quoth the rav

Night at the Ball

2011-12-03T13:51:00.000-08:00

Friday nite we had my work CCG Christmas party. I knew I wanted my hair in ringlet curls. I'd thought about going to the mall where 2 guys demonstrate a straightening iron and a a curly iron that gives you Shirley Temple curls for free . I had to go to the bank for mom when I got off early at 4, I stopped in JCPenney's to see if someone could just curl my hair in ringlets. A very young girl wearing reindeer antlers who obviously was fresh out of beauty school, not knowing what to tell me asked one of the black stylists. This lady took one look at my hair telling me it was long like that was a crime. She told me my hair would have to washed 1st. I got attitude. Oh no it didn't! She told me it would have to be washed before she could do it. I told her never mind! Most of you who know me well know when I say that, I am not a happy camper. I was more than ticked. I proceeded down the mall. I did not stop at Hair Masters. I went to the open booth in the mall. A lady was ahead of me because she couldn't get her straightener to work for her; not because it was defective, but becuause she couldn't work it properly to get her less curlier curls. By watching the guy do her's with the straightener, I knew I wanted more curls not staight.

Ray, The guy who did mine was very nice & very talkative. He showed me how to section my hair off is small pieces using the bigger barrell to get medium curls although he did do one curl in smaller barrell. It made my hair even shorter, but I prefered the medium length that still brushed my shoulders. I was so loving this because I was so tired of my curl falling out of my hair. I

I went back to JCP. Stopped to see my pal Jimmy for a moment, vented, telling him what happened & how mad I was about it. I told him I had every right to complain. He loved my curls. I felt like I was living out the scene in "Pretty Woman" when she buys her outfit elsewhere then goes back to the shop where they refused to help her. I went back into the salon area as there was no one out at the desk. I was headed towards the stylist who refused to help me when I saw Sandra who worked in the salon at the old JCP when I worked there as well at Gayfer's hair salon. Sandra told me how pretty my hair was. I told her thank and I was fixin' to be ugly. The stylist had a customer in the chair. I simply told her, "I got it done!" She said "I see you did. It looks good". Of course she was patronizing me, but I got my point across. Sandra did tell me they have to wash your hair 1st before they can do it. Still mad.

I went to the credit desk to ask for a manager. Really didn't have time for all this, but did it anyway. I told him I worked at JCP for over 16 years. I know what customer service is supposed to be. I told him what happened. He asked if I felt they just wanted to add another service. I had not thought of that. I knew a hair dresser at Gayfers that worked that way. She'd charge you for the conditioner! I told him I didn't know if that was the case here, but they lost a customer and a sale.

Hunter husband didn't take son to mom's after school like I told him to do. I wasn't happy because that meant we'd be even later to the party. I couldn't find the pants I was going to wear with the black sequin Reba top I wore last year. I'd found some skinny pants that had black sequins going down the side of the legs on sale last year. This matched my top. So we dropped Rhett off and we went on anyway without the new pants. Of course I kept on the pair I was wearing! LOL Maybe I'll find them in time for the CAG art party. On the way, I asked Don if he felt like he was going out with Shirley Temple. He said no. Then I cracked myself up because she was a little girl! Good times. Goood times.

I had my invitation but not my city id. I had my matching black sequin make up bag though. I almost had trouble getting in because the lady did not know me. How could they not know me? LOL I had to speak to another lady who said she knew me. Luckily my friend Debra and her husband Bob were already there saving us a seat. Bob had knee replacement surgery, was thru with therapy and no longer had to use a cane. He'd grown a mustache which was darker than his hair. Bob was Santa at Kmart one year & I took Rhett to see him. When Rhett walked in, Santa said, "Hey, Rhett!" You should have seen Rhett's face. Later Rhett said, "Momma, Santa KNEW my name!" Priceless. Wouldn't take anything for that moment.

One of the guys from work and his wife came later. I had not seen his wife Claudia in over a year so we joked we see each other every other year. We took pics of each other as always. My photography friend for the IT dept took a pic of Don & I Donny enjoyed my 1st day of Christmas pic I sent out via email. I forgot to send him the
2nd one which I did today. Always a day late and a $ short. That made me feel good that Donnny missed my 2nd day of Christmas photo though.

I saw the editor of the newsletter who is a very sweet lady. I told her about being president of the PC arts. She said she could sneak that one in because it is something really big! I have to send her a photo too. May use my Shirley Temple look! LOL

Debra won a gift. We never win. There I was with no id and guess what... I won something! A gift certificate to 12th St Deli and an oil certificate at Fred's Tires for $31.95. Don just changed the oil! LOL It costs more than the t-bird to change. He was complaining about that and the screw to change it was put on too tight by someone else so he had to buy a new one. I told him not to fuss at me. I didn't put it on there! He told me to tell mom about it but I wasn't about to!

By the time we got home well before midnight so I wouldn't lose my red boot or turn into a pumpkin, I was becoming a wilted Shirley Temple. My curls had fallen. I think each photo taken will be in a wilted sequence of fallen curls. LOL They were non-exisitant this morning. So the ball was over. LOL Cinderella no longer wears her see thru stacks anymore, but she did come home with her Prince Charming.

Becky aka Shriley Temple aka Cinderella

Took mom to the eye dr today. Yes, a Saturday apptment. That way I didn't have to get off from work although The Hunter could have taken her during the week, but I needed to be back there with her since she cannot hear now. Because she is a diabetic, the nurse used a term I am unfamiliar with that started with an a. She asked if her dr gave her a number what that tells whatever this term is. I told the nurse the dr never gave her anything like that. She felt he must have but I KNOW he did not. Mom could tell she made me mad.

Mom's eyes are ok. The diabetes has not affected them. She probably can see better than me.

While in the eye dr's office I was reading thru some religious magazines. I forgot the name of them. A man who penned an article is a Minister of Creative Arts. Hmmm... it made me think. Although I have no degrees in art, I am a minister of the creative arts. I liked that.

We had to rush to the bank before it closed. By then she needed something eat. I had to get her some sweet tea at Country's. Then I got a few things she needed at Fred's. Then got fish from Rosehill for her.

Will post the Shirley Temple look later...

Thankful For Church Friends

2011-12-01T07:54:00.000-08:00

Sorry I was too busy to post an Thanksgiving Thankful Thursday post. Of all days I should have, that would have been the one to do it, but when you are taking care of two families especially during a holiday, it is hard to find time for even yourself.

We had a great Thanksgiving. We were thankful to still have Daddy with us. Thanksgiving was a bit different this year in two ways. One being that we said the blessing over Daddy in his chair rather than at the dining room table which we cannot get to now. The couch is up against it since he is in a hospital bed in the living room. We ate in the kitchen without Daddy. Thankfully my mom was still able to cook her wonderful dressing.

The second way that it was different was we didn't go to our oldest daughters house like we normally do. And thirdly, we went to some church friends's house, my BFF church friend Nancy's mother-in-law's home instead. Thank goodness they were running late due to Nancy talking 2 hours with our preacher Larry because we were still full from my folks' house. Although I was stuffed like a turkey, I did have a small piece of Tiffany's blueberry buckle. We had a grand time remembering funny moments at church and laughing. We were very thankful for our Thanksgiving and those we got to share it with.

We were thankful for all the leftovers so we didn't have to cook. Rhett and I went to mom's for lunch until the dressing ran out. We'd take the hunter home a plate for supper.

It has been a year since Daddy fell and his health declined.

Sunday we went to our church friend Irene's house for lunch. Irene is originally from Wales and lived in Liverpool, England. I took her an Celtic Christmas cd which she played and danced a jig for us! Loved that. We had Irish stew with the meat separate from the carrots and the potatoes mashed. I proceeded to spill my water on my plate and the table cloth. I was so embarrassed. Irene said next time she'd let me eat in her shed! LOL She had two friends drop in unexpectedly. Her German friend shared the meal with us.

We talked about merry ole England. I admit I have based a lot of my feelings and opinions based on what I have read from an English blogger. I will no longer do that. I may even stop reading it altogether. Irene set me straight on how the English feel about he monarchy, the royal marriages and the Queen. The people love her. Did you know that during the war when Germany was bombing England, the queen was a mechanic? I am sure she left the tiara at home though! LOL She could have left the country but she remained with her people. So we got a history lesson. Not only that, Irene has some of her father's writings while aboard the Queen Mary held in an old not good quality photo album. She asked me about that and how to store them. Being a former Creative Memories consultant I could offer her advice. Although I told her I'd also ask my genology friend Anne. After Irene gets copies made, she would like to take them to a naval museum since her father was in the navy. I had dreams of her taking them to one in England and even to the Queen herself with me by her by her side! LOL

We had a German desert called starlin.

Afterwards Irene led me to her double hall closet where she stores her paintings. She has wonderful landscapes and nature scenes. Some I like more than others. We may be artists and do art differently, but we have the good Lord above in common. We are now calling ourselves Sister Artists. I love it.

Even Rhett was impressed by our afternoon spent with Irene. He leaned across the table to tell me "This is an awesome day!"

Afterwards we visited another elderly member who was in a wreck that totaled her car and hurt her back.

Daddy was sick after Thanksgiving. He threw up again. On Tuesday he said he felt like he had something stuck in his throat so we took him to the ER at almost 7 pm. Better to be safe than sorry. Because he sleeps more now, he cannot sit up in a wheelchair very long. I had to complain that he couldn't sit there any more. Because of the nature of his health complaint, we went in to a higher trama ER at 9:26. He was wrapped like a papoose in warm blankets by a sweet nurse. All x-rays revealed no obstructions thank goodness. He was given a shot for itching and we got home a few minutes before midnight.

The next day the poor thing had a follow-up appointment with the lung dr. who kept us waiting an hour before seeing him. By then Daddy was needing to lie down. His lungs were good and we were thankful. If only hospitals and doctor's offices didn't keep the elderly waiting. I am thankful for my husband the hunter who can assist us getting Daddy to his appointments especially getting the wheelchair in the SUV.

Two Christmas parties go attend this week. This photo is what I consider my 1st day of Christmas photo for you to view, but please remember I retain the copyright. Happy 1st day of Christmas.

For the past week I have been thankful for church friends. What are you thankful for this week? Care to share? Then please join us at Thankful Thursday where Iris has a wonderful post at the following...
http://www.eph2810.com/

Why My Paper Dolls Have No Legs

2011-11-13T20:48:00.000-08:00

I am such a goober! I woke up a little after 10 on the morning of 11/11/11 Veteran's day, 2011 with big bags under my eyes from sleeping so hard with dreams of sleeping late, cleaing the house and the Dinglewood scrambled dogs we had for supper (which were so good!). Nightmare about cleaing the house though! LOL I thought, "Oh, NO! I am late for the ladies breakfast at church! I am mad at myself for not setting my phone alarm and metally fussing at myself. I needed to wash my hair. I combed my bangs over to the side, began throwing on clothes, grabbing the Christmas rubber stamps I was to take for card making. I called Don to see where he was, telling him I was late for the breakfast & I was leaving Rhett here at the house until he could arrive. By then I was hot in my 3 layers of clothes. I dialed by BFF Nancy's daughter Tiffany's cell because it is easier to tell my phone to call her. Most of the time it when I say "Call Nancy" it thinks I said "Yancy"! LOL I usually get mad and holler "NO!" at it! Then dial it myself.

I tell Tiffany I am on my way. She goes ok-ay... and said something else like she didn't know I was coming or going anywhere. Then I said "Isn't today the ladies breakfast?" She told me today was Friday. The breakfast is tomorrow! I had backed the SUV out so I just went around the block as I busted out laughing like a total loon then apologized for waking Tif up so early, but she said she needed to get up anyway. I pulled back in the yard and was getting out of the SUV when Don was coming around the corner from Walmart. I was opening the door as he was coming in. I told him today is Friday and he busted out laughing at me as he usually does! Well, at least I am not late for tomorrow! Yet.

This also made me wonder if I have allowed myself enough time between the breakfast and the art class following. Sort of like this was a test run. It seems I am always on the run.

Well, I made it to my woman's class Saturday morning. Everyone I sent the email to about my morning prior died laughing. LOL Glad I could give everyone a good laugh. There were not a lot of women at the breakfast. 9 including me. I was disappointed at the # as I figured we would have an assembly line going. I brought my many Christmas rubber stamps and other things. They all said I had a lot of them. That wasn't even half. Just a shoe box full and a bag full.

I managed to make a folding chair fall on my big toe!

Another younger girl had gotten an idea off the internet. She brought white linen card stock, red, white and green buttons in all shapes and sizes, ribbons, silver, white & blue snowflakes all to be glued on the white cards. I admit I did not make one those. Rubber stamping is my thing. I made 3 cards. The 1st one is a collage of an idea I had which will be my Christmas card this year. Sorry I won't be postint it here and ruin the suprise of your Christmas card since it is not even December yet. My friend Irene showed me that you can paint on these linen cards! It is almost like painting on canvas. I discovered Carol is very creative. Carol used 3 buttons to make a snowman with a silver snowlflake above and my rubber stamp that simply said "With thoughts and prayers" stamped in black at the bottom. So simple. I did ask her if I could paint a blue background behind the snowman and she let me. The artist in me just couldn't stand all the whiteness. LOL

I painted a Christmas tree in the middle of snow with a blue sky. I used a black raindeer stamp coming in from the right on the snow. Rubber stamps do not stamp well on this type of paper. I had to color in the deer with a marker. I had a "Merry Christmas, Ya'll!" stamp which I stamped in red on the snow on the left. I also used some blue stars on the sky which I know are not realistic but they worked. The blue sky is shiney and goes in outward directions from the paint. Don really liked this one. I will get color copies made so he can use it as his card this year. He can write his yearly letter inside it. The fact he liked it so much and wanted to use it really made me feel really good.

The other was of red poinsettia I had never stamped with. I used an art gum eraser to make a leaf so I could stamp green leaves on it. I was pretty proud of myself for doing this. That card was just ok in my opinion. Not as good as the 1st two.

Then I had to grab something for the pot luck for the class I was teaching at the art center. I was starving by then.

