Ashondie

Risk

2011-01-26T14:54:00.001-08:00

I'm having a hard time adjusting back into our old life after vacation. Leaving for holiday break with a salary dispute hanging and coming back to a less than ideal resolution has me uninspired at work. On top of that, I miss being with Asher. We spent three weeks straight together and every time we are together things are so much better. I hate not having weekends with him and I hate having conflicting schedules on the weekdays. I mean really...hate.

Since coming back, I noticed that at work I can't breathe the air (my nose is stuffed, I sneeze all day long). I'm back to clenching my jaw from stress and my stomach is twisty over deadlines and little administrative tasks that have to be done, now. I've had three days of headaches after three weeks of none. So I wonder...

What do I do with this feeling?

I feel like I could invest time into GraffRoots, sell with Asher, market his artwork online, set up a screen print operation to start producing shirts for him. Do something creative myself, maybe jump back into wedding planning.

I know I'm lucky to have a job, especially with the economy. And a dispute over a couple thousand dollars shouldn't make me want to throw away a lot-of-thousand dollars. But I can't help feeling like I need it, we need it. Shake this feeling off? Or begin to think seriously about taking a very big risk.

Breaking out the paint brushes?

2010-04-01T12:30:00.000-07:00

I found this adorable paint that I think I have decided on for the kitchen eating area - someday nursery. I love that it is still bright and it looks retro (look at the images of homes it has been painted in). As soon as I saw it I just loved it.
What do you think?

Last night

2010-03-26T15:03:00.000-07:00

As soon as I walked in the door, Asher said "Let's go get some beers." So I picked my bag back up and we went back out the door to Terrible Beauty. It only took me one Guinness to look over at Asher and feel how I felt the first time I met him.

Fizzy, smiley, eyes watery (does that happen to anyone else when they are in love?).

So often I forget to look over at him and feel sparkly. So a break in the days and a minute to drink him in and I'm head over heels again.

Card from here.

Little's Family

2009-08-25T12:05:00.001-07:00

There are two different nighttime rituals in our house.

The first plays like this....
Asher is painting and I am tired so the kitties and I snuggle in to bed. Biggie humps the bed for a minute until I yell at him, then he snuggles under my arm at the edge of the bed. Mox (aka Little) snoozes on my belly and then snuggles in at the foot of the bed. She is jumpy and will wake up and jump off the bed at the slightest sound so she likes to be there perched on the end, closest to the door. Big will stay asleep and look at you with sleepy eyes like "Why are you waking me up?" no matter what the time. At some point Asher will come to bed but we won't really ever know it since he is up again before light. Sleep chases that guy. When I wake up, the kitties are always in their spots and I don't know if they move during the night.

The second, much more lovey-dovey night goes like this...
Asher starts falling asleep on the couch and I nudge him to go to bed. Big snuggles in under my arm. We lay there and chat, kiss each other bunches and get cozy. Then we hear Little..."mwow, mwow, mwow" from far away. She doesn't quite meow, she makes this exciting noise as she plays with her toys. We call her to us. "Mox! Little! Yo!" And we hear the noise get closer, her toy fling down the hallway. We see her by the doorway and invite her up. She rests on my belly and finally at the foot of my bed. And we are all so happy that I usually end up giggling a little and then I am asleep. And in the morning, we are usually all in our same spots, Little and her family.

Collections

2009-08-11T16:35:00.000-07:00

The other day I got to peek in my neighbor's house. She was showing me her paint colors and then it turned into a whole house tour where I snooped around and asked about all the cute little vintage items she has scattered around the house.

In her bedroom, she has several vintage pictures of little children blowing bubbles in their original frames. I thought it was the sweetest collection I had ever seen and was surprised at such a unique theme. Now, when I look across our yard to her windows, I always think of that little collection.

Sign Language

2009-07-14T18:51:00.000-07:00

You know when you see a picture and a memory comes back to you and then you think...why in the world did I remember that just by looking at this simple little interior design photo?

Well just now I looked at this picture....

And those two little beds made me think of when Dev and I got our wisdom teeth pulled. They did us at the same time (or maybe one after the other?) and then we slept off the anesthesia on these little beds. I was on the left and Dev was on the right. When we woke up, we couldn't speak for fear of what had been done to us and also because our mouths were filled up with cotton. So we did sign language to each other.

Are you okay?

Yes, I'm okay.

What a nice way to wake up.

Sexy Pictures

2009-07-12T13:07:00.000-07:00

I found these pictures and it reminded me of the time I had a boyfriend who was going to work on a fishing boat. While he was up there, I wanted to send him a care package and include some sexy pictures of me.
My little Dev took poloroids of me in lingerie and she made it fun and comfortable and when a picture turned out bad we just redid it. I even did a little pose like the one on the upper left but I had cute little undies on.
I kept the pictures when we broke up and they will just stay there in the drawer for me to go back to every once in awhile for a thrill. I think every girl should do this.

picture from White Lightning

Crushed!

2009-07-09T16:27:00.000-07:00

So it took me exactly 6 hours to fall in love with something new....Holy cow. I'm pretty sure I stopped breathing when I found them. They are made of rubber...and it is scented to smell yummy. This is my next paycheck splurge (MONDAY)!

Here's what the website says...

Ladies - catch your breath. This unbelievably cute heel is the latest collaboration between Vivienne Westwood Anglomania and Melissa. The Lady Dragon has a baby blue finish with adjustable slingback strap, peep-toe and red heart ornament.As with all Melissa shoes, they're crafted in Brazil of natural and sustainable rubber. They are extremely comfortable, mold to your feet after just a few wears, are totally waterproof, and can be cleaned in a sink with good 'ol soap and water.

Notice they mention breathlessness?! And the other adorable colors!

And you could be a bride and wear them! Holy Moly!
Max Wegner

Big Money

2009-07-09T08:51:00.000-07:00

We officially have tickets to go to Long Beach to spend Sept. 9-13th with T, V&J. Our tickets were cheap! Only $350 for two round trip tickets on Jet Blue. And I will only work two days that week since it is the week of Labor Day. No work on Monday, only Tuesday and Wednesday. Yippee!

Also, it's the second Friday of the month which means it's the Long Beach Roll out. Ness and I will lace up our roller skates and Asher and Thomas will skateboard along side us, all through the town. How exciting. I'm gonna have to get one of Nessa's shirts that says...I "skate" LBC!

And today I found this Kate Spade vase on One Kings Lane:
And it matches two of the vases we got for our wedding: (I have the big pink one, and the small turquoise and now the little pink one. I can think of a ton of cute little arrangements with these beautiful vases...)

And only $45 and it's really heavy, leaded glass. I can hit someone over the head with it if they try to break in to our house. So I bought that too. Now I'm all done spending the big dough...

Bright Lights, Big City

2009-07-06T17:07:00.001-07:00

My Favorite Color is Shiny

I wanted to write about our anniversary trip to New York but I have been slackin'. I'll get to it eventually but right now I just have this lump in my throat because I want to move there so badly. I just saw a picture of an apartment in Park Slope, Brooklyn and I just felt like I needed to go home and tell Asher that we need to go. NOW.

Everything rational inside me says it isn't the right time, it never will be. I lost my chance when Asher moved out here, when I didn't do more to move out to be with him. But that would have been a different life. We wouldn't be where we are today. How can I leave family? How would we survive? Would Asher be able to do art for his work? Could I find a job that I loved? When could we have babies and then how would we feed and care for them?

So yes, more questions that answers and it wouldn't make sense but goddamn it...I just can't let this dream die.

Praying

2009-06-08T15:51:00.000-07:00

In the last week, it occurred to me that I forgot exactly how to pray.

I've been asking for other people's prayers but when it came to me doing it, I felt like I wasn't doing it right. I had trouble quieting my mind and thinking of eloquent words to say to the sky. Struggling to censor anger and fear with a more pleasant request for leniency and strength.

Last night I listened to the program "Return to the Scene of the Crime" on This American Life. In a segment of the program, local author and sex columnist, Dan Savage, talks about how he grew up Catholic. He came out to his mother in his teens and ever since then he couldn't reconcile the Catholic church's beliefs (for instance, gays going to hell) with all the things he believed (that he was a good person).

His mother was the opposite, she could fit all her beliefs within the confines of the religion, even if her beliefs differed from the Pope's. He called her a good "American Catholic." She believed in birth control and gay rights and that women could be priests and they should all be able to marry.

Because she knew her son had fallen away from the religion she would say, "I know you don't pray, but keep me in your thoughts."

So last night, after hearing this, I kind of decided that to make it easier on myself, to make it less intimidating, I would just think about praying as "keeping you in my thoughts."

