Clementine

FIVE THINGS I'M DOING TOMORROW

2009-10-06T01:35:00.000-06:00

1. Workout. Not in the morning because it's almost after 1am and I'm not sleeping. But I will workout. Tomorrow is the beginning of the rest of my fit life. Is that "Oprah, live your best life" enough to make it happen?
2. Make a decision about my hair. Do I get bangs? Do I cut it shorter? WHAT AM I DOING WITH THIS MOP?
3. Walk around with good posture and see how many people ask me if I've lost ten pounds. I hear it's the easiest way to "look like you lost weight". I'm fooled by Shape magazine every time it has a cover article about losing ten pounds fast. I buy the issue, take it home, kick off my shoes, and plan to learn the top Hollywood secret to staying thin and all the article says is, "practice better posture". Tomorrow I'm putting it to the test.
4. Make homemade dinner. The words, "Nate, let's go get Quiznos for dinner" shall not pass my lips. Tomorrow.
5. Start reading my favorite book ever, Crime and Punishment. Thank you Fyodor Dostoevsky. You have been brilliant every time. Especially with those gritty Notes From The Underground. Side note: Crime and Punishment has always been one of my top five favorite books. Nate's is Brother Karamazov. What are the chances we both fancy Dostoevsky? Remarkably proven in literature written long before we were born that we were meant to be. Right?

IS TWO BETTER THAN ONE?

2009-10-04T22:44:00.004-06:00

Nate and I took Agnes to Petco on Saturday because she had a squinty eye that looked suspicious. I think it was pink eye. But don't worry, she's all better because I'm pretty much the best pet owner and I healed her with regular eye drop treatments.

But, that's not really the point of this post. While we were at Petco it was "adoption day" and lots of pets where in cages inside the store. I talked to the Humane Society representative there about Agnes' eye and he pointed to two adorable kittens in a cage that were about the same age as Agnes. Still not the point. He then told me he had lost four kittens that morning to distemper and we both made a pouty sad face. Still not the point.

The point is this. Last night as I was trying to fall asleep, I kept thinking about those two kittens in the cage at Petco. They were Agnes' size and looked so sad to be sitting in a rabbit cage with no one to hug them or love them. And then I wondered if two cats were better than one. Not really any more work required but Agnes could have a buddy and they could play together and cuddle up on cold mornings. But the biggest reason why I thought two were better than one is because I think Agnes is a pretty happy cat and I just felt so bad that those two kittens were going back to the Humane Society to sit in a cage. A CAGE. Not to a home with carpet and a fireplace and two people who love them and feed them regularly and comb them and take them in the car to explore.

Maybe two is better than one. I'm still trying to convince Nate.

And P.S. Is this how cat ladies start out? With good intentions?

I NEED A VACATION SO BADLY I CAN TASTE IT

2009-10-04T21:30:00.005-06:00

Yes, Nate and I took a vacation in February. It was marvelous. With that in mind, I"m not sure eight months has ever felt so distant. And by "distant" I mean, did it ever really happen in the first place? I need a vacation. Time off. A few days to relax, write, think of something other than work, and get my life back.

And now, in an effort to take a mind-vacation without requiring my body to go with it, I'll dream up a few perfect get-a-ways. This is where I'd spend free time if it truly existed.

GET-A-WAY #1: African Safari
I love the romance of a safari. And when I say romance I'm not talking about long walks at sunset. I'm talking about watching a giraffe run across your path, it's neck swaying so strange it will stay with you forever. I'm talking about dozing off in a wall tent and hearing a lion's roar echo over the valley.

I dream of doing this again. Of smelling smoke from the fire, seeing a warm glow of light inside a tent, hearing and seeing animals so beautiful and dangerous the only thing to do is panic and smile all at once.
Of course, when I imagine this trip, I always smell like Aveda products and carry leather luggage and look like Keira Knightley.

GET-A-WAY #2: The Beach...any beach
I'd go anywhere for good beach. I have always wanted to go to the Outer Banks. Something about that region, that beach, is so fundamentally simple and beautiful. It's not complicated by all the coconut shell bikini tops and steel drum bands. I love a beach that is warm enough to wear a bathing suit but cool enough that you can wear a gauzy scarf to keep the chill out. And there is all that old-timey sailing going on with wooden boats and topsiders.

