Tuesday, October 22, 2013

Another homemade dinner

Yummy awesomeness.
Mr. B thinks he is in heaven. I used to cook all the time, but lately it has been healthy take out for me and whatever he wants for himself. He's sure he is in a parallel universe because I cooked dinner on Sunday and again tonight. I cooked my own tasty marinara sauce for hours and served it over whole wheat pasta. And there are leftovers, except we won't be home for the next two nights.

It was cool again today, which was really nice. I spent some time outside with the Pettit sisters. Roz, with her bum leg, now needs to be carried outside and put in the grass. She limps around and when she is finished we have to carry her back in the house. This isn't bad in Houston, but it's freezing at night in the high desert.

Today I'm creating an blast for a client. I was awake (sort of), dressed and at an 8 a.m. meeting. It lasted all of 10 minutes. I wonder if this could have been conducted over the telephone.

Monday, October 21, 2013

Explanation, please.

Simple, but cute and functional, bag.
I thought I had conquered my problem with late night eating, but obviously not. Earlier this year, when I decided to take off the extra weight I was carrying around, I was able to control my snacking. But hello, it's back. Since I returned from SFe in mid-September, I've started late night eating. Not good. How did I conquer this before and why is it back now? Maybe stress?

I enjoy watching Dancing with the Stars on Monday nights. Perhaps I'm a frustrated dancer? What I don't understand is why Len Goodman dislikes Derek Huff. It doesn't matter what Derek does, Len always gives him and his partner scores below the other two judges. Crazy!

Today I'm creating approval for the website I've been working on for months. It was almost embarrassing how many times my name was mentioned in my last meeting today related to the website. I'm making it happen and should be proud, not embarrassed, that people are recognizing my contributions
.


Sunday, October 20, 2013

Housekeeping duties - ugh!

Yummy red beans (and rice) for dinner.
My least favorite thing in the world, as I'm sure it is with most people, is housekeeping. But today, it was necessary. Washing clothes. Scrubbing the bathroom. Cleaning the kitchen. None of these are on my top-10 list of fun things to do.

As a reward for doing my chores, I did some online shopping this afternoon. When we bought the casita in 2007, I took winter clothes that I leave there. After losing 50 lbs. I don't think they'll fit anymore. The sweaters will be fine, but I hate walking around pulling up my pants all the time.

Today I'm creating a big pot of red beans. I've been cooking them for several hours and they smell terrific. It's perfect weather for a bowl of red beans and rice topped with cheddar cheese and some green onions. Mustn't forget the side of cornbread.

Saturday, October 19, 2013

All afternoon nap

Dreaming of being at the casita in the snow.
I think it was probably 1 p.m. today when I closed my eyes. I remember Mr. B coming in at some point and waking me up because I was talking in my sleep. I know what that unpleasant part of my dreaming was about and why I was upset. Two pleasant parts of my four hour nap involved being with my wonderful paternal grandmother in her home in Bryan, Texas. She has been deceased almost 19 years, but I still dream about her. The third dream that I remember was being in Santa Fe. The sun was setting and it was snowing. In my dream the sun was setting in the north instead of the west. Is there a significance to that?

My social media question of the day is why do people such as Kim Kardashian and Miley Cyrus post "selfies" of their semi-naked bodies? Oh wait. Can you say narcissism? I hear there's a pill for everything these days. Someone please prescribe something to control celebrities with narcissistic personality disorder. Or better yet, it's time for the media to stop reporting about them.

Today I'm creating a day off, although this evening I'm going to wash and fold clothes and clean the bathroom. It's another exciting Saturday night in the Pettit household.

Friday, October 18, 2013

Rainy afternoon and evening

We were talking about the renovated library tonight. Cool.
It was sad to read today that Bum Phillips died. What a great time he, the old Oilers, and love ya blue brought to Houston. What a terrific time in Houston's sports history. My thoughts are with his family and all those who love him. I always thought he was a man of integrity.

I have plans for tomorrow to straighten up the second half of the studio upstairs. I'm not sure how that will happen because there is still furniture up there that needs to be gone. The plan is still to put several items in an estate sale sometime in November. In the meantime, I need to find a path in the upstairs office area.

Today I'm creating details for my booth at the recycle market. But now, it's time to climb into my pajamas and curl up in bed with a magazine I got in the mail today. It's been raining all afternoon and evening, which makes it great sleeping weather.

Thursday, October 17, 2013

I am a sleepy head

Mr. B and me at the Art Heist last weekend.
I didn't want to get up this morning, so basically I haven't. I think Mr. B was doing everything he could to get me to wake up. Flipping on lights. Banging around. Talking to me and the dogs. But when he left for work, the Pettit girls and their momma just pulled the covers up.

