I'm just saying......

Where does the time go? Does  anyone else feel like the days just run into the next? I cannot believe that it is the end of June already tomorrow. The Hubs and I had our anniversary yesterday 26 years of wedded bliss! OMG! That time has flown by too! It has been a blurr of a week.....did I have any days off.....oh yes "one" how much did I get accomplished? Mmmmm, oh.......pretty much "nada"! Not that I had a whole lot in progress.......... but I do have a list now. Does it look like much will get down?  Ah.... not so much! I started the painting and have thought it through and will continue with the color, I also have the color picked out and sitting waiting for the showers to stop. The color for the studio door is pretty wild but that's the way I roll! I don't  think I am brave enough to put it one the front door but for the Studio it will look fantastic! I did an experiment  with  some clay on.......Wednesday.....geesh its hard to keep track of the days! I was pretty excited, it actually worked the way it was suppose too.

I have a few other things in the works at the moment, involves fabric, wood, canvas, paint......ya its never just one thing.....there goes that ADHD again! The weather has been the pitts of late, I think we had a nice day or two last week, but I would LOVE to have a few weeks of heat! I am a lover of sun and the heat warms my bones and takes away the aches. But lately that doesn't seem to be in the cards.

We haven't ran all week, purposely resting, and waiting till Sunday and then we will get into a mini routine of sorts. No really long runs in the plan so the summer will just be a leisurely stroll of a few 10km races and then maybe in the Fall we'll do something a little longer.

So Tracy has me taking photos of paint tints........here's a few from this week........

I'm sure I will end up doing something with these, just not sure what yet, but they are very cool! Kind of like cloud watching to see what shapes you can see. Butterflies, flowers, a clown at one point in this orange combo......anyways never a dull moment, I made a list because there are just sooooo many things I want to do, and as the days slip away there seems to be less time to accomplish this....but if I am awake many more  nights at midnight instead of sleeping I'm just going to start crafting! Can you paint by the light of the silvery moon? Worth a try since sleep doesn't seem to be happening....Well blogger is driving me over the edge, so best be on my way for tonight. Have a great long weekend! Happy Canada Day folks! I'll try and be back with a few new things early on the week! Ciao for now!

Mission Accomplished!

Well another one goes down in the books.......yes we ran our half marathon on Sunday, and Sandra was still speaking to me at the end of the race! Although she complained after the 10km, she continued on like a trooper and finished the race with a MAGNIFICENT time of 2:05. An impressive time for her first half marathon. She was thinking perhaps 2:10 or more but I knew she would get caught up in the excitement and she did fantastic! My time was 2:04 and that's ok, I wasn't there to set a record. Now Sue on the other hand, had a great race also and finished in 1:55! Her all time best! Well done Girls!
Well today I had to go back to the city to see my back specialist, not because anything is wrong but I just want to make sure that I am not damaging myself. I had a great talk with him about what is going on with the nerves and my discs and he assured me that there is no reason that I would need any surgery unless there was extenuating circumstances. But gardening, vaccuming, lifting heavy, are a no-no! So I do have limitations but running isn't one of them! Yea!!!! He said that since I just ran a half yesterday, I seemed to be in good shape to him and my bones are in great shape. Yea!

So I'm very happy, and as long as I take it easy and take care of my poor, poor, feet.......I may survive! Blisters are my main problem lately....I'm not happy with my lastest shoes. I'm thinking that I need to change the shoes I wear. My plantar fascitis is a minor problem still and I can live with the aches but blisters.....not so much! So we did the doctor thing and just a wee bit of shopping, and I did a wee bit yesterday on our way home. A new clock, a scatter rug, and some crafting supplies. I found out the outdoor Mod Podge isn't available in Canada yet and that disappointed me but it din't surprise me.......but I got everything else I was looking for at Michaels and Home Sense.

A girl can't have toooooo many pairs of ballet flats.
The blue ones are new today!

I took my brothers advice and got out my macro
lense and what a beauty this turned out to be!

I love this rose!

And this one!

The center of a Peony! Gorgeous!

Amazing!

So I think that a couple of these are heading to be hung on a wall. I amazed myself when I saw how beautiful they turned out. Must have dug dig into my brain for these!Well that's been my few days, so the training in done for awhile. We are taking a break from any long runs, letting the feet and legs rest. Back to work tomorrow. I am on the hunt for props to display hats and cowls.......(apparently there is a place in Kelowna) so I'm looking into that for my new studio that is going to be called "My Place" fitting I think. :*))))Well have a good night and have a great week! Congratulations Sandra and Sue!

Two More Sleeps!

That's right two more sleeps and my third half marathon since April! OK, I think I'm good for awhile......time to take a break and chillax! But I'm looking forward to this race, I will get to see Sandra and drag her to a great finish! I sure hope the weather cooperates.....so far its not looking to bad for Sunday but you know what they say about the weather, give it 5 minutes and it could change!

