All you need is Cookies!!!

And in the end, only cookies matter!! At least that's what me and Cookie monster say!!! 

Today is Anti bullying day!! Be sure to put your pink on in support!! I don't always think adults are the best example for children!! I may sound old now, but boy, kids pick up our demeanor, attitude and even our sarcastic humor! When we make mean jokes using contemptible humor we are their example!! 

Even television and youtube videos endorse nasty mean behavior. We have raised a generation of desensitized kids!! I still wince when I see a kid fall off a skate board, yet I watch a group of young men bent over in laughter. I could never watch the movie Jack Ass after I heard about the paper cutting incident!! I could hear my brother in the next room teeth clenched making painful hissing sounds as he watch the stupid things guys did to entertain their audience of mostly young boys and men! 

If only life was kinder in every area. My son-in-law, the gentle spirit that he is, thinks Cookies could fix everything!! I tend to agree!! Imagine if we stood on  a corner and gave out homemade yummy cookies for free.  People would start out their day so happy!! Unless of course they were allergic to nuts and the cookies were peanut butter!! Just maybe it would be infectious and those people would pass on the love!! I can fantasize can't I ?

If only people were kinder to each other in every way!! If only we spoke tender words of love to each other under all kinds of duress! If only we shared more kindness to the mentally ill, the poor, the addicted, the  homeless. If only we were less judgmental, more thoughtful, hugged more, held hands, danced in the streets. If only we were less self involved, less derogatory, less defaming, less mean in thoughts and actions. I can  fantasize can't I?  I know it all starts with me!! 

I think I will fix myself first and go from there.....meanwhile I painted an anti bullying cupcake gang! What if today we made  cookies, or cupcakes and gave them away to randoms in honor of Anti Bullying day? I wonder what would transpire? 

In  the end, only cookies and kindness matter and all you really need is love and cookies!! Or cupcakes!!!   

Paint Party Friday " Someday"

Visit both Paint Party Friday and 29 faces to enjoy a collective of wonderful artists!!

"Manette" a card made from a cheerio box

I did the artwork on a separate mix media page then 

modge podged it to the cheerio box card. 

I used sparkly modge podge because it was 

all I had!!

 Cupcake found "Manette"  on the above card kind of freaky, 

she  didn't like it at all. So I gave my friend two cards.

 Despite how Cupcake felt, my friend loved

the Manette card best!!

"Tea lady" relax, kick up your heels and enjoy your tea!

 I visited a blog where the  artist named her painting of a girl," Someday."  Then the other day I was speaking with my brother, which I've done a lot lately since his life is in crisis. He spoke of getting a tattoo....

 Not that I don't think he should do it, the man has sculpted his body to perfection almost his entire life. Eating properly and working out almost daily since the age of twelve.  It's no wonder he has a freaky god like physique for his fifty one years!! 

 He's quite vulnerable so I think he should wait until 

he gets over the hump then do it!

For years now he has  always said to his son " Someday" I'm going to get a tattoo here and here...as he points to his arm and back. Apparently he's been saying it for years, so the last time he said it, his sixteen year old said, " DAD, "SOMEDAY" is NOW!!" 

 Is your "SOMEDAY" now?  Other than cleaning your closets and dieting which seems to always be on the agenda what is it that you have been putting off to do "SOMEDAY?"  

 For me it's putting some of my wise sayings to artwork! I often hear people repeating my sage metaphors, my son in law has even put one in a song. They usually appear in the moment and I forget to write them down..... However I must try to recollect them to add to artwork. That's a goal I hope to achieve this year!!

What is your Someday? Even if it seems unattainable  what do you want to do Someday??? I think writing it down gives the idea energy to grow!!

Be Your Own Valentine!!! Paint Party Friday

 I love Valentines day!! What could be better than celebrating love! Even though I've not had a partner in sixteen years I just love the idea of a day filled with heart shapes, good chocolate, the color red and love! When first on my own I would celebrate by buying myself carnations a week before prices soared for the fourteenth. I have no expectations for that day....I just love the idea of it....the romance movies, decorated store fronts and yummy foods!

I have never let being single get me down. One year I even celebrated with a quirky alone group! We all went downtown for dinner! Each personable quirky single person more than happy to live the solo lifestyle!

 Often there is a stigma with not being paired up, but I find living a creative life takes so much time. It wouldn't be fair to pull another into that mix when all things creative take precedence! If the truth be told I rarely see a couple I'd want to be anyway!

I've been the envy of some married friends, yet being single is always a trade off. As enjoyable as not answering to another is, there can be fiscal challenges.   Being resourceful and handy is imperative for a woman alone! When something goes wrong, you're on your own! 

 Some women are treated as a threat, ousted out of couples events. Not much of a man hunter I was never a threat.  Fortunately I was still included with my married couples. However later in life there is never a shortage of single women to hang with. Having dabbled in  the marriage scene with adverse affect they have no desire to pair up again!

So if you're newly single, dreading  that day of love, do something kind for yourself....

Splurge on your favorite take out meal with some junk food in the mix!
Buy yourself your favorite flowers, a new lipstick, or a new cd.
Visit your favorite place in nature.
Buy a new book, a magazine, a new cozy pair of slippers.
Call another single friend to join you for a movie
Explore somewhere new in your city
Splurge on some fancy new art supplies...
Buy your favorite spirits, make a nice place setting and watch a movie.
What ever you do, don't fret without a partner.
Choose to make yourself happy first!...it's only a day...
it can be anything you choose it to be!
No matter what, love yourself the best way you know how,
because you're worth it!
Be proud of your choices, be proud of yourself!      

