Monday, August 13, 2012

Monday-10am

It's been just gorgeous weather since last Sunday!  A week of windows open, chilly nights, and warm breezes during the day...ahhh!  Perfect weather.  :) 
 We got a bit of rain one day.
The temperate weather has brought out all the teenage boys, as you may remember the influx from last year.  They have sporty cars that must rev before moving, scooters that can accelerate nicely while leaving the parking lot and flying up the new road, and motorized dirt bikes that race so well up and down the field behind the garages like a swarm of deafening mosquitoes.  Boys and their toys.    
When the boys are not making a lot of noise outside Karma has been enjoying watching the swallows on her TV tray on the porch... 
...or catching a few winks in the morning sun. 
Me, I spent several days catching up online again...and have been puttering.  I moved Serena's daisy painting over by the pen and ink cabinet... 
...and took my watercolor out of the hallway (where the bookcase will go that is due to arrive today via UPS!) and hung it kind of by the TV.  Notice how dark it is in my hallway on a sunny day with no flash.  I do so love having my art table closer to the big windows!  
My August Ink Drop (Goulet Pens) arrived. 
All of these inks are supposed to be shaders, but it is harder to tell when you like fine point nibs. 
Another part of the Amazon order arrived!
The plastic colored pencil boxes... 
...and the sturdy clear plastic tub. 
I only bought one of the tubs because I wanted to see how strong they were before I order any more.  They come in different sizes and this one wasn't wide enough to hold my ten bottles of liquid watercolors, so I will definitely get the wider one.  
When they say five inches wide, that is at the top--the sides were angled a little more than I thought.  They have a six inch wide version, too, that will be perfect.  I do love these because they are sturdy enough that I can get them down with my good arm and see what is in them before I do, too.
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I checked and the pencil boxes stack nicely sideways in one shelf. 
I added some pen cases from a bookcase; filled the pencil cases with paint markers and such; and tried out the tub for some small acrylic bottles (second from bottom on left side).  Just puttering about for fun. 
The backordered little white baskets have come in and are in transit!!  When they arrive I will probably empty this whole shelf unit and start over rearranging the shelves a bit as I go.  Tweak!  Tweak!  ;)
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Dagan and Leah's house has kind of been on hold.  The construction company is waiting on parts--like the pre-assembled trusses and such.  D&L are renting on a month to month basis now so it will be okay for them on that end, anyways.  
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We had the second warmest spring up here since 1893 and the second warmest July on record.  This break from the heat is heavenly!!  I hope those of you who have been suffering in the heat are getting this delightful break in the temperature, too.  :)
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I decided to change up my routine and go back to doing some reading and journaling in the mornings; using most of my day for chores, painting, letter writing, crafts, etc; and only doing my online catching up later on in the day and in the evening--a couple of computer sessions (which means more fast reading and less comments).  But I want to try to limit my computer time so that I have more time to create and play and do other things.  (And I have a huge art & craft supplies reorganization coming up, too--yippee!)  I've gotten in the habit of starting my day with catching up online and that has this tendency to grow and stretch out until it envelopes my whole day.  With my limited good hours scattered throughout the day, it's much too easy to do that.  I just enjoy all my blog friends so much...but maybe a little too much--LOL!  Computer time has been kind of taking over my life lately.
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 I guess I'll have to shift and tweak here, too, eh?  LOL!  I hope to find a good balance.  I am pretty much caught up again for now, though, all you interesting people!  ;)  I just need to take more time each day to live my ordinary life.  You all enrich my days and I am still thrilled that you take the time to visit me and Karma.  And please remember that I do check in, even when I don't always comment.
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Wish me luck!
  Have a glorious week!!
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"The best things in life are the nearest: Breath in your nostrils, light in your eyes, flowers at your feet, duties at your hand, the path of right just before you.  Then do not grasp at the stars, but do life's plain, common work as it comes, certain that daily duties and daily bread are the sweetest things in life."
Robert Lewis Stevenson

32 comments:

Anonymous said...

You--unlike me--are SO ORGANIZED!!

Dana said...

Good luck! :)

I loved reading your update. All of that reorganization you're doing sounds like fun. It's such a good feeling to know that everything is all nice and neat and in its place.

