Red Shoes blog

Sweet Stuff!

  OHMIGOSH!  we received the CUTEST shipment of goods in
today!   We are furiously unpacking and pricing to have everything
out and on the shelves tomorrow,  and hopefully uploaded to the website very soon!
  So here are some pictures of the new goods,  some are repeat performers from before,  but some are new and we KNOW they will fly out the doors.....
  So enjoy the cuteness.
I for one can't stop smiling!

Little cupcake candles that burn down to reveal a surprise!


backside!


the set actually goes up to #8!

Little olive oil set!

Adorable breakfast set!  what  a cheerful wake  up call!

comes in 4 different styles,  but the stitching detail is
phenomenal!

and for those cottage people,  how cute are these
manly towels?

we also have some great new blankets in.
 and our popular little winged hearts are Back in stock.
whoo-hoo!
  So on that note,  that's all for today, I am blasting off and
heading back home to make some more goods.
I am busy, busy , busy crankin out the goods
you will see some fun stuff coming up soon!
 it's all so very exciting indeed!
can you tell I am on my second cup of coffee?
if my heart doesn't explode out of my chest I should get lots
done, I'm so spazzy.
but I am So excited to be back on the joe.
it's those little things you know! ;)
xoxoxo
talk soon
catherine

Sum of my parts......(this week)

breakin' it down like this......
 This weeks wrap up.
what I am celebratin'!

 What I am doing.......

cleaning

What I am listening to

what I am eating



what I am drinking

I  love having you back in my life,
xoxoxoxoxoxoxooxooxooxoxooxoxooxoxooxoxooxoxoo

what I am wearing...........
one day this

the next day this!
thankyou michigan weather!

where I have been this weekend


what I am reading


what I relate to, 

what I am buying



what I am  working on


what I should be doing

instead I'm doing this.....

what I am loving



and this week I am hating
TYPEPAD!
grrrrrr.    sometimes an old dog,  Does NOT want to learn new tricks!
my blog is now becoming quite painful for me to do.
 So on that note,  when I have more time to waste farting around
with the new template I'll do more babbling. because you KNOW
iv'e got tons to share!
 Hope you are all well!
talk soon!
xoxoxo
catherine

 

Instant Gratification

 
 You could safely say I am probably that Type A personality, (but without that hostile edge)
 I Unfortunately  am the type who likes to go from zero to 100 in 5 seconds.
I  want things done yesterday,  usually pushing myself to get things done WAY too fast and before I should,  meaning,  lots of times I rush things and make mistakes.
  I simply hate waiting for ANYthing.
I have zero patience.  Which of course,  when you have children and you are trying to TEACH them patience,
well,  I am a sham,  a fake, a fraud.       the  "do as I say~ not as I do"  type.
  Hopefully my kids haven't figured me out yet,  and the jig ain't up QUITE yet.  but I am sure they'll be on to me pretty quick because everyone's been griping at me to slow down lately,  and doggone it I have a hard time doing that.  so much so that I over did it yesterday and landed myself right back in bed from 2:30 in the afternoon until 5:30 in the evening with a painful stomach spasm.  grrrrr!     I don't have time for that garbage!  I guess my body isn't quite 100% yet.   I keep forgetting I am 43 now.  ;)
  So today I DID slow it down a titch,  well as much as I can being the person I am.
I took the day off,  heck I haven't been to work all week!  THANKYOU ANN!
  Now since it's heading into the memorial day weekend, today seemed like a good day to get those planters filled at the shop.
  I headed out to the greenhouse and grabbed BIG ole pots of gorgeous flowers that could instantly
make my planters look fabulous.
  because,  you know,  I hate waiting.
so I grabbed a couple of pots and some other goodies to tuck in here and there,  along with some of my favorite SWEET POTATO vine,  which is an amazing performer in container gardens.....whipped back to the shop and threw them in the dirt.
so VOILA!  Instant gratification.  my favorite thing in the world.

I tucked everything in place,  splitting some of the plants in half.  you won't hurt them doing this.
you just have to make sure you water them in well.  
  I am so happy I could scream.

it makes the shop look so much more inviting!

