2 1/2 weeks

In a way, it feels like we've been here a lot longer than 2 1/2 weeks. Maybe because we're still living among the boxes and it feels like it's taking forever to unpack. But I finally have a desk, which gives me a lot more freedom to write to my blog.

We're close to being fully unpacked. Maybe just 15 boxes or so but still lots of hooking up and wiring. It's interesting that I spent so much more time packing and Jimmy's spending most of the time unpacking. His unpacking duties involve a lot of computers that have to be hooked up and oh so very many wires that he's trying not to get all tangled up behind our desks and the tv. Oh the tv. Television has become an interesting adventure for us. We're gonna try to go without cable and watch all our shows either on Hulu or other online sources. There will be some shows we'll have to pay for, but as long as our monthly expenses are less than what we would spend for cable, then we're good to go. And if it's more, then we'll go back to regular cable. Jimmy has a computer hooked up to the big tv, so we're not limited to watching on computer monitors. Not sure if it'll work, but I'm willing to try it for a while. As long as I can watch Glee, I'm a happy camper. lol!


We're doing a lot of walking. It's fantastic and we can already feel the benefits. We're not nearly as winded and can walk longer distances. We'd love for the weight to start melting off! Trouble is there are a lot of great restaurants nearby, too. I'm hoping and planning that when Jimmy starts his new job next week, I'll get into a routine of cooking more. Living out of boxes isn't conducive to cooking meals. Especially when there are so many interesting restaurants to try.

We've already had our 1st overnight guest! Jimmy's sister was in town for a big conference. Thankfully, she didn't judge us for the mess. We tried to set her up on the couch where boxes wouldn't topple down upon her. Hopefully the next time she, or other overnight guests come, we'll have an actual decent aerobed set up in the 2nd bedroom.

There's a Starbucks right across the street. Believe it or not, I haven't gone to it yet. I'm holding out. I know that once I start going, it'll become a regular routine. There's also Tully's Coffee across the other street, and I like Tully's more than Starbucks, but I'm playing the same mind game with it. In fact, I've only had coffee once in the 2 1/2 weeks we've lived here. Oops, that's a lie. In addition to coffee with my SIL, I had a latte with breakfast last Saturday at the Museum of Modern Art. Does that sound weird to anyone else besides me?? Having breakfast at the Museum of Modern Art?? A treat that cannot become a habit, but Jimmy was out of town for the night and I required a splurge.

After our very last day cleaning out the duplex in San Jose, I felt no more sorrow about leaving the south bay. My sentimentality was put away in a box with the memories that we made while we lived there. But driving away that last day, it felt right going HOME to San Francisco.

And while I'm not entirely convinced that I believe in "signs" per se, but perhaps we're given little hints that we're on the right path. Or even hints that we're on the wrong path. Some of you know that "grace" is my "word". I talk about it often here. 3 days after we moved, we walked by a building that had these awesome grace quotes on it. My favorite is the 1st photo above "amazing grace wakes us to the beauty of this home". How cool is that??And if that isn't a big hint...ok ok...SIGN...that we're on the right path, I'm not sure what is.

Return to Grace

Not that I fell from grace recently.
At least as far as I know. :)
Just thought I'd share a few creations keeping grace in mind.

Quote Minibook
made this fun minibook at Scraplovers last week. Constantly striving and struggling to remind myself to keep grace in the forefront each day. Ever wonder what to do with those index prints? Use 'em in your mini-albums.

Beeswax Collage
Another creation inspired at Scraplovers. Used beeswax to add elements and dimension to this mixed media piece.

A Little Corner of my Home
Continuous reminders of grace.

Cards
Made these quite a few years ago. But being gracious remains a constant through the years.

Doodle
Inspired by Shiloh McCloud.

A few quotes

Believe it or not, both of these quotes are from a skincare company called Philosophy.
_

Grateful

I'm overwhelmed with the kindness and the generosity of all my friends, both online and personal. I had a fantastic, totally 'me' day, spoiled by everyone. But certainly one of the highlights was just hearing the little yippee's and well wishes for my birthday. I often get nostalgic around my birthday but this year I decided I would just focus on the celebrations. :) Thank you all for your warm wishes - each comment in my last post warmed my heart.

