Between long days in the rehearsal rooms and my out-of-control allergies, I am whipped. The fact that my allergies leave me feeling very tired and slightly foggy doesn’t help. The glorious trees filled with blossoms around here are a feast for the eyes and a pain in the tush.
Why am I the only one of the four children in my family to suffer from allergies?
I ask you, why?
I also suffered from acne as a teenager. Did my sisters? No. My brother struggled with it, though. To this day, I can’t really talk about it because it was so traumatic. Thank goodness today’s teens have a wealth of products to help them control that scourge. I wouldn’t wish it on anyone. I still have the occasional blemish and I’m friggin’ 60 years old! What the heck?
I didn’t like the look of the quilt on the coffee table. I love quilts, I do, but I like them in certain places: on a bed, on the back of a sofa or on the wall. I like them used sparingly because I think it makes for a stronger visual impression. For some reason, I don’t like patchwork pillows. Go figure. Anyway, I also didn’t like the way the quilt draped on the table, so I pulled out this piece of barkcloth that I brought with me and tossed it on the table. It makes for a nice splash of red.
I could easily amass a huge collection of barkcloth. I love it. Love the texture, the vivid retro patterns – the whole thing.
The living room needs some color, don’t you think? Between the dark gray carpeting, the darkish green slipcover and the dark finish on the furniture….oy. Where’s my paint?
In this apartment, I have to sit at the desk to use the laptop. At home, it sits on my lap. So I spend a lot of my time sitting at this Ikea desk, drinking my morning coffee. Peet’s French Roast – brought from home. My essential. I also write up my notes for the actors here.
Life on the road rehearsing a play is interesting. The actors quickly work to form a bond, creating a sort of family in this home away from home. As they must. The rest of us; stage managers, coaches, assistants, exist on the periphery of the acting company. We are a part of the process but we are, for lack of a better word, in positions of authority. Authority isn’t quite right, but it will do for now. I was an actress for many years and I know very well the bond that exists between cast members. You create that bond very quickly, for you need each other. And if you’re away from home, you need each other even more. Now that I am a coach/teacher, I find that I miss that connection a bit. And yet, I’m solitary and like my privacy. Push-pull, as often happens in my life.
The view out my window. This used to be an office building that was built for the telephone company. There is now a new AT&T building next door. That red building you see is an old hotel, which is empty at the moment. That makes me sad. Just imagine what that space looks like inside – I’d love to get in there and explore!
I like old buildings the best.
Today is my brother’s birthday. He would have been 66 years old. Happy Birthday, Dave. You are missed.
Happy Monday.
Claudia I like that barkcloth on the table. Adds color to the room. You sound a little homesick. I know how it is to feel drained from allergies. This too shall pass. Rest and I hope you have a great week!
hugs,
Linda
I’m feeling a bit better – but every day there is congestion and sneezing and itchy eyes. It will pass, you’re right!
Yes he is
Mere
Love you sister of mine.
Claudia, Sorry you can’t be home . I am just like you, as far as wanting to go in the old hotel. That would be so interesting. Hope you can get your allergies in control. Sending you some hugs, Susie
If everything would stop blooming, I’d be fine!
Like that touch of red! Of course!! Glad you are on the downhill side of your assignment. Know you will be glad to get home. But, it’s great that you enjoy what you do and I know, that you do it very well.
Have a great Monday!
Judy
It’s been a nice day off, Judy. Cutting fabric for my quilt, going grocery shopping with my friend. All in all, a good day.
Allergies are never fun. I hope they clear soon so you can enjoy the warm weather. You’ve described the acting world during a play well. Thanks for sharing!
I’ll keep sharing more about the process. Some parts of it (conflicts, etc.) I can’t share out of respect to my colleagues, but it’s been a pretty good process.
The bark-cloth is perfect to brighten up that room..I love bark-cloth too..I bought a long piece recently at a small flea market in this area..a darkish green with big beautiful flowers..Could have been a table runner or dresser scarf but I’m thinking it would make some nice pillows..I’m sorry to hear that your allergies are getting you down again..I would love to explore that old hotel with you..what treasures we would find!!..I will also say Happy Birthday to Brother Dave..my big brother is gone and I miss him so much..Hugs..
You understand, Nancy.
Yes, let’s go explore that hotel!
(((((HUGS))))) for you on your borther’s birthday. Wish I could be there in person to give you a hug. I can hear the pain in your words. So sorry.
I am having a time with the pollen this year. Usually it is just my eyes but not this yI think it is so funny how you are decorating your temp. apt. But I don’t blame you.
I bought a piece of Mc COy over the week-end that I think you would like. I don’t know if I paid to much for it. The lady was just marking it and I knew she was high on something else and I didn’t even try to ask her to take less. It was the only pottery in the barn……I will send a picture to you.
Have a good week.
I hope you enjoy your McCoy, Debby!
I like bark cloth too, Claudia, and I would love to get in and explore that old building with you. Think of all the secrets it holds. Happy Monday to you, too.
Hugs,
Laura
I know – I wonder what the rooms look like?
Monday, Monday, can’t trust that day. ( The mamas & the papas ). Looks like your “nest” is getting cozier~~~that’s a good thing! Sorry the allergies are torturing you~~~that’s a bad thing. I’m loving the pink hobnail vase & you have my favorite flowers in it as well! TJ’s flowers are THE best bar none :0). Hope your work week goes smoothly. I relate to your sadness today about your brother. So~~~ I’m sending you a heartfelt hug through the cosmos.
XO, Linda
Thank you, Linda, for the hug!