By the time I ate, I was ready and rarin' to get started. I'd brought my newly made cards to show as show-n-tell. Then I was ready to get down to business. teaching.

I'd made copies before hand thinking it would be easier than cutting the paper doll bodies out of newspapers especially since I knew a younger child was coming & it would save some time. I did pretty good esp considering this child was very hard to please! It made me so thankful I have a son! There were a couple of times I did say her name out loud. I said several "Lord have mercies" aloud too! I finally convinced her that this green shiney dress made out of wrapping paper would look like something Beyonce would wear! She wanted a belt which it did not need so we used a tiny red ribbon. These paper dolls I have made have no legs so I didn't even know how to attempt boots like she wanted! I told the kid she was on her own on that one!

I only had time to to make 3 different pink dressed for mine. One is zebra striped which I really like. Nothing was glued down. The little girl had picked some bright yellow tissue paper with primary colored flowers on it. We had no black paper so I drew and she colored a black skirt with a marker. It was placed on a pretty blue background.

I did get paid for the class which is always a good thing. One of our members was not feelling well which was one reason why I did the class. So we all left an hour earlier than normal for us. Then I went to mom's. Mom said Daddy is not eating again.

I felt sort of yucky that nite. I am thinking that Church's chicken doesn't agree with me. After the emails I sent last night, I went on to bed wondering how I would feel the next morning when we were to have our monthly fellowshiop meal. I had some nice quiet time with the Lord.

We had dinner at church that morning only to discover that our preacher Larry passed out. It was an emotional day for me that day. I took plates to my folks. Don & Rhett painted boards on their garage that had to be replaced according to the insurance company in order for their house insurance to be renewed! Larry is ok but will be staying with his daughter for awhile. Please keep him in your prayers as he is still adjusting to life without his beloved wife.

Then I went back to the art center that afternoon in hopes of gluing down my paper dolls. I took some scrapbook papers with me. I'd stamped a pink page with a circle designd in blue ink & wound up using it on a pretty blue page with stars on it. I made hair for one similar to the one the little girl made only mine had black hair. My clothing was just the opposite of her's. None have faces which probably says something. I am thinking I want to put faces on them, but my friend Anne says to leave them as they are. The 1st one has a bright yellow shirt with those primary colored flowers and a black skirt. I was going to try felt and a black cordory sample but it didn't work for many reason. 1. hard to cut. 2. the paper doesn't flow as well on it. I thought of a mom going to church. "Sunday Best" maybe. She is wearing bright colors to make herself feel better; add some color to her life and forget about her problems for a moment. Sound familliar? LOL I tried to use a greenish flower on her hair but it wasn't working.

So I cut a red rose out of some scrapbook paper. The rose was too big. Sort of like The Three Bears. LOL Cindy suggested I cut the outer layer off. Still too big BUT the part I cut off looked like hair!!!! I immediately glued it on white paper. This looked good on the blue page. I used the pink dress with the blue stamped tiny circles. Stars. Circles. It worked. I had to make a neck for her so it was like I was creating the Bride of Frankenstein in piece of paper! LOL Because her hair was made out of a rose and it was Sunday, I thought of "Sunday Rose". I figure the words will come to me... I know they will have something to say.

I am having so much fun designing clothes for my paper dolls! LOL Maybe I missed my calling to be a clothes designer! I would so love to be able to just create art from now on. Praying for a more artistic job.

I'd taken pics of granddaughter Wesley Rose's 7th birthday. There she was on her knees opening presents in a skirt. I thought nothing of it. But it hit me the night I was uploading pics that she had no legs much like my paper dolls from the class I taught & made this weekend. I put the 3 similar ones of the paper dolls up togetherside by side. The hairless ones remind me of women who had cancer. The last one, her hair has grown back! This art might help some cancer survivor or I hope it will. Then I realized my paper doll women have no legs because they are on their knees praying!!! Is this awesome or what? I am hoping to make cards for women who have cancer or had it. Thank you Wesley Rose for making me see this!

Rhett got his first deer Monday evening!

Tuesday night I ran into one of my BFF's old boyfriends when I was getting canvas to paint a giant snowflake. Small world. Stan's wife used to work where I get my photos printed cheaply now. I have so been missing her.

When I painted the snowflake Tues night, I was so wishing I had used gesso first. I was mixing an ice blue with some phalto blue. I didn't finish it but it looks neat unfinished so I may leave it unfinished on purpose.

I got really mad a few times this week but otherwise I have been blessed with the money from the class I taught. I will be blessing with more this evening and I got a small refund in the mail. I am so thankful for these small blessings.

What are you thankful for? Care to share? Then please join us at "Thankful Thursday" at the following....
http://womentakingastand.blogspot.com/
where Laurie has a wonderful post.

Morning Confusion

2011-11-11T08:57:00.000-08:00

I am such a goober! I woke up a little after 10 am. this morning on 11/11/11 Veteran's day, 2011 with big bags under my eyes from sleeping so hard with dreams of sleeping late, cleaing the house and the Dinglewood scrambled dogs we had for supper (which were so good!). Nightmare about cleaing the house though! LOL I thought, "Oh, NO! I am late for the ladies breakfast at church!" I am mad at myself for not setting my phone alarm and metally fussing at myself. I needed to wash my hair. Instead I combed my bangs over to the side, began throwing on clothes, grabbing the Christmas rubber stamps I was to take for card making. I called Don to see where he was, telling him I was late for the breakfast & I was leaving Rhett here at the house until he could arrive. By then I was hot in my 3 layers of clothes. I dialed by BFF Nancy's daughter Tiffany's cell because it is easier to tell my phone to call her. Most of the time it when I say "Call Nancy" it thinks I said "Yancy"! LOL I usually get mad and holler "NO!" at it! Then dial the number myself.

I tell Tiffany I am on my way. She goes ok... and said something else like she didn't know I was coming or going anywhere. Then I said "Isn't today the ladies breakfast?" She told me today was Friday. The breakfast is tomorrow! I had backed the SUV out so I just went around the block as I busted out laughing like a total loon then apologized for waking her up so early. She said she needed to get up anyway. I pulled back in the yard and was getting out of the SUV when Don was coming around the corner from Walmart. I was opening the door as he was coming in. I told him today is Friday and he busted out laughing at me as he usually does now! Well, at least I am not late for tomorrow! Yet.

This also made me wonder if I have allowed myself enough time between the breakfast and the art class tomorrow. Sort of like this was a test run and I am on the run as always.

Now to begin living my nightmare of cleaning. So wishing I had a maid.

Your Loony friend,
Becky

Drive Down Memory Lane

2011-11-10T08:28:00.001-08:00

I took yesterday off to take mom to the dr. Don stayed with Daddy. I am thankful he could do this. Mom is doing good according to the doctor and we are thankful. Her sugar levels were great! She had gained a few pounds. I did have the doc check her ears but there wasn't a drop of wax build up to blame her loss of hearing. She goes back again in 6 months. He sent in all of her prescriptions by computer to Durham's except one which he wrote out for her. She had to go to the bathroom before we left. So remember that last part.

We stopped to get Daddy some donuts at Golden Doughnuts. She realized she must have left her prescription in the bathroom. Tried to call the dr's office but it was closed for lunch or so we thought. I knew I'd have to go back way out River Road later to get it & I admit I wasn't a happy camper about that especially with all the gas I use now. We went on to the bank. Don was calling me to tell me the dr's office called to tell mom she dropped her prescription.

I picked up lunch from the Royal for us. The waitress Nazi ticked me off. Don didn't want to wait for it. He told me to bring him home some chicken & dumplings. Daddy ate some of the food and said it was real good. He liked the yams and butter beans but still didn't eat much or enough for me.

I went back out River Rd to pick up Mom's prescription. This was the road we used to go to Lake Houston. The private lake for employees of Tom's Peanut Co. I had asked mom if she wanted to drive out there, but she said no. She wanted to get the donuts for Daddy and get back to him. It had been years since I had been up there. Maybe 16.

Before I left, I tried to make him an appointment with the lung doctor who drained the fluid off his lung when he was in the hospital the last stay back in July. The receptionist put me on hold forever then hung up on me because she couldn't hear me. So I tried with my cell. I was put on hold whether I wanted to be or not. I was on hold for over 5 mins & I have no patience. Plus it was wasting my minutes. I told mom I'd try when I got back.

Well, I couldn't stop thinking about driving up to the old lake.... I know I shouldn't have gone but went anyway praying I wouldn't have car trouble. I know it was wasting more time and gas, but I just so felt the need to take that drive. It was the perfect day for it with the leaves afire with fall colors. I had the window cracked. Not too hot. Just right. So I was Goldilocks for a moment in time. I saw some familiar scenery then a lot of new homes and subdivisions. I took the wrong road and had to turn around to get back on Lick Skillet Rd. As a child, I probably never paid attention to the name anyway. I saw a dream house... a ranch style almost gingerbreadlike with a huge front porch. It really wasn't as far out of a drive as it used to seem growing up. Then I came to the lake. I remembered that kudzu and long dip down in the road. All the old "Private Property" signs were still up in place only rusted now. A new orange gate was up. I turned around there at the gate. They had the neatest statues on each post of the gate. It had deer with long antler going up ward encircling a huge urn like type of statue. Never seen one like it. I should have taken a pic of it. I would so love to go back thru there again to see how it has changed over the years, if it has changed at all. I wondered if the new owners would allow an artist/photographer who grew up going there on the weekends to do a walk through?

The drive made me relax somewhat. I felt the tension leaving me and my face although driving on a road I had not been on ages was a bit stressful. Still I am glad I went even though it made me a bit sad going to place you can never go in again. So many memories there. Sunbathing, sunburns, bee stings, dancing on the dance floor to free jukebox music, all the family gatherings, the one and only time Daddy took me fishing because I carried on so about the bees bothering me, picking peaches and blueberries then chestnuts in the fall for Aunt Pearl to roast. I took some of my best photography there with my old Minolta. Rain drops on peaches. The many lakes with the sun shining on them overexposing the photos but giving them an neat effect. The ice cold water from the spring that was rumored to induce over due mothers. I used to dream Daddy was the president of the company or vp so we could stay at the cabin over the spring which flowed into a cement pool. But Daddy was a white collar worker with a pocket protector who still managed to get ink on his white shirts, who wore glasses and white socks because he had athlete's feet all his life. I didn't know he was a nerd until the 80's. LOL But he was my nerd and I love him.

They say you can never go back again. Well, they were wrong. You can go back again, but you can't always get back in.

After my drive down memory lane, it was back to the reality of returning to the bank, ordering new checks and debit cards, getting my credit card renewed, picking up prescriptions, etc. I did manage to cut out much needed coupons I'll probably forget about and let expire. Also I was able to watch a bit of "General Hospital".

When I got home, I thought Don was mad because I didn't come straight home with his dumplins. Like I could. He should have stayed and ate with us. While re-re-modifying (yes, double re!) his deer stand, he somehow managed to hit himself in the head with his hammer! He actually hit his old scar. It looked like it had bled and scabbed over. He was mad that Rhett was playing video games inside and didn't come check on him. He was having a feel sorry for himself moment. If I had been there, he would have been mad with me too for not checking on him. Of course if he had not been working on the stupid deer stand to begin with, it wouldn't have happened. His forehead was swollen, but he didn't put ice on it nor will he anymore than he'd go to the dr. If it is badly bruised, everyone will think I hit him with the hammer!

Don is ok and still alive today. I left him asleep then felt bad for not checking on him. I called him to check on him. I even asked him if he knew who I was like our nurse friend Carol told me to do. He said "Very funny." So he is ok thank goodness.

Another busy weekend coming up. Women's breakfast where we will make some cards using my rubber stamps in an assembly line. Then an all day art class I am so looking forward to where I will be using Julie Nutting's book Collage Couture. I have a link to her blog on my blog list. I have cut out several women's torsos in newspaper print. I am envisioning a little black dress on them. Sunday is our fellowship meal at church. I will probably crash afterwards! LOL But life is good and I am thankful.

Still I wouldn't take anything for my drive down memory lane yesterday. It has been replaying like a movie in my mind. My friends have told me it was good I took the drive; that was something I much needed. They are always telling me to take time for myself and I do. I steal moments like that drive every now and then.

What are you thankful for today? Care to share? Then please join us at the following...
http://womentakingastand.blogspot.com/

May you take a drive down Memory Lane this weekend.

Trully Thankful Thursday

2011-11-04T10:42:00.000-07:00

Thursday was a very good day for me. I was lucky enough to receive a personal poem from my friend Irene then have lunch with my sweet friend "Peppermint Patti" as Rhett calls her. We went to Peluso's nearby, an Italian place she has never been to before. I was able to take extra time to so I was thankful. Patti looked so good, I just had to take a picture of her which turned out really well. She had this one perfect curl hanging down.

Yesterday I realize what a better photographer I am than others and I am so very thankful for this gift.

I went to one of my art meetings last night. It was raining & I was late. It was a short meeting, but we had plenty of folks there to help clean up for the show. Still had a lot from our abstract group to be hung. So thankful Bobby Jones was there as well as Lugenia. The locally made metal screens were put together in a square shape which worked really well for the abstract group. It was so neat to see my art hanging there. By the end of the meeting, there was even more of mine hanging! Bobby took one of my originals of an ink/rubber stamping project which he really liked, wanted copies of to make several different prints, said it needed to be used as material for clothing and best of all matted it for me. He told me to send him the pics of it and he will see what he can do! So yes, Cheryl you were right about matting! It looks wonderful now. I like it better whereas I was just ok about it although I liked certain parts of it. He was so encouraging. He asked, "Can't you see it hanging at Hobby Lobby?" He knows of the perfect frame for it that is on sale for half price which would be around $25. I didn't take any pics of it matted yet but probably will tonight at the reception & will send out Sun nite as is my ritual.

I was also pleasantly surprised that the president really liked my 1st abstract I did for that postcard swap several summers ago that got me started on this artistic journey. The one of the odd shaped faces which had everyone calling me Mrs. Picasso! LOL

The weather should be good for the show on Sat. As well as meeting and greeting on the inside and working on something artistic, I will serve as the relief so those that set up outside may take a restroom break. I am excited about the show now. Please keep your fingers crossed and say a prayer that I will sell some stuff Saturday as I need the money.

