Monday, March 08, 2010

No One Was Murdered In The Making Of This Post

But it was close. My Saturday was all shook up when the teen declared I 'had' to go see this vintage store she, DH and the little one had gone to on Friday night while they were out looking at art. I'm not one to argue too much about going to a vintage/antique store. In fact, I'm usually leading the charge. My only worry was it is down in the West Bottoms. Not that I really know where that is in Kansas City, I just know its in downtown, among the scary decaying buildings. 


You see, I have this little comfort zone *shows you her comfort zone in the shape of a square, very close to her body* that I have trouble venturing out of. I love old buildings, but I've watched too many CSIs. Someone is always getting murdered in old buildings because someone else was bent on nefarious activities. Mark my words, someone is always gonna get killed. Plus, when I'm with one of the kids, I am even more hyper-vigilant. It's that responsibility issue, to protect your children. The teen is fearless it seems. 


Anyway, we headed out to see some galleries and this little vintage store. We stopped by one place. I took one look at its location in one of the scariest alleys and only one car and had visions of being murdered in the abstract section of the gallery. NO WAY. Didn't go in. The teen just rolled her eyes at me and directed me to the next place. 


We had the best time at the vintage store: Good JuJu. It's only open The first weekend of the month during what KC area calls 'First Fridays.' A great time to visit art galleries and all sorts of booths of art for sale. I picked up 2 vintage aprons, a few old photographs, a pile of old time cards and the teen found a gorgeous vintage perfume bottle. She was ecstatic since she collects them. 


After leaving the store, we happened upon this place, Seldom Found. It looks interesting and we'll have to come back for a visit since it wasn't open. Around that store we found a few buildings and alleys that were perfect for photographs. The teen insisted on jumping out of the car to take pictures instead of sitting in the car like any normal human being in a foreign area. While she took pics I scanned the area for murderers, prepared to run them over with my car if they came near my baby. 'I' took pics from the car.


I think however, that after awhile I felt safe. Or saf 'er' that I thought I did in the beginning. Now the teen and I are planning more trips, to include more antique stores, salvage shops and maybe a thrift store or two thrown in for dear ole' mum. I'm branching out of my comfort zone. Okay, stretching its borders just a bit. It's worth it, to spend time with my teen.

4 comments:

Trudy said...

I am so thrilled that you are joining The Artistic Mother's Group.
Just do what you can. You won't get kicked out if you can't get to every project. We are trying to build the habit of doing a little art each day and learning how to fit that into our busy lives; so you'll be fine. And yes, you may still play.

We will be allowing two weeks for each project. But if you get behind, please don't worry. Just keep working a little each day. The whole point of this group is to develop the habit of doing art each day. It is also so we can encourage one another and be an accountability group. I personally need the accountability part of it. Knowing that others are coming to see what I'm up to is very motivational; otherwise, I may not finish it on my own. Some projects may be easier for you than others and may allow you to catch up. But if you don't, don't get discouraged. Just keep on going. This is a low pressure group. I want everyone to have fun and also enjoy visiting one another.

And please do a blog post about your participation in the group inviting others to join. Please give a link to my blog for those who may wish to join so they can come here and get the details and sign in. I am keeping a master list of all participants.

Each week do a post of your progress as you go through the book. When posting each week, please mention the group with a link to my blog. That way people can go to my blog and see the list of the other participants and click around to see their progress as well.

Since our group has grown so much, instead of having to put all of the links in each post or on your sidebar, I have made a button for the group. Just grab my button and put that in your sidebar. I will keep the list of all participants in my sidebar.

Please check my blog often for tips, notes of encouragement and exciting news.

Trudy Callan

www.artisticcreationswithtrudy.blogspot.com

I am signing up as follower and putting you on my blog list so I can know when you post, and I am adding your name to the list right now.

Again, I am so glad you could join us. See you on March 6th, our launch date.

Trudy
http://artisticcreationswithtrudy.blogspot.com/2010/02/new-artistic-mother-group-forming-i.html
Note: Due to copyright laws, we are not allowed to do tutorials or step-by-step photos of the projects on our blogs or take photos of the pages in the book and post them. You may post a photo of your version of the project and talk about your experiences and feelings relating to it.

Also, if you are doing this project with a friend, each person must have their book unless you are doing it together under the same roof. No photocopying of the book, please.

Trudy

Rhonda Langley said...

I am probably not afraid enough although a couple of those alleys might have made me think twice.
Just take your two best friends with you next time (you know Smith & Wesson)LOL!

Julie Prichard said...

LOL I am so happy to know that your crazy is comparable to my crazy!

xo

Paula Clare said...

Kris,
You CRACK me up! I LOVE this post...and the first photo...did yOU photoshop that or did number 1 daughter? WAY COOL! These are the kind of places I LOVE to hang out in...went to a wayyyyyyyy scary place on the riverfront in downtown St. Louis and discovered a hobo university and art gallery! What a treasure!

I posted about it on my facebook photos...check them out! AND, although there were thuggish types lurking about (with motorcycles no less) no one was murdered or even maimed! It was a great day!