urban

356:365


Today I had a fabulous lunch date with my daughter... after which, we had a very inspiring walk about the college area... happily taking photos. While we were eating lunch... I happened to pick up a book called "14,000 Things to be Happy About" by Ann Kipfer. Feeling motivated... I decided to devote this post to a similar list *although not nearly so long :)

1. tea. So many varieties... so little time...
2. singing with the radio on full blast
3. puppy kisses
4. my camera... my little creativity box...
5. BAJ and the kiddos... and little Sophia
6. full moons
7. blue skies
8. bagels and cream cheese
9. flannel sheets
10. colored pencils and Moleskine notebooks
11. fresh flowers
12. mail
13. art on the walls
14. handmade furniture
15. 4-wheel drive
16. cottonwood trees
17. a stack of books at my bedside
18. good friends
19. neighborhood shops
20. candles


---perhaps this will in turn inspire you to make your own "happy list"...

*photos by Elaine A. Russell

310:365


Sometimes I feel a little bipolar in the sense of loving life in two very different worlds. On one hand... I love going to PA... being surrounded by all the nature, trees, lush farmlands, and critters... the peace and quiet, the stunning beauty of a simple sunrise on the hills...

And yet... I also love being back in the city. The excitement and the buzz of city life. Cafes, bookstores, shops of every specialty... the whole urban landscape and the little nooks and crannies of art and urban decay.

I have determined that it is OK to live in one of these environments on a permanent basis... but I simply MUST be able to travel on occasion. I need to travel like I need to breathe... even if it's "just down the road..."



*photos by Elaine A. Russell

9:365


Some days are the kind where you wish you would have/ could have ... stayed in bed. Lazy days where the bed seems way too comfortable to leave... and the floors seem way to cold to be on....

Today was one of those days. My dear hubby is sick today... something that only happens about once a year. It is cold and dreary out. ......And yet, today was also the last day to submit entries in my "give-away" --- me giving gifts in celebration of this blog site being one year old. So it was with excitement that I went through all the mail that I had received ... tallying up who all had entered..... And so... in the next few days I will be getting addresses from some lucky winners... who will each get a present in the mail.



So, today I did some laundry, picked up the house a bit... took my photo for my "Photo a Day project; year 2010".....made wontons and rice.... ran a couple of errands....went to a Pampered Chef Party briefly....and got back home in time to make my honey some tea and make sure he had taken some medicine.



Tuck yourselves in ... dear readers. Read a good book, watch a good movie... snuggle with someone you love. See you all tomorrow :)

Living Simply tip for the day: Get enough sleep for you. Don't be embarrassed if you have the opportunity and inclination to take a nap. Likewise, if you do better on less sleep... enjoy the extra time doing something you love. This will ultimately reduce your stress, increase your health and well-being... and will make your life much more simple.

""The first thing experts will tell you about sleep is that there is no "magic number." Not only do different age groups need different amounts of sleep, but sleep needs are also individual. Just like any other characteristics you are born with, the amount of sleep you need to function best may be different for you than for someone who is of the same age and gender.""

*all photos by Elaine A. Russell

transitions

photo by Elaine A. Russell

well. The biggest part of the remodel is done. This weekend I am re-stocking stuff back to where they were... cleaning, sorting, organizing, and giving stuff away. The hubby and I have spent the last couple of years downsizing and re-organizing our lifestyle.. and it's not stopping now. Our house is about 1350 square feet. And, in reality... when the kids move out... it will be way to big for just us. In anticipation of that... we have been getting rid of extraneous stuff. The kids are saving some of it for their future homes.... and that is cool.
As an example, all of our Christmas holiday decorations (ornaments and everything) all fit into one rubbermaid container... and this year we decided to get rid of about half of that. We just don't need it. Now.. books are a whole 'nuther country... we have tons. And craft stuff (eeks).... and apparently ( whilst unloading boxes from the kitchen) .. dishes. So. I am filling a HUGE box with household stuff to list on Craigslist. I am also filling another HUGE box with re-model stuff.... piping, caulk, screws, plaster mix, whatever... to give away.
I have always been an avid recycle type person. We have recycle bins for plastics, glass, metals, and papers... which we take to the centers weekly. When we approached doing this remodel... we wondered if we could potentially recycle everything. The contractors probably thought we were nuts. BUT... we have managed to recycle about 90% of it. The cupboards, mirrors, lighting, doors, etc.. went to a guy who takes things to Mexico for rehabbing homes. All the cardboard and packing stuff was recyclable. Same with the wood and glass. In fact, the only things so far that we haven't been able to recycle was some plaster and some grout that was leftover... but already mixed up. It's pretty amazing. So... we have one more pile of stuff to go through for recycling... and then everything will be hauled off on Monday.
It's been a huge learning experience... and very rewarding. Recycle, re-use, re-purpose...awesome...

