Random 5 Friday

I have compiled a Random 5 for you today, which makes this the opposite of random, but I assure you the ideas came to me quite randomly and you'll need to be content with that.

1. I sorted out my jewelry box this morning. I keep a host of items in a little wooden box next to my bathroom sink, where I take off my jewelry every day. Periodically it becomes choked with the jewels and I need to put things back where they belong. That was this morning. I was feeling extra organizy because I'm leaving tomorrow with three teenagers for spring break and I needed to exert some control over my space.

Here's what I found in the jewelry box that I thought might interest some of you.

2. Speaking of getting ready for spring break this morning, as I was on my way to work, I was overcome with a desire to get all my errands done beforehand. I feel relaxed about that decision. Here I am getting my filthy dirty car washed. I still need to wash the inside windshield. Why does that darn thing get so filmy?

Yes, I took this just for you! 

3. I bought a little mirror for my office. Here's my homey corner. The plant on top of the radio is dead, but I can't bring myself to let it go. I was babysitting it for my mother-in-law. Oops.

4. Since I was showing you my office and since I have shown you my little winter scenes of joy at my desk, I thought I'd show you my pathetic St. Patrick's Day display. You'd think for the all the Irish language, etc., I would be better prepared. Alas, I am not. Oh and hey, hi! That's Grande sticking her booty out in the photo. It's really an innocent little photo of the two of us sticking our heads into the mouth of a lion. As you do.

5. Lastly, this is what I did at lunch today also because I knew I needed a little down time before I began the spring break circus and road trip.

First, I used ink to put flowers on a paper. Mind you, watercolors are new to me. These are watercolor pencils, which seem friendlier and less intimidating. This is my very first endeavor with the new ... what? the new medium? the tools? what do artists call that?

I like it OK, but what I quickly discovered is that the ink is not impervious to water. I hadn't thought that through. So I was gingerly applying the water to the areas where I had applied the color. I think it worked out OK, but obviously not what I had in mind. Being the smart person I am, after I did this, I went to the google machine and learned that you should do the color first, let it dry, then apply the ink. India ink and bamboo is the technique, but I'm sitting at my desk with a felt-tip marker. The result is completely different:

Have a good Friday! I'll be in touch over the spring break road trip and circus.