What special thing will you do for Valentines day? 

Happy paint party Friday and 29 faces .....I am on #11 only three behind.....

                                                                                                               

Sweet Saturdays! Happy Fifth Anniversary tribute!

Feb 14th 2008

    
Valentine lovers

sealed on that day

Little Grace Chapel

in their  special way

All dressed in red

a favorite they share

the promise of love

a promise to care

Now friends forever

bonded with joy

Unique coupon girl

Musical boy

Old school couple

revel  in the mundane

cuddling  by the fire

strolls in the rain

Loving doggies, snowflakes

Music and ice-cream

Halloween, Christmas

creating their dream

To the bus in the morning

briskly they walk

Jesting  and laughing

Lovingly they talk

Charitable and kind

enjoyable  careers

actively generous

sage for their years

 Today they celebrate

all that they are

A couple of substance

and slightly bizarre!

                                                                                                                                                                                                           Valentine Wife a song written for his wedding day!!

Happy Fifth Anniversary Cupcake and Beardo

can't believe how fast the time flew by!

 Wishing you many more years of

love and giggles!

Love Mom

He thought he had a girl

who couldn't cook

he accepted it as so

Surprised was he

that she could

make fabulous meals
sprinkled with  love

just for him!

She thought she had a guy

not very handy

she accepted it as so

 Surprised was she

the things he built

installed, painted

with love

just for her!

29 faces of February 2013

The five stages of greif are Denial, Anger, Bargaining, depression, acceptance.
For more in depth insight you  can read about it here!

 I'm very familiar with grief having lost both parents in my early thirties, a career to illness, my long term  marriage at forty, all my aunts and uncles by the time I was fourty five plus  four dogs, one eighteen when he passed. 

Except for a time when I lost a dear friendship for a few years I have never experienced the grief of losing someone near and dear who's still alive!!

 Those oh so familiar waves of deep sadness descend like a tsunami of despair knowing things will never again be the same  and there's absolutely nothing you can do to change it!!

Divorce is like a web, it has so many thin threads that affect everything and everyone! The logistics of a breakup are always so difficult, and sad beyond comprehension!!

It's difficult to watch people agonize through  all the disconnections of friends, family,  routines, home  and loss of security. Kids, animals, finances, dreams, all suffer.

 I never expected to feel these waves of grief for an extended family member  when they are still a phone call away.

  I've chosen to stay neutral during this marital breakup,  secretly hoping  the marriage can be repaired, while processing the actuality that it's over!

 It's all so sad.....Thinking about it drains me of energy.

 Even though I know most of the whys, and understand there is an evolution of healing, usually followed by joy, it's still difficult to observe the wounded parties.

I hate to admit as  a loving woman I don't think I'm willing to accept a replacement!
I'm disappointed that I feel this way too!! If only the two could have seen what I saw, how they mirrored each other in all ways! Maybe then they could work on what truly pulled them apart!! Sadly it's not to be, and I am left shaking my head knowing they'll carry all their inclination to their replacements  next relationships!

 On a happy note I received my soft cover copy from Blurb of "One Fish Taco and a Half Order of Guacamole" written by my Paint Party Friday Friend Lynn Cohen.   The above faces for 29 faces were done on the cardboard packaging that I received the book in! It's still a work in progress as I want to add some black to pop the faces and eyes more...plus there's  a girl I didn't show and a secret compartment for another face.  So far I have six faces and will catch up this weekend!!

I loved Lynns book it's a real inspiration to artists who's gremlin tries to defeat them!! You see the evolution of  Lynns sketches over a full year of drawing daily!! Her unique style , her tenacity and  the fact that she NEVER erases a line is  phenomenal to me!! At the end of the book Lynn shares some sage advice on being an artist and following through the way she did!! Thank you Lynn for this lovely body of work, I can't wait to share it with my goddesses!!

Are there character flaws in your life that you feel disappointed in? Please share!

Happy 27th Birthday Cupcake!

 A year ago today my daughter was in London for Business during a snow storm!!

 She was also in London for business in 2008 on this day too!!
 It was thrilling and not much compares to that!!

I'm sure today is a bit of a let down after that! 
 I certainly hope my coupon clipping, dream manifesting 
generous daughter knows how lucky we feel to have her
home on her special day!!

 
You are my first call in the morning
My last, "I love you at night"
You are the one who
remembers the me
I used to be
 
The mother
who put you to sleep
with giggles
Woke you up
with yogurt
Popsicles

You were the two year old
 who put your
socks and toys
by the door
during a play date
 without being prompted
you left
nothing behind

 You always knew
to heed my eyes
for safety 
and direction
You were
first to see my
sadness
and my joy!!

As a teen
you changed
your attitude
on command
not out of fear
but out of 
love and respect! 

 You always made 
good choices
riding your bike
picking clothes
friends
and a life
partner

 Our squabbles
 though few
have no substance
or longevity
 You have loved 
me best
I have loved
you best too!!

 You are the everyday
reminder
that each
struggle in my life
was worth it
because of YOU!!

 You are generous
and charitable
beyond expectation
You have always
been wise
beyond
your years!

 Your heart is deep
 wide
 thoughtful
kind 
 full of empathy
and love!

 You have forgiven
much
Still protecting 
your soul
you live with faith, 
spirit, good conscience
and hope!

You have manifested a life
full of good things
I couldn't be prouder
of you,
how much you give
how much you do
Who you are 
and 
how much you
love

It is with the deepest
respect and love
that I wish you
A Happy Birthday,
a Year full of joy,
laughter
 travel adventures
 loads of love,
and happiness!!

All my love MOM

Celebrate who you are!!!