  So since I was on a roll,  (and you gotta go with THAT),  plus I was feeling O.K. for the time being ~
I decided to plant up the containers at Home too.



 I added some sweet blue lobelia to my rosemary topiaries that have miraculously survived since Last summer.

 I think they meet with Pearl's approval.   You know how she's got to stick her two cents in now. ;)
it makes me so happy just looking out my dining room window at the deck now.

 feeling like summer is just right around the corner.
 in fact I think every little thing was feeling their oats today it was so beautiful.
  When I went to drop off my little Fiona to my mom's house today (my sweet mom takes care of her on fridays..)
well, we saw this little guy romping in his yard.

 his name is Nutmeg,  and he is a free range rabbit that just sticks around in his own yard.
 HOW CUTE IS THAT!??
i mean,  their yard IS adorable!  I wouldn't want to leave it either.

 with their cute little picket fence....certainly NOTHING like mine, and my crop of weeds and dandelions mixed in with the perennials.
  oh well,  I can only do so much.
maybe this weekend I will squeeze some of that in too.....
 So on that note,  I hope this weekend finds you all sitting back and relaxing ,going to a barbeque, or planting  in your gardens,
because if you are like me,  there is nothing better than digging in the dirt with your bare hands,

because who has time to look for some good garden gloves?!
hee hee.
  Big HUGS to all!
xoxoxo
catherine



 

Whoo-Hoo!

  Well my procedure was a success!  Aside from the excruciating pain, and the fact that they sent me home with no pain meds, and that they also literally stabbed me in the arms 3 times to get an I.V. started,
i survived and came out of it with flying colors!
 really, I'm not bitter.
in fact I am thrilled to be finally feeling well.
I actually had a real meal yesterday with no problems!
 Today is my first real day out of bed,  and getting back into the swing of things.  I am racing around like a wild woman.......placing orders,  checking email, doing paperwork, and checking in here...not to mention cleaning the house,  because my husband reminded me this morning
"oh,  remember my brother is coming in tonight to spend the night with us because we have our golf tournament tommorow?"
  OH yeah!  thanks for the 6 hour warning.  I'll get right on it.   remind me again,  that he's cute,  and nice and all of that good stuff so I won't strangle him in his sleep. I told him he better sleep with one eyeball open!  :)
  I also found out yesterday that the article about my shop hit the Magazine
yesterday.  I am totally unprepared!
  I have a feature in the July issue of Romantic Homes magazine.  whoo-hoo!
SOOOOOO Exciting!  but when they said I would be in the JULY issue,  I literally thought I had, you know, until JULY,  not MAY!
  So i better get Busy, Busy!
 Thankfully I am better,  so on that note,  I am off to race off and put out some small fire somewhere,  and start to get back into being that hyper-motivated person that I usually am.
 Thanks for checking in on me,  and I will keep you posted on what's new soon
I haven't even seen the article myself yet, I am DYING to see it!
  o.k.
 i'm off.
P.S.
 has anyone noticed this new typepad setup?
i would have posted longer,  but it's driving me crazy, and not letting me type like I normally would.  maybe it has a built in sensor to screen out the ramblers like myself?
 hmmmmmm/
big smooch to all!
xoxox
catherine

Happy Birthday to me!

 

Well today I am 43 years older,  and I feel just fine.
my family let me sleep in a little today (emphasis on LITTLE)
then they gave me a nice card....

well,  one that only MY family would give me.

it was filled with one of my most favorite things,  a gift card for T.J. Maxx.  I love that place!
  I got to spend 3 whole uninterrupted hours there
buying myself some new clothes,  oh,  and a purse.
  I have a little problem with purses,  i love them.
and shoes too.  surprisingly,  I didn't even look in the shoe aisle,  I was in a little bit of a fog,  that's probably the ONLY reason I forgot to go over there!
We also had a nice lunch at Grizzly Peak,  where I could eat my most favorite soup EVER,  their cheddar ale...oh my,  I would eat that every day if I could.
  we wrapped up the evening with a nice walk,  I actually RAN a portion of it,  my running distance getting a little bit better each time I attempt it.
The whole fitness thing is starting to pay off,
it's not as bad as it was in the beginning,  and I am actually starting to look forward to doing it,  go figure.
  I actually have gone down another 2 sizes to a size 6 and can now wear a BELT!!!
  I haven't worn a belt in 20 years.  it's very exciting.

