Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Friends

I recently finished reading a memoir called, MWF seeking BFF by Rachel Bertsche.  I loved that book so much that I actually wish Rachel Bertsche was my BFF.  It was super funny, very relatable, and entertaining from beginning to end.

You would think that her quest of going on a year long quest in search of a new friend BFF would get boring after the first 10 pages or so.  But nope.  When I got to the last page of the book, I was still very interested, and wasn't really ready for the book to end.  It's really got me thinking a lot about my own friendships.  About how we need different friends, for different occasions. We need friends that we do art classes with.  We need other friends that we can tell our secrets to.  We need friends that make us laugh.  And friends who tell us the truth.  We need reliable friends, and also unpredictable ones.  Different friends, for different occasions.

More than anything, it's got me thinking about how I put way to many expectations on my husband to be my BFF, and to serve all those roles that girlfriends can, and do.

I spend more time with my husband than anyone.  By far.  (Besides Ricky and Lucy, that is!)  Partly because we live together, partly because I really like him, and partly because... well, I'm lazy.

To see friends, I actually have to make plans.  They have lives and families of their own, so I can't just expect them to be available when I have a last minute want for a friend to go to grab a Starbucks with.

In the book, Rachel was so busy going out with new friends left and right.  52 new people in a year! There is no way I could handle that.  I would just be to emotionally exhausted.  I can only handle so much socializing for it to feel good.  Too much and I end up feeling like I need to detox.

But I know it would do me good to spend a little more time with friends in my life that I already have.  And it would also take a little pressure off of my husband.  And my dogs. 




Friday, April 26, 2013

TONIGHT at Culpepper

I'll be singing at Culpepper tonight (Friday, April 26), in their inside bar area.  I haven't played there in ages.  Well, maybe not ages, but well over a year!  I'll be there solo tonight.  It's located in Rockwall, just off of 1-30 at the Horizon Exit.  I start up at 7:30pm.  Come out if you can!  :)

Thursday, April 25, 2013

Lucy Has a Play Date

Lucy got to go over and play with a new little friend today.
Lucy and Maggie
My friend rescued this dog, after his friend found it under a car one day.  (A parked car that is!)  People who desert dogs suck.  However, it was lucky for Steve, and for Maggie!  Maggie is Steve's first dog!!!  And he hit the jackpot with her-- She's super cute, and very sweet!

I was so proud of Lucy for respecting that Maggie was way smaller than her and sort of delicate looking.  She didn't play so rough with her, the way she does with Ricky. 
Fun!!
She did, however, get a little show-offy when it came to catching her frisbee.  She did a little friendly growling if Maggie got too close to her favorite pink frisbee.
The Queen Bee gets her frisbee every time!
Don't worry, Ricky gets to go over to Maggie's house next time! He can't wait...

Wednesday, April 24, 2013

MWF Seeking BFF

I had this library book laying around the house for a couple of weeks.  I kept passing over it for others because I wasn't too fond of it's title.
MWF seeking BFF by Rachel Bertsche
 But finally, I was running a little low on my choices, so I picked it up night before last.

It's true what they say.  You can't always judge a book by it's cover.  Because in this case, I don't like the title of the book, or the cover art work- but I'm really liking what's inside the book!

It's a memoir.  And automatically, that's a good thing for me.  I love memoirs.  Partly because I like things written in first person.  It's funny.  And it's very relatable,... the quest for finding maybe not a BFF, but a good friend, once you're an adult.  Rachel Bertsche writes of her "yearlong search for a new best friend" after moving to a new city, away from all her close friends, and realizing she really needed some girlfriends that are local.

I don't have an office job, a church or any groups that I belong to.  So although I've got friends, and a few great ones, I understand the wish for having a nice handful of girls  I could call up anytime, to talk about anything or nothing, and not feel weird about it.

Not only does Rachel tell her cute little story about how she went about meeting potential besties, but she sprinkles in little factoids and studies about friendships that get me thinking and sometimes, worrying, about my own situation.  For example, she had read a Self magazine article about the types of friends a woman needs to be happy, and I found it a little disturbing.

It said you need 4 types of friendships-  Here they are:
1.  The acquaintance- Someone you could just chat with if you ran into them at the mall.  You need 10-100 of these.  Ok, I got that.  No prob.
2.  The casual friend- someone you could grab lunch with or go to a movie with.  You need 10- 50 of these, the article suggests.  Uh oh.  I'm starting to feel like I don't even have enough casual friends.
3. The close buddy-  Someone you can tell all your stuff to and you feel totally comfortable around.  You need 5-12 of these.  OH NO.  I've got a few, but nowhere near a half dozen.  I'm not even sure I have 5, if I exclude Ricky and Lucy!
 4. The lifer- An intimate friend that has been in your life so long, they're like family.  And you know they'll always be in your life.  You need 3-5.   I have one absolute lifer.  Not 3-5.

This book is sorta making me question if I have enough friends.  And asking myself, "What is wrong with me?"  I have just a small handful of friends, if I exclude my husband, my brother and sister, and my dogs. 