I've been praying all day.

I don't find it coincidental that I chose to listen to this podcast last night, just in time to ease my mind. I take it as a sign that God is always listening to me, even though I have trouble talking to him.
You can listen to the radio show HERE. Dan's segment starts at the 38 minute mark.

Me & My M

2009-06-02T21:20:00.001-07:00

Asher sang this to me while we were walking home from dinner tonight. He remembers it from Sesame Street. How sweet is that?

Mmmmm....Pie

2009-05-22T09:09:00.000-07:00

Last night I baked my very first Strawberry Rhubarb Pie. It is the prettiest pie I have ever baked. Unfortunately, it is too pretty to eat.
Last night, after it came out of the oven and sat for a minute I decided we couldn't do it. It was going to be our dinner because I had been busy baking since 6 and Asher was working. But like I said, it was too pretty to eat. So I made Asher a toasted cheese sandwich and off I went to bed. It was after midnight. Why did it take me so long to bake this one special pie? I cleaned out the refrigerator in the meantime. I think I threw away one entire shopping trip to Winco in rotten vegetables. I am ashamed we didn't eat them before they grew fur.
But back to my pretty pie. I used a new recipe for the crust, this one has sugar in it (and both butter and shortening)! And the whole reason I picked is was because of a line on the Smitten Kitchen recipe:
Certain pies, like, say, this Lattice-Topped Strawberry Rhubarb Pie, should be made every Memorial Day weekend, creating the most delicious bridge between rhubarb and strawberry season, during the most welcome break between winter and summer.
Isn't that perfect? I made it with rhubarb from Aunt Mirna mixed with some from Pike Place Market and strawberries from Safeway. They were kind of sour but this recipe has both white and brown sugar in it. I think we are in for a treat...when I decide it's okay to destroy it.

****Okay, I JUST realized, looking at the pictures compared to Smitten Kitchen's pie that I didn't weave the lattice like I should have, I just layed the strips on top of eachother willy-nilly. This is good news because now we can eat my ugly pie. Anyone want to come over tonight for pie?

I painted...

2009-04-22T20:01:00.000-07:00

Tonight Asher and I went to the "Free Wall" in Seattle and I did my first graffiti piece, called a fill in. It turned out terrible, in all honesty. It was awful. Embarrassing. My pointer finger hurts and I swear I was doing it all wrong. But...
I can't wait to do it again!

Expect (future) greatness from this here chica.

Ten Dollar Drawings

2009-04-21T08:11:00.000-07:00

I'm so excited! Months back, I heard about a blog called Ten Dollar Drawings from one of my favorite daily reads, For Me, For You . If you email Alicia, she will draw you anything you would like for $10. It's a 5X7 drawing on the back of a paper bag. And are any of us surprised that she lives in Portland? As Bret said the other day, Portland is the coolest city in the whole world.

Well, I thought and I thought. And I thought it would be great to get some drawings to hang in vintage frames in our new bedroom.

I'm doing my skeleton key display so I went for one with keys. Surprise! Alicia has a skeleton key tattooed on her wrist, which she included in the drawing (I hope she tells me which one it is).
The other I ask for was the Brooklyn Bridge so Asher and I can always remember our lovely Brooklyn. She posted a teaser pic of it today and I can't wait to get them in the mail!
I will put up a picture after they are framed and hung. If you are interested, email her for one of your own (she does A-mazing drawings of bugs, flies, and squirrels too)!

First Impressions

2009-04-14T19:19:00.000-07:00

5 minutes late to class*.
Couldn't figure out how to turn on my computer and actually announced it to the class before I found the blatantly obvious blue button.
Went the wrong direction to go on break and ended up at a dead end hallway.
Tried to exit out of the bathroom using the storage closet door.
And then my phone rang.

Seriously? Seems I need a bit of focus.

*I'm taking an Illustrator class at Bellevue College (no longer a community college, it's fancy now).

How Cool Is This Guy?

2009-04-14T12:49:00.000-07:00

"I feel so good that it's annoying," a smiling Ichiro told reporters through interpreter Ken Barron. "I feel so good that I feel like I would do something bad."

Who doesn't want to feel like that?

Read more...here. He (and his interpreter) are full of wit.

Adventureland

2009-04-10T19:58:00.001-07:00

Tonight we saw another seriously sweet story about growing up. I kind of compare it to The Wackness or Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist, one of those coming of age, sweet boy in the real world stories. Adventureland is so sweet, it gave me that little lump in my throat. It made me want to run my hands through a boys hair while I kiss him and listen to mix tapes from middle school.
We went to the 5:30 show, picked up Thai food to go, and stepped back out into the night. Eight o'clock and it was still bright out. Spring is in the air.

Look What Kate Added...

2009-04-10T11:05:00.000-07:00

Kate Spade added more servingware to my Gwinnett Lane china!

Salt&Pepper, Pitcher, Two-Tier Serving Dish, Cake Plate.

I'm giddy with excitement!

Guess who's in our bedroom now?

2009-04-09T08:00:00.000-07:00

Yes, my rug!

She came home last weekend. At first I thought she was too small, but mom showed me where it should be centered to be an accent piece and now I can't imagine her being anything other than what she is.

Biggie loves her too. He stretches, rolls and fluffs himself up when he sits on top of her but the first time he put claws to wool, he got scorned. I bought a pink water bottle at Ikea so that I can spray him if he even thinks about scratching her again. I had to spray him yesterday and he was so shocked. He screamed and whined at me for minutes afterward but I told him he better learn and quick. No one wants to be sprayed by cold water at seven in the morning.

This was the first time I exhibited dominance over my cat.

PS. This picture is dark but note that the wall color is delicious. I am so in love (paint color = Love Story by Benjamin Moore). Each time I walk into our bedroom I feel this incredible sense of calm. It is my favorite place in the whole world right now. I can't wait to finish decorating. You will get more pictures when it is all put together.

Mrs. Shortcake

2009-04-08T08:47:00.000-07:00

With the first beautiful weekend of the summer extending into the work week, it was impossible to resist a flat of ripe, sugary strawberries. It felt like summer! They were on sale at Winco for $4.75 and while other people where scrutinizing each flat, the first one I put my hands on contained dozens of perfect specimens. Later in the evening, they made delicious shortcake for me and my hubby.

Oh! Little Lamb

2009-04-07T20:30:00.000-07:00

On Gilt Group, LAMB was the special of the day. I tried to figure out if it was worth going penniless for the next two weeks in order to purchase this. I am always coveting Gwen Stefani's handbags. I once debated buying the Rasta hobo and I made Asher stand at the Nordstrom's sales counter while the woman tried to locate it at another store. Thank God they didn't have it in stock. When it became too difficult to obtain, I tried to forget about it. Then today, this little gem showed up. And it is not $525 but a measly $198. Wahahahaha.

No I did not buy it.

Right now I would rather have a beautiful vintage chenille bedspread.

Where have I gone wrong? Or oh, so right? I would rather decorate my pretty bedroom than my wrist. I call that growing up and I'm sneakily happy that I won't get killed by my husband who knows how much LAMB bags cost (but not how much vintage chenille bedspreads cost).

Mother, I have this one thing to say to you....Don't Speak*.

*You have to click on the link to get the joke, Ma. It is No Doubt (with Gwen) singing a song called Don't Speak. Okay, I just explained my own joke, I suck. But please, let's not discuss how much my future bedspread costs. K? Love you!

Babies

2009-04-07T10:51:00.001-07:00

Yesterday I came home with groceries and a neighbor was walking her granddaughter. Asher came out to help me and Big Boy came out on the porch. As the stroller passed the porch, the little girl said, "CA!" Her grandma said, that's the first time she's ever said that!
Way to go, Biggie, you have made yourself another fan!
I am starting to get close to wishing for a baby for reals. It's scary because I say that I have always been ready for a baby but when Ness and Dev had theirs, it kind of scared me. The physical aspect of it as well as the emotional impact. The financial part isn't as scary because I know you always figure out a way to do it, though things are easier for us now so maybe I am just feeling more comfortable. Still, it scares me. The needs, the instincts, the sleepless nights.
But looking at this little baby yesterday, the craving came back. Her dad is black and her mom is white and we had watched them walk down the street while her belly grew and grew. Now the baby is about a year old. And I am unnaturally pre-occupied at looking at children like this. It sounds weird to say, even feels weird to think it, but I always look at them like, "maybe my kid will look like you?"
Last week I went to Ulta and there was a mom and daughter there and the girl was in her early teens and mixed race. They were picking out mineral foundations together, of all things.
"I think I'm more caramel?"
"No! You're darker than that!"
"No, ma, look...."
"Oh yeah, you are caramel."
I made a wish for a girl in that moment.

