Peter's Christening

Leigh Ellen sent me these pictures of Peter's christening. What a sweet child.

Ok…I admit it…I ordered one.

For all the many years that I have been working on this degree, I told myself that when I hit Senior status I would order a college ring. I was always a jewelry person. Over the years I have become a little less fascinated with baubles and have come to wear classic jewelry that I already have or some interesting inherited pieces.

This fall my transcript and time ticket for registering for class finally said – Senior Status. I have projected that I will graduate in Spring 2011 (quite a ways from the Spring 2002 start). A month or so ago I stopped by the bookstore and Balfour was set up with their display of rings. I looked several times during the week, tried a few on, found out about prices – but nothing jumped out at me. Everything was light weight and just had no charisma for me. I don’t know what I was expecting . . . a divine revelation? I finally decided that I would rather have airfare for a trip and quietly put the brochure and price list away.

Through the windows of the book store this week I saw a ring display set up again. Even as I bought a Blue Book for my Tuesday night exam, I didn’t pay much attention since I thought I had seen them all. But yesterday I ducked into the Barnes and Nobel to wait for the rain to slow down before I dashed back to my office. I found myself in front of the rings again. After speaking with the woman behind the table I realized that this was Herff Jones not Balfour. As I glanced at the rings I saw some ‘fashion’ rings – not as many as Balfour had, the normal collegiate rings with stones, and a nice selection of signet rings. My eyes rested on one – the Viscount. It was perfect. The right size for my hand, not as small and light weight as the others I had previously tried on. I had one question – can I see it in white gold? As soon as I slipped the white gold version on my hand that was it! I ordered it on the spot.

I feel a little foolish – a little guilty – for spending the money. So much will have to be bought in the next few months with rebuilding of the townhouse and the replacement of lost things. My husband tells me that I deserve it – and will wear it proudly. It will be here in January.

Peter Mitchell Baca

My friends Leigh Ellen and Mike Baca have a beautiful baby boy. He was born July 17, 2009 and is being christened today. He is truly a miracle. I had promised Leigh Ellen a christening gown as she was waiting for a pregnancy that would make it to term. Needless to say, everyone was thrilled when Peter was born healthy and adorable at 6 pounds 12 ounces 19-3/4 inches long.

As usual the christening gown was delivered Friday evening right before they left for Pennsylvania. With all of the christening gowns I have made…this is the first time I have documented the making of the gown.


The gown is made of white swiss nelona with French Val lace and Swiss Embroidery insets. I also made a slip out of Martha Pullen's Favorite Swiss Batiste edged in small French Val lace. Since all of my christening gown patterns/designs are packed up somewhere because of the fire, I used a pattern that Leigh Ellen had in Handmade Baby Gifts by Teresa Layman.

The front of the gown took the longest to put together--of course. I have never had the patience for pin tucks...but I think it turned out well. I really like the pin tucked panel that runs from neckline to hem through the front bodice of the dress.




The sleeves will have satin ribbon that runs through the beading between the lace edge and fabric of the sleeve.

I didn't take a picture of the back of the finished gown. It is very plain with only the lace band at the bottom. But in a southern tradition I used 'beauty pins' instead of buttons on the back of the gown. This makes the gown more sizeable as it is used for different children.



Here is a closer look of the band constructed of French Val lace and Swiss Embroidery that makes the hem of the gown.

The finished gown! The sleeves are missing their ribbons that will draw them up into a softly pouffed sleeve. I gave Leigh Ellen white, blue and pink ribbons ... that way she had a choice for this christening and hopefully future ones!

Awake

How long have I been asleep? Six months for sure…maybe as long as a year …or more? I have been jolted awake and am staring at myself in amazement. How could I have let this happen? I have been walking through life numb and disheartened.

They say you never know how sick you are until you feel better. Well I didn’t know how depressed I was until – the happiness of Teresa's coming visit jerked me awake. Now I find myself vacillating between trying to figure out how to catch up and chastising myself for being so insane. But, I have this sense of energy and clarity that has been seriously missing for a long time.