Have a wonderful week!

Beth said...

You are getting everything well organized and it looks great.

Love the quote from Stevenson.

Janie Junebug said...

Ah, so beautifully organized you are. It brings great joy to my heart. I was just admiring my spice drawer this morning. Sometimes I like to open a cabinet or drawer and simply enjoy the beauty of organization.

Love,
Janie

Megan Adamson said...

I try to be organized, but it doesn't always work. I tend to put things where I know they are!
My bedroom is not a mess...it is an organized obstacle course to keep me fit! ;)

Jenny Woolf said...

I always enjoy hearing about your craft supplies, you find such amazing and interesting things.

I'm glad your weather has become more reasonable. Have to say it would have driven me nuts to have the temperatures you have described.

Yes, it can be hard to find time to read and comment on all the blogs. I try to do it because I appreciate that people take trouble to write them, but also I hope they understand that sometimes my life just does get in the way and I don't have time.

TexWisGirl said...

glad you've got some nice weather again! must be heavenly! the shelves are getting filled up!

Hilary said...

Nice that you got a break in your weather and comfier days are here for you. You're so organized. If I had those craft items they'd be all over the place. Looking good!

Neesie said...

Gosh Rita you are so good...that's some organised space you have there.
I like things tidy too ~ it helps me stay calm instead of being like a dog running on lino!
I can understand how you feel about being online and trying to get a balance.
I'm having the same thoughts too.
At one stage I was just visiting others and commenting but then not having enough time to do my own posts or artwork!
I'm still working on that ;D
Have a wonderful week! Enjoy and say 'Hi' to Karma ^..^

AliceKay said...

Love your organizational skills. ;) Everything is looking great at your place. Nice inks, too. Robert Louis Stevenson is such a cool name for an ink. :)

I'm spending less and less time on blogs these days. Been spending a lot of time away from the computer since I've been having problems sitting here for any length of time anyway. I have posts in my head but nothing in the blog. *shrugs*

The weather was cooler here today. Felt nice for awhile. It's a bit warm inside this trailer tonight, tho. We had the strong stench of skunk come in thru the opened windows and had to close them up and turn the a/c back on.

Loved the quote.

Karen Smithey said...

I love how organized your new set of shelves are! My stuff always starts out very organized and then sort of unorganizes itself once it's being used--notice how I take no responsibility for the dis-organization!!!

I have a studio--a 12 by 30 building down by the pasture--and one of the things I love about it is that I can leave projects out all messy--but every so often I get the organizing bug, and then look out!

I get "the search for the perfect container"!!!

Jo-Anne's Ramblings said...

Damn you are organised I would love to be that organised.......lol

As for the boys and their toys I would want to take their car and shove it up their bum.............lol

Cloudia said...

What a lovely post and blog. So glad I stumbled here. . . Our cats could be cousins (She is guest blogger today at my place / Tuesday.

I'll be back!


Aloha from Honolulu
Comfort Spiral
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Anonymous said...

Love that first shot and the Stevenson quote.

DJan said...

I almost didn't comment, but then again I almost always do. I know how much it means to ME and you are one of my favorite people! Very upbeat post, Rita.

carol l mckenna said...

Karma is a delight! You are so organized ~ Looks awesome and light for creating is so much better ~ Happy Creating ~ hugs to you and Karma

laurak/ForestWalkArt :) said...

yay! for the nicer weather!
i can't wait for some cool nights down here!!

rita...you are SO organized...and it looks like you might have to get some more shelves soon, if you have any more wall space! ha! just kidding!

that sunrise (?) is just beautiful! what a way to start the day!!

always love your quotes too!!

scratch scratch karma!

1artsychick said...

I am amazed at your organizational skills! My studio is a mess, and I don't know where to start! I'll get it organized one day. I'm just so bad about leaving things out in progress..and then not getting back to it for a while, or starting something else. : )

No worries about not checking in so much, we know you love us! I've had to also limit my computer time so I can do other things. (especially practice with the cochlear implant) I've been reading most post in my email box and then I don't get over to comment. some people who post every day I condensed and I'll read all their post for the week at once.

