Happy Tiler

Paint Party #43 and Sunday Scribblings " Normal"

2012-01-08T16:57:00.003-08:00

Water color patterns I had fun creating before Christmas

and want to share for Paint Party friday #43

Sunday Scribblings prompt this week is " Normal"

Boy this gave me so much food for thought. It's really interesting to read what others have to say about " Normal." Personally I think it's becoming obsolete, or revised daily! Each of us invent our own standard of normal. Routine can be normal for some. Many young people seem to crave it being that life has been changing way too fast the last decade. My own daughter considers her very old school in-laws to be the most normal thing she can relate to, and she loves it!! Although wonderful people they are not flawless. They stick to a fairly rigid routine of home, work, and church, celebrating pivotal occasions with family gatherings. I on the other hand balk at routine, and enjoy
marching to the beat of my own drummer, sprinkled with a tad of eccentricity and creativity!

Past Normal

Normal was a black rotary telephone attached with a spiral cord
The whole family gathered to watch the same television show
Dinner at five around a rectangle arborite table
Hand washing and drying the dishes afterwards

Normal was playing outdoors on weekends
Skipping lunch and arriving home in time for dinner
Seeing only one car in most driveways
Knowing the majority of the neighbors in a two block radius

Normal was wearing mandatory dresses, skirts
or jumpers paired with white knee socks
that got mud splashed on the lone mile walk to school
during a cold rainy winters day

Normal was playing board games and cards
Riding a bike without a helmet,
exploring the forest with a group of kids
Walking to Sunday school by myself

Normal was the security of two parents
Who loved each other, but still fought
An annual family camping trip with relatives
dancing and singing with my dad

Normal was running to avoid a spanking
Ducking to avoid a smack
Too many chores, too many lectures
Too many instructions with not enough understanding

That was my childhood normal
And I’d never want to go back!

Paint Party Friday #42 and Sunday Scribblings " New, with recap of Old"

2012-01-01T17:41:00.001-08:00

Recap of 2011

I'm Sneaking in My Digital art for Paint Party #42 late this week!

Sunday Scribblings 300th prompt is "New"

To get the full affect of this post you can click on the photos to read

more stories about events and completed projects

In January

I created this " Mountains of Courage in Bloom" Bustier

for " Bras for a Cause"

In Honor of my friend Helen who proudly fought Breast Cancer!

In February My daughter turned quarter of a century old!

And My Dear Friend Gypsy Goddess turned half a century old!

We celebrated at my friend Violette's Art Studio! So much fun!

In March my blog turned five years old and in April

my HANDSOME baby brother turned 50!

For a funny story about him click the photo below!

In May I turned 55,

June I completed a guitar " Covenant of Color"

to be auctioned for Childrens Hospital Music program

In July and August I worked on these four chairs,

which weren't a quick process!

September I opted to paint my wood kitchen table rather than

buying a new rectangle black one like I originally planned!

This old side table was my test piece, it was originally going

look more whimsical, but I was convinced not to make our home

look like " The Cat in the Hat House"

October I conservatively painted my oak rocking chair silver!

November I completed a large whimsical canvas that I have no home for yet!

December was spent preparing for Christmas, doing art, visiting with family and friends! Instead of exchanging gifts this year we donated two huge boxes of sundries that daughter collected all year from Coupon clipping.

Photograph by: KEVIN HILL, Surrey NOW

My Son in Law held a art guitar auction at work to raise money for music program at Children's Hospital! For the News Clip featuring this Special mans endeavors go Here

My New word for 2012 will be Nourish! Body, mind, and creativity!

2012 will be dedicated to finishing off projects, gathering my art and poetry to focus on something marketable, entering some poetry contests, finding a way to make my bedroom more loveable and completing another Art Guitar! I am dreaming of big things in the New Year! How about you?

Happy New Year 2012

2011-12-31T08:56:00.001-08:00

Wishing you all a Happy New Year filled with Creative Abundance, good health, Peace and Joy!!!

More Later!

Offer to help the Host please!

2011-12-28T06:02:00.024-08:00

I was fortunate enough to be invited to two turkey dinners a week apart. My brother slaved all day to feed a large group of family and friends. Making a wonderful Christmas for his children. He's always sure to included those singletons and their kids too! I made my traditional raspberry dessert, a favorite for my niece and brother. Also brownies for my nephew who doesn't eat sweets but loves them!

Then I joined my daughters in-laws Christmas day where I made the raspberry dessert for that one too! I brought two pounds of starbucks beans and flowers in appreciation for all the work that goes into hosting a dinner.

Here's my bone of contention. No one hops up to clear the table or start the dishes. Clearly people have spent the day in the kitchen cooking a very large dinner, cleaning their homes ahead of time, so why do people just leave everything at their ass? Wine glasses, desert dishes, all the plated food, while the same people clear up every single time. Me and my kids! Everyone just leaves the table, or stays seated with no regard for their almost sixty four year old mom.

The mother in law has no dish washer either. She probably sits for a total of ten minutes to eat dinner, then jumps up to get the desserts. After that she puts the food away while we clear and do the dishes. Same thing happened at my brothers. Only it was worse because everyone left early. When he finally got to sit down and enjoy his company, everyone started to trickle home early! They do it every time.... feels like a restaurant at his expense. He so looks forward to that moment everything is cleaned up and he can relax with everyone.That's his Christmas! Do you leave the host with all the dishes and not bother to lend a hand or at least offer?

Personally I have never had a friend who didn't attempt to help with the dishes. If it's just a few of us, I ask them to leave the dishes and most of the time they fight me!

In fact my friend didn't want me to help with the breakfast dishes this year. I left them knowing she was in a hurry to run out, and would throw them in the dishwasher when she returned. When it's a large crowd it's so easy when more than a few lend a hand. Coming into the New Year I sure hope people will grab a dish towel with gratitude and help the host!!

Christmas Eve

2011-12-24T16:36:00.000-08:00

Well it's that time again! Wishing you all a Happy Holiday which ever way you celebrate! For me it's "Merry Christmas " but I don't discriminate!

I've picked up a bug, but I won't let that get me down. I'm hoping it's only a cold!

What better way to celebrate than with flowers, a clean house, and baking!

This is the kids tree in our family room and the one I view most! It's draped with an old tea towel Peppers class made in grade two or three, just about twenty years ago! Everyone drew a picture of themselves then added their names. It's never been used for it's true purpose, instead I store it neatly away to be treasured at Christmas!

There is a hand painted Ernie ornament crafted out of a walnut, and probably 37 years old now! I'm surprised at how long it's held up, there are several other hand made characters too! Along side the mice, bought in the eighties, is a mini Starbucks cup added this year! Oh what fun memories Christmas brings!

Here's a glimpse into my living room.
Thank you to those who stick with me despite my very infrequent postings!
I appreciate each and every visit and comment! I hope to get back into blogging more often in the New Year! I'm wishing you all a wonderful season filled with love, laughter, good health, and Joy!!
Hugs To All
To all a good Night!
Giggles!

Paint Party Friday #38

2011-12-02T03:48:00.004-08:00

Happy Paint Party Friday #38, check out other artists participating!

This week I wanted to do a painting similar to my digital Christmas header. It took on a life of it's own and I just went with it!

"Christmas frenzy"

needs one small fix and I should be happy with it!

Wednesday I made soup. I sauteed the veggies, loads of garlic, chicken and raw rice, before adding water and tomato sauce. Normally my soup is really tasty. The soup was made with loads of love for Dear daughter who is fighting a virus, but it wasn't my best!!

Later that night I was revamping my little fairy painting , trying to redo the eyes), everything got messed up and ~~she died~~, I painted over her. Anyone remember kitchen witches in the eighties? I sewed a really quirky one back in the day! I thought it would be fun to rework the fairy painting into a kitchen angel to watch over my cooking and generate some good energy. I just don't love cooking like I used to so I need all the help I can get!!!

I managed to save some of the fairies patterned outfit for my new angel. I changed her face twice! I'm pretty sure she's finally finished! I hope my kitchen angel watches over me while I do some Christmas baking this weekend!! Wishing you all a creative weekend.

Paint Party #37

2011-11-25T17:32:00.003-08:00

Check out all the wonderful artists on paint party Friday!

I have missed a few, still I've been painting quite a bit.
Finally a painting dear daughter loved and asked me not to change a thing!!

Finished large acrylic

" Whimsy Wonder"

If only I could find bed sheets with a pattern like this.... I'd be in my glory

covered in color!! I understand these vibrant colors would not appeal

to the beige people! I respect that!! Just let me have my color

and I'll be happy!

I Like to be able to place my paintings in any directions on the wall for a completely different look.

Below is this painting in the early stages. I mixed color with silver for a metallic look.

It evolved and changed so much during the creative process!

I painted out the stems which I despised. Funny how you start one way and end another. This painting is nothing of how I originally imagined it!

Below is " My little Fairy"
It's full of texture because I painted over a canvas (see here)

I was so disappointed in!

My daughter hates it, that's a swear word in our house too!! It creeps her out so much she picked it up and removed it from sight! I on the other hand love her but have agreed to change the eyes to see if that makes a difference! The eyes are that shape because there is a small chunk of texture that I formed the eye around! Oh well you win some and you lose some.... Happy Thanksgiving Weekend to my American friends, being Canadian we celebrate in October!

Reindeer Cookies

2011-11-23T00:48:00.001-08:00

Before they were dipped

I am so delinquent at blog posts but had to share this! On the weekend dear daughter decided to bake reindeer cookies for a family gathering next week. We ran around in search of little pretzels for the antlers, returned home where she threw the ingredients together. Formed the reindeer's, added little raspberry flavored Swedish berries for the nose and smarties for the eyes. It was a labor of love!

After the first few trays of the double batch were done she asked me to taste one. I was too full, opting to wait until a cookie broke, or an antler fell off! Her hubby continued to help put more cookie sheets together while we listened to Christmas music. After most of the cookies were baked I decided to try one..... It was a peanut butter cookie, a bit dry....and lacking flavor...Oh no I thought... Then she asked the dreaded question, " How are they?"

Eeeks..... I didn't want to say. She is such an amazing little baker. People beg for her banana bread. But the cookie was flat. All I could taste was salt. I hesitated. She knew something was wrong and demanded to know! As diplomatic as one could be under the circumstance I said, "Somethings wrong."
"Do they have sugar in them?" I questioned.
She assured me they did, as she reread the recipe...It called for two cups of brown sugar and two cups of white. Some how she had missed all the white sugar in the recipe. We were all pretty upset. All that work and the cookies didn't taste good.

"Never mind we'll figure something out," I said, many great recipes are borne of mistakes.....I thought for a moment. We have these huge Cadbury chocolate bars in the freezer that we buy yearly when they're half price. Lets just dip the cookies in chocolate, that will fix them up!

I got the double boiler out, put half a large bar into the pot with a bit of butter, milk and vanilla. Together we happily spread chocolate over the bottom side of about six dozen cookies...let them dry, then put them in airtight containers in the very cold garage.

This evening we decided to have one with tea. They are the most delicious happy accident ever!! They softened up and melded with the chocolate making the most wonderful flavor! After all who doesn't love peanut butter and chocolate together!!! We'll probably do them that way every year!

The proper

REINDEER COOKIES

1 CUP OF BROWN SUGAR

1CUP OF WHITE SUGAR

1 CUP OF BUTTER, SOFTENED

cream sugar and butter together

then add

2 EGGS

1 CUP OF SMOOTH PEANUT BUTTER

2 TEASPOONS OF BAKING SODA

1/2 TEASPOON OF SALT

1 TEASPOON OF VANILLA

3 CUPS OF ALL PURPOSE FLOUR

mix together well!

Roll into balls then flatten and form triangles

Place small pretzels in the corners for antlers

Place either a swedish berry or red m&m for a nose

Then place 2 green m&ms or smarties for the eyes

Bake at 375 degrees for 10-15 minutes or until golden brown

Fun to make and kids love them!

Double up the ingredients for a double batch!

Enjoy

Paint Party #33

2011-10-28T10:06:00.002-07:00

Paint Party Friday#33

I was late posting last week so if you missed my cool mug made out of one of my paintings you can go here! This week I did this Acrylic for over my fireplace in the family room. It's done on a deep cradle board. I probably needed a larger board for the space but this is all I had for now. It changed so many times before completion.It's very simple but I pride myself on making my home a soft place to fall, so it does make a statement.

Doodle done while watching tv

I grew up in a home that was fraught with constant arguments and conflict, some instigated by liquor. I swore when I raised my daughter life would be calmer for her. Except for about two years of chaos during divorce, I've kept things pretty serene. No matter how bad the day is, we know we can gather for a nice meal with loving people who have sincere concern about how we are. Have a peaceful weekend everyone!