Here are two of the things that I must immediately correct:

Academics: I have totally screwed up this semester. I currently have a C in Greek Art and Architecture – my professor is not exactly thrilled with me. She knows I can do better. I am barely making a B in Design of Cities: Roman Urbanism. This is crazy!! I have not read and scarcely studied for these classes. I have 2 exams and 2 papers due in the next 3 weeks that could make or break me.

Christening Gown: I have a christening gown to make for a friend…all the fabric and lace are in disarray waiting to be put together. The date for the ceremony is November 8th in Pennsylvania. That gives me a week! Procrastination has always been my middle name – and I usually justify this by saying I work better under pressure. This time is different though. My insecurities with my own faith (or lack of) have made a creative outlet that I used to find joy in become a task. I need to focus on the joy of my friend and her beautiful baby boy whose birth is truly a miracle!

There are so many other things that are clear now that I need to address and not let overwhelm me. Age, health, work, attitude, loss of my parents, missing Jenny, Teresa and Charleston, house fire, future – things I don’t need to worry about, but acknowledge and move on. I will figure out how deal with each of them in a positive way. I need to live in today – Awake!

Music Conversation

I have had an amusing conversation regarding music lately…same thread…different people:

Me: I really like Paramore’s new CD. I was really surprised to find out that they were from Franklin, Tennessee.

Jenny: Mom – not all musicians from Tennessee sing Country!

Later when passing this conversation along to Teresa her response is: That is why we have Devin in Nashville!

That thought made me smile (c:

I have been adding music to my iPod lately. I made the comment to my sister that if I died I hoped that they wouldn’t judge me by my playlist. It is so eclectic for someone my age. But I tired of the “Golden Oldies” after their 3rd rehash. Not that I don’t have a lot of classic rock on my iPod but I am not into the early rock of the 50’s as my husband is.

In the last several months I have added the following albums:

David Garrett by David Garrett (new twist on Classical violin – Rock!)
Twilight – Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (my introduction to Muse and Paramore)
Leave this Town – Daughtry (will see them in concert next month)
Black Holes and Revelations – Muse (still reminds me of Queen)
Number Ones – Michael Jackson (in remembrance)
Brand New Eyes – Paramore (love this album – definitely not Country)
New Moon – Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (still forming an opinion)
Street Talk – Steve Perry (oldie but not Golden)
Golden Hits – ABBA (ok this says Golden, but it is great for walking!)

One single – Moth Wings by Passion Pit. I found this on John Mayer’s website and thought it was great. Speaking of John Mayer – his new album Battle Studies will be released November 17th. I like is music – have all of his studio albums (I am not a fan of live albums) and have seen him in concert. I keep turning his twitter off and on these days – I can’t seem to get around his ego.

Needless to say, with music and audio books I stayed plugged in most of the time. We had a fire drill at work last week – they had to drag me out of my office because I couldn’t hear the noise (c:

Things I am Excited About

Teresa is coming to see me the weekend before Thanksgiving. For the first time in the 10 years we have lived in the Washington, DC metro area she is coming to see me by herself. We will have uninterrupted time together – I have promised to have all of my studying/papers done before she gets here. So far we have planned to see – New Moon (as many times as we want), the mosaics of the National Shrine, WWII memorial, and the musical Jersey Boys. We will have 4 days of wonderfulness!

Daughtry Concert on November 19th.

Thanksgiving in Philadelphia with Jenny.

Spring Academic Schedule: HIST 389-001 : History of Animation
In addition to a history of animation and its practitioners, this class covers subjects from the handmade illusion of movement through the physiology of sight to computer generated motion pictures. The course pays special attention to the aesthetic of the animated image as well as the unique ability of the image to communicate through semiotics and visual narrative. Finally, the offering will explore the tools, technology used in animation, and the various techniques: claymation, cel animation, CGI, and so forth.

Train

I just retrieved a missed call from my sister, Teresa. She was calling after she left our parents’ house for the last time. The closing is today at 5:00 pm. She said that as she left and drove down Montague Avenue she was stopped at the tracks by a train. How appropriate – and how normal. That train has stopped us any time of day or night, whenever we were in a hurry or just taking our time. Life in North Charleston, especially our neighborhood, has been dictated to by the freight trains carrying wood chips to the paper mill and other cargo for decades.