My allergies are really bad right now too. There is green yellow pollen on all my outside patio, car etc. I have raspy throat, ticklish cough and sneezing…oh yeah, watery eyes. This is the worst I have had it for a long time. Takng my allergy med but hoping to get a little rain to wash out the air. I had acne to as a teen. Went to the the dermatologist, the whole 9 yards. I remember my dad being quite concerned about me having it. He told me the pop that I drank was making me have it. I think I was just an oily faced teen. I am far from it now….have to keep a good moisturizer on my almost 60 yr old face. I can tell you are a little frustrated with your living quarters. Hang in there…it won’t last forever and you will be back to your little cottage before you know it. Happy Birthday to your brother on this his 66th birthday…..I know you miss him. ~Hugs, Patti
Only a very little frustrated, Patti. The apartment is actually pretty nice and it seems roomy because of the high ceilings.
You make your place look so nice and homey. But I know you miss Don, Riley and home. At least you have an interesting job. That always helps. I hope your allergies calm down soon. I calm mine down with breathing exercises that actually help them disappear. I count myself lucky in that respect.
You ARE lucky. I do all sorts of breathing exercises as part of my voice coach work and, unfortunately, they don’t make a dent on my allergies!
I like that old red building too. You have an interesting view, especially for one who lives in a cottage.
I’m crazy about your barkcloth fabric! Wish I’d been crazy about barkcloth before the prices got crazy.
Oh, I know, Dewena. It’s so expensive nowadays!
Your barkcloth is beautiful! Is that the only piece you have? It would make wonderful pillows! ;)
I have other pieces of barkcloth but this is the only one in this pattern.
Hi Claudia,
Ohhhhh … my brother would have been 66 right now too … his oldest daughter is getting married on Saturday and I am both, so sad and so excited. Bittersweet. Thinking of you and sending you lots of hugs.
I’m so sorry to hear about your allergies – we’ve been suffering terribly this year. My husband ended up with a sinus infection and is on his second round of antibiotics – the first one did virtually nothing for him.
I am enjoying all the posts about your making your home away from home, comfy for you. You are so terrific at self-care and nurturing yourself.
I can’t recall if I told you that I adore my garland? (I know I left you feedback on Etsy but don’t think I’ve been here.) Sorry for being late – I’ve been living in this merry go round of family dysfunction of late, with all branches taking part hahahhaha and it’s been exhausting!
Hope you feel better soon! xo
I’m so glad you like your garland, Sally. I know you understand the loss of a brother, my friend. My brother’s children have all married and have children – and Dave has missed all of that. He died in 1991. But his kids are great and I know he would adore those grandchildren.
Hang in there!
Claudia, Sorry to hear about those pesky allergies! We don’t have enough blooming here yet for allergies to kick in…is that the upside to spring being so slow to arrive? At this point, I think I am going to totally miss my lilacs blooming…this is a major thing for me, and I know you understand! I’ve never taken a May vacation before and I can’t hardly tell my husband we’ll have to cancel because I’ll miss the lilacs! Switching to the red cloth was just perfect, a much better choice than the quilt. I don’t like patchwork pillows either, by the way! Saying a prayer in memory of your brother today, and wishing you well in your work and with your allergy suffering. xxoo, Martha
I’ve missed my lilacs blooming for the last two years, Martha, so i understand your pain. But have a wonderful vacation!
Happy birthday to your brother and your memories of him. I’m intrigued by that red building too, Claudia. Please, on top of everything else you have going on, pretend to be an interested buyer and get us all in there to see what it looks like! Hope those allergies clear up. Claritin D? Ann
Claritin doesn’t work for me, unfortunately, Ann. I don’t know if I have the kind of wardrobe that would convince anyone that I could buy that building!
I have horrible allergies too, Claudia – and my sister doesn’t! Have you tried Allegra D? The regular Allegra doesn’t work for me, but the D does. It’s kept behind the pharmacy counter. I also had bad acne as a teen and still get the occasional zit at age 50! My sister had bad acne too, so at least we were tied on that one. I love quilts but don’t like patchwork pillows either. Why can’t you use your laptop on your lap at the apartment? Hugs to you on your brother’s birthday; of course you miss him.
I can’t use the laptop because there is no Wi Fi here – I have to connect with an ethernet cable that plugs into the computer – it keeps me at the desk!
I’ve never been a huge fan of quilts either… although they sure feel good on a cold rainy day such as today. I have a few allergies but nothing that keeps me down for too terribly long… just a sneeze and itchy eyes from time to time that Claritin D usually takes care of for me. Sorry to hear you suffer so much from them, I’m sure you don’t look forward to this heavily laden pollen time of the year…. :(
Oh, I didn’t say I wasn’t a huge fan of quilts. I am a HUGE fan of them and have been quilting off and on for 15 years. I just don’t like seeing them overused in decorating. Because they have such a wonderful graphic quality, I think they work best when given some space in which to display them.
You really make every place a home Claudia with your special touches. Love the bright barkcloth – that’s something coming from this neutral decorating gal, haha!!!!
The old hotel – full of treasures I’m sure. Hotel silver, fabrics galore, rugs and old timey delights. Can we break in and have an adventure perhaps?
Hope the allergies soon subside – know they are a really miserable thing to have. As for acne – I’ve been using Neutrogena’s All-in1 Acne Control – the daily scrub and facial treatment (two products) for the past six months and not had a single zit since starting them! (I used to have a real problem even though I’m so old!!!!). I don’t even need the products daily anymore – just a few times a week – and I use Cetaphil for oily skin for regular cleansing – love that stuff.
Happy week – we’ve had a lot of rain – think the NE is doing well right now though with some pretty Spring weather!
Hugs – Mary X