Read and Regroup

October 22nd, 2007

So, despite my best intentions, I did not have a very productive week. Tammy kindly asked what silly parental tapes I have playing in my head that say I should be cleaning and getting back to work right after my wedding after working so hard leading up to it. Well, I kinda wish I'd just reveled in a week of relaxation instead of feeling slightly guilty about it because I was exhausted and did little, but rest and read. My brain said, "get to work!" But the rest of me, plopped down on the couch and squarely refused to budge. Looking back, I know I needed it. My introverted being was on pure overload after all the social time, the anticipation and lack of sleep leading up to the big day. So, I'm glad I got some rest and I'm feeling refreshed and also a little anxious about all there is to do. Baby steps. Deep breaths.

One of the wonderful things I did last week was to read for fun. On Monday, while dropping off our marriage license and doing errands in town, the hubster (testing this out on whim) and I stopped in a cute local bookstore and we picked out a few fun reads. I devoured both of mine during the week, first reading A Dirty Job by Christopher Moore and then The Devil, The Lovers and Me by Kimberlee Auerbach. Both fun, frivolous reads and I enjoyed them both, but I absolutely adored Christopher Moore's book. I love his twisted sense of humor and wacky characters. It's a story about a man, who discovers that he's "Death" and while the story may not be for everyone, it was so up my alley. I think my favorite book by Moore may still be Lamb, but this one comes in for a close second. I think I need to read some more now. If you've read any Moore and like the weird sense of humor and wacky stories, check out books by Tom Robbins (I've read them all) and also Fool on the Hill by Matt Ruff  are awesome reads. The second book, by Auerbach, was something I saw first at the library and started to read it there. It's a quick read, non-fiction, about a woman's experience with a tarot card reading (each card leads to flashbacks about her life). I find the tarot fascinating, so it was a fun way to read about another woman's journey and learn more about the meaning behind some of the cards. And oh, it was just good fun to devote long, drawn out periods to reading some page-turners.   

Hey, I actually made some art this weekend! I've been doodling in my sketchbooks like crazy, sketching my kitties and my dream studio space and mermaids. This weekend I pulled out some watercolor paper and worked with caran d'ache and later just pen to make some whimsical drawings. It's too late to be taking pictures, so those will have to come later. And oh, my office/studio looks like a tornado/tsunami/earthquake rolled through it. It's frightening. So, I've got to attend to that tomorrow as well. At least so I can see the floor again. Oy. I'm feeling a major cleaning/purging coming on and woah nelly, is it time for it. I started my rampage in the bedroom today in a corner that had been taken over by wedding magazines and registry info and random books and paper and shoes and oh dear, it was scary (and dusty!) I'm amazed how long it took to conquer this one corner, so the office project may be a very long, ongoing one, but now that the wedding is over, I'm ready to begin. And seeing that corner all clean was quite satisfying. 

Well, the wedding planning is over, but I'm still sorting through and dealing with the remnants of it...wedding cards, and supplies from the day, crafting tools scattered over the apartment, leftover programs, and two suitcases full of clothing that I haven't touched yet. I guess that's why I haven't opened the other gifts yet. We still have wedding presents, that were sent to my mom's (due to lack of space here), to go open and loads of thank you notes to write, but it's all good. Gotta try to tackle it one piece at a time. Life is wonderful. Gotta try not to stress myself out over details.

Oh and the Red Sox are going to the World Series! Again! Woohoo!

7 Responses

It’s so great when you can listen to that inner voice… the deeper one, *not* the one telling you, you have to clean! lol I honestly can’t relate when people say they don’t know how to relax. I do NOT have that problem. When I was younger, I used to think something was wrong with me! Now, I cherish every free moment I have – and I make sure to make free moments!

I have never met anyone else who’s read “Fool on the Hill”. I really enjoyed that book! Now I need to go see if I can find my well-worn copy. For some reason, “Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Universe” keeps floating into my consciousness. I’m guessing you’ve read that – but if not, I bet you’d love it! Oh… I think I know why it’s on my mind. Recently turned 42, which, according to that series of books, is the answer to Life, the Universe and Everything! I’m my own answer.

I can only imagine all that you have to do now that the wedding is over. Wow! But, taking it step-by-step will get it all done in good time and without making you crazy. Good on you!

Can’t wait to see the new art pieces!

xo,

Karen Beth :)

Glad to hear that you got some rest even if your brain didn’t shut off =)

I love Christopher Moore! A Dirty Job was the first book of his I read. I picked it up at an airport because it sounded good and the first chapter hooked me in. I have never laughed so much an airplane – thankfully it was an afternoon flight and no one was trying to sleep. I’ll have to check out the other books you suggested.

I’m impressed that you’re already cleaning/throwing left over wedding stuff out. It’s taken me a year but i basically have everything confined to one “keep sake” box. Except the wedding magazines – I can’t seem to throw out the Martha Stewart Wedding mags.

Looking forward to seeing your art. The art group I’m part of is crazy about the caran d’ache.

i’m so about mermaids lately. wonder if i should start trying to draw again, feel very sensitive about that but love that you’re doing mermaids right now too. i’m glad you took a week off, sorry that you didn’t just revel in it and i hope that if you need more weeks to decompress, that you know it’s normal and just what you need. xo

I LOVE Moore and Robbins. Have turned husband on to A Dirty Job and he is enjoying is immensely (he doesn’t read as much as I do – so it’s fun to find something I think he’ll enjoy – he really enjoyed American Gods by Neil Gaiman, which is much the same sort of slightly out of reality story – but not as funny – just very cool).

I love tarot cards too!

Glad you rested. good for you!

Reading for pleasure- pure heaven in my mind.
I am glad you are taking some time to get recharged.
My dear Leah, DON’T be too hard on your self!

replenish your soul ~ guilt free. you so deserve it. would love to meet for coffee or lunch and hear about the Big Day! i’m so happy for you and the hubster (cute and perfect btw!). xo,m

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