Tuesday, December 31, 2013

New Year's Eve

I'm drinking my second glass of Vieux Clicquot and plan to have a couple more before 2014. I'm adding to my bucket list to visit the champagne region of France. What an incredible vacation that would be.

Mr B worked this morning and then had lunch with the owner of the company for which he works. I ate almonds for lunch. But now the grill master is working his magic on dinner: filets, rice and green beans. And of course more Vieux for his Princess.

Today I'm creating a day of rest. I'm back on the pills for shingles so there's not much else I can do. Tonight I'll stay awake and worry about the safety of the lovely McCarley sisters. The mom gene is always active.

Monday, December 30, 2013

Cold and gray

Beautiful single rose in the Houston garden today.
I thought I was done with the shingles, but not so fast. The first round I had was on the lower left side of my back. Now there are new ones on the upper right side of my back. The doctor has called in a new prescription me. I guess that slinky backless dress I was planning to wear on New Year's Eve is out. ;-)

I had my eyes examined today. It cost a fortune to have progressive lenses! No wonder I don't get my eyes checked more often.

Today I'm creating an email blast and working on revisions to a website.

Sunday, December 29, 2013

For me?

Another present! Oh, I've been such a good girl!?! I received a beautiful cashmere and silk scarf with all my favorite summer colors from our garden in Santa Fe. Stunning! I just happen to have on a turquoise tunic on this beautiful Houston day, so now I have the scarf wrapped around my shoulders.

On my agenda this afternoon is to take down the Christmas decorations. Mr. B brought in the boxes from the garage. Now that it's half time in the Texans game, I might put some of the decorations away.

Today I'm creating an updated email list for a client and then distributing information about a January 7 event. I also need to redo an e-blast to send out on Tuesday.

Saturday, December 28, 2013

Two movies in two nights

Valentine earrings
Mr. B and I saw American Hustle last night. We both gave it a rating of 6.5 out of a possible 10. It was slow in parts, and I figured out the ending about halfway through the movie.

We thought about going to see the Wolf of Wall Street tonight, but decided against it. I read an "open letter" today that was written by the daughter of the actual con man who is the basis of the movie. He stole millions from people, went to prison for a short time, and still owes money in restitution. I don't like movies where disreputable people are idolized.

Today I'm creating plans for new jewelry. The next two events that Houston retailers will promote are Valentine's Day and the Rodeo Houston. I see jewelry pieced together from different red tins for Valentine's Day. Rodeo Houston isn't quite as straightforward, but I'm working on it. I also need to look at my fabrics. I know I have some Valentine's fabric and possibly some with horses, cows, etc. YEEHAW!

Friday, December 27, 2013

Friday, fun day!

Mr. B enjoying family and the conversation on Christmas Eve.
I was going to jump out of bed this morning to get to one of my favorite stores (Eclectic Home on 19th Street) when the doors opened. I was in Eclectic Home and its sister store, Coda, on Christmas Eve-Eve getting new decorations for our dinner table. Both were closed yesterday, but open today with their Christmas decorations on sale for 50% off. I stayed home reading instead. In a rare moment of frugal thinking (and I hate it when that happens) I decided I shouldn't buy anything unless I give away some of the holiday decorations we already have in boxes.

I also spent time today thinking about events and experiences of the past year. Good and bad. Happy and sad. If you're holding onto negative and bitter feelings, it's time to own the lesson and move forward. As the afternoon ended, a peaceful smile moved from deep in her soul to cover her face. It was at this moment that Julie realized and affirmed aloud, "Letting go is incredibly liberating." 

Today I'm creating e-blasts that will go out this week and next. I'd like to find a class to take so I can be more creative with my e-blast designs. Something to put on my to-do list for 2014.

Thursday, December 26, 2013

A night at the movies

I don't think Roz moved from this spot on Christmas Eve.
Mr. B and I went to the movie tonight. We went downtown to the Sundance Theater, which was a surprise to me. Mr. B forgets how expensive it is to go there. And the parking was terrible because the Nutcracker is still on stage.

We were going to see American Heritage, but there weren't good seats left so we went to see Saving Mr. Banks. Sundance Theater was packed, which shocked both of us. After all, tomorrow is a work day for most people.

Today I'm creating a completely clean kitchen. It usually takes about a day to get all the crystal and Christmas china hand washed. Then there are the linens that I hand wash, also. But it's always put away. Until next year.

Wednesday, December 25, 2013

A Merry Little Christmas

The annual Christmas photo.
We had a fun family evening that started around 7 p.m. and ended about midnight, when this photo was taken. It's hard to tell, but Mr. B is holding Roz. Rose is front and center, as she likes it.

