Saturday, June 29, 2013

June 29, 2013

Rose found the AC vent in the backseat of
the car. She spent most of the drive sleeping
on her back, feet in the air, in front of the vent. 
Door to door, from the Houston house to the Santa Fe casita, in 13 hours. The 900-mile drive was uneventful, except for a little rain when we reached New Mexico.  Tomorrow the high temperature will be 82 degrees and Monday it is supposed to be 75 degrees. For people who ask me why I want to spend summers in the high desert, this is the reason. Cooler temperatures and a dry climate.

Mr. B unloaded the car and now he has gone to get dinner. Did I mention that margaritas are also on his list? I know we had some here when I left in May. I suppose our guests who were here in June enjoyed the margaritas and didn't bother to replace them, thank you very much.

Today I'm creating a self-guided tour of the beautiful Santa Fe garden. It really looks great, even thought it isn't in full bloom yet. Still, the plants have filled in beautifully. Let my summer vaca begin!

Friday, June 28, 2013

June 28, 2013

I love this vintage tin so much that I've bought four or five,
but use them as vases instead of cutting them for jewelry.
I'm so excited to be leaving tomorrow for Santa Fe, but not so excited about cleaning the house today before I leave. I'm going to eat lunch and then "suck it up" to do what I need to do.

Actually, it's not the packing of my clothes that takes time. It's the gathering of all my crafting materials that takes the longest! Besides the tins and tools needed to make jewelry, I also want to take the vintage flour sacks I've collected so I can make aprons. And I want to take the burlap bags I've collected to make pillows. Basically, I'm packing up my craft area to take to SFe. That's not an easy or simple job!

Today I'm creating time for errands, packing and cleaning. I got my errands completed before noon. This afternoon it's supposed to be 100 degrees in Houston, so I wanted to make sure I was inside during the height of the heat and humidity. One of my errands was to visit Jubilee to deliver more jewelry. Done. People are going into the store and asking for my jewelry after it was featured in the paper yesterday. I'm thrilled and proud, but still not quitting my day job!

Thursday, June 27, 2013

June 27, 2013

Arrangements with tropical flowers.
I made it through the first three days of the craziness involved with this week. Now I'm coasting through Thursday and Friday. Yesterday's board meeting with Bayou City Art Festival was terrific and the event last night went very smoothly. I loved the arrangements I made using tropical flowers, but now I remember why I don't often use tropical flowers. They're too expensive!

My picture and an article about my jewelry are in the Houston Chronicle today. I hate photos of myself. After losing 50 lbs., I still look heavy. And what's up with my hair? I can lose more weight, but what am I going to do with my hair? The gray and white at my forehead look terrible with the rest of the dirty blonde. It's all natural, but it looks like I missed my last appointment to color my hair and have roots showing. I don't want to color my hair, maybe I'll have to. It's just so much trouble to keep up with hair color.

Today I'm creating a recruitment ad before making jewelry. I've gotten some really great tins recently. Since the article was in the paper today, Jubilee wants more jewelry to sell. They're expecting people to come in to buy it after they read the article. It's all good!

Tuesday, June 25, 2013

June 25, 2013

I spent an hour today driving to and from a property to
take photos, only to have the magazine tell me they like the
photos taken with an iPad camera better. Harrumph!
I don't want anyone to have the idea that life is all about me. However, I've been planning an event for my client for months. Yesterday he wasn't feeling well. Today he went to the hospital with a 103 degree temperature. Holy crap! He says he is getting out of the hospital tomorrow, but what if he doesn't? At his event I may need to step into the spotlight in his absence. Slap. Slap. Calm down, diva. Everything is going to be OK.

It was another crazy day today. I spent a couple of hours this morning working for a client. Then I spent four hours working on tomorrow night's event. Next a photo shoot with my Cannon Power Shot. Finally three hours of pro bono work before dinner with close friends Sandy and Dave. I can and will make it through tomorrow to be on vaca planning Thursday and Friday. Deep breath. Big sigh. Hmmmm.

Today I'm creating shopping time for tomorrow night's event. Everything is purchased, so tomorrow I only have to create five floral arrangements and set up for the event. But wait. What am I going to wear? Hmmmm.

Monday, June 24, 2013

June 24, 2013

While at Mr. B's office today I caught him
standing in from on antlers. Funny!
I have two more days of being crazy busy. It's always this way before I leave town. I'm actually looking forward to the drive to Santa Fe on Saturday because it will be down time.

