Birthday Paint Party Friday

 Last week Beardo and Cupcake went to Mumford and Sons

 and this happened...it's a  three minute happy story!!

Worth the watch 

 Beardo /betterbrother is a singer songwriter, 

  his instagram photo was used in the video

along with his following words, which cupcake responded to.

  betterbrother Boyfriends all around the park sighed in frustration as this banner floated around the sky above the park right before Mumford and Sons setting a new standard in their girlfriends eyes..... I apologized to my wife... we had a chuckle. Go get him, Natalie Helm!      

pepperpf no apologies needed! babe we could buy nice shoes with that money! ;-) betterbrother And that's why i married you! :)    

 Last Wednesday the goddesses took me out for an early Birthday dinner!!

 Dream goddess made me this beautiful cake that was even yummier than it looked!!

Photo credited to Gypsy Goddess

  

This is six days before I turned 57.

 It's fun to have a photo commemorating my age.

With my fat staving off the wrinkles....phew....

Actually I softened the light with a photo process

fooled yah!

Then I  painted this digital with imaginary pink hair.  
I'd probably have pink hair if I was thirty years younger,

 working in a non conventional job!

  I'd have to try these colors too, cuz I'm fun like that!!

                  On Tuesday, my actual  Birthday, Cupcake made me Cupcakes.
                                  In my imagination they looked and tasted like this!

 In actuality they were delectable chocolate cupcakes

stuffed with reeses peanut butter cups,
topped with crumbled peanut butter cups on the icing!!

I was treated like a goddess, but to be honest I am 

treated like one most days!!
There were many fun surprises that day, flowers left on my step,
some loose, some in a planter, a cool pink pedestal dish, 
a britto spoon holder and a lipstick!
I LOVED IT ALL!!!

 A week ago I started cleaning out drawers in my en-suite bathroom

and hadn't quite finished.  I've been fighting a head cold. 
The evening before my birthday Cupcake cleaned

  my large bathroom from top to bottom. Silly as this seems to

some, It was a total surprise and more than thrilling for me! 

I love a clean house but find it difficult with my bad hip. 
 

If only I could wear heels, best I can do is wedgies!!

Now to put on my party shoes cuz I have way more celebratin to do!!

What is something that may seem silly that you would love

 your family to do for you on a special occasion?

This is my contribution for Paint Party Friday! 

Careful What You Wish For Paint Party Friday

Visit more artists a Paint Party Friday

A box I painted for cupcakes coupons  inspired by a few admired artists!!

My Cupcake is an avid couponer. There is quite the art to it! You need memory, organization, tenacity, and diligence  to coordinate the process. Very few people do it to the extent she does because they aren't detail oriented enough! It's not for everyone, but boy there can be a lot of money made doing it!! She has done a two hundred dollar shop for literally pennies!!( It's not as lucrative in Canada as it is in The United States either) It entails waiting for things to be on sale at their lowest price before the coupon expires! When you walk out of the store with a very long receipt, several bags of sundries/food, with little to no money changing hands it can be a poker players high! But, it IS a gift!!

I am such a people watcher and admire all the unique body shapes!

I have always been frugal, watching sales, knowing all the best prices, but I have NEVER been a couponer! Doubt I ever will be! Cupcake sent me out twice with coupons and I screwed up! The first time I left them in the car, with no intention of heading back to the car with my bad hip, the second time I lost them in my purse.

If by chance I became a couponer it would be a nightmare for everyone! If I HAPPENED to remember I had a coupon for something, I'd be digging in my vortex of a purse for five or ten minutes, making the line behind me wait, only to find the coupon is scrunched up beyond reading recognition.  Then be informed by the cashier that it was outdated!!  I am definitely NOT, the, "have it in an envelope, place the new  perfectly cut coupon, on the item, in an orderly fashion, on the conveyer belt, kind of person!" I'm more the," I know what's cheapest, look at the prices as they're being rung in, stop you  if your wrong, recheck my receipt in the car, kind of gal!"

I've been creating all these characters in a fresh journal  I just started!

Anyway, about a year ago we heard this really coupon friendly economy grocery store was coming in near our home, just a mile or so past our local grocery!! Cupcake was so excited knowing she'd have so many chances to coupon free items there!! Which we have. Just  so happens they have some  nice produce there too....which takes a bit of business away from the roadside stands we normally buy from!

This is my attempt at some characters I often see others create... I was hoping to find my own style with them!

We were happy to have the discount store with no frills, but when we want those extras I'd pop to our local grocer which carried Cupcakes favorite delectable slices of gourmet chocolate cake,( instead of baking a whole cake and having that huge temptation screaming at us) and other items we can't find other places!!  Convenient, within walking distance of our home, not too busy, easy for me to find everything I need with my bad hip, it was a place I enjoyed popping into. Except for being slightly pricey, with a crabby deli manager who refused to slice my deli meat from the center instead of the fatty ends, I loved that store!!

