Crazylandredolady

This weekend, we shall move helenjane.com over from our old host Dreamhost.

We’re also moving from Movable Type to WordPress.

(A picture of my dog for your patience through this administrative post.)

Dreamhost has been remarkably inconsistent in service — plus, the fact that they accidentally billed us well over a grand — well, its deal was sealed. I’ve moved all our client sites and helenjane.com is the last to go.

In installing different blog software for various clients, I’ve worked with many of the biggies. Blogger, Movable Type, Expression Engine, Typepad, Vox, even b2Evolution.

And I have to admit, I’m kind of sad to say that WordPress is the winner.

Why am I sad?

I’ve spent so many hours learning Movable Type, (so, so, SO many hours) and I hate to think that all that time was fairly unnecessary. WordPress has been easier to install, easier to manage and quicker to run. Templates seem a little more rigid, but I’m sure with a little more time, I can figure that out.

And hey! I’m not here to get in an argument with you about which service is better and why. This is my experience, it might not be yours.

So in the middle of these changes, I realized that I want to better update and integrate my recipes. And that Photos section up there? Well, most of those are on Flickr. And that resume? All that info is on LinkedIn. And that Links section? Better managed by a blogroll service.

Any other recommendations?

Part of me is reluctant to move all of this info outside of my immediate control, but those services do it much better than I can. They’re easier to update, import and have better search engine visibility than my meager site.

Why am I telling you this?
Because the site will be down for the next few days.
Yeah, I know, I don’t have to do this live, but I’m an impatient lady.

And I hope to reward you for your patience with a shiny, awesome new site very, very soon.

Belly Update

Well, there’s not a belly update, really.
I’m just looking, well, stocky.

I’m just rocking a thick middle.
Thick middle.

I have never been tiny, always medium. I range from medium to large medium.
And wherever I fall in that range, I have all kinds of insecurities and self-hates.

And when our dear friends come and put their hands on my bloaty, bulgy, very thick middle, well, I recoil.
I want not to.
I want to proudly wear snug tops and
lift up my shirt to show the world,
“HEY! There’s finally a fetus up in there!”

But that’s not going to happen.

Not to mention the tattoos readying themselves for mass realignment.
(You REALLY don’t want to see those.)

Like school in the summertime

One of my secret goals for this year was to work on more art.
See, I used to make lots of art.

But when you make art-like things for commerce, all thoughts turn to
“I really should be spending my time making art-like things for commerce.”

Not, “let’s make some art!”

So this year I’m turning to external sources of motivation for artmaking. I’m taking a printmaking class at the local community college. Ten weeks of studio space. A $25 materials fee. Six hours every Wednesday. Wow.

My first class was Wednesday.

Eight ladies in the class. Five are over seventy.
Although all seem to land on the Cranky side of the Cranky/Wise older lady continuum, they’re filled with great ladyknowledge and a willingness to learn.

And that’s good enough for me.
(And I like having the instructor repeat everything she said, A LITTLE LOUDER, PLEASE.)

I made a foam print of a monster and a robot. It was as easy as carving a shape into a piece of foam like the trays that chicken breasts come in. Voila! Art!

How silly of me to forget.

Cheesewhizzes Sparkles

We had another Cheesewhizzes party this weekend. The venue was Hall Winery’s absolutelygorgeous Rutherford facility. The winery has unbelievably moving art, and a chandelier that looks like tree roots hung with crystals and sparkly lights and that doesn’t really explain how breathtaking the venue.

(Planning a trip to the Napa Valley? Just look at this photo gallery! Make an appointment there for a private tasting. Do it right before you go to Auberge du Soleil to watch the sun set from the balcony. Tell them Cheesewhizzes sent you.)

Since most venues that are that breathtaking are up twisty roads and around hairpin turns, we hired a driver. Fued, from Black Tie Taxi, was personable, and most importantly, patient.

This Cheesewhizzes event had 80% people I didn’t know attending. Now that is some crazy stuff. Our little cheese tasting group has grown from ten to roughly 50 in a few short months. The venues are more and more luxurious, the cheeses, more adventurous.

Sadly, due to an all-encompassing fear of Listeria, I didn’t eat any of the cheese. Come to think of it, I didn’t drink any wine either. So instead I prepared snacks, ran dishes and made sure people knew the way to the bathroom. There will be time for cheese and wine.

Most importantly?
Natalie and I spread Cheese Enthusiasm.

Can you feel it?

2008, Belated.

Last year, I resolved the following:

~~I resolve to send prompt thank you cards.~~
I resolve to take more photos, and update my website more regularly.
~~I resolve to try a new meal at least twice a month.~~
~~I resolve to take significant steps toward independent and self-sustaining income.~~
I resolve to be a better friend.

I think I had too much going on in my head last year to be a good friend or to update my site more often. But 2007 did find me making money on my own, trying new meals and sending thank you cards.

2008 has a few thank you cards that still need to go out, but who’s counting?

So, resolutions for this year.

Make a healthy baby.
Pay off both my credit cards.
Become more flexible. Both physically and mentally.
Quit flaking on getting back to people. It’s a shameful habit.

There we go!
What are you resolving? Anything new? Same old, same old?