easing back into things

Steve found the most amazing shell while we were at the beach last week.  We couldn't bring it home because someone was still living in it.  We brought home lots of other shells though and, even though I've washed them, they still smell like beach.  As does my gray t-shirt. 

Today is grocery shopping day.  It was really hard for me not to list seafood every night as I was planning out our meals.  It would take a very long time for me to get tired of fresh seafood. 

The pirate has gone back to work.  And at least ten times each day, I think of something to tell him or show him and find myself wondering where he is. 

In an attempt to regain my pre-vacation motivation levels, I threw myself into full-on zipper pouch mode yesterday.  As in 38 zipper pouches.  Steve was curious as to why I had 38 zippers laying around the house.  Oh, Steve. 

No time to work on pouches today though, because I have the car and a long list of errands.  It's rainy out, but I don't even mind because it's the perfect opportunity to wear my new boots.  Did I tell you about my new boots?  Well- in what can only be classified as a true birthday miracle, I found this awesome pair of navy rain boots at the GAP, in my size, for $6.97!  I know- this is the stuff of dreams and fairy tales. 

I'll be back to show you my zipper pouch progress later this week!

a new level of casual

This blog post will probably seem especially funny if you read the previous post that ran last week while we were gone. 

You know- the one about what hard workers we are and how we have to remind ourselves to relax? 

I think that some of us had to remind ourselves how to shave and wear socks this morning. 

It's funny how just nine days away from "real life" can change your whole attitude.  As Steve announced to some friends at church yesterday, "We've reached a new level of casual."

Amen to that. 

We got so used to the beach lifestyle that we started brainstorming ways that we could move there.  Just for a year or so. 

Maybe one of us would drive the jet ski for the banana boat rides or push the Italian Ice cart.  Perhaps we'd like to wait tables at the Duffy Street Seafood Shack, where most of the tables are outside?  I'd probably even be willing to spend my days with sticky arms, serving up sundaes at the ice cream parlor we walked to one evening. 

You may think I'm exaggerating, but some sort of shift has occurred in my brain.  I mean, sure, we did a few loads of laundry when we got home on Friday, but that was mainly because most of the stuff was already wet.  And in the laundry room. 

But mostly, we've spent the days since we've been home in the yard, in our lounge chairs.  It's like the beach, without sand.  Steve did go inside at one point, but only to whip up some amazing strawberry margaritas and grab the tortilla chips.  I even seem to remember making the comment, "It's five o'clock somewhere", as it was sure not five o'clock yet here. 

I love being home, but I do miss waking up with the ocean in my face.  Literally.  We didn't even bother closing the curtains at night, we were up so high.  (Does that creep you out?  I feel like that would be upsetting to some people.)

My to-do list for the day is all out scary looking because I just wrote down every single responsible thing that needed to be done that I sure wasn't going to do while we were still in vacation mode.  In fact, I may still be working through this list the next time we find ourselves in vacation mode.  Which I hope is next weekend. 

forced relaxation

Last weekend, we specifically set aside lots of time for fun.  Do you ever have to do that? 

Steve and I are such natural workers that, if we didn't make a real effort, we would spend every weekend trimming bushes and doing laundry, with a little window cleaning thrown in for fun.  I'm not kidding. 

I'm also not kidding about the fact that Steve recently discovered the joy of chopsticks and wants to use them for every food now.  Fruit salad?  Chopsticks.  Grilled sausage?  Chopsticks.  Peanuts?  Chopsticks. 

Yes, peanuts. 

But back to the fun.  We like to sit in our lounge chairs in half sun and half shade.  Sometimes we read, sometimes we talk.  Usually I get bitten by some type of bug and end up needing an ice pack or hydro cortisone cream.  I know- I'm real high maintenance. 

Saturday night, we went to see a play called "Southern Hospitality" at our favorite theater- the Little Theater of Gastonia.  It is a small community theater that puts on local productions.  Steve heard about it on the radio shortly after we moved here and we have been fans ever since. 

We usually stand out a bit in the crowd due to our... youthfulness, shall we say.  Sometimes we have really funny conversations with the people sitting around us.  Everyone is super friendly. 

Last weekend, as soon as we were seated, the lady behind me tapped me on the shoulder and said, "Excuse me, but I think you two are much too young to be here."  Thus began a super fun conversation, where this lady and her friend tried to guess our ages (they picked 22 and 25 respectively, and I was thrilled to be "younger" than Steve) and find out why in the world we were at this play on a Saturday night. 

Right before intermission, I heard one of the ladies whisper to the other, "I'm really bored...or sleepy.  I think I had too much to drink at that cocktail party.  I thought I was having a glass of wine, but it turned out to be vodka."

They left soon after and we couldn't stop laughing. 

