How To Know When You Are Tired . . .

This has been a crazy couple of weeks and we are still moving forward.

We have completed the Sandy Mountain Festival - which was a great success

and the Gresham Art Walk - also a huge success.

Now we will be participating in the Estacada Art Days on this Saturday,

and then the West Linn Arts In the Forest in mid-August. 

Whew!

I know that I am tired - but I thought I was covering it up pretty well.

Until my husband pointed a few things out.

So how do you know when you really need a nap???

Well . . .

1. Your husband walks to the other end of you great room and you are totally unaware that he is still in the room.  Let me explain - On Sunday, I was in my kitchen prepping food for a birthday dinner for my mother. My husband had been in the kitchen with me and left.

I thought he had gone outside (in reality he had opened the door to let in some air.)

He instead moved to our couch. Our floor plan is that of a great room and very open. I can see the couch quite easily when I am in the kitchen. I asked my daughter where dad went. Both my daughters played along that they couldn't find dad for over 20 minutes! It took me that long to see him even though I looked in his direction several times.

Maybe I was just focused on what I was doing . . .or maybe I am more tired than I realized.  Hmmmm.

2. Fast forward to a game of dominos. We all know that we play dominos alot at our house. It is a bit of a weekly tradition - in this game, there are several rounds and you begin the round with seven dominos. I drew my seven dominos and organized them. I waited for everyone else and then I drew my seven dominos again. I organized these. 

Then I "woke" up and realized I now had 14! Not a good way to start a game where the ovject is the to be the first to get rid of your dominos.

Over achiever or tired????

3. Yesterday I had the day off. It was spent running errands, working on filling orders, helping my daughter get ready for a camping trip - you know.

We drove around in my sweet little Mustang - and although it wasn't very warm - it was warm enough to take the top down on my car. We came home, went in the house and continued on the various projects. 

This morning I woke up to realize I never put the top back up on the car.

And it rained.

Fortunately the car was mostly undercover and only got a few wet spots. 

But I was even more relieved to realize that the neighborhood bully cat had not "marked" his territory in the interior of my car. 

Whew - dodged that one.

And nothing was missing -

Am I very trusting of my neighbors . . .or tired???

There are many other things that have occured this last week - but I think you get the idea. I am greatly looking forward to next week when I have a vacation -

a week that will be spent with a dear friend of mine.

We will vacation right in my home town - but we will spend our time going to hear live music, thrifting, being creative, laughing and there will definitely be some quality time lying around and watching the clouds drift by.

I can't wait.

In the meantime - have a great week everyone.

Summer Season . . .Here We Come!



New product . . .yard stakes!




In their "natural" habitat.

We are actively gearing up for summer sale season - which begins this weekend! I have been painting plaques, lazy susans and mirrors and  prepping prints, finishing paintings and adding a few new items to the mix.

This year we are adding yard stakes!

Every year I am asked if my art is suitable for outdoor use - so I decided to make some specifically for that purpose.

A little garden zen . . .

I have to admit, that when my husband and I began talking about this, he asked me . . .

"Are you sure these won't be too "country?"

I tried to make it a point to keep the bright, whimsical style with positive affirmations.

Now we wait and see how they are received!

Other than that - life has been moving along just fine.

We have finally started to get some weather that actually resembles summer.

My garden is growing every day.

The slugs have backed off and aren't making a feast of my veggies.

We had a wonderful 4th of July -

we spent it with friends and watched fireworks from their backyard.

Harry Potter comes out in a week -

yes! I am a junkie.

Don't judge me - :)

I just completed an exteded long weekend and was able to spend some time doing daily meditations while watering my garden.

This simple habit is one of my favorite summer time rituals.

A rebalancing of my day and life.

I must say, that since returning to a "full-time" day job, one of the things that I miss the most is my

morning watering routine.

Yes - I can put on a sprinkler and water my garden. But I have always preferred to hand water.

To stand outside, barefooted, hose-in-hand and water each plant and flower pot.

I feel the sun, listen to my windchimes and the local birds.

I pull a weed or two and share the fresh greens with the chickens.

I grab a few berries off of the vines.

In fact - I often find myself spending longer than necessary because it so relaxing and meditative.

Ahhhh - summer.

I am glad that you are here!