Art

There is a 2 day "Art in the Park" event that started today. So much to look at and take in. Lance bought a pot, I bought a yunomi, and we bought a pastel print of a quail.

I've seen thousand dollar art in the past, but I've never seriously considered purchasing any... until today.

An Oregon artist, Tom Walsh, was there today. He's a sculptor that works primarily in bronze. He had his booth set up like a mini gallery, which was cool. Anyways, one of his pieces struck me so intensely that I seriously gazed at it and walked around it for a good 5 minutes. It was one of those pieces that you just have to experience. Tom watched me, and then made the observation that I "got it." He said that most people don't get it. They don't understand how to look at his pieces- how to experience them, but he could tell that I understood his piece. I really have no words. It was amazing. To a normal person it probably just looked like an abstract thing made of metal and was green. But, oh man. The craftsmanship and the way he was able to manipulate the bronze... Seriously amazing. I wish we had the $1100 to spend on it. I can't stop thinking about it and I will probably go "visit" it tomorrow.

It was really fun being able to share the experience with Lance. He's soooo left-brained, but I'm able to convey things to him about art that he otherwise would not realize or overlook. I was able to sit with him and help him identify just WHY he decided to purchase that specific pot. We saw hundreds today, but that was the only one he liked enough to buy.

I love art that makes you experience it. You have no choice but see and feel things and it moves you. There are subtle, and not so subtle, ways that artists are able to make the viewer react. They can make you pick up and experience a cup or pot, or they can stop you dead in your tracks, like today. You may not even know why. I love how art speaks to your subconscious and you have an actual experience. You share a connection with a piece. It is more than just an object, it imparts a thought, connotation, emotion, feeling, sensation, etc. Sure there's art that's just "pretty," but it's empty; hollow. Real art makes you experience it, feel it, and share it.

TMI? Don't care

Today is a big day. I just started my first "natural" period in over 6 years. Ouch. Now I remember why I was on the pill in the first place. Cramps that make me dream I'm in childbirth.
I always get really calm and chill when I get cramps. To cope, I have to do deep breathing and enter a meditative state. It's kinda cool, so I'm always sharing. Freaks out the hubby tho cuz I'm like.. breathing like I'm in labor. It's actually a very peaceful time, albeit a little painful. But I've learned pain can be calming if you approach it correctly.

Let me explain.

When you experience body-wide pain you can get in touch with a certain "rhythm" of pulses. Your brain monitors your body in electric pulses through your nerves. If you can calm yourself and accept the pain, you can tune into this. It's a strange experience. If you've had to practice pain management from a chronic condition you are probably familiar with it. When you experience pain, you can fight it, or go with it. It really comes down to accepting it as sensations in the body and separating yourself from it. You begin to understand that you don't have to fear pain, and thus, pain begins to be therapeutic. You feel the body healing, and you let it happen.

I probably sound masochistic, but I'm not. I don't like pain. But in not fearing it, and letting it happen, it makes it more manageable and less stressful. And I'm not just talking about cramps. I used to do this when I had shoulder issues too. Anyways. Thought I'd share this milestone. First "real" period in 6 years.

Fibromyalgia Fog

Us peeps with Fibromyalgia are very familiar with something called "fibro fog." It's like feeling groggy and tired and you can't think straight. Your mind is foggy and all you want to do is sleep. I get a weird "headache" when it hits me. It's not painful, but my head feels heavy and "stuffy." Anyways, the past week I've had one every day at around 6pm. My body just decides it wants a nap. Yep. And it's 6 now. I want a nap.
-_-

In other news we have a second kitty! His name is King Leonidas! He's a 1 year old all black fluff ball. His previous owner could not keep him, and we decided to adopt him before he had to go to a shelter. Adults have a difficult time getting adopted, and black cats usually don't get adopted either, sadly. So we had him meet Abby, and then he moved in with us a week ago. Abby hissed at him for the first couple of days any time she saw him, but now they are buddies. They chase each other all over the apartment while making cute little prrmrow noises. ^_^ It's cute.

Unintentional diet

I've been frequently forgetting to eat. I just don't feel like eating or my hunger instinct isn't very strong. So I've gone several days on maybe one full meal's worth calories. I'm still taking vitamins, but food just doesn't seem appetizing most of the time. Not too healthy of me, I know. I have collected a bunch of pictures of easy-to-make foods that look yummy, and I plan to put them on the fridge to encourage me to get food when I wander to the kitchen. I wonder if anyone else has this issue. :/

Life

I have an interview tomorrow at Macy's. I really hope it goes well. I think I could really improve some of the store layout and marketing-related stuff. As you can see, some of the succulents from my bridal bouquet are blooming! They are still sitting in a wet paper towel growing roots.