After the last 4 of us left last night, the ever diligent, faithful ones who are always there, I stopped at McDonald's to get Mcrib sandwiches. I finally got some of their peppermint hot chocolate which was like drinking heaven. It was so good I didn't want my Mcrib! Later it made me feel really weird so I had to go to bed. Feel fine today though. Excited about the show.

Patti is supposed to meet me at the Joseph House for their show at 5 this evening. I will pick up some of Bobby Jones' work to take to the PC arts to be hung. She may follow me to the PC arts afterwards. That will be great esp if Don & Rhett don't want to go.

Hope to see you at the reception Fri nite or the show on Saturday if you can make it. If not, have a great weekend. I know I will! I am dressed for the reception in pink and black. I will be in my element. Some of my good friends may come to the art show!

Life is good and I am thankful. Happiness is artist friends helping other artists.
What are you thankful for? Care to share? Then join us at Thankful Thursday at the following...
http://womentakingastand.blogspot.com/2011/11/thankful-thursdaylet-thanks-begin.html

"Floating Fog"

2011-11-01T06:41:00.001-07:00

Early morning fog drifting over the Chattahoochee River
floating fog
If I reached up through my t-top,
could I touch it?
Far too chilly to let the cold air in
a thankfully warm vehicle.
Traveling an different route this nippy morn
running a few minutes late
always my fate.
Wondering all the way
what to eat today.
If I am what I eat
I would have been a McRib sandwich
that kept revisiting me yesterday.
Already did my good deed for the day
Sent out a so true quote
about undervaluing ourselves
I am learning not to undervalue me.
Thought about telling all my friends how I value them
and what I value most about each one
but I'd be forever and a year
especially with friends so dear
But they know.

Then I wished there were classes for phone etiquette
but those that needed it most wouldn't take the class
and they would be without class literally.
Where have all the manners gone?
Floating on the fog
Adrift in their indifference
and apathy.

Today I painted a gray egret white with white out.
Happiness is... the endless possibilities in art
and sharing ideas with fellow artists
who might be lost in their own fog of without creativity
or who have lost their muse
hopefully only temporarily.
So thankful I can be of use.
Use me Lord
to continue being an encourager to all.
~theRAV~

"Cinderella Shoes"

2011-10-31T11:11:00.001-07:00

I admit I was a tiny bit green with envy
I should be Cinderella
after all I had the shoes
once golden stacks with see thru heels
How did I ever wear them all night
much less dance in them?
How many hearts did I dance upon?
Now tarnished green with beer stains and tears
of loves that were not meant to be for me.
I no longer wear them now.
Would they still fit?
If they did fit, doesn't mean I should wear them
But I had my Cinderella like moments.

I always wanted the fairy tale
and I got a few fairy tale like moments
there and here.
I don't need shoes to make me feel good
I'd much rather wear my loafers, Reeboks or boots
Comfort shoes for my soul
like chicken soup is comfort food for a cold.

I will keep my Cinderella shoes in a box
and take them out from time to time
to remember my dancing nights
but I wouldn't trade them for this life.
~theRAV~

What If...

2011-10-28T10:54:00.000-07:00

A lot has happened since I last posted... Mom, Rhett & I all managed to be sickly at the same time. I started out with a sore throat while Mom & Rhett were congested. I got better. Don went to Indy for 2 long weeks, but somehow we survived without him. We stayed with my folks for the later week to help out mom which worked out well; better than I thought. Rhett & I stayed in the back of the house while they were in the front. Then by last weekend, I got worse & had to go to the dr. I needed an inhaler anyway. Rhett & I went to 2 movies in one weekend. The newest Cars movie and Harry Potter. Not much time for art. I am typing up a poetry manuscript for my dear sweet friend Irene from church. Between this and the bad poetry from a Poem A Day, I am writing more now especially poetry again. My friends including Irene and Anne are encouraging me to write my own book which I will.

I discovered a new book by Julie Nutting and have been working on some ideas from it using newspaper print as the body of paper doll girl/woman I can dress with my paper designs. I have taken 2 pics thus far. I haven't glued anything down permanetly yet. Just re-dressed her and snapped another picture. My art has been mainly picture taking lately being sickly. Check out her blog at the following...
http://www.julienuttingdesigns.blogspot.com/

This Wednesday night at our fellowship meal at church, a little girls passed out a small saying on hot pink paper which was laminated. I asked Emma's mom if she came up with the words. Her mom made it, but I am not sure if her mom actually came up with the words. It said:

"What if you woke up today with only the things you thanked God for yesterday?"

Well, mine would be how so very thankful we are that Daddy had gained 5 lbs!!!!! Of course he blames it on all the clothes he had on at the dr's office. He is now wearing my old jeans! Hard to believe. Good thing I didn't throw my size 7's away now! He could wear them! He could probably fit into my size 3 ones if mom still has them which I am sure she does!

I liked this saying so much, I put it on the bulletin board at work and on Facebook, but got strange replies back in my opinion/book. Like "Think about it." Or "Would you still be thankful?" Well, I thought about it and yes, I WOULD still be thankful.DUH! Wouldn't you?

Then I finally read some words my friend Irene sent me in an email this week that brought tears to my eyes and I want to share them with you...

"Thank you for your kind ways. Your emails are such a blessing. We, the crowd may not say much but we notice. We see the love, hear the voice. Observe the face... You keep giving out. You don't expect anything back. The emails keep coming. A lonely heart is uplifted... The sun shines on a dismal day. Why? Because a sometimes busy mom plods on telling the world around her (smile and the world smiles with you). Yes, it is you. The you that you are is just fine. Keep it. The you that you are is unique. Clam it. You are an example to us all." She is the example to me.

I did create a small one page piece of art in my journal today which made me happy. I am liking putting words in my art now. I guess I am just wordy now! LOL

If you had a torn scrap of piece of paper and could write anything on it, what would it say?

Today mine would say,
"This is the day the Lord has made.
Let us be glad and rejoice in it."
in a fancy font of course! LOL

"I Did Not Think of You"

2011-10-17T08:38:00.000-07:00

This time for the 1st time in years
I really didn't think of you
or what could have been.
I did not think of you
on the 25th anniversary of the day we met.
If I did think of you,
it was more like a passing glance
on a street full of strangers,
unrecognizable enough to keep on walking.
Just a mere hop, skip and jump over a date on the calendar of my life.
I was too busy doing other things to think of you
like spending time with my son,
Did I have a bill due?
What time did the movie start?
But I remembered my cousin's birthday
a day late
instead of thinking of you.
Does that mean I am finally over you?
Finally free of your memory?

"Forks and Feathers"

2011-09-18T20:31:00.000-07:00

TheRAV

2011-09-04T19:04:00.000-07:00

I figured it was about time I put another pic of theRAV on here! LOL This is how I appear most of the time anyway... behind my camera. I laugh when I look at this photo, but I love it. It is an odd shot because it looks like I have one big eye. LOL I am wearing a necklace my DIL Kristina gave me for Christmas this year if you can find it on my blouse. Coincidentally I found a matching headband at the $ store which I am also wearing. The first time I wore the headband, I wore it as bracelet wrapped around my wrist. When I wear it as a headband, I think it makes me look like a German girl. I don't think I look good in headbands, but that one worked that day.
~theRAV~

"Lost Another Marble"

2011-09-03T12:44:00.000-07:00

I awaken after a much needed night's rest
feeling blest.
I begin my Saturday's ablutions
A word I learned from Mrs. Fritz's freshman English class at CHS
and thought I would never use.
She would be so proud of you!
I wash the sleep crusts from my two too tired eyes
Reminders that it is ragweed season
To everything there is a season...
and a reason.
Pulling a semi a Scarlett O'hara,
I say I'll wash the rest of my face later.
I search for my missing high blood pressure pills
Where oh where did I leave them?
I retrace yesterday's steps
going thru old baggage
I find old stuff
some that needs locking up.
Safe now.
I begin putting new things away
for a rainy day
I start one thing that leads to another
and another
as aging people do as told in an email.
Does this mean I am getting old?
I don't have time to be old!
I have too many people counting on me.
Still not finding what I first began searching for
My much needed life saving medication.
I find some sticky words that say "Old Navy" stuck to the floor
to add to my "Things Found at the Bottom of the Sea" piece of art
Unfinished.
I need scissors to cut it
to fit
as well as cut out some fancy numbers
off a new catalog for future art.
There!
In the catch all drawer are my much needed pills
where I least expected them.
Not remembering putting them there.
Feeling as if I lost another marble.
How many do I have left now?
~Becky Bristow Voyles~
9/3/11

"HELP!" Dream

2011-09-03T11:04:00.000-07:00

Night before last (I think it was), I had another dream.... I heard someone screaming bloody murder "Help!" I realized the voice sounded familiar. It was my own voice I heard. I immediatley thought of my parents. I listened as waiting for the phone to ring. It did not ring. Later upon awakening and remembering the dream, I wondered if I had screamed out loud in my sleep, but there were no hands patting or restraining me so I guess I did not scream aloud. Haven't done that in awhile anyway. I am sure my subconscious is telling me I need(ed)help or else it was crying out for it.

Threadbare

2011-09-01T14:00:00.003-07:00

Well, I got the SUV put in my name on Friday. Everything comes to me at the 9th hour. The payments are a whole lot less thank goodness. So my folks will now have more money.

We let Rhett spend the night with a friend Sat night esp since we did not do anything or go anywhere during the summer. The only problem I have is they have big dogs & their house smells like dogs. No offense to dog owners. I make him change clothes & take a bath immediately when we get home. I have so become my mother! LOL He said he didn't stay up late, but when we picked him up from after church, he didn't eat much and had to lay down in the booth of the Chinese place near the house. He probably didn't sleep well. The kitten may have kept him awake or just being in a strange place. He slept the rest of the afternoon. So he won't be doing that again for awhile! He seemed feverish looking to me, but Don felt his forehead & told me he didn't have a fever. He could have been pacifying me.

Mom needed stuff that couldn't wait til after church Sun nite. I took a 15 min nap which I shouldn't have because it made me ill. I called her back to ask her what she needed from "the store". She couldn't hear. She thought I said I was at the door. LOL So I am yelling in the phone. She still can't hear. She is getting another phone to try to hear better. Surprised I didn't wake Rhett. I get down the block she has left me a message on my cell for bananas. I knew I should have called her before I left the store. When I got there, Aunt P was there again having spent the night. Mom had added things to her list which meant I had to go back to the store! I wasn't a happy camper at this point. She tried to say she'd make do without milk, but there would not been enough. I got a few more things for them just in case. By then I was so hot. The air was turned down once again because of Aunt P. I was getting ice water & told mom to hand me a cube to run down my back! LOL

Aunt P said she didn't sleep good due to her breathing yet she doesn't bring her breathing machine when she comes! I asked her why not. She said she didn't think she would need it. Just hope & pray she doesn't pass away while at mom's! Grandmama died when mom was there alone with her. Mom was with Aunt Voncile when she died of cancer. At least someone was with them. It would just make it harder on mom if that occurred.

I was finally able to cool off in the car on the way to the art center. I was able to get some more art in this weekend. Sharpie art which is now on their website at sharpieuncapped.com
I am listed as theRAV. This time I drew triangles. Just had to do it. I guess I was feeling triangular or boxed in. This really did seem to help me. With each triangle I drew then later colored in, I felt the day's tension slipping away. I drew while others chatted. Of course I managed to add my 2 cents worth in now & again. LOL They watched while I drew. I wondered why they were not working and I was the only one doing anything. I wasn't sure if they liked my triangles. At that point I really didn't care. Then Ms. June told me she wanted to climb them! So that made me feel good. Plan to do more. Will add greens so they will look more like a beanstalk. That word has been cropping up a lot lately. Weird. Maybe I just want to live a fairy tale for awhile. I will do some more triangles to match my Jamaican looking knitted cap butterfly at Cindy's suggestion. All I need is a little idea or encouragement.

I was told by my friend Irene that I looked sad in church earlier Sun morn. I didn't think I was. I immediately told her I thought she looked tired. Quick cover-up/recovery. I told her I might have been missing Rhett. What Irene doesn't know is I have the weight of many people's worlds on my shoulders. Or I could have been just lost in thought. I know I'd moved to the end of the pew trying to find some warmth underneath a blanket. I just cannot worry over the fact that I may have looked sad to someone. If I was sad, I am entitled. I guess I forget that my face is an open book.

But I was optimistic on Monday that it would be a good day; that this would be a good week. I can only hope. Here's hoping today is a good day for you too.

Monday was an ok day. I had my maddening moments dealing with someone I could live without. I am usually not like this, but that person just rubs me the wrong way a lot lately. By Tuesday I admit I am a tad bit threadbare. I called the car insurance co yesterday who told me I have to let Ga know the car is not longer going to be in GA. She said if I don't, we will have to pay a penalty & most people in ALA do not know this. Don didn't. I had quickly printed out an invoice for Daddy to sign saying he gave me the car for $1. I had a bill to pay after work. I admit took a few minutes to look at clothes I cannot afford to buy. Most were not to my liking anyway. It felt good walking away from them. But I needed that time for me.

My mom, bless her heart has champagne taste on a hamburger budget. She asked me to get her some hairspray @ Dillard's. She likes Avada witch hazel hairspray for some strange reason. She has always used witch hazel whereas I am a peroxide person. It costs $16 with tax! She said she'd pay me back. TheRAV uses Rave for less than $3 @ Walmart thank you very much.

Aunt P was still at mom's. She had 3 breathing spells yesterday. Mom said Daddy hurt her feelings which caused one. He asked why she wasn't with her daughter-n-law & granddaughter. I guess DIL had taken granddaughter to see her boyfriend who lives elsewhere. I don't know this for sure. Just guessing. Mom overlooks whatever Daddy says in the condition he is in now. Rhett forgot his glasses at mom's again so we had to go back for them after we went to the store for Ensure for Daddy. Of course the $3 coupon at Publix had run out, but I had one for $1 off. Better than none at all. Aunt P was up & going thru her pill container. It seems she had taken too many or the wrong pills yet again. She had been in bed all day.