Be it a safari or a beach, one things is constant. Nate.

ONE OF THOSE DAYS

2009-09-29T21:16:00.000-06:00

Have you ever had one of those days where, though you get out of bed, you never really wake up? Or one of the days where everyone else seems to look put together and happy with smiles and shiny stuff around their eyes, and your eyes are saggy and all you can manage to see is that hideous patch of gray hair that is growing undeterred over your right temple? How about one of those days where your blackberry keeps buzzing so continuously that you lose your patients and maybe pick it up and throw it against the wall in your office? And lastly, had one of those days lately where you know you've gained weight, and you know the only way to break the cycle and reclaim your former body is to get off your couch-loving hiney and work out. But you don't. Because of all the stuff about being tired and living in a fog and being disappointed with your life and accomplishments and how easy you lose your temper and just plain laziness?
I had one of those days today. Real bad. And now I see that Out of Africa is coming on encore and while I'm tempted to watch this three-hour epic and cry my eyes out, I'm not going to. Because I'm too tired. What's the date again?

MEET AGNES

2009-09-27T18:11:00.000-06:00

July 24, Nate and I adopted a tiny little gray kitten and named her Agnes. She's now 3.5 months old, has gained about a pound and is really fun to take pictures of.I'm taking a digital photography class and Agnes is the perfect subject.

I COULD PUT GOOD USE TO:

2009-09-21T22:00:00.004-06:00

This and this.

CPR ON AN OLD CONCEPT {A-Z: I}

2009-09-21T21:48:00.002-06:00

Long ago I started a little series with a nod at Encyclopedia of an Ordinary Life. I got as far as H. I"m going to pick up where I left off. With "I".

I: vowel {pronounced "eye"}

Impossible: Most things I've ever accomplished started out being categorized as "impossible".

Insomnia: I'm having a relationship with my insomnia. Things are rocky to say the least. My relationship with sleeping medications like Ambien and Trazadone, however, is definitely showing more potential.

Introduce: Things I want to introduce into my regular routine 1. yoga 2. healthy meals {3 of them plus snacks} 3. peace 4. just enough sleep 5. running 6. blogging 7. something new 8. reading 9. patience 10. meditation.

I love you: Words to live by.

NOT TOO OLD FOR A BIB

2009-09-13T23:50:00.004-06:00

I love these bib necklaces from Etsy.I love how they looks with jeans and a plain t-shirt. Effortless and interesting.

SOCIALLY RESPONSIBLE TOYS

2009-09-02T20:06:00.004-06:00

Shopping in a little toy store in Breckenridge, I met these green toys. I love them.

REMEMBER WHEN

2009-09-01T22:03:00.007-06:00

I used to blog regularly? I used to be interesting? I was a good friend and called you once in a while? I thought exercise was more than hypothetical? I watered my plants?

If this blog were a singer it would be called Dusty Springfield and this would be my album cover.

I've been busy. This summer I've traveled to a bazillion different Marriott properties in cities I barely breathed in. I'm not proud of my absence. In fact, it haunts me in those hours when I should be sleeping but when my mind thinks about product launches and what a brilliant marketing professional might do in my shoes.

This post reminds me of my girlhood journals. I'd start strong; keeping my readers {all the older versions of myself that would read it someday} updated on every mundane detail of my 10-year old life. And then, around page four, I'd start to slack. Gaps would form and I'd have months of invisible days that basically never happened because I'll never remember them again.

One of those unrecorded days might have recounted the first goal I scored in co-ed soccer or how I thought my 4th grade teacher, Mr. Dunkley, was "a fox". I might have had entries about my first date, my first kiss, my first job, my first anything; but they are all lost in the empty pages between July 12, 1983 and...now!

When Clementine came to be one night in August 2006, I had lots to say. I was anxious to recount anything that drew a pause or a second thought or a sigh. I was consistent and have a great log of almost three years of my life with photos and links and a few comments. But now it has all these gaps; gaps where forgotten stories belong.

