I'll Take Wimsy

I stumbled onto the site of Johanna Murphy purely by accident, and every time I peek at her illustrations they warm my heart and tickle my funny bone. And I will say, after being in escrow for going on six weeks, my funny bone needs a little tickling. I don't want to gallop ahead of the whole process and say "we got it" until I've got the keys in my hands. Although I will say "we're really close!"

So close I've started to pack.

Labor Day

One reason it felt O.K. to let go of our dear hens before we moved was that I had told myself that I would restore the aviary to it's former glory and keep our canaries Daffodil and Dandelion in it, plus add more to the flock. So we worked all day on it today and it is so exciting! It's ready! I couldn't have done it without Bill and his strength and willingness. Thank you so much Darling! I still have to outfit the birdroom with some cages, so for now they have no access to it.

I've always though our canaries were beautiful, although it is hard to see how truly exquisite they are in an average bird cage. When they have the room to exercise and enjoy a more natural life they truly shine!


Can I say that the electric staple gun is the way to go. Forget that old one. It was too hard! That and the new wire cutters that we got. So much easier than our old ones.

Ikea Guilt

I really do love to buy used, to recycle and reuse items before I buy new. And, sometimes, I buy new. For example, we now live right near an Ikea. It's so tempting! The prices, the ease. Ugh! Now I'm not sure how earth-friendly it is to buy goods from Sweden, or what their commitment is to sustainability. I also know the adage "Buy the best, cry once" and buying from Ikea can mean a short lifespan, hence more landfill. Ikea seems to be a mecca for over-consuming. I mean the place is huge and the stuff is cheap!

I've had No Impact Man bookmarked for months and I respect his commitment, and his worries are my worries too. Mostly about consumerism and it's impact on the planet in general. I really want to be thoughtful about what we really need. Then I saw this 100% cotton comforter cover and two pillow case set for $14.99 and I couldn't resist them for Annie's new room. And look at how darling she looks! Still, with all this moving and settling, I'm noticing how much "convenience" we've chosen recently and I really want to get rooted enough to have the energy and consciousness to make choices that are more in alignment with my values.

Goodbye Chloe!

Clearly the hardest part of leaving May Avenue
for Annie was leaving Chloe.

I took these pictures on moving day while they were jumping on the mattress before it was loaded. When I asked if I could take a picture they both said "Yes!" then Chloe hugged Annie close and Annie was delighted! So delighted that she just had to look in the mirror at herself being hugged by someone so precious to her. When I showed Annie these photo's she said "Chloe loves me!"

You Can't Take Them With You

I knew when I painted these murals that if we ever moved, we would miss them. And now we are. And we will. Especially the mural in Annie's room. I painted the whole mural the weekend of June 10th 2000 and Annie was born February 28 2001. That's 40 weeks exactly! I probably painted it the weekend she was conceived! I painted the moon and sun at her request when she was almost two. They are up above her dresser and bookshelf shining down on her while she slept and played.

The trees and birds painting above is supposed to be Billy and I as birds on a swing calling out to the universe for a baby to adopt. I painted Annie as the little hummingbird waiting in the tree. Can you see her?




Goodbye little house!

Help With Packing

Annie is joining in periodically with the huge task of packing up the house for the move. (That is when she's not undoing everything I've done, or starting outrageous projects that require a huge clean-up effort on my part, urrrgh!) For some reason she feels that her stuffed animals need to be dressed properly before they go into boxes. Here are Penguie, Pup-Pup, Big Uni, and Figero lined up and ready for packing.
Thanks Annie!

Furniture Update!

Our furniture went to a new home with an adorable gal starting up a place of her own. Her whole family came (Mom, Dad, and little Brother) and helped her load it up and cart it off. A perfect ending for me! Plus I got the full asking price! Ahh! I love it when it all works out.
Thank you Craigslist!

Above pic is shows the furniture on Annie's 5th BDay.

Keep it Simple

You'd think as we near the four-day-before-we-move mark that food would become incredibly simple around here. Nope. For some reason as the stress builds my dear Bill cooks more complicated and wonderful meals than normal. Not to say that he doesn't always exceed my expectations (and need) everyday with his cooking, but tonight he made the most delicate and wonderful lamb dish, with an incredible reduction poured over the top, luscious mashed potatoes, and steamed asperagras on the side. So amazing! The photo above is of a dish from a few days ago that was so pretty in the preparation that I had to run in with my camera! These beauties became a sherry-mushroom concoction that was pure heaven. If you're reading this darling, thank you!

It's Hard Saying Goodbye...

Out of all of the people I know I'm going to miss terribly when I leave Santa Cruz, the thing I'm feeling most emotional about right now is the fact that I can't take my couch and chaise with me. I'm kind of embarrassed to admit that! But I feel really sad that we can't make them work in our new house. I'm sad partly because I have a high need for efficiency and economy and I know these pieces could serve us well for a good ten years more! Urrgh! And, will someone love them and enjoy them and get use out of them...who knows? So, I've listed them on Craigslist, and now I wait. I don't blame anyone for wanting new furniture (it's kind of a personal item) but what do I do with them if no one buys them? Goodwill seems a bit harsh.

(Notice how much I've packed? No more pictures on the walls or "accessories." Just the basics.)

Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon

Sara and I brought the kids to the park recently and there was a man and a woman there rehearsing an Asian/Martial Arts style dance number. Annie and Ezra sat there mezmerized for a while, then they both jumped up and began to copy each move. So they rehearsed twice and then put on their own performance for us folks and a few passers by. They were delightful and hysterical! Afterwards Bill and I and Sara and Rob took the kids out for a celebration dinner and we toasted them with horchata on their efforts. Basically, more of the making-it-painful-now-that-were-moving kinda stuff.

How Sweet it is...

Can you see what makes this move so hard for us? Watching Annie and Ezra play today (a total of seven hours of harmony, connection and fun) while Sara and I sat on a blanket, knitting, chatting and enjoying each other, drives it home how much connection and "family" I have here in Santa Cruz. Annie and Ezra (who lives next door) have known each other since the day Ezra was born and we went to see him, Sara and Rob in the hospital, when Annie was just a tiny eight month old. Chloe (who lives next door on the other side) was Annie's first visitor when we brought her home from the hospital. Of course she was in Tiger's arms because she was a wee five month old. Sara and Tiger have seen me through every aspect of becoming a parent! Annie counts Chloe and Ezra to be her bestest friends ever! And for me it has been a privilege to watch all of these children grow and be a part of their lives in some way. Michael, Talia, Sabine, Kaily, Gabriel, Parker, Azula, now little Zia, Dallas, Wyatt, Natalie, and of course, Corinne, Chloe and Ezra. How sweet my life has been here on May Avenue.