Unexplained

Today was a nice day, bright & sunny & warm. We went to the Harvest Fest, which wasn't nearly as good as it was last year, but we did buy some pumpkins & gourds & peppers & leeks. We walked around, and just spent time together. Then we had dinner with Rick & Brian, and it was good.

And yet I'm feeling blue. I can't find the words or the reasons, it just is. It's a state of sadness. A state of missing my mom. A state of feeling for those people who have lost someone special to them. A state of uneasy restlessness inside my heart. I don't know what's causing it...but that's where I am right now. Hopefully it'll be gone by morning.

Inspired

Today I'm feeling particularly inspired by the beginning of autumn.

I can't imagine living someplace that doesn't have that significant change in seasons, and particularly the joy that is the fall. I'm not a nature girl by any stretch of the imagination, and could never live much outside of a city, but every fall I can't help but yearn to be outside. The crispness of the air, the cool breezes, the lushness of color...it inspires me to bake, to paint, to explore. It is the only time of the year you will ever find me wanting to go hiking. (Of course the lack of mosquitos helps!) I want to draw & paint & photograph today (and sadly can't because I'm stuck at work...a museum that is offering TWO nature landscape drawing classes today, ironically).

I'm anxiously anticipating hubby & my upcoming trip to Mackinac Island with our friends in two weeks. The fall colors should be almost peaking up there then, and I can promise you I will be posting a plethora of photos afterwards.

Obsession

I realize that I have these wierd quirks and OC randomness. I tend to get excited about something and then become almost wierdly obsessive about it. Sometimes its been Colin Firth, where I've had to rent every movie of his. Another time it was Disney. Right now I find I'm obsessing about:
Doctor Who (David Tennant in particular)

Swap-bot (it really IS addictive)

and Mackinac Island Do you have anything you just can't help but feeling "obsessed" about?

A Collective Kick in the Arse

Today I read these words:
"What is the one thing you've always wanted to do in your lifetime? And when are you going to get around to just doing it?"

Hmmm...I consider my butt soundly kicked.

The Call of the Footlights, the Roar of the Crowd

Kidlet auditioned for the Racine Theatre Guild last week. They have a special program for teens...it's an extensive theatre training program that cumulates with performances in the spring at various schools. It is highly competitive to get into, apparently, and we were warned that unless you've been around the theatre it is tough to get into.

Well, wouldn't you know it...she got in!

Yes, I'm very proud! So despite not getting the art and drama classes she wanted this year in school, she is now in a great drama program & is also taking some art classes at the museum where I work. (Animation & pottery, I think, for the fall session.) So for now she has ambitions of being the next Idina Menzel...and that's awesome!

Don't Say a Word

I'm facing a horrible reality. Next year I will turn 40. 4. 0. This is hell. In my mind I'm still 25. Not too old, not too young. But the reality is...well...40.

And I'm NOT ok with it.

I have a couple of other friends facing this same "milestone". Consider this a call to arms...if you are also looking 40 in the face, let's do something about it. Let's plan a bash. Something for us. US. Perhaps a trip away together? Toronto? New Orleans? Istanbul? Let me know your thoughts. I'm thinking May.I can NOT face this alone!

Be Sparkly!

Some of you may remember when I wrote about Hannah a month or more ago with this link. Well, I have devotedly read Hannah's mother's blog ever since. I've read as she has moved through the pain of losing her lovely 5 year old in this tragic accident. I have been inspired by her celebration of her daughter's short little life, and her younger daughter, Lily's, delightfullness, as well.
Tomorrow would have been Hannah's sixth birthday. Her mother is asking everyone to join them in celebrating her vibrant, sparkly nature by dressing bright & fun tomorrow. Wear the sparkliest earrings, necklace, shirt, shoes or scarf you have. Heck, wear a feather boa! This dear child, as well as all of our children, need to be celebrated for the beauty & innocence and joy they bring to this world. They touch the lives of so many more than they will ever know because of their sparkly nature.
You can read more about Hannah & her family here.
I hope you'll join me in celebrating her life & the lives of our children, as well.

Yar! Avast Ye Scrubby Sea Dogs!

Yar, know ye that this hear be "international talk like a pirate day! So all ye sea dogs and villanious buccaneers had best be spaken like the pie-rats that ye be!

Lest ye be a landlubber, I suggest ye swig back a few bottles o'rum today, pull on your stripey stockings, and grab your best mates for a rousin' day of pillaging & festivities!

ARGGGGGGH!

Pouty Take 2

Baby is better, thank goodness.
But now I'm sick. Much sicker than he ever was. (Thank goodness.)
Sore throat. Painful cough. No voice.

There is something singularly disturbing about knowing that if I had to scream in order to save my life, I would die.

I'm just sayin'.

Pouty

Not much to say other than I have a 6 month old with a cold. Stuffy nose & phlemmy cough. Yeah, I'm exhausted.

Be a Rebel...Read!

I love books. I love to read. I think that reading to your children is one of the greatest gifts you can give them. I think we grow as individuals by reading a variety of books. Even the challenged or banned ones. Heck, especially the challenged or banned ones!

