Flattened, road trip, Kazakhstan, and my underwear.

I've been flattened for the last 36 hours, by the summer bug that Fin picked up somewhere and merrily brought home. This is my own fault, because I am never forward-thinking enough to take any precaution against my children when they are sick. Perhaps, letting him pat my face with his feverish little hands all night was not such a great idea but it seemed to soothe him and that was all I could think of. 36 hours is far too long for Mama to be flattened by anything, so - while I am not feeling like 100 bucks today - I am using the just-keep-swimming method of recovery and hoping for the best.

Also, I have to get better because - Road Trip! We're driving to Bend tomorrow which is nine hours away by car and the trip cannot be put off because my sister is moving to Kazakhstan and Kazakhstan is like 196 hours away by car.

Have I not mentioned that? So anyway, my sister is moving to Kazakhstan, with her family, for two years. At least. Probably I haven't mentioned it because I don't want to talk about it really. Do you even know where Kazakhstan is? Possibly, you do. If not, I have provided a helpful map above. But that doesn't matter. I've given this a lot of thought and it's not about Kazakhstan. Of course it isn't. It's never about Kazakhstan. Just as it's always the mother's fault and no one expects the Spanish Inquisition. I'd go on, but we're risking a nine paragraph tirade about family dynamics and all you came for was a story about my underwear - see, I know who I'm talking to. And so....
Abetting my speedy recovery is the fact that I am wearing my new Liberty of London bra which I found (at the drastically-reduced price of four dollars and twenty-four cents) rummaging thru the lingerie section at Target (and I use the term "lingerie" loosely) whither I had gone because I was mad at my handsome husband for buying a cooler the size of a coffin. It is bringing me great joy today (the bra, not the cooler). Not a great enough joy to offset the removal of one's sister to Khazakstan, but what do you expect for $4.24?

At last, I wish to thank you, you who have alone read to the end of this post. You have good qualities too numerous to count and you use them to your best advantage. Plus, you look smokin' hot today. I adore you and I promise to be slightly more coherent on my return.

Student work.

I took these pics with my phone whilst we were in transit last weekend and thought they were 0-so-fabulously interesting at the time. HA! I looked at them later and giggled because they're o-so-very Photography 101. Not at all up to my usual Photography 102 standards. Now I'm making you look at them too, but it's only so you can giggle along with me.

Friday, I'm in love....

I've been thinking sporadically about this mural that I'm supposedly painting with my kids this summer. And looking for some sort of inspiration....Found it! This is the work of two Dutch painters - Jeroen Koolhaas and Dre Urhahn - more about them here. Amazing. Amazing. Amazing. Photos above from Brazil. Below from India.

via Design Mom

It just keeps getting better and better!

My fireplace redo is on the fabulous design*sponge today. Yes it is. I can hardly believe it myself. Look!

Who, me?

Babble.com has named me one of their Top 50 Etsy Moms. I'm positively abashed at their extravagant praise. Go read it. See? I'm blushing. Well, there it is and now I'm off to send exultant email to everyone I have ever met, which will likely include the immodest phrase: Check it out, Beeeeyoch!!!!

9. Visit the Cartoon Art Museum

On Saturday, we took the kids to the Cartoon Art Museum in SF.... I'm not a comic fan, by any stretch of the imagination - I find them graphically interesting and beautiful, but I don't think I've ever read one. That might change. The Batman retrospective was just fascinating and I think I might have to run out and buy Batman Year One Hundred (and only partly because I'm out of Twilight books). The kids thought it was "good." They thought the BART ride there was "great." I guess I have to get them on public transit more often.

U.S. Army Banishes Velcro from Pants.

Velcro and sand do not mix.

Summer: these are the things.

1. Lip gloss from orangethyme

2. Earrings from Divine Rose

3. Hanging lanterns (photo by Irene Suchocki)

4. This ensemble

5. Linen hat from Sanchia Playfair

6. VW Bus (photo by Camera Takes Photos)

7. Tipi

8. Hammock

9. This painting - or at least a good look at it

10. New Havaianas

At 99 degrees, yesterday was the first day that really felt like summer to me. Finally, I feel thoroughly cooked through and through to my old lady bones....

Movie Night!

Last night we watched the original Karate Kid - and it was every bit as Awesome as I remembered.... The boys loved it and have spent the better part of the morning trying to kick each other in the face. Awesome! And my handsome husband found this video.

First day of summer vacation, and a Giveaway!

Waffles, monkey bars and a spontaneous nap. And I got a new iPhone app? Shakeit. It's cool. I don't even know what day of the week it is. The only thing that's saving this day from being totally uneventful is the awesome Giveaway over at Monster Bites! Go there. Comment. Win stuff. Easy. A baby could do it. Finny could do it in his sleep. He probably did. See if there are any comments about the relative merits of pancakes and waffles. That will be his.

10. Go to the Rodeo

Sometimes Summer Mom's plans are well received and beautifully executed. Other times, not. I thought the Rodeo was pretty cool. But some people whined for 45 minutes and one seven-year-old in particular burst into tears suddenly because his mother will not buy him an iPhone. Fortunately, the rodeo grounds are ten minutes from home and admission was free.

If we smile, can we go home?

In other news, I am the worst mother in the world and I never get him anything. Just thought you should know.

Waste not, want not....

So, I'm sitting here having deep thoughts about commerce. Not that I have any idea what I'm doing (a feeling with which I'm getting overly comfortable). I have this big wholesale show coming up and I'm in the process of figuring out what I can sustainably make and at what cost. It's almost as if I want to make money at this, right? I know - you're so proud of me.

Also, I made this bag. The canvas is made in the USA out of recycled cotton and polyester that would otherwise end up in landfill. The stripes are scrappity scraps from my workroom - pieces that are too small (or long and skinny) to use anywhere else. They have the same super-genius accordion fold bottom as my Market Bags, so they stand up on their own whether or not they're stuffed full of beach towels or toys or whatever you like. Two roomy outside pockets.

What do you think? Seriously, I could use your input on all of the above....

And now, Fin is indicating that he'd like me to have deep thoughts about his lunch.

1. Grow food (part 1)

I know what this must look like to you.... Five missy-matched pots in a sun-scorched corner of the yard. You might be right. On the other hand, it might turn out to be a small farm. We're doing our best. We're a little late planting (especially the peas) but, as I've mentioned, Summer Mom is a bit of a flake and while she has good intentions, she's not always super-awesome on follow-through. Also, a frog!

Weekend: good.

My children slept in until 7:30 on Sunday morning. Unheard of! Absurd!

Here come the waterworks....

My baby graduated from preschool today. I'd say more, but I'd probably cry. Again. And those are the heart-shaped peanut butter and jelly sandwiches I made for the occasion because I'm pretending I'm still in the running for Mother of the Year.

Distracted by blissfulness.

I feel I've been neglecting the blog because I'm distracted by blissfulness and generally having a lovely time. I promise to do better. Not! Summer Mom is here and we adore her, but we acknowledge that she is a total flake. Blog post for the next few months will be uneven, infrequent and misspelled.

You say, "So, pretty much business-as-usual then?"

Yeah. Pretty much business-as-usual, smartass.