so exciting in fact,  that it might become kind of a problem,  because I have been eyeballing this particular belt I have for sale at my shop....

isn't it beautiful?!  I might just have to bring it home as another birthday gift for myself.  :)
I also have these other beauties too.

all Handstitched with vintage beads on a thick leather belt.   very cowgirl chic!   they are made by a local artist here,  and I will be adding them to my online shop soon.......along with some other things too.
one of my many projects I am working on.
  Saturday I spent the day at the shop digging up the front garden,  and planting some new roses.  it's that time of year when it's all I can do to not be gardening.
this is what it looked like before...

I had this huge rose bush that would only bloom once in the season,  then the rest of the time it would look pathetic,  so I ripped it out an replaced it with new roses, and some other perennials

along with some new lighting for outside of the store.




i also put down some of this cocoa bean mulch that smells so fantastic,  it made me want to eat chocolate all day saturday.
  The one bad thing about cocoa bean mulch is that it's poisonous for dogs,  so you have to be careful that you don't place it in an area where your pets can get to it.
  In fact that cute little boston terrier that lives next door kept trying to grab mouthfuls of the stuff.

now being downtown,  I have to be careful with what I put out front.  I can't place anything out there that I care too much about because People will steal things.
in fact last year someone actually ripped one plant right out of the ground!
  ridiculous!  they also like to leave their cigarette butts and liquor bottles in my bushes,  so nice.

  So it's a little start to my cottage-style garden at the store,  I will be working on filling the big planters in the next couple of weeks.....and if you live local you should get your flowers where I get Mine,
at Alexanders farm market on North Territorial road.

they have THE best flowers as far as I am concerned,  and their prices are fantastic!!!







  So for now,  that's all I have accomplished these past 2 days, I am headed BACK to the hospital tomorrow for a procedure to correct my stomach.  I will be there bright and early for what is technically an outpatient procedure.  I will be under general anesthesia however,  and depending on how it goes, Meaning, if I am in pain from them blasting open my esophagus,  I may have to spend the night at the hospital.
  So wish me luck that I can git 'er done in a short amount of time and can get back to bizness!
Now with that being said,  I won't be around much in the next couple of days..but I WILL return soon!
hopefully fully charged and raring to go!
have a GREAT week people!
xoxoxoxo
catherine

Today's Musings....

  I like to think that out of the bad sometimes can come the good.
  For example,  when you are down and out people send you B.E.A.U.TIFUL flowers!

I absolutely LOVE flowers but am too cheap to buy them for myself.  oh on occasion I will splurge,  but for the most part I just admire them and hold tight to my wallet. 
It's especially tough during these months when the ranunculous and anemones are in bloom.
  they honestly have to be some of my MOST favorite flowers,  along with the lilacs and lily of the valley that are in bloom now too. miraculously I have controlled myself, and not purchased any.
  So imagine my excitement over getting this lovely treat from a friend!

so the bad part was being in the E.R.,  but gosh darn it,  look at the good side!  love those flowers!
  I truly do try to remain positive about things,  choosing to look on the sunny side of things,  life's too short not to.
  Now that's not to say that I am always Mrs. Sunshine.
I have a negative side,  I am a HUGE worrier.
  Always thinking about the worst case scenario.
most of my furniture have rounded corners because I always envisioned my children's eyeballs stuck to something and so on.
  I will also admit to how shallow I can be too,  when they first mentioned the word "cancer" to me the first thing that popped into my mind was "ohmigosh I don't want to lose my hair"
  not ~what about my family? or the fact that maybe I might die
it was all about my hair.  how pathetic is that?
  So don't think I am all that perfect,  I am totally NOT.....but I do try to be positive.
  I will also say that i do laugh and poke fun at myself because I am so absurd and deep down I really do try to remain hopeful that everything will be allright.
  loads to be thankful for!
My birthday is this coming Sunday and I am really excited to be turning 43.
I've had some FUNNNNN cards coming in,
this one's my favorite so far.

