{tink makes art}

Jillian and I moved into a cute, little bungalow last November, and I am finally getting around to telling you about it! It is the most adorable house you’ve ever seen with a full basement and full attic, large front and backyards, original wood floors, and a sweet retro kitchen. We love it! Jillian and I are both artists, so, of course, our house is full of artwork (both our own and our friends). Our styles fit nicely together creating a mid-century modern meets bohemian style meets rustic farmhouse. Maybe? Ha.

See more photos of the living room, breakfast area, and kitchen after the jump. I’ll save my bedroom for a future post…

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My lack of posts this week may give you some indication that well, I’ve been somewhat busy. To top it off, I returned my work computer early this week, which left me computerless (YIKES!) until my amazing friend, Jennifer, gave me an old on of hers to use. Saved. Now, back to blogging and staying on top of my freelance editing work.

A little life update…

I’ve been nannying a two-year old boy, Henry, three times a week, which keeps getting better and better with each day I spend with him. I’m starting to learn his little idiosyncrasies, his favorite toys and books, and his daily routine. He is a delight. I’ve also picked up a few shifts a week at Foster’s Market in Durham. A lovely place to eat and relax. Come by! Although still looking for a creative full-time job and hoping to move, eventually, to the west coast, I’m doing OK. I like what I am doing, and I can pay my bills. That’s all I need.

So, what’s my plan for the weekend besides catching up on my freelance work? Well, tomorrow night is the annual Central Park School for Children “Save Our Arts” benefit show at Motorco featuring Mount Moriah, Megafaun, and The Beast. Only $10, it’s sure to be a good time. What are your plans?

photo via cardigans and cookies

I was fortunate to climb three different types of rock on my trip out west: sandstone in Red Rock Canyon in Las Vegas, metamorphic basalt in New Jack City, California, and granite in Joshua Tree, California. The granite was the hardest on my hands, but I don’t know if that was because my hands were sore after having already climbed for several days or if the granite really was rougher and sharper. It felt like razorblades. Ouch!

Red Rock Canyon was my favorite place to climb for the soft rock (still easy to grab!) and beautiful views (red rock against a blue sky? Oh  my!).

Have you ever been out West? What’s your favorite place to go?

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I’m back from my cross-country road trip, which lasted nearly three weeks. Friends, family, climbing, camping, surfing, dancing, laughing, music – It was amazing. The pic above is me climbing “The Wave” in Red Rock Canyon in Las Vegas. Red rocks, blue sky…love!

I’m happy to be back home in Durham, and I’m geared up for 2012. It’s going to be a great year…

Where did you travel to over the holidays? Where were you for Christmas? New Years?

Photo by Garry Dodds

Well, folks. Today I leave for my big cross-country adventure. I’m driving from Durham, North Carolina to…well…the West. I’ll be visiting family and friends, interviewing for jobs, climbing rocks, and camping along the way with stops in Chattanooga, Atlanta, Dallas, Lubbock, Window Rock, Flagstaff, Las Vegas, Big Bear City, Joshua Tree, San Diego, Los Angeles and many other cities that will be added spontaneously. I’ve always wanted to drive across the country, and I’m finally doing it!

I’ve decided to be, for the most part, unreachable – although we know how impossible that is in today’s world – but I’m gonna try! Limited cell phone, no computer, limited email, no Grey’s Anatomy (gulp!), and no blogging…especially when I reach Window Rock where my climbing/camping adventures begin. I return on January 8th (that’s the plan anyway) and will have many photos, videos, and stories to share.

I hope you all have a blessed Christmas and a happy New Year! If you’re traveling as well, be safe.

Here’s my route:

Do you remember my post a while back about how I joined Danni over at oh, hello friend  and others in the twelve by 2012 challenge? Well, I wanted to give you an update on my progress so far, since we only 22 more days in 2011. Gulp!

Here are my original goals along with there updates…

1. Run a half marathon. Done! Read about my experience here.

2. Create a Bull City Salon logo stencil and start tagging. Still to do!

3. Read (or listen to) 5 books. So far, I’ve read Sex God by Bell and The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein. I’m currently reading Jesus for President and The Bookseller of Kabul, and I plan to read Eiger Dreams by Jon Krakauer during my road trip out west later this month.

