Intuition, Paint Party Friday

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29 Faces of September 2014

Halloween Harriet

With a lack of sleep I feel much like a zombie, so my creative streak  has come to a lull! These were done very last minute. Since May I haven't had as many driving obligations and it really has freed up my time. I've enjoyed the freedom. However Beardo had a business trip this week so I have been driving a bit more. 
 

Marquette Face #29

It's a beautiful time of year so I don't mind, but it cut into my creative energy. I live a creative life and that doesn't always mean waking on demand. So shuttling Beardo to the plane threw me off a bit even though I love doing it for him!! 

I can be a bit of an energy vampire so I rarely speak while my family is packing.    Knowing it can throw a traveler off  and make them forget things. For that reason  I also hate  being disturbed when I pack.
 

Jullien face #27

 However... this time was different. I didn't speak during the process but I checked to make sure Beardo had a few extra things as a precaution. He was headed to Toronto  where my brother was stranded for nine days during Nine Eleven. 

Mandarin Orange Monday

I was a bit more of a Mother hen than normal. Not a crazy cluck cluck cluck mother hen, maybe more of a nervous Nelly! He's been there a few times before and I've not had a second thought. I assured him if his trip got cancelled, which he was worried it may,  maybe it wasn't meant to be. 

Harriet Face #28

During wartime my dad was in the air force, bumped off a plane by an officer, and the plane crashed. He always felt fortunate it wasn't his time to go.  I'm kind of glad too since I wouldn't be here!

After I dropped Beardo at the airport I decided to slip back into bed. I tossed and turned unable to sleep... eventually I passed out. An hour and half later I got a call. 
Since I was so sleep deprived I  squeezed into my pillow and let it ring without checking who called.  A few minutes later the phone rang again and I knew I had to answer it.

 It was Cupcake.....she started with a positive....the flight was good, he safe but his taxi was just rear ended! She was a basket case not knowing if he was okay.

He was communicating with her when the car was hit. They took him by ambulance to be checked out. They had to remove the seat from the taxi to recover his luggage which was thankfully only a carry on.  He spent the next five hours on a spinal board.Thankfully nothing was broken and he was released and told to take ibprophen since he'd be in pain the next day. We won't know until he arrives home how he is.

I was glad he had all the little extras, extra phone time and money, a bit of food to munch on since he hadn't eaten in since the wee hours. I will sleep better tonight knowing he's back home under our roof. I can only hope he doesn't suffer too much in the coming days!!

I normally give him a big hug before he leaves on a trip. This time we were way too rushed dropping him off so Cupcake hugged him extra long for me!! Now I know why I was so upset that I didn't hug him!

 Have you ever regretted not hugging someone or 
telling them how much you care

 then had something scary happened?

We always say," I love you," thankfully I did and he knew that!

Have you ever had an intuition but didn't quite understand until later?

Attitude of Gratitude! aint Party Friday

 Paint Party Friday

Marcia #20 eeks  the camera flash hit her cheek

29 Faces Of September 2014 

Appreciating simple things is such a gift because you enjoy so much more in life!

 I wrote this comment in response to another bloggers post,  but stole it back as the jumping off point for my own post! I'm always  inspired by other bloggers, that's why I find it  so important to visit when I can!

 Today I want to thank all of you who take time out of your precious day to read my often long winded blog posts each Friday!  It's such a joy getting to know all of you! The inspiration I get from your comments and blogs filled with art and love is insurmountable! Words can't express how truly grateful I am for each and everyone of you. 

Blogging is such an intimate place where people can bare their souls through art and words. It's a chance to have others truly understand our inner workings! I have no doubt their are   bloggers with friends who haven't a clue about the writer/artist they are! I think it's such an honour that people visit our blogs! Even when we aren't at our very best!

I have  always felt thankful for the simple daily things. Although I may not always say it aloud, there is a constant internal dialogue of appreciation happening within!  Some may call it a prayer, or just  plain "being grateful!" It helps me appreciate each moment instead of waiting for some huge extreme event to bring me joy. 

Face  #23 Joanne done with watercolor crayons and acrylics

Acknowledging the wonderful little things that happen daily can bring so much joy! Like hearing your  kids joking about giving each other  a slug hug. A hands free  hug while  carrying in groceries, just  to feel close for a second! Now it's a daily ritual filled with laughter! Imagine two adults running around yelling slug hug then banging their chests together...it's priceless, silly and brings me simple joy.