I'm going to avoid all the details that make most memories charming and just go for the basic facts. Once I catch myself up to Sept 2, 2009, I'll tell you what color my toenails are and how I love this new t-shirt I got from jcrew.

Summer Trips: NYC {2x}, San Francisco, San Diego, Orlando, Denver {4x}, Seattle, Minneapolis, Pheonix, Chicago, Iowa...I'm forgetting places. That doesn't seem like enough.

Big Events: Family reunion at my house, my 38th birthday, I got platinum status on Delta, celebrated my 4th anniversary, Oquirrh Mountain Temple dedication

Concerts: Wilco, The Dead Weather, Depeche Mode, Lollapalooza

Adoptions: Nate and I rescued a 2-month old kitten we named Agnes. I'm fairly certain she already has abandonment issues.

Workouts: Three (3o minutes in Orlando, 30 minutes in Denver, 30 minutes in San Diego

I miss Clementine. I miss the occasional comments. I miss the ability to use the search capabilities of blogger to remember what it was like to be 36.

And now, because I promised you I'd include these details, my toes are a pearly nude color, and I love this t-shirt from jcrew.

WHOOT WHOOT FOR KYM!!!

2009-07-06T07:50:00.003-06:00

If you've read this blog at all you know that I adore this woman. I have a girl crush on her. I consider myself a better person because I call her my friend. Today is Kym's birthday. She's so smart, brave, clever, beautiful, talented and funny. If you get all that wrapped into one person, and that person is willing to be your friend, you've just one the jackpot!

QUICK UPDATE

2009-07-05T22:23:00.005-06:00

It's getting late {10:30 which translates into Tonia's bedtime} so I'll be brief out of necessity.

Nate and I were supposed to be in London right now. We were supposed to see Blur play in Hyde Park. We were supposed to take an entire week of vacation. But we didn't. It's sad but true. We canceled our London trip and alternately filled up three days in Denver. We stayed at the Courtyard on 16th Street, worked out in their great gym, shopped at Park Meadows Mall, and saw an epic Wilco concert at Red Rocks.

It's time to go back to work. And travel. I'll be in four different states this week {Minnesota, Iowa, Arizona, and Washington}. In the midst of it all, my plans are to become a blogger again; I'm sure anyone who did read this blog has given up on the drab, old content. But I'm going to blog again and often.

In the meantime, here is a photo I took at the concert {with my new Nikon Coolpix S630 camera. Yay!}. This photo is my new screensaver and a photo I will see every day. It will remind me what it felt like to be at Red Rocks, sitting next to Nate, smelling the fresh air, seeing the Colorado sky and listening to "I am trying to break your heart."

THINGS I'VE DONE SINCE MAY 15: PART II

2009-06-11T15:25:00.008-06:00

Upon returning from NYC at nearly 1am, I did laundry in a haze, repacked my bag, and readied myself for a flight to San Diego at 9:30 the next morning. I was headed for an executive retreat for work followed by a fun weekend on Coronado Island with Nate.
Work was work, but when Nate came to join me for Memorial Day weekend the real fun began. First and foremost, we'd sleep in. As late as we wanted with no guilt. After eating yummy omelets {made to our specifications by Jose} on the patio, we rented beach cruisers and road around and through the island several times. I felt like I was living in a j.crew spread as I peddled down streets called eucalyptus and orange; passing pink and blue houses with terra cotta shingles. The flowers; oh, the flowers. Hydrangeas, roses, iris, peonies. I got such delight from the magnolia trees. Riding under the canopy I took in the aroma; the soft, warm floral scent mixed with salty sea air is the perfume I would invent if I were a perfumer.
Other activities included seafood, lounging pool-side, eating ice cream on the lawn of the historical Coronado Hotel, listening to live music, LOTS of kissing, and NBA playoffs.