Paint Party Friday #32 Burst of Joy

2011-10-23T04:23:00.001-07:00

I'm straggling into paint party Friday late, after a long lull. This week I digitally altered a photo of my large acrylic " Burst of Joy". It's a favorite painting done last year. The vibrant colors bring me so much joy, as it greets me every morning at the bottom of my stairs! My large acrylics are often painted so they can be hung in any direction. I like the idea of being able to change a painting around to get a different look.

I decided to alter Burst of Joy by shrinking it down in the paint program, then cutting the best pieces and pasting them into another window. The outcome is this digital piece which I then printed out for a reusable travel mug. Which I carry in my car!

There you have it I'm able to enjoy my art in a mini pattern while sipping on my morning coffee! The Colors printed out so nicely too! It's richer looking in person!

I also whipped up this quick little hair piece forty minutes before my daughter was to attend a family wedding. It's a wonder what a few feathers and some crazy glue can do to make a dollar store hair band look high end! She had many compliments on it all evening.

As you can see I'm not the only one who loves color in this house! My son in law found these purple leather shoes that he built a whole outfit around! Dear Daughter, much like her mom loves color too! I had a dress the same color and material when I was young!

Since she was little she would spy items she loved then wait until they went on sale. She watched almost daily for the little magenta purse to drop from it's original price, sure enough she finally got it for a steal!

There they are in wonderful jewel tones. I love them both sooo much when I see them all dressed up like this it makes my eyes dance!! Hope you all have a happy week ahead!

Paint Party Friday #30

2011-10-07T14:23:00.000-07:00

This was a quick sketch I did before the cupcake painting above. Much less contrived. As you can see the cupcake is way too contrived. That painting I did this week has been gessoed over twice already. I was going to show you the two before coffee mugs, but blogger was giving me a fight, plus they are too ugly to share. Almost makes you feel like giving up. Still not completely happy with the cupcake, the top looks too muffiny! lol
Who knows if I can't tweak it to my liking I may just gesso over it too!!

Happy Paint Party Friday Everyone!

My Daughters female boss gave her the little pillow with the quote

Strong women may we know them,

may we raise them,

may we be them!

A few weeks ago I repainted a rocking chair I got for Christmas in 1985. I was eight months pregnant, under the tree was a small box with a string attached. I followed the string to the basement, walked the long hallway to a large empty room, in the middle was this rocking chair! It was a very exciting gift. Twenty five years later it needed some love and care! There was a bit of a squabble about the color I should paint it. I assured my adult daughter I would paint it white when she got pregnant, for now it would be silver to blend better with the living room decor!

It was a tedious process painting this chair. While I was priming I kept missing spots. I turned on more lights, still kept missing wood. I twisted it and turned it and no matter how much I checked it, there were still parts that weren't covered. I had a lot of thinking time. It really was a metaphor for perspective. Doesn't matter how I turned the chair there was still one more perspective I missed. It was crazy just how many perspectives there were. Finally after much frustration it was covered, the same happened with the next two coats! So when you're adamant your perspective is right, or when trying to find answers to a problem, remember the rocking chair, there is always another perspective you may have missed!

Paint Party Friday #29

2011-09-30T04:16:00.001-07:00

It's paint party Friday again! I look forward to it every week, traveling around to all the fascinating blogs to see what everyone is working on is so much fun!

Here's an older painting I plan on reworking... the males face needs some work.I don't care for his nose, eyes, or skin tone... the whole thing needs more work!

This week I've had a few lunches with different friends. One friend I see annually, but there was a time we were besties. Family obligations pulled us apart, but the love's still there! We make sure to meet around our birthdays.But for the first time in twenty five years the time got away on us!! Funny how no matter how much time goes by we take up where we left off. We chatted for four hours and I had such a loving feeling for my friend when we parted! I even had a few tears too, for all the memories we shared in our twenties and thirties, and how fleeting life is. We worked hard, laughed hard and played hard too! We shared many secrets and no matter how little we see each other the love is still there! I had my camera out but some how it didn't seem appropriate to take a photo! Wish I did though.

Check out this HUGE transformation. I've carted my grandfathers table around to three different homes for the past thirty five years and never painted it. Mostly it had a cloth over top of it or it was in a garage! Recently I decided it needed new life instead of being a dust collector. See how ugly it was!!!

Before The ugly side table

I had silver knobs laying around the house and threw them on after it was painted. Then Dear Daughter came home with these awesome rose knobs that were the perfect match. What a difference they made. Then she went back and bought me enough for my bedroom suite. So that will soon be on the agenda to revamp. Also thirty five years old and in much need of sprucing up!

Which do you prefer, the rose knobs or the silver ones! Be honest I won't be offended!

Paint Party #28 Blue Table

2011-09-23T07:46:00.004-07:00

My Brave Blue Table

It's paint Party Friday #28 make sure to check out all the other artists and join yourself if you wish!! I'm sharing my new blue table.
You can see the before photo without a table cloth at the bottom.
I could only find one ugly photo taken during our floor renos.

Before revamp

Much like I love purple, my mom loved turquoise. Except for her wedding ring, the only two pieces of Jewelry dad ever bought mom was a turquoise ring, years later a bracelet to match. Her first kitchen had red arborite counters, and her second one had turquoise walls. Painted every few years to mask the embedded cigarette smoke stains. She had wall to wall turquoise rugs, a turquoise floral couch which she amalgamated with royal blue. Needless to say there was blue everywhere. I must confess, unlike most people I never liked blue. Not only do I look terrible in the color, I just never decorate with it. I think my mom overdosed me... Just as I have done with purple for my daughter!

Lo and behold, my blue eyed daughter came along, much like my mother, loves blue. So when she was a teen, we converted her all pink bedroom, to azure blue, paired with purple. I liked it very much! She kept it that way through the teen years. It’s now painted charcoal which she enjoys with her hubby.

I’ve always avoided blue like the plague. Then a couple of years ago my daughter wanted us to paint our main powder room turquoise. I loved it orange, and was reluctant, but agreed as long as I didn’t have to paint it. I figured I could probably live with it thirty five years after leaving moms kitchen. Once I added a few of my paintings with purple and green to off set the turquoise I began to like it.

So it was a real surprise a few months back when I bought two azure lamps to flank my family room couch. I liked their shape. Surprisingly after all my chairs were painted I decided to paint my kitchen table Blue….. I really like it. I have no idea what possessed me to bring blue into my life! I must have finally made peace with it!!! Blue, oh blue, lately I’m lovin you! Only certain shades though….

A little side note about the table, when my daughter was fourteen instead of buying secret Santa gifts for her friends, she suggested they help some needy kids. I drove her around we gathered the money, she bought the kids toys and a little tikes plastic picnic table. We gathered food from different sources and I took it to the single mom with two little girls. The kids were so happy and lit right up, the mom was so thrilled and grateful. It made what was to be a dismal Christmas eve for us, really wonderful! I mentioned that I loved her table. She told me she hated it and had a line on another one. She said I was welcome to have it in the new year. I was also on a very tight budget, the top of the table was severely scratched and there were pen marks everywhere, the legs had chipped white paint. So I sanded the top, stained the oak and varnished, then I painted the legs purple. It was beautiful for a good ten years. Plus it was free. Couple of years ago I painted the legs black to match the kitchen. I still love the shape but found it a bit large for the space. I think I'm in love with it again, plus you can't beat free!!!

Paint Party Friday #27 Cup cake chair

2011-09-16T05:49:00.004-07:00

Cupcake chair for my daughter the cupcake queen

So glad to be back participating in Paint Party Friday #27 this week!!

Life has been too hectic to blog lately. My hip has been a hindrance too. Everything I do takes twice as long as usual. So I have been sitting down to paint furniture. During the painting process everything is a schmaze around here. We finally got some of it back in order, but it was quite a feat. I inspired the whole family to get involved. My daughter did her burrow, and a shelf, sil helped too! While I did a table, rocking chair and varnished the table below. Which was a nightmare needing a million coats, well so it seemed...rrrr

My friend was over for dinner last night and said she'd never have the patience to paint furniture. Funny it's what I learned as a kid. If you wanted to spruce something up, you painted instead of buying something new. Oh sure I love new things, but it's a strain on the budget. Besides it's really rewarding when you revamp old things to make them new again.

I was glad to see on the Nate Berkus show he's dedicating time teaching his audience how to decorate on a dime. By thrift store shopping for quality pieces to revamp. I'm not exactly in that category because I'm rather quirky in what I surround myself with. I love whimsy and need it around me. If I can't find it, I'll create it! I also revamp and keep certain old pieces of furniture because I've had a lot of loss in my life. It's a way of hanging on to the memories of those I've loved. However I do need one peaceful room that has only small splashes of whimsy to keep me grounded. I've also been warned that my house mates don't want to live in the cat in the hat house!

After my funky chairs were completed, as much as I am enjoying them I realized I really do want black chairs in my dining room. For that calm feeling while entertaining. The whimsical chairs will reside around my kitchen table as my personal eye candy, once I find chairs to suit the dining room. For now we'll make due. They're renewed and fun!

Paint Party Friday #24

2011-08-26T05:30:00.003-07:00

It's Paint Party Friday make sure to check out the other partiers here!

This Musical Chair was done in honor of my son-in-law.

It's a very vibrant almost candy apple red.

However it doesn't show that way on this post!

The colors were inspired by my daughter's apron!

All four chairs are now completed, I'm holding back the last one for next week. In the meantime I'm putting a few coats of varnish on my black dinning room table. These chairs are a temporary fix for that table until I find some black ones! Soon I will prime and color the kitchen table where these will reside permanently! I am quite enjoying the bright fun colors, they look so much better in person!

How do you incorporate your artful self into your day? Do you wrap gifts in a fancy way, take time to decorate a cake or cookies in a particular way or spruce up your eye makeup. Snip-its of creativity fill my daily life. The above photos were taken at my friend Nature goddesses home by the ocean. Last Friday we celebrated our Dream goddesses birthday there ! Doesn't everything look beautiful and yummy? All my friends are very talented and creative!

I love the colors and patterns in Nature goddesses dress! This is her back yard oasis, her front yard faces the ocean with a spectacular view!

Afraid one of her cakes wouldn't set she made a cheese cake too!
They were both scrumptious !

Love the scarf Dreamer is wearing!!

It actually glowed in the dark making me literally gleeful!!

Being with friends, browsing art blogs, looking at patterns on clothing, are all things that give me a creative buzz!

Check out Gypsy goddesses fancy leggings. It's starting to be her trademark since she turned fifty last February! One day she may find herself in the Advanced style blog!!! Sure makes me smile! Love my friends!

What gets your creative mojo going?

Do you have a creative goddesses tribe like I do?
Wishing you a very happy weekend and loads of inspiration!

Sunday Scribblings " Shipwreck"

2011-08-21T19:56:00.004-07:00

Me, with my son-in-law

Sunday Scribblings prompt this week is "Shipwrecked"

My eyes well up with tears as I listen to my shipwrecked son in law humming while he attempts to fix our washer that flooded the powder room last night, and the dryer that has been squawking loudly for the last few months! He'd planned to go to the beach today and enjoy the last little bit of summer heat we've had. Instead this amazing good natured man with the tenacity of ten hums as he works at repairing our appliances. Trapped in a tiny powder room, soaked in perspiration with only a dew rag to saturate the rolling sweat!

Why are some men so sweet, kind, generous of love and spirit while others are resentful and crotchety? It's so nice to witness my daughter married to a delightful easy to get along with male. A child of ten he's accustomed to being last, doing without, taking the dregs. Yet he's able to share so gracefully, is always grateful and giving of self! Thankfully my daughter has attached herself to such a special man.

When I decided to dissolve my marriage fifteen years ago my objective was to save her witnessing a dysfunctional couple in action! Don't get me wrong there were some good qualities that held us together for twenty five years. We were fiscally excellent, but the rest is nothing you'd want your child to emulate! She was ten when we split and thankfully she managed to find the whistling wonder that is her life partner now!

Although his family knows he's a gentle spirit, they have no idea just how dynamic this man really is! It's their loss. His demeanor is quiet, he's always willing to help, much like his mom, he's a worker bee. We appreciate him more than he will ever know. We tell him so too!!

I used to be so disillusioned with men, having done the majority of work in my marriage, watching friends do the same! Yet every so often I stumbled across a women excited that her husband bought and picked out her clothes. As a very independent woman I was horrified and could never imagine that! Well my son in law would have no trouble finding a perfect outfit for his wife, knowing her exact style and size. He's interested in her, what she does, how she feels, who she is! As is she in him! They love making each other happy!

So glad I'm able to witness their love and friendship in such a pure form since I never had it myself!

Happy Paint Party Friday #23

2011-08-19T17:12:00.002-07:00

Brushed with Orange

Chair
For more detail click to enlarge photo!

Happy Paint party Friday! I'm thrilled to say I made some positive headway this week as far as my chairs go. Four have been primed and painted a first coat. Three have artwork on them with only one left to go. A few more coats of varnish are needed.