Sunday I was in the area  to see the windows papered up. IT'S CLOSED, permanently. Having been there well over a decade it was so sad to see it go.  I sat in my car, sadly stared, thinking, "Be careful what you wish for!" The employees there had just ratified as a union shop, weeks later they found themselves out of a job. So for those workers hoping for better  working conditions and pay, it backfired. For Cupcake who was so excited about the competition coming in with way lower prices, it's backfired. So before you wish for something, keep in mind how everything and everyone will be affected. I love to shop local, I don't use as much gas, and it's the right thing  to do. It's supports my community. Now I have to find another place to buy perogys darn it!! Or I could go back to making them.....I think NOT!!

Painted in acrylics then added a digital color edit!

How about you have you ever wished for something that backfired? If this were the game family feud,  I'd  say  "marriage" would be the number one answer! But really what have you wished for that wasn't the best for you or others?


For more about  my  crazy couponer go  here!!

Affected, Paint Party Friday

I often get ideas for blog posts by answering my comments! Someone will post their sentiments and it prompts a new idea! That and other influences provoked this post.

I found myself painting this gloomy cartoon last week after listening to  way too much of an American news station. I'm a curious Canadian who likes to stay in the loop, so that's why I watch it!! However it can be so much negativity. Even though I'm a News buff,  I  banned myself from news for a few years... I didn't miss it! A few big events and  I got sucked back in again!

Done in scribbler, the rest is digitally collaged

After these few ugly pieces of art came to roost I decided I might need to step away from the  News for a bit. It's obviously affecting me!! Although I also don't like to stick my head in the sand I may need to limit myself.  But News is not the only negativity on Television. Sometimes even family shows express the evolution of  negativity in our culture.

We used to watch  that popular talent show "Idol", but this year  I only watched a couple of episodes, the kids watched none of it! I've read a  rumor they are letting the judges go, rightfully so, they have terrible chemistry as a panel!  Idol is a talent show that  consists of some tone deaf contestants being publicly ridiculed during the weeding out process until they find their stars!

In past years it seemed trendy to be bluntly  mean and sarcastic on that show. Many of   the recent judges are a little less ruthless and mean.   When we first got hooked in it was the only talent show of it's kind.  We love music so we  succumbed. But I always refused to watch the result  show (where they'd painstakingly eliminate the contestant voted off by the TV. audience). Forced to sing right after hearing of their demise I found it  so difficult to watch. Especially when they'd already painfully  extend the elimination  process.  I'd feel so angry watching!! Trust me, it takes a lot for me to get angry!!   They  purposely made those kids, and  the audience,  wait too long  to hear the results. I just couldn't stand it. All for the mighty buck!!  And that is why I switched off!! A handful go on to be big stars... yes it gives them an opportunity for exposure not otherwise afforded,  but boy, it's a grueling process.

How the heck is one to gain composure to sing after being told you were voted off!!  It's  asinine to put people through that!!  Seriously why not just throw darts at them....  The worst part is that we actively watch this and don't see it as a form of bullying.   

When a contestant signs a contract to give their soul away to the tv show I'm sure they never expect how humiliating it might be!!  How they could be used and abused!  They have a dream....and hope they win... they probably never imagine people are going to publicly ridicule  them on tv because they sing a wrong note! I imagine many very  talented souls are dissuaded from trying out for  those shows because they fear the humiliation!   Yes a handful of people go on to be big stars...but what of the others?

Now the Voice (the newer talent show) is a different story! It's still painful to get the boot, however there is more empathy for the contestants! They have a more compassionate way of weeding out the best.. Instead of ridiculing the contestant the judges throw verbal punches at each other all in fun! A much more humane show! They pull the bandaid off quickly, it's a lot less painful to watch, as they  show the   the judges milling over their decision with angst! A much kinder process!! They always assure the contestant the show is their debut, a stepping stone to more!!

I  love romantic comedies and joyful endings in movies! The world can sometimes be a bitter pill to swallow, so I need a good ending once in a while.  I want to laugh and have a positive feeling that things can and  will end well .....  maybe to counteract the News!

How about you, do you ever see acts of negativity/meanness that are so blatantly obvious to you yet others seem to readily accept as okay?

I apologize for the ugly art, I'm hoping for something much better to share next week! It's okay if I publicly humiliate myself, right? lol

This is my contribution for Paint Party Friday!

Assets Paint Party Friday

“Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.”Albert Einstein

Last week we delivered some overstock coupon items to a young single mother of two adorable children. She's made some choices that put her in a fight or flight mode to protect her kids. Many may judge her, but I respect her motherly instinct to flee to protect her kids! She has so much potential even though she was raised by addicted parents. Never afforded the opportunities or proper guidance many kids get, I can only pray she realizes her true potential. Instead of being mired down in negative talk from her inner gremlin, or years of suffering intoxicated parental rants.

How many people have been harshly judged by someone without knowing their story? Too many!!! We need far more empathy in our world, more kindness, more joy!! For others, for ourselves! How many gorgeous bodies have we admired wishing we were the same, unaware of their severe bulimia....I don't like being fat a chubikin but I wouldn't want to vomit everyday either, would you? Not only women are bulimics, did you know many men are too!!