This is truly the end of one track in the journey of our lives … it is really bittersweet for me. I have always thought that this song by John Mayer was almost written with me in mind. Today it really hits home.

"Stop This Train"

No I'm not color blind, I know the world is black and white
Try to keep an open mind but...I just can't sleep on this tonight
Stop this train I want to get off and go home again
I can't take the speed it's moving in
I know I can't
But honestly won't someone stop this train

Don't know how else to say it, don't want to see my parents go
One generation's length away
From fighting life out on my own

Stop this train
I want to get off and go home again
I can't take the speed it's moving in
I know I can't but honestly won't someone stop this train

So scared of getting older, I'm only good at being young
So I play the numbers game to find away to say that life has just begun
Had a talk with my old man, Said help me understand
He said turn 68, you'll renegotiate
Don't stop this train
Don't for a minute change the place you're in
Don't think I couldn't ever understand
I tried my hand
John, honestly we'll never stop this train

See once in a while when it's good
It'll feel like it should
And they're all still around
And you're still safe and sound
And you don't miss a thing
'til you cry when you're driving away in the dark.

Singing stop this train I want to get off and go home again
I can't take this speed it's moving in
I know I can't
Cause now I see I'll never stop this train.

John Mayer - Continuum

Pretty in Pink

For many years I shied away from certain colors: yellow, orange, red and pink. I remember telling my Mom that "I didn't wear red." I have found that I still look really sick in yellow and orange. I try to stay away from too much beige ... because with my coloring I tend to fade to one color with beige! I have found that the right shade of red looks rather nice ... usually a tomato red, something yellow based. But several seasons ago I fell in love with PINK. Not loud pink ... but a soft shade of pink that seems to look good against my already pink based complexion. My first item of pink was bought two Fall season's ago -- a Ralph Lauren V-neck pullover short sleeved cable sweater that I loved. It has been well worn and needs to be discarded badly. But what to replace it with? As I was shopping this week for Jenny's birthday presents I happened to find a perfect Jones of New York long sleeved shirt in just the right shade -- they called it "cameo pink." The cut of the shirt is classic, 100% cotton but easy care, and fit beautifully. Needless to say I bought it on the spot! I am trying really hard to build a decent wardrobe... piece by piece. Things that make me feel good regardless of size.

Shoe Wardrobe

Since the fire the one thing that I have had a deficiency in was shoes. I ended up with one pair of Hilfiger tennis shoes (plaid), a pair of Hilfiger flip-flops (also plaid) and a worn out pair of black flat shoes. Last week after my trip to the podiatrist I bought 2 pair of Top-Siders. But, those will not work with everything -- even though my wardrobe is very limited. My hubby was very kind and patient as he sat in Nordstrom's shoe department yesterday and while I tried on shoes that were kind to my feet. He made sure that I did not panic at the price, but used his favorite quote "it's all about me!" The first pair was a pair of black 'Ella' sandals by Munro. The second were 'Brook' a black loafer (with snakeskin) also by Munro. The last pair were a black pair of Mary Jane's named 'Saffron' by Sofft. I guess whatever clothing I buy now will have to go with 'basic black' or Topsider plaid!!

Best Summer Movie

After waiting for Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince to be released -- seeing it and a myriad of other 'Summer Blockbusters'-- my favorite hands down is still Star Trek. I was a fan of the original show. Followed a few of the spin offs haphazardly, but this cast and story is so fresh and exciting that I look forward to more. No need to rehash the past!!

New Shoes

Contrary to my daughter's opinion -- plaid Sperry Top Sider's are not ugly! This Bahama Plaid pair could have been purchased in pink. Now that would have been a little over the top. Needless to say, the feel wonderful on my feet today since the doctor's injection for a bone spur yesterday was not exactly a walk in the park.

Since the doctor said I had to wear "tie-ups" I also purchased a pair of Top Sider's in Graphite to go with my standard black pants for a less casual look. I don't know if it was exactly what he had in mind, but I refuse to wear orthopedic shoes!! That really would make Jenny shake her head (c:

Vampires and Such

I do like Vampires . . .


but Indian Wolves are nice too!