September 29-October 6 is officially BANNED BOOKS WEEK. I encouraged everyone to read a banned book! In this country we have intellectual, artistic freedom. We have the freedom of speech. No book should be banned simply because someone doesn't like it. (If that were the case Shakespeare or The Bible would have been banned long ago!) What sort of books get banned? Pornography? Devil worshipping? No, those don't even typically fall into radar. Instead they are often books that are considered popular or classics even. Off the list this year, but on for several years past, are the “Catcher in the Rye” by J.D. Salinger, “Of Mice and Men” by John Steinbeck and “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” by Mark Twain.

Who are the top 10 most challenged authors? Probably a few of your favourites:

1. Alvin Schwartz 2. Judy Blume 3. Robert Cormier 4. J.K. Rowling 5. Michael Willhoite 6. Katherine Paterson 7. Stephen King 8. Maya Angelou 9. R.L. Stine 10. John Steinbeck

I'm challenging you, my friends, to pick up a banned or challenged book. And then pass it along, send it out to someone else via Bookcrossings.

And for anyone in the greater Chicago area: You are invited to come and celebrate your freedom to read during the 26th annual celebration of Banned Books Week. Join the American Library Association's Office for Intellectual Freedom, McCormick Tribune Freedom Museum, and the Newberry Library in Chicago, IL at the Pioneer Plaza (on Michigan Ave between the Tribune Tower and the Chicago River) on Saturday, September 29, 2007, from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m., for the Banned Books Week Read-Out! Local Chicago Celebrities join several acclaimed authors to read passages from their favorite banned and challenged books. Admission is FREE.

Because Clearly I'm an Expert...

Most of you know I work at the RAM/Wustum museum! I've been asked to lecture this fall/winter about Historical Clothing! It is conjuction with the shoes & textiles exhibitions we'll be having at our main galleries, because I'm clearly an expert on this topic! I'm confident I can fake my way through...er...give a great lecture (or three!) but that doesn't change the fact I'm freakin' scared to death! I'm scared someone is going to answer something I can't answer and I'll look like an idiot! So...if you have any interesting tidbits about historical clothing, let me know, ok?!!? Thanks!

Here are all the sordid details, should you feel compelled to come hear me speak:

Lecture at RAM
Interactive Lecture:Historical Clothing
Friday, 12:00 - 1:00 pm 1 Day December 7 Lecturer: Kimberly WawrzyniakDiscover how men's and women's clothinghas developed throughout the ages...and some of the quirky and interestinghabits that have survived and evolved intotoday's couture. Then, take a closer lookat artist made clothing in RAM's fallexhibitions.Members Free
$8 Non-Members
Lectures at Wustum
Clothing Through History
Thursday, 7:00 - 8:30 pm1 Day November 1Lecturer: Kimberly WawrzyniakDiscover the changes in clothing for menand women throughout history, and howclothing reflects society. See historicalclothing recreations. Registration required.Members Free
$10 Non-Members
Renaissance Dressing...and How They Did It!
Thursday, 7:00 - 8:30 pm1 Day December 13Lecturer: Kimberly Wawrzyniak See how Renaissance women dressed,and how clothing of the lower, middle and upper classes differed. Registrationrequired.Members Free
$10 Non-Mem

Welcome to 8th Grade

Sarcastic enthusiasm duly noted.


You'll note her creative take on the new school uniform requirements: skulls & crossbone headband, silver shiny tie, and Jack Skellington messenger bag.

Yes, she is definately my child.

The Pursuit

I just finished watching "The Pursuit of Happyness" with Will Smith. I cried. Hard. Because I've known his desperation. I've been in that situation...not knowing where my child & I were going to sleep or if we would eat the next day. I've known that pain of wanting desperately to take care of your child and feeling alone and scared...but trying to make it good for them all at the same time. My daughter slept in a large closet I called a room & put up pretty sparkly things to try to make her feel like it was here little private space. I'd send her for an overnight with her grandmother or dad so she wouldn't know I didn't have any food in the house that night. I went many days without food, so she could eat. I've gone years without new clothes so she'd have anything she needed. I've played the game of "let's only use candles tonight" so she wouldn't know the electricity had been turned off. I pulled her into bed with me, under all the blankets we had when we had no heat. It sucked, and I'm not proud of it. But that hell only lasted a year or so. But I will never be the same person because of it.

Fortunately today we have a house & the bills are paid (thank God for my husband). Money is tight, but nothing like it once was. So why is it that deep down I still feel scared? Since my father died & mom is invalid in a nursing home, I still feel alone in this world, despite my husband. Despite my friends.

The kidlet begins 8th grade tomorrow. I can't believe she's that old now. Each passing year makes me realize that we're a step closer to her adulthood. I'm scared she been hurt too much, too deeply, because of the bad curves life has thrown us while she was little. When do you truly know?

