Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Christmas now and Christmas future

This first photo is my Lemon Cypress decorated for Christmas in my garden. Rose is standing watch as always. My Snowman and Santa collection arranged on the window as usual. I put up my lighted houses all around the bottom of the inside Christmas tree instead if presents. The two presents on the chair are for Wil. I sent the family presents over to my parents house today. My parents met me after my hair appointment with Jenna. Cut and color. . . more later on that



The second photo is of the next Fake tree I bought at Target today. They were 50 percent off this week. I will keep it in the box and see what I can do better price wise the day after Christmas. I would rather have a fresh tree but size and dispose is tough in my building/'hood. What I really like about this tree is that the branches are full and softer in feel and look like a real tree. The white lights are built in so I can add a colored string if I choose.

The last photo is the lights from the inside and outside decorating shining along with the lights of the city. Kiki managed to get into the photo too. Yes, she is adored by all but do you have to be in everything, Kiki?

So that is my decorating for the holiday this
year and looking to the next. Happy Holiday and hoping a great New Year to all and to all a good new night!

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Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Living my life

I have been so busy living life I have not had time to write about it! I will go down the list in my brain (that I remember) and catch you up. I can’t rely on the internet to remind me where I left off here so bear with me. I am at my parents watching the place while they are at a funeral. Working on my laptop but no internet. Worker guys are ripping up and replacing flooring in their kitchen/pantry/family room.


About three weeks ago my dad changed the 5 gallon water bottle on the way to bed. The next morning the panty floor was squishy. . . . The bottle was faulty and caused a lot of damage. It also set in motion a decorating nightmare for me. Why? Cause I am the grunt labor minion for my parents. I do enjoy the decorating part but can only do so much manual labor! (I seem to be the decorating minion for a few.) So you have to change the floor, now the paint needs freshened and the cabinet knobs are old and the counter and cabinet doors need updated . . . . . *sigh* Like I said. I don’t mind helping (and by helping I mean doing) but where is the fire people! Can I have some time now and again to work on my stuff and my place? I started painting my bedroom around the time of this disaster but have not had time to work on my room! I cant start it and leave it for a day or two as there is no where to leave things!

In other remodel fun I have been bartering Jewelry for interior painting with t. I feel I am getting the better end of the deal but she feels the same so win-win. Last week when they were out of town I finished the woodwork in the bathroom. I don’t think the former owners of the house stripped the varnished wood work before painting. I spent about 4 hours sanding down everything in a smaller bathroom before I could even paint. I did the best I could but am still not convinced it was the best job I could have done. Some of the old paint came off in full sheets like it was never stuck to anything! I was limited on time to do the job and communication with the vacationing folks so I continued. t had said in the near future the bathroom vanity would be replaced and that was where the iffy paint was so I made it look pretty for now. I still need to paint their master bedroom and touch up on the ceiling where others did not have a steady hand. (I am so anal when it comes to painting! t says I am detail oriented. Same thing, right?) The painting is on hold at her house until the replacement windows get installed. I will be painting the windows inside and out. They will come primed from the factory. I will be quite pimped out with t jewels by the end of the summer.

Dating and Robert. Notice that I said them separately. Last I checked we decided to be music buddies. We did go to one concert . . . with his grabby friend. It took too long to get my CD’s back from him. Here is the rest of that story. I had e-mailed and texted him a couple of times to get my CD's back from him I lent him the night of the concert. This was after waiting for a week and a half after he got back from his long weekend camping trip. His excuse for forgetting me was his life changing news. He got a promotion and transfer to Washington DC. He was leaving on the 26th to drive there to start his new job on the 5th of July. He asked if I wanted to meet for a beer in my neighborhood. I picked Deschutes Brewery because I like the beers and the walk from my place. I had a busy day leading up to meeting (which will be another installment in this catch up saga novel I am writing.) so I did not have time to make dinner. We ended up eating there at the bar since it was so packed (with hipsters that Robert dislikes) even after 7pm. I was surprised that two hours went by! My plan was to browse/people watch at Powells on my way home but Robert insisted on driving me home. Last time he drove me home he dropped me around the corner from my door and gave me a hug with his seat belt still on. That is what I expected this time but nooooo. He practically killed the transmission slamming it in park. *huh?* He ran around the truck and opened my door . . . okay. . . *very puzzled* He waited while I thanked him for dinner then swooped in for the usual hug. As I was pulling out of said hug he planted a kiss on my lips along with pulling back into the hug – WHAT? Is this how music buddies say good bye because that is not how he acted last time – just his friend. I was stunned to say the least. Anyway this was on Wednesday and he asked to see me that weekend. I told him it was Pride (no, I had not told him about being Bi since we were not dating. We had not really had any big conversations about ourselves.) and I was going to different venues during the weekend. Did he want to go to a dance party? He seemed interested. By Friday morning he sent me a text that he was having a garage sale that weekend (Fathers Day weekend is a bad weekend for a garage sale but whatever) but we would talk soon. I did not expect to hear back after that and I have not. He was so passive/aggressive! Bottom line is he was a nice enough guy but no spark. He was unreliable in our short time and I felt like I scolded him for his lack a manners more than anything. I honestly don’t expect to hear from him again but anything can happen. Stay tuned.