Total summer escape before I have to read for class again.

Umbrella Art Installations

More

A Picture Paints A Thousand Words

Mi piace la comodita’ della vita di cittá.

Secondo me, è meglio vivere in città. La campagna è un bel posto per andare in vacanza, ma mi piace la comodita' della vita di cittá. Mi piace vivere vicino alla banca, alla posta e al negozi. La città ha anche molti teatri e musei per il tempo libero.

Quando ero bambina ho abitato in molte città perché mio padre era nella marina militare. Le città medie erano sul fiume o sull'oceano. Durante l'estate andavo a trovare i miei nonni che abitavano in campagna nello stato del Tennessee.

Oggi abito a Manassas, Virginia. È una piccola città. Mi sono trasferita a Manassas quando mia figlia era bambina cosè aveva una bella scuola. Oggi lei abita a Philadelphia, PA. Adesso mi piacerebbe abitare a Washington, DC.

Air Flight -- Home

Washington (IAD) to Charleston (CHS) 06/11/09 9:55pm - 11:33 pm United 7906

Charleston (CHS)to Washington (IAD) 06/14/09 7:27pm - 9:03 pm United 7023

I am going home -- to see Teresa.

Wheel
People have the right to fly, and will when it gets compromised
Their hearts say "Move along", Their minds say "Gotcha heart"
Let's move it along

And airports see it all the time
Where someone's last goodbye, blends in with someone's sigh
Cause someone's coming home, in hand a single rose

And that's the way this wheel keeps working now
That's the way this wheel keeps working now
And I won't be the last, No I won't be the last,
To love her

And you can't build a house of leaves and live like it's an evergreen
It's just a season thing, It's just this thing that seasons do

And that's the way this wheel keeps working now
And you won't be the first, No you won't be the first
To love me

You can find me, if you ever want again
I'll be around the bend, I'll be around
And if you never stop when you wave goodbye
You just might find if you give it time
You just might wave hello again

And that's the way this wheel keeps working now
That's the way this wheel keeps working now

You can't love too much, one part of it

I believe that my life's gonna see
The love I give, Return to me

John Mayer, Heavier Things

(I think I am spending too much time with my iPod drowning out the noise of the world)

Across the Universe

I saw this film on one of the movie channels yesterday. It amazes me everytime I see it. It was wonderful on the big screen when I saw it at Cinema Arts Theatre when it first came out. It was a 2007 Golden Globe Best Picture Nominee and was nominated for best Costume Design for the 2007 Academy Awards. The clothes of the '60 were a work of art in themselves.

It is still an interesting commentary on the 60's. If you see it, don't let the simplicity of the beginning fool you. Its statement about innocence, war, peace and love becomes more intricate as time goes on -- just like the 60's.

Vultures

Some of us, We're hardly ever here.
The rest of us, we're born to disappear.
How do I stop myself from being just a number?
How will I hold my head to keep from going under?

Down to the wire,
I wanted water but I'll walk through the fire
If this is what it takes to take me even higher.
Then I'll come through like I do
When the world keeps
Testing me, testing me, testing me.

How did they find me here? What do they want from me?
All of these vultures hiding right outside my door,
I hear them whisperin, they're tryin to ride it out.
They've never gone this long without a kill before.

Down to the wire,
I wanted water but I'll walk through the fire
If this is what it takes to take me even higher.
Then I'll come through like I do
When the world keeps
Testing me, testing me, testing me.

Wheels up, I got to leave this evening.
I can't seem to shake these vultures off of my trail.
Power is made, by power being taken
So I keep on running to protect my situation.

Down to the wire,
I wanted water but I'll walk through the fire
If this is what it takes to take me even higher.
Then I'll come through like I do
When the world keeps
Testing me, testing me, testing me.

Whatcha gonna do about it?
Whatcha gonna do about it?

Don't give up, give up.
Don't give up, give up, give up.

Vultures, Continuum
John Mayer

Creativity

For most people I know creativity is something that comes easily. For me it is a journey. I found this article posted on Zen Habits and thought it would be a good reminder for me as I try to cultivate my own creativity.