I think all of our relaxing was great practice for vacation- like stretching before the big race.  We're headed toward home today.  It's always sad to leave the beach, but I do love to be home.  I'll be back Monday with some beach pictures to share!

the joy of libraries

One important item on our beach trip preparation list was a visit to the library. 

I just love the library. 

I also love to read on the beach.  I like to take at least five books, just in case I want to read a whole one every day.  I almost never do, but it's nice to be prepared. 

But there's more than just books!  Magazines make perfect beach reading, because sometimes there is way too much going on to focus on a book.  I have been saving all the magazines that came in the mail this month, specifically to enjoy on this trip.  I picked up a few more at the library to round out the group. 

Steve and I checked out the movie section and ended up with a stack of six that we wanted to see.  We narrowed it down to two, but plan to go back later for the rest.  The library is a great place to find older movies, which is something we have trouble finding, being primarily RedBox movie-watchers. 

Sometimes I'm just amazed that there is this place where I can go to get books and magazines and movies- all for free!  It seems like there should be a catch or something. 

I'm probably working my way through my stack of books as you read this, but don't worry- I always try really hard not to get sand in them.   

unexpected

July 2002

Steve and I met ten years ago this spring.  We were friends, part of a group, and although I thought he was terrific, I never expected to fall in love with him. 

August 2002

We went to the beach later that summer, again with lots of friends.  We held hands for the first time as we ran across Ocean Boulevard in a rain storm.  I never expected that I'd end up reaching for his hand for the rest of my life. 

April 2003

We spent lots of time together and I came to find out that Steve is the real deal.  He says the truth, all the time, and is totally comfortable being himself.  The more I knew about him, the more I wanted to know.  I never expected I'd get to know him better than anyone else. 

February 2004

By the time we actually started dating, I was all in.  I think we both were.  All my life, I thought that the proper "formula" was to date someone for several years before deciding if you wanted to marry them.  I never expected to be jumping-out-of-my-skin ready to accept a proposal after just one year of dating. 

April 2004 (yes, we are sleeping in pews- it's a long story)

I never expected to find someone I felt so at home with.  I never expected that I'd get so much time with just Steve, just us two.  I never expected that I'd be able to chase my dreams faster with someone to run by my side. 

July 2004

I never expected this much joy. 

We're leaving for the beach today to celebrate seven years of joy.  I've got a few posts scheduled for while we're gone and I'll be back to share pictures next week!  Hope you have a great one!

what leaving looks like

- enjoying my new gloves while I mow the lawn

- (trying not to mow any bunnies)

- cleaning bathrooms and doing laundry

- an empty inbox!

- buying sunscreen, getting the umbrella out of the attic, packing, packing, packing

We leave for the beach in three days and I can hardly wait!  Today I'm getting everything in order so that my biggest worry next week will be which book to read next. 

I'll be back here Monday with a special celebratory post before we hit the road- see you then! 

ps- class registration is open for Summer Sewing Classes!  You can register in the sidebar and find all the important details here. 

market totes: the inside scoop

Whenever I design a new product, I always like to try it out for a bit to see if I need to make adjustments.  Is the strap too long?  Are the pockets in the right place?  You know, things like that. 

It's also a great way to get photos of each item in use.  When I originally posted the new market totes a few weeks ago, I didn't have pictures of them in use yet.  But I was just so excited to get them in the shop that I posted the pictures I had and have been slowly updating them.   

Using the totes a bit has given me more insight into what they are especially useful for.  I like to toss in my wallet, phone, and planner for a day of running errands.  They're also great if we are out shopping and just need to pick up a few things- all the items and receipts go straight in the tote and I'm not juggling a bunch of shopping bags.  I plan to use a few to pack for our upcoming beach trip- one for books, one for magazines, one for cell phone chargers and other electronic stuff. 

The totes have been selling so well that I added two more patterns to the collection- first, there's this one, that reminds me of a Downton Abbey fox hunt.  I love the bright red and blue, and those awesome red handles I found for it!  I also love the sketchy look of the drawing, as if you're carrying around a work of art. 

And here's the other new pattern- a subtle fern print that looks like a page out of an old horticulture textbook.  I love the detail in the line drawings and the green and khaki palette.  One of my favorite things about all these market totes is the timeless quality of the prints.  I feel like they would be equally at home on the arm of a sixteen year old or an eighty year old. 

Or a gentleman.  Steve left his lunchbox at work yesterday and ended up packing today's lunch in a market tote.  Talk about swoony. 

I've got a whole stack of totes that are ready to ship out and I'm offering a special coupon this week!  Use the code "SUMMER" to get 10% off your entire order from the shop, today through Friday (5/25).  We're headed out of town next week and any orders placed after this Friday will not ship until June 4th, so be sure to place your order this week!