So I finished up the painting of the studio and the garden shed but according to a few friends, you can't really see the color and cream doesn't really show as cream and then if you can't remember what it looked like in the first place.......well I will show you....

The "Before"



The "After"

Now we have been discussing what color to paint the door, Tracy thinks it should be something fun! Well there's only a few colors that would look good with the siding color.......so maybe "orange"........kind of a pumpkin, burnt orange.....but we will see.

Then I finished painting the chairs and they are set up in the studio.

So here's the color, it's more "teally"
than it looks here, much more vibrant!

The inside....getting more organized
 each day I can spend in there.

The ugly old cupboard, transformed!

Well I was quite happy with my days off this week, that I got so much accomplished! The training is over.....I got to sit in the sun for a few hours yesterday, read my book, and try to get rid of the tan lines on my legs from running, got some color, nothing like pastie white legs but no more! Well time to hit the hay, still have to work tomorrow and then catch the boat at the end of the day to the city. Busy few days ahead so see you shortly! Night!

Oops, fell off the wagon!

That probably means something different for some people but for me it means I lost my focus again. Oops! Forgot I was suppose to slow down........but I got a idea and well you know how that goes. So possibly today I will stop and smell the........

The first rose of the year.

I got this idea the other day I wanted to paint the trim on the house and since we had a "mistint" at work, I thought I would give it a try. I am not fond of the trim color now and have been trying to visualize different colors. So when we were talking the other day I thought this would be the right choice. So far I have only done my studio and garden shed just to get an idea of how it will look. As my neighbor Peter commented "it sure lightens it up!" So I think that is good.

I think the front door of the studio needs to
be painted a nice color

side view

The Garden Shed

Studio in the morning light

So that was my day yesterday, with a visit into see Mom, some painting and grocery shopping. Then a short little run in the evening, which is not my favourite time of day to run, but whatever,  it is what it is. Tomorrow will be our last run before the race on Sunday! Yea, so excited to see Sandra! Nothing like 21km to get caught up on all the news. Well I hope you have a wonderful first day of the "Summer Solstice!" Maybe this will mean some warm weather.....I sure hope so!

Happy Father's Day Sunday

Well if that was the weekend, there it went! A glimmer of sunshine today for Father's Day! So we got out of the house and went to a new beach, Franklin Beach. A very nice place to sit on a log in the sun and collect a pocket full of sea glass.  Amazing how hot the sun can be when it actually does show its little face!

We had a good day, the morning started with our Sunday run, just a little 7km, tapering week!  Then I came home and made the Hubs and I an omelet while he talked with all the kids. We drove around looking at houses and seeing what has come up in the last few weeks. It seems as soon as June hit everyone decided to list their houses! Crazy what some people think they can get as far as price goes!

The rest of the afternoon was spent collecting up tree branches that the Hubs had cut down to let more light into the back corner of the yard, and then some puttering around in my studio, finishing projects that the weather hasn't permitted being done.

I was tired of this chair being red,
so its going to be Bahama Sea,
eventually!



I like Krylon Spray Paint but the 2x product
works way better than the normal one.....
two cans and the chair still has a red hue!

I think it will be okay but I am going to
just paint it with a brush
and a can of latex

This is the hole framed out
with driftwood

I decoupaged some napkins in the
 middle and I have an idea.....

Another project to be painted
in Bahama Sea

I think a comfy cushion is in order also....
with what else? Dropcloth!

Well that's about it around here. Tomorrow its back to work. All the laundry is caught up and the ironing too! Nothing like having a schedule to get myself organized. Have a good week! And please if anyone sees "Summer", tell her I'm looking for her! Ciao!

Sailing.................................
Well, it's not far down to paradise, at least it's not for me
And if the wind is right you can sail away and find tranquility
Oh, the canvas can do miracles, just you wait and see.
Believe me.

It's not far to never-never land, no reason to pretend
And if the wind is right you can find the joy of innocence again
Oh, the canvas can do miracles, just you wait and see.
Believe me.

Sailing takes me away to where I've always heard it could be
Just a dream and the wind to carry me
And soon I will be free

Fantasy, it gets the best of me
When I'm sailing
All caught up in the reverie, every word is a symphony
Won't you believe me?

Well it's not far back to sanity, at least it's not for me
And if the wind is right you can sail away and find serenity
Oh, the canvas can do miracles, just you wait and see.
Believe me.


The "Kitty"

I know you recognize this song.......Christopher Cross, what year I cannot tell you. But it seems to come to mind quite often these days....possibly because I'm am still thinking we need to build an ARK! You know..... would it be too much to ask for a hot, dry summer! Instead of a soggy wet one AGAIN! I know there are places out there that would dearly love some of this rain but seriously I am not one of them!

Today is our Grand Opening at the SPLATTERS Paint/Decor store, so hopefully it clears up SOON!

Newest addition to my fleet line

A little more decked out for the open seas

I thought this is appropriate for the day

My poor drowned Peonies......

The roses are starting to bud out! Yea!