All day tomorrow I'll be shopping and organizing for a party at a client's home. Flowers. Food. Accoutrements. It's hard planning and executing a party at someone else's home. Then tomorrow night I have a meeting with Bayou City Art Festival before dinner with friends. Wednesday at noon I have a Board meeting with Bayou City Art Festival and then set up for the party Wednesday evening. Lots of things to do the next two days, but then I'll have time to pack and clean house on Thursday and Friday (I hope).

Today I'm creating lists and checking them twice for my client's party. I also made a jewelry display to take to a shop in midtown Houston. I guess that will happen sometime Thursday or Friday.

Sunday, June 23, 2013

June 23, 2013

Next Sunday I want to have dinner in
the garden in Santa Fe.
I thought Mr. B and I might go to see a couple of movies today, but that didn't happen. Instead, we stayed home and watched Silver Linings Playbook. We were going to watch another movie, but the disc player jammed. Bummer! I also watched Laura, which is one of my favorite movies. Then we watched last weeks episode of Burn Notice and The Good Wife.

I also did a little bit of house cleaning today. I want to get the house really clean before I leave for Santa Fe next Saturday morning. I'm thinking seriously about turning the breakfast area of the kitchen into my office. We never use the breakfast room for eating, so it might as well be functional as an office. Then I could use the entire garage apartment for crafting. It would be nice if my big computer was set up so I could work from the house instead of going to the garage apartment. I'll admit that I'm still somewhat afraid of the stairs after falling last year.

Today I'm creating tin bracelets. The entire time we were watching movies and television today I was multi-tasking. I probably made 15 bracelets. It was a mix and match of pieces I had already cut out. People seem to really like the bracelets that have non-matched tin pieces.

Saturday, June 22, 2013

June 22, 2013

My niece Tricia and great-niece Catherine.
I spent part of the afternoon with my niece, her husband and their two-month-old daughter Catherine. She stayed awake the entire time I was there and was very alert. She is quite the charmer! She was dimples in both cheeks, just like her daddy. I loved holding and kissing her. She's a lucky girl to have wonderful parents!

When I got home I ate leftovers from the party Mr. B and I went to last night. Crab cakes and mac & cheese. Yum! I should have just eaten the crab cakes and not the mac & cheese, but it's the end of my birthday week so I treated myself. Tomorrow I'm back to the better eating habits I'm developing.

Today I'm creating flattened tins. I realized that it will be much easier to take them to Santa Fe if I cut them open. Yes, next week at this time Mr. B and I will be in the high desert. I'm a lucky girl!


Friday, June 21, 2013

June 21, 2013

This tin is going to make some cute earrings.
After a busy morning of pro bono work, long-time friend Mitzie took me to lunch. I've now been celebrating my birthday for one week, so it's probably time to move on. We ate at Tiny Boxwoods, which is one of my favorite lunch places in Houston. It may even be my favorite lunch place. I really, really like the summer salad served there. Then Mitzie and I splurged on a chocolate chip cookie.

Today was another good day for tin collecting. Mitzie brought me one she got several months ago at her church yard sale. Then I made my weekly trip to The Guild Shop and scored three tins. And I got three more in the mail that I bought on ebay. I have three days coming up with nothing on my calendar. I'll be doing some crafting!

Today I'm creating a pair of earrings to wear tonight. Friends are having a summer solstice party. They asked everyone to wear black or white. I can't believe in all my stash of earrings, I didn't have any black and white ones to complement my outfit for tonight. N
ow I do.

Thursday, June 20, 2013

June 20, 2013

These tins are embossed. My jewelry with
this texture always sells well.
With just a week and one day left before I make the trip to the high desert, I started doing some deep cleaning today, starting with the bedroom and kitchen. Although I think I'm making progress the dining room table is currently pretty full with things I don't know what to do with, which reinforces my belief that I need less stuff! But what? Less shoes? No. Less clothes? No. Since I've lost weight it's once again fun to buy clothes. Less jewelry? Never. I think the real answer is more space.

Besides removing two thrash bags full of stuff from the bedroom, I also found time to write thank you notes and a letter to my wonderful aunt who lives in New York. Her husband died a little over a year ago and she is really struggling. She was married for 55 years, so I completely understand her feelings of loss.

Today I'm creating eblasts for a pro bono client. I think I've done enough cleaning for today. Now I need to go relax and make some jewelry.

Wednesday, June 19, 2013

June 19, 2013

I had fun mixing and matching tins last weekend
while I was making jewelry. Some of the results.
It was heart warming to receive so many birthday wishes yesterday on Facebook. I kept logging in to my account so I could see who had left me a message.