i'm glad to know that someone thinks I'm funky.
  I will admit that I am at a happier place in my 40's.
Gone are the insecurities that come in your 20's.
~don't think that I didn't worry about that fine husband of mine in the 80's.
  now that I am 40 I realize how silly I was,  really it was in my 30's that I realized THAT,  but now I can reflect on things a little bit differently and realize all of that time and energy I wasted over thinking those dumb thoughts.
  It's funny how thoughts and ideas shift when you get older and how you really come to see what the important things are in life.
So the past few days of course have been about some self reflection,  getting back into the groove of things and knuckling down and getting to WORK!
  I have been totally obsessed over clay lately,  doing all sorts of things,  revisiting past projects but looking at them in a different light and developing new ideas...
  so heres a tiny sneek peek at what's in the works....
all to be revealed soon....





  I am also cooking up some other stuff too,  when my A.D.D. isn't flaring.
  now speaking of cooking,  since I can't eat much,  but still have to feed my family I of course have to grocery shop, so these were my fun finds this week...
at KROGER,  yes,  the GROCERY STORE,  I found these adorable tea towels!

fun, fresh, vibrant patterns of fruit! 
because gosh darn it,  if I can't eat,  at least I can buy cute things with food on them right?  ;)
  now moving on over to Plum market,  they have this ice cream that I stumbled upon....
oh MY!

speaking of how shallow I am,  I originally was drawn to it because of the cute gingham check on the outside thinking how cute it would look in my cart,  because yes,  I think about those things.  i'm weird.
  but upon closer inspection I knew this was going to be
so much more than good looks,  it was COFFEE FLAVORED!
YUM!!!!!!
I have been totally addicted to coffee flavored ice-cream.  i literally was eating a cone a day from the Washtenaw dairy,  but started to become embarrassed at my frequency there, so now I can eat my ice cream in the privacy of my own home,  and yes,  it IS delicious!
oink.
  now on to other good things of the week....
as you all know I am a HUGE dog lover.  we have all sorts of dogs come to visit us at the shop.
pearl has her "boyfriend" stop by on occasion,a HUGE bull mastiff/rhodesian ridgeback mix named Beau, who belongs to my friend Sarah from the burnt toast inn.
  we also have McGuyver, a little French bull puppy that I  A.D.O.R.E. stop by regularly...
and next door we have some new people who moved in that have two of the MOST precious little dogs I know!
  I get SO excited when they stop by....it's like a puppy-palooza!
here's Stella and I think "sparky'?  i get so excited about seeing them i forget these important details...

  So with that being said, it's safe to say we simply are just NUTS about dogs......
  So since Ann works for me 4 out of the 6 days we are open it was only Natural that she should be able to bring in her newest addition to her family with her to work.
  meet Jake.

oh my!
if you're a dog lover like us,  stop by and see him,  he's there Monday through thursday,  but you'll have to beg to see him,  Ann is very good at keeping him on a schedule and doesn't like to wake him up.
me,  well,  I would do it in a heart beat because you know how I like to be distracted!
  So on that note,  I better get back to doing SOMETHING
even though it;s so much fun to do all the things you're not supposed to!  hee hee.
hope you all have a great day!
xoxoxo
c.

Happy Mother's Day! and a whole lot of rambling...

  Hello!  I wanted to pop in and wish ALL of you mom's out there,  (even the ones of you out there without kids but with pets), a big Happy Mother's day!
  Because ALL of you people deserve to enjoy the day no matter what.
  Being a mom is such a nice and rewarding experience no matter what you choose to "mother".
Just the simple act of caring for another living creature  makes your heart swell.
  I have been thinking all day today about what to write....my mind a twirl with thoughts and Ideas as usual.
  I had the luxury of having the day off today,  being lazy and kind of not really doing much of anything.
(well, except for breaking up a few fights, doing some laundry,  dishes, vacuuming and feeding people) in between THOSE things I played around on the computer and watched a movie in the DAYTIME with my sweetpea Ian.
  Now with the way I operate,  one idea or experience seems to spur another,  so today while we were watching the movie "Resurrecting the Champ" with Samuel Jackson, and the very cute actor josh  Hartnett,  it got me to thinking how much that josh looks like My Ian did when he was in his 20's......so I had to go dig through some old photos to double check.
here's josh

here's Ian

(maybe I am wacko,  but He reminds me of him)
   So I started scanning and uploading old photos onto my computer and it got me to thinking of all sorts of things,   SO I APOLOGIZE in advance for the incredibly long post to follow.
  I found an old photo of my sister and me,  back when I was 5 and she was just a little baby.....my mom was right around the same age as I was when I had my kids,
(....Much older,  in her late 30's)