I came home with an attitude. Things were not working. I hate it when things don't work as they should.

Don didn't like we had Wendy's for supper nor my invoice. I told him he should have printed one! He had a blank bill of sale in the truck. I was able to watch my 2 Mon nite shows "The Closer" for which she should win an emmy for last night's show & "Rizoli & Isles" I have called it "Frizoli". LOL Rhett asked me to watch the last one in his room. Of course I fell asleep on it as I knew I would. Just can't hang late at night anymore.

I woke up at 5:23 am worrying over getting a tag for the SUV. We will receive paperwork in a month that will allow me to get the tag. I am just threadbare today. I am not used to doing all this stuff. Daddy always did it. Then Don, but he is working & can't. Don isn't as helpful as I'd like him to be. So I feel like I need a nerve pill or a nip or two or three! LOL It is hard for me to concentrate at work esp working with figures. Thankfully the office is pretty quiet. So please keep me in your prayers. As I said, I am threadbare with it all. Calgon take me away!

Then you hear of someone you went to high school with that was having routine procedures done that revealed cancer. She had a heart attack or a stroke while being operated on. The chemo treatments will now have to wait. Another classmate said all of his friends are dead. Made me thankful mine are still alive an kicking!

Then you have a husband who shows his butt but I handled it well. Then I have to deal with more crazies & craziness! I fear I am headed for a meltdown.

Today I am thankful for all my friends who are so supportive of me. Don't know what I would do without them. What are you thankful for. Care to share? Then please join us at the following...
http://www.eph2810.com/

Something Different

2011-08-25T13:57:00.001-07:00

Sunday afternoon Rhett & I were walking by some luscious green, well maintained grass when I just had to step out of my blue St. John's Bay clogs and walk barefoot on it's softness. Rhett thought I had lost it. I told him, "Sometimes you just have to do stuff like this." It was like stopping to smell the roses. I asked him if he wanted to do it too, but he said he'd have to take off his socks and shoes so he chose not to do as I did; not to follow in my bare footprints! LOL His loss.

Sunday night I did something different than usual for me... I went thru my photo books I use in my art shows searching for a certain one. I had a few new small frames I wanted to try some pics in them. One was a magnet with magenta color surrounding the outside like an oval frame. Several photos fit this which was hard to photograph due to glare. I snapped a quick pic of a woman's face I drew awhile back and it looks really at home inside it like it was meant for her. All are ATC (Artist Trading Card) size! So I was tickled pink. I only had about 20 pics to upload, but I did this activity instead.

Monday morning when I parked the car at work, someone had dropped a Correll bowl or saucer on the pavement. There were parts of it lying scattered about. I picked up one shard that had part of baby blue design on it. I figure I will use it in a piece of art somewhere down the road. This reminded me of the hymn that goes, "Bring Christ your broken life...". I take broken bits and pieces to make art with them! LOL I wanted to get another broken piece when I picked up Rhett from school if it hasn't been cleaned up. It wasn't so I was able to get a 2nd shard of a broken bowl or whatever. I tossed it in my purse without thinking. It was very sharp. I probably should have left it in the car as it could serve as a weapon!

Later in the evening My leg was killing me for some unknown reason. I was looking through my purse for some Alleve, my miracle cure for all my aches and pains. I cut my finger on the shard. Like a dummy I put my finger in my mouth. This had been on the ground! I cleaned my cut and bandaged it. I placed the 2nd shard in plain sight in my craft room so I will see it whenever I decide to use it in an upcoming piece of art or make a mosaic. Perhaps I will use it in a piece I have been adding to that looks like things you would find at the bottom of the bloody sea! LOL Since I cut myself with it, my friend Annica suggested I paint a red background to represent the blood! LOL

I was able to get good copies of the ATC in the pink frame yesterday. Just more variations of my work. Always a good think.

Today on Tuesday, I was ever thankful for laughter and friends.

"only in silence can the earth be heard"
-Pete R. Stone-

It is sort of coincidentally ironic that this quote which was on my motivational calendar for Wednesday after the earthquake in the Washington DC area yesterday. I called my BFF Genie to maker sure she was ok and thankfully she was ok. The movers had just left from delivering her mom's furniture. She was downstairs with the dog when it hit. At 1st she thought it was a really loud car outside which got worse. Having lived in Calif., she knew it was an earthquake so she & the dog got out fast. Thankfully she had no damage. Some pictures on the walls and other places were askew. Her sister-n-law Sharon was in town for Sharon's daughter's emergency surgery. Sharon was on the road when the earthquake hit so she did not feel it. When she arrived at the hospital, people were all standing outside and Sharon didn't know what was going on. A lot of people in Washington thought it had been bombed. Genie said it upset her so bad she had to go to bed for awhile. I am so thankful she is ok and had no damage. That was my thankfulness yesterday and today.

My hubby is having back troubles He left work to go to the ER because he can't see his dr for days. They gave him a shot and scripts which he did not fill! I am having a crown done today so please keep us in your prayers. Thanks.

Well, I survived my crowning! LOL Took 2 Alleve and the pain is gone! I am thankful. What are you thankful for? Care to share? Then please join us at the following...
http://womentakingastand.blogspot.com/

Quote of the Day:
Gratitude is riches. Complaint is poverty.
~Doris Day~

Our Magnolias

2011-08-20T13:28:00.001-07:00

I recently read a poem about a tree from someone's childhood. This made me remember our huge magnolia tree which took up a good footage of our backyard. Back then as a child, it seemed like a tree from the Redwood Forest. It offered shade on a hot summer Georgia day, but come nightfall, it was menacing and spooky. With it's many fallen leaves aground that reminded me of elephant ears, there was always some noise underneath it's darkness. It always sounded as if some was standing underneath,shuffling their feet with the crackling leaves betraying a presence. I pictured the Boogie Man standing there, hiding, watching us inside our open back door. We left the doors open back in late 50's into early 60's. When I would walk to the door, looking out into the night, I always heard movement. The tree was alive with all sorts of strange looking insects. I was one of those fraidy catt kids who screamed bloody murder, carrying on if a bug came near me much like my son does today. He gets it honestly.

As a child, I loved to play with various parts of the flowers of the mighty magnolia. The white petals were velvety to the touch as was another brown part. What I loved most was it's huge center. It was like a big drumstick. We often used them as chicken legs when we played restaurant. Rocks were our potatoes. We'd break that big thing off, pull the red seeds out of it which was followed by a silky thread. I'd pull the thread off, shaking it off my fingers. How I loved those red seeds. I'd put them in my little tin pots and pans, cooking them on my imaginary brick stove on our front porch. My little plastic stove was too small to hold the pots. Later in life when I was grown up enough to don red nail polish, my nails would remind me of those red seeds.

Once upon a time, my childhood playmate, Steve and I decided to collect every every available berry, magnolia seed, tiny peas I loved to pick and shell like blackeyed peas and anything else we could find worthy of cooking. We put them in one of my bigger pots that the handle was missing and cooked them on his Creepy Crawler heating unit. We knew enough by watching our mom's cook to add water to the pot. So we put it on to cook. Being kids, we began playing something else and lost track of time. Much later in the afternoon we remembered our cooking experiement. By then all the water had boiled out of the pot. It wasn't burned black but it was a mess. We tried to get it out with a stick but it wasn't coming out. We didn't know about Pam back then. So instead we decided to trash it without any grown-ups knowledge. That ended our our cooking attempts with Mother Nature. It is still a wonder we did not set Steve's playhouse on fire!

I am not sure if it was because I complained so much about the many bugs or was always thinking someone was underneath the magnolia in our back yard or if my mom got tired of raking all the leaves, but it was cut down. It was strange no longer having that giant standing reaching toward heaven. When I read Jack in the Beanstalk, I imagined Jack climbing our magnolia. The magnolia attempted to come back several times with leaves coming out from the stump. Mom would always tell us to go kick them down so it wouldn't come back. It never did after that.

We had another magnolia tree in the front yard. It had a streetlight near it so it was not as menacing at night to me for some reason. Although someone could have stood underneath it if they could stand the bugs. It still caused a lot of bugs in and around the house. I'd still pull those red seeds out of the core, recalling my childhood. I would do this occassionally into my high school and college years as a reminder. By then I was wearing red nail polish. I'd still associate the two.

One day our dear sweet neighbor Mrs. Mary Chambless was having her many pine trees in front yard cut down from her yard across the street. She lived in the cutest little yellow house with her sickly retired husband Jimmy. They had no children. Mrs. Chambless was always very good to us, giving us money when we went on vacation. From her, I learned how to be a good neighbor, always checking on them. When they were cutting down Mrs. Chambless' trees, my mom asked the tree service how much they would charge to take down our last standing magnolia. If they did it that day, it was a lot cheaper than if they came back. It was a really good deal so Momma told them to cut it down. She used her money she received for doing neighborhood laundy. She wanted to get rid of all the bugs and leaves she'd have to rake or pay the old yard man named Ambrose, who Mrs. Chambless used, to rake the yard.

I don't remember much about magnolias after that. I know they were used in art a lot. There was a nursing home named Magnolia Manor in town. My friend David had a magnolia tree in his yard. I recanted my magnolia tales to him when I first saw his magnolia tree. There was a Magnolia Cafe near Blue Cross when I worked there in the mail room. They had the best beefaroni. On certain days they served it, I would get it to go in a 16 oz styrofoam cup complete with rolls for supper when Don and I were dating. Of course I cannot leave out the movie "Steel Magnolias". I still cannot watch the ending when Julia Robert's character dies without crying so I don't watch it. Just as I don't watch "Kramer vs Kramer".

My friend Bob constantly refers to me as a "Steel Magnolia" because of the strength he feels I have which I love. I have thanked Bob for this honor, but I am not always certain I am made of steel. I do know I am a stong Southern woman and damn proud to be one! I come from a background of strong women on my Momma's side.

As a southern artist, I would love to create a silver magnolia branch as a table figurine. I can just see it lying on a table now in my mind. I'd love to paint magnolias one of these days. All I have managed thus far is to capture it's core as a photograph. Several years ago when I first got my Pentax digital camera, when took the picture and uploaded the image to my friends, I recanated my magnolia tales of playing with those red seeds as a child and how they look like my red fingernails.

I have a photo taken of me holding my son Rhett as a baby at Christmas time. My fingernails were painted red for the Christmas season. One nail is near his mouth. Even then it reminded me of those red magnolia seeds and took me back to my childhood.
copyright Becky Bristow Voyles

Oh, What a Night!

2011-08-19T07:04:00.000-07:00

Yesterday afternoon was something else. Mom called @ work but I was on the phone. The way she said my name, I thought something was wrong with Daddy! So my heart is racing. It was only their fridge that went out. She had to call a repairman & told me I'd have to write a check when I brought Rhett. Okay. I told her she scared me to death! My driving timing was much better yesterday on picking him up from school. I told work I might be a little longer returning as I had to go inside to write the check. As I was pulling in her drive, she is calling me to tell the repairman is through. Wasn't a happy camper at that moment. I told her she needed to let someone have time to get somewhere. I wrote the man out a check. $120 just for labor! If I had a business, I couldn't do that to an old person. I'd probably go broke because of it.

After work, I felt the need to get my hair cut & washed. I stopped at a place near work. I should have went to the one near Walmart on Gateway. One lady wouldn't do it. So that meant this German woman named Renatta would do it who is not very good. I told her I did not want it cut!

My tooth that needs a crown is starting to bother me now. So I have to call an make an apptment for that. Dreading that. The last time I had a crown, I worked at JCP. I worked afterwards, but I was trying to lay in chair you couldn't lay in due to the pain!

Last night Rhett & were on the way to the store for Mom. I was backing up when the low oil light flashed on the dash. Then the car was going jerky. I tried to stop in a gas station, but none are willing to help you out now. I so miss the old days more and more. We need more full service stations. We need people willing to help out others. We drove down to O'Reilly's on Wynnton praying we'd make it. Car didn't want to go over 30 mph. Thankfully we made it there. It did need oil. Got some. There is a nice, tall, lanky man who helped me. He had me move the car back to where the pavement was level so he could run a diagnostic on it since the check engine light was still on. It was not firing on all 6 cylinders. Never thought I'd say that. LOL One spark plug is not working. At least it can be driven just not hard. All my cars have been driven hard and dried wet! LOL

So if you need any auto parts, be sure to see this man at O'Reilly's on Wynnton. He told me to send him some business.

We got her few groceries. Had to get her cheaper bread than Colonial but I couldn't go here, there & everywhere. I had been craving Domino's pizza & wings all day. I was starving. We ordered. I thought the guy gave us extra wings. It turned out to be extra cheesy bread which we didn't need. I guess because he thought I was cute or felt sorry for me. It was nice and I guess I should feel flattered as well as grateful, but again I wasn't a happy camper with just one more thing that went wrong. Rhett will eat it whereas I won't unless I get pepperoni to put on it! LOL That guy screwed up one of the pizzas! After what I paid for it, I called to tell him he gave me the wrong pizza. We get a free pizza now, but I have to call from the home phone in order to get it which is near mom's so that will be hard to do. By then I was like a worn out mouse who just meekly said "ok" in an Eeyore like tone. Don was fussing because I didn't check them. After the day I had, who would have? I was hot, tired, starving and threadbare not knowing if we would make it home. I was pretty much just ready to cry, but the tears wouldn't come. Later I was finally able to enjoy "Suits". Love that show. It was my good ending to a bad night. I kept thinking about Rhett's fave baby book Grover's Bad Awful Day. I had one of those.

So I had to drive the monster truck today still sighing over last night's events on the way. After driving the SUV, believe it or not, I feel more comfortable in the truck now. It is hard for me to believe. Of course it needed gas! Getting gas made me a few mins late for work. I have spent over $90 on gas this week. I think I will just stay home the rest of the weekend! LOL Luckily there is a place near the house that can fix the SUV tomorrow. I will have to have it there at 8 am. Hopefully it won't take long. Rhett & could walk to the Goodwill to get him some more jeans! LOL

Hoping the weekend will be better & less stressful than last night! Cindy was wanting to do some Sharpie art to be submitted to sharpies.com That should make me feel better.

