Maybe Baby

In middle school, I fancied myself quite the singer.  I pictured myself writing heartbreaking ballads that would touch the hearts and souls of my fellow adolescents everywhere (as I was belting out The Cranberries and Jewel in my bedroom).  I soon realized that I in fact had a less than ideal vocal range and now believe that  I may actually be tone deaf.  Despite all this,  I am continually surrounded by some really talented musician/artists!  Andy always seems to be picking up a new instrument; guitar, banjo, piano, accordion... whatever he can get his brilliant little hands on.
This past winter my adolescent dreams came true when Andy and I  created a band with our friends: Dana, Paul, Ben and Jess- North Coast Sound, formerly The Maybes and The Babies.

I wont pretend that I'm the talent.  I don't play any of the instruments and I have yet to do any solo singing, regardless its been really fun.  Dana and Jess do most of the lyrics, the boys play the majority of the instruments.  I'm so glad that I get to share my time with such amazingly fun and creative people!

PROXIMITY

Andy and I helped our friends Beth Whalley and Alex Kelly to open Proximity Gallery this summer in downtown Cleveland (East 40th and Payne).  We have put together some wonderful shows so far, however the opening this Friday is especially exciting.  Beth has curated a fibers exhibit, featuring some of her classmates from CIA and a variety of other local crafters/artists.

Hope to see everyone there!!!

puppy love

Because I have set out to write about 2010, a year that brought a great deal of firsts for Andy and I, it would be hard to think of something that has changed our day to day lives more than the adoption of our dog.  I have had puppies on the brain for YEARS... and was held off only due to the fact that we have been apartment dwellers for the past 8 years.  We have had our beloved cats for 7 of those years and were extremely worried that they would not take to well to a new furry addition.  (we're getting there)
After we bought our home... my brain became more and more puppy focused.  I would have been happy to bring home a puppy before we signed the last of the papers, however I was reminded of the fact that we were purchasing a "fixer-upper" home, which would be covered in nails and paint for months on end.  And it WAS! (I will share pictures of the destruction and reconstruction soon).  So I was forced to put my puppy dreams on hold and go full force into home repairs and decoration.
Once the snow began to melt, and our house began to resemble a home, I began visiting our local shelter and driving Andy completely insane with pictures of adorable dogs on Petfinder.  Finally, with my summer vacation in sight, I bit the bullet and brought home a crazy 2 month-old mutt.  Andy was more than a little apprehensive when I called him from the shelter, describing the little blonde puppy.  However, he seemed to fall instantly and named her Yoya.  A name I would never have chosen, but one that couldn't fit her more.

She's 8 months old now and has gone from 12 to 45 pounds. She is still growing.  She has more energy and love than anyone I have ever met and she has changed my world.  I spent my entire summer exploring North Eastern Ohio with her.  We taught her how to swim, we spent every day exploring our local parks.  She is an amazing companion and has lead me to discover the most beautiful places- that are only blocks away from my home!  Now that I am back at school, we can't spend entire days in the woods.  However, we still take our nightly romp at Forest Hill park.  She runs and runs and I get to really experience the glory of Cleveland's seasons in a way that I have never been able to before.  Rain, shine, snow... there we are.    Anyways, heres my Yos.

Home

One of our biggest accomplishments this year was buying our first home.  We were inspired and mystified each time one of our friends purchased and began to create their own domestic masterpiece.  Eventually we realized that home ownership was in fact within our reach (one of the many blessings of living in the "rust belt").
Our search was short.  (Thank you Roger!  We had the most amazing real estate agent!) We looked at about 20 homes in Cleveland Heights and found one that instantly felt like home.  We moved in the first (very snowy) weekend of February 2010 and have been busily tearing it apart and putting it back together ever since.

Mono Spectrum

This is my first post, on my first blog.  This is way out of my typical comfort zone, which is one of the reasons that I have decided to create this blog.  I hope that mono spectrum will be an outlet for me and maybe (just maybe) the source of inspiration for others.  A way to record my interests, pursuits and mis-adventures.  A source of encouragement, to complete (or at least attempt) all of those grand ideas on my wish/to-do list.  A way to remember and document the happy moments and put a rose-colored light on the moments I'd like to forget.  This is what I hope to achieve with mono spectrum in the coming year.  Leading up to 2011, however, I think that 2010 deserves a recap.  Andy and I have had an amazing year.