I'm not really a fan of August, there's something kind of melancholy about this month. Swim season is finished, Art fair has come and gone, the lonely hum of the cicadas fills the air....and the natives start to get restless.
me included.
I can only go so long without creating or working before I start to lose it.
don't get me wrong, I LOve being home with my kids, sleeping in, lounging by the pool, but I start to get restless after a while, my mind starts kicking into overdrive thinking about projects and Ideas......not that I want to rush through life, but August, well you can hurry up and git. I got stuff to DO!
That being said, we have actually Done quite a bit this summer,
Parties,
Bonfires....
awesome backyard barbeques with friends,
can I tell you how much I love Mark's Carts? oh my word. locals, if you haven't been, please go. it's freaking awesome and delicious.
I also spent a great deal of driving, and more driving.....
I swear, I spent the entire month of July in my car.
oh and socializing with goofy friends...cuz a gal's gotta have fun right?!
walking around downtown,
farmers markets
and Kid's art Fairs.....
Fiona had a booth with her paintings and folk art fish ....
and this year my Son did too with his photography.
pretty cool images he took using an Itouch. we primarily use just our iphones now to take pictures because yes, they are that good when it comes to Apps. we use Hipstamatic, lemme cam (free), instagram, shake it photo, and others.
when we weren't shooting pics we were poolside
with swim practice and summer swim team....
my little champ with the heart of a lioness.....never nervous before a race!
go Fiona GO!
my son on the other hand is the opposite.....laid back Mr. Cool
is a nervous wreck before a race
you can see him swim here,
because yes, I am a proud mother.
SO.....even though he's a hot mess before a competition on most occasions he wins his heats, go figure.
I will say that even though he has always been my non-dare devil of a Child and actually quite conservative when it comes to dangerous things, he has somehow managed to break his bones now for the second time around.
right after swim season ended he managed to wipe out on his skateboard....two staples to the head, and one broken collar bone later,
he is definitely feeling the dog days of summer poor kid.
nothing like a clipped wing to slow you down.
no more swimming, or tubing, or wake boarding...... Big bummer.
but the good thing is that they supposedly heal fairly fast, so hopefully he won't be down for too long.
So many many things have been happening over here, some good......
My studio will be published in a new book coming out! whoo-hoo!
you can see and order it here
and......
some not so good,
like me moving into my own apartment.
yes, I just said that.
very personal and private for our family, so I hope you will be gentle with me about that....everyone is O.K.
sometimes these things happen, growing up with someone and being friends with them for 25 years, well, sometimes you just grow in different directions.
He is a wonderful person.
I have a wonderful family,
we just are functioning as a different kind of family unit now... I will leave it at that.
So Yes, summer has flown by filled with lots of events.
August is a month of change, and even though I may not like it very much, it is restorative in it's own ways. The mind and body needs it to re-group.
to re-focus. and grow.
I feel very positive about the future, sometimes change is good.
I look forward to sharing all of the new ideas and creations that come with this in the near future......stay tuned. It's always an adventure that's for sure.
XOXO
Good luck to you and your family Ms. Red Shoes.
I'll take this opportunity to say that I love your blog and if I lived close, I'd visit your shop. Alas I'm on the East coast.
Stay creative and keep smiling!
Posted by: Pamela | August 12, 2011 at 08:03 PM
lots of love to you...
Posted by: corinne | August 12, 2011 at 09:16 PM
whoa…. though we haven't met (I keep missing you at the store when I am in town) but reading your blog now for a few years I feel like a friend. I am sorry you need to move to an apartment. Your family is changing- of course things are always changing in our lives, kids grow, parents get ill, marriage, lose, kids grow, relationships change. Marriage is tough- very tough today. Today we have to added weight of all of the distraction that keep us too busy to really spend time together and keep us stressed and on edge all day. I certainly hope you find peace in all this change. I know you will make that apartment a true home for yourself and your kids, you just have that knack. I also hope your art helps you heal. I will come and make art with you someday when your soul is ready to share that part of yourself again. Right now you need to creative for yourself as you rebuild your foundation and find a new normal for your beautiful family.
Posted by: Danee Kaplan | August 13, 2011 at 12:52 AM
Just wanted you to know that I love your blog and I wish you the very best in your new adventures...both the beautiful book and the opportunities of your own new space.
Posted by: Tami B. | August 13, 2011 at 09:08 AM
If anyone could handle a 'different kind' of anything - with style and grace - it would be you. I know you are making the best of everything you can. Take care, and know that we adore you!
Posted by: Dawn | August 14, 2011 at 09:03 AM
Life is just that - LIFE! People change, situations change and life continues. It happened to me a long time ago too - it was a hard decision but the right one. Challenges and changes - they're all part of the package.
Good luck. Have always enjoyed your creativity and reading your blog.
Posted by: Connie | August 14, 2011 at 11:38 AM
I only know you from this blog which I cherish for your humor and creative spirit. I just gasped when I read that. I wish you and your family gentleness, kindness and hope. I am very much looking forward to your book. hugs from the east....
Posted by: Michelle V | August 15, 2011 at 09:29 AM
I'm glad to "see" you are back to writing. So sorry to hear about your move. I myself have been hit with challenges this year. I'm not brave enough to talk about it yet.
Sending love and please oh please post pics when you get your new place all lovely and homey.
Posted by: michelle | August 16, 2011 at 08:21 PM
Hey girl! Long time no talk. I wanted to wish you and your family well on your new adventure. I see your adorable kids are just as talented as their mamma and congrats on the book! Looking forward to seeing what great things lie ahead for you.
Angie
Posted by: angie @ junkgarden | August 17, 2011 at 06:07 PM
Quiet hugs to you. Karen
Posted by: Karen | August 18, 2011 at 11:01 PM
I always look forward to your post...you are the most REAL person on the internet these days with more creativity in your little pinky then most of us have in our entire body. Sad for your news, but love your honesty as always. I can just tell by reading your post you have tons of strength...I wish you and your family the best.
Posted by: Theresa | August 19, 2011 at 12:23 PM
I'm a regular reader, and as I was reading your most recent blog post, it resonated with me deeply. I have been through a similar experience, and while my partner and I are still together, (though living in different cities) it was a huge challenge to work through our "stuff". I know you already know this, but you will survive and thrive no matter what. I wish you and your family all the best. And I look forward to seeing your new nest all feathered and beautiful!
Posted by: Kathy Welsh | August 21, 2011 at 06:30 PM
I wish you and your family strength and love through this hard time <3
You've had a full summer! I love Fiona's art!! I look forward to seeing all that you create in the future. You are so full of color and life always :)
Posted by: Junker Jane | August 30, 2011 at 01:21 PM
sending you a big hug
Posted by: Kate | September 05, 2011 at 04:07 PM
big ol' hug.... and blessings.... and good thoughts...and another hug...
Posted by: PJ Hornberger | September 12, 2011 at 10:30 AM