I don't know if I have ever talked about my sister Elizabeth,

(these are old photos, but  at least you can see her.)


she's my only sibling, 5 years younger than me.  She lives out in Reno and is a lounge singer.
She has a great voice,  (I certainly didn't inherit THAT trait.)  She's also pretty cute, and skinny, and changes her look like the weather,  completely confident with herself, (unlike ME)  and sports those tattoos I wish I had the courage to get but won't.
  We are very different.
but I love her, and she cracks me up.
  My Mom, (here with baby Fiona)

was able to parent the both of us,
two completely different individuals, with LOVE, and compassion, and incredible tolerance for us even though I know we tested her patience like nobody's business.
  My Mom was a single, divorced mom who completely supported us on her own.
  We never felt like we lacked for ANYTHING,  our life was rich with experience, and fun.  she gave us a Ton of freedom, took us on trips all over the country,   driving 2 young girls across the states to Texas by herself.  To me, that's an amazing, strong woman of courage to be able to do that.
  We always had private lessons, went to the best schools, summer camps and the best restaurants....even though I know for a fact she worked so hard just to be able to pay all of our bills.
  My Mom has always been someone I was the closest to, always calling her with any sort of news, or drama, or silly thing I needed to share.  She was always the first person, even to this day,  that I tell things to...I was always seeking her approval and opinion no matter what.  Thankfully she was always fair and kind in her responses.
Now that's not to say that we didn't, and don't have our fair share of disagreements, but at least we respect eachother and are able to  have our own opinions without judgement.    I really feel that she raised me well.
So today has to be about wishing HER a Happy Mothers day too.  because without HER,  there would be no ME.
and I am so thankful to be here.
  Now on that note I also feel that today's day has to also be shared with my HUSBAND,  because without Him,
I would not be a MOM. 
  So my mother's day has been a trip down memory lane for me.......going through old photos of Ian and myself from 20+ years ago.....seeing the photos of the man I adore and have adored for so many years.
  Sometimes you have to revisit these things to see just how lucky you really are,  because after being with someone for over 22 years,  well, you know the deal....
things can seem to get a little boring, or routine, or whatever.
  thankfully we still have a strong and happy marriage, & laugh with each other daily. seeing those pictures just reaffirms my love for the man that gave me two beautiful children.
So come along with me won't you? and tell me what you think......
this is Ian in the 80's Isn't he just the cutest darn thing?!

he's on the jet ski to the right!  oh my.

just out of the army in his fine vintage car.

on the right,  surfing with a buddy in california...

here we are just babies, in our 20's in the 80's,
you like my big earrings??  thanks to those, my earlobes are sagging down to my kneecaps, (along with other body parts)

back when it was o.k. to smoke in the house,  can you BELIEVE THAT?  crazy!

here we are up north,  do you like the truck and the coon dog in back?   you know,  back in the days when my husband hunted and did all of those macho type of things with friends,  thankfully he's out grown those things.
  (that wasn't our coon dog either.)

here we are camping,  I bet I have one of our sleeping bags tucked up inside one of my nostrils.  GEEZ louise that's a big nose!

doing what we do best,  laughing all the time,  probably about nothing.

getting married in Las Vegas....seriously.
is it bad I'm wearing a RED dress? 

my mama cass photo, 

here he is all handsome in a tux, the late 80's mullet really pulls it off nicely!  ;)

again, cleans up nicely in a suit ...with childhood friends in the 1980's.  next to him my old boyfriend Kip, i've been very lucky to date cute boys.  hee hee.

fast forward a few years to our first "baby"
our  my pet bird  "nigel"  and the start of him learning to accept the fact that I LOVE ANIMALS,  and would have a zoo if I could.