Creative Inspiration: The Pulse That Beats Within Us All

It doesn’t matter whether you are an architect, gardener, or bus driver, everyone has the ability to find the distinct beauty embedded deep inside their daily grind. The problem isn’t capturing our creativity, as individual inspiration is a steady pulse that beats within us all. The problem is keeping those embers hot once we have them in our grasp.

Keeping the flames of our creativity close to an inferno takes decisive commitment. Fire dies without tinder, so will creativity collapse to ash without the needed fuel. Coaxing our creative core requires listening to the quiet whisper of instinct, trusting the honor of its voice, and then doing everything you can to bargain, cajole, or trick yourself into following its advice to the letter.

The start of any project is often the most difficult as the rewards are slow to arrive. Yet taming the creative beast is well worth the best of your patience. You will eventually reach the tipping point where your brain can function with automaticity and your every action is but an extension of breath.

No one builds a cabinet by bare hands alone. To craft the most from your creativity, you must have your best toolbox always on hand. Individual methods are as different as the people wielding them. I could never hope to speak for everyone, but here are a few of the things that always work for me.

Find your rhythm
Your body knows when it’s time to eat, sleep, and regulate. Your mind knows when it is most creative. If you have the flexibility in your day to maintain a schedule, then finding an internal beat and sticking to it might offer your creativity the most motion. Me, I prefer late morning through early afternoon. When the sun is sitting high in the center of the sky, my mind is then mostly prize and very little cracker jack. When I have to work late in the evening, I am resentful. My mind is slower and my effort belabored. This internal reaction is as steady as the sunrise and I do everything I can to adjust my workload accordingly.

Build yourself a studio
This is easier than it sounds. Your studio can consist of a well lit corner in a 400 square foot apartment. The trick is to train your thought to traffic its creativity in the same neighborhood each and every day. If you use a particular area to be creative on a consistent basis, your mind will have a natural stimulus every time it’s near.

Use a quality toolbox
Your tools don’t have to be top of the line, but they do have to work for you. From the computer on your desk to the ink in your pen, using materials that do not infuse efficiency into your day will only slow you down. Set aside time, again on a consistent basis, to experiment with the various tools that will help you build the box that’s best for you.

Picture the milestones leading to the finish line
It isn’t enough to imagine how nice it will be when your project is complete. You must articulate the steps you need to move from A to B. Not only is this necessary to arriving at the finish line, it’s fundamental to the motivation needed to endure a daunting task. By building reward for yourself, you are fueling the engine that gets things done. As you pass those benchmarks along the way, you will have all the motivation you need to keep going. It is easy to keep rambling down the road when you’re driving toward sunset and leaving the big empty behind, but it’s important to evaluate your environment along the way. Maybe you didn’t get what you had hoped to get done. Sharpen your focus and go at it again. If you are happy with how much you’ve grown, congratulations, keep on doing what you’re doing. Either way, you’ve covered distance and now know the road a little better.

Keep twisting the Rubik’s Cube
Don’t give up. Difficult tasks are there for a reason. They force our brain to invent solutions. This is what makes us human. It might be necessary to set something aside for a while, but you must never abandon a task entirely, because you feel frustrated. Every problem you solve will sharpen your confidence, enhance your intelligence, and build on the overall body of your finished work.

Everybody’s creative process is different. My wife and I share few specific habits, you and I probably share even less, but the best tip is universal. Pay attention to what you’re doing. Never be content to do something just because it’s the way you did it yesterday. We’re meant to evolve, there’s no reason we can’t do it on a daily basis.

This is a guest post from Sean Platt of Writer Dad to Zen Habits http://zenhabits.net

Taste of Summer

Heaven On Earth

I am looking forward to seeing this exhibit at the National Gallery of Art this weekend!!

Rare medieval manuscript illuminations, last exhibited in 1975, are showcased in a stunning installation, Heaven on Earth: Manuscript Illuminations from the National Gallery of Art. The exhibition offers the first in-depth look at these rare medieval manuscript illuminations from 52 single leaves and 4 bound volumes, among them a number of important recent acquisitions, which date from the 12th to the 16th century and were made in France, Germany, Austria, Bohemia, the Netherlands, Spain, and Italy.