A Few of my Favorite Things

I’m feeling the need to write. or something. I’m doing absolutely nothing else. I’m not involved in any books right now (other than Hunger Games, but I’m waiting to read it with the Read Allowed Group...I don’t cheat), and I started a project, but it involves waiting for glue to dry. I feel like I’ve done enough of nothing today. So I’m going to have myself a cup of tea and share a list of current favorite things. Because that’s a good thing to do on a blog.

1) I’m kind of obsessed with the blog A Beautiful Mess right now. It’s been overly full of the writer’s dress shop projects lately, but that has only served to whet my appetite for vintage things. The nice thing is I’m rediscovering vintage things i already own, wahoo!

2) Another blog I’ve been following lately is Young House Love. They recently bought and started re-doing a new house and it’s very inspiring. Now that I have weekends off my list of projects has grown.

3) A trip to World Market last weekend scored some half-price water bottles. It’s nice ‘cause they’re glass, so that’s healthy and stuff. Also they’re cute so I find I’m drinking more water. (Hmm, I planned on linking a picture, but I suppose they were on sale for a reason, and they're no longer on their website)

4) I’m excited about gardening. I’ve been planning it out in my head and even on paper. These warm bursts that feel like early spring have me antsy.

5) Brian and I have be re-watching and re-enjoying Arrested Development. So good.

#6 For good measure. It goes without saying but Brian is my all-time Favorite. cheese, I know but still true :-)

Not favorite: the Ice Cream trucks already starting up.

2/18/11

I’m thinking I’ll take up journaling again. In some form or other. The thought springs from starting the book Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott. Who knows if I’ll finish it, I’m bad at reading non-fiction, and I'm just in the introduction. And I don’t know that I really want to be a writer...
I also read Neil Gaiman’s blog. And both of these things remind me that I spend a lot of time putting things into my head, but I never pull anything out. I spend so much of my day reading the endless subscriptions in my google reader, watching tv, looking at magazines, reading books, that I rarely take time to process it.

So, even though I don’t think I’m really a writer, I feel the need to take time to write, or at least process. Maybe that will be through some art, or maybe it will be while I’m working on some project, or maybe it will simply be washing the dishes with no extraneous noise, no podcasts or audio books, just taking the time to let my mind wander. And wonder. And maybe stuff will end up on the blog, and maybe it won’t. Because that’s not the point.

And now I think I’ll go wash dishes.

Note: When I say “writer,” well, obviously I’m writing. But I don’t think it’s my craft, my best way of expressing myself. I’m not bubbling with stories that must be told. I’m not a wordsmith. I’ll leave that in more capable hands. I simply use writing as a means of expression, not the means of my expression.

Inspired Bookshelf

I've been inspired. Over at Apartment Therapy last month they spent a lot of time talking about organization. Mostly I hadn't thought about reorganizing my bookshelves because the thought is a little overwhelming. We're running out of room on the shelves and one of the bookcases is kind of falling apart, and there are other parts of the house I would rather focus on. But then my attention was drawn to artist Stanford Kay. He paints pictures of books. Rather pretty artistic interpretations of stacks and shelves of books, often enhanced with other objects painted over the books.

And Inspiration struck.

What if I covered some books and painted over them? Eureka! A great way to hide some somewhat gnarly booksale paperbacks that have seen better days, yet are still classics, as well a Christian fiction series. So I scrounged some brown paper that had been used as packaging filler and covered a couple stacks of books. Then I busted out the acrylic paints and a sharpie pen and Voila!

Yes, I know. There are a lot of comic books on those shelves too. They would be a pain to cover, and I'm really not sure if I'd be allowed to anyway. So the plan is to put some pictures in front of them. That's a bookshelf tip I've seen somewhere I'm sure! And while I think I'll use some family pictures, if you're looking to do something similar check out Laura's print sale lasting till Valentine's Day. There's some beautiful pictures from Korea and elsewhere!

Hey! Look over There!

Rachel has joined blogland! And she is really a much better writer than I am, so go read her stuff! She writes about her time in the ER and about the wonderful food she makes, and I'm sure life in general. It's still pretty new, but definitely one to watch!

Oh, and Brian's been working on his site too, so now there's something to see there too :-)

And that's all I have for now. I'm being terribly lazy and ignoring the mess in the kitchen and the list of projects and simply enjoying my blanket, couch, husband, and the internets. It may be about time for some hot cocoa though...

Amybuller.com is HERE!

I have the best husband ever!

One bit of evidence in support of that fact is that he got me some domain names! Woo!