I'm Shreddin'

2009-03-30T19:14:00.000-07:00

Ha! I wish that meant I was sitting on my rump shredding illegal documents. But no, it actually means I am getting my ass kicked by Jillian Michaels (Biggest Loser's hard body).
I have read so much about this exercise video and it kept popping up on a bunch of blogs I read. I ordered it from Amazon for like $8 after I read review after review about how much she kicks your boot-tay. I have to say, I am on level one and I can't do the whole thing all the way through. It is basic moves, jumping jacks and push ups, nothing fancy. I don't love the music or even her talking to me but I kind of feel like I can make myself do it for 20 minutes a day. And maybe after 30 days I will lose 20 L. B.'s like they say on the cover. Ha!
It used to be that when I focused on something, I became obsessed with it. I went so full force, got some consumed by it that soon it became less than thrilling. So...I'm going to start doing lots of different stuff: Weight Watchers, exercise videos, walking outside, riding bikes, taebo, whatevs. And maybe this time it will just be normal and not some freaky, obsessive, unsustainable choice. Just good old fashioned exercise. Like push ups and uh...jumping jacks.

Hank Cameron's Blog

2009-03-30T11:56:00.000-07:00

If you made it here then you know that little Hank was born last September. He now has his very own blog and Dev (aka Mollie) updates it quite frequently with scrumptious little pics.
Already, Biggie was a featured guest on the blog:
When Hank and Biggie met, Hank would shake from excitement. Big loved him right back. I have never seen an animal behave the way Bigs does. He simply cannot get enough of children. Being 15 pounds, he lives up to his name and frequently enjoys the company of a certain little 13 pounder.
He also loves up Josie when she is in town.
Go visit their blogs, you will see that my brother and sister have made some beautiful babies! I can't wait to have my own baby blog someday!

GraffRoot's Blog

2009-03-29T15:42:00.000-07:00

I just finished making a blog for Asher (he hasn't seen it yet because he's at the market). Check it out, love it and subscribe so he can have a big old posse.

His goal is to put up new work as he makes it. Should be very cool to follow since I am always excited to see what he churns out.
Ready, Set, Go... GraffRoots

Jeremy Fish

2009-03-27T21:29:00.000-07:00

Immigration Babies

2009-03-22T11:32:00.000-07:00

Asher and I had our interview with immigration on Thursday afternoon.
It was a bit nerve-wracking because we weren't really prepared for what they would ask us, what would happen after the door shut behind us.
But sitting in the waiting room all around were families from different countries: Nepal, Africa, China, South America, the islands. There were little babies running their parents in circles and up and down stairs. Little one and two year olds who had just learned to use their legs. The cutest, chubbiest little babies of mixed heritage, half American and half from somewhere else in this big world. I looked at Asher and wondered who we might create, what they might look like, who they might choose to marry and create a child with. It makes the world feel very small and connected.
I have always wondered how it happened that a Seattle girl and a St. Lucian man would meet by chance or fate in a friend's apartment in Brooklyn. Who would wake up in a different apartment in Philly two days later, and completely in love.
We stayed at Taylor's apartment in Philly and Taylor had a world map printed on his shower curtain. I remember standing naked in front of it in the humid, sticky summer air. Drawing my hand from St. Lucia to New York, Seattle to New York. Amazed.

Week 2 also known as...Shame.On.Me.

2009-03-05T11:24:00.001-08:00

I thought it was so easy. I got cocky. I figured, I had changed my pizza delivery ordering, 2% mocha drinking ways so the weight was just gonna slid off, right? Nope.

I ordered this salad at California Pizza Kitchen and didn't check the stats and the honey dijon vinegarette had more calories than the blue cheese I had sacraficed! I will never eat without checking the stats again. I also didn't eat as many veggies and fruits as the week before and I ate out. A lot.

So next week I expect greatness, I have learned my lesson. Hey there Goal, don't worry, I didn't forget about you. I will make it up to you next week.

Shhhh...Mom and I are almost finished painting

2009-03-02T15:02:00.000-08:00

The role of "MEGAN" shall be played by this rug

2009-02-26T17:13:00.001-08:00

This is a dream which I thought had died. It is a rug called Werner and I love her.

She was originally located on the Macy's website and I saved the picture on my desktop and in polyvore. When I went to see if they had it in stock, the friendly salesperson looked online and couldn't find it, even using my same search. I went home to prove us wrong but in my horror, it was gone.

I didn't even write down her name.

Today I wandered through Dania and there were two rugs hanging crooked. Right behind them...behold. My rug peeking out at me! Winking at me you could say.

I held up my couch swatches to her and they DID NOT MATCH. Another let down. But, I couldn't be stopped. They actually make a runner which would be darling in our hallway. And the part that looks black is actually charcoal like the tile in the bathroom. I do not know what it is but this rug is just ME. Has that ever happened to anyone else? Have you ever found your match in a...rug?

Week 1

2009-02-26T10:58:00.000-08:00

All gone. And seriously so easy (I even ate girl scout cookies). New goal = 33 pounds by my 33rd birthday. This is only 2 pounds per week and already I am ahead of the game.

He likes it!

2009-02-25T07:18:00.000-08:00

So I'm going to order the couch on Friday and it will come in 6-8 weeks. Do you think I will be able to handle the wait? No way, man!

I also decided on the rug and though it is $779 (on sale) at Macy's, I looked up the brand and style and found it for $649 with a free rug pad and a $50 Visa gift card (no tax, no shipping fee). Sounds like a good deal, right? Yes, but it is also probably more than we can pay in the next eight weeks so I'm saving my pennies. You might notice the colors are very similar to our wedding colors and also similar to my china pattern (per Nessa's instructions). Here is the rug, as Asher pointed out, it will look very nice with cat puke on it. Oh yeah and we are ordering the couch in "cappuccino".

Wondering....

2009-02-24T10:24:00.000-08:00

Can you buy a couch if your husband hates it?
Tonight I am taking Asher to look at the couch at Macy's and I have my fingers crossed that he will like it but I ask...what happens if he doesn't?
We don't have drastically different taste but he will always sacrifice style for comfort. Not that the couch isn't comfortable but when faced with a sleek couch and some cushy, fluffy, dual recliner tv-watching couch, he might put up a bit of a fuss. I am thinking, it might be okay to ignore him in this case.

Suffer for Style - by loveplusmarriage on Polyvore.com

How many points is that?

2009-02-19T09:34:00.000-08:00

Okay team, here goes....I joined Weight Watchers last night. I got off work early and decided I would go to a meeting. Dev did so good losing weight there so I hope some of her good luck rubs off on me. I have pretended to do WW before but this time I figure if I write about it then I am holding myself accountable.

Here are a few things that started to make it clear that a lifestyle change was in order:
I joked about getting the Pizza Hut deal of 2 pizzas, cheese sticks and chocolate sticks. Then, on Valentine's Day, we actually ordered it. Shame, shame.
Asher brings me home a new bread pudding flavor every day he works at the market. We split it (now) but I am sure these are terribly bad for you. I looked up a recipe and it contains massive amounts of cream and butter. Not to mention chocolate.
Daily I set in my mind like, "Today is the day to watch what I eat" but I have to take some action to make it actually be THE DAY. Ya know?
I talk really bad to myself and my depression is looming. Is that any way to live as a newlywed?
My body is not well and I can feel it. My knees hurt, my feet hurt, I have no stamina when I exercise. I generally love to exercise and I am not getting any joy from it right now.
I want to have a baby and want to be as healthy as I can be for it. And I want to be feeling HOT while I'm making that baby. It's a great motivator isn't it Dev?

SO here goes...they say you generally lose two pounds a week if you are losing weight in a healthy manner. I will report back next Thursday.

My latest crush

2009-02-15T11:31:00.000-08:00

RUG LOVE - by loveplusmarriage on Polyvore.com

Okay...I'm note sure what your reactions will be but I am utterly in love with this rug. It is crazy and colorful and oh so charming. I think it adds some of that "kooky-ness" that seems like my style. It jazzes up the couch and chair. Plus there is some pink in there but maybe not so much that it scares Asher? I could point out that our "couch" now is kind of pink and he's been living with that for a few years. I have read tons of reviews of this sofa and they are overwhelmingly positive. Five out of five stars on Macy's and numerous blogs and readers rate it the best mid-century sofa - even compared to higher priced models. The obsession is fully formed at this point. Oh the rug...do you hate it?

The rent won't be coming in March...or in April...or in June

2009-02-13T09:20:00.000-08:00

So after Nessa's reply to my previous post, I followed her link. And oh my, oh my. I have to say thank you because not only can I not afford their cat scratching posts but I am now in tormoil between either paying to sustain life for the next three months or purchasing this chair.