Two need paint touch ups, or should I say change ups! That's the unfortunate part about being self taught artist...sometimes it's hit and miss. My work often needs tweaking until I'm satisfied. Sometimes it doesn't hit the mark and gets discarded!

Knowing I have to live with these chairs makes me slightly more critical, forcing me to make many changes along the way. Still not satisfied with the first chair I'm redoing the legs yet again! I've decided I prefer plainer chair legs.

I've been hunting for a small black square table for my kitchen for almost two years now! I've put a kibosh on that, instead I'm going to paint my old round one a daring color!! I am pretty excited because I think it will make a notable difference.

Do you change your mind like your underwear? I sure do!! Even at a restaurant I let everyone order before me, afraid I might change my mind when I hear what others choose. Yet in other ways I am extremely decisive and know exactly what I love and want! But you can be sure it always has something to do with whimsy and color!!! Hope you all have a great weekend!! Make sure to check out all the other participants!

Sunday Scribblings " Forward|

2011-08-14T05:54:00.000-07:00

Imagine how I felt to find this art van parked next to me when I came out of the grocery store last week!! My daughter and I all but did a happy dance!!

This weeks Sunday scribblings prompt is "Forward"!!

Yesterday evening, while driving I witnessed a wholesome young man running for the bus only to almost reach his destination to have the bus blatantly pull away. There is no possible way that driver didn’t see the young man on the tail of his bus. With huge side mirrors certainly he saw him running to beat all hell! I was so sad for the young fellow. I even wondered if the driver did it on purpose. Not quick to ire, I was livid for almost an hour. This has happened to my adult kids too, and continues as they often wait quite a while for a light to turn on the very busy street so they can cross. This would have never happened in my day! Drivers looked around to see who was coming and often waited as we diligently ran. They addressed you as you smiled with gratitude thanking them profusely. What a different world we live in!!

We’d like to encourage people to take transit and respect bus drivers and yet it’s nasty acts like this that leave people frustrated with the system. With our government owned insurance companies spending thousands of dollars if not millions on a campaign to have drivers be more courteous and kind on the roads then why doesn’t it start with transit?

I ended up beside the driver at a light, he seemed distracted as his head was turned to the side, not to the towards the road. Wish he'd been traveling behind this art van! I can only hope the next bus came sooner than the usual thirty minutes between buses. I think transit drivers should be forced to read this blog and take on this challenge! It would make for some forward thinking… Maybe there would be less disdain in the world!!!

I hope my trickled in happy photos placed a bit of humor into this scribbling!

Listen to your heart!

2011-08-13T14:46:00.001-07:00

Done with digital paint program!

Listen to your Heart!

I try to listen to my heart about things. Sometimes

fear steps in my way. Isn't fear just a big huge saboteur of life? It makes us think things in a very unnatural way. Conjures thoughts we should never have! It's critical, and condescending, it's suspicious, and really unflattering at times! I know my heart will trump all those nasty thoughts that creep in. But sometimes I have to force myself to listen to it more!!!

How about you, does fear take over your life at times??? How do you counteract it?

Things I'm happy about today.

I'm ninety percent finished my second chair, a few touch ups and I can varnish it!! Yahoo!!

I'll show it for the next paint party friday....What color do you think it is?

Finally I got a good watermelon. I only bought a few this summer because most of them were so terrible. We all love watermelon, so I thought I'd try one more time! And luck be a lady tonight...it was fabulous and I got my watermelon fix for the summer!!

I had a great couple of games of online scrabble this morning...even though I lost the first game it was only by a few points...but it was really fun. Doesn't always happen that way. Some games are slow, boring, with terrible boards and tiles!

I plan on getting my bathroom cleaned, I figure if I write it here I'll not procrastinate. I love to read in the bath, in a clean bathroom, so it will make me very happy!

We got new pillows a while back, I'm finally able to dispose of them today!

They're king sized so they take up too much room!

I may even take in the cans for recyle, which will free up space in the garage!! Boring but

makes my life more joyful!!

Paint Party #22 Revamped Jewelry Box

2011-08-12T05:14:00.000-07:00

It's paint party Friday again! Time for me to share another post. I sit down several times a week to write a blog and find myself blank, so I play scrabble instead. I thought I'd share this box I revamped last week.

After

I normally throw off my junk jewelry when I arrive home. For convenience I place it in a colored glass bowl in my downstairs powder room, allowing me to quickly grab pieces on the run and replace them when I returned. Save myself running up and down stairs when I forget my jewelry or change my mind!

However some of the jewelry got damaged from the weight in the small bowl. Plus it tangled together too. So I decided to revamp this old box that was sitting on my computer housing a few old photos.

Before

I kind of prefer it painted these colors, but they didn't fit the room. It was originally a very cheap thrift store find which I've revamped several times! So I feel comfortable that I can revert back to these colors later if I prefer. That's the wonderful thing about old wood boxes, sandpaper with primer and you're good to go!

I kind of wish I'd left it plainer like the above first step, but I was in a painting mood... So I continued on! The inside was ugly before, so this is quite an improvement!

Now my jewelry is spread out, easier to find, and less likely to get ruined!

Unless of course I buy more.....WINK!

Happy Paint party Friday have a great weekend!

You can check out more art blogs here!

Paint Party #21 amalgamated with Self Portrait Challenge

2011-08-04T05:57:00.005-07:00

Paint Party Friday #21 and Violettes Self Portrait Challenge amalgamated.

Well Violettes challenge turns out is a self portrait challenge. So I ended up putting this one together, hand drawn, painted with watered down acrylics! Wish my hair was that color... Sadly the first self portrait I did ended up over worked and ugly. So I didn't post it! Truthfully I am so sick of myself that I was kind of doing regular fun portraits from the inside out in cartoon fashion. Pretty much how I do everything.... Not sure I want to look at my photo or in the mirror and draw me!! Instead I am mixing it up a bit. It's taking me in a different direction than expected. I am just letting words and creativity flow free and fast! Blogging is quick and easy. Albeit lacking substance!

I can tell a persons character by how they act in difficult situations. Character really is more important than appearances. I've been fooled by judging from the outside in. Now I take a closer look at a persons disposition, it tells me a bundle about who they really are!

Have you been duped into thinking someone was scrupulous because of how they appeared? Happy Paint Party, hop on over to Violettes blog and give her self portrait challenge a try!

Day Two Portrait Challenge

2011-08-03T06:09:00.003-07:00

Day Two of Violette 30 day Portrait Challenge

Digital paint program

Portrait #2 Natural Clowns

Just like I need to use color out of natures palette in a unique way, some people are natural clowns. Always entertaining with humor and attire! What comes natural to you? I think there's a key to happiness knowing that answer! Whatever you feel comfortable doing is a good place to start finding your true self!

Join Violette's 30 day portrait challenge!

Violette's 30 day Portrait Challenge

2011-08-02T04:57:00.003-07:00

I'm going to try Violette's 30 day Portrait a day challenge.

Portrait #1 digital paint program
Letting go!

This is not my best work by far. But I wanted to play with my paint program. Have fun, and let myself go. I'm often way too contrived when I try to draw anything. Sometimes letting go in all areas of life, besides art, can be freeing. You just have to let the chips fall where they may! So instead of worrying how things look and what may happen next that I have no control over, I'll just do what I do and see what happens!! Looks like someone got a frying pan over the head in this portrait!

What do you need to let go of?

Join along with Violette in her fun challenge. I'm curious to see where it takes me!!

It's not what you say!

2011-07-28T00:41:00.004-07:00

Click on the image to see details

I do have a bit of an addiction to color, every so often I need my fix. So last night I decided to pull up my paint program and just let colors swirl around the page randomly, then I played with different fonts to present my message! It was fun...

We were really fortunate to attend a very prestigious wedding on the weekend! It was done up in style and we all felt so blessed to witness this loving, generous, kind couple say their vows. Food and drinks were flowing. However because I don't drink and drive I abstained! None the less we all had fun!

My daughter and son in law with the bride and groom!

Paint Party Friday #19

2011-07-22T03:32:00.002-07:00

It's my favorite post of the week! Paint Party Friday #19!!

This little painting was done at a real live paint party at my friend Violettes studio for my friends 50th birthday back in March. At first I really didn't like it. But as it sits in my family room I realize how much the mouth and hair remind me of my daughter!

This was done in the studio and the above was finished up at home. As you will see with my chair I constantly paint over things I don't like!

Evolution of my first chair.

Haven't had time to paint this week. Except for a few hours. I changed the rim and added hearts to the rungs. I also darkened the bottom rungs, but don't like the middle so it will be changed yet again!! I am enjoying doing it, but it's really time consuming!

Read ahead for what's been on my mind this week!

A few days ago local news station did a piece on an extreme couponer here in Canada. Resulting in the young woman being harassed by negative sarcastic comments on her face book page. Not only does this girl save her household heaps of money she donates eighty percent of her stash, runs a face book page sharing insider secrets and weekly bargains. Still people manage to call her a hoarder, ocd and criticize her bad spelling.

She may not be the best writer, or speller for that matter. I suspect even a possible learning disability. Still she is clever enough to save her family piles of money, put food on the table at a fraction of the cost and kindly share how she does it! I don’t understand why people feel the need to demean her!

We don’t know the home environment she was raised in. She may not have had the opportunities that some of her readers have. Is spelling such a big deal when a woman saves her family thousands of dollars a year and is able to communicate to others how she does it? Is that a bad thing? I think not!

Years ago I balked at a cousin who stood in line using coupons. Even though I was a frugal cherry picker (only bought what’s on sale) I was still embarrassed to stand in line with my coupon using cousin. Now I proudly stand behind my daughter and watch in amazement as she too saves lots of money using coupons, and also donates a large majority to the local women’s shelters!

Manufacturers encourage people to use coupons. For all those who never use coupons, and I am one of them. Others take our place buying a few extras. In fact we have tried products we’d never otherwise have tried had my daughter not got them free! Many items I now use regularly!

Happy Paint party people, and enjoy your weekend!

Gone too soon!

2011-07-19T16:03:00.000-07:00

He was such a family man, lived, worked, and loved with passion. A huge story teller when he was young, truth and fiction often married. Despite his rebel nature he was always kind to me. Not surprising he found religion along the way.

A talker myself, it was hard to get a word in edgewise when he was in the room! Much like me, he was a strong personality. You either liked him or not. There was no in between.

I remember his fiscal struggles as a young man with three little boys and a stay at home wife. A recent grandpa, he was finally enjoying the fruits of his labor when he was killed in a motorcycle accident July 2nd of this year.
Unlike me he had a loving partnership, with ten years until retirement. His wife will be pretty lost without him. My heart goes out to people who seemly have it all together in whatever obscure way they manage to make it work.Only to be blindsided by such a tragedy. You just never know when your time is up. He had loads of living left in him!

I recently wrote a draft about another fellow I have been thinking about for about two weeks now.... I can't help but wonder if I had an intuition about this guy and why I was writing about the other.... it's all so surreal to me.

Such a jovial guy, I have no doubt his family will miss him!! Rest in Peace buddy! Very hard to believe you're gone......life is fleeting...glad you lived well! Nice to have crossed your path along the way!

Sunday Scribblings " Captive"

2011-07-16T17:06:00.004-07:00

Sunday Scribblings prompt this week is appropriately "Captivate"

When being captivated turns into being captive!

Mental Carnage

Captive is the child
Who’s father moved away
Taking with him
Mental illness
And a wife

Captive is the daughter
Worrying about
Things she
Can’t change
Or see

Captive is the woman
Living alone
With a stranger
She thought
She knew

Captive is the truth
Ricocheting
Back at you
After years
Of denial

Captive is the divorcee
Who knows
The new wife’s fears
And sits back
Mummified

Captive are those who know
What may come
What could be
As they wait
In dismay

Love doesn't Hurt by Lynn Miles

Paint Party Friday, Perk the Purple Prince and a Painted Chair

2011-07-15T05:25:00.002-07:00

Today is Paint Party Friday #18!

Make sure to visit all the wonderful artists and join in yourself!

This week I have been slightly discombobulated with my sleep. Painting when I can! I promised to show you the Brother to Bubbles, Meet Perk my Purple Prince! Also banished to the garage because of my families disdain! Again, they say he's scary.

I've continued to work on my chair which is a way bigger task than anticipated! The original plans for the four chairs were pretty cool, but I can't find the sketches done a few years ago! So I will be winging it!

I started painting what I could remember of my original plan. But the chair took on a life of it's own. What started out quite contrived was painted over, for a new direction. Even I'm surprised at the process and the outcome. Can't wait to see the finished product! I still have the front rungs to contend with, Second coats on the bottom and more tweaking! Then many coats of varnish!

