I'm finally ready to try the ol' girl out. I have the day off from nanny-ing, so I'm going to make it my first day as a professional studio artist and see how it goes. So far, it's already after 9 am and all I've done is drink a cup of coffee and check my email/blogs. Erk. Gotta wash my face, tame my rats nest of hair, and get dressed so I get this shit started.

On a positive working note, I've officially given notice at said nanny-ing job. They are in the process of finding alternative care for the baby, and I am on my way to do what I came here to do. Woop!

Leclerc Nilus 60" 4-harness Jack loom. I have yet to pick a name, but it's definitely a lady.


I don't have the harness's in place yet because I need to replace some pegs that keep them in place. Is that not the cutest bench ever?


see? I'm also replacing these P.O.S. plastic ones.


Here are a couple new pegs, cut from dowels with my own little hand ...


and tiny hacksaw.


After all the pegs are cut, I'm sanding and finishing them so they're pretty and perfect. Then I'll make lease sticks, warp sticks and a raddle. I've had to order a replacement brake cable because the existing one is not cooperating and sproinging out of it's tracks and not working properly. So it'll be a little while before I'm warping her, but it'll be worth the wait. I've got to get this studio pulled together anyway - everything's everywhere!

Rob and I drove to Asheville this weekend and bought a loom from a lady off Craigslist. It is in pieces all over the living room and I have butterflies. More later...

I had an unexpected trip to Rhode Island last week. My Nana died on Monday, and Rob, Mags and I all packed up and flew there to be with my dad and April. It was a very bittersweet trip - we actually had a great time hanging out with my family and showing Rob around, (we basically ate our way across the state, and it was awesome) but there was this unspoken sadness because of the real reason we were there.



It was also a funny trip because it made me realize how much I miss being home. We were in a bar waiting for a Pearl Jam cover band to start (don't ask - it was actually really fun) and Maggie commented on how she felt so much more comfortable in New England than in the South. Like she belonged there. I think it's mostly because there's such a variety of people up there, all sorts of colors and ethnicities, that no one type dominates over another. It even snowed and was in the teens for most of the time we were there, and I loved it. I had frozen toes and had to go shopping to buy warmer clothes, and I loved it. Is there a possible move home for me in the future? I don't know. It would be complicated to leave the South... complicated but not impossible. I think I'll just focus on planning a trip up there this summer for starters, and then go from there.

this loom is amazing. who wants to drive out to Taos with me for a test drive?

isn't she precious?

hi. we're good. rome is challenging us - sometimes in good ways and sometimes in bad ways. in pondering the upcoming year and all we accomplished last year, i'm trying to live in the now instead of waiting until A, B, or C happens, thus allowing my adult life to officially begin. that's bullshit and it depresses me. i want more. i can't be afraid to challenge myself.


georgia aquarium date


christmas dogs

in love
in the pool
rocky mountain reservoir
new friend

life feels very surreal lately. starting with the trip to jamaica (which felt like a week-long episode of the Love Boat - ridiculously great) and rolling right into seeing Rob drive off to work in a suit and tie every day while i go and play mommy for a couple hours. every place is unfamiliar, every thing is new. even the bugs outside seem louder, different here.

we've found some good places to swim and hike, as well as the most amazing tacos i've ever had. coming up we have the Rome Film Fest, a beer festival, and Sherman Alexie speaking at a local high school. fun!