The most memorable event that happened yesterday was the rain. In 39 years, I don't recall it ever raining on my birthday. I know that in the Midwest and east coast, summer rains are par for the course, but in California, our summers are bone dry. Our local news commented that in the recorded history of the bay area, it has never rained on July 18th. I loved it - it really just barely sprinkled, but the cool weather and light precipitation was refreshing. And ending the day with a guiltless slice of chocolate cake and butter cream frosting certainly was the icing. :)

-A beautiful Grace journal from Phin.

Why I relate to Bambi so well

You Were a Deer

Graceful and gentle, you appreciate beauty and balance. A giving soul, you are able to sacrifice for the greater good.

What Animal Were You In a Past Life?

LOL! There's the grace thing again. In a silly little meme.

No Grace in Graceland

I left Graceland feeling oddly saddened and I'm really not sure why. I expected kitchy and even tacky. And I love nearly all things pop culture. But being in the house that Elvis called his sanctuary was just...odd. It was a testament to his life I suppose, but I think that's what was so sad about it. Maybe I went in thinking the tackiness was just for show, for display only, to bring in the paying tourists. But his house portrayed his life: tacky. It was decorated that way because Elvis' life was bizarre. And being in that space really made me believe he was bizarre, not just a little eccentric. The man did amazing things to change our musical history. I truly enjoy his music. I'm not a superfan or anything, but I like his stuff. There's no doubt that he was a pioneer to "Bridge black music and white music, rhythm and blues and gospel with rockabilly and country". I have to believe that the bizarre Elvis took over when the drugs and alcohol also took over. Sad. A beautiful Georgian Colonial style house. It was built in 1939 by Dr. and Mrs. Thomas Moore. Mrs. Moore named the house "Graceland" after Grace Toof, her aunt. Elvis bought Graceland in 1957 and lived there till he died in 1977.

The living room.

The billiards room. Pleated fabric covered the walls and ceiling.

The jungle room: an odd collection of unusual exotic furnishings and accoutrements. Yes, there was green shag carpet on the ceiling.

With all that said, I'm still really glad that I went. But as I've told nearly everyone who's asked since I've been back, I wouldn't recommend putting it on your top 100 list of things to do unless you are a superfan.

I'm Going To Graceland

Im going to Graceland
Graceland
In Memphis, Tennessee
Im going to Graceland
Poorboys and pilgrims with families
And we are going to Graceland

In Graceland, in Graceland
Im going to Graceland
For reasons I cannot explain
-condensed from Paul Simon's Graceland

It's true, I'm going to Graceland. Sometime next week, I'll be traveling through Graceland en route to the eastern coast.

Graceland...Graceland...Graceland. I've never put any thought on Elvis' home but there's that word that always speaks to me: GRACE. Elvis was an icon of flamboyance, grandosity and splendor in the general public eye and it's hard to conceptualize GRACE with rhinestones, blue suede shoes and peanut butter and banana sandwiches. Maybe I've missed something. I was only 9 when he died and music to me meant Shaun Cassidy and Andy Gibb, not the King of Rock and Roll. So while I'm there, I'll see if I can find the gracious Elvis. At the very least, I should get some awesome photos of Graceland at Christmastime! :-)

Image from Doctor Macro embellished with Photoshop brushes.

Grace

One of my collection of Grace quotes:

Happiness cannot be traveled to,
owned, earned, worn, or consumed.
Happiness is the spiritual experience
of living every moment with
Love, Grace and Gratitude.

I attempt to go through my days being as gracious as possible. (another clue on my blog name. See my tree post for the willow part). There are many days that I struggle with this, but that's life, right? But I figure, if I make the concious effort to keep grace in the forefront, then at least I'll survive the day less annoyed than otherwise. It's as simple as that.

submitted to Illustration Friday: Simple

Grace

One of the cards I created last year.
'Grace' speaks to me in many different ways. I strive to be gracious in everything I do. It's my middle name. It's part of the name for this website. I live on Grace Avenue and I used to live on Gracemont Street in Whittier 12 years ago.
There's this brand of skin care product called 'Philosophy' and one of their lines is called 'Grace'. They have this quote on it that I love:
Amazing grace is the person who lives in a state of love, forgiveness, and total compassion.
It is the person who is not afraid to be wrong and doesn't need to be right.
It is the humble spirit who lets others shine and helps those who cannot find their light.
It is the person who prays for others and not for oneself.
It is the person who has let their self out and the spirit in.