 This is my favorite photo of the summer and I can't completely tell you why! Probably because I know both kids had such a good time at a Jack White concert in the park! Love the hat and clean chucks. When Cupcake was little I cleaned her shoes every night! That was when I was a wacked out super mom...those days are long gone!

 

 Face # 24 Gel

Beardo and Cupcake not only slug hug,  they high five with hands slapping together in the air several times a day!  I ignored it as more silliness that is them. Then one day they explained that they're celebrating each other!! How wonderful I thought!

Face #25 Sooz

Until I realized they were high fiving flatulence  and other nonsensical things.

 Of course I laughed. Grateful their relationship  is filled with  daily

 bit of silliness and laughter.

Face #19 Mac

 I learned early how to find joy in very simple things. As a young person I loved playing board games, cards and singing around the piano. Spending the day making perogies with my Ukrainian girlfriend was really rewarding. We laughed while we worked making our favorite meal. I enjoyed making old things look new, and I still do.

Face #21 and #22 Mona and Angry Marney

I've passed the joy of simple things onto my daughter. She loves concerts, travel and shopping, but she knows how to find joy in simple things too!! Cupcake was born grateful and thanked me for small things very early. She'd thank me completely out of the blue. She'd stare at me, then  affectionately say "I love you so much mommy!" I was always surprised at such a small person so full of sincere love and gratitude

Face #26 Sabine

That's what made it so easy for me to go on  banana, 
blue raspberry or rootbeer Slurpee hunt all over town. 
Looking for those frozen drinks  so full of icy yumminess, 
giggling at each dead end,  until we found our favorite 
flavour of the month! Not exactly an environmentally
 friendly or healthy thing to do, but so much fun!

Daily little thoughts of thanks pass through my head for my car, 
cozy bed, hot bath,food on the table, art from friends, color, 
a game of scrabble, a cup of coffee, my fun powder room,
 my pink walls, my kids and their antics, a lunch with friends, 

happy memories, a happy internet story, a good blog read, 
paint party fridays and much much  more!

So grateful for this big banana and his hotdog!

  No matter how hard things got I was always grateful for what I had.

 Instead of feeling sorry for myself I would flip on a tv channel 

where they showed others suffering in different lands 

and I knew I had it good! I'd say a prayer for them 
and a prayer of gratitude for me!

"You can't feel joy without  feeling gratitude!" 

Hey why is it called beauty sleep when you wake up looking like a troll?

How about you, are you always searching for joy,

 or do you find it in the everyday things? 

What is the most bazaar thing you feel grateful for?

Call me what you want! Paint Party Friday

 Paint Party Friday
29 Faces of Sept 2014

Kenzie Face # 10

Forty odd years ago when I first got married my mother expected my new husband to call her mom. He refused.  I understood. He already had a mother and felt loyal to that. The truth was he never felt comfortable calling his mother in law, mom. My mother was very good to him, she stayed pretty neutral instead she would  criticize us as a couple. She was never satisfied he was good enough for me, and  he knew it!

Nerd Girls Mother Carmel  dancing face #11

We managed a pretty decent marriage for several years, in comparison to others!  We were fiscally secure and enjoyed many hours of conversation. No one stays with a person close to twenty five years if there weren't some good moments!  But Mom was right.... he was never for me.  Eventually the marriage died as many do. Because of my precious daughter I'd not change one ugly moment, without that marriage there would be no Cupcake. Without Cupcake, there would be no Beardo who I adore like a son.

 Nerd Boys Dad Jack face #12 I think he has a secret regarding lipstick!

Truth be told, I'm not sure if Beardo refers to me as mom, as Cupcakes mom, or his monster mother in law when speaking of me with  clients or work mates.  However, I have never expected him to call me mom.  Pretty sure he refers to me by name which I asked him to call me thirteen years ago when we first met! I could care less what he calls me, as long as he doesn't call me late for dinner!! Sorry bad old joke....

Hayes #16

 Mother  was so hurt at my exes refusal to call her mom. It left such a bitter taste in my mouth that she made it such a big deal!  A person has one mom!  Beardo's mom has ten children, they all adore her. We are different in every way imaginable, but she's a woman  I admire so much! One things for sure, we love our children immeasurably, yet differently. My daughter feels comfortable referring to her as mom  and she loves her to bits! I am proud that she loves her other mom so deeply! I've never felt threatened by such a lovely woman! She has earned the name after raising ten amazing children!

