In the weeds

In between the working, sleeping and endless jaw gnashing I managed to take some pictures. Not very many but at least there were one or two that I thought decent enough to share. On the plant that gave me two beautiful pink flowers a week ago appeared this white and lavender bloom.

And just for fun, here's a "Behind the Scenes at Heather Ink" photograph for you.

Insanity

I haven't stopped working in over three weeks, which is great but jeez I'm tired. All the forces of natural graphic design selection have pointed to me and said, "Alleluia! She is the one you need!" I've done work for regular clients, new clients, and rush clients. Just when I don't think it can get any crazier I open my email and BAM a new project DUE RIGHT NOW. I have a huge laundry list of project to finish this morning and more deadlines for the afternoon and some for tomorrow. The dogs are the only thing keeping me sane man!

(AND! My first anniversary is coming up, can anyone toss out a unique gift idea? I believe the theme is paper?)

Tag, I'm it

I've been tagged by the lovely Jamie Christina over at Pretty Ditty. Jamie makes beautiful aprons and lots of other artsy wonders that are always so, well, pretty.

Here's how the tagged thing goes: each player answers the questions about themselves. At the end of the post, the player then tags 5 people and posts their names, then goes to their blogs and leaves them a comment letting them know they’ve been tagged and asking them to read your blog. Let the person who tagged you know when you’ve posted your answer.

What was I doing ten years ago?
I was just finishing up my freshman year of college and dating a much older man. I'm still dating him, just now there's a ring I'm supposed to wear.

What are five (non-work) things on my to-do list for today?
1. Have lunch with Lesley
2. Go to Jazzercise
3. Go to Knit Wits (my favorite stitch 'n bitch!)
4. Attack the dogs with our new Furminator
5. Clean that smelly kitchen and maybe change the sheets

What are five snacks I enjoy?
1. A cup of coffee
2. Dark chocolate
3. Dried cranberries and cashews
4. Tasty Kake Kandy Kakes
5. Crackers

What five things would I do if I were a billionaire?
1. Get coordinating classic and new Mini Coopers
2. Fix my husband's Jaguars (yes, plural)
3. Buy a place on the beach and one in London
4. Fly first class
5. Hook up our parents

What are five place you have lived?
1. Emmaus, PA - where I grew up
2. Bryn Mawr, PA - my first dorm room
3. Philadelphia, PA - my second dorm room
4. Wynnewood, PA - my first tiny (no exaggeration) apartment
5. Oceanside, CA - my first house

What are five jobs have I had?
1. Sneaker sales person
2. Paste-up artist at a local newspaper
3. An intern, shortly after the Monica Lewinsky thing so there were a lot of "jokes" about the interns
4. Graphic designer
5. Yarn store owner

Tag...you're it! Let's learn a little bit about these fabulous bloggers I admire...
@ny Price
Head Knit Wit
Emily
Lesley
NobleKnits

Have fun!

Swearing loudly is greatly frowned upon

For the month of June I've taken over a marketing job at one of the companies I do graphic design work for. I've worked in an office before but never a quiet office. The last time I sat at a cubicle was at the unusually hip office of IKEA North America more than five years ago. An office where jeans were considered "dressing up" and dancing was not unusual. After that I had a desk in the back of a massive IKEA store, at which I didn't sit much. Because we always had so many reasons to be running around fixing signs every where from the parking lot to the sofa department to the warehouse, a day at my desk was a rare treat. When I left IKEA I had my own store where there was a computer but no chair. Being in a yarn store is nothing like being at a desk, unless you'd like me to go into a lengthy comparison between needy middle-aged women and annoying bosses that are perpetually emailing you with the latest crisis.

I am again working at a desk job, but from home. I've been building my graphic design studio over the course of the last year and aside from the occassional drawing session on the deck I remain at my desk most of the day. A desk job.

Or so I thought.

As it turns out sitting at a desk at a computer hardware company is somewhat uptight, and my unnecessary gesticulating when something is not going as I had planned begins to look a little odd.

Needless to say I took a deep breath when I got home.

What a week!

Last week was such a whirlwind. I had a rush job for a new client and tons of work for my seasoned clients. I worked all weekend and straight into the week. By the time Wednesday rolled around I felt like I needed to start the day with a mimosa instead of coffee. The highlight of the week came on Thursday when we went to a party at the Playboy Mansion, and I must say, if you ever have the opportunity to go. GO. We had a great time.

We arrived at the party a little early so we could see the property before it got dark. After coming in and having a cocktail we wandered around to the different areas. While Thomas was chatting to his colleagues about work I spotted a white peacock squawking at the guests and went over to take some pictures.

To my amazement there were about a dozen peacocks, white and blue hoping around the grounds between tree branches and buildings. Thomas came over to join me and we ventured down a little jungle path only to find more beautiful birds and tiny monkeys. There was monkey food, grapes and bananas, in buckets by the side of the path. The monkeys scurried over and ever-so-gently reached through the fence to take the grape from your fingers.

It was like we were in a hidden jungle forest in the middle of Beverly Hills.

We then went on a tour of the grounds, led by Lauren, where we saw the tennis courts, game house, guest house and the largest redwood grove in Southern California. Toward the end of the tour we ducked out and went and played with this beautiful lady, Nana.

She was so gentle and really had no interest in parting ways with Thomas. She groomed my hair and nibbled on his collar. She was a delight.

Enough for now... more tomorrow!