Music Made Me Happy

2011-08-18T07:59:00.001-07:00

"Victory In Jesus" by ~theRAV~

At first it seemed this new protein that the dr prescribed for Daddy gave him diarrhea. He could hardly stand right after he took it a few weeks ago. Because of that, we will had to cancel his apptment with the foot dr I guess we need to not make Monday appointments from here on.

Mom's handicapped sticker expired on 8/10. Rhett started back to school on that day also. So I took the rest of the afternoon off to get that. I also saw old friends I worked with which was a nice change of place and a blessing.

Rhett has to be at school earlier in the morning this year & gets out earlier. Getting him there earlier won't be a problem (I hope if he will get up! LOL ). I will have to be the one to pick him up at least until possibly Oct when Don's job may end again. There goes my lunch hour again. They were nice while they lasted & I enjoyed them. I am thankful I am allowed to take my lunch hour to go pick him up. The nearest hot dog place closed down also. I can only imagine how long my gas will last doing this. I need another job but don't see how I can manage it all. The gas is killing me. Over $50 a week not to mention I am putting over 200 mins on the Trail Blazer.

One of our church members passed away and a memorial service was held after the morning service over a week ago now. It was sad but nice. Life just gets harder and harder now. I was very emotional.

The other weekend I caught up with everyone of Facebook. I sent my condolences to this family via that route. Polly told me I was the only one who said anything to her kids. I am sure she meant on FB. So that made me feel good. We had dinner following the memorial. I took a plate of food to my folks afterwards. I was lucky enough to be able to do this for them two Sundays in a row. Another blessing for all of us.

I had an undescribable moment during that lunch following the memorial... a lady church member asked me if I knew of any art galleries or where she could buy art. DUH! I admit my 1st reaction was just a tad bit of anger. What am I? Chopped liver? Because the Front Porch Gallery on Wildwood in Columbus may have to close soon, I did suggest it to her being the nice person that I am. I suggested the nice man at that framing gallery in East Highland as well. I also told her about the PC art gallery which is open on certain weekends. I did ask what she was looking for, but got a vague response about "just art" for her "new house to match everything". She would be hard to please anyway. I prefer doing art that pleases me. She is having her hard wood floors redone. I would hate to think I did some artwork that she would want re-done! LOL Well, I wouldn't re-do it. I'd just try to hopefully sell what I created to someone else.

I received all 5 postcards from my postcard swap plus from the blog owner who started this swap. 5 mini pieces of art. Cool! So thankful for these small blessings. Some of the handwriting is hard to read so I don't have any links to include for them. Sorry. I haven't had time to send my thank you's to each one yet. Keep saying I need to do this daily and it hasn't gotten done yet much like so many other things in my busy life these days. So I will say thank you here to all who sent me a postcard. I felt like it was Christmas!

I am sorry I did not have time to do a Thankful Thursday post last week. Even thought I did not post one, I was still thankful for my many blessings. The main being that we still have my Daddy with us. I like to think he is better. His appetite has improved which is a blessing unto itself. Life had it's usual ups and downs but thankfully the downs were not rock bottom. Just a lot of maddening moments and a few disappointments. All my days seem to run together into a blur now. Nothing really stands out as extraordinary. I had irritating, maddening moments as well good laughs here and there. I passed some of the laughter on in emails realizing my emails keeps our pastor going who lost his wife in March as well as others. I was FINALLY able to send all my pics from when Jason, Kristina and family were here along with newer ones. I might not have been artistic but I did take photos. I even got a pic of a car with eyelashes! LOL My photos make me happy.

I know we had a really good PC art meeting the 1st of the month. We had more new folks there. I passed out a bird idea to everyone. I thought it went really well. Our church much like my art groups would love to have new people amongst us.
The abstract group met this past Saturday to do ink art. Cindy brought in spray inks. I brought in my black bag of inks and rubber stamps as well as other things. At 1st mine was not really going anywhere. I wasn't sure about these spray inks working well either. As always we each were doing different things. Cindy came up with 2 really neat pieces as did Lugenia. I love offering my suggestions.

I told the other artists I had wanted to start doing art that was more of a religious nature. Because I kept seeing V's in my art, I went with them. I played some of them up. I used my V music note stamp. I also used my many key stamps, a brown inked maple leaf, my tiny raven stamp as my signature, etc. As always I found hearts in my art. LOL Because my favorite hymn is "Victory In Jesus", I knew that was my title for it. The colors are bit different.... browns, blues and sage green. I have a black cross in the center. I was pretty pleased with it. I did a 2nd one but I prefer this one. The second one is more browns and the sage with zebra like print and a broken newspaper word rubber stamp throughout it with a big brown heart at it's center.

Rhett even did one using my brown ink & stamps. His was more of a religious nature too. He came up with some neat ideas. When he used the broken newspaper word rubber stamp, he marked through some of the words. I would never have thought of that. So he blew me away once again. On certain background stamps, he wrote words across them. I was proud of him. I also must learn to just let him do art his way not my way. I thought he was over-doing the word stamp, told him to not over-do, but later realized it worked.

I showed the original to some church members Sunday and they all liked it.

I am thankful I got to see my Aunt Pearl this weekend. It seems her palsy is worse. I just wanted to feed her myself. She is as skinny as Daddy now.

I was able to pick up pics I printed at Wolf camera this week and will have more to pick up this afternoon. Their copies are 7 cents each on Tuesdays & Wednesdays. Their 5x7's are only 57 cents! I didn't have time to do 5x7's this week. Maybe next week... I am able to get copies for our preacher to enjoy as well as others. I gave a 4x6 "Victory In Jesus" to Velvet last night at church.

I am thankful my parents raised me right. I am thankful I would be a better house guest. I would not dare say, "I always have a banana and chocolate milk for breakfast" knowing those in the house are unable to go to a grocery store now. Or want to take chocolate milk from an elderly person who needs it to take his medicine.

Please keep our friend Joey who Don worked for a few months ago in your prayers. He had to have gall bladder surgery. I think they had to operate the old fashioned way. His had turned gangrenous. Thank you. Hopefully my BFF arrived back at home safely today.

Today I am thankful I got some of my art to upload on this post. It is about time!

This week I have enjoyed listening to Pandora radio. This is dating me here but I heard the song "500 Miles" by Johnny Rivers. I have not heard that song in probably 20 years. I have it on a Sonny & Cher album. I prefer Cher's version to Johnny's though. So I went back to the 60's. By listening to this radio, I learned I am more than a little bit country. LOL I heard songs from when Don and I were dating and going country line dancing. Even found Don Johnson's "Heartbeat" on there! So this week music made me happy and I am thankful. What are you thankful for? Care to share? Then please join us at Thankful Thursday at the following....
http://womentakingastand.blogspot.com/

PS. I added the words "Victory In Jesus" to the photo of this art.

"Artful License"

2011-08-15T10:32:00.000-07:00

ART in front of me
ART to my left
as I shift lanes.
ART passing me by
ART passing by me.
I smile with reassurance.
Almost nearly surrounded by ART
Always.
ART surrounds me nearly
Surprised I don't sur-
pass myself
BKY
No one gets my jokes but me
Thankful I can laugh at myself
Taking artful license
with license plates
ART
BKY
ARV is just a variation of RAV
That's me.
Just another sign...
to do ART.
I need no license to create
but these signs remind me
I am doing what I should be doing...
ART.
Then I was behind ART again!
~Becky Bristow Voyles aka theRAV~

Currently reading I Think I Love You by Allison Pearson. It is a book about a teenage girl with a huge crush on David Cassidy. Ah, it brings back memories....

4th Art Show

2011-08-04T06:47:00.000-07:00

On Friday, I received the 1st postcard from the postcard swap I participated in. It was a wonderful photo of a flower. I think it is an Iris. On the back, it had
The2Buds Inc. then www.THE2BUDS.com It is mainly a postcard supply link. Nothing personal about the sender of the postcard.

It was another very, very busy weekend for me. Jason & family was here from Indy. We all went out to eat Friday nite at River City Grill. The food was ok. The company was great. In the middle of the night I had some bladder pain, throbbing and spasms. I went to the bathroom and went back to sleep.

Elisa, Kristina & I went to Market Days on Broadway. I was recruiting for the PC arts while there! Not many vendors were set up. The girls found this wonderful stuff... a lady had cake on a stick for $1 but if you bought a dozen, you got 2 free. We met up with Stephanie. Kristina bought more cake pops. The lemon was the best. Then we headed to the other Market Days at the Landings which is not as good as Market Days on Broadway. They got some stuff there. It is all out in the open hot sun which made me so thankful for the shading at the downtown market days.

Next we headed to Front Porch of the South. They couldn't believe how big it was. I took a lot of pics so I was in heaven. I didn't buy much. A roll of pink see thru ribbon which I tried to stamp on later. It didn't work but I will use the ribbon for something else somewhere down the road. I found a cute little wall plaque that had an old postcard image on it with a knob for $3. I already have it up on the wall. I thought it was serendipity that I found it. The girls were waiting for me near a Tiki bar Elisa wanted for their pool area. Kristina got a lot of stuff. I did good. I spent the least but was rich with photos.

We ate at B Merrel's. I had not been there in years & years & years. By then I wasn't feeling well. I felt a bladder infection coming on. I didn't have any Cypro with me so I took 2 Alleve for the pain which helped and I was thankful. Luckily I was able to order a grilled cheese from the kids menu. I drank water & got cran-grape juice later.

Elisa went back to buy the tiki bar. I went in search of small carrying case similar to one our preacher has to carry his paints inside. The one I saw was being used to hold $1 items. It had no sales tags on it to my disappointment. I did find a deck of cards that had a neat design on them I can use in my art for 50 cents.

Things bought at The Front Porch $4.50 plus tax
A Saturday spent with my girls..... priceless

Saturday I received my 2nd postcard in the postcard swap.

Another person got one of my postcards from the postcard swap I participated in last month and thanked me for it. She sent a link to her flicker photostream. She has some amazing photos. Thought you might want to take a look. I have added her to my side bar of blogs. Here is the link...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/58394948@N03/

I was able to lay down for awhile before we went to have supper at Elisa's. I took my new bathing suit I got for Gulf Shores but didn't go swimming. I was content just sitting by the pool. Funny that it is cooler there at Elisa's pool than here at home.

Sunday was the art show. We took stuff to Elisa's after church as Jason & family were leaving at 2 which was when the show started so we didn't get to the show until after 2. We should have gotten something to drink when we arrived because they ran out of cups! My art was hanging above Ms June's art that she created from the class I taught. I told her to submit that one. Unfortunately neither of us won anything. I admit I was disappointed.

The painting of the horse that the white frame was altered to match the horse's coat won a green ribbon. I forget the exact title of the ribbon. Upon closer look, an Indian and a feather appeared in the horses coat so that really was cool. It was deserving of an award. The eye reminded me of the close up photo I took of a horse's blue eye. So I it is probably good that I did not submit my horse photo! LOL. It would have been too much alike. This altered frame did make me wonder if I had used the other frame and painted the dots, if it would have changed my chances of winning? Who knows? Probably not. Esp since the photo I saw when I turned mine in won an award. A maroon ribbon. It was taken by a lady I had never seen or heard of before. Didn't even know she was in the guild.

As always there were some really good art hanging. There was a flower made out of bark and painted to look like a magnolia. This was all on a piece of cardboard box then framed really well! Neat idea. I would have given it an award for just being different. A most excellent painting of water lilies that look so realistic. It should have won something instead of the same ole ones winning. There was a large one called Wasp Nest that won a ribbon that should not have won! Then a guy I have never seen before won for painting a Singer sewing machine! The pencil drawings were most excellent. Two of them won awards & deserved them. There was a large blue woman called "Removed" that was thought awesome by Rhett & I. Another artist's small portrait in perhaps pencil evoked an emotion much like photos of Carson McCulloughs does me.

There were new categories. Paper was one of them. I found it very irritating that these artists that have submitted work for years suddenly all had "watercolor on paper" on their info hanging beside their work. In the past, it simply read "watercolor" unless it was on canvas. I heard from another artist that there were some very mad artists at the show.

Then there was one which won that had wax poured over it! Go figure. I know this is supposed to be a new technique to do now, but I wouldn't buy it or have it in my home! That artist probably would not have mine either! LOL

Again I admit I was very disappointed I didn't win anything. In fact, it colored my mood the rest of the day. I know it shouldn't be about winning. Since I had Rhett, I realized how competitive I am. I know I should be thankful just to be apart of an art show and I am.

Daddy had a dr's appointment for a follow-up with his regular dr. The wheelchair is real sweaty chore, but somehow we managed. His dr prescribed vitamin d tablets as well as a liquid protein to be added to his Ensure. Medicure wont' pay for this liquid. Luckily & thankfully home health care can do the blood work at home so he doesn't have to go in to have that done in the office. He will have to go back in a month. I felt like I accomplished something's. One step forward, two steps back with other issues or you hit a brick wall.

Then we went to Wednesday night Bible class. I wasn't exactly prepared, but figured I could wing it. It was just Rhett and I. Rhett asked me if I noticed the wall I had decorated had been taken down. Once again I was not consulted about the room. I admit I was mad especially because of the scrapbook birds I bought with my money and others I made from the template. I walked down to the storage room only to find the background paper had been wadded to fit into a shelf slot! It is doubtful it can be reused. Who would want to use wrinkly paper? I searched the other shelves. Luckily and thankful I found my birds. No care was taken when the were removed. They were simply ripped down so now they have tears in them. Holy birds! LOL Not a happy camper about this. I would never do that to someone else's stuff.

So I made lemonade. I took notebook paper, traced one of the birds facing one direction and was able to trace another outline below it. Two birds on the page. On one I wrote the word "SOAR" and the next I wrote "FLY". They are childlike, but still they are art which I had not done in awhile. Because of the lines, I knew I wanted to write something inside the birds. So I did two more. Inside the 1st bird I wrote this...

