My Turn To Hustle

The Mother

2010-01-13T09:40:00.000-05:00

Are You Kidding Me?

2010-01-11T22:24:00.001-05:00

You actually don't need to be a web designer to design a website.

Keep your eyes here.

Famous

2010-01-06T09:06:00.001-05:00

YEAH!

Way to Ring It In

2009-12-29T23:52:00.001-05:00

A celebratory dinner, paid for by someone else, a new car and a manicure of gold.
I think that should prep us for ringing in the New Year.
Pip, pip, hear we come!

Or should I say: "Vroom,Vroom."

Pretty New Car

2009-12-26T23:37:00.002-05:00

Well, brand new, actually. We get it Monday!

Salt Delivery

2009-12-22T10:44:00.001-05:00

It's a long way from the back of the house to the front. Carrying buckets of salt.

Snowed In!

2009-12-20T20:36:00.003-05:00

We were snowed in today. I worked only until THREE! Chris did the manwork. I mean, shoveling (I did it last time). Then we took a nap (!!!!), ate pea soup which I made yesterday and made SUGAR cookies. It was my first experiment with royal icing and I must say it worked wonderfully, is amazingly easy and looks FAB. It dries to a hard shell. I want to pour it on everything!

For the Dristressed Fans

2009-12-17T21:37:00.002-05:00

So I told Chris that I always like a nice Christmas cactus. And this was what I got. I mean, I am not complaining. It is just different that what I had expected.

All wheels are turning full speed here. Busy season in the office. And the office it a bit close to home. But, I have a tree and a Christmas cactus, so life ain't bad!

One Candle in the Window

2009-12-02T13:37:00.003-05:00

I know. I am a real pain in the butt for making you check the blog and then not posting. SO sorry. This is holiday shipping time for us in the office. So I wake up tired and go to bed hyper. It is all very exciting and I am very glad to be making some sales. We are in it to win it!

At the same time though. I cannot wait until January so I can drink hot cocoa, clean out my basement, and sleep all day.

Sunset in NYC

2009-11-24T18:45:00.000-05:00

Here for Thanksgiving!

FENCE!

2009-11-13T15:16:00.003-05:00

We wanted to design a really cool fence from old sheet metal. But after 7 months of being fenceless, we got restless, and realized we were cheap. So with some wood from and Aunt and some from a Mom, we built.

My Spot

2009-11-11T11:41:00.001-05:00

Why would I want to leave?

My Dog is so Cool

2009-11-10T10:35:00.001-05:00

I still just can't get over her new trick. Ruca: Flip!

Back. Well, Almost.

2009-11-09T12:20:00.006-05:00

Here a before and almost after of our bulkhead, the white will soon be painted as well.

I was better enough to paint one piece of trim, but then I had to sleep for the rest of the day. This getting better stuff is hard. Now that I have had swine flu and a secondary infection that landed me on antibiotics I guess I have learned ummmm...to wash my hands more?

Update

2009-11-03T19:21:00.000-05:00

And, I have the flu.

End of the Season

2009-11-03T13:46:00.002-05:00

All is calm on the isle of Block.
The houses are closed, the gas turned off and the furniture put away.
Anon!

I Ain't Afraid of No Ghosts

2009-11-02T10:08:00.003-05:00

Media Fin

2009-10-30T11:27:00.002-04:00

In the middle of being done. But we've turned tail and fled for fires and more.

Zero % APR

2009-10-29T12:10:00.003-04:00

So, I just spent the morning transferring money around so that all my credit card debt (minus a measly $300.00) is holding steady at 0%. I have a chunk due in Feb, more due in June and then more yet next October. Having debt is a bummer, but much less a bummer at 0%.

Now, I have to go worry about where to get the money to pay the money back.
Sigh. Does this mean I am an adult yet?

Can't Compete

2009-10-28T10:25:00.001-04:00

With the news of Ed!!!!

Getting Decked Out

2009-10-27T11:03:00.002-04:00

You are about to get it, steps and deck.
Stained that is.

Black is BACK!

A Leaf as Big as My Head

2009-10-26T10:20:00.001-04:00

Yes, it is fall. Yes these are really leaves. I was trying to determine how to make a bathing suit out of them. But then I realized: They'd cover too much!

All Better

2009-10-23T11:39:00.003-04:00

Yes, of course, anonymous is right, I should replace the sill. Better yet, I should replace the windows. But until the economy picks up or my husband wins the lottery, that's just NGH.
Not Gonna Happen.
So today I froze my fingers off and painted in wind on a tall and springy ladder.
I am not afraid of heights (like some mothers I know), it is just when I am all the way up there I get kind woozy and my painting isn't quite as good.