...him not so much. 
 
Too Many pictures????
I know a lot of you like all of my photos,  but I would hate to be a bother,  so I will wrap it up with the last few....
fast forward to the past few years with my love,
and how life has rewarded me with two sweet kids....

because I truly can't celebrate today without HIM.
because if it weren't for him, I wouldn't be a good mom,
he compliments me,  he's the yin to my yang.  when I'm off he's on, and so on.
so today my sweet Ian let me relax and have my "day"
a nice and relaxing, cozy, comforting day re-visiting the past and thinking about the future.....

because when you are in the hospital for several days and they mention the word "cancer" several times you tend to think about those things.
  Now to wrap this up I will give you a tiny run down on this weeks medical issues.
  I do not want this blog to become "catherine's medical journal" instead of the craft/shop blog I want it to be, but I also wanted to let you know where I was so you didn't think I was off somewhere slacking.
  What I have is some sort of VERY RARE disease called
achalasia.....only about 2000 people in the country per year get this,  aren't I UNIQUE?!
basically I have been telling people it's like I got that Al Roker Lap band around my stomach for free! 
   in layman's terms My esophagus stopped working, and there is a tight band around the opening to my stomach where the muscles have become weak and no longer work,  they can't tell me why, or how,  but that it's there,
I had an attack on tuesday while I was out walking and felt this intense pain in my stomach that radiated up into my chest and neck that landed me in the E.R.
  when a "mass" showed up on the ct scan they started throwing out the "c" word,  so more tests were done and biopsies, etc, keeping me hooked up for days on i.v's and monitors ,  but thankfully I have no cancer.
  I just have a body that has decided to stop working,
so in addition to my stomach problem, I can now add the esophagus.  I am now officially on a LIQUID diet, until they can fix me.  I have become my worst nightmare,  HIGH MAINTENANCE.
  So this week I have to have more procedures done,  then eventually some sort of surgery to help something that will never truly go away.
  Now why am I mad about all of this?  let's see...
  when I repeatedly asked my doctor about my weight loss, and the fact that it was getting increasingly harder for me to eat anything,  shouldn't I get some more tests done?  shouldn't I have another endoscopy?
he replies "no,  it's pretty common with your illness for people to feel this way, I'll have you see a nutrionist!"
trust me, I asked him more than once about those tests.
So when I spent the past 4 days in the hospital, that's probably going to cost me a $1,000 deductible on my insurance, you can imagine why I am a little angry that i didn't get that $20 test.
not to mention the $1,000 to fix my teeth.
  I could be depressed about all of it,  but I am choosing to remain thankful that I am
A.) not dying
B.) lost weight and can wear cute clothes
c.) get to drink lots of MILKSHAKES  whoo-hoo
so,  with that being said, today was a great day for me to reflect on being a MOM,  my role here with my family,  and the fact that they clearly need me to take care of them because when you are away for 4 days,  sheesh!  you should have seen the house!
So I may or may not have time to do all of the things I'd like to do this summer, but I am going to try try try to be the most productive I can.
  Tomorrow I will be placing orders in the A.M.
and getting down to crafting in the p.M.
so unless you have a pressing question or urgent matter I probably can't get back to you with email, just know I appreciate all of your kind words and well wishes,  but I gotta get working to make up for all of this SLACKING i have been doing!  ;)  hope you understand.
SO here's a tiny peek at what I am working on,
the rest will be revealed soon,  I promise!





AS always thanks So much for checking in,  being kind and supportive, and most of all just LIKING what I am doing, you really are all the best!
So here's to having a good week to all!  and to all you MOMS out there,  give yourself one big old pat on the back,  because doggonit you deserve it!
xoxoxoxoxo
catherine

will return shortly......

 

I've been in the hospital for the past week,  (and no it wasn't from a heart attack due to my fitness regimen!)
  it was a flare up that landed me in the E.R. along with new complications and  new ilnesses,  or should I say DIAGNOSIS revealed due to my stomach issues.
  I was just released today and am playing catch up.
So,  if i'm not around that's why,  but I will be back,
soon,  and with good stuff,  I am just trying to get my groove on,  get better, and get some stuff settled.
let's just say,  I am no longer mrs. nice guy when it comes to my health care,  I am angry and fed up.
  So along with trying to catch up on things I will be dealing with insurance companies and doctors who don;t listen.
  I am a VERY HAPPY AND HEALTHY PERSON, don't worry. I will be back soon I promise,  hope you understand
I am dying to be creative!
  talk soon!
xoxoxoxoxo
catherine

Spring Commitment to fitness 08!