Don't you just want to lounge in it naked? Is it just me? Is the baby blue ultra suede going to my head? Does one have to pay rent (cough, cough, Ness)? This chair fits all my requirements. Lovely color. Lovely texture. Pin-tucks. Odd shape. Now I have to try to forget is exists and costs $2700. Thanks. Thanks a bunch.

Feedback Please?

2009-02-09T16:42:00.000-08:00

Living Room Macys - by loveplusmarriage on Polyvore.com

I really love the tufted backs. Can you tell? But I fell head over heels when I saw Gwen Stefani's office in Domino magazine. She has a bunch of baby blue slipper chairs that are just perfect. This pink one from Urban Outfitters is close but the pink may just be too much for Asher to take. And depending on how long we live on Pelly Street, the clash factor is high with red walls.
I just sat, layed and rolled on this couch today at Macy's. It is on sale through February. I would probably get it in their silver/grey color or a beige brown for neutral's sake.
Please tell me what you think. I am new to grown-up decorating so I'm not sure what my taste is. These are just items that jumped out to me cause I liked 'em.

Creationism

2009-01-21T22:48:00.001-08:00

I created these pictures for my family....Ness, the ice cream one is in homage to the lovely moment you described. JB is so cute until you see her chomping on Hank's head!

And finally, my homage to 2008 and love, starring Asher and I. Everyone wants to dog on 2008 now that 2009 has reared her hopeful, high-fiving self. But let me tell you...2008 saw Asher and I become family, Josie and Hank become (so simple, so amazing) and Mom and Dad celebrated 35 years together (and they still look at each other the way Barack looks at Michelle). 2008 can take her knocks but from the Loctor-Hardy-Ewings, we say, "Thanks Year, nice to have you here."

In fact, let's have Mama give us a cheer!

What's a Pin-up Girl with blue hair?

2008-12-24T09:38:00.000-08:00

Answer....My first etsy sale!
I was so excited to get my first sale and since it was a custom request, the buyer asked me to do a girl that looked like her. She has blue hair. I clicked over to her profile on etsy and saw that she loved bunnies.
Here is the result....so cute!

A New Era

2008-12-10T11:25:00.000-08:00

Today is the first day of Asher selling at the world famous Pike Place Market.

I just talked to him and the set up went well, he is focusing on relaxing and making some sales. According to the website, 10 million visitors walk through there a year, making it one of Washington's most frequently visited destinations. How could you get a bigger audience? It is an amazing opportunity and I am so proud of my hubby for being selected and making a go of it.

One of the first weekends after Asher moved here from Brooklyn, I took him down to the Market. We walked through slowly, taking it all in. Towards the end of the row of vendors, we ran into a guy doing caricatures and drawing on trucker hats. At the time, I was wearing the hat Asher had made for me with my nickname, Blondie, written on it in graffiti. They admired each other's work. That guy was Mr. Dan who has been such a supporter of Asher's work and a good friend. And now they are working together. In the Market. How cool is that?

Check out the website: http://www.pikeplacemarket.org/frameset.asp?flash=false. Also you can see his work on his page at myspace.com/graffroots. And Dan's work at myspace.com/MrDan1976

And if you are in the area, stop by the booth and say "Hello" and buy something rad!

Here is a pic from Dan's website of his booth at the market.

Shopping Spree!

2008-12-05T16:03:00.000-08:00

I blame:
1 - Trisha for telling me she just went shopping on jcrew.com
2 - work being so slow
but....
I went to JCrew online and shopped. Found a coupon code but it was expired. Called in to see if I could play dumb. It worked and the guy gave me the "EXTRA30" 30% off as well as 20% off and free shipping because my order was initially over $150. Basically, I got the shoes of my dreams, a t-shirt and headband for $80. But seriously....look at these shoes. How could I resist, I ask? I have been eyeing them since they first came out. My little Lulus!! It was a serious debate between the pink and the yellow. But as is usually the case, the pink won out. AHHHH! 5-7 days until my feet feel the glory.
I'm being dramatic but...I think I will name my first girl after them. Lulu Loctor....squeal!

Surrounded by Artists

2008-11-18T10:35:00.000-08:00

At our wedding we asked our close friends who are artists to gift us their art to display at the wedding. I was overwhelmed by the quality of the work we were honored to receive. These were the best gifts I could have wished for because they were made for us and displayed at our wedding and now they live on our walls. We are so lucky.
Jessie, my bridesmaid and the girl responsible for putting Asher and I in the same place, lives in Brooklyn and is an amateur photographer. She sent us several bad ass pictures of buildings, trains and graffiti.

Dan works at the Pike Place Market in Seattle and he made us this huge canvas that is completely his style. He has contributed greatly to Asher's success in the Seattle art scene and this winter Asher will be selling with him at the world renowned market.

MA made this painting for us based on our engagement pictures on the Save the Date card. It is gorgeous and he framed it in the coolest blue frame. He has also been instrumental in setting Asher up with art showings and his girlfriend, Nicole is wonderful.

Then of course, Asher and I made art for each table. So fun but so much work!

How can we ever thank our peeps for this amazing art?

Yes we can!

2008-11-04T09:40:00.000-08:00

Asher made me a shirt to wear today and I am wearing it with pride! Here I am outside this morning with the lawn sign I have had up since March!

After work I'm going to take Asher with me to the polls so he can see how democracy works and so we can both tell our children what we did on this historic day.

88 years ago women were granted the right to vote
53 years ago Rosa Parks refused to move to the back of the bus
45 years ago, Martin Luther King Jr. gave his "I Have a Dream" speech
43 years ago, discriminatory voting practices were outlawed
41 years ago, Interracial Marriage was Legalized. Obama was born when it was still illegal for his parents to marry in some states of the US.
40 years ago, MLK was killed for his belief in civil rights for all
10 months ago, Josie Bean Lily was born. It is her future!
5 months ago Asher & I got interracially married
5 weeks ago Hank Cameron was born. It is his future!
And someday, my (future) kids will be able to say that there was a President who looked like them! And he was an honorable man, worthy of the title.

Love + HOPE,

Megan

Etsy Love

2008-10-24T10:46:00.000-07:00

Asher and I decided that this year, in an effort to support individuals creating art, we are going to do all of our Christmas shopping on etsy. This is going to be difficult for certain individuals (hi Daddio!) but I think it will be do-able. The goal is to pick something perfect that most likely isn't on their wish list but if they knew it existed they would want it bad. So bad.

The other night, Asher asked me to "heart" him on etsy (mark him as a favorite shop). It was kind of a sad moment. But today I looked at his page and saw the image below and I was so happy I was the only one there. It's me and him and how cute is that?

I fell for you.....

2008-10-23T16:30:00.000-07:00

I have no idea what kind of music this is but every time this commerical comes on Asher sings it all the way through to me. I am usually laying in his lap and he is usually playing with my hair. And it is simply perfect, I melt.

Nick and Nora's Infinite Playlist

2008-10-05T14:11:00.000-07:00

We saw this movie yesterday and it was so sweet. It gave me that knot in my throat that makes me want to erupt in emotion. I loved this movie and Asher loved it too. Then, this guy behind us scolded the theater for aplauding after the movie and we both wished we had started clapping vigorously and screaming whoops and yelps but we didn't tell eachother until were out walking on the sidewalk. He was an ass trying to shut down other people's joy. But the movie...the movie was great. Really sweet.

The Loctor Comedy Show

2008-10-05T14:03:00.000-07:00

Asher: What?
Me: Nothing I was just looking at you.
Asher: No, you were staring.
Me: No, I blinked.

(insert giggles)

Me: I think I need to have a baby so I can get attention.
Asher: Broke and homeless gets a lot of attention too.

(insert giggles)

The debut

2008-10-05T09:51:00.000-07:00

Here is a pic of me and Asher with baby Hank. It is not only Hank's debut but the debut of my new hairdo. Baby, this hair's got history.

After high school graduation, I bleached my hair. I had hair to the small of my back and I went to a salon in Portland and they botched it. It was yellow, like butter. I paid $100 and after being there for 8 hours, while the hair dresser ran up and down the street to get other hairdresser's opinions, I still gave the girl a tip.

My mom, always against the idea of me coloring or bleaching my hair, thought it looked terrible. I relinquished my pride and reluctantly agreed. She took me to the hairdresser who did her hair. She cut off a foot and a half of dry, damaged, yellow locks and left me with a platinum boy cut to start college with.