I haven't had time for any crafting so far this week, but tomorrow is another day. I think my calendar is fairly clear all day tomorrow and the weekend. I still need to be building my inventory of bags, totes, pillows and tin jewelry to take to Santa Fe. And then there is the decision of how to prepare my booth for the Santa Fe Recycle Festival. This past weekend I spent time walking around in the rain looking at various booth spaces in the Bayou City Art Festival. I don't think I realized how small a 10'x10' space is once it's filled with displays and merchandise. The trick is to use the vertical space as well as table surface.

Today I'm creating advertising magic in two afternoon meetings and (another) wrap-up meeting for Bayou City Art Festival. Hearing from other people what they thought was good and what could use improvements is so beneficial.

Wednesday, October 16, 2013

Slowdown in my pace

Honk, honk.
I had another good night's rest last night and am feeling more energized. This morning I met a friend who is going to Santa Fe and staying in the casita this coming weekend. Oh how I wish I could slip in her backseat and go along. But my time will come soon.

While meeting with KK this morning she told me a story that I want to share about geese, which provides a perfect example of the importance of team work and how it can have a profound and powerful effect on any form of personal or business endeavour. 
• As each goose flaps its wings it creates an UPLIFT for the birds that follow. By flying in a 'V' formation the whole flock adds to the flying range. When humans have a sense of community and focus, we create trust and can help each other achieve our goals.
• When a goose falls out of formation it suddenly feels the drag and resistance of flying alone. It quickly moves back to take advantage of the lifting power of the birds in front. If humans had as much sense as geese we would stay in formation with those headed where we want to go. We should be willing to accept the help of others and give our help to others. 
• When a goose tires of flying up front it drops back into formation and another goose flies to the point position. The outcome is that it pays to take turns doing the hard tasks. We should respect and protect each other's unique arrangement of skills, capabilities, talents and resources. 
• When a goose gets sick, two geese drop out of formation and follow it down to the ground to help and protect it. If humans have as much sense as geese we will stand by each other in difficult times, as well as when we are strong. 
• Geese flying in formation HONK to encourage those up front to keep up with their speed. Humans need to make sure our honking is encouraging. In groups and teams where there is encouragement, production is much greater. 

Today I'm creating e-blasts, revising an invitation and getting ready for my Bayou City Art Festival Board meeting tonight. Honk, honk!

Tuesday, October 15, 2013

Working 9-5 and volunteering after that

The lawn and reflection pond in front of City Hall
is at the bottom,  some of the artists' tents and trees
are in the middle, and Houston skyscrapers at the
top of the photo. Taken during BCAF DT 2013.
I know people must get tired of reading about my busy days, but that's what I'm living right now. I'm still doing wrap-up meetings for Bayou City Festival and already planning for the 2014 festivals.

My day today was also filled with paying work, which is always a good thing. My Tuesday client is usually about five hours, but today in was eight full hours and a to-do list came home with me. I count four events I'm organizing between now and the end of the month. And tonight I went to a meeting about another volunteer project that I'm involved with in April 2014.

Today I'm creating three invitations, several planning meetings and writing e-blasts that will go out tomorrow and Wednesday. It was a busy, but fulfilling and productive day.

Monday, October 14, 2013

Wrapping up loose ends

Due to rain, the Bayou City unLIMITed stage didn't get the
attendance we hoped for, but the ducks who live in Sam
Houston Park were out, checking the crowd and looking for food.
I got home last night around 6:30 p.m., ate dinner while watching the Amazing Race and The Good Wife, and fell asleep somewhere in the middle of The Mentalist. After several stressful weeks and unbelievable busy days before and during Bayou City Art Festival, I needed lots of rest last night as did our hardworking staff and volunteers.

My only wish is that there were better results from the festival. We have had one rainy day at the festivals before, but never two days of rain. Needless to say, since we make a great deal of our money on admission and drink sales during the festival, our financial results won't be good. But the good news is that I've already had one wrap-up meeting this week and will have two more before the week is over. While some people are putting the finishing touches to last weekend's festival, many more are already in the planning stages for the 2014 Bayou City Art Festival in Memorial Park on March 28-30, 2014.

Today I'm creating time for final proofing of a brochure, but mostly taking it easy. This aging body doesn't getup and go like it used to do!

Saturday, October 12, 2013

Ouch!

The city skyscrapers dwarf the tents of BCAF!
My feet are killing me after a day and night at Bayou City Art Festival. The rain came and went. We hope it went away for the weekend.

I would give almost anything for something cheesy and greasy right now.

Today I'm creating Art Heist magic. See you tomorrow at the Bayou City Art Festival!

Friday, October 11, 2013

Cocktail time!

My check-in buddies this morning.
I finished my four hour shift with Bayou City Art Festival around 1 p.m. Next I got pumpkins and flowers to decorate my client's booth. Then it was back to Bayou City Art Festival.