Countdown to the Half Marathon next weekend, Sue and I did our last long run on Thursday, 17km.....so this week we will do just short runs and rest.....then we've decided to take it easy for a few weeks and our goal is 10km runs and then the Coho Run in September.....at least that's what we are telling ourselves now.

I'm excited for our Grand Opening today so please, please, please somebody to a Sunshine dance for me and pray for clear skies, BBQ-ing in the rain does not sound like a fun day! Have a great weekend! And a Great Father's Day tomorrow!

Best Intentions..................

Gee Whizikers! Where do the days go? I wanted to keep on top of things but the week got away on me and the next thing I knew BANG! it's Sunday and back to work tomorrow......Okay I'm only working 3 days a week now which is plenty because no matter how hard I try I get soooooo far behind in doing things, it just doesn't seem fair!  The weather has been "thee" pitts lately and when it does get nice, its late in the day and I'm already in a "funk" by then. Grey skies, clouds and rain are not good for me......I need SUN! But I guess I'm just like everyone else. Sunshine makes you happy! I did get a few things done this week in spite of slowing down.....

My hooks are a wee bit different but much the same

I found some fabric that I want to make my skirt out of, a little digging produced a few meters of a couple of fabrics I had bought for aprons.....well now they are going to be skirts maybe........Then I started a driftwood project and just about finished it, but had to stop and make the Hubs some dinner.......the least I could do since he has been getting supper organized on the days I've been working!

This is my sewing project,
 if and when I find the time, Susan at
Freshly Picked gives a great tutorial!

Sue and I had a great run last Wednesday, 19kms! I have to say our loop around town has to be my most favourite runs. There are some "Jim Dandy" hills let me tell you. Because you know if your run all that downhill........ there's going to be some wicked up hill somewhere! And we even stopped at a few beaches to check for some sea glass, and found a few great pieces of driftwood, that I went back later for with my car. Today we ran just about 9km and I will admit it was tougher than Wednesday, guess that just tells me some days are good and some days just "s---"!

I will try and have a few photos of my little driftwood project I worked on today for a few hours......many NAILS, and many GLUE STICKS! I see blue sky out there tonight so maybe tomorrow is going to be lovely. Well I hope you've had a wonderful weekend, wherever you may be, and that your skies are blue as the blue can be! Take care. And be safe. And be thankful! Good Night!

Whoa! Settle Down Woman!

So that was one quick week that just flew by! I sure hope the rest of my life doesn't fly by that fast. Apparently I need to settle down! Now that could be a problem. My eldest informed me that I need to finish one project before I start another......well.... so far I don't think that has EVER worked for me. I'm kind of the all or nothing A Type personality. But you know what? I am going to give it a try and then hopefully I may even start sleeping at night! Ya okay..... what a dream that would be!

So on Sunday, my day off, this past weekend, I really out did myself, was I tired? You bet your sweet bippy I was. Sleep last night? Not so much! The day started as usual at 5:30am, and by 8 am I had already made chili, changed the linens, washed and dried said linens, then I went for a run with the group and ended up with Speedy Barry, and going a little further than the rest of the gang at a rather fast pace.....I'm not getting any younger here! But since Barry is older than I, I felt there was no reason other than cowardliness, that I couldn't keep up, well I kept up and lived to tell. Then of course my reward was coffee, then Sue and her sister Jody (visiting) decided we would go sea glass hunting so I whipped home, cleaned up and went to the beach for an hour and half! Well the day continued at break neck speed, baking, sewing, lawn mowing, weed whacking, carpentry.....well a girl should have been tired....ya think? Well, I was bone tired but the mind continues it saga and refused to shut down so yet another night with little or no sleep. Tonight I am sleeping, come h--- or high water! But first a few peaks at what I've got done.........

These are the aprons I made for Tracy and I! My goodness
it took a long time for the paint to dry, just another great
project using drop cloths!

Tracy's has the pink Splatter, mine the green...
they are soooo darn cute, if I do say so myself!

This is the wooden planter box first made by Shanty2Chic
and then revisited by I Heart My Glue Gun......I love this!
It was Super Simple.

I chose to put to two candle sticks
 and 3 mason jars just to change it up

A few sprigs that are sure to survive.....

A nest we found out in the shrubs, and a
few new feather-less friends

Our new brand of paint at Splatters, Coronado,
if you live in the Eastern States you have probably heard of it,
now it is available on the West Coast.

This is Andy, he's into painting! A little
short on conversation though. He's our mascot
of sorts!

Well, that's my story and I am sticking to it. My days off are numbered at this point and since the rain is falling I might as well be working! I will pick one project and finish it before I start another, yes I will try................mmmmmmm.....what shall I pick? The list is endless...... maybe I will just focus on running for the next few weeks since on the 24th of June, Sue, Sandra and I are running a half marathon.....well onward ho! I hope you are having an inspiring week of creativity. I will try and heed my daughter's advice and slow down........wish me luck!