The evening began with beverages, the biggest cheese tray known to man, and conversation. Dinner was baby back ribs (falling-off-the-bone tender), creamy mac and cheese, freshly blanched green beans and hot dinner rolls. And more beverages. We were all so full we passed on dessert and went straight to opening presents and drinking Alex's delicious egg nog with bourbon.

Today I'm creating a merry little Christmas. Mr. B and I slept late, watched A Christmas Story, and then napped. I'm now catching up on episodes of White Collar while Mr. B watches some DVDs he got last night and savors piping hot leftovers. Life is simple and good at the Pettit home. Merry Christmas everyone!

Tuesday, December 24, 2013

Elf Day

This is probably my favorite day of the year. Even when I was a little girl I liked Christmas Eve with my grandparents, parents and brother. Since my grandfather was co-owner of a men's clothing store and always worked on Christmas Eve, my parents, brother and I would go to Bryan, TX to stay with my grandparents. It was just the six of us.

Usually we arrived on Christmas Eve Eve. They rarely had their Christmas tree decorated, so we would do that first. On Christmas Eve, Daddy (who was an only child) and my brother would often go to "the store" to help out. My grandfather was proud to show off his son and grandson (all named Truett Bryan Akin). My grandmother, mother and I would stay at the house and cook or wrap presents. My grandmother had tons of brothers and sisters, many of whom lived in Bryan, and they would stop by. A great aunt knew that my mom liked chocolate meringue pie so she usually brought one to the house. Another woman, who was married to my grandmother's brother for awhile, would give me a Christmas shirt or sweater or skirt every year. Whether or not I wore the holiday fare was cause for a Christmas morning discussion between my mom and me. She won every year. No one likes divorce, but I was so happy when my great uncle was no longer married to that woman.

Today I'm creating elf land, which means I'm wrapping presents and cooking. In keeping with our holiday tradition, the lovely McCarley sisters plus the always hungry and thirsty Zamora brothers will be at the house tonight for our annual Christmas Eve dinner. I enjoy our current party of six just as when I was young and would have a party of six at my grandparents. Family fun!

Sunday, December 15, 2013

Parties and more parties

Fabulous party and home!
A breakfast meeting at 8:30 a.m.? The person who scheduled this meeting obviously doesn't know that I don't get up early or like early morning meetings. And on Sunday? I was there. Kind of awake. Breakfast was good, especially the potatoes, and then I was home for napping.

After the napping and early morning meeting there were three parties this afternoon. Fun. More fun. And didn't make the last party.

Today I'm creating a day when I pretend to like the holidays. I'm putting on a happy face.

Saturday, December 14, 2013

Christmas magic

Subtle nail polish named "Do the Mermaid."
I was at a financial committee meeting this morning for Bayou City Art Festival. Two things are wrong with this scenario. First, it began at 9 a.m. Second, it lasted for 3.5 hours. Not my idea of how to begin a Saturday morning.

Next I went to Dr. Mc and #1 son-in-law Nick's house to help them get ready for their Lights in the Heights party tonight. In about a hour I had made two wreaths and decorated their tree (the lights were already in place). The wreaths were simple and the tree involved big, colorful draped net ribbon. Turned out great. Then I was home to make vegetarian chili and cookies, redress and get back to their house before the street closing at 5:30 p.m. Done. Done. And done.

Today I'm creating Christmas magic, but not at the Pettit house in Houston. We still have a tree with lights, but nothing else. Mr. B brought the four containers of Christmas decorations into the house. They're sitting - unopened - in the kitchen. Not tomorrow. Maybe Monday. More likely Tuesday. Or perhaps I'll reinvent the Christmas tree this year, such as what I did at Dr. Mc and #1 son-in-law Nick's house.

Friday, December 13, 2013

A day of partying

I was up and out the door early this morning so I could get everything done. First there were errands and then lunch at Canopy with a fellow Board member from Bayou City Art Festival and two people from Houston Arts Alliance.

Then I ran more errands before I went to my client's home to bag 25 bottles each of Kahlua, Baileys, Frangelico and Grand Marnier. I put all 100 bottles under one of the trees in my client's great room. It looks really cute (see pic-of-the-day). Everyone who attends the party gets to take a bag home. How fun is that!

Today I'm creating the final details for the party at my client's home. Now I'm resting my feet and back before getting dolled up and going back to enjoy  the party.