THINGS I'VE DONE SINCE MAY 15

2009-06-09T18:25:00.006-06:00

Since it has nearly been a month since I last posted {my longest stint sans blogging yet}, I'm going to take my time catching everyone up on what I've been doing the last several weeks. In a word, TRAVELING {NYC, San Diego, San Francisco}.
As my last post suggests, I was in Brooklyn at Craftacular for the weekend in May. Craftacular is a pretty groovy craft bazaar that takes place each year in Brooklyn. We were there demonstrating our new product and getting acquainted with several of the indie artists that travel country-wide to show their creations. It was a lot of work but really fun. And a reminder that I should always travel with at least one girl for shopping companionship.
I bought cool golden earrings in the shape of large flies and I get compliments on them everywhere I go. When I get a decent camera I will take a snapshot and post. They are just that cute!
Here are a few snaps of Craftacular in Brooklyn. I'm told the line to get in wrapped around the block. It was fun to be surrounded by such creative minds! And yes, the lighting was extremely poor in the building. I swear it gave me a migraine.

I also spent an afternoon at the Stationary Show which was like walking around in a candy store. I, again, met a lot of really cool artists, many of whom I plan to do some work with this year. I heart NYC.

I'LL BE ENJOYING THE WEEKEND HERE

2009-05-15T20:40:00.003-06:00

I'm in Brooklyn for the weekend. I'm here for work but I expect it to be a lot of fun mixed in with the hours and hours of screen printing and product demos.
Have a great weekend.

WHO'S THAT TREE?

2009-05-13T21:36:00.005-06:00

The Rockstar and I live in a pretty progressive neighborhood. Our sprinkling system is connected to a satellite and provides just enough water based on the current and impending weather. If it rains, our sprinklers don't turn on. Miraculous!
But now...NOW things have just been turned up a notch. We just got an email today that explains each of our community trees will be tagged with an RFID. Here's a little more information from the email.

"In response to this need, XXXXX is working with the Salt Lake County Million Tree Program, South Jordan City and G. Brown Design, Inc. to develop an urban forestry management program. This program is the system by which the trees will be properly monitored and provide a streamlined management approach through the use of a tree inventory and mapping system. The inventory contains information about each tree including: Unique Tree # using a RFID (Radio-frequency identification) tag that is 1/2” long x 1/8” diameter glass capsule embedded into each tree, Scientific Name, Common Name, Location, Tree Condition, Caliper Size, Canopy Size, and Photo. After the tree has been tagged and evaluated, it becomes part of a tree database and computerized mapping system."

I guess all those plans we had for stealing trees and adding them to our backyard are squashed!!

CREWCUTS FIRST CATALOG

2009-05-03T22:30:00.007-06:00

These images from the first-ever Crewcuts {J.Crew mini sized} catalog are as sweet as a summertime lemonade stand.

FAVORITE QUOTE OF THE WEEK

2009-05-03T22:08:00.003-06:00

Nate and I have been hypnotized by a very long and thorough documentary of rock called, "HEAVY, The History of Metal". Now I know more than I've ever wanted to know about bands like Quiet Riot, Twisted Sister, and Motley Crue. One quote we heard made the hours of mindless rock trivia worth while.
Jani Lane, Warrant front man, wrote Cherry Pie one night. It was supposed to be just one track on the new album originally titled, "Uncle Tom's Cabin". But once Cherry Pie was embraced by the record label, the album was retitled Cherry Pie. Lane continues, "...the album was cherry pie, the record was called *cherry pie, I was suddenly doing *cherry pie eating contests, I was known as the *cherry pie guy, my whole life was cherry pie. I wanted to shoot myself in the *head for writing that song." *explitives removed to respect the PG13 rating of this blog.

Haven't we all been there with Jani Lane? We work our whole lives to be the best we can be and one little mistake, one dumb move, and we're forever known as "the cherry pie guy".

RAISE A PINT

2009-04-29T22:56:00.004-06:00

Subtitle: I'm a FEMALE!