So maybe I need to go on my own year long quest... But honestly, I don't think I would have enough time for all those friends! 

I'll just enjoy reading about Rachel's quest for a BFF, or just more friends in general in the new city she moved to.  Although I'm always open to making a new friend or two, I feel like I have a pretty full life with my small little circle. 






Friday, April 19, 2013

Vintage Repurposed Bracelet

I make lots of repurposed vintage necklaces.  And I've put photos of many of them on this blog, and of course, in my Etsy shop,  Resparkable Vintage.

But did you know I also make bracelets?  They're also repurposed, combining the charm of vintage with the sparkle of new elements.  On this one pictured below, I used a Sarah Coventry clip earring and surrounded it with pretty blue beads I fell in love with at a recent bead show.  I used a sparkly magnetic clasp, making it a cinch  to put on and take off.
Vintage Repurposed Bracelet
If your looking for something totally unique and one-of-a-kind for your Mom for Mother's Day, (or for yourself!!), I'd love for you to take a look at my handcrafted jewelry!

Wednesday, April 17, 2013

Where We Stood

This past weekend, Fermin and I went to the Dallas Arboretum.




It's a beautiful place to go, and for us, it's especially meaningful because it's where we got married nearly 19 years ago!

This is the path that leads to the Sunken Garden, where we had our ceremony.
Here's where our friends and family sat that day...

And this is where Fermin and I stood as we said our vows...
And this is how we felt...

Such a beautiful place to be- then, and now.

Monday, April 15, 2013

Be a Follower!

I have a few people that have found a way to "follow" my blog over the years.  I only know that because in my Blogger settings, I can see them.  They must be really smart, because up until now, I have not made it easy to follow my blog.  That certainly wasn't by design, it was just something that wasn't really on my radar.  I didn't even know about "follow" buttons until I started reading this handy little book, Blogging for Creatives.  I'm trying to improve my blog and spruce it up a bit.  This book is helping me!

The nice thing about "following" a blog, is the follower is alerted when there is a new post on the blog.  They don't have to waste time checking the site, or remember the web address or anything! Instead, they just get an email when there's something new to look at on the blog.  So in essence,  it's a time saver.  And a reminder.  Two things I'm fond of.

I now have a little heading on the left side of my blog that says, "Follow by email".  You can just put your email address in, and tadaa!- you'll get an email whenever there's a new post made.

I also put a button that says G+1 directly above the "Follow by email" spot.  It's another way to follow the blog on Google +.  All you need is a Google account, which it seems, most people have.  I'll be honest and say, I'm not too familiar with the Google +, but it seemed kind of cool, and I wanted to offer options!  :)  Please let me know what you think.

I really hope this makes things easier for readers to follow my blog.  I so appreciate those of you that are already followers, and again, I think you're really smart to have figured that out!

Coincidentally, I'm writing this post on the same day that the super scary show, "The Followers" airs on Fox.  Any one out there watching this?!  YIKES.  For me, it's the scariest thing I've ever seen on television.  And as scary as most of the scary movies I've ever seen.  So, if you're feeling brave and you like psychologically scary themes, tune in.

But regardless of following "The Followers", I do hope you'll follow me

Saturday, April 13, 2013

Evolution Revolution

I started this blog on March 20, 2006.  2006. This is actually my 755th post. 

If you asked me today what my blog was about when it first began, I would've said it was a blog about the life of a singer/songwriter.  Because that's what I was. And that's what I thought I was writing about.

But as I look back on those first several posts, that's really not the case.  There was no clear focus about songwriting, or even music.  I wrote about lots of things.  I wrote about my mom-- a lot.  She died in March of 2005, and that was a devastating loss for me, so of course I wrote about Mom.  It was, and still is, therapeutic for me to do so.  I also wrote about stuff that happened at gigs, tv shows I was watching, books I was reading, music I was listening to, and just musings about life in general.  So it wasn't a singer/songwriter's blog.  It was just my blog.

It's always been pretty hodge-podgy.

Over the years, I've become more and more interested in collecting vintage jewelry and repurposing it into new pieces.
one of my vintage repurposed necklaces
Also, 2 years ago, Lucy and Ricky, our Australian Shepherds, entered my life and filled it up with more love than I know what to do with.
Lucy and Ricky- our 2 year old Australian Shepherds
Jewelry and dogs... that's where my passion lies these days.

I love listening to music, and even playing for myself and my pups- but the getting out on the evenings and weekends to perform- well, that's just no longer it for me.

I've been gigging for the past 12 years.  I think that's the longest I've even done anything,  jobwise.  It's nothing I should feel sad or defeated about.  So, I'm not.  I'm instead, just happy I made a few CDs, played at lots of cool places, and met some really great people along the way.

But life moves on, and it changes.  And thank God it does! Otherwise, it would get boring, right?

So now that my focus is all about redesigning vintage jewelry, and all things Lucy and Ricky,  I hope my blog will reflect that, and hopefully gain lots of new followers who are interested in that stuff right along with me!