I had some stripes and polka-dots on the bottom rungs, Darling daughter complained that it was boring and not really me! I laughed knowing it wasn't complete. But she was right, it was just way too planned out! I'm a spontaneous person, and so is my art! If nothing else, people will smile at my eccentric chairs! I've always been bold with color, no point in stopping now! Happy Paint Party Friday everyone!

Sunday Scribblings " Odd night in emergency!"

2011-07-10T22:49:00.005-07:00

Sunday Scribblings prompt this week is "woods"

Dear Daughter paranoid of germs arms herself with lysol wipes for her trek to emergency! Lysoling all the chair arms while I parked. Only a few people ahead of us, when a middle aged man dressed in outdated short shorts hobbles in with a sore on his leg. DD automatically thinks flesh eating disease. The leg is really swollen. He plops himself on a chair close by. We chat. It's a puncture wound from a rose bush. Both DD and Son in law offer up a band-aid from their bags. I lecture him on the dangers of an open sore! Later his sweet wife informs me she has warned him continuously but he won't listen. It was his mother that forced him to come to the hospital. Soon DD, stupid guy and his wife are shuffled into the next room. I have the waiting room to myself.

A pony tailed, extra large, confident woman struts through the automatic door garbed in uniform, plunks her cooler down in a small room at the desk. I thought she was a paramedic, oddly wearing half leather gloves with bare fingers. I was intrigued with her confidence at such girth. Later I noticed she had a bit of a beard. I brushed it off as a possible hormone problem. I've noticed it on women of her size before.

I’m a very large woman too, but shaped quite different than her. Hmmm…I pondered it more when a loud obnoxious kid escorted by a police officer interrupted my peace. Bleeding from the head he was wondering aloud if he could leave. The gentle officer advised him not to, but said he was free to do as he pleased! The bold eighteen year old repeatedly complained that two hours was too long to wait. Cocky one moment, yet vulnerable when asking if he really needed to stay. Clearly he was inebriated! Switching to a young punk once he realized it might not be wise to leave. Demanding like a spoiled two year old that he should get immediate care because he’s bleeding to death. Pointing to me, and another couple waiting for a family member, suggesting we probably only had a cough anyway! It was quite laughable

He'd been in a brawl, but told the officer he fell. We could hear him informing friends on his cell while urinating in the washroom. Exiting with blood stained hands he managed to touched everything in sight! Later dear daughter heard him yelling repeated drunkin yahoo's followed by crying as they stitched up his nasty gash!

More people trickled in. I popped out for a coffee and food since neither son inlaw nor I had any dinner. It was nearing midnight with no idea when we’d get her results. I sipped coffee in the quiet of my car, tunes streaming in the background. Son in law joined me to quickly eat his chicken club. I asked if he thought the large pony tailed person walking to their 1970’s boat sized gas guzzler was a male or female. He thought female, figuring a male that big would shuffle along with less confidence. The vintage car owner drove past us in a very masculine manner. Hmmm…more doubt...

Son in law left to join dear daughter. I stayed behind avoiding hoopla of the emergency room. Thirty minutes later, the very large entity in a crispy white shirt and black uniform pants assertively walked towards my car. I thought he left? It was strange. I jarred my window. He mentioned I’d been sitting there a while. His voice seemed surprisingly masculine, but then again mine does on occasion too! My eyes curiously searched for breasts, they were there, sort of, or was it just fat? He told me every Friday he washes his car inside and out and noticed there were finger prints on the window as though someone was trying to break in. " Didn't I see you drive away?" I asked.

Apparently he had to checked another parking lot. That's when I realized he must be security. I assured him I never saw anyone trying to break in….thinking, besides, who would? He left me still perplexed…male or female? I’ve concluded he’s socially inept male who plays too many dragons and dungeons. I’ll never know for sure. Later that night I saw him having a smoke….we left at just after 2 A.M. slept a few hours and came back for dear daughters ultra sound and CT scan but what an odd night!

The feared appendicitis turned out to be a ruptured cyst on her ovary. Thankfully she is out of the woods, and it should clear up in a week. I'm so grateful to be a Canadian with free health care! Even if there are punk kids who sometimes abuse the system and stupid men who won't wear band-aids!

Paint Party Friday #17

2011-07-08T01:02:00.001-07:00

Paint Party Friday Week #17

A while back painted this moderate sized canvas of a folk art dog named Bubbles. My adult kids really don't like it. So it's been sitting in the garage waiting to get painted over! They say he's scary! I think he's mischievous! I thought I'd at least put him on the blog before he gets primed to death! Poor thing!

I finally started my oak chair makeover! Funny how you can love a certain wood for years, and then it just gets to you! (I think we Overdosed on oak in the eighties!) As you can see the legs are primed with kilz, and I am in the very preliminary stages of base coating it. I have three more to do after this one, each will be unique! Then I will brave my rocking chair. Who knows, that one may just get painted white... We'll see how the others turn out first!

I had wanted plain black wood chairs, and I've been looking on Craigs list off and on for a few years now. I'm sure once all my funky chairs are painted I will find them, or others that steal my heart even more! I'll try to post the painted chair progress on paint party Fridays, and Bubbles friend too! Also disliked!

Paint Party Friday " Bird Flew"

2011-06-18T03:50:00.001-07:00

Digital art, done with scribbler

Because I've had the flu and my son in law seems to be fighting it. And because I love a play on words I decided to do this rather sad folk art bird for Paint party Friday! It's been a bit of a bitter sweet week. We all rallied to enjoy the exciting Stanley cup playoffs. The spirit was rampant with flags flying off every car. It was so fun to watch, even though we didn't win.

You may have heard there was a riot after the game in Vancouver, thirty five minutes from where I reside. Well it was not Canuck fans like media first portrayed, it was young liquored filled youth fully prepared to riot, infiltrated, into the amazing crowds of fans . I have a sneaking suspicion these young people would have rioted whether the Stanley cup was won or not!

The opposing Boston team won, with probably eleven Canadian boys on their team. Even though we were disappointed we aren't poor sports! Canadians by enlarge are very polite and display great sportsmanship. In fact the stadium of fan stayed to watch the cup ceremony and cheer everyone on! It was such a warm feeling....until the riot. We all sat eyes glued to the television as we watched cars being flipped and burned, glass being smashed. Wondering if anyone we knew was there. The streets were devastated by thugs, stores were looted.

Fans were irate at the rioting that transpired! The following day eighteen thousand people volunteered to clean up the mess! Social media has rounded up and named the hoodlums and they will be prosecuted. Those young people are now wearing the social media scarlet letter that will be registered in google searches for years to come. Sadly it made our City look bad, even though the good outweighs the bad.

This bird is also for my friend who has some pending changes in her life that make her feel much like this little birdy! Have a great weekend everyone! Check out the other artists on Paint Party Friday!

Sunday Scribblings " The Next step"

2011-06-12T18:15:00.003-07:00

Sunday Scribblings prompt this week is "The Next step?"

Paint program and scribbler digital art

Sometimes things touch you so deeply all you can do is weep and write. That was me after this truly touching video! I can only pray the next step for this young man will be wonderment and joy, for he deserves it ten fold!

Humble
in a mire of adversity
Your spirit shone through
Begging attention
Searching for love
Touching the world
With a song
Of hope!

Paint Party Friday " What do you stand for"

2011-06-10T23:09:00.001-07:00

This is a large cradle board I did a short while back! It always starts out as one thing and ends up completely different! I loved the evolution of Kristens painting, you can check it out here!

It sits in my downstairs powder room. I'm hoping it inspires thought! I know if you stand for nothing you'll fall for anything! So " What do you stand for?" I purposely left out the question mark!

Here is a view sitting on the commode! Funny how the two photos

show completely different tone of turquoise! This is more the likeness.

I've always stood for children, animals and abused women! Giving them a voice when they didn't have one. Often getting me in trouble for speaking up! I called the SPCA on a neighbor when I was in my twenties because he left his dog tied up while on holidays! I was furious! I have been a confidante when children have needed someone they could trust. Sometimes I've had dilemmas knowing I needed to speak up but couldn't for safety reasons! Thankfully blogs are a nice outlet to be heard!

I know this is a paint party Friday, and I should stay on a happy note, but some how

I have contacted the flu so I'm late posting. Who has the flu in June? It's a chest cold, with chills and fever! My daughter and her husband have been so awesome, they made me delicious homemade chicken soup, and brought me piles of blended cold drinks, and medicine! Keep checking on me as I stay in my room, contaminating only the upstairs! I'm wishing myself well soon!

Sage Women

2011-06-09T14:03:00.000-07:00

Reading blogs can be so interesting. Picking up dribs and drabs of information from young, middle aged and older women is really eye opening! Anyone desiring the secret to aging with style should check out Advanced Style Blog. The other day I read advice from a 99 year old woman! Spectacular really! "Be more, appear less," great advice, along with staying organized. Which I've let fall by the wayside lately! I agree having your own scent, and being unique is important too!

Brand new moms tend to spark memories, of the work and vulnerability I felt when my daughter was a newborn. No one is ever prepared for the love they feel, or time and sleep they lose with a new baby! There are women setting goals, making vision boards, while trying to find their true path. Ones fearful of being forty, ones searching for hobbies, others in the throws of self discovery, many in menopause. So many interesting stories!

Doesn't matter how old we are we never stop learning. Technology and life changes faster than we can learn it all! We'll never be able to read all the books published, or listen to all the music written, however we can carve out our own little niche of things to enjoy, wisdom to carry and share if we choose. Above all if we find a few things we love to do, we have it made!! Chasing goals is lovely, for me the journey is where the joy resides!

Painted guitar "Covenant of Color"

2011-06-03T00:30:00.002-07:00

Covenant of Color Painted Guitar
This is my first contribution to paint party, you can check out others here!

This guitar was done for a charity event. It will be on display in a silent auction.

The proceeds will go towards a Music Therapy program at Childrens hospital. It's a non functioning guitar, done as an art piece only!

Sadly these photos don't come close to doing it justice.

The colors married so beautifully, under a high gloss sheen.

I'm so proud of the results.

It was a pleasure doing this project considering it was dropped in my lap last minute only because a two other artists dropped out! I started with one idea, but it took on a life of it's own. I have some old oak chairs in my home, that need enhancing with this colorful swirled process! Stay tuned!

When my mother was dying they had a music therapist in palliative care. I went from room to room harmonizing and entertaining with the lovely young musician. It was cathartic, and for a few moments took my mind off mothers pending demise! I imagine music therapy brings even more joy to children!

I was sad to see this piece go because I fell in love with it! If it doesn't get a high enough bid I'll buy it back myself! The time and love that went into it would be well worth it! If not I'll just do another for my wall!

For now I'll relinquish it! If I miss it too badly I can at least visit it

for the next three months!

2011-05-29T21:49:00.001-07:00

Sunday Scribblings Prompt this week is " Flock"

It's my birthday weekend. I can smell a scrumptious meal being prepared for me as I write this. I always reflect around this time of year.

I’ve had a core group of friends, (we call the goddesses) for a quarter century now. Each of us very creative. When we first met though, none of us knew that! Twenty odd years ago my one friend divulged that she was a writer. As though it was a dirty little secret. With coaxing she timidly shared her unpublished book. Disinterested hubby mocked her hobby, squashing her confidence. Privileged that she disclosed her passion I shared my zest for writing too!

A few years later we both joined a writers group. I read her book in weekly segments to the kids at my daughters elementary school. Those children are now adults, the book still isn't published! She's since written many more unpublished books. Fairy goddesses also has a closet of unpublished fantasy books written. The creative process is always more fun than trying to market it. I wonder how many people die with a plethora of interesting works unpublished?

The florist in our group loves ambiance, is artistic and skilled at making everything in her midst beautiful. A voracious reader with the ability to write she holds her talent close too! All of my friends are very articulate woman, loving culture and nature in one way or another. We bring a very unique mix to the dinner table, conversation is always interesting, humor is full bore, and we come away enhanced by each other!

The eldest at sixty has the funkiest youthful style of all of us! Managing to make items from the seventies look new and modern in her home while dressing in the latest fashion. She'd do well documenting her hiking adventures as she has many! While the youngest of us, soon to be forty, could be a stand up comedian. An avid reader, she once drove a pink Art car that never went unnoticed. Now she drives a BMW and races sailboats with her guy!

Oddly and totally unplanned we all drive black cars except for fairy goddess who drives a red one! Who knew all those long years ago working tedious jobs at the same company that we would find such hidden creative treasures amongst such an eclectic flock!

Todays My Birthday!

2011-05-28T01:33:00.001-07:00

Sometimes when you have a birthday this is how you feel!

But Not ME!!!

Because I celebrate in Style

With my Besties!!!

We chat about everything, eat great food,

Take crazy photos and giggle out loud!

Eat Cake

And Celebrate our difference!

Sometimes we even have a surprise or two up our sleeve!

Sometimes we just wear really fun Tights!

Anyone else see Gypsy goddesses inner artist begging to get out???