"8/3/11
Today was hot!! Sweltering. Worked. Paid a bill. Ate. Dr's appointment. Wrestled with a wheelchair and won! Accomplished somethings. 1 step forward, 2 steps back. Always hitting a wall. Obstacles everywhere. Nothing is ever easy anymore. Paid more bills. Not my own. Filled scripts. Tried a new peachy lemonade. Liked it which surprised me. Needed a shower. Just too hot. No respite in sight. Just another day in the life of me. Boring. Not. Not artful. Maddening moments. Added more heat."

on the 2nd bird...
"Then when in a place of peace you find your ideas have been torn down, cast aside like trash! Waded up and discarded. Left wrinkled. You thought your scrapbook birds you paid $ for, made & cut out had been thrown away, but thankfully they were found, but wounded. Angry that others care not as I do about things. Yet out of my anger came this new bird idea. Not so angry birds now. Calming down. Art does this 4 me. -RAV"

"CATHARSIS" written at the bottom.

It got good to me so I did a 3rd set of birds. On the top bird, I wrote the following...

"Write your cares, burdens, woes and problems on a bird. It will make you feel better. The burdens will lessen somewhat. You will have created art. Art soothes the tired soul. Any soul tired or not. The bird brings peace to a troubled day. Troubles fly away on the wings of a dove."

This brought to mind the song "On the Wings of a Dove" which has always been one of my favorites. Despite all the maddening moments of the day, I was thankful for this artful blessing I received from above. What are you thankful for this week? Care to share your thankfulness? Then please join us at the following....
http://womentakingastand.blogspot.com/
where Laurie talks about the heat.

The Frame and the Hanging

2011-07-29T11:06:00.000-07:00

I am thankful for this past last weekend where I got to see my 2 best friends in the world. Things did not always goes according to our plans, but God laughs when we make plans. I didn't take as many pics as I normally do and I regret that now. But I did have a few really good ones that I wouldn't trade for all the crab legs in the sea.

All weekend long I was working on framing my artwork for the upcoming art show. I kept thinking about that one frame at Michael's which came with a matching mat. Because I am doing another rainy day shot for the art show, I kept thinking I could paint the dots made in the mat as well as the frame to match the colors of the dots of light in my photo. I was hoping the frame was still on sale. After work yesterday, I picked up my photo from Wolf camera. I had the frame Rhett picked out at Hobby Lobby in the back of Daddy's SUV. I didn't really try it with that frame. Instead I drove on over to Michael's and tried it in their frame. Because it came with a mat, it was much larger & heavier so I would be going bigger. It would be one of the largest things I have had framed in a long, long time. I bought it anyway. Then I drove back to Wolf camera. I decided to ask those working there their professional opinion. I had to make 2 trips carrying the frames in & out so I was getting a work out. I was so ready for a shower by then.

First of all, the owner who I took a class with at Columbus College back in the day, complimented my photo. He said it looked like a French watercolor impressionist! WOW!!!! The other two ladies loved it & remembered my "Rainy Day in Ga" from last year. We tried it with Rhett's frame 1st & everyone fell in love including me. It was just perfect for it. So the new one set to the side was nayed. When I explained what I wanted to do with the frame, one lady asked me why would I want to do that? LOL So the photo was cut down 4 times to fit the frame. All I have to do now it get the backing put on it.

Unfortunately I couldn't go to the nice little man for the backing on my artwork. I had to pay a higher price elsewhere but I was lucky enough to get it done immediately so I was thankful for that small blessing.

Lesson learned: I should listen to my son Rhett and I will from now on. This is not the 1st time he has given me good advice. I must learn to follow it & trust his judgement on things artistic. I can't wait for the art show now!

Rhett tried the pulled pork sandwich at Subway last night. I took a bite. It was heavenly! Try it. Hopefully they will keep it on the menu forever.

Larry, I know Katherine was up in heaven laughing at me yesterday thinking this was a typical Becky moment.

Art. It must be done.
Art. It must be framed.

The Hanging

Rhett had a honking fever blister yesterday morning. The biggest one he has had of his entire life thus far. His upper lip was so swollen. It looked much like mine did the time I got badly sunburned. I took him to the pharmacist who suggested I take him to the dr which I did. I had no idea the dr would take a 26 gauge needle to pop it! The tiny needle had a knob on the end of it. She showed it to Rhett. You should have seen him looking at the needle... I just knew he was going to pass out! Instead he squeezed my hand so hard I cried out. Later he told me he "didn't cry because he is a man now." We had to get Abrevia which costs $20 for a tiny tube. I later found a $3 off coupon for it after we bought it! The story of my life... hours late and $3 short! LOL

Yesterday was hanging day. It is my 4th Hanging. LOL I turned in my artwork for the art show. I was able to turn it in earlier so I didn't get to see as many of the other artists' works. I felt really good about my art. There were not that many in the photography subject so I thought I had good chance in that area even though there was one pretty spectacular photograph taken from afar. It would be my competition yet I felt confident about mine. So much so that I called my friend Anne to tell her about it. Anne has a good feeling about this art show. From her to God's ear. I thought of going back later just to see what else was to be in the show, but Anne's advice was to just leave it alone and go on. After all I would be seeing it on Sunday. My talk with Anne made me feel so good. She says she can't wait to see what I have come up with next. What has the RAV done now. WHTRDN. LOL

Art. It must be hung.

I read a motivating article in a local small newspaper. To make a long story short, the writer begins each day with WOE (Words of Encouragement). I really liked this idea. Although it is what I do everyday or try to do. Once again I was told how my emails keep others going and how much it encourages them. I love that I can do that for others. May you give or receive WOE that you need.

What are you thankful for? Care to share? Then join us at Thankful Thursday at Lynn's place at the following....
http://www.spirituallyunequalmarriage.com/my_weblog/

"Oh, Happy Is Me"

2011-07-22T12:33:00.001-07:00

I had forgotten
how depressing some poets can be
writing their inner most darkest thoughts across the page
now across the computer screen
for the whole wide world to see
and read.
I used to be one of them
oh, woe was me
then
once upon a time
before love and art was mine.
Today I do not want to hear your negativitity
I refuse to let your dark words bring me down
especially when I am happy
and in a such good mood
because I will soon be seeing
my two best friends in the world.
Oh, happy is me.
~Becky Voyles~

Humbling Experience

2011-07-21T09:06:00.000-07:00

Last Friday I mailed off my postcards for the postcard swap & cannot wait to start receiving pieces of art thru the mail! While sorting through my many, many, many photos of my art, I came across a V that was shaped like a music note stamped on a dot design I drew with markers. I immediately thought of Mrs. Velvet H., a new member of our church who struggles with cancer. She is a beautiful lady. Just by looking at her, you wouldn't know she has or had the dreaded disease. I put that photo in plastic see thru fridge magnet frame for her in hopes she would put it on her fridge and it will brighten her days ahead. I also gave her a tiny copy of my best painted V I love. I gave the original on a small canvas to my mom for her birthday. I had an odd sized color copy of my "One day at a Thyme". When she saw the later, she told me that is the way she lives her life - one day at a time. I was really glad I included this one for her. I firmly believe Someone had a hand in my choices. This Random Act of Kindness (RAK) made me feel good.

When Rhett & I left the Pickle Barrel last Friday night, it was raining. I wasn't thinking. I was trucking along in Daddy's SUV talking about some amazing art we had seen by T. E. Breitenbach. Check him out at the following....
http://www.tebreitenbach.com/
I was probably driving faster than I should have been driving in the rain when we hit some standing water. The sound was louder than the water was deep, but it scared me. Naturally I swerved a little too far to the left. Luckily there was no other traffic on that stretch of Veteran's Parkway for miles. Odd to think of that fact now as I can see it in the rearview mirror of my mind. I admit I was afraid and probably went "Oh No!" to Rhett. I swear I felt strong hands on the wheel over mine. Jesus really did take the wheel! So that song will have new meaning for me now.

Yesterday I had a very humbling experience.... I am still reading the book my friend Gil lent me The Red Sea Rules by Robert J. Morgan. (Thank you, Gil!) I was at Wendy's when I read these words, "Envision His enveloping presence right now." I thought of Jesus sitting across from me at Wendy's and it brought tears to my eyes. Me. Jesus. Wendy's. It was rather surreal movie like moment as the traffic flowed by at a fast pace outside. I felt Him there with me even though I know He is with me always. I saw him clearly in His robes. I know He was laughing at me when I said I shouldn't have gotten the chives on my potato.

Last night I used these two examples and the short prayer idea (I wrote about last week as my TT post) as my lesson for Rhett's Bible class. I admit it brought tears to my eyes again when I told the later part about Jesus sitting there with me at the table. It also brought tears to another little girl. So I touched someone else. The kids told me I tend to use my hands more when I am near tears. LOL It seems I rub my hands together. I was totally unaware that I do this. So I learned something new about myself. I knew I was meant to be there telling what happened to me. God put me where He meant for me to be and I am thankful.

Mrs. Velvet sent me a sweet thank you note last night thanking me for her abstracts I gave her.

I'd sent this an email to all my friends yesterday including Gil who lent me the book. It seems his church buys this book in bulk to give to others. He told me because it worked for me, I could have it. I so needed that book and didn't even know it. What a blessing. What a gift for which I am ever thankful. Gil in turn had sent my email to his wife Brenda who suggested I email the author to tell him how this book helped me. Great idea! I will. It is not the first time I have written an author. I wrote to Lyn D. Nielsen, author of the Place of Sage books and she actually emailed little ole me! I will never get over that. Gil and his wife have actually met the author, Robert J. Morgan. Cool! I so hope to meet Lyn someday.

I see a theme here... I felt like Jesus was sitting with little ole me. Lyn wrote to little ole me. Jesus is so HUGE that we would indeed feel small in His presence.

Then I thought I do little art as in small. I don't do art on a large scale and I probably should go big. I do what is affordable for me to make. Even when I attempt to sell my art, I don't ask a large amount of money. I do put a higher price on my better pieces of art and still probably sell myself short.

Daddy is doing ok. He has had a lot of visitors lately and we are thankful.

I have included a Youtube link to the hymn "Humble Yourself In the Sight of the Lord" sung by Norfolk Church of Christ. It is one of the new songs we have been practicing and is one of our favorites. Ithought it was perfect for this post. Enjoy...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oJhia9o507Q

Quote of the day:
We ourselves feel that what we are doing is just a drop in the ocean, but the ocean would be less because of that missing drop.
~Mother Teresa~

May He be with you today, tomorrow and always....

Please join us with your thankfulness at Lynn's a the following...
http://www.spirituallyunequalmarriage.com/my_weblog/

Blossom

2011-07-14T11:20:00.000-07:00

We got Daddy home from the hospital late Saturday night and we are thanfkful.There is no place like home. We are thankful we have one to come home to both here on earth and in heaven. Each day I am thankful I have my Daddy another day.

One of my friends at work who is also a chaplain leant me one of his books to read for what I am going thru with Daddy right now. It is called The RED SEA RULES by Robert J. Morgan. I just read the chapter about how Satan tries so hard to get to us. Then I just read what my friend Cheryl wrote in a email reply that was almost word for word! WOW! This book reinforces that we are meant to be where God intends for us to be. I have always known that fact. Little things happen that remind me of this all the time and I have written about it when it occurs. You may remember reading some of those times. Just as I was meant to stay home and not go to Gulf Shores last weekend. It is a very good book. I recommend it. I will have to return it to him when I am finished. Otherwise, I'd let all my friends borrow it.

Today I also read from the same book about a new prayer technique from the writings of missionary Amy Carmichael. She in turn learned it from the famous Bible teacher Dr. F. B. Meyer. Dr. Meyer was once upon a time an irritable, hot tempered young man. An older gentleman kindly advised him to look up at that moment of temptation and say simply, "Thy Sweetness, Lord."

Amy Carmichael developed her own variation.... When she met someone she didn't like, (for me that would be Illy! LOL), she would silently pray," Thy love, Lord." In crisis, she would whisper, "Thy help, Lord," or "Thy wisdom, Lord." The writer of the book, Robert J. Morgan, when worried would simply say, "Lord..." followed by the person's name for whom he was concerned. I liked that. Many times I feel that the person you are thinking about may be needing a prayer or two or three. I have a feeling I will be saying, "Thy patience, Lord" A LOT!!! LOL But be careful what you wish for....! I liked this technique. Hope you do too. Maybe it will work for you as well although I am not by any means telling you how to pray! LOL Just passing stuff on which I love to do as you know.

We got a hospital bed for Daddy. Mom rearranged the furniture in the living room to accommodate it. This made me sad. Daddy clapped his hands when he saw it yesterday. The youth group from his church came to see him today so I am hoping that lifted his spirits. It did mine & I wasn't even there.

I am getting stuff ready for another post card swap. With all that has been going on with Daddy, I have waited to almost the 9th hour to it together. I am using stuff I have already done with the exception of a photo of a drawing I did in my journal last year. One friend told me my artwork has really bloomed this year. I said "Just call me 'Blossom'." LOL That word Blossom stuck with me. I knew I wanted to put in a piece of my artwork. Of course I could have simply put it across one of my flower photos & still may do this. Anywhoo I wrote the word Blossom on this photo as well as some other words. I really like it. I scanned it at work & sent it to my friend since she inspired it. I haven't heard back from her yet. I am giving her a copy since she inspired me. I plan to go to Office Max after work & put them on card stock to send to the card swap.
Then I have to start getting ready for the CAG (Columbus) art show.

My friends sent me gifts from Gulf Shores. Iris got all of us brightly colored beach towels with our names sewn on them. Mine is sewn in bright green which isn't my color but I still love it. Rhett said the colors look "beachy". LOL They got me a lovely frame that has sand well glued then two rows of tiny shells then more well glued sand. It is heavy. It was probably expensive too. Because I couldn't go to the beach, they brought the beach to me... They couldn't find any good shells along the seashore so they bought a small bagful. I asked them to write something in the sand and take picture. Instead they sent me a baggie of sand! Iris wrote some thing really neat for all of us.

Had a good Bible class last night. One of Casey's friends who Rhett also knows tried to commit suicide. Just cannot imagine a 12 year old doing this especially because of a boy who caused Rhett problems at school. When Casey told me this we said an immediate prayer for Tristan that brought tears to my mine and Casey's eyes. Rhett's "girlfriend" MacKenzie had on one of those rubbery bracelets that said "LIVE" on it. It came from the dollar store. I suggested Casey buy one for her troubled friend to give to her when she takes her the card she made Sunday when she gets out of the Center.

