More Blue, and Red Herrings

A calendar would help me. I don't have a Blackberry, or a Dayrunner, or even a calendar that does anything other than hang on its little hook in the kitchen cabinet; when someone calls and says they are coming to town, we write it down, so we make it to the airport on time. I don't wear a watch, so I only vaguely ever know what time it is, though I am rarely and hate being late. I don't have a cell phone, so I keep my friends' phone numbers memorized, and routinely dial my mom's number when I mean to call my sis, and vice versa. All this usually works for me. But not lately. Lately, dates and times and things that need to happen by and on and at each are slipping through the cracks. It's possible that I need a little calendar. But where to find one in late September? And would I really even write things down beyond today, this frantic impulse, having had many a calendar in the past and throwing them away, unused, sometime in January when the new year's one comes along, oblivious to its pending irrelevancy?

I got a new shelf in our bedroom a few weeks ago. This isn't it; both of these are old. The new one was in deep shadow this morning — it's a north-facing room. Just saying this reminds me of all the red herrings that keep cropping up in my life and making me laugh lately. Someone in my studio last week noticed a dollar bill on my bulletin board and said, "Oh, is that the first $1 you made with Posie?" And I said, "Oh, actually no, it's just a dollar bill that was lying on the floor while I was vacuuming and I didn't want to suck it up." Then at the photo shoot last week, the photographer's name was Laurie and the stylist's name was Barbara, and I kept calling Barbara "Laurie," but not because I was confusing her with the photographer; I was confusing her with someone else I knew a long time ago who looked just like her and whose name was Laurie. I know there were a few others, but I've told this before recently so these are the ones I remember, from that telling.

This little dress is vintage, and homemade. Impeccably made. Her finishing details are gorgeous. Thrifting has replaced going to the fabric store and puttering for me. I found this at an estate sale a couple of months ago. I have other clothes made by this same lady at my antique booth, but I'm keeping this little frock. I couldn't resist, with the balloons and all. Speaking of dresses, did anyone catch Lauren Graham in her Duro dress on the Ellen Degeneres Show yesterday? I love her. Both of them, actually, but I really love Lauren Graham. She is such a spaz on talk shows, especially on Ellen where she seems to actually out-do even Ellen with that affected, stuttery "where am I?" sort of thing, but I always crack up anyway. When she said, "I love Matthew Perry," I about fell off the sofa. Why are Lauren Graham and Matthew Perry not married??? That would be brilliant. Yesterday was all about the Gilmore Girls. When Luke just walked away and got in the truck at the end I almost sobbed. I had to turn the TV off and sit in silence. It's very upsetting.

I finally found a bit of time yesterday afternoon to catch up on blogs a little and saw Michelle's amazing crocheted blanket, which was inspired by this one over at Jane's, and which reminded me of this one I'd picked up just the day before at the Goodwill with the hanging body parts. I want to make one, too. It seems like the perfect project for using up the stash and not having to think too much. Nevermind that I've stalled out on this one, alas, but that is my special loser style. My room is so Cath Kidston–ified, I know (and I'm using this en-dash for you, Michelle, the person who taught me how to make one in html). That gingham doggie was made for me by my mom in the '70s. That calico cat is Bird-Killer Bridget.

Comments

[LNLisa]

Actually, this is a great time of year to look for calendars. Many calendars, both wall and desk, begin in September for returning students.

I rarely use a calendar either, but just lately I've had to write everything down...not so much to remind myself of things coming up, but to give myself a visual of what all I have to do. Needless to say, my calendar is way too full for my taste! :P

Good luck!

[Alicia P.]

Ah! Fantastic! Thank you!

[Selena]

I write down things in two places. The first on my inbox calendar because it pops up at me and rings a loud little bell to get my attention. Without that I would forget to go anywhere. The other thing I use is a organizer/calendar planner I made. It has a calendar, menu planner, grocery list etc..It works since I have absolutely no memory for dates, numbers and what to buy at the store. I have one in my etsy shop at the moment. Shameless plug I know :-)

[Jenny]

I second the academic calendar idea. Also, you can buy planners where you fill in the dates yourself. Perfect for when you need to buy one at an odd time of the year or if you only plan on using it intermittently.

[emma]

General comment: I love your posts. No matter what you're talking about, I find your posts very soothing.

Calendar comment: Adding on to what others have said - often you can find calendars at craft stores for $1.00 at this time of year!

[joleen]

Oh yes, do try a calendar for a bit. ;)

Please upload these to flickr! I just LOVE that hot air balloon dress-wow!! xo

[Amber]

This strikes me as way too cheesy and consumeristic for you--like I picture you handmaking paper, then lovingly calligraphing your own calendar and trimming it with gorgeous handknitted lace or something haha--but I use Google calendar.

http://www.google.com/calendar

It's free and you can program things into it, and it will email you a daily agenda, or send you reminders if you tell it to. I like it because it text messages my phone when I have something important to do.