Thanks girls for making my Birthday so Special! I love you All!!

Check out this online scribbler program to make a piece of digital art like the picture I did!

Nothings Perfect

2011-05-24T00:16:00.001-07:00

I’m working on a piece of art with the words “ What do you stand for?” It will sit above the doors facing the toilet in my powder room. It’s been a slow process and taken many turns along the way. Of course those words stay with me as I’m painting.

This morning I awoke thinking “ Nothing is perfect!” That phrase stuck with me as I went about my day. Today my daughter bumped into a young man from our old neighborhood. In just a few moments he informed her that three of the power couples had split up in the past few years. People you never imagined would separate. Women in their fifties. Mothers who always volunteered when parents were needed. Some homemakers who never worked. Their children are raised, now they’re single. All amazing moms. I won’t say the same for their husbands. One who tried to kiss me when I was first divorced. For the record I warded him off with a stern warning.

My daughter felt embarrassed about our divorce, how it ended was pretty traumatic. The whole neighborhood knew our business, mainly because it was ugly with law enforcement involved. We had honed such a normal facade, then boom everything changed.

As the years go by so much has been exposed about our so called perfect old neighborhood. It really did seem that way for years. Turns out others had trouble behind closed doors too! Do women just tolerate their unhappiness until the kids are raised? Does everyone outgrow each other? Or do people just find their true self and decide what they once built and wanted no longer matters?

I used to ask friends who had doubts about their marriage if they could retire with their spouse. I knew the answer was “NO” for me. I was very young when I figured that out. It took me twenty three years before we pulled the plug. He’s retired now, and I can’t even fathom how horrible it would be to have him around daily! No matter how good things look, NOTHING IS PERFECT!

Tulips Sunday Scribblings "Surrender"

2011-05-19T12:33:00.002-07:00

My interpretation of the tulips sitting on our coffee table! Also inspired by my last post! I missed sunday scribblings this week the prompt was

" Surrender"

I will surrender to my silent self.
Though my mind’s a fury
of flammable thought
Crowding my creative vision

Is there a way to turn down
The minds volume
Quiet the wisdom
Calling warnings?

Why do I have to
Know things
No longer relevant
To my life?

Why do I see things
Clearly when
Others are fogged
In denial?

Is my fear germane
Or will this pass?
This time
I hope to be wrong

He is so young
So dark, so sad
So detached
So alone and silent

Yellow

2011-05-17T21:27:00.001-07:00

I need new motivation to blog. So I looked up a few prompt sites. Came across this daily prompt blog. This guy just happens to live in my same province. Mondays prompt was "Yellow"

Yellow I am so in love with you. Very few of your shades match with the color of my skin! However I dream of watching you paired with purple dancing across the canvas! You were a nightmare in the seventies splashed on kitchen walls across North America, caked with brown cigarette smoke, dulled by the suns rays! Even though you did the jig with lime green in the bathroom of my first home. I soon became bored, passing you and your brother accessories to good will. It's been a long time since I've even thought of you! In fact I'd avoided you at all cost! After thirty years of peaches, dusty roses, forest greens, teals and wine I now crave your bright appeal. I love your relationship with orange, apple green, and white. I'm interested to see how you meld with my favorite blue, and red. You'll never have your own room in my house. I doubt I'll wear you again, but I may sprinkle your airy spirit in a painting or two! I will always love how you stain tulips and other flowers. You're a happy color, but I tend to tire easily of you, so you'll just have to wait and see how much of you I let into my life! Sorry... my love is fickle!

Sunday Scribblings "May"

2011-05-08T16:25:00.003-07:00

My new avatar, Spring is a great time for change!

Sunday Scribblings prompt " May"

Hundreds of cars on the road yesterday! Everyone in a big panic about mother! Some celebrations are way overrated putting a lot of pressure on families! In actuality mothers should be celebrated and treated kindly all year long!

My friends mother cared for her toddlers while she worked full time. At Christmas she bought her dear mom small diamond studs, which made her frugal hubby furious! When he complained I reminded him in my outspoken manner, it was just a token and far more costly to hire a full time sitter for three wee ones. Still he ranted on. He was an idiot, she eventually divorced him.

Thankfully I have a bighearted son in law who treats me like gold daily and supports my daughters generous heart! My girl randomly buys me cool treats all year long! I reciprocate, making it a win win for all of us!

When someone suggested that my daughter should have children because she has me as her built in babysitter she became irate. Defending my right to have my own life, and only care for little ones if I so choose. I'm pretty grateful for that too!

Years ago I'd get my hair permed in this nice salon. One day a man came in, kissed his mom, chatted with her hairdresser, then paid her bill. The beautician told me it was a weekly ritual to pay for whatever his mom wanted done. I was amazed that an adult son could do such a thoughtful deed. I loved seeing the woman's face beam with pride! I'd never really known men like that.

When times were very tough for me I kept my hair long and only got it done twice a year, if that. When my daughter was about eighteen she offered to buy me a haircut as a Christmas gift. I loved the much needed styling! As she got older I'd go to pay for my haircut only to find she'd already covered it while I was in the chair! I get my hair cut about every twelve weeks now which often falls on a special occasion. The three of us go together, I'm usually last to be done, this time Bryan paid for it as a Mothers Day gift, truly I couldn’t be more thrilled! He bought me a cd I'd been wanting too! This morning it was coffee and breakfast in bed, then a wonderful blended fruit drink this afternoon, and marinating steaks for a bbq tonight, with angel food cake and strawberries, my favorite! Aren't I lucky? This is just the beginning of May, my birthday is at the end!!

A Humorous Story about my Brother

2011-05-03T17:51:00.001-07:00

Not sure if anyone clicked through to this funny story about my brother on my last post! It was written in 2006 I did another edit and decided to repost it!

It happened in the early Eighties

Lifting weights and dieting since age twelve my brother has always believed in good nutrition. At thirty he won a bodybuilding contest. When I was married I'd have the family over every Christmas. Dearest brother would hunt through my fridge consuming bits of everything in sight. Deprived of junk food all year long, it was his time to indulge.

I won a container of tiny cheese wedges the previous year at a Christmas party. Unappealing to me I never served them. God knows why I saved them that long. I must have thought I'd use them in a casserole one day. And hey, doesn’t cheese get better with age anyway? A year passed, they still sat in the bottom of my crisper. Brother rummaged through the fridge and ate them. I noted the missing wedges. I asked how the cheese tasted, never divulging how old they were. He said they were a little dry, but fine.

I often caught him rooting through cupboards tasting a little of everything in sight too! Satisfying his year long restraint. As I prepared the house for Christmas dinner that year he scavenged my fridge again, mentioning that the beef jerky I bought was disgusting. Suggesting I should throw it out. Thrown off guard I had no idea what beef jerky he was talking about. He told me it was the one in the fridge. I stared dumbfounded, pausing to think for a second, I declared there was no beef jerky in the fridge. He insisted he found it there. My fridge was always so full, so I doubted myself. Thinking there was a possibility I forgot buying it!

I questioned him more. Asking what it looked like, thinking he'd mistaken it for the pepperoni or Ukrainian sausage I bought. He told me the beef jerky was in a shiny green package. Still I couldn’t recall the package. I asked what part of the fridge he found it. He insisted it was on the side door beside the eggs. Still unable to recall what the heck he was talking about I walked over to the fridge, opened the door. He barreled behind me, grabbed the half eaten package and shoved it in my face. I looked at the package in shock, laughing hysterically. Dear brother stood there perplexed as I continued to laugh uncontrollably. Over and over he kept asking me what it was, and why I was laughing so hard. Tears were streaming down my face, I couldn’t get my composure. Finally I blurted out that it was the beef jerky I’d bought for the dogs. He had devoured half of the dogs Christmas treat.

..
My ex continued to mock my brother the entire day. Although I was amused, the relentless teasing and smug attitude bordered on bullying. I demanded my ex stop. He wouldn’t. So I disclosed to my family that the previous week I'd ordered Chinese food. There was a huge plate of leftovers I put it down for the dogs. They couldn’t eat it all so I wrapped it up and placed it back in the fridge. Thinking they could finish it the next day. Before I could re-serve it to them, my ex innocently warmed it up and ate it for lunch. I hadn't the nerve to tell him, thinking what he didn’t know wouldn’t hurt him. The continuous taunting of my brother, forced me to reveal that he had nothing to laugh about because the week before, he too had eaten the dogs food. In hearing this story, all the family laughed, and my ex never bugged my brother again.

The moral of the story is, Always read the labels, or don’t just eat random things out of a persons fridge without asking if it’s safe, especially if it's all mushed together under a piece of foil!

Sunday Scribblings " Cake" Happy Birthday Brother!

2011-04-29T23:52:00.006-07:00

Sunday Scribblings Prompt this week is "Cake"

What better reason to eat Cake!
Happy Fiftieth Birthday to my Little Brother! This man knows how to defy that half century mark! The way he dresses, acts, and preserves his body with daily maintenance and nutrition! He's worked at it and looks way younger than our dad did at 50! Right now he is sporting a solid six pack better than men twenty! Still a babe after
all these years!

This was written in 2006 by still holds true!

Just a newborn, with a tuft of black spiky hair protruding from your tiny head I adored you from that moment forward. At two, you buzzed up and down the halls on your yogi bear ride-on toy. I was only seven but you amused me. Four years old and you insisted on taking all the wheels off your trucks. I didn’t pay much attention, but I revered you. Just five, over and over you concocted the antic of sticking your bare finger out the fly of your jeans, pensively awaiting the barrage of adult laughter. You amazed me with your humor. A little man at six, you stood between me and the teenage boys harassing us. My brave little brother, you took a whipping with tree switches across your tiny bare chest, Just to protect me, your eleven year old sister. I admired and respected your courage. A year later a huge percolator of coffee dumped upon your small body. Again you valiantly endured the pain of peeling nipples and second degree burns. My first love came early at thirteen, he was seventeen and I was forbidden to see him. You lied for me and kept my secret. Only eight years old, I trusted you and knew you were my friend. When our parents went out; we secretly danced in the prohibited living room against the light of the Spanish lamp. We ate ice cream and stayed up late watching movies. As a teenager my life became busied and I drifted away from you. At twelve you started to lift weights and I admired your strength, endurance and discipline. It was the time when I socialized into a woman and caretaker. And you became a man. I got married and went away, Mom told me, for weeks, you sat on the front porch with your dog, missing me. Caught up in my own life, I didn’t even realize how abandoned you must have felt. We stayed friends. You begged me to let you drive my vehicle within the complex before you had a license. I let you. You put a ding in my brand new red car and I made you scrape the wax off my floor as restitution. As a teenager you had your own life and I had mine, we weaned away again. You were busy chasing girls and I living in the confines of a monotonous marriage. We’d get together to share secrets and laugh, so handsome and fit, I admired your girth and enterprise. We’ve hung on to each other through death and folly. For a minute in time our love laid dormant, only to be revived with spring’s new growth, with lessons learned, natures changed and new found respect. Years later I admire you as a father, a husband, a brother, but mostly as a man. With strength and courage, responsibility and adventure, your talents still amaze me, your humor entertains me, and your generosity astounds and overwhelms me. I love you dear brother and I’m so proud to have you as my family! Your one and only sister!

For a hilarious story about my brother read here!

Sunday Scribblings " Design"

2011-04-17T12:59:00.002-07:00

A bag I designed for my coupon clipping cupcake baking, music lover daughter!

Love, music, cupcakes who could ask for anything more! This canvas bag fits her coupon binder perfectly!

Sunday Scribblings prompt this week is " Design"

I bet she was one of those annoying kids who always had their hand up first in class.The one who knew all the answers! I bet she was teachers pet too! Offering to clear chalk from the boards long before the instructor asked! Designed to serve everyone but herself. Rarely does her head hit the pillow for much rejuvenation. Instead she lets the day eat away her happiness one busy chomp after another. Warding off the warning signs. Headaches, skin rashes, aches and pains of preposterous dimension. Her heart skips beats while she skips along overwrought with the life she designed. Packed to the brim with a million busy moments!

Isn't this so many women? I know I was teachers pet! Most of us have gone out of our way unnecessarily with the need to please at one time or another! Living life on a treadmill with no off button. Eventually jolted into reality by an illness, a death, an unmitigated unexpected crisis, forcing us to change. In that change we find our true self. The person we were meant to be before the need to please bug took hold. That's when our true design is able to flourish! How have you designed your life? What would you change if you could?

Inspiration from How to steal like an artist!

2011-04-13T16:14:00.000-07:00

I was pretty moved by the blog post "How to steal like an artist " which inspired this piece of art! I'm hoping this quote with be visual inspiration for my family!