Thursday, December 12, 2013

One of my favorite photos from Christmases past.
There are so many movies that have either been recently released or are coming out that I want to see. I think Mr. B and I should spend the 12 days of Christmas (Dec. 25-Jan. 5, with Epiphany occurring on Jan. 6) seeing movies.

Here's the start of my list, but I'm sure Mr. B would like to add others, such as Thor (ugh!).
• Saving Mr. Banks
• American Hustle
• The Wolf of Wall Street
• The Invisible Woman
• August: Osage County

Today I'm creating decorations at Dr. Mc and #1 son-in-law Nick's house. There are no additional decorations in the Pettit Houston house between yesterday and today. Maybe decorating some at the McZam's house will get me in the mood.

Wednesday, December 11, 2013

Errands, errands and more errands

The year we bought the casita, Dr. Mc and I ran around at
the last minute decorating. It was a white Christmas.
Although the furry Pettit girls and I were determined to sleep in this morning, Mr. B was having none of it. Talking loudly. Turning on lights. Banging around. And just being a general pest. So there was no sleeping late.

Maybe I'm ready to dedicate an hour a day to holiday decorating. With two black and white princess dogs, I may start by putting red Christmas scarves on them. Rose LOVES it, but Roz … not so much!

Today I'm creating an e-blast and finishing a save-the-date card. And it's before noon! I'm doing some Santa errands this afternoon, both for clients and family. Yes, it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas outside the Pettit Houston house, but still not too much progress inside.

Tuesday, December 10, 2013

Still down, but not out

Some of the tin Christmas earrings from last weekend.
I've had a busy Tuesday with meetings and getting ready for my client's office party on Friday night. I had tons of fun with the corporate credit card! I always like to have a little surprise at each event, and today I figured out what to do for the office party. But first, one more meeting tonight for Bayou City Art Festival.

Mr. B and I have five events this weekend. His office party is on Friday afternoon and I might go for awhile. Friday night is my client's office party that I'll attend. Then Saturday is Lights in the Heights, which is always a fun event at Dr. Mc and #1 son-in-law Nick's house. We're invited to open houses on Sunday afternoon and Sunday night. All I need to do is decide what to wear.

Today I'm creating lists and notes on my iPad. I love being able to carry it with me. It's light yet the type is big enough to read, unlike my iPhone. I'm feeling better than I was when I posted on Sunday night. I spent time yesterday de-cluttering some and organizing my winter clothes. Less clutter. More smiles.

Sunday, December 8, 2013

Good times

I've been extremely depressed all day, and I don't know why. I had a good holiday market this past weekend, although it was long. I slept until 9 a.m., which isn't unusual for me. I didn't get dressed, which isn't unusual. Then I went back to sleep around 2 p.m. and didn't wake up until 6 p.m. Every room in the house is a total mess. I haven't finished unpacking from my month-long stay in Santa Fe. I have craft stuff everywhere. There's no doubt that I would feel better if there wasn't
Sold this poncho to Laurin on Saturday. Enjou!
clutter everywhere.

I was determined to get decorated for the holidays early this year. I see all the beautiful decorations on Facebook. I have thousands of dollars invested in holiday decorations, but the holidays haven't been the same for me since my mom died just after Thanksgiving in 2001. You'd think after all this time I'd be over it.

Today I'm creating nothing, and I'm rethinking what I'm creating. I enjoy making things, but don't like the craft shows. It's silly to continue.

Sunday, December 1, 2013

A plan for another craft show

Zach giving his mom a kiss last night during the wedding reception.
My neighbors may not speak to me again if they see me go into the Walmart on Yale tomorrow. There was a big "fight" in the neighborhood between the developer and residents to keep the strip centers from going in on the south side of I-10 along Heights Boulevard and Yale. I don't think people minded that the stores were being built, except that the traffic is now terrible at any time of the day and especially during rush hour.

So why am I going to Walmart? I need two five-foot tables for my craft show this coming weekend and Walmart was the only convenient place I could find them. The space for each artisan this weekend is only 7' x 5', instead of the usually 10' x 10'. I don't feel guilty about buying the tables because not only will I use them in future craft shows, but also for back yard parties instead of rentals.

Today I'm creating my to-do list for this coming week. I think if I'm organized I won't get panicky as  the weekend approaches. My plans need to include how to condense everything from my 10' x 10' up into the small space. I decided today that it's probably not the weather to sell outdoor pillows, so I'm going to leave them out. That's a good thing because they take up lots of room. I have holiday aprons that I'll sell instead of the burlap pillows, along with tin jewelry, bags and totes. Good plan!