Brixey Banter

"I could really use a wish right now"

You know, there are just days that life looks exceptionally better than other days. Your life, my life, whoever's life. I've had a little trouble sleeping this week and that just stinks.

I try to live life to the fullest and with that, I have been taking this whole new approach to life. Instead of waiting for things to happen to me, I make executive decisions and try to act aggressively. I don't think it's really been working out for me, but I figured it's better to take a chance at things than to wonder what would have happened if I had...

That's what I did Sunday night. I couldn't sleep and I stayed up writing "I wish I..." over and over and the weird part is that I couldn't finish the sentence. I could either write all the things I wish I had done actively in my life's decisions or I could change that sentence to "I will..."

And I did. I made a choice and it was an aggressive choice. Not very befitting of a lady, but come on people, what do I really have to lose? I mean, I'm already unemployed. I don't have a place to live. I lost my kitty a year and a half ago. Why not lose my dignity in the process? (Trust me, that's not what I really thought because I know how much I have to lose that goes beyond a job and a home...family is first and my friends are second...well, they are right there next to my kitties).

So my dignity has officially left the Miller household. Along with a painting I did for a friend. I'll post it here. I might as well. I mean, it's not like it's a secret. I've been working on a bunch of little art pieces.

This fish is from Charley Harper's ginormous coffee table book that I thank Christie for (maybe not to her email address but as a general thought) everytime I look at it. It was a gift she gave me for helping her move. A gift that I wanted very badly and she knew, but I would never buy myself. It was a little pricey. And I love it. Anyway, the fish is an image in there and I just repainted it on a canvas for a friend of mine whom I thought would get a kick out of it.

Yes, I am a dork. But I really enjoy doing things for others - until it kicks me in the ass of course.

The only reason for this post is because I feel like I teased you for a few days and needed to give you a little fluff in between the boring moments of my life. Which is, like, every single day of my life because we all know I don't hardly do anything exciting or really worth writing about...I just like to write and this is my get out of jail free card for writing.

And I needed to write about the big ass mistake I made in sending out a letter that I should probably have never written. But, as you all know, my favorite place for my foot is in my mouth.

Also, I realize that I have used the post title lyrics before, but I used them in conjunction with the whole quote...not on their own so I'm good to go.

"Can we pretend that airplanes in the night sky are like shooting stars - I could really use a wish right now"

"I could use a dream or a genie or a wish
To go back to a place much simpler than this"

Gah.

It's just another day in southern Missouri. I am still jobless. I will still not have a place to live in about a month.

That leaves me with a ton of packing to do soon. And finding a job. And a place to live. And a life. Oh. That too.

I guess I'm leaving here to go to KC on Thursday. I'm going to stop in Springfield on my way home to see a friend on my way home. Crystal and Brian's wedding is Friday night too. I think on Sunday we're going to a wine tasting in Urich. Lisa and I were talking about joining in some grape stomping but I'm not sure how that would work out for us. Oh wait. It's on Saturday! I have a feeling we won't be going after all what with a wedding reception the night before!

I guess tomorrow I will work on a couple articles for the Examiner. And write an article to try out for the Interior Decorating Examiner in KC. I have to write a tryout article, just like when I did for the modern furniture article. Hmm...I think I'll write about Sicis tile...and I need three additional ideas to send her. Maharam fabrics? Check. Something on wallcovering? Need to work on that one. Hmmm...

I'm liking the new Typepad word counter. Up to 242!

It's already 10 pm. No nap today and slept like crap again last night. 4 animals in one bed is a bit much.

I need to get some pictures tomorrow of Gabby eating her dinner with her paws. Poor Grace goes in for her girlie surgery tomorrow. We're wondering if they can perform something to tuck her poor little puppy vajayjay back up. She has some skinny doggy issues down there. She's need a puppy breast(s) reduction too but we're pretty sure they don't do that.

Interesting end to Sons of Anarchy. Mom turned it on...I'm surprised.

We watched Killers tonight. It was kind of dumb but it made both of us laugh out loud so I guess that's the point. I think we'll get Date Night tomorrow night (Redbox!).