Sunday Scribblings " Befuddled"

2011-04-10T21:15:00.004-07:00

Sunday Scribblings prompt for this week is "Befuddled"

My week was brim full of anxiety. Dear daughters father moves to Mexico. His drive down there had her fraught with worry. His unnecessary problems needing to be rectified at this end escalated her stress. As much as I choose not to let it affect me, her feelings about it do! I thought my twenty five years with this man was enough. But NO, fifteen years after divorce I'm still drawn into the drama! To top things off I have been carrying around anger that has me befuddled. Surprisingly it's not about his mini messes. I'm actually praying he arrives safely to alleviate dear daughters worry. I'm angry about certain injustices, not my own. Anger is out of character for me. Maybe my anger is a good thing, I'm in the process of figuring that out! I feel shameful about carrying so much ire, thankfully I have a friend who was kind enough to listen and share some sage insight!

Lately I've been

Laden with problems
None, which I own
Rock heavy issues
Cemented in stone
Difficult to remedy
Difficult to bemoan
Ire builds like a
Cautionary bomb
As I ponder love
In it’s death
How the haunting
Hangs on

Coffee with a friend
Purging for peace
These befuddled
Emotions
play at my feet
Question after question
Whirl in my brain
Ire now sedated

a new path to ordain

lessening the tension,

absolving the shame

Celebrating Five years! Blog Giveaway Purdys Chocolates

2011-04-04T23:46:00.002-07:00

The winner is Lucy from Lulus Petals....congratulations Lucy...thank you all for the lovely comments!

I was a teen, my brother was a little duffer when we won a huge Purdys Easter bunny (named Charles)! We ate a bunch then Mom divided it up for the freezer. She was mad when Chocolate seeking leprechauns brazenly depleted it from her freezer. ( I still keep my chocolate in the freezer) Little brother is turning fifty on the same day as Prince Williams nuptials. Even though he loves Purdys his youthful looking six pack takes priority !!! But the great memories live on!

The giveaway to celebrate my five years of blogging on March 30th is a pound and a half of assorted purdys chocolates shipped to your house! A value of close to fifty dollars shipped. (Sorry the giveaway is only open to Canadians, and Americans) In order to qualify you must be a follower, or become a follower, leave a comment on this post describing your favorite type of chocolates, creams, caramels, nuts, light or dark chocolate or whatever and a way to contact you if you don't have a blog. I will use an online random number generator to choose a winner Monday April 11th. Hopefully you'll receive your box in time for Easter! Make sure to tell your

chocolate loving blog friends about my giveaway! Good luck one and all!!

Happy Fifth Year Blogging

2011-03-30T22:20:00.001-07:00

Happy Fifth Birthday to my Blog!

I'm late posting, with several power outages the server has been obstinate today. I may only have a few moments. I’m in the throws of figuring out a giveaway to commemorate my five years of consistent blogging.

I opted out of my writing group to spend time blogging. I’m happy to say it’s been a rewarding choice for me! Blogging has attracted like minded people, forcing me to write more often, and create visuals to keep things interesting. Thousands of words later I have a wonderful collective of stories and events recorded as a legacy for future generations. Some is blathering nonsense, even a bit narcissistic at times, while other posts I’m extremely proud of.

Thank you to all who support my blog! I am extremely grateful for each and every visitor, and every comment. I adore the wonderful loving friendships I have acquired through blogging. I couldn’t have imagined my world without you! Just know I deeply appreciate all of you whether you comment or not!! Stayed tuned for my giveaway...... Love Giggles the Happy Tiler!

Sunday Scribblings "Nearly"

2011-03-27T17:33:00.002-07:00

click to enlarge collage

This weeks Sundays Scribblings prompt is " Nearly"

Nearly fifty five and I am still learning things about my deceased mother. As we all know Liz Taylor passed away recently. While another blogger made a commentary on Liz’s marriages and generous nature I was most struck by the tube video below!

Over the years my mother always seemed a bit outdated with her Hairstyles. It frustrated my brother and I since she was a hairdresser. In his effort to convince her to change hairstyles, I remember him telling her about attractive women he spotted from behind who he thought were much younger because of their updated hair and clothing. It was only when the women turned around he noted they were moms age.

Mom tended to get a hairstyle and stick with it too long. Many of her customers were the same. As young adults both bro and I opted to get our own hairdressers. I’m sure Mom was relieved because she could never please us fashion wise. She was already doing all her relatives for free and had little interest in doing hair by then. She never commented on our hair either way once we switched beauticians.

Looking back at photos, mom was an adorable young woman with fashionable outfits, and cute stylish hair. Many of which I now see were fashioned after Ms. Taylor. I see almost every hairstyle mom ever had in this video. Wow you learn something everyday.

Change of Attitude

2011-03-23T23:11:00.006-07:00

Tuesday I went to Costco for some pick me ups, a BBQ Chicken, and jalapeno bread for an easy supper. I got multigrain cheerios that we all love, coffee, cheese, and yellow tulips for my daughter. I was shocked to see shrimp went from just under nine dollars a bag, to almost fifteen bucks!

Lately I've been taking a night time Advil before bed. My knee was not too bad. So I searched vigorously for the cocoa on my list. It's usually hard to miss the bright yellow label, but there was none to be found. Unfortunately box stores rarely have any clerks nearby to ask for assistance.

I headed to the check stands. There were lineups galore. My eyes spent the time wandering into the surrounding shopping carts. Curiously looking for new interesting meal ideas! I noted a different type of feta than I usually get. Peoples clothes, mannerism, habits, relationship dynamic keep me interested and stave off boredom!

It was nearing dinner hour so I slipped into a shorter lineup. A middle aged male cashier took my card. I asked if there was any cocoa. He was a bit Blasé, telling me he hadn't seen any come through lately. Head down ran a few of my groceries through, stopped and asked if I wanted to donate to the Japan Tsunami fund. I paused for a second. Then quickly said "yes." He asked how much, I blurted an amount without much thought. Even at that it felt cheap. I should have put the yellow tulips back, counted my blessings and added that to my donation too. But my daughter needs tender care right now, those tulips gave her some joy. Enough about my guilt.

After my donation the Cashier perked up, kindly yelled over to customer service about the cocoa, asked them for the code, sweetly asked how many I wanted, sent someone to retrieve one for me. His whole demeanor had change. Was this even the same guy? He was very sweet!

While waiting for my cocoa I could hear the next few customers decline to contribute. I was so happy to see Red Cross on my bill!!! Verification it's going to a good place. I looked around Costco, so busy. I thought if everyone gave just a bit it could mount so very quickly! Who knows, might give another Mr. Grumpy pants a shot of much needed nicety!

Tailgater

2011-03-23T23:09:00.004-07:00

Yesterday I was driving home after dropping the dog back to her owner. I had the sun roof open, Adele was blaring and I was in my glory. An old turquoise Toyota sedan was following really close behind me. The fellow was beaming from ear to ear. I felt a bit nervous how close tailgater was.

I thought I heard beeping, and was thinking, oh no here we go again!!! What now? But I talked myself out of it!! Tailgater kept smiling as though he just won the lottery. He was driving a bit erratically so I kept checking my rear view mirror. I kept hearing beeping...but it was probably the music. Next thing I know tailgater was beside me, smiling and trying to get my attention. It was creepy. Tailgater, probably fifteen years younger than me if not more obviously had spring fever. What the heck...he was trying to hit on me while I was driving? He drove in front of me, then beside me again. Omg he was acting so peacockish! Why doesn't he do what I do when I have spring fever, open his windows and turn up the music....geesh....that's all I need some crazy manic guy with an old car....been there done that!!! No thanks!

Pump Dude

2011-03-22T23:45:00.002-07:00

Today I was doing errands. Saw that gas was a bit cheaper at a Co-op station. I decided to top up my tank! I drove up to the nearest pump, in behind a vacant truck. I expected the owner was paying for gas or buying lottery tickets. I sat patiently waiting, because that's what I do!...I'm pretty darn patient! Meanwhile a man standing three pumps away was smirking at me. He had that, "what's that dumb chick waiting for", kind of smirk on his face. He kept staring as though I had my skirt tucked into my underwear, which wasn't possible because I was sitting in my car....Okay....maybe that was possible, but he couldn't see it. Anyway, he kept smirking. I felt uneasy, a bit foolish, but didn't know why.I could have switched to a vacant pump on the other side. Instead I kept waiting, ~~maybe a little too long.~~ No one returned to the truck. Pump dude continued laughing at me. Still shaking his head in contempt. Obviously I was doing something wrong. He definitely thought I was a stupid, heck if I knew why! I considered passing on the gas, ~~not passing gas~~, after all I still had three quarters of a tank of fuel. But I wanted the cheap gas, and a touch-less car wash to get the winter salt off my car. It was now evident the truck driver wasn't coming back. I looked in my rear view mirror preparing to back up. As I swung my head around, there it was. A city tow truck. Rear view lights butted up to my passenger door. I had blocked him in. I felt pretty sheepish. There was nowhere for him to go until I moved! Pumper dude was still shaking his head, now blatantly laughing at me. Duh.....Fat chick finally got it!! Thankfully I had sunglasses on to hide my shame! I quickly pulled out and around to another pump, parallel to him. He pulled out and left, thank goodness. I'm sure I created some evening fodder, for pump dude and the trapped tow truck driver!

I imagine I swooped in behind the vacant truck just as the tow truck was planning to perform a tow! Oops!!!

Monday Mutterings

2011-03-21T23:45:00.003-07:00

Digital done for reusable mugs

Today I watched a guy toss a McDonalds wrapper out the window of his car with little concern that I witnessed it. Where are the liter police when you need them darn it!

Now that gas prices continue to climb I'm soooo glad I bought a smaller car. There is so much head room, I can cart a large amount of groceries and canvases with ease! Love my Kia Soul!

Yesterday an older Cashier whispered, "I use coupons too," as though it was a dirty secret!! I love when cashiers embrace using coupons, makes shopping so much easier. Line ups can get pretty long if a cashier decides there's a discrepancy. My assertive coupon queen daughter rarely takes no for an answer when she's positive her coupon is valid. Watch out for those coupon queens, they have power!

We've been looking after a toy poodle for a few weeks now, even though we brush her hair daily it still mats up like a Rastafarian. No sooner do I work out the mats and she has new puppy dreads!

Having a dog around is fun! I wipe her feet every time she comes in the house some how she still manages to make paw prints all over the dark hardwood floors. It's very faint, until the light hits. Then it looks like a pack of dogs trampled through the house all at once! Mop time!

Daughters favorite comfort food is homemade macaroni and cheese, with real Canadian cheddar. For months I have had macaroni Mondays, but today we changed it up and had cheddar cheese perogies and salad. What's your comfort food?

Sunday Scribblings " Free"

2011-03-21T00:20:00.001-07:00

Sunday Scribblings prompt this week is “Free”

Are we ever completely free of worry once we become a Mother? Not in my world. Even though I share a communal living arrangement with adult children I still worry. I feel their pangs of pain, as well as their elation. I often wonder how we manage to make it work through pms, and other moody moments. I’m sure there are times we all just button our traps to keep the peace. Other instances it’s pure love and respect that keep it all together. For the most part we enjoy making each other happy, rolling over the rough patches best we can.

I feel fortunate to be friends with my daughter and son-in-law. My life is nothing of what I imagined it’s would be at this age. Unexpected twists and turns forced me to embrace obscure changes. Accepting these modifications with a flexible perspective has been a bonus.

I try to look at the positive in most situations. Do I wallow in pessimism? Sometimes, for a second. Mostly I look for the good, that glimmer of light in a dark place. I try to find beauty in people and circumstances. When I concentrate on finding what’s lovely I’m blinded to the faults. (or at least for the moment they’re hazed over.) I truly think it frees my soul from the confinement of negative thoughts! Possibly the key to my friendship with the kids! It keeps me happier too!

How about you, how do you deal with life unexpected?

Embracing the chips!

2011-03-18T18:54:00.001-07:00

Photo in a state of perfection

I truly hate to admit I was pretty anal before kids. I wanted to be a kind parent, so I tried not to sweat the small stuff. Still I carried my need for perfection into motherhood. Always over prepared and organized, with many changes of clothes wherever we went. I washed my floor every night before bed. Being super mom was not always a good idea. I never cried over spilt milk, never made her feel bad about a mistakes, or accidents. I just over excelled in keeping things perfect. When I became sick I had to relinquish the need for perfection. Many years of incorporating perfection fell by the wayside! Laundry backed up on me, while I took naps to stave of headaches and exhaustion. Dust danced around the house longer than normal. I learned to realign my life! I grieved the old me, set boundaries, paced myself and divorced perfection!

I've embrace who I am today. Less perfect, wiser, and more content. It's a relief to surrender perfection. So the other day when I discovered my favorite Mary Naylor Tea pot had a huge chip out of the spout I was able to shrug and say " Oh well." In the past I may have felt a larger pang of upset. With the devastation in Japan I can only feel blessed to have a wonderful roof over my head, family close by and other beautiful things in my midst. I spent too many hours of my youth fretting over nonsense. Life is so precious, to be respected, honored, and enjoyed. My prayers go out to the Japanese people, who went to bed one night never knowing how their world could be turned upside down the next. So enjoy the character of a chip in your teapot, I am!