And our bedroom finally looks nice! We got rid of the box and got an actual night stand! I also found perfectly matching pillows, lamp, and jewelry box at TJ Maxx! The mirrors also came from there. Yes, I'm addicted. It's nice to finally have a nice room to relax in. I'm very happy with it. Now we just have to get the living room figured out! The bathroom is almost there..

Rite Aid had $2.50 potted herbs. I snapped up a Tuscan Rosemary and French Lavender plants. Excited. I think my nail polish is dry, so I should probably shower and set out my interview outfit. Keep your fingers crossed!

bah hormones!

I was on the pill for about... 6? years? It was to regulate things and keep me from bleeding heavily for two weeks straight every other week. Apparently being underweight can make your body do weird things. Anyways, I'm a healthy weight now, so I'm stopping the pill (hopefully for good). So needless-to-say, I'm all hormone-y. Is that a word? Guess not. Oh well. I would have gone off of it way sooner, but didn't want to risk blood stains on my wedding gown, if you know what I mean. I should probably google what to expect when stopping it after 6 years. And I should go to sleep.

Wrangling things into place

Since getting back, we've been spending all our time organizing and cleaning. I think we finally got most of the stuff away. We still need organizing baskets and furniture, right now we are just using banker boxes. I also finally broke down and bought us a vacuum. The apartment effectively has not been vacuumed since before we moved in. GROSS. We know that at least two people bought us a vacuum for a gift, so we will see which one we end up keeping.
We also got a bird bath to use as a feeder. So now I'm just waiting for the birds to find it! Maybe I'll find some fake bird figurines to put on the rail of the balcony to lure them in.
Abby is VERY GLAD to be home. I think she missed the privacy and quiet which doesn't come with a house with a small child. Good thing our friends had a large house for her to hide.
The sewing machine from the registry is here! now I just need a table, chair, thread, etc.. But I'm excited to get going.
I'm also in-progress of getting thank-you notes done. It's definitely not my favorite thing.
I miss the sun. It's been all gloomy since we got back. I guess the "April showers" applies here. But at least the farmer's market opens soon! Yay fresh produce! :D

I love TJ Maxx

Our "headboard." It looks a ton better when the bed actually has sheets and stuff.

We have stuff on the walls! OMG! The little rental apartment is starting to feel "homey." We brought home 6 mirrors on Saturday. Two are being used as a "headboard," one is leaned against the wall opposite the bed that I will use to put on makeup, and the other three are arranged in the living room opposite the window. We are trying to figure out who to give the futon to. It is big and taking up space and we'd rather have a dresser where it is currently. We're also really starting to need side tables. And a real table- eating on the floor is fun for only so long.

The trees are all starting to bloom. It's so pretty! I need to get us a bird feeder too. Abby would love to watch them here (ok me too).

I pick up my dress tomorrow! OMG I'm so excited. It fits like it was made for me, and feels like a dream. I was worried it wouldn't fit, but it does! :D

We also get to go to Lance's follow-up tomorrow. He's seeing the same GP I am, so she did about 4 tubes of bloodwork on him. Since we didn't get a call, I guess that means it's all fine. I like that she goes over the results in detail, and writes on it and gives you a copy. I like her. She's adorable!

Idea for art

Note to self: social gender piece of a faceless woman wearing a magnifying glass necklace right on her cleavage.

Stuck in my head

 This song, particularly this version, has been stuck in my head all week. But it's still a goodie.

Goodwill awesomeness

I scored a like-new awesomely soft and squishy loveseat to replace the college-era futon in our living room. It cost all of $50. bam. Also got a few decorative/ practical items too, but the couch was a big score. I plan to get pics tomorrow when there's sunlight. We also had to clean the cushion covers and febreze down the frame and vacuum it. It has a few minor spots, but I'm sure we'll do worse to it. There was a matching over-sized chair, but we just don't have the room for it. Oh, and did I mention it's in a neutral canvas fabric? Yeah. I couldn't believe it. When I saw it I think I literally ran to claim it as mine. For now we're trying to get our scents on it cuz Abby is all freaked by the new furniture and smells. Nonetheless I'm thrilled that we have "real" furniture.

