Still Awake

Ever close your eyes
Ever stop and listen
Ever feel alive
And you've nothing missing
You don't need a reason
Let the day go on and on

Let the rain fall down
Everywhere around you
Give into it now
Let the day surround you
You don't need a reason
Let the rain go on and on

What a day to take to
What a way to make it through
What a day to take to a wild child

Only take the time
From the helter skelter
Every day you find
Everything's in kilter
You don't need a reason
Let the day go on and on

Every summer sun
Every winter evening
Every spring to come
Every autumn leaving
You don't need a reason
Let it all go on and on

What a day to take to
What a way to make it through
What a day to take to a wild child

Wild Child - Enya

Photo from here.

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.