Fat is just a description

Found this gem at the joyouslybecoming blog. What do you think?

I made shorts!

I actually made a pair of shorts! I have never made a piece of clothing before, so I am thrilled at my accomplishment. They are made of the same light-weight denim that the purse in my previous post is of. I did "felled" seams (doubled stitched seams like on jeans) and altered the pattern to fit using calculations from a book I have. They are comfy, if a bit wide in the leg. I haven't taken any pictures yet, so maybe I will do so soon.

Some of the seeds I planted a couple of weeks ago are starting to leaf. I know for sure that there are nasturtium, but I am not sure if the other little plants are flowers or weeds. I'll have to wait and see. I am always bizarrely worried that the seeds I plant won't grow, so I am always excited and surprised when they do. Yay me and my green thumb!

New bag

Today was just the kind of day to stay inside: cool, overcast, drizzly. So I decided to make myself a summer purse. I used this tutorial on Craftster to make a "Jordy" bag.




The outside is a floral embroidered denim and the inside is patterned cotton. It also has pockets inside and on the back. It only took me about three hours to do. Yay me!

Rain Storm

I love rain storms. I like it all: the smells, the sights, the sounds. We had a storm today and I felt I just needed to write about it (hello Ms. Muse!)

I sat on my porch in the old cracked green plastic Muskoka chair we have had for years. Our porch is old and comfortable: the roof leaks some but will still protect, the floor is flaking, warped wood slats. It is open on two sides and it faces west. The brick of my house was at my back.

I knew a storm was brewing: the sky was darkening over our neighbours' houses across the street, the temperature cooled and birds ominously stopped singing. The dark, cold silence was piercing.

Suddenly, the wind started whipping up a fury: trees bowed to its force and a lone bird looking for shelter was blown off course. Rumbling thunder rolled towards me from a long distance; muted but growling. The voice of Nature drowned out man-made noises; cars were muffled and sirens quieted. It grew darker; the air felt pregnant and vibrating, acknowledging the potential of Nature's fury and cleansing. A few hard rain drops fell; a staccato trumpet-flare announcing the arrival of change. The rain abruptly stopped and the atmosphere was filled with roaring anticipation. It felt as though Nature were balancing on a pin, waiting for the breath of a butterfly to unbalance it into the unbridled swirl of a storm. It grew darker. The wind howled and thunder rolled. Trees lashed back and forth in an slashing dance. The rain came. It pelted the ground and looked like violent ribbons of mist dancing to the music of the force of the wind. Sheet after sheet of rain traveled down the road, gliding off as need arose to find its own path. It rained and rained and rained.

I wanted to stand in the biting rain, arms outstretched to the sky, head back while my clothing whipped around me, like a Goddess of old, controlling Nature for her own desires. I was not a Goddess; I could not control Nature any more than I could return an oak tree to the acorn of its birth. I sat, dry, yet connected, the pulse of the storm like my own.

A sudden branch of lightning gave me a start. It brought with it the smell of ozone which mingled with the other smells of wet earth, damp cloth, and fecundity. Electricity punctuated the apex of the storm; Nature's strength in the pin point of explosion.

The rain gradually slowed then stopped, dripping like an almost-shut tap. A twist to the tap and the rain stopped. The wind gasped, then returned to an easy wafting. The sky brightened and softened. Noises returned to normal, clear and sharp. The world smelled fresh and crisp. It was like a new day dawning.

I gently stood, opened my door, and entered my house.

Umm, yeah.

Whoopsie. Haven't posted in a while. However, I have been busy around the house, so it's a good thing. This is also the inaugural post from my backyard for the season. Here's to posting in the great outdoors!

Over the past week, I planted a whole bunch of seeds and plants in one of my side gardens in my backyard. I am hoping by the time I have relatives/friends over in July we will have something pretty to look at. I did plant stuff a wee bit early for my zone, but we have had such hot weather, the ground has definitely warmed. Of course as soon as I planted, the temps. around here dropped dramatically. Now let's hope that the weather stays nice for another week and things should be ok.

I also took a fused glass course about two weeks ago. This is the plate I made! Although I was not involved in the firing, I still had loads of fun. . It is an expensive hobby (i.e. glass, and a kiln or two, or paying for kiln time), but I hope that maybe, just maybe, glass fusing is something I will be able to do in the future. My instructor, Paul was absolutely fantastic! He was patient, helpful, and just plain cool. Gotta love a cool instructor.

I also had my first individual counselling appointment today. My therapist is Joanne, whom I have spoken of before. This feels like a good fit, and I feel extremely fortunate to be able to go through this process with her.

I have been feeling kinda funny lately. The only way I can describe it is as "JOY". It's not exactly happiness, but a kind of positive welling up from the inside. I feel like (as Joanne put it) my body is smiling. I don't know quite why, but I am just going to go with it. How can I not? :D

I wish you "JOY" in your life, too...

I did it!

Yes, I quit my job. I'm not sad, but I will miss my fabulous co-workers. This was a decision that took a lot of thought and discussion with my hubby and my friends. Although there were aspects of my job I really enjoyed, mostly I hated what I did. I feel happy and energetic about my decision. The way I look at it, I am opening space in my life for the things I want! Wish me luck in the new direction my life is taking!