Twenty five years ago

2011-03-17T23:57:00.005-07:00

My dad's been gone 25 years today! St patty's day was a great exit for a man who loved to party, dance and sing! I can't help wonder what he would think about today's five dollar Starbucks coffees, cell phone bills in the hundreds, hand held computers, grandchildren he's never met and the divorce rate! Probably horrified about the coffee and cells. With one land line we always managed to meet up with friends, and find our way to appointments on time. We also enjoyed high quality coffee, parallel to Starbucks since dad drove a coffee delivery truck for awhile.

I'm sure he'd be thrilled having a granddaughter only an inch shorter than him at 5'8" since he loved tall women. Even though mom, the love of his life was only five feet tall. I wonder if he'd see how much my daughter is like his wife. Tiny, feisty, a great cook and baker. Not to mention a spiffy dresser, great money manager with a huge heart! Would he be surprised about my relationship with her I wonder? I think he'd be surprised at what an easy teen she was, how straight she is too.

Too bad he never met his only grandson. A kid with a natural musical, and athletic ability, much like him! Dad would be so surprised that his one nephew is a professor and Cancer research scientist!

I think he'd be proud of the mother I am, how I kept everything together after divorce, raising my daughter in a wholesome way! He'd be disappointed about my weight but never say a word. He may be sad that I'd not attempted to mate up again. He's be utterly shocked that I am an artist, almost as much as I am!

My brother is turning fifty this year, man he looks so good with his six pack abs. Dad would be pretty surprised to see how handsome and well preserved his son is! How he has maintained a seven day workout since the age of twelve years. How proactive he is about nutrition. He'd be proud. If only he hadn't smoked, maybe he'd still be here to enjoy this era! Miss you dad!

Thursday Thirteen

2011-03-10T23:23:00.002-08:00

Journal Page

Thursday Thirteen Random thoughts

1 Life sure has it's ups and downs. The people you love most seem to have so much power over us!

2 Stupid woman in Starbucks today, plugged in the cord to her wireless computer right across the customers path to the counter! Lucky no one tripped. First man who walked by accidentally ripped the cord out of the socket with his foot! She was oblivious to anyone else but herself.

3 Where the hell is common sense???? Not common lately!

4 Why are people so RUDE with their cell phones, playing games, texting, posting to facebook while in a room full of people all chatting together??

5 Why do people think it's okay to talk on a cell phone for a long period of time when they're in your company? Next time I'm going to bluntly tell them I find it offensive!!

6 I wonder how much the property taxes and heating bill are on the 2.4 million dollar lottery home!

7 How the heck do you dust the 10 ft rafters of the lottery home?

8 Damn the show "Shameless" with William H Macy is addictive!

9 I have been wanting to see "For Colored Girls" since it came out. I have waited long enough. This weekend I'm renting it from Shaw on demand! Having a movie date by myself!!!

10 I am jonsing to create, but hesitate to spread all my supplies around the family room making a big mess again!

11 I loved the movie with Graffiti artist Banksy called "Exit through the gift shop" but it's not for everyone.

12 I am so grateful for the beautiful yellow an apple green flowers my daughter bought for International Woman's day Tuesday!

13 Darn it, I need to write down my blog ideas before they float into the abyss!! Here today and gone tomorrow! I must remedy that!

Gypsy Goddess Fiftieth

2011-03-08T13:38:00.000-08:00

Our friend Artist Violette hosted a wonderful art party at the magic cottage Friday evening. We all brought appetizers, wine, and gifts for Gypsy goddesses 50th birthday celebration! What a blast we had!

Ahead of time each goddess individualized a pocket for an apron. Then Dream goddess and I attached the pockets with a backing and added trim. Gypsy goddess was overjoyed with her new treasured apron!

Violette hand painted the Gypsy soul in a heart,

and I painted the gnome and cupcakes!

Gypsy goddess has an affinity to gnomes,

and has always created fun cakes and cupcakes!

Here I captured Gypsy's pure bliss! Overwhelmed with joy

over the apron. She's an old fashioned girl

who honors anything creative or homemade!

Here are some of our creation done in the Creative Juice Studio.

after wonderful instruction from Violette!

We topped it off with a colorful cake I made in honor of gypsy! Note the striped candles. Gypsy loves to wear whimsical striped socks under dresses, so I thought they were fitting! It was fun and I'm satisfied Gypsy goddess felt truly loved after this celebration!

Sunday Scribbling "Always a Never"

2011-03-04T16:19:00.004-08:00

A doodle done in an art journal Feb 8th

Sunday Scribbling prompt this week is "Raw"

My daughter's in crisis, there is nothing I can do, she is raw! Her father is moving to another country. She feels at a complete loss. Knowing she may not see him for a long time, if ever. Because divorce is complicated, and step parents can be very difficult to take.

Often a stoic girl she describes herself as an egg, with a fragile shell, completely soft inside. There has been little regard for her feelings during the process of him moving away. As much as the man doesn't fit the criteria to be my friend, I want him safe and sound for my daughter. So I pray for his safety and happiness. Even though almost everything he does irks me to the core! I wished he'd been a more of hands on dad. But he had no example and didn't know how. He is a sad man who's missed out on a genuinely amazing child. Sidney Poitier says, " The measure of a man is how he provides for his children" There is not much more I can say. Except I am so sad for my daughter, and my deceased mother who also went through the same. I am so sorry for the ugliness in her life that was no fault of her own. There is no way to rectify any of this....it's just plain awful.

Always a never

A child of divorce

Continuously pounded

By what will never be

Nibbling at crumbs of

Family past

Grappling for resolve

Where there is none

Hanging by a string

Of need

Knowing it will

Swing back and forth

Until it breaks

Dropping them

Into a puddle of dismay

Muddied by mistakes

Not their own

Weighted

By a heavy brick

Of longing,

Misunderstanding,

and deceit

Waiting for atonement

That will never come

Satisfaction that can never be

They stand alone

In a mire of pain

With no comfort

Desperate to move

Forward

Whole!

2011-02-28T06:25:00.001-08:00

Sunday Scribbling Prompt this week is "Fire"

Friday morning I scooted right, off a side street, into traffic. Behind me a young, refined looking Asian woman flipped me the bird. Continued to do so for several blocks. Afraid I’d not seen her she popped her red car into the next lane. Unrelenting, now parallel to my driver side, I caught her middle finger flailing. Pointing at me. Disrupting my peripheral vision. With more determination than before! I feared she might clip the car ahead of her! She wouldn't be ignored, she needed some kind of reaction or verification that I'd seen her. I felt a fire in me. For a second I reverted back to my twenty year old self. With my head forward, eyes on the road, I quickly flashed my finger back at her. She continued to dance her middle finger vehemently with ire, one upping me, making sure I saw her! Then she stepped on the gas and sped ahead out of sight.

Oh, I am not one bit proud of my reaction. Nowadays I’m more likely to give someone the two finger peace sign, a positive thumbs up, or thank-you wave acknowledging a nice deed. I shrunk to her level. I’m not proud. It’s no longer the seventies. It’s risky business responding or initiating disdain in this manner. However I felt a bit bullied by this young woman! I don’t take chances with my new car. I’m pretty defensive and like to think I'm a courteous driver. I had safely merged into the lane. There was lots of room! My daughter affirmed I’d done nothing wrong. Believe me she is the first to point out any of my mistakes!! Not too long after we got our flowers at the produce stand we heard a siren barreling down the same street. I wondered if the angry young woman caused an accident somewhere up the road!

The next day, I drove to Costco with my daughter. Not a parking spot to be found on the busy Saturday. I wasn’t feeling my best. I didn’t have the energy to walk from the parameter of several acre parking lot, plus do a Costco Shop! So I stopped at the door, suggesting daughter start the shopping while I searched for a reasonable parking spot. I saw a car approaching behind me, so I asked daughter to get out quickly. Not wanting to hold anyone up! Daughter jumped out of the car, opened the back door to get the reusable bags. In my rear view mirror I could see the woman in an SUV behind me swearing banging her fist on the steering wheel and waving for us to hurry! Daughter saw her too. We weren’t dawdling, but daughter was annoyed that she was so impatient. Instead of waiting the woman lurched her SUV around my car yelling obscenities at me as she passed. I ignored it this time! Both daughter and I were glad there was no child crossing in front of my car when Mrs. Grumpy pants, so consumed in anger zoomed by! What is wrong with people??? Where have manners gone? It was literally seconds we were stopped.

Scares me how hostile and belligerent people can be behind the wheel. Is it cell phone withdrawal? Clearly there are people driving around mentally ill, exhausted, angry, and drug addicted, some even have weapons. None of which we can control. One should never let the fire of their youth grab hold of reason like I did with the first woman. Wished I’d flashed her a peace sign instead…. I sincerely doubt it would have helped though!

Sunday Scribblings Surprises

2011-02-17T01:46:00.001-08:00

Sunday scribblings this week is " In a thousand Years"

She's turning fifty. Not in a thousand
years would I have imagined she hates surprises. But she does, and her hubby has been warned....." No surprises!"

Hard to believe the woman who bakes every friend and neighbor a surprise birthday cake, shows up at each event with some unique idea or gift that makes life more fun doesn't want a fuss made for her birthday!

She's not alone. Dear daughter and Oprah don’t like surprises either. It makes them nervous with worry.

Yet I often surprised dear daughter when she was young. A special outing or event, a new outfit or toy, a favorite food always brought a smile to her face! I prided myself on filling her life with joy! It was my pleasure. It's hard to forget the squeals of glee when dear daughter discovered a trampoline in the backyard ! I can still see her little eight year old body bobbing up and down in utter bliss.

Ugly divorce with hostile surprises, distressing birthdays coupled with disappointing announcements put her in a terrible funk. Substandard Christmases, excluded from kid friendly family events, a Disneyland holiday, and extra curricular activities is the catalyst to her aversion to surprises. Vinegar on the wound, knowing step siblings enjoyed all these financial perks while she was left out!

I was emotionally jerked around by surprises last week. Crying one moment over a personal family issue, out of my realm of understanding or control. Meeting with a friend was a lovely diversion, finding a few bottles of my favorite discontinued perfume somehow elated me, lifting the gloom. As though out of the dark an angel appeared to divert my distress. When I fell back into worry I click on an email to find a welcome humorous diversion evoking a laugh out loud! Not sure I like surprises myself, however I accept them as a part of life!

As an adult dear daughter has been shook up numerous times by worrisome erratic situations. There is always no resolve and nothing seems to balance out these unexpected emotional bombs dropped on her! It has made her very uncomfortable with unpredictable behavior. I’m sure many children of divorce, ones with unpredictable alcoholic or mentally ill parents also hate to be surprised.

Personally I’d never want someone to surprise me by redecorating my environment without my input, or show up unannounced to stay for a holiday. It's nasty being surprised by a large unexpected bill in the mail too. I’d not want a celebrity to knock on my door with cameras either. I have to admit, thoughtful well intended, noninvasive sweet surprises make me happy! I really appreciate them, pretty sure dear daughter does too. How about you??? What is your best surprise and do you like them?

Quarter of a Century Old today!

2011-02-04T13:42:00.000-08:00

I’m wise, but she’s wiser

I’m strong, but she’s stronger

I’m frugal, but she has me beat there too

Twenty five years ago today

After a difficult labor of

Hemorrhaging, internal stitching

Pain beyond imagining

She was born

Each second after that

Was bliss, as I held her

The most contented mother

On the planet.

Not one day of regret

She filled a lifetime void,

taught me true love

then grew up to be my best friend

She radiates loyalty, hope, and

Compassion

Generously she thinks of others

Always responsible and sensible

She follows her heart and intuition

And she cooks now too,

as though it is her true calling.

As she walks through the footsteps of life

Dragging bags of her parents dysfunction

She grasps on to her sensible nature,

gentle husband, sense of gratitude

And copes with panache

Each day I have learned something new

From that precious treasure

I call my daughter!

Happy Birthday Darling

You are a one of a kind

I love you beyond words

I hope you know that!

Bras for A Cause 2011 " Mountains of Courage in Bloom"

2011-02-01T05:59:00.019-08:00

"Mountains of Courage

in Bloom"

This Bustier is dedicated to my dear friend

Helen Cheng

Done in Acrylics then varnished
The form of this bustier was not quite as nice as
the first one I did, making it slightly more difficult to paint !

Today I am donating this completed bustier to "Bras for A Cause" along with one hundred dollars. The money my daughter has saved us on sundries through extreme couponing the past four months affords me the opportunity to contribute to a worthy cause in honour of my friend.