I even thought about changing the name of my blog and starting fresh. But I sorta love seeing the evolution of a life- in this case, my own....documented on this little hodge podge of a blog.

Hopefully, I'm a little older, a little wiser, and can be just slightly less erratic! 

I'm working on improving the blog- being a little more focused on my subject matter, making it easier to follow, encouraging people to visit often, and more than anything, I'd really like to have people leave comments... help me start some conversations!  Because that's the magic of a blog. 

If you have a suggestion, an idea, an opinion, a thought, please,  DON'T BE SHY! 

I'm so glad you stopped by today and read my post.
There is so much more to come!

Tuesday, April 9, 2013

The Magic of Thinking BIG

My brother had recommended this book to me a few weeks back-
The Magic of Thinking Big by Dr. David Schwartz
I've only just begun to read it, but I have to say, it's got me thinking. 

My brother, Fleetwood, says it was a really inspiring book for him.  Well, apparently so.  My brother is most definitely a big thinker!  When he started up Villy Customs, his custom cruiser bike company, he didn't just think, "I want to have a little cruiser bike company."  He thought, "I want to have the most popular and successful cruiser bike company in the WORLD."
A Villy Custom Cruiser Bike.
 And he's well on his way.  He has been in all sorts of publications, appeared on Shark Tank (where two of the sharks invested half a million dollars in his company!), has had his bikes as a prize on the Price is Right, and seriously, it just goes on and on for him.  I can't even keep up with all that he's done with his company so far.  And that's just so far.

He's always been a big thinker.  So I'm sure The Magic of Thinking Big really spoke to him and backed up what he already knew.

Me on the other hand?... Well, I'm a pretty small thinker.  Sometimes I pride myself on it.  My life is simple.  I'm really very happy.  My wants are few.  As a musician, I've been happy just to stay local and play at little public venues, small festivals, and some weddings here and there.  Having a couple of my songs played on the local radio station was thrilling beyond what I imagined.  If my brother had been me though, he would have set his sights on winning "Best Songwriter of All Time" at the Grammy's.  (I realize that is currently not a category, or award, but he just might have made it happen!)

And as for my jewelry business, I've been super happy with the few sales I've had since opening my Resparkable Vintage shop at Etsy.  If I could sell just a couple of pieces each week throughout the year, I'd feel very fortunate.

But that's small potatoes in the big thinker world.

If I could allow my imagination to soar higher and bigger, it might just happen.  You've got to think big to be big. 

So I'm gonna try to at least become a medium sized thinker for now....
I'll try to write a few posts about it as I go along with my journey into thinking bigger.

Friday, April 5, 2013

Vintage Clip Earrings- Before and After

I've recently gotten reaquainted with a childhood friend.  Growing up, Ann lived right across the street from me.  Because we graduated from the same high school, we saw each other at a reunion a few years ago, and we've been Facebook friends since that.

One day, Ann messaged me and told me she had seen the repurposed jewelry I had started selling in my Etsy shop,  ResparkableVintage.  She said she had just cleaned out a drawer of old costume jewelry that had been her grandmother's and asked if I wanted it.

Well, of course I do!

So we met up one afternoon at Starbucks and she gave me a whole bag full of stuff- pins, brooches, beads, chains and earrings!

There was one pair of earrings she had set aside and told me she liked them, but didn't wear clip earrings.  She asked me to make her "something" with them.  She was very non-specific, saying it could be a pair of earrings, a necklace, or whatever.  And she also said, "No hurry."
Vintage Clip Earrings- "Before"
It was such a fun meet up with Ann that day.  Not only did I get a bag full of jewelry, but I got to catch up with a childhood friend who I had fallen out of touch with around age 11!  So we decided to set up a lunch date a couple of weeks later.

So last week, we met... and I gave her the "new" earrings, repurposing the ones she had given me.
Repurposed Vintage Earrings- "After"
I wanted them to look similar to what they already were, but add a little extra bling to them...And of course, turn them into pierced earrings.  I also didn't want them to feel too heavy, or tug at the earlob.  Ouch.

She seemed to like what I had created.  It was so fun for me to make them for her!

This time at our lunch date, we did less catching up, and more just getting to know each other.  Super fun.  And I owe it all to the vintage costume jewelry!  :)



Tuesday, April 2, 2013

Song Obsession: Ben Howard "Gracious"

I still buy CDs.  Occasionally I download a single song off of iTunes like the rest of the world I live with here in the 21st century.  But for the most part, I'm still a big fan of buying (yes, buying) the whole CD.

I know that the person who wrote and recorded those songs more than likely put them in a very deliberate order to be listened to.  I think I owe them to listen to their little collection way they intended.  

There is almost always a song or two that stand out more than the others.  And once I discover those really special ones, I tend to hit repeat over and over and over.

The other night, during a 30+ minute commute home from a gig, I hit repeat for  "Gracious" by Ben Howard (off of his brilliant Every Kingdom CD) for the entire drive.  Had I been on a weeklong road trip, I may have stuck with that same song for the whole drive.  I seriously cannot get enough of this song.  It only gets better and better the more I listen to it.

I hope you agree...