Anyway, the painting is done and the silicone will have to wait for another day.

When it Rains on Your Paint

2009-10-22T19:30:00.002-04:00

Depressing when you scrape, sand, fill, sand and then paint and then it rains and ruins all.
Now to redo. Then continue. Backtracking is hard for us all.

The Mountain All Covered in Snow

2009-10-21T11:06:00.001-04:00

Yesterday we were in the mountains and there was snow.
Today is is almost 70 degrees and I've got to get outside and hustle some yard work.

When I'm 64

2009-10-19T12:43:00.002-04:00

Ruca shows us all how relaxing should be done!
Lets all take a bit of a lesson.

A Juggling Act

2009-10-13T08:24:00.001-04:00

Back to the mainland today to tighten another house for the approaching season.

Furnaces, window plastic, etc.

The joys of New England!

Tooth of the Beast

2009-10-12T15:17:00.003-04:00

Chris found this tooth on the beach today. He finds everything, we know.
So just what animal did this specimen come from?

He's scraping the tarter off as we speak.

Halloween

2009-10-09T10:02:00.002-04:00

I am having a Halloween event on BI.
I invited about 20 people.
Only one is coming.

Sigh.

Window Progress

2009-10-08T09:30:00.003-04:00

I'd like to keep the windows limping along as long as I can.
So wood putty, paint and silicone R US!
I am paining them a high gloss black. Which, though not traditional, looks pretty darn cool.

Maybe the water will just slide right off...

Poor Child was Experimented Upon

2009-10-07T09:29:00.000-04:00

I'm trying knitting. Beware family and friends.
The little suffer first!!!

Oh Beauty

2009-09-29T10:24:00.001-04:00

Chris yuppified the garden closet yesterday. It is beautiful. Now you can get something, anything, without everything falling on your head!

How to Fill a Hole

2009-09-28T12:23:00.002-04:00

So, I have a space that I am trying to insulate. But it has holes. And the holes are made from wood and brick and tin and plywood and only god knows what else.
But fill them I must. So I am thinking. And also, through the holes there is wonderful tin and nice materials. But everything is covered with lead and asbestos and I just don't know what to do.

I guess I'll go stare at my holes some more.

AnniEve

2009-09-24T12:02:00.002-04:00

Candles, water, asleep by midnight. Oh yeah!

Still Crazy After These Three Years

2009-09-23T08:52:00.004-04:00

You really do start to look alike.

Chelada

2009-09-22T09:50:00.002-04:00

For some reason I cannot believe that they do not sell this beverage in the northeast. In fact, I take it as a personal affront.

This is Still SO Funny

2009-09-21T11:21:00.002-04:00

Lights Down, Curtain MO

2009-09-14T09:57:00.003-04:00

And homeward we are bound. To the other home, I mean. Well, really, to ONE of the other of our homes. Sigh.

Goose More

2009-09-12T22:08:00.002-04:00

Improvements have been made. And enjoying it we are.

In Places They Hide

2009-09-08T09:21:00.001-04:00

In case you were ever wondering, this is a brown recluse.
Memorize and hope you never see one.

The Water's Fine

2009-09-01T10:41:00.003-04:00

Goose Improvement

2009-08-30T22:02:00.004-04:00

The Goose changes by day, and we have much in store to show. Here is the beginning of the "blue eyeliner" as it has been called.

So Ruca Ate Some Grapes

2009-08-29T19:41:00.002-04:00

While we were out last night eating supper across the street at the Rivers Edge Cafe, Ruca was grazing on grapes from our table. Grapes are recently held to be TOXIC to dogs and all the websites are recommending bringing her to the vet for an emergency course of fluids to stave off the inevitable renal failure and death. However, it has now been 24 hours and Ruca seems FINE. No strange bodily functions, all normal and good. So we wait and watch and see. Sigh. Love and life.

Best Dog Friends

2009-08-28T11:40:00.000-04:00

Gansta

2009-08-27T09:25:00.001-04:00

Our truck is big.
Our truck is fast.
Okay, not really.
But we had a blast.

Made it to MO

2009-08-26T20:06:00.002-04:00

And oh the options...

Babies Grow

2009-08-22T17:48:00.003-04:00

Garden Fresh Pizzer

2009-08-20T13:36:00.002-04:00

Yum Yum. Fresh tomatoes, yellow and red, from the garden. Then some fresh garden banana peppers and hot peppers. Defrost dough, add garlic, olive oil, and mozzarella, bake and EAT. Summer Yum!