Two years ago right about the time I was donating my first bustier " Mountains of Courage" in honor of a mutual friend, Helen was diagnosed! January 4th was Helens second birthday since her diagnoses and treatments! I'm excited to say she looks healthy with a full head of curly hair! Seems like all those home perms are finally permanent! I'm pretty sure she's crossing her fingers that they are anyway!

Helen is such a terrific person always full of glee with an ability to recall minute details and dates like no other! We met twenty years ago when our daughters were in kindergarten! We've had so many laughs over the years and lots of great chatter! I am so proud of my pal, her courage and tenacity to fight through such tough times always with a smile and winning sense of humor! Love you Helen, you're one of a kind! Happy Birthday!!! Wishing you many more my friend!

Sunday Scribblings "No Fix"

2011-01-26T10:21:00.003-08:00

Sunday Scribblings this week is "Safe"
Although the word is void, that need to feel safe is present.
No Fix

To Witness the upheaval of yesterday

Tomorrow and days to come

Is difficult to endure

Her dad is leaving the country

Moving out of daily phone call

Range

Technically crippled,

void of typing skills

Emails will be sparse

Communication rare

Abandonment feelings rampant

As he moves in and out of fatherhood

Emotionally detached

Unaware it’s affects

Her body deceives her

As she worries away the pounds

Having lost at least two sizes

Stomach pain is constant

Acid reflux refusing to abstain

She fears the ramifications of

Food and drink

Life is scary for her

The insurance policy of a parent

Only two cities away

Is expiring

Each phone call

is a predictable surprise

No words can comfort her

No one can fix her angst

Nor buy or manifest

An amiable solution

The move is getting closer

Yesterday a sty appeared

Inside her eye

Just like he used to get

Frustrated her body continues

to betray her

Just as his love has

Sunday Scribblings " Eternity"

2011-01-25T13:15:00.006-08:00

This painting done in acrylics was a request for my daughters bathroom.

I find it rather plain but she likes it and wanted it this way!

Sunday Scribblings prompt this week is "Eternity" oops, my bad, I thought it was eternal, it's rare to find many things eternal these days, except maybe a mothers love. Even that's questionable in some homes!

Also done for Jingle Poetry

No rules for joy

I find joy in simple things
A morning cup of coffee

Gathering with friends

A creative surge

A moving email

A clean house

A car ride with blaring tunes
And a snowy day

I like to celebrate

A friends birthday

A paid bill

A treat in the mail

The ocean in all it’s grandeur

And a game of online scrabble

I enjoy a hot bath

low lights

beautiful aromas

A tasty dinner

A good book or movie

A documentary

And Surfing the web

I revel in bright colors

My children and friends

Their successes

Stimulating conversation

Jest and banter

Exuberant Words

And spiritual musings

I have eternal gratitude

For a beautiful home

Discovering my artistic side

Loving family, wise friends

Peaceful moments

A grateful child

And you!

Marimekko fabrics

2011-01-18T06:00:00.009-08:00

Photo clip from google images

Does this awesome marimekko fabric inspire you? It certainly does me.

For more patterns check here. I love the beautiful variety of vibrant pattern and color!

Sunday Scribblings

2011-01-15T17:28:00.003-08:00

Taken from google images

Sunday Scribblings Prompt this week is " invisible"

Retro or Not?

Okay maybe I’m old. In spirit not so much! If a style comes around again, unless I loved it to begin with I really don’t want to experience it again! I loved the seventies, the peace sign hippy era and great memories of my youth! The flower power of the sixties, colors and movement you may see trickled into my art! However I am not a big fan of the retro furniture and household items like the kids are today…

Retro reminds me of an out dated grandmas house, with stinky old cigarette smoke laden walls. No matter how much you cleaned, or painted, seemingly invisible cigarette smoke embedded into everything that couldn’t be painted or wiped down. Unless of course you lived in a non smokers home and didn’t experience that. The mass majority smoked when I was a child, so it’s really surprising I had no desire to try even one puff of a cigarette.

When I was a kid I would clean everything down to the stove element bowls. Even the drawer where residual crumbs from the breadboard ~~ewww~~ fell onto utensils would command my attention, but not the ashtray sitting in the middle of the table! I despised the smell of wet cigarette ashes married with water. The smell would linger on my hands for hours even after being washed. It was a pet peeve then, and still is!

My growing up years were spent sitting around a brown arborite table with rod iron legs, so when my kids wanted to buy an arborite table for our kitchen I was taken aback. My own mother hated wood tables reminding her of an old farm house in her early years. But I love them. Just last year I painted out my twenty year old raw oak dining room table black! Because we live communally I realized it wasn’t fair to infringe only my flavors into the house. Being as impartial as I could, I checked out the cute red table found at the thrift store, I could see the allure. Thankfully the arborite was faded and chipped! Even though I love our French legged freebie table that I revamped when times were tough, I’d like something rectangle, black, a bit smaller, in wood for the kitchen! With new set of chairs! Still looking… not interested in retro though!

Bra for a Cause 2011

2011-01-11T11:04:00.000-08:00

Bra for a Cause 2009 " Mountains of Courage"

Boy oh boy I am on a time crunch to find a bustier so I can get this years bra done by the Feb 1st deadline for the 2011 "Bras for a Cause" I found one like new last time. I was honoured yet very surprised when I clicked on the "Bra for a Cause" site this year to see my bra, out of many, used as the thumbnail photo for their 2011 campaign! I am on the hunt today, lets hope it doesn’t start snowing until after I get back! We had a dusting yesterday evening! I hope I don’t have to settle for a regular bra! Kind of have my heart set on a bustier again!

2011 so far

2011-01-10T17:48:00.001-08:00

Well 2011 has been a bit of roller coaster ride of emotion. First my hot water tank died at midnight on 4th. With water gushing over the pan I had to call my plumbing teacher friend at midnight, inquiring how to turn the water and gas off safely. His wife sweetly called in the morning to make sure we were still alive. The tank was thankfully replaced the next day by 6PM, almost seven hundred dollars later. So grateful to our dear friend for always coming through for us!

After spending almost a week trying to sort photos in some kind of organized semblance on a blog post, to find I need more photo storage. Even though its pennies to buy storage, it's the fear of losing five years of recorded poetry, art and thoughts that's so upsetting. Probably a needless worry. Do I buy storage and keep that going for years, or start a new blog?

This afternoon I was excited to know I won a lovely print at Tammys Studio . I love Tammy's blog, stop by and leave her a comment! I feel there's a kindred spirit here, and love the beautiful girls she paints.

Late afternoon I called to have the second of my five year free oil changes on my kia soul done only to find I have to pay another eighty dollars to have tires rotated and something else done to keep up my warranty. On the fourth oil change I will need to pay 200 hundred bucks for more maintenance. NO ONE TOLD me this when I bought the car!!! I am NOT HAPPY! My trust of this company has diminished! Still love my car, but not feeling the love with KIA....I've not finished with this issue. I'll keep you abreast of what happens! Sadly the two people I trusted at this company have left, darn it!

I may have to change my word for 2011, after all the year usually defines the word. I just hope it's not FIGHT!!

Sunday Scribbling " A walk in the park"

2011-01-09T07:43:00.000-08:00

Sunday Scribblings prompt this week is " A walk in the park"

I'm a very liberal mother, yet I had strict boundaries about manners, behavior, and respect. I also expected to have a child who experimented in her teen years. One who would constantly buck me, argue, and hate everything I said and did. Instead I was blessed with this child from outer space. One who asked my opinion, sincerely thanked me for everything from the time she could talk, and never argued with me during her teen years. It sounds to good to be true, but we had this incredible friendship from the moment she was born. I think I annoy her more now than I ever did when she was twenty and under! It really was a walk in the park to raise this wonderful unique girl

Yesterday while out for breakfast with a friend my daughter took the dog we're sitting out to widdle. Bundled up in MY big black housecoat, MY lime green crocs and her candy cane pajamas she somehow locked herself out of the house. It was a very cold morning with snow in the forecast. The door was jammed with some of my art canvases acting as a lock. Figuring I would be home shortly she waited patiently outdoors freezing her butt off! The first fifteen minutes she willed me to come home quickly as she waited for someone with a cell phone to pass by. No one did. I had called several times assuming we might hook up to do some shopping afterwards. I figured she was probably in the shower. I finished a few errands after breakfast and forty minutes later, after several calls to the house and her cell, I began to think maybe she was annoyed that I didn't invite her along to breakfast. I considered doing a little shopping alone, but decided against it! While she spent an hour and a half huddled with the dog inside the housecoat, in the freezing cold trying to plan her next move. Knock on the door of our Ms. grumpypants neighbour was her very last resort! Needless to say she was standing at the garage when I arrived home , terrified with my less than stellar hearing I'd go in the house and not hear her banging on the door to get in! She spent the whole afternoon trying to get warm while we both laughed hysterically at the comedy of errors! Because by golly that hour and a half freezing her buns off was no walk in the park!

Over one thousand

2011-01-08T21:27:00.001-08:00

Blogger was wonky and my photos are everywhere on the last post! I passed my 1000th post just before Christmas with no mention! So here we are 1008 posts in! Hard to believe I have been blogging almost five years!
I tried to download a few more photos but was informed I have exceeded my quota and must now pay a yearly fee for more photo storage. I'm not happy having my free blog held hostage!

Above is the photo of art work placed on a wall up my stairs. On each heart is a motto by which we all live by in this house. We are kind, loving and thoughtful to each other, sharing intimate conversation, enjoying laughter, music and creativity. It's because of this creed we're able to live peacefully together!

Personally I'm not fond of blogs without visuals so I'm off to buy more storage otherwise those hearts will be the last photo on this blog. Now that's a sad thought!

Brow Threading

2011-01-07T18:43:00.000-08:00

;

Image taken from google images

For those blog friends who mentioned they aren't familiar with threading, this post is for you! A week before Christmas I had my eyebrows threaded. It's a very simple quick procedure, where a piece of twisted cotton thread is used to remove and shape the eyebrow hair. It's no more painful than plucking and does a more finished look that lasts longer. It can cost anywhere from three to five dollars to have your eyebrows done, a few more dollars for your lip. It's usually done in a salon by ethnic stylists. For more info on the ancient method of epilation (threading) read here .There are also Youtube videos explaining the step by step method. You can have your eye brows dyed in these salons as well. Pepper and a few other friends have done it for years, walking in with no appointment it's done immediately. Try it if you can find a salon in your area! I wish I'd done this years ago!

Recap of 2010

2011-01-05T11:07:00.001-08:00

I have been fighting with the blogger photo uploader for several days trying to post a recap of my favorite parts of 2010. Visiting these munchkins two days before the New Year brought me so much joy! Two little miracles planned, wanted, dearly loved and so much fun!!!

I was greeted with open arms begging to be held. What a thrill

knowing she's the skeptic of the two!

Look at her, she knows a great guy when she sees one! A man

who will one day make a phenomenal dad!

Wearing the little monkey pajamas we brought them!

Twins scheming, "you look in her purse, while I try on her shoes" So cute!!

Eventually off to dream land in a very cute room!

Their mom and dads amalgamated 40th birthday party celebrated in august! My friend Niccis 40th and Bryans eldest brothers 40th birthday. Makes me feel old! The twins parents babysat Pepper when she was a baby!

This guy got all new industrial parts to spiffy up his jeep...which used to be mine. He loves the car as much as I did...only he has the skill to fix it when need be!

I got piles of sundries free from my coupon clipping daughter, a free pair of lenses during the 10,000 free giveaway that clearly contacts held, and free concert from my SIL, plus I won a few prizes, cuz after all I am a winner...... at least that's what I tell myself!

The cupcake tee-shirt I won for Pepper from my artist Friend Donna Gotlib!

Got new hardwood floors laid, which was like birthing a child, chaotic, messy, painful but well worth it!

Finished several pieces of art hanging in my home.

Got my eyebrows threaded for the first time.....now why the heck didn't I do this years ago!!! Silly me! Try it you'll love it!!!

The year had a few glitches but the positives outweighed the negatives!!!

Happy New Year everyone! Let's hope I can blog more frequently now!

Peace to you this Christmas

2010-12-25T14:12:00.004-08:00

Sunday scribblings this week is " Manifesto" and while I am all about the physical and emotional well being of Children. Peace is what I aspire to Manifest in my life!

I have been known to sport peace signs, on bags, ornaments, jewelry, purses, and even shoes. It's more important to me than most people understand. Christmas is a wonderful time to recognize that many children live without peace in their lives. Substance abuse is more rampant during the holidays, at the brunt of it are children living in volatile environments! The stress of Christmas escalates incidence of abuse inflicted on women and children. So while I enjoy my Norman Rockwell Christmas dinner I'll say a prayer for Peace hoping children can enjoy a holiday without fear of turmoil. Over and above material items we all need a soft place to fall, a place of peace and love, where joy can be born! May you all enjoy the security of peace in your homes this season!