Life has picked up speed these past few weeks. It’s starting to get a bit annoying. I for one like to have a busy week now and then but I also like a week of breathing time in between. crazy busy, catch up on the mundane, restful, crazy busy, catch up on the mundane, restful, etc. It has been crazy busy for at least the last two weeks, now going into the third crazy busy week. No signs of it letting up.

We got the puppy and I had to prepare for New Hampshire. Got back and had to catch up and get ready for my first (unsuccessful) art sale. Now I must catch up and get ready for Girls’ Weekend. This is the first year it is at MY house. My shambles of a house. ACK! What was I thinking? The cleaning alone is going to do me in.

Not that I’m not excited to host. I’ve been wanting to do it for a while. It’s just that now it’s here – I’m panicking. What if my scheduled activities are dull? What if they don’t like the meals I plan? What if I’ve exhausted myself getting ready and am dead when they arrive?

On the other hand, I’ve known these women since college. Going on 17 years. We just want to get together and have a good time catching up. Besides, they KNOW me. I’m sure they’ll be happy with clean sheets and a few glasses of a strong beverage. I doubt they expect much more.

As for today, we have an orthodontist appointment and kindergarten screening. When am I suppose to finish the vestibule? My goal was Girls’ Weekend. That may not happen now.

Another thing… if I start cleaning now I will just have to redo everything before my guests arrive. So let’s just say Friday is bound to be a nightmare. I hope I’m still breathing when the girls arrive.

And lastly, before I hop into super-duper Mom-in-motion time-to-get-ready-for-school mode, the cutest, most adorable puppy on earth is chewing on EVERYTHING. The worst thing is his favorite chew toy seems to be the children. They are not enjoying it at all. Now I know why he is so cute. Luckily I found a certain chew stick that he will abandon all else for. Unluckily, it is EXPENSIVE. V. expensive. Bought without realizing the price until the cashier at the grocery triple checked it because it is so ludicrously priced. I bought them anyway and said I hope he enjoyed them because I’m never buying them again…

So you want to know how it went?

Not so good. But! I met a great woman in the booth next to me. She was selling her weaving and is now focusing on watercolors. Beautiful watercolors. You should totally check out her work. Now. Go here.

As for the rest of the sale?

Let’s just say, I sold nothing.

I was sandwiched between the weaver and an 80 year old woman who quilts and paints rocks, garden stakes, etc. (I hope to be that productive and spry at 80! Although just thinking about it makes me want to take a nap.) Both sides were engaged in conversation about their wares. Both sides sold items. I was given the occasional nod or hello. Did I mention those were only occasional? I think three people commented on my photos. THREE. PEOPLE.

The winds came. The big, dark, scary clouds blew in. Cold. V. cold wind. Couple of rain droplets. Soon, I was out of there. I will say I stuck it out longer than about 1/2 of the other booths. But the cold finally did me in. That and no one was coming to shop. Or look.

NOTE to self: It may not be wise to wield a hammer (even a small one) while wanting people to look at your work.

I knew I would miss it. It was bound to happen. My first blogiversery was Wednesday. YAY!

Granted, there are times it has sucked the big one. There are also times I question why I’m doing it. And who is my intended audience. And what should I share and what should I keep to myself. But as in most of my life (and art) I’m doing what I always do… letting it evolve on it’s own. A work in progress. Things always seem to work out better that way.

In other news…
My entry into the public eye is today. This meaning, of course, my real person, in the flesh, out there to be scorned and shot down face-to-face. I must set-up for the sale in THREE. HOURS.

Scary. And the work isn’t finished.

Now you are asking – Why is she blogging when she should be getting ready?

Well first, anyone who blogs knows why. Obviously I am procrastinating a bit. And what better way to do that then blow off some tension on the ol’ blog?

Second, look at the time. FIVE: TWENTY-ONE. That is EARLY people. My fingers are not yet working. The caffeine is not yet to the brain. I figure the typos are easy enough to fix. Mat cutting… not so much. Oh, and with my luck and the state of my coordination at this moment, I might lose a finger or two.

Now, if you are asking why the work isn’t finished. Why didn’t I stay up half the night working? I’ll tell you…

Last night I had a trip to the emergency room with Zach. He is fine. Not to worry. I overreacted. Which happens occasionally. Not often. But it does happen. And here I go admitting my mortification to the whole internet. (I told you the caffeine hasn’t kicked in yet.)

His toe was run over by the neighbor boy’s ‘motorcycle’. The boy is seven so the motorcycle is more of a motorized, lightweight bike. But still. There was much blood. A severe lack of skin on the end of the toe. And yes, those were his screams that you heard around 5:30 pm EST.

He was LOUD. And it lasted an unusually long period of time (for him). And when I asked him to move it the walls shook and plaster crumbled and car alarms went off. The doctor suggested an x-ray.

As I got in the car Jeff told me it was nothing. I would be paying for them to clean it out. Well, he was right. Of course. We soaked his foot in soapy water. (At this point I realized my foolish ways.) They did some x-rays. Then came the bacitracin and a bandaid. I am too lame for words.

Needless to say… I went to bed when I got home. After eating half the kitchen.

And a bit of trivia…
It seems this is the time of year for injury in this house. One year ago today Dylan got his stitches. Now you can barely see the scar. Unless he smiles. Then he has a huge dimple. Too cute.

And now…
I must get on to the work. Keep your fingers crossed that I still have fingers when you read this. They still aren’t working properly but time is running out.

Things have been mad I tell you. Just MAD.

Right now I have many young boys running around. Both of the human and canine variety. It is crazy.

I’ve also been matting photos and making cards. Still so much to do before tomorrow. (Have I mentioned I’m doing a craft show? Tomorrow?) It is actually called a ‘art and lawn sale’. Come to find out that means people will be holding their yard sales all in the same place. Not a promising place for selling art.

Oh, well. Good practice and all. The other two shows I’m doing are in July. Gives me time to perfect my craft.

Must give a shout out to my friend Janine. I’m fairly certain she doesn’t read my blog but in case… THANK YOU!!! The mat cutter has been a life saver. It is going so well. I’ve only messed up one mat so far. (The first one) ONE. I rock! (and so do you)

Now I must get back to my dining room table which is COVERED with supplies. 24 hours until set up time…