The hair eventually grew into a bob and eventually was shaved off (all but the bangs, into a "Chelsea cut") and then I eventually grew it back, all the way down to my butt. And through it all, I bleached it myself, at home, for $6 with products from Sally's Beauty Supply.

When I decided to let it grow back to natural blonde, I can't remember why. I know I was in a horribly bad relationship that I was in denial about and with his influence I had been dangerously close to cutting myself off from my family. On a visit from Portland to Seattle, my mom took me to her hairdresser and I began the slow transition from platinum to natural, multi-shade blonde. Each time I needed my hair done, my mom would have me visit and we would go to the guy and he would fix me up.

Two years ago, when I met Asher, I had the compulsion to go light again. He met me with natural - all me - blonde hair. On the next trip to NYC I had blonder highlights and by the time he moved here, I was thinking platinum again. He loved that I changed my hair often.

But when I got engaged last year, mom got worried. She and I worked with two hairdressers to return my hair to a light natural-colored blonde. It didn't quite work and it ended up still white on the ends, with darker roots. None of them would put low-lights (darker pieces) in for fear of having it not take.

So after the wedding, I decided I wanted a change. I went to my girl and she gave me both a terrible haircut and color - choppy crazy layers and brownish grey hair, not any color you would frame your face in. I was sad because she didn't listen to A WORD I said about the color or the cut. Everyone at work lied to me, those who didn't lie stayed silent as if no major change had taken place. Until, the VP of the company came in to work. She immediately said, "It is terrible, I'm sending you to my girl. My treat." So I eagerly went to her salon in downtown Seattle and I was transformed. The haircut fixed, to the best of her abilities, and the color made into a darker blonde, more intentional shade.

Over the course of the last week, I became high maintenance. With my new hair, I blow dry, curl, hairspray, apply makeup and shocking lip colors. Asher is overwhelmed. Every time I leave the house without him he says, "now remember you have a husband at home" and slaps my butt. Everyone at work, seriously, like 15 people, were like "wow, I love your new look." Relief. Though I spend at least 20 minutes more on my hair than I did before, I now have a style that can do so many different looks (see the Farrah in the pic above). I found that when you put more effort into your appearance, you actually feel better about yourself (duh). And this look is so much more interesting than the straight, long, white-blonde hair.

A girl can only go through so much related to her hair.

PS. this new haircut would totally look hot platinum -blonde. I am restraining myself.

I am a convert

2008-10-03T16:07:00.002-07:00

I most always wear high heels. Or I should say until this week I always wore high heels. Even on the weekends and even though I am taller than my husband who is my same height in flat shoes. But I bought some cute, cute jeans at Lane Bryant and wandered next door and bought some cute, cute flats at Payless.

I love my jeans. They are sexy, long, stylish and they totally fit me right, curves and all. I love jeans and have about 30 pair in my closet that I buy thinking they will be "the ones" but they wash up weird or end up looking terrible on me. It is hard because I am in this place in between normal and plus sized clothes so usually the normal girl pants are too tight and the plus size girl jeans are ugly and too big or ill fitting. I love my new jeans. Asher loves my butt in my new jeans.

I never shop at Payless but I recently saw on the Patricia Fields website that she is designing a line for them. My store doesn't carry them but they carry other styles that are so super cute. And if I want to buy the Patricia Field's designs they give free shipping and free returns in the store. Plus, they are coupon crazy so I got a pair today for $10!

Hank Cameron Ewing

2008-09-30T13:44:00.000-07:00

This is the little boy who stole our hearts.

Sept 28, 2008 - 4:35p.m.

7Lbs. 10.9Oz

20Inches long

13.75 Inch Head

Hank's daddy likes to wear all kinds of hats so we think there may be a custom fedeora or kangol on the way. Why else measure the head?

Dev did such a good job, pushing him hard to get him out. He is a good sleeper and a good eater and he got the best of both gene pools. What a cutie!

My precious little Dev

2008-09-26T15:30:00.000-07:00

My little Dev is going to be a mom in the next few days. It is one of those mysteries of life that catches my breath. Because I am the last one in the family to be married and the last one to be thinking seriously about having children, I have watched this stuff happen to people around me, people I love the most. And inside me I am always a bit off guard by these momentous steps that happen so easily and naturally.
One day, when I was almost three, I was taken to the hospital to get a first look at my little sister. This glace at a little baby is my very first solid memory and I can actually draw that fuzzy feeling image back. She was all mine until eighteen years later when she met B and then slowly we detached and she became his.
Now, she is on bed rest, waiting for her baby boy to decide he is ready. She and B will be a mom and a dad, like our parents are for us. They will give him the best they can, raise him to be a good, strong, loving man and make sure he gets lots of tickles and raspberry blows on his belly, even when he is too old to allow himself to enjoy it. Maybe he will play drums like B did or violin like Dev. Ultimately, no matter how cute his name is, I will always call him something else, like I did with his mama.
And for now, he will have at least one cousin (shout out to JB) who he will grow up with and their lives will follow the same track of innocence, freedom, love and they will feel the same awe when life starts happening around them and then finally, to them.

Real Wedding Goodness

2008-09-26T15:18:00.001-07:00

Today my photographer, Cheryl (inaframe.com) emailed me to ask if she could submit our wedding for the "Real Weddings" feature on Weddingchannel.com. She thought the mix of cultures and the art aspect we added to the wedding would make a good story.

Just yesterday I was sorting through pictures to put in a little "Just Married" photo album. There were too many of my favorites to fit in the book. I am so thankful to have such pretty pictures. In the moment, it just went by too fast, I couldn't take it all in. So thank goodness I get to relive it again and again.

Does everyone think their wedding was worth a feature story? I feel like it may be my dramatic streak but honestly....when I was planning the wedding I was like...black tablecloths at a wedding? graffiti? art? guys with dreds marrying curvy blonde girls? There weren't any pics that I could find for inspiration so as soon as I let myself be okay with our decisions, it all came together. In Magazine-Worthy fashion, of course.

Invest in the fat kind

2008-09-26T15:10:00.001-07:00

Never scrimp and save and try to get by on "Low Fat Show Churned Cookies & Cream" ice cream. It was $2.99 for a gallon instead of $3.99 so to save a buck I bought the Safeway brand. I've tested other brands of slow churned at Dev's and they were yummy but....seriously, it is not worth the lack of fat and $1 difference.
This "ice cream" actually tasted warm straight out of the freezer. It was the frothy texture and fake-sweetness and it was no good.
Take me on my word.

They're just words but....

2008-09-08T08:47:00.000-07:00

Over the weekend, I coordinated my brother-in-law's sister's wedding (my sister's husband's sister). It sounds complicated but we are actually close families since my sister and her husband have been together for 11 years. I volunteered to help Katie with her wedding to build my portfolio for my new event planning business. And also, because I had heard they could use the help.

At the rehearsal we ran through the processional order and proceeded to eat a 7 course Italian meal that ended with tiramisu. Ugh, it was delicious. Katie's fiance's family was there from New York so we were all very loud and animated and it was the best combo of Northwesterners and New Yorkers that we had at our wedding. The best man, complete with Long Island accent and Irish eyes twinkling, proceeded to both kick a bum out of the restaurant who was asking for money and soothe a little baby boy who would not stop crying. He also made me cry during his speech and then had me laughing my head off with an interpretive ribbon dance. Seriously! The photographer, a close family friend, danced with the bride and he was holding her so tight. His sister grabbed his camera to try to document it but she couldn't figure out how to work it. After the dance ended, he was visible choked up with tears in his eyes. It was the sweetest moment. A fantastic group of people.

Katie had asked me to show up at 3 on Sunday but thankfully I knew better. I got there at 11:30 and got to add flower arranger to my list of duties. Katie had asked me for the ceremony that we used so she could use it as a guideline. I took out some of our very personal things but left some others like the welcome and the ring exchange ceremony for her to use as guidance. She ended up loving it and using it for their ceremony. Asher and I sat there, a few rows back, listening to our words in another beautiful wedding and it all felt so fresh again. It was just what we needed and reminded us that it is me and him, better or worse, we gotta work it out. They are just words but they sealed us, and now Katie and Michael, together as family.

It is hard doing the coordinating. I am so sore today and very sleepy but I loved it. When I was planning our wedding I knew I loved it but I have had my doubts about whether I just loved it because it was my own wedding. Yes, my wedding was special beyond words but also I just love weddings and I am really good at planning and telling people what to do and where to go (bossy? yes, bossy). And I guess I never would have known that if I hadn't had my own wedding. So I'm going forward with it. And I have another wedding on October 11th, for a stranger I met on Craigslist, and now I am totally confident that I can pull it off.