There were two women in the booth next to my client's. Unfortunately they had parked in the middle of the space and left the tailgate down. I stopped the Explorer and looked at them for a minute. They just looked at me. I was going to drive around their truck, when one of them started yelling "STOP, STOP, STOP" and waving her arms. She came to the window I had opened and said, " I'd prefer you didn't hit my truck." I replied back to her that I didn't want to hit her truck, either. What I wanted to do is run into her damn truck and tell her that I'm older and have more insurance, to quote Kathy Bates from the movie Fried Green Tomatoes.

Today I'm creating time for a nap with Roz. She looks really sleepy!

Thursday, October 10, 2013

Gettin' it done

The fabrics on this messenger bag have such great texture.
I did get my sewing done yesterday. I finished all the bags I wanted to make, except for one that I didn't have the cording needed to finish the handle. I don't think there was another customer in the fabric store this morning when I arrived to get the cording.

After returning home and finishing the bag, I started on jewelry. It was difficult to sit on the floor and punch out the tin, but I didn't think it was a good idea to use the mallet on the glass-top table. I put down the jewelry and went to Mitzie's house with Dr. Mc. Then I came home, watched the last few minutes of Project Runway, and now I'm so tired I can hardly keep my eyes open.

Today I'm creating a finished membership brochure. It's at the printer. A day early. I was wrote and sent out an e-blast. And now I'm turning out the light and getting some sleep. It may be the last sleep I get for the next 72 hours.

Wednesday, October 9, 2013

I haven't sewn a stitch today

I made this apron in honor of
Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  
There's still time left today, but so far I haven't been to my studio. My concern is the home show that I'm participating in on Sunday afternoon. This is a Houston Heights Association item that was part of our annual Spring auction. Ladies pay to have lunch, shopping and socializing at a home. We wait until the Fall when the weather is great to have the party. I always buy a ticket to attend. The last couple of years I've also been asked to be a vendor. But when I was asked in the summer to participate as a vendor this year I didn't realize that the event was on the same day as the Bayou City Art Festival. Very poor planning on my part!

I'll have available at the home show about 20 reversible aprons, 10 totes, 10 bags and four or five ponchos. I was planning to make more bags and pillows today and make jewelry tomorrow. I don't have any pillows made, which is unfortunate because at last year's home party I sold five or six of them. All day Friday and Saturday I'll be onsite with Bayou City Art Festival. I'll also be onsite on Sunday morning and will leave the festival just in time to set up for the house party.

Today I'm creating an e-blast to go out tomorrow, writing copy for a website and taking the final photo for a brochure that's going to print on Friday. I'm glad that Mr. B decided to go out tonight with his buddy. I'm certainly no fun to be around right now!

Tuesday, October 8, 2013

My only excuse is that it's an extremely busy week!

I love clutch bags and need to make many more!
I didn't realize that I hadn't posted yesterday. Client meetings. Writing ads (three). Sewing. Yes, it's a busy week.

Today I worked in my studio for six hours before moving on. This evening I was at Bayou City Art Festival at 5 p.m. writing, then attended the Judges' orientation before moving on to dinner with last year's auction committee from the Houston Heights Association, a consultation meeting about a TV interview, and finally a few minutes with Mr. B. Yes, it is a VERY busy week!

Today I'm creating four aprons and two clutch bags in my studio. I told myself that I needed to focus on what I need to do between now at Sunday at 5 p.m. It worked!

Sunday, October 6, 2013

Nice fall weather

New to this year's Bayou City Art Festival Downtown: the
unLIMITed Stage featuring10 terrific local and regional bands.
The long awaited cool front arrived in Houston. I'm hoping that the beautiful fall weather will continue for the next seven days through the downtown Bayou City Art Festival. Oh please, let us have good weather through the festival!

Last night when Mr. B and I were out, I had on a pair of tin earrings I made. I was stopped by people I didn't know, asking where I got the earrings. It was very exciting to talk to people about one of my crafts and send them to the two Houston stores that sell them.

Today I'm creating bags. I made three more today, plus Mr. B worked on my wooden crate. I wanted him to put a bar inside the crate so I could hang necklaces from it. Perfecto! Also, I bought a small wrought-iron table that needed cleaning, which he did. The little table will sit on my table and give some height to my display. The how-to books say to use vertical space, as well as the horizontal table. My display items are coming together. I just need to keep sewing and making jewelry.

Saturday, October 5, 2013

Bags, bags and more bags!

Argh! I need a pirate costume for next Saturday's
Art Heist: Treasures of the New World.
After a morning of being lazy, I went upstairs to my studio and made three great bags. I still don't know how many I should have for the Santa Fe Recycle Art Festival, so I just keep making bags and totes. The three I made today are like messenger bags. I didn't take photos of them, but will do so tomorrow.