BIG WHITE GRR

I'm frustrated beyond belief. I get this GREAT, shining review. And then I get yelled at. *sigh* For something I didn't do. *Bigger Sigh* Then we get our checks. I got a raise. 21 cents. Are you freakin' kidding me? *BIG MEGA SIGH!*
Just par for the course this week.

I'm on a desperate hunt for a second job. Money is tight & it falls on me to bring more cash into the house. Yippee. I know the "easy " solution is just look for a new daytime job, but that means I have to leave my kids with someone else to raise. I just can't do that. I don't care if it's grandparents or not, the thought of anyone other than us teaching the baby in ways differently than us, being there for every milestone, etc. many days a week just kills me. I will work a second job to avoid that from happening. And so I'm on the hunt.

Anyone know of any leads?

6 Months

I should have posted this yesterday, but time simply slid away from me, so here I am today!

I can hardly believe my Bug is 6 months old! Time has passed so fast, and he's growing each day. He's charming & sweet...and hopefully will always love his mama as much as he does now. (I know the picture is blurry, but you get a 6 months old to sit still for a digital camera with far too much delay!)

Things are good here...we've been relatively spared by the storms, though just south or west of us has some serious flooding. I worry about my friends, as I saw Wayne Co. & northern Ohio was under a great deal of flooding too. (Please let me know, ok?)

The kidlet is anxiously trying to suck all she can out of summer vacation, as school starts in just 2 short weeks. To me, the start of school is the start of fall...let's hope for some lovely crisp, cool fall weather, eh? I'm sad too that I didn't get to do even 1/4 of the things I wanted to do this summer. Oh well. This fall hold some promise of fun, so that's ok.

I'm obsessed. With Swap-bot. Please join us in the insanity. (I'll post a photo of my first "rewards" soon!)

Overdue

A review of all the things I've been meaning to write, but haven't had the time to.

1. Last weekend we had a lovely, waaaaay overdue dinner with our neighbours Ian & Abby & family. They are fun. They are kind. And now they are gone. How wrong it is that just when you truly realize the value of a great neighbour they have to move away? Still, it was a fun night and we will really miss them. I hope their new adventure southward brings nothing but joy for them. Hopefully we'll stay in touch & see one another again one day in the not-so-distant future.

2. I have a great best friend! (In case you didn't know that already.) I came home to find a package on my porch...what was inside, you ask? A gorgeous, hand knit blanket for the baby! A fun, fun, fun game for the family! And my favourite English chocolates, just for me!! Yeah...she rocks!!! (Thank you! Thank you!! Thank you!!! Now come visit so we can play!) (photos forthcoming)

3. We went to Irish Fest last night. FUN! I had all my favourite treats...curry fries, Walnut Whips, Yorkie bars, Bunruddy Mead, and great music. FUN! The sick & twisted par? Nowhere on the Irish Fest grounds could we find a Guiness! Just not right.

4. I'm going to Bristol RenFaire this weekend to play. I'll let ya know how that goes.

To Do. Do too.

UPDATES:: Too much to attempt to accomplish today.
1. Attempt to write some clever or witty blog entry. Nope, I've failed, this is the best you get for now.
2. Pick up paycheck. Cash said paycheck. Attempt to figure out why I've been charged the bank fees I've been charged thanks to stupid cell phone companies not following policy. Done. Done. Nothing finalized on deleted the bank fees unfortunately, but cell phone company was oh-so-kind as to credit me 10 whole dollars. Oh joy.
3. Buy kidlets school supplies. Done, with argument because no, she can't be satisfied with the generic 5 for $1 spiral notebooks, no they HAVE to be $2 each Pirates of the Caribbean notebooks. *sigh*
4. Buy groceries so we no longer are attempting to stretch the few piddly remnants of food in the freezer by adding tomatoes to everything.
5. Buy a new pair of shoes since the ones I wear all the time to work are literally falling apart.
6. Clean the house.
7. Buy a basket to store baby toys in the living room.
8. Laundry.
9. Color my hairs & cover up any tell-tale signs of aging.
10. Spend time with the kidlet AND baby since hubby will be working until 10pm tonight. Ok, at least I can say I've done plenty of this today with all the running around, and lunch out together.
Yeah, wish me luck.

Becoming Obsessed

Last night hubby & I had a lovely date night where we were able to go see the film "Becoming Jane". It was delightful! They successfully took the facts that are known about Jane Austen's life and filled in the rest to created a lovely, enjoyable historical fiction film worth watching again & again. Add to the pleasure that the film was at the Oriental Theatre in Milwaukee, one of the old ornate movie houses...complete with the organist playing before the film. After the film Marsha Huff, the head of the Jane Austen Society of North America did a talk back, discussing the fact from the fiction, answering questions, etc. All in all it was quite simply a lovely evening with my own Mr. Darcy.
(I couldn't help but show these two film shots.)

Farmer Me

Look what I plucked from my meager little backyard garden today! I couldn't believe it! And I have many more that should be ready in just a few days! Forgive me for being overly proud of such a minor accomplishment, but I'm hardly the "nature girl/farming" type! I can't wait to slice them up! YUM!