13.1

I've been told that if I ever run another 1/2 marathon, I'll be disappointed: no one produces like Disney. From bib pickup to expo to starting bell -- not a bell, but fireworks! -- to running through the theme parks, whilst Disney staff, music, and characters cheered us on. Runners themselves got into the Tinkerbell spirit.  I don't think I've seen so many wings or so much tulle in my life (on both women and men)! It was a memorable experience indeed.

What a great way to start the year: crossing the finish line arm in arm with my oldest, closest friends!

From being someone who vehemently declared that I was not a runner, that I would never run, the last seven months have been quite a transformation -- mentally and physically. Here I am, a runner.  And the process taught me, all over again, that it's never to late to change. And that if I can change, anyone can.

The bestie is already talking about the Coast to Coast Race Challenge.  Hmm....

Valentine's

In every box of Crane's stationery there is a "Thank You" card. Over the years I've saved up a neat little stack, waiting for the perfect reuse opportunity.  It came this Valentine's Day! Inspired by a perforated card set I spied at Paper Source, I set to work.  Sketching different sized heart shapes as stencils. Grabbing my thimble and a small nail. Punching away. Then sewing, using sock yarn remnants.

I decided to employ the trusty fountain pen to fill up some of the white space, resulting in one of my favorite cards, which was sent to one of my besties:

Here's what my coffee table looked like at the end of January and beginning of February:

As you can see, I didn't just sew my cards.  I also picked up some cardstock and "X" and "O" letters at Paper Source to make some simple "hug and kiss" cards.  I splurged on the anatomical heart stamp and new ink pad to make a "heart of gold" card. And I printed out Zebra and Love Big cards, free printables courtesy of Bunny Cakes. The variation was absolutely necessary to save my poor fingers from all the needlework, and to flex some creative muscles. 

I had a good time creating about 20 cards, and more fun writing messages to my beloveds. Hope you all had a Happy Valentine's Day!

Week 4

home cookin' | li xi | cheetah carpet! | twilight | "fortune" | [x] | bibbed

Week 3

earl grey | almost mont blanc | gift hat knitting | looking up | air mail pad | freshly blocked | gambling

Week 1

bay bridge | closet clean-up | chimay | diy calendar | new year's cards | banh xeo | italy reunion

Mini Moleskine

When I first saw the Moleskine mini daily planner online, I immediately dismissed it as useless: it was way too small.  I saw it in person when I went in search of a 2012 planner at my local bookstore, and after a bit of handling, I determined again that it wouldn't be functional for me.

But some kinda bug had gotten a hold, and the desire to acquire grew stronger and stronger.  Was it the cute factor?  The chubby factor?  I'm not sure.  As I looked ahead to 2012 I knew I wanted to get back to being more creative.  I thought about doing a daily sketch.  And maybe a gratitude journal. And by the bye, this tiny little Moleskine became a necessity.

Still, I hesitated.  In SF I stopped in at Phoenix and Dog-Eared books, half looking for the planner.  I found one, and convinced myself that I didn't want a navy blue one.  Of course, once January 1 hit I realized that I had to have one.  But by then they were nowhere to be found--of course.  Oh man, did I kick myself.

I considered ordering one online, but my need for instant gratification could not be stopped.  I spent all of last week looking for it -- Vroman's, Dick Blick, Barnes & Noble, MOCA gift shop, WDCH gift shop, Kinokuniya, Urban Outfitters, Paper Source, and a couple of shops in my neighborhood -- all to no avail.  Finally, last Saturday, I shimmied into a Papyrus store, hope all but gone... and sitting on a shelf were three of these wee guys!  I grabbed one immediately and rushed to the cashier counter... where it was rung up for 50% off!  Eep!

Can you guess what my first gratitude entry was?!  I'd been mentally cataloging some of my gratitudes for the week, and  jotted them down on the corresponding dates, too.  I haven't sketched anything yet, but a slightly-larger-than-credit-card sized sheet of paper seems a feasible nad no-pressure space upon which to unleash my creative juices.  So far I like sitting for a few moments at the end of the day to think about what I'm grateful for.  It's a good way to wind down.

We'll see how this works.  If all goes well, I'll have a cute little memento of the year, and perhaps, even a new tradition to continue.  And who knows what else -- wishmeluck!

The perfect souvenir

When my coworker told me she was going out of town to spend the holidays with her sister and new niece in Fort Bragg, my eyes visibly widened and I let out a quite audible, "Eep!"

"Is that a few hours north of San Francisco?" I asked.

"Yes; they moved up there for my brother-in-law's job. How have you heard of Fort Bragg?"

"That's where one of my favorite breweries is!"

We consulted a bit on an embroidery project she was working on for the new baby, and went our separate holiday ways at nenmatsu. Though we started work again last week, today's the first day I actually saw her. And this is what she brought back for me:

[north coast brewery sampler]

Eep -- I can't wait to try them all!

I suggested to my coworker that if she wants to visit her sister and niece again, I am confident in my northbound driving, so maybe we can go together, stay a few days in Fort Bragg (so I can visit the brewery!) and hang out in SF or the Fort Bragg environs.  She was enthusiastic.  And the Presidents Day holiday is upcoming.  It seems plans may be afoot.