Ottoman Empire

Well, I have to say getting back into the swing of things after the holidays has been rough. After all that snow and holiday coziness, I still just want to hide under the covers and pretend I'm still on vacation. It's still dark when I get up in the morning, which makes for a hard time getting up. Thank god that it's staying lighter longer though, I can see a light at the end of my S.A.D. tunnel!

I have had some energy for creative endeavors. I should say I have had time to do some foot work for creative endeavors, which basically means looking at pictures and giving my very valuable opinions...yes, well. I'm pumping myself up here, it's almost my birthday, give me a break!

So, I thought I would share with you just one little peek into the project dujour for Flutter. I like to call it ROUND OTTOMAN. Yes. Next week I will be able to show you a little more. This is the custom built frame that Emily, our talented upholsterer, had commissioned. It's nice, don't you think? Round, solid. It's getting finished with some fantastic silk fabric that we had chrysanthemums printed on. It's going to be too pretty to out your feet up on, but not to nice to put a beautiful tray with cocktails on...I always have liked the ottoman as coffee table. I once saw one that was as big as a twin bed, granted it was in a very large country estate and would not work in a reasonably sized house. I can dream right?

So, happy Thursday! I plan on making my regular appearance here every week again. I must buckle down, get things moving again!

XO,
Susan

My Life, and other distractions

It's been a whirlwind of impacted activities lately. Whirlwind is such a tame cliche, how about a hurricane of activities? Midterms, moving, all that other stuff.. then my daughter's birthday sneaks up on me. Turning 8 is a big deal, and I didn't want to rob her of her right to a lavish party just because I was a little busy, so I rented out the Mt. Scott skating rink. That place is awesome for a few reasons- they let you play your own music (Lola's playlist consisted of La Bouche, Neil Young and New Order), they let you bring your own food (carrot sticks and brownies for us), and they have great skates. The rink itself is not as large or elegant as Oaks Park, and there's no cool old photo booth, but it doesn't smell like old pizza, and you can rent the entire thing out for private parties at a very affordable rate. Fortunately, I didn't have to look far for great presents for her. She'd been eyeing a deck of Magic Cards for a while- they come with punctured aces, two-sided cards, blank cards and all kinds of crazy stuff. Now all I need is time to sit still while she practices them all on me. I need to practice my "amazed" face. There's some Steve Martin quote about how everybody loves when tricks get messed up- honestly, it's adorable, but I'd feel so bad if I laughed aloud.
-sara
Flutter has these amazing stamps right now from the fifties and up, from Hungary and India and all over really, and they're 15 for $1! I could spend all day sifting through the box of them, the pictures are gorgeous. I made a collage with a stamp that looks just like her, reading a book- how appropriate! It's the first thing she hung in her new room.

What an Amazing Day

We have a new president! I spent all morning moving into my new place, jammed to school to take a french test (which I aced), and then collapsed in the cafeteria with a falafel burrito just in time to watch the inaugural procession. I think I was already a little emotional, but watching President Obama walk down Pennsylvania Ave to the White House just made me bust out crying. Poor sweetheart, he's got his work cut out for him.
Aaand, so do I! For instance, this poor blog has been sadly neglected. I had a great holiday, but I'm having a hard time returning to the real world. My classes have started, and my second-term anatomy class is kicking my derriere. I mean, my gluteus maximus. Dissecting sheep brains at 9 a.m. is a little overwhelming. I am also moving, as I mentioned above. Lola and I are super excited, and our rooms are looking great. My great friend Jana kicked me down some fabulous Yolo paint, nontoxic and earth friendly etc, in a pretty pale blue that manages to be warm and chalky, not icy like most pale blues. It didn't smell even while I was painting. Lola's room is the same soft yellow-green as in Flutter, with bright scarlet trim at the top and black baseboards. I have to say here that I had never painted a room before, also never had I faced the daunting task of choosing paint colors. I mean, I know what I like, no one who knows me could doubt that, but intentionally deciding on something so visible and permanent is tough. Picking out glasses is even hard for me. I feel very proud of the job that I did, I think it looks great, and I can't wait to spend my first night in the new place. It may not be as grand as the White House, but then neither are my responsibilities. Check out the article on Obama in the Onion- It's my go-to rag, for news so fresh you have to slap it.

Happy New Year!

Well, it's been a little while since we last spoke!
My oh my! The holidays were great for us as I hope they were for you. We had plenty of white stuff to make the holiday that much merrier. But now it's time for something new...

My parents always go to a New Years Eve party where they come up with a slogan for the New Year. They come up with some hilarious ones. I dunno if I can compete!
How about "Flutters time to shine in 09!" Or "It's Flutter time 09!". Or how about
"Women and wine in 09!". I kinda like the last one there! Hey, but seriously, I plan on getting seriouser soon to talk about all the great goings on around these parts. Just give us a second to catch our collective breaths!

Here's to a happy and prosperous new year for all!

XO,
Susan