Resolutions - UPDATE

No. 4 Cook More. Eat more veggies/ healthier -- Definitely progress made. Tonight I made pistachio and potato chip cruted chicken with asparagus risotto. OK... Maybe not necessarily "healthy" ... but definitely homemade. and I did use almost all organic ingredients.

No. 8. Express myself artistically (Meg) -- Another one that at least I've got SOME progress to report... For Valentine's Day, Dan got me a bunch of painting and sketching supplies. I'll be honest.. they're still in the packaging but It was, without doubt, one of the most thoughtful gifts he has ever given me. I'm going to start on the designs for the mural on our backyard wall this weekend :)

No. 20. Practice more yoga.1-2x a week (Meg) -- Still searching for a class schedule that will really allow me to easily go a few times a week. Have started at least 2x a week at home. Progress is Progress.

No. 22. Planted an herb garden. Done... now lets just see if I can keep it alive.

No. 35. Spend a weekend in Austin, just the two of us. Technically this could be crossed off or checked... but I'd like for us to go again...

No. 54. Go to the dentist (Meg = done. Dan = Not Done)

No. 71. Clean out closet / donate / sell. Thank you Buffalo Exchange for the $205 dollar check. Now for the reject "stuff" ... gotta get to goodwill.

No. 83. Stop texting while driving. This one has been much easier than I thought it would be... I can honestly say... I'm about 98% reformed.

Been watching "Design on a Dime"

Spoiler: This entry is a somewhat hodge-podgey collection of thoughts and ideas

Why is it that I always feel so inspired when my budget for redecorating / designing my own living space is virtually nothing? Even those creative DIY projects require some kind of funding... (not to mention an outdoor location to spray paint on).

I love these light fixtures.

        

via Design to Inspire

Instead... my "To-Do" list for today has nothing fun or creative on it.

(Note: This practice is what's keeping me sane -- Writing a To-Do list everyday. I just LOVE crossing things off as I go.)

To Do

--Get rid of Bethany's stuff in the back of my "new" car/ Clean-Out center console

--Get Car Insurance

--Get a Safety Inspection

--Go to the DMV

--Call My Grandaddy

--Go to the Bank

--Go to Ikea for a desk and more storage baskets.. maybe a side table and barstools? 

--Figure out how to be unemployed (financially and emotionally)

--Keep a Positive Attitude about the "Job Search"

Favorite Quote: “Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last human freedom – to choose one’s attitude in any given circumstance” ~Viktor Frankl 

Wish List

Again & Again Consignment Store

Accent Chairs would really complete the "living-room" in our apartment.

But definitely not priority.

These things are higher on my list.

A small (VERY small) dinette or cafe table.

And a desk with LOTS of storage. (Unfortunately, not at all like this REALLY cute one from Palacek)

Maybe I can still get away with just buy LOTS of these little desktop storage boxes from Ikea.

I already need to go up to Ikea for more of these little guys.

Frames

Finally.. a completed project. I told myself I HAD to paint these frames I've been collecting for the past 6 months before I moved across the country. I'm so proud to announce that my "Frame Project" from months ago is complete. I finally managed to load all 8 of them (should have been 9.. oops I lied when I said it was complete) into my car, go to Michaels, buy paint, block 4 hours of my time, borrow a big tarp and lawn space, etc.

 

before

Errr.. just in time to NOT have a wall to put them on.. or mantel to lean them against. I'm moving with these and eventually they'll be a focal point in my family/living room/ kitchen? Either way.. I love the colors.. and everything. More pics in 6 months.

after 

To Do: Graduate from College

 Chapman University  Feb 2009

Graduation from High School was somewhat anticlimactic for me. I didn't have any desire to send out announcements or have a big fancy party. I'm getting ready to graduate from Chapman and I'm finding myself conflicted on the topic.  In the past few years there have been various graduation announcements taped to my parents' fridge (they have one of those fancy looks-like-cabinetry refig faces just in case you were wondering about the tape). This accolade certainly deserves a certain level of celebration, but keep in mind that the bulk of these are NOT from close family friends, old baby sitters, etc.  These are mostly grown kids from our neighborhood in Houston (from which we moved away almost 20 years ago). There are a select few with whom we have kept in touch with over the years, but the majority just barely make the Christmas Card list each year. Who is it appropriate to send a graduation announcement to? Grandparents, relatives, Godparents... all obviously appropriate recipients. Who else makes the list? If the list is overly inclusive am I just looking for handouts? I think I'd be more comfortable with a VERY casual party. Or dinner with close friends and family. 