My love and hate of art history

I was a Fine Arts major for 2 years of college before I changed to Graphic Communications. So that was 4 semesters of art history. I hate history. And art history is like twice as bad. Cuz you not only have to know the who what and when, you have to know why where and what it looks like. ARGH! Well, I have found that the most useful thing I learned in school was, in fact, art history. We're currently trying to furnish our teeny apartment on a teenier budget. We started with a futon, a tv and banker boxes. Nothing else. No plates, pots, pans, bed, tables, chairs, etc. The futon was our bed and couch. We have since used my savings to buy a bed, and accumulated a cheap tv stand. In shopping for furniture Lance often would ask me to translate the rambling. I then realized I was using terms like "art deco," "mid century modern," "contemporary," "mission style," etc. And I realized he had no idea what the heck I was talking about when I would point to a chair and say "that is a mid century modern chair." So I have actually had to use the art history education in shopping for furniture and identifying our preferences for styles and shapes. DARN YOU ART HISTORY!!!!! It is cool that I'm using something from school, but it annoys me that I still remember! My art history professors were interesting, and art students use interesting terms and ways to describe something as simple as a cube. While I think it's wicked awesome I can talk about tangible items and know specifically what I like and don't like, I still hated art history.

So yes. We now are the proud owners of 2 mid century modern chairs. And our cat, Abby, approves.

Cannot Wait

My favorite weather EVER is when the sun is warm and there is a breeze. And out here there is no humidity. I CANNOT WAIT till the spring starts.  To be able to sit outside and just feel the air and peace. Also, my favorite flowers grow here! So someday I hope to grow all three. We will at least get a lavender plant for our small apartment patio this spring. I love how sun-kissed breezes smell. I so can't wait.

KITTIES

Sorry, no real post today. Minecraft 1.2 was released and I was determined to acquire lots of kitties to follow me around. We'll see if I fall right asleep, if not... you might get something a little more entertaining than a picture of 8 bit cats.

Realization

This is how it feels

Lance and I have been dating for a little over 4 years now. And it was right about this time 4 years ago that we knew we were going to get married. So 4 years ago I began planning our wedding. Only we didn't know we'd have to push back the date at least 3 times. So, to say the least, it literally felt like time stopped and we were not moving forward. The constant idea of a wedding and getting married was constantly out of reach. Well, I just had the realization that it is only a little over a month away. I can count the days, and I realize there is very little time left to do anything. It really also makes the need to keep my trich under control. If I slip up now or anytime between now and the wedding, I don't know how I will forgive myself. It's incredibly difficult for me. I've essentially been without eyelashes for over 10 years, and when they start growing in they usually only last 3 weeks. Well, we're at that 3 week point and the lashes feel extremely strange. I find my hands constantly wander to my eyes to feel the lashes. So far I've been able to keep myself under control due to not having a job or school or comparable stress. Also staying away from caffeinated drinks (soda and coffee) is a HUGE help. I CANNOT drink one ever again if I'm to keep all my hard work. There's something about the high sugary caffeine drinks that just really cause my brain to freak out and get overstimulated. That then causes anxiety and triggers the trich impulses. So yeah. I'm writing this so my hands will stay busy. The realization of how close I am is scary and, yes, anxiety-provoking. I just have to keep reminding myself to breathe and stay calm. But the lashes do feel incredibly strange right now.

Shoes

Brought these beauties home with me from TJ Maxx for $25. I'm sorely tempted to make them my wedding shoes. Srsly.

Ohhhhh my goodness!

 

I have terrible posture. And I really want that to change, especially for the wedding. Nothing is uglier than a hunched bride. Well, it was suggested to me that I start REALLY stretching my pectoral muscles out, to allow my shoulders to fall back more easily. And the stretch goes something like this: find a doorway, raise both arms out to the side, and then bend at a 90 degree angle, palms forward. Then put both hands on the doorway, and lean forward and hold as long as you are able. OH MY GOODNESS it felt so good. I thought I'd share cuz there's seldom anything better than a good stretch.

The search continues...

Aren't they gorgeous? I'd say they're just about perfect. Well, they came in the mail today. And i was expecting these little dainty earrings... but no. They are HUGE. The pearls are like 3/4" large. So back they go. Man, so close. So now I continue the search for bridal earrings to match my favorite bracelet (also from J Crew):

SQUEE

I love the Zelda games. And this little guy was one of my favs. I squeal anytime I see him. Thoguht I'd share.