It Must Be

2009-08-19T13:52:00.003-04:00

So the gander are headed to the Goose come Monday. But, the south met the north a bit ahead of schedule. Shopping at our local close-outs store, Ocean State Job Lot, we found a special southern treat. The plastic bag they used to bag our goods were from....drum roll please.....PIGGLY WIGGLY!! So very excited we were. It must be meant to be.

Sin Office

2009-08-18T13:24:00.001-04:00

Now, with curtains! Thanks OCEAN STATE JOB LOT!

Another Life

2009-08-17T10:07:00.000-04:00

Grades K-1, Hunter Elementary School, 1988

The Jewelry Girlz

2009-08-14T18:06:00.001-04:00

You got to wear it to sell it.

Chris' Image in Time Square

2009-08-13T12:51:00.001-04:00

It's like hide and seek!

Some Sky Snaps from da Isla

2009-08-12T10:53:00.002-04:00

TGWH

2009-08-10T21:06:00.001-04:00

Thank God We're Home.

Many plans to be made and hairballs to vacuum. This place is pretty darn swell though.

Tired of Being Censored

2009-07-30T10:53:00.003-04:00

I had some really good pictures, but SOMEONE is afraid that someone else is going to see my blog and steal his ideas (Dianne? Barrett? Mom?)

So you'll jsut have to wait until I come up with something else...

Look Ma! No Death from Black Mold!

2009-07-29T10:39:00.003-04:00

We have a little basement asbestos and mold issue. The asbestos is old, the mold is new, thanks to a whole lot of ground water and hydrostatic pressure.
So, we haven't really wanted to dig our hands into the cellar.

But now we are pink and protected!

Heaven Help My Hair

2009-07-28T10:53:00.003-04:00

I needed short hair, but now I have a triangle.
I cut it horribly for the first time. I usually do it very well.
It is fine wet, but dried it like hell.

Someone please come and help.

Bountiful Bivalves By the Beach, Pt II

2009-07-27T10:54:00.002-04:00

This weekend found us in New London for the eating of summer foods. Many things in shells were had by all and the dog loves watermelon rinds. We stayed until the end of the night, at which point the big red balls were very soggy and we had to take them down.

Tomatoes Are Coming!

2009-07-24T12:05:00.000-04:00

The tomatoes are around the corner. And this is three of my 11 Plants. YIKES.
I could have late blight on some of them. I can't tell. Could also be just dying leaves.
I don't know. But cross your fingers or you won't get any tomatoes.

Everybody say "Oooo"

2009-07-23T10:06:00.000-04:00

Cease To Beat

2009-07-22T10:38:00.000-04:00

Our movie! Coming tomorrow!

A Little Lunch

2009-07-21T12:22:00.002-04:00

After the hubbub of the weekend we got out for a little picnic lunch on a lake.
We can't tell you where. But let's just say there was no one there and we were very careful not to impact the quality of the drinking water.

48 Hour Film Festival

2009-07-20T11:41:00.006-04:00

The 48 hour film festival works like this: Friday night form 6-7PM there is a meeting. Each team gets a genre of film. Then all the teams get the same line of dialogue, character and a prop. Then people run back to their team bases and start writing a script, arguing, casting, gathering props and locations and costumes, shooting and editing. Then the finished film (and lots of attendant paperwork) is due at 7PM on Sunday evening.

Here are some iphone pics from the weekend, I'll post the link to the film when it's up!

Large Snake

2009-07-17T11:28:00.001-04:00

If a black cat crossing one's path is said to be bad luck then what for an almost 4 foot black snake?

Hey you kids, get outta my yard!

2009-07-16T10:02:00.001-04:00

Wes spray painted in our own yard today. Wahoo! No one to tell us not to.
We own this. And now, the mailbox no longer says the prior owners' names! Yippe. It is really ours!
If you didn't know we were 112 Main, now you do.

E and Dogs

2009-07-15T08:58:00.001-04:00

Doesn't this look idyllic?
Let's just remember that this exists and is possible.
Peace.

Fully Rented!

2009-07-09T13:57:00.002-04:00

The store's done, all our spaces are rented and we're off at full tilt, to BI tonight for changover tomorrow, then a show Saturday, then off island right after for a wedding in Worcester on Sat night, then back on Island Sunday to get our car off on Monday. Woweeeee!

Lunar Eclipse in Capricorn

2009-07-06T20:17:00.003-04:00

So there's a lunar eclipse in my sign, so there's so much to do. Blah, blah, Eeyore, blah, blah.
But the floors look great. The tenant is moving in. The trim is up. The carpet is down. And but for a little cleaning and running up and downstairs and taking photos, we are done. Phew. Almost.

