25 February, 2014

Killing Time

Or waiting for paint to dry.
 
Nail polish
but you get the idea.
 
The shellac manicure has spoiled me.
Suddenly, the time involved in "doing"
my nails at home
has become intolerable.
Keeping my nails presentable consumes
 at least two nights a week -
nights that could be used for so many
other pursuits.
 
I use the nudest of nude polish
and keep my nails fairly short
so it's not a matter
of maintaining fire-red talons.
It's simply that they have to look "done."
 
Thinking it would minimize my OCD
concerning chipped polish, and thus allow me to coast
with just one session during a week,
I tried just a clear coat for
 shine and protection.  
It didn't work.
It's been three days
and I just couldn't take it!
I've just applied a quick coat
of color so I can go to work.
 
Obviously wet nails don't interfere
with typing
so the time would provide a good excuse
to post on a regular basis.
There is never enough time for reading
so wet nails would be the
perfect cover story
to curl up and read the night away.
 
Yes, it is a trivial complaint, at best,
and there is always a
suitable resolution
for such matters.
 
 
Faux Fuchsia says it best:
"Chipped nail polish still revolts me." 
 
 
 

20 February, 2014

Just to let you know...

... it's
snowing
 
 
and thundering.

18 February, 2014

In Season

The air has been filled with the
long, shifting V-s of
returning geese.
Their honking
alerts the casual
witness to this seasonal
trek pulling the eye to the horizon
where they hover en masse
looking for a place to rest.
 
We've also seen a flock of mallard ducks
and deluded and bedraggled robins
 huddled in the falling snow.
 
Within my four walls there
are signs of impending spring, as well.
This morning I opened the
storage space built into the fireplace shelving
 
 to retrieve some seasonal accents.
 
Today's bright sunshine is whispering that it might
be reason enough to debut
some "spring" clothes at work tonight...
 

16 February, 2014

Sunday Evening

I still find it
hard to believe that time can slip so quickly
through my fingers.
Intended posts and other projects
were set aside this week
to allow for the unexpected.
 
Last weekend Tim fell while cross-country skiing,
causing something in his knee to pop.
He iced and elevated through the night
and decided the next morning that it should be seen.
Preliminary diagnosis
was a torn ACL.
An MRI on Thursday indicated a torn MCL,
which means that surgery won't be required.
A round of PT twice a week for the next
 month or six weeks
and he should be good as new.
We're very thankful.
It did mean, though, that I was the designated
driver for work and appointments,
a role that will continue for at least another week.
 
We had several snowfalls last week
and the truck just went down our street
spreading the de-icing solution in
anticipation of freezing rain/ice later tonight
and into tomorrow morning.
Yippee.
 
Anyway, I was able to claim
some of the week for myself:
 
Tonight the last few rows of my sweater back will be finished,
bound off, and the front section begun.
 
My navy wardrobe selections are coming together.
A mariner dress from llbean
will be nothing but fun to wear.
A cotton/cashmere blend V-neck sweater
will prove versatile.

Local sales added a solid (but lightweight) 3/4 sleeve cardigan
a coral top (which may not make it)
a tank with embellished neckline
a 3/4 sleeve mariner top
and a pair of tan jeans.
 
 
The sneakers were found online.
A local store carried the style, but not
this color, so they were ordered and shipped to my front door. 
They are cute, comfy and will be a fun option
 for casual outings.
There are a few more packages
scheduled to arrive in the next few days.


Paint chips have proven helpful
when trying to "remember"
a color from one place to the next.
 
And this:


 
was going to be so much fun.
Projects using bleach pens and various
fabric mediums are featured on Pinterest
from time to time
and this was going to be my
grand experiment!
The scarf was clearanced for $3.00 - why not
take the chance?! 
 
It didn't work.
Plan B doesn't exist at this point
but I'm determined to
transform this scarf.
 
 

04 February, 2014

Flotsam and Jetsom

It's snowing.
I've already shoveled twice today:
before I left for  the gym
and after my return.
My guess is an easy 6 inches so far,
and it's expected to continue through the night.
 
The library will close early
meaning I won't be working tonight.
So rather than entering my full-on
getting-ready-for-work-mode
I shall blog.
With a cup of hot chocolate
comfortably within reach. 
 
We had our first cross country skiing
experience over the weekend.
I will tell you that I'm willing to give it
 another try,
express thanks that no footage exists of our outing,
and then move on to a new subject.
 
Our trips to Minneapolis are always too short
and very busy.
This trip also included a
Chinese New Year celebration with Aidan
pizza and foosball
pot roast, roasted marshmallows
snow removal and
 our farewells to Proton.
 
 This:
 
called my name at the thrift store during a blitz stop.
I'm embarrassed to admit that
Naphtali was wearing it at the time.
We did the "Oh no, you should take it!"
routine for a couple  minutes
and then it was mine.
 
This is why I don't take pictures.
This sweater is the loveliest, lightest
 mohair concoction in a rich caramel color.
The collar
(I know "fur" is divisive)(but I love it)
creates a soft frame.
The smile it generates starts in my toes!
 
 The plan was to wear it to work today
with a black tee and jeans.
It will make its debut tomorrow!
 
In return for Naphtali's generous capitulation
I offered to alter the sleeves on a
  beautiful black linen tunic
that she would have otherwise walked away from.
See? Win-win!
 
Not one, but two new berets
have recently been finished and made their public debut.
No photos exist of either event.
 
This:
 
is the sweater I'm knitting.
Let me say that again:
I'm knitting myself a sweater!
 
My list of things to try someday
includes several items that I should just
well, try.
This past year has already seen so many new
experiences why let
a small detail like primitive needle skills
prevent me launching another
new project?!
 
Actually, I recently read some good advice that went something like this:
Knitting dishcloths won't teach you to knit socks.
If you want to knit socks, then knit socks.
 
Here's to "knitting socks" in the new year!