Man. Why is LIFE so irritating? That's the only good word I could come up with to explain my general lack of whelm (I am neither overwhelmed nor underwhelmed, can I just be whelmed?).

I guess I'll either work on my George Nelson clock article and get it done (finally) or go to bed. So many choices...what to do...

Oh! Don't forget to check out the Craft Blog for a new post on Halloween yard decor!! Good stuff, y'all!

"Oh and I'm feeling directionless, yes, but that's to be expected and I know that best"

Hello.

Well, once again, I've been making many mini posts (ha ha - say that out loud three times!).

Things are kind of frantic right now as I'm trying NOT to be a perfectionist while working on the slide show and name tags for the high school reunion. It's hard for me NOT to be critical of my final product. Ugh. That's just how I am. But overall, I think they are going fairly well. Once I came up with a design, things went a whole lot faster! I still have a lot of work on the slide show, but what will it matter if there is no projector.

Don't even get me started on that...

Like I said in a previous mini post, Gabby is quite ill. We went to the vet yesterday morning and in addition to her ringworm (viral) she apparently has some type of bacterial infection. The vet gave her more antibiotics, so she's on two right now. Her appetite plummeted yesterday when she started the second regimen. Poor baby :(  Her tiny nose is all clogged with baby kitten green boogies that I have to wipe away every now and then. Her eyes are all gooey too. I'm doing a lot of wiping on her these days. Plus, she sneezes on me and flings little kitten sized snot rockets on my face and arms. It's quite disgusting, but she's just a baby and wants to be in her Mama's lap. Constantly. She hasn't been very playful since she started her second regimen of antibiotics yesterday. Luckily, I've been spending a TON of time on the computer so she can sit on my lap.

Gabby LOVES watching tv and the computer monitor. It's terribly adorable. Bless her little kitty heart, I feel so bad seeing her feel so yucky. She can hardly breathe, her sinuses are so stopped up! However, the doctor said it's only in her head and not in her chest, so that's good.

I worked on Fe's bar for a short bit this morning. Short bit only because it's nearly done! Woo! I'm hoping to finish before I leave for Mom's house this weekend so I can write about it on our craft blog next week!

I'm going to stay in WS next week and help Mom with some various projects at her house. I need a break from myself and some time doing other things besides my own little projects.

So Mom and I watched The Bounty Hunter this weekend and it SUCKED. What a HORRIBLE movie! I can't even think about it, it was so bad! I have An Education at the house too so I think I'll watch it tonight. It's due tomorrow so I guess I better get on that!!

I guess that's about it these days. I need a nap and a printer cable. Life is SO exciting!

"Well she lives in a fairytale somewhere too far for us to find"

Hello.

I'm finally back at the library! My laptop keyboard feels like butter under my fingers. I love it. I really missed my laptop, even if it is outdated and can't run on batteries anymore.

As I said the other day, I have been super busy with projects around the house. I have guests coming in this weekend and I don't want the place to be a wreck. Like it is at this very moment. Which is fine because I'm not there to see my mess. I'm here. At the library. The incredibly quiet library. Where I forgot to bring my headphones. So sad.

I wrote another article for the Examiner. I don't think it's as ELOQUENT as my last article, but it will do for now. I'm feeling a little uninspired only because I'm feeling a little overwhelmed. I have a tendency to outline my life in a series of lists of things to do and such and my list is so long and life seems so short. Stupid list maker self.

Luckily, yesterday I got a ton done, most of it in the morning. Good since I was utterly useless later! I got most of the spray paint projects done, just a little touch up  left on one of them. I cleaned the garage (a feat in itself), did a load of laundry, planted my geraniums, mowed the super-sized lawn - all of which I swear is uphill, and finished a bunch of my small paint projects. I also put my sweet yellow chairs out on the porch. I love them. They were $17, marked down from $29, from Target. I love them! And they are so comfie! I put my new pillows on them and they are CUTE! However, the pink side table will now be retiring back inside the house because it looks horrific next to the chairs.

