Momma Mary & Baby Jesus in Legos

Mom and I stopped at the Our Lady of the Snows shrine in Belleville, IL. It was pretty and peaceful there, but this is what caught my eye. I can't imagine the vision it takes to create something so defined at a distance yet abstract close up. 

Today is my (happy) birthday.

Another one in the books. 54. 

I create this pressure to be happy and engaged and upbeat on my birthday. I really want it. How we're supposed to be, right? A day all about you. Well, you and the other 16 million folks who by happenstance share one thing in common with you. A good portion of those might not even know that today is the anniversary of their first breath. Most probably haven't considered that they could have just as likely been chosen by their mother not to be born. Perfectly legal and acceptable by some standards. Really, a sad thought. But, I digress. 

I want this to be a happy birthday. In my mind though, the checkboxes of requirements to make this a happy one necessitate effort on the part of too many other people. Spend all day waiting for this or that person to call. Expectations and pressure are going to do me in. 

The little girl in me still wants to be noticed. Still trying to be good enough. Still trying to please, get along, to say the right thing. All the while unable to say what I want to say or really know what I want to do. So many years of falling in line: it makes it difficult to beat your own path. 

I wonder how it feels to be the first thought instead of the afterthought. 

Maybe I'll find out on a future August 17th. 

Woodwork

We are finally after too too many years getting the wood on the carport and the house replaced. A tree fell on the carport from the yard behind ours. It was so dead that it really just crumbled and did not do damage. Although, it was leaning on the peak of the carport. It was kismet that Greg Wiggins happened to be down the street today. Easley contractors called because they had a cancelation and wanted to start today instead of next week. How fortunate that Greg was able to come over and take care of that tree so the workers could start on the carport. I can't wait to see it finished. 

Transformation, One room at a time

I am in a manic mode right now. Not necessarily to the extent of bipolar mania, but I'm very driven right now. I just want to do everything. Painting, sewing, gardening, de-cluttering... Every room, every closet, every drawer, every flower bed  is drawing me in. Begging me to unleash some energy. 

While I do have a few balls in the air right now, I'm determined to stay focused and purposeful so each project started will be completed. Hopefully as the mania wanes, as it always does, I'll be able to appreciate the effort because I'll see completion instead of partially done which equals chaos to my agitated mind. 

This week while on vacation, I tackled the dining room. I wanted something lighter in color, a little more contemporary, AND I FINALLY WANTED TO GET THE QUARTER ROUND DOWN. That is all caps (mania) because the baseboards have gone unfinished for over a decade!

I learned a new skill. I am now able to miter corners and drill tiny holes to attach the q. r. to the baseboards. I love the final  product. I hope to find a new art piece to place above the buffet. This is a before picture with green walls and redslip covers and curtains. The actual chair covers were blue. 

Here the blue chairs show up a little. So much color. 

Re-upholstered the chairs with some awesome $5/yd. fabric from the remnant table. 

Much better! Also cleaned and waxed the floors. I may be going crazy.