Dinner last night with Mr. B at Brennan's was as wonderful as always. Turtle soup. Crab cakes. Bananas Foster. It doesn't get any better. We had never been seated in the room where we sat last night, so that was also fun. While sitting there we talked about redoing the dining room in the Houston house. Mr. B seemed to be OK with the idea that I'm ready for a change.

Today I'm creating a trip to Galveston to attend a conference. The executive director of Bayou City Art Festival arrived about 7:45 a.m. Neither of us are morning people, but we got up and to Galveston on time. The conference was produced by Texans for the Arts Foundation. It was an arts funding and leadership development workshop, most of which was terrific! The morning speaker was so informative about fundraising. The afternoon speaker stood behind a podium and clicked through his slides. Some of his topics were interesting, but after lunch I could have used a little more sizzle.

Tuesday, June 18, 2013

June 18, 2013 - My Birthday

Sweetness having an adult beverage during
lunch with me at Sparrow.
I'm not sure I've ever had a more fabulous birthday. I slept until about 9:30 a.m. Even though I was awake I didn't get up until probably 11 a.m. I enjoyed a morning that  included reading some and talking to some friends who called to wish me happy birthday.

This afternoon I had my hair cut, had lunch with Sweetness at Sparrow (Monica Pope's restaurant), went shoe shopping, and finally had a mani/pedi. In just a few minutes I'm going to change clothes and go to dinner at Brennan's with Mr. B.

Today I'm creating a day of pleasure, and I did an excellent job! After lunch, Sweetness took me around the corner from the restaurant to a small shop on Main named Tinkerbox. Cute shop with lots of locally made items. Leather and canvas bags. Unique jewelry. Hand-painted t-shirts. Prints and paintings. Cards. Lots of cute things. There was nothing like my tin jewelry in the shop, so I spent some time talking to the owners. I'm going to go back there later this week and take some jewelry for her to sell. See what I mean? It has been one fabulous birthday!

Monday, June 17, 2013

June 17, 2013

Fun tins that need to be recycled into jewelry.
And I'm just the person to do it!
My last day of being 60-years-young has been busy. Four meetings today, with a unusual amount of time between each. I mean, what do you do when you have a meeting and then 45 minutes to an 1.25 hours before the next meeting?

Speaking of being 60 years young, tomorrow I'll be 60-somthing. I'm happy to say that I'm in a much better place about being in my 60s. Last year at this time I wasn't sure I would ever be able to tell people that I'm 60. But now, I'm wearing age as a badge of honor. As Mr. B's mother used to say, "Aging is better than the alternative." I must say that the second half of my 60th year on planet Earth has been terrific. The problems with my foot and ankle seem to be resolved. I've lost 50 lbs.  My mental state is in a good place. Work is fulfilling and fun. I feel loved and appreciated. Could I ask for anything more!

Today I'm creating a draft of a communications plan for a non-profit organization. I'm also counting down the busy days until Saturday, June 29, when I leave for my vaca in Santa Fe. Hello Pettita Casita. Mama is heading home soon.

Sunday, June 16, 2013

June 16, 2013

Really small photo of
my grandfather.
I love all the photos everyone is posting of their dads. My profile picture is of my dad and me. I got a message from one of my grandmother's relatives this morning. (Maybe his father and my grandmother were cousins?) He left me an early birthday wish on Facebook and mentioned how much his father loved to fish with my grandfather. My grandfather loved cars and boats, and I'm not sure in which order. He was a wonderful fisherman and a great grandfather. Today's pic-of-the-day is of the original Truett Bryan Akin as a young man.

As the story has been passed down to me, the picture of was taken during the depression when he worked as a truck driver for a furniture company. He, my grandmother and daddy, lived in an unfinished garage somewhere in the Heights. When he delivered something he would take the cardboard box home and nail it to the inside of the garage to serve as insulation.

Today I'm creating sangria. It's in the fridge now. We're celebrating father's day, #1 son-in-law's birthday and my birthday with family this afternoon. Hope they're ready for some cool sangria on a hot afternoon.

Friday, June 14, 2013

June 14, 2013

Opening both of these bottles to see which
one does the best job of cool me off>
The temperature gauge in my car read 101 degrees around 4 p.m. today. That's way too hot for this early in June. I read that the average temperature in Houston in mid-June is 91 degrees. In just two weeks I'll be escaping the heat and humidity of Houston and heading to the high desert. Granted, it's hot there in July, but never 100+ degrees and never humid. What makes me even cooler when I'm in Santa Fe is that I wear sleeveless linen tops every day.

Since I'm in Houston, I have found a way to cool off during my last weeks in Houston (see the pic of the day). Nothing is better than a glass (or two) of bubbly.