[cindy k]

i sure hope the next magazine goes with your styling, which is just wonderful. and, i particularly love the vintage table in your studio with the use of the cinderblocks to bring it up to counter height!

you can make an impromtu calendar with russel & hazel http://russellandhazel.stores.yahoo.net/mismset.html

[vegasandvenice]

I am the same way with calendars. This time I got one with pockets so that I can put each months birthday cards inside. I am hoping that will help me become a better calendar keeper!!

Good Luck with yours! Hugs!

PS. The dress the decorations .. drool ... perfection!

[Tammy]

Well, I was going to tell you about student calendars that begin in September, Alicia, but it looks as if I'm a day late and a dollar short...again. Perhaps I should look into getting one for myself! Good grief...

[lea ann]

gilmore girls: I recently discovered this show (on a sunday afternoon marathon of GG one day) and yes - was heartbroken when Luke just walked away. He was so energetic in his plans for them to elope and go on a honeymoon. *sigh*

calendar: like you, I was forgetting some things, so I ordered a calendar from www.flylady.net it goes from august, 2006 to december 2007. It has big blanks to write in events, tasks, meetings, etc. I'm enjoying using a calendar for about the first time since college. (10 years ago)

Lauren Graham + Matthew Perry - perfect. just perfect.

[meg]

luke walking away...very sad...

[lisa]

you always make me happy. i mix up names and never know what time it is either.

[Chris Howard]

Ah, that blanket is a beauty and would look PERFECT with my oh-so-eclectic style around here. /sigh It reminds me of my complete and utter failure to learn crochet this summer. Mizuho's baby is due in a week and will have to go sweaterless. Ah well, perhaps I can take a class this winter.

[June]

If I don't write things on my calendar, then nothing at all will be done. I make my own monthly calendar pages which I keep on my computer. I add in new appointments or things I need to do and print a new copy out as needed and post it on the fridge.

All your pictures are great, I absolutely love that vintage dress.

[laura]

Below is a super cute day book that you can start anytime because you fill the dates yourself!

http://www.ifnbooks.com/cat_organizers.html

[Beth]

I knew I missing something last night and could just not put my finger on it! Darn it! I went to get my hair done and did not make it home until 7:30. I will have to check my TiVO... if I did not tape it there is always the iPod!

I do not own a planner anymore. They work wonderfully, but then you have to plan how to use it and quite frankly I do not have time for that. I installed a white board in the kitchen (white with trim)and used a permenant marker to make the grids for a calender. Then every month I put the numbers on and write everything down we need to do/remember.etc... it works wonderfully. I do have a cell, but you know what.. it is only for emergencies. I laugh because my mother says the only reason people walk around with them attached to their head is because they want to appear important.. ha ha ha and then she bought one...

I will have to wait to get home to see Michelle and Jane's crocheted blankets. I think mine kind of fizzeled out, at least for the time being. I really need to finish it since I bought material to use explicitly for the curtains in my bedroom (they go with the blaket/comforter).

[Shelley (Pink House)]

Yeah, ditto on the academic calendar. I always get a pretty Jan-Dec calendar to hang in my studio, but for REAL LIFE, I use an academic caldendar that runs Sept - August. I just got my new one - found lots of choices for desk calendars at Office Max. Even pretty ones. Mine has each month tabbed (so handy!) and then weekly pages too if I'm feeling especially organized.

[Shelley (Pink House)]

Oh! And I forgot to say that Luke's first mistake was in saying that Laura came after April. Making her feel second-place. And before that I place blame with...April's mom (what's her name?) for DEMANDING that Luke not have a girlfriend/fiance if he is going to be a dad to April. What in the heck is up with that? But yeah, it was a sad show. I watch it every week with 3 friends who trade houses, and we were all excited and then sad last night.

[Shelley (Pink House)]

Lorelai, not Laura. sorry, hurrying. please fix that.

[Jordan]

I love gilmroe girls too. It's my favirote show. come visit me at wwww.sweetgeorge.blogspot.com

[denise in c'ville, va]

how have all these magazines found you to feature? exciting and nerve wracking i'm sure. i'm always a season behind on GG -- no cable. but i read the synopsis on WB site 'cause i can't wait. when will L& L ever be happy at same time????

[lucinda]

I have three white board calendars that are visible from my desk, and within easy reach. I can see what is going on in a moment's notice, and when the month is over you wipe it right off. They are a little spendy, but well worth the time managment investment. It really started to shift my business when I started planning this way. I don't know if this pertains to you, but I also started making client calls only on Mondays and Thursdays. Those days if I'm not on huge projects I can use the rest of the day for business admin and marketing work, or playing in the studio. Ask away... I'm happy to help you whenever!

[lucinda]

Oh, also www.officepdx.com. Have you been to their store yet? They may have some great ideas for you... they thrive on the home office. You can visit them at 2204 NE Alberta, and then hop over to Bolt and spend money on fabric. Yippee!

[lucinda]

One last thing. The interview with Lauren Graham on Ellen yesterday was so $%#S hysterical. I loved her story about her dad dressing her as a coconut for Halloween, and the following year winning a prize for dressing as Upside-Down Man! I want to have her over for dinner.

The minute she walked out I thought of you because of her dress. I loved the fabu grey fishnets she was wearing with it.