violetismycolor

tribute to Betty...

I spent the day working on this photo of my friend Irene's mom.  She needs it for the memorial service...I had to cut out her dad and make her look good on her own.  I had to copy the right ear and hair, then turn it around and shape it around the left side of her face in order to get her hair right at that point.  Had to do the same with the right side of the jacket, since she is leaning into her husband.  It was good to know that there was something I could do for my friend in this time, however minor...

one of those days...

So, did you ever have one of those days when you thought that you could do whatever it was that you had planned for that day?  And then, all hell broke loose and you got nothing at all on your list done?

That was my day, today.

On my list were cleaning my house (which is my Friday job, but I didn't get it done on Friday), paying my bills and balancing my checkbook, and writing in my blog.  Just as the day was starting, my mom-in-law called, needing to be taken to the doctor.  Then came the call, making some navigation changes to the website I just finished. 

The rest of the day was spent running my MIL around, driving out to pick up some files, and working the website till my eyes were crossing.  No blogging till now (late), no chance to catch up on all my fave blogs out there.  And all those nasty chores for me to STILL do tomorrow. 

sooo busy...

Aaack...so much work....

I have been trying to get a client's website up and running in record time, so I have been almost totally out of touch.  But we are almost there and should get a breather next week.  Yay.

Also, the lovely Tine has translated our Pisces poem:

*"*You Pisces people are rich on body,
passionate, sensitive, soft.
You are experienced in arena of the arts and music.
May fortune even your path at all times*."*

Thank you, Tine.

In addition, Hope had a co-worker take a stab at it. Pretty close..

people of the star sign pisces, you, rich in love
devoted, contemplative, tender
in the realm of art and music
you are versed, may fortune
henceforth and for all times
accompany you on your path

Thank you, Hope.

Off to a fundraiser for Portland Public Schools, and then to work on the Illustration Friday...

how do you handle it?

My office was so pathetically messy that I couldn't even BEGIN to do all the work that I need to do.  I finally got my new PalmPilot working and I actually started off by listing all the work for the week ahead. (Panic attack ensued...)  And I ranked it in order of importance.  And I gave myself due dates.  (Ah, the joys of working for oneself!)

But with all the CRAP everywhere, I just couldn't get myself going.  So, I did what needed to be done.  I cleaned up.  Threw stuff away.  Put things away...by that, I mean that I put them out of sight...so they were no longer just clutter. 

Miraculously, this clearing-my-desk-process cleared my mind, too.  I got right to work on project number one:  updating a client's website, including a forced-upon-me site migration.  After talking to a very uppity tech support guy, I smoothly managed the migration...but my gosh, the guy got on my nerves!

I feel fairly confident that I can proceed through the multiple projects and manage to finish them all.  Yay. 

Now, can I do all that AND manage to get through Illustration Friday, too?  It's anyone's guess...

labor day, and boy, am I working!!!

These antique photos are really giving me some grief. I am trying to get them to all be the same sepia color, for one thing. Since they are all shades of gray and yellow and orange, that is hard. Also, some of the age problems feel almost unsurmountable.

For another thing, the weather outside is gorgeous and I am trapped inside in front of my computer. That is depressing. I need to get out to my garden and pull some of those weeds...

And we are having folks over for an inpromptu bbq and I: haven't shopped...haven't cleaned up the house...haven't cleaned up the yard and deck...

Stress...

new client...feast or famine in the photo business...

I have a new client, suddenly. Out of the blue, someone needs some antique photos blown up, restored, and printed on special Velvet Fine Art paper. The client is in sort of a rush, so I have promised them by Tuesday. A busy Labor Day weekend in store for me, I guess.

Click on the photos for a larger view of the before and after...

This is actually the kind of project I love. All the photos are black and white (or at least, were originally...now they are all shades of 'old'), and at least the color doesn't have to be restored. They will all have to match, in terms of the color, so I have to coordinate all 13 of them to be the same sepia tone. This is a bit of a tightrope to walk, but a pleasant challenge.

Bonnie called and life is good at college. She did find, to her chagrin, that in order to be a Phi Beta Kappa, you have to take calculus. And she does NOT intend to do that, so it is off the table for her. The have-to-take-calculus rule is apparently new, and that is very frustrating to her.

My mother-in-law is showing all the signs of deciding for sure to move here. All good. Don't know yet if I am still expected to go to Florida next week, but I hope not or I will miss my book group. And I LOVE my book group. Always the highlight of the month.

day of paperwork...

Another day has gone by and all I have done is paperwork. Bills, insurance. Could life get any drearier?

My friend, Cherrie, has asked me to design an announcement for her upcoming marriage/change of address. She wants me to have this 'announced' by her two kids. I think this is a charming idea and I already have started brainstorming. Will post what I come up with.