes.  
We're going to have a Ginny Weasley and a Luna Lovegood.

My sainted mother is making two gorgeous robes,
and I'm making House badges to go on them.

So there's my Griffindor Badge.

And my (in progress) Ravenclaw badge.
Originally I planned on sewing them onto the robes,
but now I'm going to put pinbacks on them so they can
be moved about.

A kitten for the girls

Big E came home with a big box,
and inside that big box was the littlest, fluffy faced kitten.

Oh yes, we did.
There is now a little kitten curled up in the back room.
Sweetheart G gets the honor of the first night with the kitten.

And The Tank?  So far, so good (knock on wood).
He's peered in through the window in the door,
but without rancor, or spitting, or even a bristle.
He just watches, and tilts his head, with a 
"Why would you let that in the house?" sort of squint.
Followed by a mild, "Humans.  What can you do?"

I know we'll have a long transition ahead of us,
but this has been such a wonderful start,
and the girls are just so, so happy.

Oh, Julia. I miss you so.

Last weekend, I had a date with Julia.
The girls went out with Big E and Grand M
to harvest pumpkins at a friend's farm.
And I made Beef Bourguignon with Julia Child.

I met Julia once, when I was about Sweetheart G's age.
It was in a corner store, and she was larger than life.
Tall, vibrant, and that voice. And so kind.
I said, "You're Julia Child.  My mom loves you."
To which she said, "Tell your Mom I love her, too."

Julia's TV shows ranked as must-see material in our house,
along side M.A.S.H. or the Muppet Show.
I found this today.  I tell you, I miss her.

The Boeuf was lovely, just as Julia said it would be.

my new squeeze (purse)

I completed a prototype for a new little purse.

It has a squeeze clasp, which for me is kind of thrilling.
I'm tight with velcro,  and snaps are cool,
sure I do the occasional zipper...
but a squeeze clasp... well that's just something else.
That's like hardware.

Second grade project: ideas in hand, waiting to start the art.

Today I went to Little e's second grade class
and shared my ideas for this year's book project.

We talked, and each child came up with an idea
for their page in the book. We talked about details,
and how their page should reflect who they are.
And, that they should be excited about their idea,
so making their illustration would be fun.

Another parent volunteer came, and took notes
while the students and I talked.
(Having a second pair of hands is absolutely essential!)
I'll copy the ideas onto individual slips for next class, 
so each child has a reminder of their idea.

We meet again after Halloween to start the art,
and I just can't wait to see how they express themselves.
I tell you, waiting for the art to start is the most difficult
part of these projects for me.

Oh that? That would be a bit of stinking truth.

You know those questions, those social situations,
where a non-committal answer, an evasion,
a close cousin to the white lie, will do? 

Today, instead of letting that moment cruise by
with a nod,  I told the truth.
Then, suddenly, I have this thing I've said
sitting there on the table, and now there needs to be
an explanation.

 

Why did I say "NO", instead of "Sure"?!
Now I have to reveal how I really feel,
even if it's jaded or snarky or plain mean...
Everything just went from easy to hard.

And for a moment I feel like I have a scarlet letter
on my chest... and I then I stop and think.. huh...
Why was I going to evade in the first place...
really shouldn't I be honest to begin with..
who was I trying to save...
and what letter should I be wearing..?  T, B, W?
(Okay.. that last one may just be where my mind goes..
but you get the whole introspective thing.)

Then, I made my explanation,
and yes it was a little stinky,
but really... it just affirms what I already knew.
I may try to play well with others,
but when it comes to brass tacks,
there are days when I just want to crush people with my mind power.