Kaydee Face #13

I always thought it was so petty to worry what someone calls you, unless of course they get your name wrong, shorten it to something odd or saddle you with a nick name you detest!  As sweet as my son in law is his name is spelt with a Y, even when I spell it out for people, nine out of ten times they get it wrong.  It's just a pet peeve of his that never gets rectified and it frustrates him!

Blain Face #14

My son in law treats me better than ANY man has ever treated me in my life. He's always loving, considerate, kind, respectful and generous with me, as I am with him! We are really good friends too!! How someone treats you should be way more important than what they call you! Upon reflection  I still wonder why it was such a big deal that mom needed  to be called mom. Maybe it was because my cousins spouses endearingly called my aunt /her sister mom...I don't know.

Zaya Face # 15

Mom  wanted with me, what I have with my kids now, yet she went about everything so wrong.  Cupcakes dad wasn't comfortable calling her mom, truthfully his own mom didn't exactly rate top notch status either...  Still I gave her the respect of calling her mom because that's how I was brought up.... 
I think I just answered my own question....oh for the power of blogging eh?

Face #17

I always say you measure a man by his character!
 My son in law Beardo laughs at my jokes, worries and looks after my needs, cares what I think and feel. He does things for me daily, cares deeply for my daughter and treats her the same! He is always kind, generous, helpful and sweet to everyone! Not once have I ever felt judged by him, even though there is a LOT to judge!
He supports my creativity and at times cleans up after me!!  Blush.
 We can talk for hours, or not talk at all!
 We can tease each other and giggle all evening long about it!
He is always comfortable to be around! 
Really at this point it's irrelevant what he calls me ......
 because I know he loves me, 
I love him and  FEEL like his mom!

What has someone said to annoy you  that you realized later was irrelevant or unreasonable on your part? Are you particular about how people address you?

I am caught up on my faces but a few of them I really hate...so I am replacing them!

 

Making Time!! Paint Party Friday

 Paint Party Friday

Nerd Girl  Face #5

 29 faces in Sept 2014

Mandarin Orange Monday

Do you complain you haven't enough time to create?  Of course life's demands come first, but second should be YOU time, and then if there is anything left, you share it. If for no other reason to keep balance, with a healthy mind and happy heart!! You have to make time!
 

Cole face #9

So many woman and some men are constantly doing for others with little time to hear those little whispers from god. The ones pointing you in the right direction! Whether you love to walk, garden, create, cook, or visit with friends to get recharged you need to schedule time to do those things with joy and ease!

Nerd Boy #6 Nerds make time for themselves!

I have one friend who prides herself on getting ready, shower and all, in ten minutes...she likes to challenge that time too!  With a beautiful bathroom room, she rarely, if ever, enjoys her gorgeous tub!

Digital color edits

Whereas I honour my time having a quiet bath. There, my muse will quietly whisper ideas. My whole life I have made time to create things. Whether it was redecorating a room with colourful paint, crocheting, or sewing, I was always making something because I like beauty around me and because I love and NEED to create!

Nadine  Face #7

Over time my tastes have changed, my need for color and whimsy trump my need for beauty.  What's beautiful in my eye completely differs from others! I have always walked a bit on the wild side when it comes to color but everyone seems to enjoy it when they visit!

When men ooh and aah then mention they like your decor you know it's brave and different. If you're conservative beige person the colors could be irritating and ridiculous. All my friends are super creative and it's was only after years of connection that we realized just how creative we all are!  I think when you're young you can take that for granted! 

Neara face #8

Scheduling "YOU" time as though it were a doctors appointment is so important. It teaches others to honour your time. Friends, family and children start to respect the block of time you use to write or create. Eventually they understand how much you value your "ME"  time. 

 It is so true that we teach people how to treat us! If we take abuse even once it is carte blanche for  that behavior to continue! The  oxymoron "Boundaries set you Free" is my motto! It took years to  shake the mentality as a child of an alcoholic who often infringed on boundaries. Now I understand the importance of them and time for Self!  

Are you making time for YOU? Do you ever feel guilty for taking that time?

 Do others understand how important that time is to you?