Washing Whites

2008-08-31T13:36:00.000-07:00

I was just doing a whole bucket full of laundry in the basement and had a memory return.

It was the first time I went to Brooklyn to visit Asher after we met. I was there for five days, I think, and one of the days, I think it was Sunday, he had to do laundry. He had asked me, "I'm going to do laundry, do you want to go with me?" I said, "Do you want me to go with you?" He got mad at me for this and was like, "Yo! I just asked you. Either you do or you don't, simple question." We were getting used to each other and the me who was sassy and full of attitude was crushing under this new thing I felt for him. So finally I said, "Okay". I remember the walk to the laundromat and exactly what I was wearing (DKNY jeans and a purple t-shirt) and we walked out on his front stoop and he introduced me to a friend who gave him a fist pound.

So I went with him and decided I would throw in some clothes in with his wash. He refused, refused to wash my panties with his clothes. He said it wasn't right but I could throw my shirts in with his. I said it wasn't right to pay $75 more cents to wash three pairs of panties alone, that he was being ridiculous. He claimed his mother didn't raise him that way. I laid down the law and said, "I'm sorry but you will have to deal with it" and threw my panties in with his load. We watched them mix in and turn in circles over and over again. And that was that. Apparently when we willed my opinionated self to come back, it came back fierce.

Edit****I just realized it was this very same Labor Day weekend, exactly two years later. I am happy to report our unmentionables are cohabitating nicely in the washing machine right now.

Woodland Shower

2008-08-29T15:38:00.000-07:00

Last weekend was my Dev's baby shower, it turned out so well and the mama was very appreciative. Yesterday was she and B's 4 year wedding anniversary. They will have a new baby within the next month and we expect he will completely change their lives.

Baby Ewing, here are some pictures of the party I threw you.*

*With a trunkload of help from Heidi (Dev's good friend).

While I am on the subject of money

2008-08-29T11:16:00.000-07:00

We just received a generous monetary gift from an old family friend and we don't know what we are going to do with it. When the wedding money comes in, there is so much weight to it. You feel an obligation to spend it on something that will signify the beginning of your lives. First thought....a fancy paper cutter (Asher calls it a guillotine, which I love). Second thought, another set of our flatware. We have 6 sets so far and it is so lovely, I don't mind accumulating slowly and bustin' suds often.

We also got a big gift card to Target from my mama's cousin. I tried to keep this one a secret but when I checked the balance online, I accidently left it there and Asher found it.

And last Tuesday night, we attended a timeshare presentation and received a $50 American Express gift card and a three night stay at a resort nearby. All for being tempted focus our lives around vacations (as if we weren't trying that trick already).

We haven't decided what to do with all this yet so right now we are feeling loaded.

When it gets tough...follow our lead

2008-08-29T10:17:00.000-07:00

It is no secret that Asher and I are having a hard time with our money situation. I make a good salary and he is doing art full time but it doesn't add up after the bills are paid. In addition to us loving each other and desiring to be together, it was also helpful to get married so he can attain a green card (he doesn't have a US work permit). It is a hardship I could talk endlessly about since it means I don't get to buy shoes, purses, clothes or anything other than necessities with my paycheck. But since those are all material items, when I go home at night, I don't feel like I am missing too much. My feet are in desperate need of a pedicure but I can shove them into some sneakers and no one even knows.

I say all of this, hesitantly because there is a touch of shame in going without, in being broke. But I want to get to the honesty of what I have learned in this relationship. Love breeds confidence and makes you think that you can do things you only imagined. I am taking chances with my wedding coordinating business and with the new etsy shop and it is coming together and it is slowly working (holding breath).

Together, we decided that we would focus on what we love, creating art. We gather around the table and the kitties come to watch and it is just like when we eat there, we are nourished. We decided to do this etsy site together (www.loveplusart.etsy.com). Last night we brainstormed and soon the site will have a fancy banner that reflects my handmade craftiness and Asher's urban graffiti aesthetic and hopefully all this love will begin to help with the bills.

We don't ask for a lot because we already know that we have exactly what we need.

Love + Art + My Etsy Shop

2008-08-28T12:23:00.000-07:00

I posted two listings on my very own, brand new, etsy site.

www.LovePlusArt.etsy.com

It was named Love + Art because my wedding company is Love + Marriage and because ever since I started writing to a pen pal when I was 18, I always closed off my letters with a ...Love + "Something Clever". So I'm starting a full service company of Love + Anything That I Feel Like. So far it is a couple different projects I like to think sort of relate to each other (marriage and art). Asher can't wait for Love + Waffles even though I am not well known for my waffles...yet.

Take it easy on me. I just wanted to get something up so I haven't refined my selling "voice" or policies. I hope to make it really dynamic with a lot of different types of art available. I wanted to have things in all price points. We'll see if I start making cards at $10 a pop and feel like I ripped myself off. I can't imagine charging more because I personally wouldn't pay more. I just know I tend to underestimate the time and effort involved. But it is, after all, a labor of love.

I hope I get a ton of business and can have my own company (companies) and quit working for someone else. Dream big? Yeah, pretty much.

Spread the word....Love+Art (LovePlusArt) was born today.

Love + crafty hands,
Megan

A Reinvention

2008-08-20T17:03:00.000-07:00

I am a total homebody, I admit it. I will look forward to something for weeks and then when the time comes, I chicken out (socially) and end up occupying myself at home. The time slips by and I am guilty every minute of it. To make things worse I married someone just like myself except he doesn't get the guilty part.

This has happened recently on the Fourth of July. I was so honestly so excited about a friend's party. As it was getting closer, I kept finding out that people I knew wouldn't be there. This is silly because I could go and have a perfectly good time. Instead, we cat-sat at my sister's house and watched a marathon of To Catch a Predator. Pathetic. We didn't even go to my parent's house to watch the fireworks over the lake, and we were housesitting there too!

I wanted to start a business but I have trouble answering my phone when it rings. I am entirely too content in my little bubble and the interruption is.....irritating.

I am going to try to reinvent myself as a social butterfly. I don't think it has gotten to unhealthy levels yet so there is still hope.

My Thursday Morning Visitor

2008-08-17T02:43:00.000-07:00

This little snippet just came back to me. It was one of those moments where I kind of felt like I didn't know who I was. Like, "Oh, this is the girl that I have become."

I was at work on Thursday. I had left that morning on weird terms with Asher because money is tight, the situation is hard. Knowing there isn't much we can do about it is even more difficult. I leave in my morning rush with just a quick peck.

I get a call at about 9:45, sitting at my desk. It is our CFO and he says, "there is someone here, I think you will know." So I walk downstairs and when I hit the hallway I smell him already. He doesn't wear too much cologne but it smells so good and it stays in the air and I know he is there. He is hiding around the corner like he did the first time I came to visit him in NY. That night, two years ago, I came off the plane and I was worried I wouldn't recognize him but I found him right away hiding from me behind a vending machine.

He had ridden the bus and then his skateboard to come see me at work, to bring me my phone which I had left behind. And he smelled and looked so good. I took him around to meet the people in the office and he was putting on jokes and messing around and charming everyone. They thought he was cute and younger than he looks in the picture by my desk. And one gal said, "he is so handsome and his smile is so sweet." I just felt really proud that he is my husband.

I always thought I would miss this part of life. My relationships before were so difficult and I thought that to be with someone you had to get that sick feeling in your stomach when they were away from you. I thought that intensity meant love but it was distrust. I was accustomed to a certain mania in trying to make things work, obsessed with making things look presentable to people even when it was me trying to glue scraps of happiness into a pretty picture.

This is not a scrap or a maniacal need or any intense feeling in my stomach. This is a man, being a man. A person who chose, of his free will, to spend life with me. It feels safe and calm and happy and filled with faith and trust. Thank goodness this is me, finally.

This weekend - Going to Grandma's

2008-08-15T13:14:00.000-07:00

My parents bought my grandma's house when she died because otherwise they would lose the connection to the town they grew up in. It is in a town of maybe 300 people called Endicott. Just a small farm town with hot nothing to do. Except, this particular little town, holds mythical stature in my mind.

My dad's dad was the country doctor, treating patients in exchange for goods if they couldn't pay. My mom's dad, was a farmer whose cows ran to greet him when they heard his car approaching. Dad's mom had a big, lovely house with hidden rooms, lots of costume jewelry and she blended up orange juice with ice into frothy goodness . Mom's mom sat in the kitchen and drank coffee, smoking cigarettes with the ladies and she is the one I got my middle name from. Her peonies still grow because Mom and Dad tend to them, they even got the recent Yard of the Month award.

There are memories in every house, in the park, the main street, the doctor's office and with the few people left. Even if they aren't all my own memories, after years of stories, it feels like it. So you see, we couldn't leave that little town.

