tuesday.

I just started one of those posts where you just let your fingers do their thing and it's like you got a look at your inner psyche...and it scares you. It was about blogs and perfection and being genuine and not being genuine. Like I said, it scared me a little, reading my own words. It's like my heart wants to talk about it but my mind isn't ready. So that post will wait. Or maybe it'll never happen....

so my monthly goals (which seemed oh-so-clever and wise at the time) just aren't happening. Sure, I tried to be a good wife in February (but only brandon can be the judge of that). March is almost over and oopps.....that "style" blog doesn't even have a url. Frankly I just don't have the time. Or rather, I choose to not spend my time doing that. instead: I'm taking my photography business to the next level (didn't know I had a photography business?! exactly. my. point.) I took on a new and very exciting job. My mom and I are making plans to re-do my kitchen this summer. I'm trying desperately to make/save more money. I'm paying up for a semester worth of procrastinating assignments. I'm making art. I'm having art shows. I'm getting at least 8 hours of sleep EVERY NIGHT (huzzah!). And I'm meditating. 

and I feel comforted knowing I'm doing exactly what I'm supposed to be doing RIGHT NOW. and that feeling is rare. so I'm going to savor it.

which means this blog will continue to follow it's irregular, sporadic, nonsense style.

hope that's ok with you.

-Claire

p.s. here are some words of wisdom I know I needed, so maybe you need them too

Raising Resilient Children
Equal Partnership in Marriage

(good reads for parents/non parents, marrieds/singles)

p.p.s. I'm taking a blog fast. not from mine. but from yours (everyones). Don't worry, it's not personal. "it's not you, it's me..." but really, I need that time to make sure I pass classes and all that good stuff. Netflix took a hit too, so at least you are in good company. :)

first day of spring

sometime it's like my heart and mother nature's are one. beating in the same time and with the same energy.

this has not been my life for the past few months.

and then suddenly, just like the first day of spring, all seems right.

this energy,
I'm not sure where it's taking me but I trust it.

solo show

I was on a glitter fast for a while, but I got over it quick :) 

This work is very different than my last show: mediums vary from embroidery to GLITTER!  I'm both excited and confused about it, but I'm realizing how good that uncomfortable, contradicting feeling can be. Anyway, I'd love for you to come! It's at my good friends' home (their front room is a gallery, if that's not cool I don't know what is...)

-Claire

a call for questions

I love reading FAQ's on other's blogs and decided to do one of my own. First of all, I don't get asked a lot a Q's....(except what film I use, which I will totally answer!) so you can ask ANYTHING you want. it can be about art, love, photography, anxiety, hair, teaching, marriage, health, religion, goals, fears, whatever.

So whaddayawannaknow?!

You can comment, or email me at cathorley@gmail.com

the first day of the year

the first day of 2013, with my dad, snowshoeing in the mountains near our home. 

In one of my classes yesterday we talked about judgement, and how we judge people's actions as defining them, when really it's their intentions that should define them, the reasoning that we don't get to see. maybe that's not totally true and maybe it doesn't even make sense but I thought about how I love hiking. and then I thought about why I really love it and I think it probably has to do with the fact that it means I get to spend time with my dad. my dad is more of a left brain and me, a right. But when we are up in the mountains and out in nature we seem to meet in the best place in the middle: his beautifully artistic way of observing and understanding and my minds ability to see clearly are hightened the further we get away from the busy.

NAEA

I attended the National Art Education Association convention in Fort Worth, Texas this last week. The best part of the trip was visiting Museum of Modern Art Fort Worth. I saw Jenny Holtzer, Rothko, Sol LeWitt, Ellsworth Kelly, Donald Judd, the Bechers, Sally Mann, Albers and so many more amazing works! Sometimes I wonder if I have it in me to teach art, and then I see great art and my body gets all silly and I just want to be a part of it in any way that I can. The other great part of the trip was late night pillow talk with my roommates. we laughed. we cried. it was very much needed.

Though the trip was a success, I don't really feel like I can say I've been to Texas. My entire stay was within a 4 block radius that pretty much felt like an outdoor mall. I didn't hear nearly as many "y'alls" as I hoped, nor did I have any beef (my vegan habits carry strong) so it doesn't really count. Brandon served an LDS mission in Fort Worth for 2 years, so next time I visit, I'm bringing him along as my personal tour guide ;)

yellow roses

call it pms. call it whatever you want. I've been on one lately. I feel weird, not myself, rowdy and riled up. And people can see it in my face. They say so.

sassy.

I guess that's a fitting description.

so I've been a sassafrass. and honestly, I wouldn't want to hang out with me. But when you are married...well..whattayagonnado?

I bought brandon yellow roses as an apology for said sassing.
he really likes yellow roses.

and while I'm in Texas this weekend, I he hope takes good care of them, relaxes, recovers from his crazy wife and enjoys some alone time. we are advocates for alone time. (and equal advocates for very-much-together time too) but alone time: it's good stuff.

happy Wednesday.

p.s. it's march already. March and I aren't off to the greatest start. But I still plan to post a recap of February's goal and to get going on March's. It'll happen when it happens, ya know?