Thursday, November 29, 2012

Children's Book Illustration Show, Plus November Reading

So this time of year, I eat, sleep, and breathe children's book illustration. "Why..." you may ask? It's because Chemers Gallery (where I work) puts on an annual children's book illustration show, featuring the original artwork from 5 different illustrators. (This year we're featuring Boris Kulikov, E.B. Lewis, Sylvia Long, Chris Sheban, and Matt Tavares. All so so talented!!) Plus we sell the books the illustrations are from, which is a huge undertaking. It's a ton of work, but we all love it. Especially me.


Artwork hung, books received
 
Layout - we're pretty technical, you know

Pre-sold books. We sold probably over 600 books. They will all be signed before 1pm on Saturday. OMG!

This year we've made it a family affair - all hands are on deck to help us, including James, who helped to hang the show. (Woot woot!)

James hard at work on the stairs
The illustrators all arrive tomorrow. Then the show kicks off Saturday from 1-5, although we'll all be hard at work from 9am. It's the biggest show of the year, and I'm so excited!

Speaking of books, here's what I've been reading this month, besides children's literature...






Plus I also read "The Girl Who Came Home," but I can't find a picture of the cover. And it's late and I'm tired and I have 2 long days ahead of me. See you on the other side.

Thursday, November 22, 2012

Thankfulness


I've probably already posted the picture, but I don't care. Here it is again!
I'm all about rolling with the punches these days. Cause the unexpected has become oh-so-familliar the last little while. I think the message here is "Stop trying to plan for everying." I'm dealing by just stepping back, taking stock, and trying my best to remember what's really important. Even if I'm also trying to resist at the same time.
James got back on Tuesday - hooray!!! It felt like he'd been away for 10 weeks instead of just 10 days. I "cleaned" the bathroom in preparation. I even took out the trash. Mostly. (I'm really not a slob, I promise. I just accumulate stuff. Like long hair around the sink.) And, as is the case when long-distance flights are concerned, he picked up a bug of some sort and I came home last night to a feverish husband with an upset stomache. I turned around and went right out again to get Tylenol, chicken soup, and the good crackers. Cause that's what you do when your husband is sick.

So we decided to postpone Thanksgiving until Sunday. It feels a little strange knowing every other person in America is gorging him/herself and slipping into a turkey coma while we're dozing on the sofa and eating scrambled eggs at 3 in the afternoon, but whatevs. I can still be thankful.

I am filled with thankfulness and gratitude for my wonderful family and friends, both in the US and in the UK. I am thankful for airplanes that land safely and bring James back to me. I am thankful for a job that I love and for the people I work with. I am thankful for books, for art, for music, and for having the senses that let me take enjoyment and pleasure from those things. I am thankful for my health, for the roof over my head, and for the food I eat. I'm thankful for having the freedom to make choices. And so many other things.

What are you most thankful for in your lives?

Pee Ess: Sunday? It's on!

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

I Swear I'm Not a Twi-Hard

James made a sudden trip home to see his family, and I'm here dealing with the damn ants that have decided to invade my bathroom and kitchen. I'm being suprisingly productive, although, sadly, not in a housekeeping kind of way. (Will I ever get a handle on all of the paper that covers our home? Or all of the art supplies??)

I'm focusing on the holidays right now. I've let some things go this year (like choir and handbells - it was time for a break), but life has thrown some other crap in the mix to deal with, which is just making me more determined to carry on and have as pleasant a holiday season as possible. So I'm getting a head start on our holiday cards, I'm considering an Advent calendar, and I've made a good start on my Christmas shopping. (My goal is to be done by the end of November. We'll see if I make it.)


I've wanted to get an awesome Advent calendar for years...
 I've also found a bridesmaid dress for my best friend's March wedding. Actually, I found two. She's a super easy-going bride and a bride after my own heart, telling us to just find a grey dress and yellow shoes. Easy, right? Sort of. Do you have any idea how difficult it is to find a grey dress that isn't encrusted in sequins (hooka-style) and doesn't look like a business suit?

Tried this one on. N.O.

Runner Up - It has pockets, y'all.
Do we have a winner? Minus the red tights/leggings?
Considering Carly caught a tiny glimpse of the last one through the bag and said "Oh my God, please wear that one, it's soooo pretty!!" I think that's the one I'll go with. Now, on to the yellow shoes!

One of the perks of being sans husband (not that there's many, I'm still a newlywed after 4 years, guys) is that I get to watch as many of the dumb Twilight movies as I want. And what's even better is the fact that I have a day off tomorrow and it won't matter that I'm watching 2 in a row...They are truly terrible and I can't wait to see the final one. I swear I'm not a Twi-Hard.

Thursday, November 8, 2012

Four Years


photo by William Caspers, 2008
 Four years ago, it was another presidential election week. I was finishing up my first year at what was then a new job, where I've worked ever since. I had just moved into my first apartment. I also got to marry my best friend.

A lot of that day is a blur to me. Obviously, I was nervous. James and I spent the night before apart, and the first time I saw him was as I was walking down the aisle. I remember the feeling of breathing in and out when our music started and I was told it was time. I also remember that I forgot what I was supposed to be doing as soon as I got up to the alter. (Fortuntely, our pastor noticed my look of panic and subtly pointed to the podium, where our friend was reading.) Friends and family from all over the world were there, and I was just happy.

James and I have been together for 11 years, since our first year of college. We've been through a lot together, both good and not so good. We'll be going through a lot more together in our lives. I only hope that I can be as loving and supportive as he's been to me, and that I can always be strong enough to be the rock he may need me to be.