Thursday, February 02, 2012

It’s my Birthday!

Hello there 28! It’s going to be a great year.

Saturday, January 28, 2012

The Ann Arbor Folk Festival

I had a wonderful impromptu opportunity yesterday, to attend the Ann Arbor Folk Festival. What a wonderful event! Not only does is raise funds to support the non-profit music venue ,The Ark, it provided an evening of diverse and exceptional folk music. I was especially pleased to find out about the band Elephant Revival, as the peaceful music has a haunting historical sound to it, that is something new to me.  Hear and example here.  I’m hoping to go back to the Ark for their show in March.

I’ll cut to the chase and tell you my very favorite performance of the night was by the band Devotchka. Amazing stuff! I had become familiar with this band prior to attending the concert, due to good ol’ Pandora, which suggested Devotchka to me via my preference of Beruit. They use plenty of stringed and brass instruments, and have a foreign and bohemian sound, also described as a “lavishly theatrical circus band” delivering “made-for- Hollywood gypsy punk”. Below are a few examples for you to enjoy!

I couldn’t not love this one… so sweet!

This one is upbeat and happy…

This one is emotional and slow…

Sunday, December 25, 2011

Christmas Day 2011!

My mom made special blueberry pancakes!

My mom and Apollo (the newest addition to our family)

The tree at my parent’s home

My dad reading a new book he got.

Athena & Apollo by the “Cookie Chirstmas Tree” in the kitchen

Here are my goods! Candles, mug, makeup, self published cook book by 2 of my best friends, Marilyn Monroe 2012 calendar, work shoes, vacuum cleaner, Christmas Mickey Mouse mug, boot kitty, and Vibrams!

My brother got me this fantastic vintage boot shaping kitty cat “Puss in Boots” - you stick it’s limbs in your tall boots to keep their shape! I love it!

I got a new pair of Vibrams! My old ones have been through several half marathons, 2 marathons, and all the training between March 2010 and today! I’m pretty excited to have new ones!

Later in the day we drove to the Wood County Historical Museum and took some family photos:

Friday, November 25, 2011

White Christmas Tree with “Robins’ Egg Blue” Decorations

I have to admit, I’ve had this tree up since last Thursday!

I found this retro crafty tree skirt at Goodwill for $3! Score!

Friday, October 21, 2011

Apollo the Raggamuffin Kitten

My parents got a little kitten this week!

Monday, October 17, 2011

Columbus Marathon 2011 Race Recap

Another person wearing Vibrams! What are the odds the event camera happened to catch 2 Vibram wearers together?

Finish LINE!!

My experience running the Columbus Marathon was surreal and quite enjoyable! As I mentioned in my previous post, I chose to run the race this past Tuesday on a complete whim. I was feeling spontaneous and like I wanted to take a nutty risk, so I said “ Why not DO this? I am, I’m gonna do it”.

Now, I’m not completely unreasonable in my spontaneous leap to run 26.2 miles, because leading up to running the Glass City Marathon which was in April,  I had completed six runs of 17 miles or longer before race day. So at least I have some sort of base built up. But I had not run much more than 8 miles a week (if that) ever since crossing the finish line that day. So this past Wednesday (taper week mind you) I went out and ran 10 miles to be my “long run”. Talk about doing everything WRONG! I felt good though! I felt like I could conquer the task at hand.

The night before the race I loaded up on some whole wheat Pasta from La Scola, and in the morning I showed up in my proper corral based on my estimated finish time. I wasn’t nervous, I felt funny because I hadn’t trained and was about to run 26.2 miles. It’s a very odd feeling! It’s like doing a back dive off the high dive for the first time. That’s what it reminded me of. The race started and I just started running. I didn’t have and ipod because a crook stole it from my car a few weeks ago, so I just took in my surroundings. It was awesome! There were people lining the street for the entire race! Cow bells, horns, signs like “Chuck Norris Never Ran a Marathon”, and “Your Feet Only Hurt Because You’re Kicking So Much Asphalt”. I saw a child on stilts with a sign that said “If you need someone to run with you for a half mile give me thumbs up” and I suppose one of the other people standing with him would join you in running for a little encouragement. It was just such a cool, supportive, friendly crowd! Complete strangers were calling out “Go Vibrams!“ or “Alright pigtails, lookn’ good”. It was awesome! I’m so happy I didn’t wear my headphones. I wasn’t plugged in to technology, so I experienced the marathon.

I put no pressure on myself since I wasn’t adequately trained. I just listened to my breathing and ran at a comfortable pace. The miles ticked off… mile 5…. mile 12…. mile 17… 20 (20 is half way there!! That’s my little mind trick I do on myself). I got to 23 and knew I had just a 5k race left. Mile 26! MILE 26!! And it was over! I never hit the wall this time since I wasn’t pushing it like last time. I finished in a 4:21.41 which is 15 minutes slower than last time, but I am so happy with it anyways. I didn’t walk once, and I did it! Oh and I had my period and really bad cramps, and I did it in Vibrams. I’m told I’m a badass, and today I kind of feel like one.

Proof that Vibrams cause no harm to my feet, once again! 26.2 miles of pavement and NO BLISTERS!  For the story on Vibram Marathoning Click Here

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

I’m running the Columbus Marathon on Sunday, & I decided this Last Night.

After I ran the Glass City Marathon I was very enthusiastic about signing up to run yet another marathon, the Columbus Marathon to be exact. Over the summer the heat and a weird irregular heartbeat problem arose, so I never trained for it except for a 14 miler in July (which set off the irregular heartbeat problem, scaring me) and a few scattered 4 mile leisurely runs which I do simply to stay in shape.Then last night in conversation, I realized that not only is the marathon this coming Sunday, but that I have the day off, and it would be amusing to try to run it for fun. So with that a plan was made. I ran 10 miles today after work ( a new PR time by the way!), and I’m going to go do this thing and see how it goes. I might as well since I paid for it and can’t get my money back at this point. I certainly don’t recommend or take pride in my attempt here. Last time I ran a marathon I had run 6 runs of 17 miles or longer. This time, nothing to speak of. I am hoping for a good time and a memory if nothing else!

(old photo- nowadays I would never wear shoes,just Vibrams!)

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

A Glimpse at Screen Printed Owl Scarves

I burned 2 screens for this project. The owls are from my own illustration, and the “woven” pattern is taken directly from a scan of antique hand woven fabric from my archive.

I very carefully screen print the images over and over, until the whole length of the scarf is covered. It can be nerve-wracking because the hope is that each hand pulled print will turn out dark enough, and lined up properly!

Here are the finished scarves! 

Available to purchase very soon! I’m still working out a few details & I will post when they are available. Thank you!

Wednesday, October 05, 2011

My New Industrial Sewing Machine!

I bought this beautifully historic- looking, industrial sewing machine last week off of craigslist for a STEAL of a deal. It purrs like a kitten, and works with fine precision and speed. I couldn’t be happier! The old machines are so sturdy it’s unbelievable!

Sunday, September 11, 2011

Black Swamp Arts Festival

Here are a few things I purchased at the Black Swamp Arts Festival

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