The house has A/C and tons of raspberries bushes in the yard and I get to swim in the huge pool where my mom set swim records when she was in high school. Mike Phelps, meet Rhonda Kay. I will work on the rest of the prep for Dev's baby shower next weekend and read tons of magazines in the hot sun. Asher can practice driving on the farm roads or just skate down the empty streets in town. Maybe we can explore some scary abandoned house on the side of the road. Who knows?

Asher doesn’t really want to go but I’m making him because it will feel like a real vacation! I think maybe I need to sell it to him a little better because I think anyone who read that whole part up there would want to go. It is a perfect escape.

Weekends in August Part 2 - Asher's Art Show

2008-08-15T12:51:00.000-07:00

Asher was part of an urban art gallery show called "Spray it, Don't Say it." It included many different artists including some locals, a well know street artist from Paris, Jeff Aerosol, and a girl from Brooklyn who actually knew AV. She was going to fly with him to our wedding because he was scared to fly. The world just gets smaller. Plus, the artist who curated the show, Kim aka Soule, was really awesome, as was her boyfriend, and Asher will make fun when I say I want us to be friends with them.

It was a warm day except it rained while the artists were all doing live painting. Asher kept it up until the airbrush started reacting to the wetness in the air. Dev and B came and we went and had an ice cream/gelato break. B had more cider and sampled the keg.

Asher sold some prints so we were excited to go out to dinner and then Dan treated us to dinner with he and his girl, Laura. I am so excited by the exposure Asher is getting. He was interviewed for a documentary and even though I was eavesdropping and wanted to answer all the questions for him, I think he did a good job reppin' himself.

Weekends in August Part 1 - Olympia

2008-08-15T11:45:00.000-07:00

The first weekend in August, Dev, B, Asher and I took a trip down to Olympia to spend time with Toby and Olivia. Tob is my oldest friend. I am bad at holding on to friends when I move or change or whatever and somehow with Tob, we always reconnect and still fit. It is mostly because he is a constant joke cracker and my laughtrack is always cue'd up. A year ago he married the girl most perfect for him and they made the cutest house together. She used to be vegan and was slaving away almost all day making the most deliciously vegetarian food, candied walnuts for the salad, fish and even pork chops for the meat-a-holics. What a gem. B talked us all into drinking cider and tequila with limeade (my favorite) and Dev let me feel her belly a lot and got to snuggle with the anti-social Towns while B attempted to love up the chompy/frisky old lady cat. It was a really wonderful weekend. Bonus, at one point Asher was rubbing my feet and Toby and I were talking and he was like..."I always knew you'd marry a really cool guy." I know, right?

Indian Food...Strangely Easy

2008-08-07T16:08:00.000-07:00

This doesn't really warrant its own post but....

Tasty Bite makes Indian food that you can boil in the stove in a pot of hot water (they spell tasty right, unlike my arch enemy you know who you are). When you pour it out, it is sometimes very good, sometimes OK. Never bad. It is vegetarian with lots of veggies or lentils, even cashews. Sometimes it is soupy and when I pour it on the plate I have to build rice walls to block the flavors from running into each other. We have tried a bunch of different flavors because the organic market carries a huge variety. We've had this two nights this week and because we had two flavors each time, it turned out to be a $5 meal, total, for both of us. And Big Boy was totally begging for some too, obviously feeling back to normal.

Graffiti Nonsense

2008-08-07T15:53:00.000-07:00

Here are some spray cans Asher painted. The cans are empty. Where their contents went, I cannot reveal. The cans now function as art by themselves. They still have the rattle in there so they sound and look really cool.

And last week we received a mysterious package from Ness and she had sent Asher a Fatcap boy from Kid Robot. I assure you that Asher was overjoyed to receive this and overly defensive when I claimed it was for me. We didn't know because Ness addresses the package to herself! Inside, it also had a yummy vegetarian cookbook. Nice lil' Ness.

Art for a cause

2008-08-06T15:20:00.000-07:00

There is an art competition for political art to be hung at the Democratic National Convention. It is sponsored by Obey and Upper Playground, two of my favorite art/political brands. Seriously, I hope that Asher and I contribute something to this because now is the time for making a political statement. It is so important that we don't let the old cronies keep running our country into the sewers. http://www.manifesthope.com/

Plus, there is a local art show. The crew at Bherd studios is calling for political art. I love the idea of contributing locally too. Time to get to work! The kind of "work" we love. http://asleepinseattle.com/home

I want to do a cut 'n paste of el Comandante Marcos. He is a hero of mine for working on behalf of the people in Chiapas, Mexico. I always feel myslef supporting the underdog, people who are opressed by big governments, corporations, and economic racism/culturalism. I think this is what I will work on for the local show. He also looks so cool with his face covered by a mask, smoking a pipe, riding a horse, with those bullet belts crossing his chests. It's enough to make a politically-minded girl swoon.

Trusting my maternal instincts

2008-08-06T15:02:00.000-07:00

Last week when I wrote about Big Boy sleeping too much, he was most certainly communicating to me. I didn't know the full extent until Monday when I came home from work and held his limp body in my arms. He was so lethargic and couldn't even jump up or down from the couch. This was trouble.

I called the vet and they advised me to take him to the emergency vet where it is $90 just for them to see him. We would rather spend good money on care, not the evaluation so we decided to try to wait it out til morning. Asher slept with one eye open next to Big on the couch. Moxie slept by my side, keeping me company in the big bed.

In the morning, we took him in and he had a fever and a bacteria infection. He is on antibiotics now and feeling almost complete. Asher say "well, he is back to his annoying ways." Bigs loves to lay on Asher's drawings as witnessed by this pic. Asher loves to complain about him.

And, while Big has lost 3 pounds in the last year, it looks like Mox has gained some. She might not live up to her "Little" nickname much longer. It's hard for us girls.

A Woodland Welcome for Baby Ewing

2008-08-06T14:44:00.000-07:00

Yeah! The invites are out and the guest of honor has received hers so I get to post on the cutest cut 'n paste project I have worked on to date. I have to also reveal that I roped the mister into helping me with this one too. Look at that grass? And the raccoon and the owl? That's all Asher. I might have to relinquish my title to the King. I appreciated the help and when they were completed, my little sissy loved them!
Well hello accomplishment, you feel good.

The one that is the smallest, that I love the most

2008-08-01T10:53:00.000-07:00

I am so excited to post some crafty stuff I have been doing for the upcoming baby shower of my baby sister. For some reason, I'm not quit sure, I have been super inspired by the theme. I just want to be creating all day long. Last night I roped my honeybunches into helping me. He is crafty too! Maybe is is post-wedding energy? Nesting instinct? Baby yearning? Whatever, here is a sneak peak because it is all I can stand. Otherwise, I will blurt it out all over this darn blog.

She wears Estee Lauder "Beautiful"

2008-07-31T15:18:00.000-07:00

I did a few projects to sell at last weekend's market. I made color copies of them and cut them down to little 3x5" cards and stuffed them in some envelopes I had left over from the wedding. I was selling packs of 6 cards for $5 which I thought was reasonable. But no new customers looked at them, having been distracted by Asher's art that was overwhelming the table. Note to hubby, get your own darn card table next time (this one's MY mama's).

I did a brown haired pin-up because I felt like I was being blind to brunettes lately. She reminds me of my old friend, Elise, who made chain smoking, drinking and dousing yourself in perfume so damn sexy.

The "My Little Peony" card is a play on words that I thought I was so clever to think up. I googled it later and found out it had been thought of before. Anyway, I still think it is cute and it reminds me of my wedding and all of the beautiful peonies.

The last of the holdouts just caved.....

2008-07-30T11:42:00.000-07:00

I am now Megan Loctor officially at the workplace. This was the last place where I was still known as Megan Hardy. I must say it was a bit easy since I could still say I was Megan Hardy which comes more naturally since that was who I was for 32 years. But it was time. The transition was afoot. And now it is complete. So what was the first thing I did? Sent my honey-bun an email to let him know.

Photoshop away-oh, away-oh!

2008-07-29T16:50:00.000-07:00

I savor these silly pics Ness creates. With a mama like this, JB is bound to be a crafty one.

Pioneer Square is my backyard....

2008-07-28T16:31:00.000-07:00

We set up a stand at Saturday Market from noon-4 to sell Asher's artwork and my cut 'n paste cards made into greeting cards by the power of color copies. It was a nice day and we sat in the sun and welcomed tourists, locals and my peeps. Mom, Dad, Dev, Bread, MA and Nicole all came through to holler at us. It was lovely, like sitting in our backyard but hustling art at the very same time!