Welcome to amybuller.com! (mrsbuller.com will bring you here too...hehehe)

While I love the fact that I have my own website with my own name, I'm not quite sure what to do with it. I feel like I should be doing awesome things with it, writing witty posts, having a theme, or just make it cool. But... I also know myself. So I resolve to not resolve anything. Or rather, resolve not to do anything Differently. I'll just keep posting my random stuff, whether it's pictures, or talk of projects, or recipes, or just an annual update. And really, at the rate I'm going now, the posts may not be too few and far between. I like sharing my projects, and I've got several planned. So, stay tuned!

Let the Light Shine!

Hurray! I'm finally off on the weekends! (Officially anyway, still have 1 more weekend to fill in) I've changed library locations and the hours I work. I'm getting used to the location and really enjoying it so far. It's a lot quieter, but we still have plenty of people come through. I do feel busier though, since I'm by myself anything that needs done, I do; or leave for the lady who comes in after me.

The schedule is taking some getting used to. I work 10:30-2:30 most days, so I have plenty of time to do stuff, just as long as I get out of bed. Easier said than done. Also, I've had a hard time taking lunch with me, and even taking time for a break, so when I get home I'm starving and sleepy. But I have goals, things like exercise and projects, so I hope to be more disciplined with my time.

The easiest and best part of the schedule is having a weekend. What?! Two whole days that I can spend with my husband?! Neither of us has to go to work... this is amazing!

So we spent part of our Saturday brushing up on some basic electrical work. Well, mainly Brian did. And we replaced the light fixture in the dining room! (see above) No more ball of cords looking hideous at the top of our fixture. And hey! We can actually see the pictures on the wall from across the room!

I really love to drum fixture too. It's the Eden lamp from cb2.com. I'm not sure how I feel about the plate on the ceiling. Since we converted a lamp it didn't come with anything, so that's something we picked up at Sutherlands. It has gold nobs to cover the screws. They need to be painted. But the white doesn't exactly match the ceiling or the lampshade. So my questions are, Do I just paint the gold white? Or should I paint the whole thing a completely different color? Maybe the same blue as the wall?

Also, we figured while we were switching lights and playing with wires we'd change the kitchen fixture too. So, now it's something brighter and more kitchen, maybe a little more old-fashioned, but I think it fits!

Time for Tea!

I don't really have much to say, no deep thoughts or funny anecdotes. But brian has a good camera that really never goes out, so i thought i'd dust it off again and have something to post about. Since today is Veteran's Day i've been off and being lazy. i decided to make myself some tea and use the lovely set that Jen gave me for my birthday. So here's the happy set she picked up at ikea (plus my own tea cup):


Oh dear, the poor sugar bowl is hidden. And it's my favorite part, it's got lovely detail just inside:



Too bad i dripped tea on it before the picture. Oh, well. So, that's my less than intellectual post, but it is a lovely tea set. Wanna come over for a tea party sometime?

Crafty Times

I made a wreath.




I used pages from a book.


I was inspired by Apartment Therapy and found the tutorial over here.

It also gave me an excuse to get a stapler. Who can pass up a red one?

Brought to you by... SUMMER!

Ah! i just finished a wonderful summer salad and am now just sitting at the picnic table cruising the internets. i've been reading some food blogs lately, well, mainly just thekitchn.com, and was inspired to make that lovely salad i just ate, and then to write about it.

It was a delightful assortment of What-i-found-in-my-refrigerator! Namely, zuccini given to me by my mother, which was given to her by a friend (and desperately needed finishing otherwise it was destined for the compost), tomatoes (actually, there were on the table, not in the fridge) from my parents garden, some cucumber from them as well, and some mushrooms, from the store. What really made this salad was the 'dressing'. i used some store-bought garlic humus and mixed it with some italian dressing... mmmm....
The only thing i forgot was the cheese, sigh... some grated romano would have been nice, but i was all settled in for my personal picnic.

And all that lovely salad was brought to me and my stomach by....SUMMER!

And that got me thinking of summer and the other wonderful things it has brought me.
Right now, it's bringing me lots of noise. Which is annoying, but part of being outside, in a city. Sounds of air-conditioners, dogs, and noisy vehicles in the alley (which is making the dogs bark) are reaching my ears. Ah, well. Yesterday i got to observe young robins and bluejays learning to fly and find food in my backyard. i thought i was going to end up in the middle of a squirrel fight, and was enjoying all the nature around me, until some cats started really fighting. time to go in.

Summer has brought me a new neighbor! Brian bought the house just down the street! it's been fun trying to help him get set up. i just spent the morning trying to find what is supposed to be the garden, but is currently a weed, tree, and cement block patch. So nice to actually do yard work! (but only when i feel like it. it's much more fun than when i have to.)