♥♥♥...time for a song from one of my most FAV singers .... ♥♥♥



pipe dreams

photo by Elaine A. Russell


So when we started the "remodel project" .. it was back in September. We had a new front door installed and new french doors to replace the sliding doors to the back yard and patio. Then we had a new sink, mirror, tub/shower unit installed in the hallway bathroom. Then a shower stall in the master bathroom. As of today we now have a new cabinet and sink in the master bathroom.
We also got new lights in the hallway and entryway.

Then the kitchen was basically gutted, a door moved, cabinets removed and new ones installed with a new configuration. New counter tops, new dishwasher, new garbage disposal, and an over the stove microwave. As of today we now also have a new kitchen sink and running water.

We now have to wait until after the holidays to get our reverse osmosis system hooked back up. However, today was the major PLUMBING day.. with most everything water related getting done.

After weeks of not really being able to use the kitchen, I am not sure how to behave... but I'm sure I will figure it out.
There are still alot of projects that need done around the house...but this was the BIG one.
Painting everywhere, yardwork, some little odds and ends... it will all get done.
Time for some celebrations :)

crystal windows

photo by Elaine A. Russell


so very, very tired today.


Have the final class tonight with Cynthia Cook at the Harwood Art Center... which will no doubt be awesome. Am really looking forward to it.


Construction is still going.... slowly....ever so slowly.....
but we finally have kitchen cabinets and hope to have a sink, a dishwasher and lighting soon.
Still waiting on the cabinet and sink in the bathroom... and then... saving up for massive painting everywhere inside.


..and I hear a wonderful rumor that the weekend is coming :)

FlickR meet

photos by Elaine A. Russell



Lots going on these past few days. ... Today there was a FlickR photo meet at the Railyards. I have only been to the ABQ railyards once previously, and it was awesome. Today, the group had reserved this historical site for the entire day; so there was more time to leisurely stroll around.

Needless to say, I took a ton of photos. I took most all of them on my little Kodak... but then one of the other photographers graciously loaned me his Nikon D300 to try out. This is my "if I had enough money" dream camera ... and it was awesome to be able to play with it.

Most of the photographers had also arranged and hired models who came for specific shoots... this was not something I normally would photograph. I have done weddings, portraits and such before...but it's just not my thing. That said... I did take a bunch today because I had the opportunity to play around with some very cool equipment which included flashes and lights and such. So -- now I have photos of bikers, babes and more...Not sure what I will do with those...but it was alot of fun.
And now I am off to bed... what a great day....




way down south



photos by Elaine A. Russell, at the Factory on 5th



---as in the south end of the Factory on 5th building. I need to get keys from the owner and explore inside some more... but in the meantime.... here are some more shots in my on-going series.

I took a photo of the ceiling line inside the building. The wood tones are just amazing. Not to mention the whole..."feels like I am in the bowels of a ship"... feeling I get when I am in there. Cozy, safe, secure.

Then there is a photo of some of the industrial windows. I just love how they have chicken wire in them. And air bubbles in the glass. Wow. Fantastic. It reminds me of some of the windows in older buildings back east... which I adore.

Lastly, a photo of some chili peppers in the rock parking lot. Not sure how they got there... but they looked cool.

Thanks for everyone's comments on this series. Your feedback helps me to do better.