Wil had asked me if his friend from high school could stay with us a few days. He moved to Louisiana last year with his parents. They moved there because of the college their kids could go to as residents. Anyway, Wil forgot about the dates until he got a call from said friend while he was at work the night before. I did not find out until after noon. I made Wil clean his room and I vacuumed. The “Boy’s” bathroom needed some attention too and the kitchen. That was why I did not have time to make myself dinner before meeting Robert. Wil and his friend went out to have pizza and meet some friends after the friend arrived early. I finished cleaning up. The next day I had to get up early to work at t’s so when I came home that afternoon I took a nap. During my nap Wil’s friend found out that his only friend in his new home town and his apartment sitter shot himself in the head on the couch. His parents were also out of town on vacation. That is hard news to receive but when you are back in the area where all of your friends are and where you would rather be I imagine it to be even worse. They went out with some friends that night who could not go out the next night for his birthday. At least it did not happen on his birthday? I was dead asleep when they came home that night. Wil had to work the next morning so he went to bed. The friend came into my room “to see if I was awake”. He said he wanted to talk to me. It went from talking to him to his being next to me on my bed. He asked if he could stay with me that night. Are you kidding me? First off, no! Secondly, you are my son’s friend and turning 23! I thought there was a guy code that deals with this. Not cool. Then he asked if he could kiss me. *What the fuck is wrong with you?!?* Anyway, I talked to him a bit about the friend and then sent him on his way. *shakes head* Why do these things always seem to happen to me? I acted like nothing happened the next day and he left that night as planned. I did not tell Wil what happened. Weird thing to have to deal with.Welcome to my world.

Pride started off with a block party in the sunshine! Friday was the first sunny day we had. I got a couple gals to go to the opening block party with me. There was a nice mix of folks there. The bands were good and the well drinks cheap and strong. After playing a couple rounds of pool we went outside (where the bands where sit up and playing) to the lounge area in the sun. I was walking in to use the bathroom when a cute, young gal looks at me and tells me how hot I am. She follows that with another statement or rather confession. She had recently broken up with her boyfriend and she is straight. I said thank you and kept walking. When I came back she told me again how hot I was then grabbed my face and appeared to be looking for my tonsils with her tongue. I don’t think she was a doctor so it was a confusing moment. My friends witnessed the exchange and thought I found a love connection. She did not examine anyone else but got me a couple more times. No digits, no name and still confused. Who goes to Pride to make out with a straight girl? Okay, I guess that is how things happen in my world. The only other connections I made at Pride were guys but not bi.

When I was going to the Pride Parade Sunday morning I walked by some floats queued up to go and heard a voice I knew. I said hi to a gay guy that used to help out at Derby. He told me to get on the float since others never showed up. It was a Salem group with the “Queen” of drag from the Salem pageant. “She” was dressed up but only one other out of 3 guys were "Dragged out". I am not sure why the two committed lesbians were there since they would not do drag. The guy I knew in this group had been drinking since 8am and it was 11:45. Aaron soon lay down on the “float” (long trailer towed behind an extended cab truck) then started throwing up. Good times. There was a Starbucks a block away and I had to go to the bathroom anyway so I went to get water and something to feed Aaron. The float was gone when I got back but only a few blocks away. When I caught up Queen Loni demanded I stay and wave to the crowd. Seeing as “she” was about 7 feet tall with heels and hair not to mention the 5 foot tall metal, blinged out septer I agreed. Instead of watching the parade I was in it. It was actually kind of fun. I got to be silly, flirt, jump off for hugs and see people I knew. It was also interesting to be part of the drag entourage once we got to the water front and Pride. Very interesting experience and I enjoyed living in the moment.

So yes, I have been busy living and doing stuff. I have more to say but out of time for now. I am still looking for "Lobster Todd". If you see him send him my way.

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Monday, April 25, 2011

Go with what you know

When an opportunity comes along take it or shut up. Since I am not having luck finding a job with my career of training and not yet sure (financially) about a career in real estate I am taking on manual labor. A gal's got to pay the bills. I am doing some interior painting. I may even get to do some decorating! I am already in charge of the color story throughout the house. I would rather be doing my own place but I gotta say it is very satisfying to have someone hear my ideas and totally dig them. It is fun for me.

