Falling behind

So, I must admit, I am not a true blogger. I know I should be updating this thing at least once every couple of days but for now, once a week will have to do, more if I can swing it.
It has been a packed week. My sis Tara came into town last Tuesday night and we have been going going going until tonight when she left. It has been an interesting week, including but not limited to shopping, sicknesses, hospitals, sewing, animals, crying, mice, and ok, some fun. I will note the MOST interesting events of the week.
When visitors come, shopping is usually on the list somewhere, for Tara it is number one. I of course don't mind except for I usually spend the same if not more than the visitor. This time I kept it within control, at least I think so. We enjoyed our time hitting 5th ave. Tara scored some cute stuff and well, I did too.
Saturday, we went to the zoo. It was a long train ride up to the Bronx. The ride seemed especially long with all of the crazies on the train. But we got there and had a great time.

 

The gorillas were especially cute. They put on quite a show, even Luke enjoyed them. We were     surprised how attentive Luke was to the animals. He did a great job pointing and babbling to them.

And here is another picture, just because it is cute!

Another interesting event, that has been building up since January was the explosion of a cyst on one of my ovaries. Sounds dramatic and most likely too much information, sorry. I noticed it in January when I was running and had a sharp pain that didn't feel like a running cramp. It was so bad I had to stop. This pain kept coming around every few days and continued up until this weekend. I had several theories on what it could be, the most popular was a hernia. While at the zoo, the pain got so bad I had to sit down every 10 minutes because it was too painful to walk. That night after a girls night dinner and movie, I went to bed and woke up an hour later with the worst stomach pain I had ever felt. My stomach looked and felt like I was 6 months pregnant and all I wanted to do was curl up in a bawl. Eventually I threw up and things began to feel a little better. The next day I still had the pain but felt a little better. I was talked into checking into the emergency room by a good friend. Unfortunately by this time I was feeling remarkably better and had to ham up my performance so I could get a diagnosis. After being there all day, by myself, and waiting, waiting, and waiting, they concluded that it was over a few days prior and I should be just fine. Kinda wish I would have come up with that myself. The good news is, I am just fine. I feel so much better, I can walk, run, and see my toes.

My sister can't say the same however. She was plagued with a marathon migraine that lasted for 4 of the 7 days she was here. She did a good job powering through most of it. She did pass out a few times. Poor girl. Luckily Luke cuddled and gave her plenty of hugs and kisses to help her feel better.

To wrap up, I will note the craziest story of all. This morning I went to clean the fridge, one of my tasks I wanted to get done before we left for Chicago, opened it, saw something scurrying around, slammed it shut, and screamed. Yes, a mouse was inside our fridge. I can't possibly think of anything more disgusting than that. How did it get in there? I have no idea. Must have not shut it properly, or maybe even not at all. It doesn't help that we have an under the counter fridge, but apparently mice climb anything and everything, so I don't know if it would have made a difference. I called Tom and demanded he came home immediately. He didn't. So I kept it in the fridge. I did call an exterminator, and he couldn't even believe. In his 20 years of killing mice, he had never heard of one in the fridge. Luckily Tom was able to come home a bit later. He finally caught it as it scurried up our brick wall. Tara and I stayed clear of the situation. I spent the rest of the afternoon throwing away food, and disinfecting all of the bottles. I did end up cleaning the fridge, just a bit deeper than I planned.
To end on a positive note, I am throwing in a couple of cute pictures of Luke.

Ready for church in his Mr. Rogers sweater!

His new push toy, ironically he prefers sitting in it but hates his stroller. Kids.

Surfing for inspiration

Since I don't have money to actually buy nice new clothes, as I mentioned before I use ebay, and I make my own. I have grown used to the fact that now when I browse through magazines, or through websites, I am looking for mainly tops and dresses that I can copy, or get close to. My favorites browsing sites are shopbop, barneys co-op, intermix, a.p.c., and built by wendy. I have found a few to get me started. Here are some of them below. When I get around to making them, I will do a side by side comparison, well, on second thought no promises.

 

My Love for Ebay

This is a gigantic representation of my new obsession, but I guess it is fitting. Oh, Ebay, how I waste several hours browsing your fine selection of vintage dressess, vintage fabrics, vintage patterns, denim,Ferragamo shoes, handbags,embroidered tops, and anything and everything I think I need or want.

In some ways Ebay has saved me a few bucks. I found several things that I would have paid at least double for. For example, a denim pencil skirt, which only took me 2 weeks to find. Browsing night and day. I actually haven't received it yet, so I am hoping it is everything I am hoping it to be. I also am currently bidding on a pair of J Brand grey jeans that retail way over $100. Do I need grey jeans? Yes. Especially since I was debating on getting some from H&M for pretty much the same price. But a pair of designer jeans? Absolutely.

In other ways.....it has been somewhat detrimental to my discover card. You see, I don't really have the money to spend, but things seem so within my reach, for a poor person. What is $15 or $20 here or there. Well I will tell you. A pair of leather gladiator sandals, embroidered mexican dress and top, new to me vintage dress, vintage lace for oh so many of my sewing projects, the cutest plaid fabric ever (if you knew how hard cute plaid fabric is to find you would understand), a john deere shirt for Luke (impulse buy), more patterns, more fabric, it goes on, and unfortunately on.

I keep telling myself, I only need a couple more things to complete my spring and summer needs. But then I see a link, and then another link, and pretty soon, I have found the must have staples of my wardrobe for next winter. HELP!!!

What was lost is not forgotten

I am still trying to figure out the size I want my photos, so try to excuse the inconsistency.

I have decided that instead of always complaining I don't have a trade like design or art, I will actually use what I do have, my music. I have really missed playing my violin. Since I have been in New York, it has slowly been shoved to the bottom of my priority list. In fact, sometimes I forget  I know how to play, that is until Christmas rolls around and I am asked to play a little something for church.

Some of my favorite memories have to do with this little piece of wood. Jam sessions, quartet practices, symphonies, almost all forgotten. Luckily the excuse of needing more money has forced me to pick it back up. So this summer, in the middle of June, I am off to Utah for Suzuki training. For those of you that don't know what Suzuki is, it is a method of learning music that trains the ear. I think it is the best method to learn with. I would not have been able to do so many different things with my violin if it wasn't for my ability to play by ear. So, I am going to teach. This fall, or sooner if possible.
This week I had to prepare an audition piece. Initially I chose the simple piece that only qualified me for the initial books, but after a few run throughs, I wanted something a bit more challenging. I ended up auditioning with the Bach Concerto in A Minor. Certainly nothing to hard, but it did force me to spend more hours practicing than I have done in years, maybe 8 in fact.
It felt great. The small red hicki like bruise re-appeared under my chin, my muscles began forming again in my forearms, and my eyes hurt from staring at the music for hours. I'm back!

Easter with the Beans

We had a great easter this year. It was especially exciting because we didn't have to hide the fact we love easter egg hunts. Here are a few highlights from our easter.

Luke's first in the park!

After stealing his friends basket!

Easter morning

This was my easter surprise. I happened to mention to Tom a few months ago that I really wanted a skillet so he could make me delicious veggie omelets. He happens to be the master of omelette making. So he surprised me with this top of the line Le Crueset. Points for Tom, 5 for sweetness, and 5 for creativity! Hope you enjoyed your candy!