Thank you for your continued prayers for my Daddy. Speaking of prayers.... I have another request of you... My friend Margo who I worked with at JCP has a daughter named Angie T. who had breast cancer surgery the day Daddy was leaving the hospital. Larry, a member of our church is being deployed to Afghanistan on the 15th. Thank you very much. Be blessed.

If you would like to share with us your thankfulness, please join us at Lynn's place at the following....
http://www.spirituallyunequalmarriage.com/my_weblog/

Our 4th of July Weekend "I've Learned That..."

2011-07-07T06:58:00.000-07:00

Sunday was my mom's birthday. I was getting her fave from Red Lobster for lunch. The night before Daddy told me he wanted fried trout. I am thinking this is wonderful. Maybe he would eat. Wrong! He only ate a bite of everything then had to be put back to bed. Shortly after we ate, he wanted me to call the ER dr but I knew I wouldn't be able to get hold of him. He had me call his heart dr who really disappointed me and she is supposed to be the best in town. So we took him back to the ER once again. We were earlier than last Sunday. The poor thing was so uncomfortable in the wheelchair. You would think hospitals would have more compassion for the elderly but it was a holiday weekend and if you were bleeding, you were seen first. We had a 4 hour wait before going back to a room. Mom stayed at home because she was so tired and I am the one who goes back with him as I am the only one who can hear.

This time Daddy's lung had collapsed! They admitted him to a semi-private room after 1 am, but couldn't do anything because he was on Plavix. Don slept in the car because it was so cold inside the hospital. We didn't get home til 2 am. Because he was in a semi-private room, mom couldn't stay with him. She stayed out in the lobby and went in to check on him. I don't think Daddy slept because of this.

That Monday morning of the 4th of July, when I was awaking, I felt a strong hand on my right shoulder. It wasn't my husband. It wasn't my son. I know who it was.

The dr that drained the fluid off of Daddy's lungs said the lung may have collapsed earlier but the fluid had it inflated. Once the fluid was gone, it collapsed. Normally they would wait 10 days before inflating but they couldn't wait so they did a procedure in the room on Monday, July 4th. What a way to spend a holiday! But that was better than the other alternative for which we are thankful.

The next day, the needle came out of his chest and the lung deflated again! The procedure had to be redone. Rhett was calling me to tell me and I could hear Daddy hollering in the background. I had to go up there to check on him. This procedure doesn't take long so it was over with by the time I got up there. He was eating better and we were thankful.

I did a few things for myself on Tuesday.... Did you know they turned the old Chapman's into a thrift mall? As soon as I walked in, I thought I heard a parrot telling me "HELLO!" I looked all around for a parrot, but it was the lady at the counter who sounded like one! LOL Saw some neat stuff. Wanted to take pics, but there are signs everywhere that say you are on camera. There was a good bit of art on canvases. Even the larger ones were priced around $25.00. I saw a lot of stuff like my mom collects. There were some old round frames that had old photos in them that were interesting. The ladies in the sepia photos were pretty & one had on a kooky hat.

I found a book by H. Jackson Brown, Jr. entitled Live and Learn and Pass it On, Volume III. I normally buy his calendars "Life's Little Instruction Calendars", but didn't buy this year's. You have seen his quotes in my emails or on my blog so you probably recognize the name. This book is composed of other people's responses to these words... "I've learned that..." It doesn't reveal names but ages only. "People from ages 7-92 share what they've discovered about life, love and other good stuff."(written on the book cover.) The cover has a bunch of pocket watches & old keys in the background. I am more than halfway thru it. I was reading some of them to Rhett last night that applied to us. Some he found funny like one that said & I am paraphrasing here... "I've learned to laugh at my Daddy's jokes even if they are not funny." This book was only a $1, but well worth every penny to me. I love finding stuff like this. I also got a friend a pot holder for Christmas for 50 cents so I did good. I was thankful for my small inexpensive finds.

This book reminded me of the fact that a writer approached me on my blog wanting to use some of my writing in one of his books a shade similar to this only Brown's books are much better in my opinion. Because I have dreams of being a writer, I thanked him and told him I would write my own book. Because I admire this H. Jackson Brown, Jr. so much, I wouldn't have a problem if he used some of my thoughts for a book like this even if I got no credit for it. If I did this, I wouldn't even lie about my age! LOL

It got me to thinking of my own "I've learned that's". The first one that came to mind was "I've learned that if you have naturally curly hair and you just washed it, it is surely going to rain and mine will frizz or 'frizzle like a chicken' as my Momma would say!"

What are some of your "I've learned that..."?

Some of my friends have replied with their "I've learned that's" and I have so enjoyed reading them.

There has been a hawk outside Daddy's window at the hospital! Not sure if this is a good omen. I got pics! Even got him in flight. It is blurry but I don't care! Took a dozen more yesterday & Rhett was taking some with his camera phone. Mrs. Triplett, Katherine's mom brought in 3 beautiful yellow roses from 1st Baptist Church for Daddy. Took close-up pics of those roses. The card was really neat. It said something like these flowers where in the church. They heard prayers, they were there for the sermon and they hope they will make you feel better. Not only do these things help Daddy, they help us too. Such a neat idea.

Also I bought some of the new crackle nail polish. I bought the Sally Hansen version as it was cheaper. I bought black to put on top of another color. I haven't been as artistic with Daddy in the hospital except for a few doodles here & there, coloring a little in the journal Genie gave me or adding to an existing idea or piece of artwork in that journal. I have discovered I have drawn an image more than once. So last night when I finally sat down, I tried white, an almost buff color and red as the background for my nails. The red did not work. Once the black was brushed on & separated to form the crackle, it looked like a burnt hot dog weenie! I covered it up with white as I was too tired to go get remover. There was still some red around the edges which made it look like my finger was bleeding. LOL Haven't taken a pic yet but I like them. Once again it is the small things that bring me pleasure in my stressful life.

And not only did I get the book by H. Jackson Brown, Jr. yesterday, but at T. J. Maxx in the new mall, I got maybe a 6x6 or larger canvas that you are supposed to paint by following the shading to make a coffee type of art. It came with several tiny tubes of paint & a few other things. It was only $2.99, but I figure I can gesso over it & paint whatever my heart desires esp since I did NOT like the coffee idea! LOL I couldn't beat the price. That size canvas alone would have been more at an art supply store. They had a few more left. Don't all rush over there at once! LOL

I uploaded the hawk pics last night. Don was even impressed with them. One friend is jealous. LOL

I have learned that...
If you make plans, God laughs and says otherwise...
Sadly I am so very, very disappointed that I cannot go on another girl's weekend with my high school friends this weekend. I just do not feel I can leave town especially if Daddy took a turn for the worse; especially since we seem to go to the ER every Sunday. If I went with my Daddy still in the hospital, I would ave a horrible person. My mom wouldn't talk to me. I would never forgive myself if something should happen nor would she. I couldn't live with that or myself. I have always know I am supposed to do the right thing. The right thing is for me to remain home where I belong. Even though my friends say I really need this trip more than anyone except my mom. My friends really want me to still go but I cannot. I will miss my friends, the beach, the sea shells. There will be another time for those things. I will have art this weekend.

Cindy, you have inspired me with the quotes you have been sending lately. Thanks so much! Especially "Happiness is your muse on speed dial." Here are some of mine...

Dreams must be dreamed. It is never too late to live them.
Art. It must be done.
Life. It must be lived.

Your somedays are today and tomorrow.

What have you learned? What are you thankful for? Care to share? Then join us at Lynn's place at the following...
http://www.spirituallyunequalmarriage.com/my_weblog/

Good News!

2011-07-01T10:07:00.000-07:00

Daddy will get to come home today! YEA

57th Anniversary

2011-06-30T16:07:00.000-07:00

Sorry I have not been on here posting but reality happened. Rhett & I were lucky enough to take our annual trip to 6 Flags with our church and return safely. I prayed for rain so we could leave early. LOL Shame on my I know. Be careful what you pray for... It stormed. Thunder & lightening. My BFF Nancy did not go this year. I am always thankful to be back home safe and sound. I felt my age going up the hills. I decided to sleep in rather than do Market Days even though I needed the money. It was a good thing because I was walking like Tim Conway as the old man on "The Carol Burnett Show" much like my Daddy walks now. I slept late.

Saturday Daddy's feet & legs were swollen but he didn't want to go to the ER. He wanted me to make him an appointment with his heart dr on Monday which I knew he wouldn't be able to see her.

Sunday was my parents' 57th anniversary! We got ribs from Applebees again like I got for Father's Day. This year was different as we have to help Daddy up from his chair to get to the table and then help him out of the dining room chair. He went to sleep. Mom opened their present at the kitchen table. She cried when she read our cards. I took separate pictures of them. Her opening the gifts and Daddy asleep in his chair. Funny how life changes. But we are thankful we had him for another anniversary.

I was able to go to the art center where we were working on mini art. I had one already made and framed. I painted 6 mini canvases! The most I have ever painted in one setting. Proud of myself.

After church last Sunday night, I thought I'd lost my house keys. I am always losing something. I called mom to see if I left them there. Daddy had something else for to tell his heart dr besides his legs aching and keeping him awake all night. He said he thought he was worse. I asked if wanted to go to the ER. This time he did.

Mom wanted to go to another hospital instead of the one we went to last time because we did not like the ER dr there. He wanted to put Daddy in a nursing home. He insuated that we had not been feeding him & he was malnurished! We just cannot get him to eat. He now weighs 113 lbs and looks like one of those starving people you see in commericials. Just makes me want to cry.

The ER people kept asking if he had congestive heart failure which he did not. So this was new and scarey. One dr made me mad & defensive when he asked when was the last time I saw Daddy's feet. I knew they were bad but he was going to a foot dr who never said anything about the swelling or offered to give him something for it. He was admitted to the ER, given lassix & potassium as his was low. He had some fluid in one lung. We got to a room about midnight.

By Monday, the lassix got all of the swelling & fluid out of his legs. He had his chicken legs once again! LOL They said they would remove fluid from the one lung on Tuesday morning. I arrived before 6 a.m. only to wait until 11 before he went down for the procedure. They kept trying to give him meds and breakfast prior to the procedure.

We were told since mom was staying with him, they would not put anyone in the room with us yet while he was gone, they put a man in the room. We did not know what he was in for but Daddy doesn't need to be around anyone who is sick. This man, Mr. Spears was taking a strong antibiotic for something. He had lots of talkative family which doesn't go well with someone who has just had a procedure.

When I told our nurse Marian, what the night nurse from Sunday night had said about not putting someone in the room with us, she asked who said that. Of course I couldn't remember names. I did good to remember my own. So she said she'd put us in another room which was to be a private room. They made my poor ole Daddy get up soon after the procedure, get in a wheelchair to be put in another room.

Later a tech would come looking to do Mr. Spears' vitals and give him meds. So it seemed we had Mr. Spears' room who had come into our's and he now had our room! It just did not make any sense at all to me.

Daddy's preacher came and was upset with me that I had not called him about the procedure. I am only one person. I cannot remember everything. He tried to pacify me by saying this did not happen. But I am not stupid. Especially when another tech came in asking if Daddy was Mr. Spears!

We had forgotten Daddy's clothes and shoes in the other room. At 1st I couldn't find them. Mr. Spears had moved again. Another man was in Daddy's old bed. I wondered where Mr. Spears went.

The same dr that was at the other hospital was Daddy's dr at this hospital! As if all this wasn't enough, this dr said because they had not gotten the result back from the fluid in Daddy's lungs, that they were going to treat him as if he had TB! They ordered a contraption to be installed in the window to take the air in the room outside thru a filter vent! It made the room cold and would make noise like air conditioners in the old motels we stayed in when I was young! Mom wasn't going to get any sleep either. We were so mad. I could have skinned a cat. All this was for naught as his lungs were clear. It was all so unnecessary. It scared my son to death. He didn't want to come back the next day. When Daddy leaves, I am going to talk to the administrator.

Hopefully he may get to come home tomorrow.

Priceless

2011-06-17T12:27:00.001-07:00

Ducks in a row
compared to my disorganized life.
Later a geese crossing sign
by going the way my husband advised
I hate it when he is right!
This morning I saw a deer standing on railroad tracks!
How cool was that?
Creating new art
Rediscovering old photographs
Timeless.
Seeing what I saw then
Knowing what I know now.
Priceless.
~theRAV~

Over Due

2011-06-17T09:23:00.000-07:00

There is a post I had been meaning to write for some time now. Then thought better of it. Today I decided to write it when I went to a blog I once worshipped like a false god. I probably didn't write that post at the time, thinking the person or persons would know who I was writing about. Not that I really care now. Although I don't think they visit my blog even half as much as I once visited their's. They probably found mine boring and uninteresting whereas I once thought their's was the coolest thing since ice. This probably is not the way I would have written it then when I was emotionally raw with hurt which is probably a good thing. Never write angry. Or if you do, tear it up.

Life is funny sometimes. You find what you think you need to find some days. Other days you keep searching and searching and searching for even a small happiness. One day you find a blog you love because of it's writing style and follow it for a long time. Or you find one that inspires you to see life totally different both of which happened to me when I first began blogging. Sometimes you feel you have found a friend in that person due to a commonality & perhaps you have. For a time. Or all of a sudden a person changes so drastically, making your realize you never really knew that person. People are fickle yet I always remain the same. Ever true to myself and others. Ever faithful to my friends and family. Always doing what I feel is right. Not just for myself but others.

One day you realize you have stopped going to that person's blog a lot less. They are no longer your first blog stop. You are not that dependent on them any more or their every word. It is not that you don't need them any more. You probably never really did need them. You have your own interests, desires, passions and life happening. Some days you are too busy to visit them. But you don't feel as bad about it these days as if you really missed something because what is happening in your own life is far, far more important. You know you can always catch up if you so desire only the desire is no longer as strong as it once was. You got busy. They got busy. Life happened. While others changed blogs like underwear, so much so that you couldn't keep up or find them so you moved on. Thinking "Oh, well...". Some people are only meant to be in our lives for a time.