Today I'm creating a postcard mailer for my Tuesday client. I spent most of the morning inside, but then ran around Houston in the afternoon. I love the air conditioner in the Explorer!

Thursday, June 13, 2013

July 13, 2013

Let's see. How many bottles of wine would Mr. B and I
have to drink to make this planter?
I'm beginning to worry about my memory. There was a time when I could tell people what I wore and they wore years before at a special event. Now I can't remember what I wore two days ago. When I'm talking people I sometimes have a problem finding the word I want to use. And I often have problems remembering names. Am I getting old?

I caught up on my sleep last night. I went to sleep around 11 p.m. This morning I woke up about 8:30 a.m., but went back to sleep fairly quickly and slept until 11 a.m.

Today I'm creating jewelry. This afternoon I took inventory of my jewelry. I had plenty of bracelets, but the earrings and necklaces were really low. What sells most are the earrings, so I sat at my little lap table and put several earring sets and necklaces together. I'm going to take an outing tomorrow to the The Guild Shop to see if they have any new tins (if I remember).

Wednesday, June 12, 2013

June 12, 2013

I found this colorful little recipe box last weekend at a
vintage store. You see tin, but I see jewelry! 
My client meeting this morning went better than expected. When I initially met with this organization I suggested that I could call or meet with different people so my initial contact won't have to provide all the information needed. He didn't like that idea (at first), but when I suggested it again today, he liked it. He really liked it! I met a woman who responsible for one of the programs, got tons of information from her, and am moving forward. Make it happen!

Volunteer work has also been part of my day. Sometimes when I'm working with volunteers there can be too many ... what's the expression I'm thinking about? Oh! Sometimes there can be too many cooks in the kitchen. That's what was happening this morning and I had to find a diplomatic way to make it stop. Make it stop!

Today I'm creating a flier. I should be doing more today because I'm still dressed for my meeting. Do you know the expression, "All dressed up and nowhere to go?" But since it's going to rain again this afternoon, I'm going to change my clothes and stay home.

Tuesday, June 11, 2013

June 11, 2013

As long as I'm awake, I might
as well do some light reading.
At 8:30 p.m. last night I was tired. At 11:30 p.m. I felt exhausted. By 1:30 a.m. this morning I was beginning to wonder if I would go to sleep. It's now 3:19 a.m. and I'm still awake, watching reunions of Burn Notice in the guest room. And so the cycle of not sleeping begins.

Good news to report. I got an email about my trunk show that occurred last Saturday. Jubilee purchases jewelry from me and then marks it up before they sell it. So during the trunk show they displayed what they had just bought from me, as well as other jewelry they hadn't yet purchased. After the sale I was paid for what was mine that sold. The sale was so successful that they have low-stock of my jewelry and want to buy more. LOVE it! I could be making jewelry right now, except banging the heavy hammer on the die cuts would wake up Mr. B and the neighbors. Not a good idea at 3:25 a.m.

Today I'm creating who knows what for my Tuesday client. I hope whatever I'm asked to do doesn't take much brain power because I don't know if mine will be clicking on too many cylinders today. OK. It's now 3:28 a.m. How much longer before breakfast? Are we there yet? Read any good books lately? If so, do you make early morning deliveries?

Monday, June 10, 2013

June 10, 2013

I was sorry to read about the death of
long-time Houston artist Lee Littlefield.
RIP, Lee.
My list of project today keeps growing! I started out with three projects to do finish today and have been adding more to the list all day. I finished the three I had to do, but still have three more to do. I think I can. I think I can.

Who watched Design Star last night besides me? I liked the design of the Abby, who is from Wimberly, TX, but her energy level would be enough to drive a sane person crazy! And what's up with her hair? I try not to be judgmental about what people wear if it's different from what is considered "the norm" (i.e. traditional). Love her room design, but her hair is whacky! Speaking of whacky, I didn't like Brooks crazy room with pink wallpaper or his crazy appearance. But he won last night so it shows you what I know.

Today I'm creating newsletters, articles for a newsletter, invoices and agendas for upcoming meetings. And I still have hours to go!



Sunday, June 9, 2013

June 9, 2013

Display from the trunk show yesterday.
The trunk show at Jubilee yesterday was really fun. Thanks to everyone who came out! I should have taken my camera to get a photo of the display instead of just using my iPhone. Thanks to Kristal and Kelly for putting together a beautiful food table stocked with cool beverages and tasty snacks.

A photographer from the Chronicle spent a good bit of time taking photos of me, my jewelry, and friends who came. I don't know when the article will appear, but I dislike all photos of myself. I always think I should look younger, thinner and pretty. Yes, I'm living in a fantasy world.