Summer brought me 3 whole tomatoes of my very own! and one more ripening! also a couple of peppers so far, with some more set on. And some trips to Farmer's Market... good times!

Summer has also brought me time to hang out with family and friends. So Good. It helped that a bunch of people got married at the beginning of summer so there were a lot of people around to see and hang out with. I also got the chance to go to Chicago with some wonderful friends, and visit other wonderful friends there! Such a fun time, great company, great food, a trip to Ikea, and fireworks! And i love that city. At least as a place to visit some more.


And now, as i've sat out here a while i'm running out of clear thoughts...all i can think of Summer bringing me is Heat, and reminding me of the chigger bites it brought earlier this week....

so, that's my update for now, maybe i'll add a picture of my delectable salad later...i will spare you a picture of my compost, which needs maintenance.

i have a tomato set on!

i've been meaning to blog for a while. honest. i was gonna talk about the loveliness of spring, write up a humorous little anecdote about the possums in the garage, mention that brian is gonna be my neighbor soon! lament my dead laptop and poor hard drive... talk about how i planted vegetables, started composting, i'm redoing a table, trying to do some spring cleaning, catching up on reading and generally enjoying the spring. so i haven't written about it. sorry. i'm not dead, just doin' other stuff.

Random Observation:
if you like black and white movies with lots of talking and yelling watch His Girl Friday. this is not really a random observation. the movie is playing as i write this and it's pretty good as background, but prolly boring to just watch. even if it is carey grant.

Vague Thoughts about Cheerful Traffic Lights.

umm, that's what i thought right after having some vague thoughts about traffic lights, and then i thought, 'hmm, that's six words. i haven't posted in a while. maybe i should post that.' except that's kinda weird (not that it's stopped me before...). But i had a funny dream the other night that would be a much better post. so, i'll just use that as the title that won't make any sense with the rest that follows.

So, remember being in school? it might be a stretch for some people, but i remember certain feelings quite clearly, especially when my dreams dredge them up again. Ok. now, remember Test day? Just a normal day where you have to go take a test in a class (this probably works better on the college level, but it's similar to highschool feelings). You walk in to the class the same time you do every day, but all those people that normally show up late, or don't show up at all, have come early, because there is a test. So it completely throws off your groove because now you have to sit on the other side of the classroom than you normally do, surrounded by people you don't really know. And to top it off they're going over notes that you didn't really study, and it only sounds vaguely familiar. So you try and listen in and make sure you remember what they say, because you realize you're not quite as prepared as you thought you were.

Ok. Now that i've dredged up all those memories of Test day (if you are anything like me, that is), picture a big expanse of outdoors-ness. There's a bit of a forest up to the right, and back to the left and you are in the the middle of an opening with really really tall grasses. Yet way off in the distance you can see a glass wall? huh? in my dream i was in a conservatory-type room. a really big one. this was the classroom and it was Test day.

And i must have gotten there late because i couldn't be by the T-rex's where i usually was. i had to go over by those other dinosaurs that i didn't know very well. and they loomed over me. and looked at me like they knew i was out of place too. and they started talking (communicating?) about stuff i hadn't studied. stuff about themselves. because this was a type of intercultural type class. where we learned about other types of people (creatures?) and how to see things from their perspective. only i guess it was really an interspecies type class. and it turned out to be a good thing that i had to be by those other dinos because i learned a lot more about them than i had from the text book.

ummm.....yup. that was my dream. nothing weird about hanging out with dinosaurs, even the meat eaters. just that panicky Test day feeling. i'm taking it as a sign that i should not go back to school. and that my job makes me wish that i had taken intercultural communications class? wait, does that mean i feel like i'm surrounded by a different species? or that you can learn a lot outside of the typical classroom? or maybe it just means i've read too many dinosaur comics. And i don't even know if i passed the test! probably because i woke up before i even got the test.....
The mind is a curious thing.

Random Observation:
I just noticed (again) that Live backwards is Evil.

So Thankful. So very thankful, indeed.

Wished Friday was my week-end too...

Brother! Happy birthday! enjoy another year....

Great weekend! I have awesome friends!

Nothing pithy to say. Must sleep.

Have you seen the moon tonight?!

Sunny G'Mornin'!

Blurry day.

Silver-covered sleep

Yesterday's six words. Today's later (hopefully)

Yay! pretty new phone!! It's orange.

Can everyday be like this weekend?

Today: Autumn escapades and African adventures.

mmm, to sleep, perchance to dream

Best dreams are awake, not asleep.