This morning I was walking into work from the parking lot and I passed a big, looming red cross bus parked out front. We all know what that means. Blood donation time! I didn't sign up but knew they would not turn me away so into the bus I hopped.
Now, mind you, I don't wear a lot of makeup, and lately I've been letting my hair air dry so I lack that polished, put together, feminine essence. But I'm still a girl. I wear jewelry and heals and lip gloss. So I was surprised when the nurse asked me my gender...at three different times. I started to get a little paranoid that I looked man-ish. I had to shrug that off because having a needle jabbed into my vein is way too important to get distracted by questionable gender.
There was a time when needles and blood and finger pricks didn't bother me. And they still don't; if it's on TV I'm fine. But the moment a real live person starts toward me with a sharp object (needle, knife, pencil, temper) I get woozy. Similar to getting sick on amusement park rides, this is an aversion that started later in life.
Anyway, I gave my pint, in less than 6 minutes. I felt pretty accomplished while I ate my fig newton and chatted up a bleeding co-worker. But as other people where being prepped, I knew I had to make it out of that bus. I felt great most of the day. And I skipped lunch on accident.
Fast forward to my commute home from work; it's a 40 minute drive. Those 40 minutes were some of the most uncomfortable I've had in a while. I felt at once an anxiety attack coming on AND a fainting spell. Once I got home I pulled on my sweats and languished on the couch making the Rockstar serve me food and fetch me important things like water with ice.
I'm glad donating blood makes me feel this way. It helps me realize how important blood is, and how ridiculous it is that I don't donate more often. I'm disappointed that I don't jump into all the red cross vans I see idling at the curb. I mean, if I feel this depleted with one pint missing, how must someone feel that is actually in need?

I THINK I WANT A GNOME

2009-04-28T20:35:00.003-06:00

There are a lot of gnomes out there. But I happen to like him best. He would be perfect wandering around our yard, patrolling the garden and keeping our tomatoes safe from thieves. He's on my must-have list for spring.

BABY, YOU ROCK!

2009-04-21T07:28:00.005-06:00

Subtitle: Happy Day Rockstar

It's Nate's birthday today. He's 33. This morning I wanted to slow down just a bit and spend some time with him; I will be late for work for anyone who is looking for me.
Last night I made dark chocolate cupcakes and added semi-sweet chocolate chunks for extra rich chocolatey flavor. Topped off with vanilla icing, I think the cakes-on-the-go will be perfect for our hectic lifestyle. After Nate went to bed I hung up the birthday garland that Dayna made for me, wrapped his presents, and tidied up the living room. {sorry, my camera is still broken so you'll have to use your imagination}
This morning Nate opened his presents. BBQ accessories from his family, and a music-themed birthday from me. He got tickets to see Franz Ferdinand tonight at The Great Saltair {one of his favorite live shows}, a double guitar stand to accommodate his acoustic and electric guitars, a custom designed, earth friendly guitar strap {looks like this} from Souldier Straps {check out her Etsy store} for his new Fender Jaguar, music magazines for pleasure reading, and a London Moleskin journal for our trip there in July to see Blur. I also found a nearby guitar shop that gives reasonably priced guitar lessons so it's just a matter of finding an open slot in his busy calendar.
Happy birthday to the music-lovin' birthday dood. Baby, you ROCK!

HAPPY DAY HUGO!

2009-04-21T06:00:00.002-06:00

It's Hugo's birthday today. He's lucky to share his birthday with the Rockstar {pictured together on their birthday in 2008}! Hugs and kisses to Hugo...hope your day is full of trucks, trucks, and trucks!

Love, Aunt Tonia

A CHAT FROM NATE

2009-04-19T09:03:00.002-06:00

While I was at work on Friday I wasn't signed into gmail for most of the day. But at home, I was. At some point that afternoon, Nate was trying to get the sound on his laptop to work and using gmail chat as a testing ground. When I came home from work, this is the chat I saw from Nate sitting on my desk top.

NO SHOES: REPORT

2009-04-16T22:53:00.005-06:00

I did it. I went the entire day barefoot in support of the TOMS day without shoes. Here's a report out in the form of a haiku.

Feet on cold cement
It's for a cause I tell them
Off come their shoes, too.

{photo from getty}

DEAR BO

2009-04-14T23:00:00.004-06:00

Dear Bo, the new "First Dog".
How is it possible that you get a Breaking News banner on CNN? Are you more important than people losing jobs or the weather report? How is it that Anderson Cooper spent valuable time from his life covering the story of you and the Obama's making friends and running together on the white house lawn. Just asking.

Your pal,
Tonia

p.s. Yes You Can!!!