In other UNBELIEVABLE news (in fact I am not getting my hopes up because I do not believe it) the wiener shop owner might have a potential buyer of his business. And word on the street is they own another restaurant in South County, RI and have money with which they mean to renovate the place. So this might be really cool.

The next week is full everyday with more than we could possibly do. But do it we shall, and inform you we will.

So Much, So Little

2009-07-03T22:39:00.002-04:00

Back from the island of Block. Major finishing of the storefront so it can be ready for the Martial Arts Dude to open his doors. Today The Momma Bear left at 7 AM and I walked the dog. The Chris finished retouching pictures from a shoot while I primed and painted trim. Then there was more walking the dog. Then The Momma Bear's tire blew out. Then I fought with the the floor guy and made him reduce his price. Then Chris installed a thermostat. The the toilet in the storefront was leaking. Then we called the plumber to come on Monday (new, local plumber, we'll see). Then I got a last minute call from a client who needs 40 pieces by next week. Then I started production on said pieces. Then there was the arguing about laying the carpet. The there was the learning how to lay carpet. Then there was the laying of the carpet. More on that tomorrow. Then there was the case of the mis-hung hinges. The case remains until tomorrow. There was also lots of vacuuming. Then the client came to pick up the disk of the retouched images. Then the dog got into our room and peed on the bed. Then washed the comforter. Then I tried to dry it. The drying will continue throughout the night. Now there is the preheating of the oven for the pizza and then there will be the pizza eating, the cleaning up of the kitchen, the unloading of the diswasher, the starting of the tumbler, the walking of the dog and the brushing of the teeth and the going to bed. I am sure I skipped a few things.

Just in case you wondered what we were up to today...

Stormy Stormy

2009-07-02T09:06:00.000-04:00

From the boat, back to reality.

Bedtime

2009-06-25T08:57:00.002-04:00

Finally made it to Block Island with time enough to eeek in a bedtime story. Phew.

Such Nice Wood

2009-06-24T13:02:00.002-04:00

If you haven't heard, we are scrapping old asbestos linoleum of an old floor in order to have the ancient hardwoods refinished so that I can remain the default heir (so Barrett can threaten Cate) of the Tiffany Necklace. It has been long, long, hard days and we are sore in strange places and blistered in others. The sander is here now and we are please. THE WOOD IS GOOD!

Saturday's Excursion

2009-06-23T07:44:00.003-04:00

On Saturday we actually got to work all day on one of C's shoots.
Now, looking back it seems like a vacation. SO much better than hammering asbestos vinyl tiles of of douglas fir planks, which I'm headed to do right now.

As I am writing this, the streetlights are still on in downtown Woonsocket.
I guess it is pretty early.

Queen of Woonsocket

2009-06-22T11:32:00.002-04:00

Her Majesty is resting while we rip out more of the floor along with some 19 year olds who have a tad more stamina. Thanks to the heat gun provided by Flip and some prybars we are finally making some headway. It's not a glamorous job. Pictures to come.
Her

How it Was

2009-06-19T09:20:00.002-04:00

This is how it was, unfortunately, now not how it is. But though it was once this way we can now remember the former pleasure of it being like that. Though today is surely not the way it was, it is certainly the way it is. Which is not as depicted above.

Progress

2009-06-12T09:33:00.005-04:00

Demolition

2009-06-11T16:08:00.001-04:00

Nuf said.

Curtains Were Hung

2009-06-08T15:04:00.002-04:00

I made us clean the entire upstairs of the house before we could hang our new curtains. It took all day. Worth it?

And, yes, that's the cat box on the dining room table. Yum.

Runnign Out of Steam

2009-06-04T12:14:00.002-04:00

It's been three months since we bought the building and two month that we've had the dog. We've been working and painting and fixing and training, and picking up poo and taking out trash and trying to exercise and get more work and do more things. We're a bit bushed, but when we look back it seems that we've got good reason. What a lot we've accomplished and adjusted to!

Let There Be LIGHT!

2009-06-03T09:56:00.000-04:00

I won't even say how many light bulbs this was...

Too Much Pot

2009-06-01T11:39:00.003-04:00

Chris says I can't have any more plants. He says there is no where to put them and I am done. We shall see. Here's what I've got so far...

Hospital Week

2009-05-29T14:29:00.002-04:00

Took the week off and went on a hospital tour. Here's one of a very many hallways at midnight.