Today I'm creating an afternoon date with Mr. B. We are going to see Dixie's Tupperware Party. I've read that it's really funny. I'm not sure what I've gotten us into. I bought VIP tickets, which I thought would be really great seats. Now I've read VIP tickets mean we are part of the tupperware party. My date have to remain in the dark about that until the play starts.

Friday, June 7, 2013

June 7, 2013

Mr. B and I were looking cool in our shades!
I was crazy busy yesterday and simply forgot to post. Then today I forgot a doctor's appointment. This is exactly why I love my summer's in Santa Fe where life is so much simpler.

I finished making all the jewelry for the trunk show tomorrow. Now I need to figure out what I'm going to wear and make myself some coordinating jewelry. I think I wore the perfect dress last night to dinner, but I can't wear it again tomorrow. Oh, I haven't mentioned that the reporter and photographer from Chronicle will be at the trunk show tomorrow. They're going to do a feature article on me and my up-cycled tin jewelry. How fun is that?

Today I'm creating morning time to work on pro bono projects. I'm not sure I have enough time this weekend to finish all I need to do, but I'm not missing my mani/pedi.

Wednesday, June 5, 2013

June 5, 2013

Another very busy day.
There are some people I need to spend more time with.

What does it mean when you close your eyes and they burn.

Today I'm creating so much for my non-profit clients and pro-bono clients, as well as my jewelry. And I'm counting down the days until I return to the Land of Enchantment. I LOVE my adopted city and state.

Tuesday, June 4, 2013

June 4, 2013

It's not just a busy day, but a busy week! I'm thinking this is good, because the days will go by faster and before I know it I'll be leaving for my summer vaca in Santa Fe. Oh, that reminds me that I need to make a reservation for Mr. B. He is going to drive out with me, spend about a week, and then fly back to the heat and humidity of Houston.

I'm really cranking on the up-cycled tin jewelry now. I've never had a trunk show before so I don't know how many pieces to have ready. The more the merrier? I think I may also take some cans that I haven't cut so people can see how I begin. I had someone ask me today if I picked up cans out of the garage. I hope he wasn't serious!

Today I'm creating postcards for my Tuesday client. I also sent out the first ever eblast for a non-profit I'm working with. It felt terrific to learn a new skill!

Monday, June 3, 2013

June 3, 2013

It has been an extremely productive day! I learned how to use Constant Contact today, which is a email marketing service. I have to send out eblasts for an organization that has a mailing list of approximately 1,550 members. They had been using an antiquated system, until today. And when I had a problem, I chatted online with one of the reps. Very helpful! I feel so empowered because I now know how to layout newsletters and eblasts using MicroSoft Word, and I know how to distribute them to a large group using Constant Contact.

Then, when I come home, I had an email from sweet Little Ricky in Santa Fe. He looks after Pettita Casita when the Pettits are in Houston. He's so fabulous! Today's pic-of-the-day is one the Little Ricky sent. The report is that the snapdragons are tall and beautiful, and the garden is filling in. Unfortunately, there was a late freeze in Santa Fe so there may not be any apricots this year. I've been hearing about fires in New Mexico, and sure enough the smoke is evident in Santa Fe.

Today I'm creating up-cycled tin jewelry. My jewelry trunk show at Jubilee on 19th Street in the Heights is this Saturday, June 8, from 3-6 p.m. How many pieces can I make between now and then?

Saturday, June 1, 2013

June 1, 2013

Early morning set up for the garage sale. 
It's garage sale day at the Pettit Houston house. The garage sale is really for Mr. B's long-time friend Susan. Her father died recently and her mother is now in a nursing facility. Susan and her sister have been cleaning out their parents' home. They had a very successful garage sale at the house last month while I was in Santa Fe. Then they had another one two weeks ago at another friend's house, but it didn't do well. Now they are back at the our house, hoping for another great sale. Both sides of the yard are pretty filled with items.

There's a lone table between the magnolia and pecan tree in the front yard, filled with 50+ pairs of my shoes. Many closed-toed pumps from my corporate days. Don't need those anymore. Many more from the "what-was-I-thinking" category. And still more from the whatever happened to the one outfit I wore with those shoes category. I'm actually not unhappy about selling the shoes because it makes more room in my closet for new zapatos.

Today I'm creating date night with Mr. B. A dear friend who we originally met as Dr. Mc's art teacher is having an gallery opening tonight. We have several pieces of her artwork already, but it never hurts to purchase more art. Or shoes.