I had a stressful Thursday. My phone was taking a shit on me, my parents wanted me to finish painting their Living room trim (for the love of the Parents) and I got very little details of this job but was misinformed that I had three days to do a whole house! I got stressed by it all - money worries, and needing a bike ride got me a bit grumpy. I breathed through it and thought all was fine. The next day I had a new phone, most of my parents job was mostly done (so they could put the room back together) met with my client and had a better idea of the job and I was looking forward to helping with door at Comedy Sportz. Bron,who runs the UK CSz, was in town! Besides, Bill was doing sound so the funnest guy in CSz (and possibly the world) was in 'da house! I enjoyed the show but at the end realized I had a migraine! I thought I would be okay but half way into the after hours show I got so nauseated I was going to toss my cookies! I had to go home and straight to bed instead of hanging out with Bron!

I had an appointment with my client at the paint store at 11am on Saturday so I and my posse ( I gots me a posse!) could start the job on Sunday. (yes, Easter) I was in pain but staggered down to my paint store where my client was waiting and got the essentials to start. I spent the rest of the "first day we had no rain and hit 70" hiding in my bed drinking my swamp water and taking a mix of all pain relievers to get rid of my headache. I got well enough to start the job. Even now on Monday evening I still have it but not the nausea so I can keep going. Stupid migraine!

I have more to say but need to put heat on the back of my head hopefully ease my migraine. Kiss!

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Saturday, January 08, 2011

I need to catch you up

I have had a lot going on this year already. I am helping my mom/parents get ready for my dad's 80th birthday/party, my mom's last replacement surgery (two days after) and my Auntie She She coming to visit for two months. She is going to help my mom after surgery. My mom is being pretty sensible but at the same time she is trying to get everything clean and organized for my dad and She She. That means I am helping every day after work or all day on days off for the last couple weeks. We have cleaned, sorted, framed and re-framed art, re-decorated and generally changed what my mom wanted to do. She could not do a lot of that with my dad because he does not have that artistic/creative side. It gets the other person to see things in a different light - refreshing. I'm glad I could be there for her and help. It is not fun to feel helpless and frustrated when you are injured.

In all the helping mom some decoration changed in my place. The couch my parents had in their family room is nice but it was too low for my mom to get up from. My parents decided to find a couch my mom is more comfortable with since she is having surgery. They found one they both liked so they asked if I wanted theirs. I said yes so that set in motion a day of moving couches. Once they replaced the couch that triggered a chain of decorating events. My mom got eight or so paintings back so we were re-arranging art until we ran out of room! That means I got some new paintings at my place! It has been lots of new looks at both places including fabric shopping, sewing, moving things and getting new. As the dust settles I have a new-to-me couch, a new coffee table/ottoman, art work, the pillows I re-covered in red, and a few treasures got from my mom and junking.

I was really tired last night after I finally got home around 8pm. (I got up at 5:30am and worked until 1pm.) I was up cleaning some new treasures from my junking and general mess before I gave up and went to bed. I slept for almost 12 hours but was tired when I got up! After coffee I started puttering, blogging, straightening, organizing and waiting to hear what my mom needed help with today. She called and said they were fine today but she wanted me to sew my pillows with the fabric that we got on our shopping trip after couch changing. My place was messy and I really wanted to be creative so it was great! I got them cut out, sewed and stuffed just need to hand sew them shut. I will finish that in the morning when it is light and I am fresh.

Before we go to the airport tomorrow to get She She we are going to IKEA to look at art lights but before that my parents are coming here to look at art placement. I think some need adjusted or moved or . . . ? It has been a busy but satisfying week. We will have some fun this next week before mummzy has surgery. The Geezers are on the move!

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Monday, March 08, 2010

the inner decorator is peeking out!

I am very excited about a side project. A friend of Wil's got an apartment and wants me to decorate it! He has some furniture but needs some shelving/storage and art. Anyone that knows me knows I am all over this. I have had fun looking at paint chips, old Better Homes and Garden magazines, watching HGTV (wait, I always do that), browsing CraigsList for cool stuff and a trip to IKEA to get a sense of likes of the "client". I am enjoying the possibilities I'm thinking up!

Since it's a small space I want any furniture I pick to have more than one function. As an example the "desk" I'm wanting to use is a stainless table on wheels. He can study wherever he wants but it can double up with his exisiting dining table as needed. The legs are adjustable for his height as well. (he is 6'5'') If he is preparing a meal and needs extra counter space he can roll the (emtpy) table over to the kitchen and "bam" instant work space! I knew all that HGTV viewing time would come in handy!

Brian's mom is so excited about me decorating his space she wants me to do her place next. She has great rugs in muted earth tones but no color on the walls. I think the only piece of art (above the fireplace) belongs to Brian and he is taking it with him. I have some wonderful colors in mind but want to hear what Mary likes and get a color inspiration from things in her house/wardrobe.

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