This evening Mr. B and I had a date. First we went to G Gallery and Redbud Gallery. The art was good and it was great to see people we haven't seen in some time. Next we went to the biannual art opening at Winter Street Studios. There wasn't anything there that I couldn't live without although I think Mr. B would have purchased a collage if I had given the go ahead. I liked the piece, but we already have artwork in the Houston house and in the casita in Santa Fe that aren't hanging. So much art. So little wall space.

Today I'm creating a design template for committees and subcommittees to use. There's an established brand that shouldn't be diluted by committees and subcommittees having their own logo designs. Apparently others didn't learn this principle in Marketing 101, 201, 301, 401, etc. It's OK.

Friday, October 4, 2013

A better day

My fabrics. There's still another wall, but they're organized!
I've gotten support for identifying and talking about the elephant in the room earlier in the week. For example, longtime friend and former office mate Kay commented that if what I said brings about a positive change, then what I did was good. I appreciate that! I also appreciate Stacey – I'm not sure she follows my blogs – who called to say she respected the courage it took to speak about what I did. Today has been a much better day for me because of the support from friends and knowing that I've empowered improvements.

After lunch with good friend Sandy, I came home to a house without electricity. The power was out all over the Houston Heights. There was no sewing today, but I did go to the fabric store to get more trim that I use for straps.

Today I'm creating a logo that all committees can use. I don't want to dilute the organization's brand, so let's not have separate logos for every committee. Instead, I figured out a way to use the current logo, but modify it to include the committee name. That's why, in my mind, I'm a creative marketing genius.

Thursday, October 3, 2013

Control

Cute little bag I reworked yesterday. I'm proud that I was
able to get the stripes to match in this vintage fabric.
I'm disappointed in myself that I've let the events of last night impact my mood today. My thoughts have been all over the place when I need to be focused on what's important and my current commitments. But telling myself to "snap out of it" doesn't seem to be working.

The "mom" who is inside my head and controls my guilty feelings is slapping me around, telling me that bringing up an unpleasant topic last night was hurtful to others and I should be ashamed. But the adult woman who resides in another part of my head tells me to be proud that I brought to light an issue that needed to be addressed. Who do I believe? Why can't there be a happy medium?

Today I'm creating a bag, I think. I haven't been upstairs to my studio yet and have an event that begins in three hours. So although I still have time to sew, I'd rather curl up in a ball and fret. What to do. Since the most productive thing to do would be to go upstairs and sew for two hours, I'm hoping I choose that alternative.

Wednesday, October 2, 2013

It didn't go as I thought it would, but what did I expect?

Reworked totes are much better than where they started.
I went up to my studio this afternoon and had a great time. Just Rose and me. I had a couple of tote bags that I had started about a year ago, but didn't like the direction so I set them aside. Today I picked them up, tore them apart, and started fresh. The result (see the pic of the day) are two really cute totes. This was the good part of my day.

Tonight I was invited to a meeting for open conversation about the Houston Heights Spring Home & Garden Tour and surrounding events. I wonder if I went there with a bad attitude because once the dialogue began, I didn't feel it was really an open conversation at all. I got the feeling that decisions had already been made. If this was the case, I was wasting my time! I brought up some not so positive elements of last year's tour, and really ruffled some feathers, even though that was not my intent. But how can you have an open conversation without the positive and the negative? It wasn't my intent to hurt anyone's feelings, but that is certainly what happened. As of now, I'm sure that Mr. B is still welcome in the neighborhood, but I'm not sure about me.

Today I'm creating a bio. I was struggling with what was sent to me. I struggled with trying to keep what someone else had written, but really wasn't happy with it. Dr. Mc reviewed it and gave me some direction. I walked away from it for a couple of hours and when I went back to it, everything fell into place. This is exactly what happened with the tote bags. I wasn't happy at first, but after time everything fell into place with them. I think that's what I need to do with the events of this evening's meeting. Just walk away, think about what happened, and get back to it when my mind is clearer.

Tuesday, October 1, 2013

Crazy, busy day

Saw this rocker today and thought it matched
a Stickley chair at the house, but no.
Oh. My. Gosh. If there isn't already enough on my October calendar, my Tuesday client added several new events to my calendar. I love the work, but also enjoy sleeping every once in awhile. Right now I'm resting until after dinner when I'm going to go upstairs and sew. When I was organizing my studio, I found several bags that I started, but didn't complete. Those are my projects for this afternoon.

While searching for a mirror for my client's office, I found another vintage suitcase. Great price and size. The outside is classic and weathered, and the inside is damn near perfect. I also found a couple of crates that I'm going to have Mr. B alter just a bit for me. One is sturdy, but the other needs to be stabilized. Then I'm going to ask him to put a small wooden dowel in the inside at the top so I can hook necklaces. Should be a cute display.

Today I'm creating mailers, ads and an e-blast. Tomorrow I should have some pics
to post.