Just a thought. PLUS. Graduation announcements (the ones you order through the school) are so bland. Who wants to tape an ivory 3 x 5 Notecard to their fridge? 

 

What do you think? Party? Presents?

BEGINNING SEWING

I really did think it would be easy to find a 3-day sewing workshop.. even a 6 week class.. but so far, I've got nothing. Nothing at the community college, nothing in Adult Ed and not anything through the Sports and Req Department. Do people offer private lessons? and sell them on craigslist.. I should check that out.

 Taken out of context, I'm guessing the 30-sec mini rant about sewing classes makes no sense... Rewind a few days:

I offered the (particularly brilliant) idea to Tracey (my bosses wife) of starting a line (under the McKee Home label, of course) of custom toss pillows. The store sells some really cool vintage burlap and linen toss pillows that pretty much fly out the window as soon as we get them in.

Here is an internet quality picture of one of them. For integrity purposes I guess I shouldn't reveal the name of the vendor. Either way, she makes these very organic looking toss pillows in all sizes and shapes. Some with shell inspired details.. others with pearly bead crosses. 

Tracey and I figured that we could make them for relatively cheap (even using really cool textured linens, like stuff in Threads by Lee Jofa collection... or just burlap)  and buying cool beads and trims from international vendors. Only problem is using our drapery/upholstery workroom for labor is pricey. Basically we left the conversation (not likely to be revisited) "I'd really love to learn how to sew" - Me "I could keep you busy for weeks making things for the store" - Tracey

Sounds like job security to me. AND I'm really interested in creating some sort of product like that and selling it on the side. If I could learn to weld I could make a fortune collecting vintage bottles and crystals to make these cross bottles that everyone are so obsessed about. (This would be a very costly set up, so not really an option) However, sewing is definitely a life skill i'd like to posses. Currently added to my to-do list: Find a sewing class... or tutor. I'd pay someone up to $30/hour to tutor me in basic sewing. 

P.S. I'm getting a sewing machine for graduation.. it's not a new beamer.. but I'm pretty stoked about it.

Frame Wall

The first thing on my "TO DO" list... a task that is very much underway... is to read Mary Gilliatt's Interior Design Textbook. Since I have plans to continue my already prolonged education to include an associates degree in Interior Design at Wade College in Dallas. Since I already have to job to which the technical skills could be applied, I might as well get a jump start on the whole process and make sure THIS is it. 

Side Note: I am unusually comfortable with the lack of cohesiveness in my life plan right now. The plan is currently more like a to do list. This life "TO DO" reads something like this:  Pursue a career where I can express myself creatively while integrating my lifestyle. 

On a totally different note... This is project No. 1 -- appropriate for my condo or future loft style apartment. 

Project No. 1: Frame Wall.

I would really like to collect lots of sizes and shapes, all complimentary colors, of frames.  (I'm currently really into shades of green... but even using shades of silver, gray, and naturals against a cool green wall would be awesome!) Once I get to the point where I feel comfortable posting the finished product... I will. 

For now. Here's the inspiration for this project:

Change of Pace

Dan and I initially created this blog with the intention of documenting many of our delightful explorations during our tenancy in South Orange County. In July of last year, an immediate curtailment of our shared living situation led to the inevitable discontinuation of entries to this blog. However, as of lately, I've begun to wonder if I could continue to use this as an outlet to share more than "places to go", and focus more on the "things to do." For any of you who know my tendencies, you know my fond appreciation of the "To Do" list... Therefore, I am drawn to the idea of blogging for that purpose. This entry marks the beginning of my interminable "TO DO" list.