These fun characters were done in the  scribbler program then finished off in my microsoft paint program. Give it a shot! They represent how unique we all are, how easily we are wrongfully judged! Not only do we all have a unique story we each have a unique gift to share. We all have our own special way to navigate  the world!!

 

My father was  gifted musically and in other ways too! His lack of schooling haunted him. He stayed in  a menial job always afraid he wouldn't measure up doing anything else. On his time off he lived passionately doing what he loved, sports and music. It brought him great joy! Was he living his full potential? I doubt it!

After sixteen years  working for a friend  he was let go and forced to find a new job late in life! He found a better job than he expected to, with a good pension as an added bonus! 

I still wonder what he could have done with all his musical talent! It was something that stayed hidden from the world!

My very handsome brother is charismatic comedian by nature, a man who can captivate the room with his humor and at times his wisdom. I often wish the world could hear about his antics from his hilarious OCD, politically incorrect perspective. I dream of him one day sharing his humor and wisdom in a way only he can! Imagine, when he was a teen he would ice his beautiful lips in the morning because he thought they were too big!! I never knew he did that until last year.....bazaar how we are so critical of our self! Why not focus on our beauty and our gifts!!

 

How we see ourselves, how the world judges us, how we compare ourselves...it's all too much. What kind of example are we for children. They learn what they live! My mom told me not to draw attention to my imperfections because it would only magnify them. I've said the same to my daughter. Do I know I'm fat a chubikin just because I don't constantly address it? Absolutely! However it's not all that I am. I certainly don't define myself by my protective cover.

Seriously we need to take the focus off the negative things and enhance the positive!! I've always liked my nose until a few years ago. I worked with a young man who loved my nose so much he had his altered to match it. True story! Imagine my shock when the young guy told me he asked his doctor to give him a nose exactly like mine!! It changed his whole face!! Kinda creepy that he was checking out my hot nose all that time and I didn't even know it!
 

My nose has changed over the years... apparently they keep growing all your life, It's not as high in my books as it used to be so I'm considering breaking up with it... Nah I think I'll keep it, kinda goes with the rest of me!!

I am also a very patient person! Those two things don't define me, they're just a few things I like about myself... If anyone were to call me impatient I'd know that wasn't true!! So any criticism on that front can easily be dissuaded!! It can't affect me because in my mind I don't allow it to be true no matter what anyone says!!

  Knowing your assets, honoring them no matter what others say is a gift you give yourself! Take the focus off your negatives, and the comparisons! Instead, shine a light on your personal positives and let us revel in the unique personal beauty that is YOU inside and out!

 

“When you are content to be simply yourself and don’t compare or compete, everybody will respect you.” -Lao -Tzu 

What do you like best about yourself?  

What is your best physical and non physical asset?

I want to know!!! 

This is my contributions for Paint Party Friday!

 

Bold Bloggers paint party friday

   Today I give a shout out to bloggers that boldly put themselves out there!

Acrylic background digital painted character

Its a gift to be able to communicate like we do.....some people are absolutely stunted trying to express their feelings in writing or any other way! When we shine a light on our feelings it gives others permission to make changes, connect with like minded souls, at times forgive themselves and feel normal!

Digital Color change

I've watched an extended family member unable to hug  his grown children....he's like a robot.  He doesn't appear to be unfriendly...but he's stiff. You can see his  old school demeanor won't allow him to reach out.... it's sad to witness how uncomfortable he is.... but guess what.... my cupcake has breached the boundary and  commands a hug from him where his own affectionate children won't dare to!

Original acrylic journal page on cereal box

My own mother was given a grandmothers journal to express her feelings while my dad was dying. She wrote down the weather. That's all. I thought maybe she just chose not to  present her feelings on the pages during such a trying time. When in fact  she hadn't a clue how to emote all her fiery wisdom on the page!

Original acrylic journal page on cereal box

Never at a loss for words another relative gets harsh  anxiety every time he has to write out a card! He spends ages trying to properly convey the depth of his love but is rarely, if ever, satisfied with the results!!

 We take for granted our ability to express our feelings to others! Whether demonstratively or on the page.  I assumed everyone could write until I shared some prose with a scholar who wished she could write as I did. Given her field of expertise I was shocked that she couldn't. It was then I realized I had a gift! One I have enjoyed my whole life,  one I revere even more now, knowing not everyone possesses it!!

Acrylic background with a digital color change!

So to bloggers who share who they are with a sense of authenticity, thank-you for being real! Sharing your creativity, your heart, your thoughts and feelings! I appreciate all of you who have something genuine to share!!

Have you had difficulty sharing who you are, or what you feel with anyone? And why? Do you ever doubt what you put out there?   

This is my contribution to Paint Party Friday with a  big thanks to Kristin and Eva for tenaciously hosting such an amazing party that brings together so many like minded souls!!

 P.S. I was not happy with my artwork this week...but I bravely plugged through it anyway... now that it's finished I'm at least glad it's colorful.....just sayin.....some weeks are better creatively than others and thank goodness for digital changes!!