So know, even if I don't comment every time, I'm reading, just from my inbox and not making it over to the real thing.
hugs to you!! and thank you for all your encouragement through my challenges.
wendy

Deanna said...

So........ when you get organized, do you stay organized? It seems once I get everything where I want it, I turn around and mess things up again! You definitely have things perfect. Isn't it nice when the weather turns nice and you can enjoy the outdoor air (even if it is filled with boys and their toys!)

Funny in My Mind said...

Your cabinet looks great!
You are uber organized.
We have had a couple of cool, rainy days and it is a nice relief.
I love that beautiful watercolor.

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

I seem to have limited my computer time too. Sorry I didn't stop by sooner. Those pen holders are colorful and look like they will work. As for the tub, that's a perfect example of why I don't order online. I want to hold it, turn it over, etc. Of course, like you, I don't get out much, so my time is limited.

Have a great week and I look forward to your next update. It was cool here for two days, but now it's hot again. What can I say?

VonnyK said...

I'm as bad with catching up on the computer in the mornings and losing half the day. I don't get afternoons and only a few evenings a week, so it's hard to reply to everyone and do art but I try to get to as many people as I can.
You're certainly getting really organised with all of your goodies, inks and pens. Still love that cabinet.
You've had a super warm spring and we've had an unusually cold winter, it must be swapping around.
Hope the weather stays nice for you.
Have a great week.
Von #27

Cindy Lane said...

Wow! You could open up your own online art store! So very organised!

I try and do all my computer stuff in the evenings after dinner. I like to work by natural daylight as much as possible, and by the early evenings there is too much to do with feeding people, cat, dog, fish, ducks, honeyeaters etc etc.

I do a quick catch up when I first turn my computer on in the mornings, and then it's to the studio or garden. As my computer is really sick at the moment, I haven't even turned it on for days at a time. Quite refreshing it is!

Can't wait to see what you get up to with all those supplies!

Akannie said...

CAn you come down and organize me too? lol

Everything looks lovely and Karma looks fat and happy.

It just doesn't get any better, does it? Once my crazy summer schedule is done,. I am inspired by you to get my artsy-fartsy stuff out and get busy again...I've let it all go too long.

HAppy cooler days here too. xoxoxox

minnemie said...

Ahhh, I love the Robert L Stevenson quote!! AND your organisation... it totally energizes me to try and do that same...Try.

SandeeNC said...

You are getting so organized and I do believe you are the Queen of online shopping!! Karma's perch looks perfect, and yes, we are having delightful weather too, although not ready to give up completely on air conditioner yet! waving hi from the sandy beaches of Florida ;0

Far Side of Fifty said...

Have fun tweaking! You are a busy gal! Oh I love the cooler weather..it is just perfect when I shiver a bit during the night and have to get up and shut the windows:)

Victoria said...

Hello friend..fabulous post..well said..spending time creating is totally divine and brings you joy...and balancing on-line time is a must! Your shelf and all the supplies look sooo fab..I totally love the colored boxes..so pretty and inspiring! Wishing you a wonderful day and magical wkd ahead!
Victoria

TammyVitale said...

oh - come to my house and organize my supplies! Your bookcase is so beautiful! and organized!

I do on-line in the a.m. too, and studio after noon. I've tried changing that around and then everything gets mucked up so I'm guessing this is a rhythm that suits me. Wishing you luck on your tweaking and thoroughly cheering on more time with creativity!

Queenie Jeannie said...

Everything looks amazing! You must be feeling really good to be getting so much accomplished - hope so!!

I have both of your lovely cards - THANK YOU SO MUCH!! Yours has been the only correspondence I've received and it really cheered me up! I've missed having internet!!!!

Intense Guy said...

Yes - thank goshes the heat has broken some!!! Whew! Was it ever hot!

I hope the shifting and tweaking is going well! (and the boys and their toys quiet down a bit).

Harvest Moon by Hand said...

I like how you rearranged your schedule to better meet what you want to do. I'm doing the 100 Days to a Better Me challenge and have also shifted things around a bit.

It's surprising what a little bit of change to one's schedule can do in terms of more time, creativity, and focus.