It's no Biggie

2008-07-25T09:20:00.001-07:00

I think Big was depressed yesterday since he simply could not get himself out of bed. He always wakes up with me and lays in the bathroom with his head layed out on the scale like it is his pillow. He watches me while I get ready for work. But yesterday he just stayed in bed.

And when I got home he came to greet me as usual but minutes later when I was sitting down for craft time, he was no where. And the back door was open so he could go play with "Pet Cemetary" (the mangy nieghborhood cat) if he wanted.

I went to check. Yep, laying on the bed.

Asher claims it is because Big values a well made bed. Since Asher made the bed in the morning he said both Big and Mox slept there all day long. But the behavior is so unlike the Big I know that I thought something must be wrong. So I just gave him lots of love and Gma and Gpa came over to give love too. Snuggles for Biggins!

He's my mister, I'm his miss. Gonna be til we're old.

2008-07-24T10:08:00.001-07:00

I just pinch myself.
Yesterday I was reading my blogs, stretched out on the couch and he got up to close the drapes. He turned back and just stared at me. I said, "What?" in my usual sassy way.
He said, "I just look at you and you are so beautiful." Then he came and flopped on top of me and I forgot all about my blogs.
Lucky me!

Saturdays

2008-07-23T12:13:00.000-07:00

On Saturdays, if I don't have a yummy wedding to attend, I get to sell my art with Asher down in Pioneer Square in Seattle. The anticipation led Asher to propose that each night this week we have art sessions to prepare our goods to sell. I was so excited and immediately accepted another of his proposals! "Yes, yes!"

If you are in Seattle on Saturday, come see us. We will be set up by the Fireman statue in Pioneer Square!

My Next Pin-Up Girl Art Project

2008-07-23T10:28:00.000-07:00

I love her!

I want to be good, I do

2008-06-26T12:19:00.000-07:00

Today I want to be better at:

removing my nail polish when it starts to chip off
not going to work with wet hair
not leaning on my elbows
doing things I think about doing (see #4-6)
finishing thank you cards and making them meaningful
designing an invitation for Dev's baby shower
exercising

The rings please?

2008-06-19T15:34:00.001-07:00

We just received the complete disc with our professional pictures on it and look at these amazing pictures of our rings. We had two ring bowls from Poloma's Nest on etsy and each of our little ring bearers carried one, amazing considering they are two and three years old. Shout out to Macoy & Maverick!

The bowl that held Asher's ring said, "Of this we are certain" which is from a poem we read in our vows. The other bowl held my rings and said, "you are surrounded by my enduring love" which was an excerpt from our vow ceremony. This is one of my favorite details and I am so thankful to my Dev (Matron of Honor) for getting our photographer to captured it!

PS. Click on the pictures to make them bigger.

Thanks to Cheryl @ inaframe.com!

Grab your innertube!

2008-06-18T16:25:00.000-07:00

Yesterday we were riding our bikes on the Cedar River trail and the river is really high and it is running at a good pace. It made me want to go tubing but I thought it might be illegal. Asher and I talked about how we would escape the authorities if they tried to stop us. Then I google it and what do I find? It is perfectly legit and they even give you 7-step instructions if you can't figure it out for yourself. Hot weather? Look for us there!
http://www.ehow.com/how_2058758_plan-inner-tubing-trip-cedar.html

Arts & Crafts, Cut & Paste

2008-06-17T20:56:00.000-07:00

One of the first things Asher and I decided about the wedding was that we would have art everywhere. Since we were married in the Glass Museum, we wanted to add to the artistic element with our own art. I made my cut-n-paste art and it was a hit. Some people even took the art with them when they left (to our surprise). I kinda want to know who took which ones and why. It has always been a hobby-type thing for me and sometimes, it feels silly. And sometimes I am very proud. I think about getting my act together and making homemade cards to sell on etsy. Someone please add more hours to my day cause right now kissing my new husband and loving my big and little kitty pretty much fill my non-working waking hours.
PS. You can click on the pictures to make them very big.

My Playlist

2008-06-13T13:05:00.000-07:00

I am seriously busy today but I am listening to my playlist on my blog while I work and I totally recommend it. This is what I wanted the dj to play. It would have cramed the dancefloor at our wedding, I'm sure. He played the macarena. There was a pre-wedding consultation were I said no to that sorta thing. But I guess people still danced so what do I know. Now, Asher and I hear songs and we turn to eachother and say, "Ooooooh, we should have asked him to play this..." and most times it was on the have-to-play list.
Someday we will throw a little party and have our ipod do the work.

Sleeping Bodies

2008-06-13T11:36:00.000-07:00

Asher did his first fill-in since he came to the West(side). He did it while I was sleeping on Wednesday night. I had no idea he left because I always go to bed first.

Tangent: Even if he falls asleep on the couch and I wake him up to go to bed, he won't go. He considers it as being told to go to bed, like he has a bedtime. Last night, I woke him up to go to bed and he said that now he was completely awake. So I layed in bed trying to sleep. And if he was still awake out there, he spent 45 minutes watching an infomercial for the "Cricket" which is a cool machine but something I can't imagine he is that interested in. But I gave up.
http://www.acherryontop.com/company/cricut/line/cricut_machines_%26_software/87332

Anyway....last night he did another one on a closed up apartment complex. It was boarded up, I'm sure, because of the number of meth-heads that lived there. I think it is cool that he is doing an art-form that I believe in but...I am scared. I don't want anything to happen to him (us).

But the funny thing about all this....he keeps running into bums sleeping in his prime locations. And they kinda scare him with their motionless lumps. I fully agree with him on the scary factor. You think you are alone in the night and then you fash your phone-light and see bodies all around you. Scary! But, I don't really think bums care about graffiti. It is just disconcerting that there are so many people just sleeping out there in the open in the middle of it all.

Look-a-likes

2008-06-13T11:21:00.000-07:00

Someone told Asher that he looked like Lil Wayne the other day. I swear, is it just because of the dreadlocks? My man is 10, Lil Wayne is down there with the 1s and 2s.

People used to tell me I looked like Drew Barrymore or Melanie Griffith both of which were flattering in 1994 (pre-plastic surgery Melanie). But I think it had more to do with our voices being similarly youthful sounding, more than by actual looks.

Teasers

2008-06-11T18:19:00.000-07:00

We received a few photos from our photographer which made me feel relieved! This was one aspect I thought was perfect and then the day of the wedding, I was worried that all of it wouldn't be captured.

Honestly, I barely saw Cheryl at all that day so I thought she was absent. I guess that is the work of a photojournalist photographer - they just capture moments that are happening, not staged. Seriously, see the one where Asher is putting the rings on my finger. Amazing!

Photos from Cheryl Jones at Inaframe.com.

Mrs. Loctor

2008-06-11T18:18:00.000-07:00

It is official, I have a new license from the DMV with my picture and another name on it.

I gave the woman the paperwork, she had me sign my new name. Then, I wrote the check and signed my old name. She told me to wait for them to call my name.

A few minutes later, a man called, 'Megan Loctor?'

My tummy did little flip-flops and I felt my face get flush. I walked over and told him, 'That's the first time I've heard my new name called.' He said, 'Oh, it must be Mrs. Loctor then?' Yep, Mrs. Loctor.

'Well, stand behind that line and smile until you see the flash, Mrs. Loctor.'

'This will be your temporary card for the next 2 weeks until your new license arrives, Mrs. Loctor.'

'Thank you, Mrs. Loctor.'

He really said it that many times! I giggled and left with butterflies in my tummy. I knew it was going to happen but hearing and responding to my new name was really strange and funny.

Love + my latest alias,

Blondie

Where did Ashondie come from?

2008-06-11T18:14:00.000-07:00

Ashondie is the celebrity couple name for Asher and I. See it is part Asher, part Blondie.

When Asher and I were a new couple, I took advantage of my free time and free copy machine at my old job. I spent time re-sizing both of our heads so that they would fit over Heidi Klum and Seal's heads in an ad. They were the best photo I could find with an interracial couple and our heads ended up fitting perfectly. I mailed the picture to Asher, stuck inside of a People magazine.

I remember when he got it, his friend and his friend's girlfriend were there and they were like, "she's kinda crazy." And his friend was like, "why don't you do stuff like that for me?" to his girlfriend.

One of the best things about meeting someone and having a long distance romance is that you have an opportunity to surprise and delight them in unexpected ways. We had ridiculously long telephone conversations and lots of packages sent through the mail. I got creative and once sent him pumpkin bread via priority mail. The post office lady loved it (and so did Asher)!

Now that we are newly married, we are the Loctors but I still like the sound of Ashondie. It reminds me of where we started.