4. Complete a V3 route. Done! See me in action here.

5. Apply for school. This has changed to “Apply for jobs!”  I’m looking to relocate to California, New York, or Florida…or any other place the wind takes me. I still intend to apply for school in the new year, but for now, the need for employment takes priority! Did I mention I’m available for hire?!

6. Host a “stock-my-bar” party. Done! And WE. ARE. STOCKED!

7. Pray more. And listen. God’s been doing amazing things in my life. Have you ever had a change of heart on something and when you realize how impossible that seemed before, you instantly feel a rush of gratitude and amazement? Well, I’ve had that feeling a lot recently, and not towards anything specific…just the feeling of growth and the peace and comfort knowing “I’m OK, and I’m going to continue to be OK.” I am truly grateful, amazed, and strengthened by God’s love for me.

8. Double my savings. Mmm…well, see #5. Unemployment makes saving a bit tricky, so, sadly, this one may not get a check mark.

9. Eat a gluten-free diet for one week. Still to do!

10. Respond to my Facebook messages. Yes…still to do…!

11. Cook Jillian a fabulous, healthy meal. I’ve cooked a lot more recently at the house, but I haven’t cooked a meal specifically for Jillian, so doing that is still a goal to accomplish before 2012!

12. Print this list, and check off goals 1 – 11 once they are met. Done! And each check mark is so satisfying!

If you’re participating in the twelve by 2012 challenge, how are your goals coming along? If not, do you have any left “to-dos” before the new year?

For the past 2 1/2 years, I’ve been blessed to work as the Design Project Manager for Heather Garrett Design/hgHOME based in Durham, North Carolina. I’ve gained an incredible amount of knowledge and experience working in the interior design industry for an extremely talented designer; but as the saying goes, “all good things must come to an end.” (I hope that’s not actually true for all good things.) Our firm recently launched an online design service and an online store (great!), and now we’re downsizing our staff, which, starting January 1st, includes me (not so great!). Well, not so great for me but OH SO GREAT for YOU! If your looking for a fabulous design assistant, project manager, contributing blogger, or the like, you’re in luck! I’m available for hire!

Now for a little self-promotion…I am one rockstar Project Manager. Sourcing furniture, lighting, and accessories, selecting colors and finishes, updating fabrics, catalogs, and samples in our showroom, assisting customers in our brick-and-mortar retail store, preparing for presentations, and maintaining timelines and task lists for installations are among my current design-related duties…and, let’s not forget the entire second aspect of my job: bookkeeping (purchase orders, invoices, bills, EFTs, DBTs, credit cards, deposits). A multi-tasker, self-motivator, and fast learner, I am capable of ANYTHING (I say that with extreme confidence, I assure you!)! You’d think coordinating schedules and crunching numbers all day would mean I’m unable to relate to people and can’t pick out a decent shade of white, but it’s quite the opposite. I’m this anomaly in nature who has extreme organization skills and a spreadsheet addiction yet has amazing people skills and a natural eye for design. It’s a perfect combination really: a talented dreamer able to turn ideas into practical realities.

I currently live in Durham, North Carolina but am willing…even eager…to relocate to southern California, northeast Florida, or New York City. I’m interested in a creative opportunity whether that be in the interior design industry or for a non-profit/humanitarian organization. My biggest hope is that I can do something that makes a difference in others lives. Something worthwhile, something meaningful.

Spread the word! I’m available for hire! Send your offers (wink wink) to rachelgcfl at gmail dot com.

Twelve by 2012 Goal #4: Complete a V3 route. Done! I’m feeling solid at V2 problems and am confident working on V3′s. I’m pleased with my progress, and I can’t wait to finish a V4…and then a V5, V6, V7, and so on. Rock climbing is addicting and challenging (in all ways good!). I’ll have my first outdoor excursion out west in December, which I’m thoroughly looking forward to.

Here are two videos of me climbing the V3 I completed. Unfortunately, they don’t show me finishing the route…only me climbing two thirds’s of the way and then falling. Ha. It was the end of the night, and my body was completely exhausted after two hours of climbing. What can I say?

P.S. It wasn’t really the 15th and 52nd take. Haha.