The night before (Monday? - Yeah, after I watched Chuck) I hung my curtains in the kitchen. OMG I feel so much better about them. Now people driving by can't just look into my kitchen and see me picking my nose. So much relief for privacy! Venus doesn't like them much but I only shut them at night anyway.

I stated last night that I was going to wear pig tails until my haircut on Thursday. Unfortunately, I took a nap with them yesterday (so hard to lay straight back) and they gave me a headache. I'll put them back up when I get to the house to do more PAINTING. Although, this painting does not involve a spraying can.  I also need to get my shelves hung in the turquoise room closet. Of course, after I painted them, the paint had built up so they wouldn't fit in the closet! I have to find some sandpaper (and preferably a sander, which happens to be at Fe's house) and sand the edges down. Ugh. So annoying.

Anyway, I am going to go ahead and post some pictures of the turquoise room. It's fun and needs more work (I'm going to be adding my red and white metal table as an additional work surface and my chairs need a face lift so they aren't in the pictures) but I love it! Sometime soon I'll do a before and after picture when I get everything in place!

Christie's collection of "Carrie outfits" she made as tags for my presents several years ago. I finally framed them!  
      

The window wall - as soon as the paint dries on some things, I will be moving the red swivel chair over next to the bookcase.

My signed Tegan and Sara poster. Framed. Apple of my eye. Below it is a wall decal I got from IKEA nearly 5 years ago. I never opened it until now! And instead of just one decal, there were three poppies! Sweet! I see a theme building...

Junk!

More junk!

So back story: The "I Heart Vagina" sticker is from Rockfest 2009. It just made us giggle. Of course I heart vagina. I have one! Please note too, Christie's Urban Architect Barbie doll. And my Red Tango clock (whose batteries are dead as fried chicken at the moment). Dad is in the green frame.

Yes. That IS a decoupaged light switch cover.

I'm going to get a new light fixture at some point. This house has no overhead lights! It crazy silly! Note the curtains in the background - I had some red curtains from Target and just added the Asian fabric to the edges - it matches the seat of my Dick Van Dyke chair that I'll post when it gets repainted.

"Make (another) little birdhouse in your soul"

"Is there a way out of this? If there is I don't see it"

So, when I first moved into the house I am now (and still don't know if I'll be in it longer than August), I immediately fell in love with the screened in porch. I LOVE being outside, smelling the fresh air - that is, when it doesn't make my eyes swell up horribly.

It really is an amazing structure. It's about 10' x 14' with full screen on the north side with a couple of trellises that the clematis is starting to bloom. On the west side, there are all screens with a door with only a half screen. On the south side, the porch has windows so I can either close the windows on that side completely or move the screen to be at the top or the bottom.

 

 

 

 

First, I ripped out the old carpet. Yucko. It had been there for quite a while.

Next step was to clean the porch. It took me two afternoons. Mostly because I froze to death the first afternoon. I ended up scrubbing EVERYTHING on the inside. I also cleaned those crazy windows on the south side. It was a lot of putting up and putting down of windows both inside and out, but it looked SO good! Clean windows! Plus, with all the white metal of the screened porch structure being clean, it looked AMAZING! Cleanliness IS Godliness!

After cleaning the walls and windows, I worked on scrubbing the floor. After I took the carpet up, it had swirls of old glue all over the floor. I scrubbed and scrubbed and it came fairly clean. I let it dry out for a couple of days after that.

 

 

 

I painted the floor of the porch with a special outdoor paint for floors in battleship gray. It really cleaned up the glue swirls! They practically disappeared!

Mom and I had picked up some bright red outdoor rugs (like that faux green grass) at our fave cheapo rug place in Koshkonong. Of course, they were 3' x 6' and I got 6 of them. They have a 1" black rubber border around them and I had to cut that off in order to butt them together to look like one big rug. That made my eyes get really red and my right eye nearly swelled shut! Stupid fake red grass rugs!

However, once they were laid down, they looked pretty good. Although, they weren't exactly the same color. Nonetheless, they really brightened up the space.

Mom and I had found this set of 4 chairs and table at a junk furniture store in town a week before that. They looked pretty old and sad when we found them, but we brightened them up with a couple of coats of Ocean Breeze spray paint - which I might add is VERY hard to find because it's either VERY popular or it's VERY rare because it took like 5 different stores to find it. The color looked phenomenal.

