This past week

This past week and weekend, more so than usual, I have embraced my summer.  The last summer for awhile I imagine that I will not be working... I have made pickles, salsa and stewed tomatoes all with my mom; visited my parents and relaxed, while eating great food and laughing; took advantage of the nice weather to include a beach day with friends (possibly one of the last for the season), went walking and running and even got a pedicure!  I enjoyed my wonderful boyfriend cooking breakfast, enjoyed a wonderful meal prepared at a friend's house with conversation and catching up with long-lost friends; we cooked meals in preparation for the week and even enjoyed housework.

To sum it all up...it's been a great week/weekend!  I am thankful for my life and my love and my family and friends.  :)

One Shoe, Five Shoes

It was a great weekend for people to lose shoes, which means a great day to take pictures.  Park Ave Fest is notorious for craziness and fun, so lost shoes are to be expected.

Lone Shoe: Park Ave Post-Park Ave Fest

Brunswick Pair

Righty Lefty

New Design - "Robinson" Birdie Onesie

Check out my new design here:
BeeDzigns Robinson Birdie Onesie

control

I have to believe that everything happens for a reason.  Sometimes we wouldn't choose what happens to us, but with life we hopefully learn and grow and get back up!  Opportunities are presented to us everyday and we make choices about what to do with them...answer the unknown number, go for a jog, take a nap...there are no wrong choices, rather things we learn from and things we love.

Sometimes things don't go according to our plan, but who really put us in charge?  Control makes us feel powerful and responsible, but is it more than that?  Does someone get a job because they are the perfect candidate, or are there other "perfect" candidates who know someone or is it luck of the draw?  I'd like to think I have power over getting a job or my daily interactions, but they are just that...interactions, involving what I like to call the human factor.  When humans are involved there is no control.

However, there is control over statistics, but not over another person's choices.  I prefer statistics.  I never thought I would say that, but there is comfort in order and numbers, but there is something so special and rewarding about people and the interactions we have with them that make the lack of control worth it.

Today I am trying consciously to let go of control and focus on the present, which involves being happy and enjoying every minute of today, even if I can't make things happen.

The Shoes I Find

"Park Ave I"

Inspired by an exorbitant amount of abandoned solo shoes I noticed while living in Portland Maine I decided initially to collect said shoes to create a sculpture of found and altered art.  When we moved to New York State I had to dispose of the them, as they weren't exactly the cleanest.  I have morphed the idea into a photo shoot, which will be much cleaner.  This is the first shoe of the series "The Shoes I Find."  I call this "Park Ave I."

Philly

Brooke and a Claes Oldenburg sculpture

Philly...you were fun!  A quick trip to Philly last weekend for Andre, me and our friends Mike and Michelle.  Priceline hooked us up with a lovely hotel in preparation for The Color Run 2012 - Philadelphia!  A great time was had and we met up with an old friend Ellen and two new friends who introduced us to real Philly Cheese steaks, a walking tour of Philly to include the Liberty Bell and Love Park.  The Color Run was amazing...23,000 runners and with painted shirts, arms, legs and faces!  Next time the guys said they want in on the fun of having powdered cornstarch and dye thrown at you while you run 3 miles!  I mean who wouldn't?!

Happy Birthday my Love!

Happy 36th Birthday to my Love!  

A wonderful birthday weekend of friends, food and sunshine!  

A weekend of grilling and playing games, the Lilac Festival, and Avengers 3D!  

We couldn't have asked for nicer weather!  

Hello from post-grad life

inspired by my friend Nikki and her latest blog post, I am adopting her project a week idea (Thanks!)  Although since I am not working right now I think as long as they aren't HUGE projects I will try to do a project everyday, at least one.  Lists really help me, so I will start by making a list and tackling at least one thing a day.  I also have a few visits to friends on that list that include Albany, Michigan, Toronto, Maine and D.C.  (not in any order, although the first two are musts)  :)

A shout out to Greg who Skype us yesterday and found my camera charger while in Spain!  It was actually in our house, but he guided the search!  Muchas gracias mi amigo!

Graduation....DONE

Graduation has come and gone.  The gown and hood are draped over the chair in the dining room; cap accessorizing the table.  Flowers are brightening up every room and my red pumps are waiting for another adventure, as they wait patiently in the hall.  Photos are coming in through Face Book and email and I am left with great memories, a wonderfully supportive family and group of friends... and a few blisters.    

dear 30...

dear 30s...i thought (many years ago now) i would turn this magical number and have a career, maybe a child or two...a dog, a house, a bed skirt and frivolous things like that, maybe an Adirondack chair and a wrap-around porch.

i'm 30 and so far i fell on the ice and have been going to physical therapy since February for my shoulder, have been hospitalized with cellulitis, experienced loss, and somehow managed to complete my thesis.

30 is nothing like i planned.  i threw away the list...i may never have those things, but i'm 30, i have a wonderful family and an amazing boyfriend, great friends, (almost finished with) a Master's degree, a job waiting for me when I graduate and i'm HAPPY, despite everything life has thrown at me ;) and maybe because everything life has thrown at me!

This post was inspired by a friend who has been looking forward to/dreading 30...EMBRACE IT!