Hot and Sour Soup

A couple weeks ago Kat can to visit me and, like good friends do, we spent a lot of time talking. Talking about music and movies and laying on the floor a little delirious talking about great books that we've read and books that we haven't read but that we have on our bookshelves, talking, talking, talking.

One of our best talks was mid-week in a coffee shop by a fire, which sounds a little cheesy and cliche but it wasn't, seriously. We talked about a struggle to find, not just what we can do now to make a little money for necessities and to keep the loan-sharks off our backs, but what we want to DO. I've never imagined myself as having a job that I'm satisfied with. I want to DO something that I love and that no one else can do the way I can. Something that I'm great at.

In between dance parties and art-making and dessert-eating we had a really inspirational few hours spent listening to some great records and writing these lists. Lists that are kind of designed to help us live life in a way that will lead to that ultimate goal. Kat posted her list almost immediately. Mine, on the other hand, sat on my floor amidst ribbons and pillows and all of the crap that is normally on my floor until, uh, right now. I'm going to post mine but be forewarned that it might be a little redundant because we were kind of copying off of each other.

The List:
-Reserve money for books, records, and movies
-READ
-Reserve at least three hours a day for Real Art
-Set up my etsy store
-Start a book club and a stitch-n-bitch
-Save money for traveling and concerts
-Find a place to do great service at least once a month
-Walk Rascal everyday
-Ride bikes or play tennis at least once a week
-Stop spending money eating out
-Only live at home for one more year
-Find an amazing job teaching for next year
-Only purchase beautiful, vintage, thrift, or handmade, extremely flattering clothes
-Only one hour of internet a day
-Only one hour of television a day
-Become an expert at sewing and jewelry-making
-buy independent
-eat more fruits and veggies
-read the news daily

That's it. Just some simple personal goals that you are now privy to.

In other news, the snow is really pretty but I'm ready for the spring.

-M

I Want To Make Crafts Forever

I feel so inadequate when I look at the big old world of crafts.



That's okay though, I like the challenge. I like sitting around making headbands covered in fake flowers. I like crocheting tiny flowers and dreaming of sun dresses. I like trying to find a way to make it all work.

My godmother is a working artist. She said she decided to become really good at one thing and it all sort of worked out from there. I just don't know what the one thing is.
Love and listen to Little Joy,
The Snail

St. Louis Blues and What I Need to Do With My Life

I just got back from visiting the wise Owl (as seen above.) I miss her already but it was the perfect sort of visit. On this perfect visit we did a lot of things but my favorite was when we listened to Dylan and wrote our ultimate life lists of the moment. We have agreed to post them on here to make sure we are held accountable and such non-sense.

So, here goes nothin'...

-Buy an album a week
-Only purchase clothes that are beautiful
-Create art every day
-Write a song a day (even if it is shit)
-Put a new item on Etsy every week
-One Owl & Snail post a week
-Yoga and music practice every morning
-One new song on piano every two weeks
-A book a month (this is me being too nice to myself)
-Read the CSM every week
-Make lunch and dinner 5 days a week (no more eating out!!) and breakfast should be at home every day!
-Get a real job, with benefits, or start seriously substitute teaching
-Save money for travel and concerts
-One concert a month
-Work on the garden at least one day a week
-Go to the gym 3 days a week (silly, I know but I have a free membership and a bum ankle)
-Buy handmade, independent, and thrift always and forever (except maybe underwear...)
-Only 30 minutes of internet a day!
-Listen to NPR daily

Okay blogworld I have to go to my silly part time job. Let's hope that within the month I sign off saying I am going to my awesome full time job.
The Snail

Gosh!

I just finished something that should have been done about six months ago. And it feels GOOD! Let us celebrate together with the viewing of this video:



Also, Here are my top five Dead Celebrity Crushes:
(In a very specific order)
1. Harpo Marx
2. Jimmy Stewart
3. Buster Keaton
4. George Harrison
5. Abraham Lincoln

Luv,
M