 

We also found some cute, round outdoor pillows at Walmart to use as seat cushions. Cute!

I hung the newly vamped red wood light fixture above the table, hung some turquoise paper lanterns, brought out my pink IKEA table, painted the plant stand we found at Big Lots with the blue paint and finally I hung my windchimes.

 

 

I also got new white shades for the west side. I tried to paint the old ones white, but they looked horrible! And were super hard to paint! I just bought three new ones at Big Lots for a rock bottom price. I made some holders for them out of turquoise belting fabric, which don't really show up in the pictures very well because I have some more to finish.

Mom had some dollar fabric from Walmart from a few years back in that white waffle fabric.I just hemmed the top and bottom of them and left the sides unhemmed since it seemed to be a little finished. I hung them from hooks and tied them back with some of the belting straps. I painted the clips the blue color, but they aren't in the picture because I haven't hung them from those - they are still hung from the normal clips.

 

 

I still need to get some loungy chairs so I can sit and read outside in the afternoon. I also need to make a shade to go over the outdoor light and hide my multiple cords coming out of (I used an adapter that you screw into the light bulb socket - it has two outlets on it plus the original outdoor light). Finally, I would like to get a metal baker's rack (cheap!) and turn it into a sideboard/bar area. That will be helpful when we sit outside and need more room than just the table - it gets a little crowded. I also found some super cute fabric to make some pillows. With lots of fun colors to bring everything together!

p.s. Mom painted some planters for me. I can't wait to get the flowers in them!!

"Make a little birdhouse in your soul"

 

Revamped (repainted) birdhouses from flea markets.

Crafty kittens!

New post on the craft blog (a couple pictures still missing)!

See what Mom and I have been up to for the past few days.

"Life’s too short for what if’s and plans"

Unemployment Day 6

It's a beautiful day in KC. And here I am in the library. The sky is as blue as my heart.

I don't know why it's been a rough couple of days. I didn't know my heart could break any more than it already has. Maybe it's boredom? Lack of things to do? Motivation? Loneliness? It's not like anything triggered it.

I'm going to take Mom's advice and go for a walk today. It's nice outside and I need some Vitamin D to perk me up as she said. I think I need something more like a kick in the head and a reality check, but whatever.

Like she said, things get lonely when you spend most of your time alone in the apartment. Too much time to think about what-ifs and crap like that. I'll be fine in a couple of days. I just need some more sunshine and some company.

Luckily, I'm going to Lawrence tomorrow night to see Colleen and Pete Yorn. Ah Pete, I hope your pants aren't so tight this time.

I think I"ll make some cookies but I haven't decided what kind yet. My head is killing me from no sleep. It's been nearly a week since I got a good night's sleep. Even with Lunesta a couple of nights. I feel like someone is sitting on my chest.

In other, less important news, the Hogs did a fine job keeping Florida on their toes yesterday. Yes, we lost and there were two touchdowns and one field goal we should have made to win, but overall it was a good game to watch. Plus, Florida is #1 and scoring before them was AWESOME.

I ran while the game was in the 4th quarter. What else have I done lately? I dyed my hair brown this morning. Lucky for me that red dye is still showing through...now I have some funky red streaks in my hair. It looks kind of professional. I think I missed a patch of gray on one side though.

I guess I'll take Fe's advice and possibly be Amelia Earhart as my dead celebrity.

Here's the front of the invite.

I know it probably doesn't look like it, but those damn skeletons took me FOREVER to do. I have to remove all the "skin" and stuff from the original images and replace them with "cartoon" skeletons. Fun stuff.

I also read Picture Perfect by Jodi Picoult that last couple of days. Maybe reading makes me melancholy?

Alright, I guess I'll go get some sunshine and stop feeling sorry for myself. It's not doing anybody any good, especially me.

"And I can spot your shitty fonts like a cheap toupee"

Need new, free, funky fonts??

Try Misprinted Type.

Rockstar fonts, dudes. They might be a bit much for those conservative kids out there...