Muddy Puddles

Now that my schedule has slowed a bit, I've been thinking about what I want to do with my time. Of course, that kind of thought process calls for a list. Do you really think I make any sort of decisions without listing and overly processing every piece of the process? Have you only just met me? If so...Hi, I'm Angie and I'm an obsessive list-maker and manic thought-dissector. Nice to meet you.

Anyway, I feel inspired lately to focus on creative projects, but as soon as I start to think about what I'd like to create, I become overwhelmed. Here's why...I find I have a difficult time with hooking on to one thing at a time. I want to do everything at once and then I get frazzled and then it's rare that a single project is seen though to completion (please see my previous post where I babble about dabbling).

So I have to break it down (said like the rapper that I am) into manageable portions, parcels, and pieces so I don't combust into a creative conflagration. I have to work at the slow-burn, minding the kindling of creativity. To some, this may sound like a simple process, but every day I work at keeping myself from drowning in my own ocean of overwhelming thoughts. Lists help.

I'd like to focus on writing -- maybe some fiction. It's been a while since I've written a short story or any serious poetry and that might be fun. I'd also like to sew some summery whatnots, design some new necklaces, and maybe make a fun mini-movie. See...I want to do all of this today and just thinking about it makes my breathing quicken and my chest tighten. So I think I'll just focus on writing for now. This week I will write a short story and call it good. I won't even think about the summery whatnots until next week.

I'm not even sure about the purpose behind this post, except to process what is going on in my brain and maybe share my inner struggles and how I wade through my often-muddy puddles of thought. I've found that when I add enough clear water to the mud, the puddles aren't so thick and mucky anymore...soon they are pretty transparent and I can see everything underneath them. Clarity.

Extreme Makeover: Blog Edition

I've made a few changes over the past year: I let my hair grow, I got new glasses, I learned to sew clothing...I even changed my hair color! I figured it was time to give my little blog a makeover as well.

Spring is a time of new beginnings, right? I also thought that I'd be more motivated to write if I looked forward to seeing the pretty new colors and cute Phoebe paw images on my page. See, I'm very visually stimulated, to the point where my husband ends up saying, "They're just paper towels -- who cares about the pattern? Just pick one and let's go!" Oh, contraire! If I'm going to mop up piles of cat puke, I'd much rather use a paper towel adorned with cute birdies and daffodils -- visually pleasing and functional! Don't you think? I knew you'd agree.

Some of you know that, by nature, I am a great project starter. I sometimes (many times) create so much excitement for myself when an idea pops in my head and then somewhere down the creative highway, I stall. I have found that I need to find new ways to motivate myself and keep things fresh and new. Honestly, I'm completely blown away that I've actively maintained this blog for 16 straight months. That's longer than I've concentrated on any other creative endeavor (not counting my ongoing efforts at creatively figuring out ways to avoid housework).

So...if something like this blog can maintain my interest for nearly a year and a half, I believe she deserves a little facelift. If she continues to woo my creative affections, perhaps next year I'll take her on a Caribbean cruise!

It's Official...I'm a Total Badass

Still more than a month until my big 4-0 and still chipping away at the list-shaped ice sculpture that details my 40-Before-40 goals. Eighteen are officially completed and a few are in the planning process, so I suppose I could say I'm about halfway there.

Last week, with the help of my friend, I whipped out (count 'em) TWO skirts, thereby officially attaining #3. Wanna see the skirts? Sure you do.


Not bad, huh? I kind of surprised myself.

Oh, and I reluctantly tackled #1 as well: snowmobiling. My friend Brett set me up on a sweet ride and offered sage instructions: "This one is the throttle and this one is the brake." And off we went! I have to say that it was far more exciting than I expected and I'd do it again in a second. Once again, this accident-prone, roller-coaster-hater, car-sickness-magnet surprised herself!









































It's official...I'm a total badass.

Glitzy, Purpley, Quirky Bliss

I was hoping that my next update on my 40 Before 40 progress would be a little more exciting and brimming with multiple stories of accomplishment. Alas, I have no such update. I can say that my mindfulness has improved and I feel more relaxed and happy as I approach my birthday in March. This in itself is a goal that feels more significant than all the others X 20. Because I feel more mindful, I am spending more time in meditation and my relationships (including the one with myself) have felt more fulfilling. I even went an entire day without complaining about anything... thank goodness for good coffee and excellent tongue-biting skills (that sounds sort of weird). As far as the other goals, I do have a bit of a status update:



#34: I finally pained my nails with glitter nail polish. Yes, I feel a little bit glitzy...thank you for asking.

#3: I bought a pattern for a great skirt and today I am going to shop for some funky fabric. Now it's just a matter of coordinating with my friend so she can tell me what to do with all the papery looking cut-out thingies in the pattern package. And I have no idea what twill-tape is, but apparently I need to buy some.

#20: I wrote three haiku poems...they were simple and through the voice of my cats, but that counts, right? Actually, I think I should get extra points for cat-poetry channeling.

So I'm making progress and enjoying myself along the way. I suppose that's the whole point of life, really...to make progress and enjoy one's self on the journey. And seriously... how can anyone feel anything but quirky bliss when sporting purple glitter nail polish?

Poetry that Sizzles

I love writing. I love bacon. Hence, the marriage of the two shall commence. Pull up a chair and nibble on a piece of my bacon poetry.




Bacon Haiku

A blissful bouquet
Dancing in the frying pan
Thick-cut tastes the best


Bacon Limerick

There once was a cat who was taken,
By a suave tabby who was Jamaican.
She loved all but one quirk,
He quite smelled of jerk,
So she bought him cologne made with bacon.


Ode to Bacon

Ambrosial aroma diffuses the daybreak.
It saturates my senses
with a sublime smell
that is my favorite alarm clock.

The sizzle on the stove
is sometimes sweet-tempered and gentle,
a morning meditation.

Often the sizzle is severe,
firing furiously and frantically,
a savory storm.

The journey from the pan
to my impatient palate
echoes eternity.