The Big Cat Oops

2009-05-26T10:41:00.002-04:00

So, Chris and I were sitting in the yard this morning drinking coffee. We heard a cat meowing. Not so strange as there are a few neighborhood cats. I looked up an d behind the bamboo was OUR cat. Yes. She had escaped onto the fire escape from our open bedroom window. She must have fallen or jumped one story. We hadn't yet realized she was missing. BAD pet parents! Other than being covered with cobwebs she seems none the worse for wear. I am putting her collar on right now. And maybe we need to think up another screen option.

The Flowers of Spring

2009-05-22T13:21:00.006-04:00

Inspired by a blog sent to me by my sister-in-law (see it here) I too am posting some pictures of the flowers and buds of spring. A peony about to pop, Chris' clematis and my "study in red" which features a red stool we found on the side of the street, a red rusty pitcher, a gerber daisy and a creeping purslane. I am pleased to say all these can actually be found in our little yard! It is coming together slowly but surely, give us five years and we'll be sure to have a city/jungle oasis.
Just so you know, we are on the look out for all sorts of pots, or things that can be made into pots. Old watering can and buckets that I can drill holes in would be perfect. Anything destructed or abandoned that is NOT plastic would be swell. These can be collected for the next five years, so no pressure! Thanks!!

Earth Movings

2009-05-21T09:34:00.002-04:00

Well, we moved a whole lot of dirt and made a nice little yard section.
We put down seed and are watering out little plot. Note also the potted veggies.
Lots of watering in this 90 degree May weather!
And one day we'll have a fence!

What Yuppies Like...

2009-05-20T12:50:00.002-04:00

What Yuppies like is similar to what white people like. I found myself realizing this after going to acupuncture followed by Trader Joes and then REI. I was confused and abashed (and also realized I NEED a Subaru or Honda Element to fit in). Are all white people Yuppies? Am I a white Yuppie? How did this happen? Well, I'll leave you with that question. I have to go refinish some old furniture and water my urban garden. Dang.

Looks Wise

2009-05-19T15:02:00.000-04:00

Some people look like their dogs. Do I?

Not Half Bad

2009-05-18T10:19:00.001-04:00

Some days, I feel like everyone in this town is crazy.
Other days, I realize that may be true, but at least that means they are not making use of the incredibly beautiful bike path. We've walked a bunch of different sections now. And we're impressed. It's always pretty empty there. I guess exercise isn't a top priority 'round these here parts.

Action on the Store

2009-05-15T11:22:00.002-04:00

Yes, we are painting. Yes, it sucks.

Ball Bowl

2009-05-14T10:15:00.001-04:00

I am using my bowl to hold my ball. So I guess I'll just eat off the floor. Ho hum.

Stomack Chi Line

2009-05-12T09:33:00.002-04:00

Most of acupuncture doesn't look quite this thrilling. But this was a fun one, so I thought I'd share.

The Weekend of Da Mom's

2009-05-11T10:40:00.002-04:00

We drove, we bought, we carried, we shopped, we planted, we ate, we mothered.
From RI, to MA, to CT, to RI the weekend was an adventuresome one.
We took C to Ikea for a couch, spent the night at S's and then went to R's for an afternoon of gardening.

Maybe we'll need to share some of Mommy's Time Out.
See, it IS all in the marketing.

Two Days Worth

2009-05-08T17:35:00.002-04:00

I really thought that song was worth leaving up for two business days. Totally.

Walks.

2009-05-07T10:12:00.002-04:00

So, when getting a dog we thought that one of the pluses was going on walks.
No one told us how much time leash training her to ACTUALLY walk would take.
We are pushing through, she no longer coughs so hard she vomits, so that's a marker of progress, I suppose.
And after we walk for a few hours she is so tired that she actually behaves.

I have a new song. it goes: Heel, heel, heel. Heel you stupid dog or I will send you to Constantino and he'll eat you. In some countries dog is a delicacy so heel you stupid dog or I'll eat you.

As Promised

2009-05-05T10:28:00.001-04:00

Sometimes Wrong feels so Right

2009-05-04T10:51:00.005-04:00

Chris and I both know this is torture, but we cannot help ourselves. God help us.
We keep saying that she'll forgive us because we feed her.
Fingers crossed.
Sing it with me now: "Just wanna stay at the..."

Video to come.

Where's Kitty?

2009-05-01T13:30:00.001-04:00

BY popular demand...It's find the cat time!

And, no. I am not having children. The pets do not like children.

Hrumph.

The Dog Works Hard

2009-04-30T14:08:00.002-04:00

Or hardly works.
But she is a lap warmer.

On my Pillow?

2009-04-29T10:17:00.000-04:00

I said it wouldn't happen, but it did...
Dog in Bed.