  O.k.,  what the heck have I gotten myself into?
I hate exercising! 
  On my SECOND ride down to the shop the ride home was WAY more memorable,  it was all uphill and I am thinking to myself "this stinks!"
  (the first ride home was at night on a friday after my
usual pit stop at the pub for my vodka-tonic,  so the ride home didn't seem so bad) though I don't recommend THAT technique!
  The ride To the shop is easy,  the UPHILL way home I could feel it in my muscles,  and I wanted to cry.
  I suppose it's for the greater good.  I want to get healthy and firm up the flab.
  But in all honesty I am not liking it, nope, not one bit, cute bike or not.
  So yesterday I had to return some clothes to the local sports shop and they only would do a credit,  so I ended up buying some fitness pants,  and a top along with some tennis shoes,  I thought "hey,  in addition to biking,  why not start RUNNING"
  I used to do it along time ago,  was on the track team
in highschool.  (along with swim team) believe it or not.
  SO sure,  let's add running to the mix,   maybe i'll start training for triathalons! totally kidding of course but,
  ......i've clearly lost my mind.

  So I come home,  strap on my new gear and start off running with Pearl racing ahead of me.  not 10 steps into it,  I am DYING,  and Pearl is running while looking back at me constantly,  even she,  you can tell,  is thinking
"woman,  what are you DOING?  you don't do that!"
  She probably was terrified I might have a heart attack and trip and fall on her crushing her on the way down.
  SO in between running and walking I think by the end of next year I might be able to make it around the block.
  Today I did a very fast RACE-walk downtown through the streets of ann arbor,  that felt MUCH better!
  In fact,  my cute new work out gear makes EXCELLENT
LOUNGE-wear,  it was Very comfortable laying on my bed
last night in my stretchy pants!
  i'll keep you posted,  i'm really not going to give up that easily,   I WILL keep trying and am on a mission to work out,  but i'm not out to set any world records yet either.
  Anyone care to join me in my commitment to fitness 2008?  because if I can do it,  you know you can!  ;)
  The one positive thing about all of this is that it's So wonderful to be outside,  soaking up all of the springiness!
  everything is in bloom everywhere you look.

gorgeous bulbs and tulips,

flowering crabs and apple trees

we walked along this path near our school that has a little woods where you can see native plants growing.
it's so nice to see the beautiful jack in the pulpits and wild trillium blooming
along with wild violets and other pretty things












  looking at all of that nature influences other areas of my life,  and it starts to filter in here and there



because it's those little things in life that honestly make me happy!
  I look at everything around me constantly,  I am a very visual person.  I soak it all up like a sponge.
  I look and notice the most simple of things and am awed.
in fact they had these art projects made by the kindergartners hanging in the window of the school that I found inspiring.

with their long bodies and colorful skinny arms,  my mind started to twirl with ideas!
  you might just see a doll in that form one of these days!
  in fact I am twitching to get something done soon,
it's really been ridiculous lately trying to get anything done,  I am still trying to figure out a schedule for myself,  because I am all over the place mentally and physically.  any great tips out there to help an old gal with great ideas,  but big-time a.d.d.?
hmmmmmm.  let me know.
  maybe all of that excercise will kick start that area of my brain and something miraculous will happen.
you never know.
  well,  I am off to wait for my family,  my husband is meeting me at the shop to help me install new lights for out front.
  I would have done it myself,  but it required reading directions,  so that was the deal-breaker.
so instead he will do it,  and I will buy dinner downtown,  YAY!  I don't have to cook!
O.k.,  tomorrow is Midnight Madness downtown,  wish us luck,  should be fun!
  I am hoping to cook up something sweet for it,  and as always we'll have a fresh pot of coffee on and loads to look at!
  hope to see you there!
xoxoxo
c.