Perhaps you were silly and naïve to think they were really your friends. For you know who your real friends are. They are the ones that have stuck by you forever and day. The ones you have know since kindergarten or for 30 years or more. The ones who will always be there for you. The ones you can always count on. The ones how help you out when needed. They are real. They are here. Not out in blogland. They don't hurt your feelings via emails telling you they are far too busy for you and do not have time for your emails. This has happened to me several times. I think I really have a problem with someone telling me they longer have time for me. It hurts me far worse for a reason. A past hurt I will never ever get over. Even as I write this, it brings back that painful memory and tears to my eyes. My true friends would never do that to me. They know my history. Even I would never say a lot of things others have said in life, on a blog or in an email that would hurt someone's feelings. I think before I speak or write. It is called tact. I tend to not respond rather than say the wrong thing.

At that time when I was hurt, I vowed I would never bother those persons with an email EVER again. Ever. I have kept my word. Nor would I comment on his or her blog. Funny now their interests are not as interesting to me as they once were. I know I didn't always agree with the person or persons. I am not one to argue. Still this is another life lesson for me. It made me appreciate my life far more. It made me proud that I worship God and know who He is as my savior not some so called goddess. I love my crazy, never a dull moment, sometimes stressful artistic life.

Don't get me wrong, I have made some wonderful friends since I began blogging and I am so thankful for all of them. If I had not started reading blogs, I probably would not be on this artistic journey I am on now. I wouldn't have found my niche or my passion for art which keeps me sane now.

Wake Up Call

2011-06-16T09:54:00.001-07:00

A friend's father died last week. I emailed all our mutual buds; co-workers we used to work with about the memorial service held last Thursday evening. Only Rhett, Bob O., Jimmy & I showed up from that group. Jimmy and I are faithful friends to the end. I am thankful I got to see old friends I had not seen in years as well as my cousin Reba who caught me up on Daddy's side of the family. Ila Bristow passed away a few weeks ago which was sad to hear. No one called Daddy, but they probably figured he wasn't able to attend the funeral anyway. I always enjoy talking to Reba. Seeing her reminded me I still have not gotten her the photos from the Bristow Barbecue a few years ago which made me feel bad, but she said she had forgotten all about it. It was so good to see David, Kelly & Teresa again, but not under these circumstances. I am always thankful to see old friends.

After the memorial, I still had to go to the store for my folks. I don't know if it was all the excitement of seeing everyone or what, but I had a bad hot flash at mom's. She told me to stick my head in the freezer! LOL Then I felt really just plain weird. I was thankful we arrived home safely. When we got home, I was still hot flashing, so I was disrobing, changing clothes and getting ready for bed. Lately I'd noticed my feet were swelling. I blamed it on the hot weather. The next morning, I got my blood pressure checked at work and it was up. The bottom # was 100. I am thankful we have such sweet nurses at work. I admit I was concerned about myself. Others were as well and were praying for me. We ate at mom's Friday night, but I was exhausted afterwards and still not feeling up to par. I decided against doing Market Days. Instead I stayed home and slept late. I figured I needed the rest.

Rhett & I had an art class on Saturday. We ran late, but had not missed anything. I felt drained of energy. Ms June told me to have some of her fruit at the pot luck; that it would lower my bp. I'd taken some of my photos to give to Cindy & Ms June. Instead of doing what Cindy wanted to do, I cut my photo images out making collages & taking pics of them. Cindy played with paints while Ms June made mini art for our upcoming mini art show, taking pics as she went. I think Ms June had more fun than we did! LOL My camera battery died. We found where the oil painters had thrown away some of their oils on scrap paper. We took pics of their thrown away scraps. There was still some wet oil underneath so we played with that. I wanted to finger paint whereas Ms June wanted to run sharp objects through it. We had fun. Then it rained so hard we couldn't leave.

Sunday was the beginning of our Vacation Bible School. I spent the entire day at the church not leaving until after 9 pm. Thank goodness we had dinner at church that day. VBS went well. We had 9 kids in our class. One little boy kept saying he wasn't coming back! He was a bugger but my BFF church friend Nancy can handle him. She doesn't play around. I was so tired that night when I laid down, I just moaned.

My bp was better on Monday, but it was slightly elevated on Tuesday. The nurse said it was ok, but I felt I should go to the dr. I saw Kelly again who told me David had a bout with kidney stones. Probably due to the stress of his dad's death. I saw the PA who told me there could be a number of factors for my elevated bp. Stress, the heat, water retention, stress, etc. Did I mention stress? She did not have a problem upping my dosage which is what I figured she would do. Now I have to take my bp twice daily. She gave me some guidelines to go by. If I am near those numbers, I don't have to take the 2nd dose that night so it won't get too low. I did not have to take it last night.

I realized this is a wake up call for me. Everyone is telling me that I need to take care of myself. I know I have to do this especially since I have so many people depending on me. I felt I did just that this weekend and by going to bed earlier. Life should slow down some after VBS, but something else will probably come up. I am still up in the air if I will do Market Days this Saturday.

We are going to a special retirement party Saturday for my friend Mike. Rhett gets to go to this one and he is so excited. He will get to do flight simulations and a mission. Hopefully I will get to see my friend Anne.

VBS has gone well all week and we are thankful. Jonathan, the little bugger who said he wouldn't be back has been there every night. We have had so much fun, but we usually do. We leave after 9 each night and I go to bed. Tonight is the last night. We will have hot dogs and ice cream. Looking forward to the weekend.

Our plans in life keep changing, but we keep on trucking along life's highway coping with whatever life throws at us. These change of plans work out far better for me. What am I thankful for this week? My health I have probably taken for granted. I am thankful I am feeling better. What are you thankful for? Care to share with us at Thankful Thursday? Then please join us at the following....
http://www.eph2810.com/

This Colorful Life of Mine

2011-06-09T09:55:00.000-07:00

We had another very busy weekend which started last Thursday with a very upbeat, productive art meeting. I did something I have never done before... I painted a colorful background on canvas using the left over paint technique Cindy taught me. It was done in yellow, oranges & reds. It was to represent fire. So I called it "Fire & Brimstone". I never really got a good pic of it, but I simply laid it on the table for Bobby, the other abstract artist to hopefully paint one of his abstract roosters on it. I could see one in cool blue tones... I just handed over my art! That is trust. That is unselfishness. Often I find it hard to give up my art. After all, I gave birth to it so it is my baby. For the old patterns I gave Bobby, he traded me some colorful buttons. He asked me what I wanted him to do with it. I told him to do whatever he wants to do with it. Really into collaborative art.

Our meeting was about a special meeting on the 26th to create mini art. I was one step ahead of everyone as I pulled my V canvas out of my multicolored bag Ms Lisa made me out of plastic bags. Everyone loved it and thought it would sell well. I went home that night and made another piece of art to fit a 2x3 frame! So LauraLeah inspired me which made her smile. I have since sketched 8 initials on varying sized canvases crying out to be painted.

Friday night was my BFF church friend Nancy's daughter's Tiffany's graduation party. Got that? I had so much fun getting gifts for her. I wanted to get her a special ring, but couldn't find what I was looking for especially for the price of my budget. Instead I found a beautiful multicolored glass heart pendant on sale. When I bought it, I didn't know it was THE most beautiful blue on the background. I knew I had to go back to get me one like it. When I did go back to Hobby Lobby, it was marked down even more so I bought the rest to give as gifts. I bought some black ribbon by the yard to use to as the necklace part. I figured it could be tied around the neck. This was also cheaper than buying a roll of ribbon. I got a special heart shaped chipboard box that had raised areas of design on it. I knew I could go over the raised areas with a stamp pad and did. This had a special note that said, "This is a dream box to place your dreams inside in hopes they will come true." It held the multicolored glass heart pendant as well as a very inexpensive fad ring. I had a cute rubber elephant stamp for her and a frame for everyone to sign at the party. I lost the rooster stencil which I knew I could give her later. They raise chickens and roosters. I thought she could stencil it on a t-shirt.

Nancy's sister Sue is crazy. Towards the end of the party, when we were taking group pictures, she had me posing this way and that, turning my head this way then another. I was laughing so hard I was crying. Don & I have not laughed that hard in a long time. It is good to laugh like that. Can't wait to see those pics!

Tiffany graduation was the next morning. Tiff has been home schooled her whole life. I have never been to a home school graduation before, but it was one of THE best graduations I have ever attended. Probably because it was Bible based. The parents go up on stage with their child. A description is told about the graduate, their interests, etc. Most want to continue to serve the Lord in some way. They each had their favorite Bible verse. I admit I was teary eyed as I snapped pictures. It was as if my daughter was graduating. Little did I know there were tissues underneath the seats. I wish all graduations could be like this one. So proud of our Tiffany.

Afterwards Nancy & Tiffany left with Sue's family for Florida. We went to pay bills, grabbed a tiny bite of shared mini burgers at Steak & Shake as we had a mixed bridal shower to attend later. We didn't want to have a heavy lunch, but did want a shake. So good.

I'd bought a beautiful card for Leah & Andrew. It was mostly cream colored. It showed a couple from the back. The gown was gorgeous. The bride & groom's hair was not colored in. I couldn't stand it. I had to paint it! I painted his dark brown and mixed colors to match Leah's red hair. Sometimes an artist must do what an artist feels need to be done or painted! LOL I gave them an 8x10 photo of some of my artwork that I changed the colors in Microsoft. It changed blues to greens. Leah said their house was mostly green which is her favorite color. Don got him some screwdrivers. She loved my gift. Later I asked Don how much he spent on the screwdrivers. When he told me, I said mine was cheaper than your's. He told me I was always cheap! LOL

Mom gave me the silent treatment when I went to my parents after the shower. I guess she was mad because we had all these events to go to and felt I was neglecting them. I just cannot please everyone although I try. I cannot worry if someone is mad at me because I did not do something for them they think I should have. I am only one person even though I know I am their world as they are now shut-ins.

Sunday night we worked some more on VBS. I admit I get mad. I bring in an SUV load of my supplies, but people just go in my bags and take whatever maker or bottle of paint they want to use without asking. Some paints I had not even opened. I know I shouldn't take it all in so I am partly to blame. So I bite my tongue. That night I got home early for me. I'd really missed my BFF Nancy so I had to call her. I told her I'd never take her for granted again. We talked for about 30 minutes well spent.

We only have one more thing to paint for VBS before this Sunday night which is when it begins. Unlike everyone else, Nancy & I have all of our stuff done. I don't think the art work is going to be as much as it normally is for VBS. What if there are only two things up front in the auditorium and that is the only artwork? It is something I did and no one else. I cannot work this Saturday to help as I plan to do market days & take an art class. It would be late evening when I am through. I just cannot worry about everyone else.

This week I discovered you CAN use a black super Sharpie to make zebra stripes on red fingernail polish! LOL I also discovered a new home cooking place to eat but it is expensive so I cannot eat there every day. My friend David's dad passed away. I will be lucky enough to see David this evening at the memorial.

I re-worked a heart piece of artwork and I like it much better. Sometimes it is better to let art sit then come back to it with a fresh eye. I gave our preacher more pictures of some of my colorful artwork as well as the clouds he pointed out to me on last Sunday evening. I know this adds color to his life and he loves color as much as I do.

Last night in Rhett's Bible class, I stressed for the kids to not change; to remain as they are now. To not become like the Lindsay Lohan's of the world.

I am thankful for our busy life. I am thankful for all the colors and art in my life in case you cannot tell. LOL I am thankful for the colors I can add to other's. I am thankful for friends and family. I am thankful for the small blessings like finding Rhett a new pair of swim trunks when I least expected it at a very reasonable price. What are you thankful for this Thankful Thursday? Care to share? Then join us at the following...
http://www.eph2810.com/

signed
as my good friend Darryl so aptly wrote this week...
"Continuing to do God's work which has its own rewards",
Becky

P. S. I have added some new blogs to my blog list.

Seing Beyond the Canvas

2011-05-30T09:12:00.000-07:00

Some days it is about taking a stand for what you believe in. (Please read previous post.) Some days it is not about getting off early to be on time to an art meeting or just having a little extra time for yourself. Some days it is about getting caught in a storm, staying inside a place where you are safe, seeing an old friend and discussing his family health issues not your's. Its about lending a shoulder and an ear. Some days it is about keeping all your ill friends on your mind, in your heart and in your prayers constantly. I seem to do this more now. It is about being where you are meant to be doing what the Lord needs you to do.

Life is not about always making money. Take Market Days this past Saturday... I did not sell anything, but I saw lots of people and people saw my art. Someone took one of my bio sheets so she hopefully she may contact me later. It was about seeing old friends and new ones. It was about discussing ways of helping ill friends who have no family in town. I see needs everywhere especially needs for the elderly. I wish I could do more, but I have my own family needs that must be met first and far most.

It was about sharing ideas, helping, advising or receiving good advice by someone far more successful than I am. It was about being thankful for another good day and my every blessings. It was about taking what I have learned and sharing it with others. Cindy, the other abstract artist taught me how to save left over paint and make art with it. Thank you, Cindy! I was finally able to do this on a small scale; the smallest size canvas and it worked well. This one is wanted by my mom so that will be one of her birthday presents. It will be future gifts for others as well. I was able to use this techniques in the upcoming VBS art work at our church I am working on with my BFF church friend Nancy. So I am creating art for the Lord, others and myself. I created a lot of art this week. It is about being in awe of my God given talents and being ever so thankful for them. It is about wanting to collaborate with other willing artists. It is about seeing beyond the canvas. Love those words! It would make a great blog name, but it is already taken or the name for Cindy, Ms June and myself, the 3 Artkateers of the PC Arts. What do you think of that, ladies? LOL

It was about doing what is needed of you. The end of of this week was also about getting an very uncalled for flat tire last Sunday night! But thankfully it wasn't as big of a blow out as it sounded. I wasn't going fast. I could pull off into a well lit area and Don could change it for me. It could have been a lot worse. So I am thankful to still be here writing and sending this to you now. I am thankful I can continue onward being there for everyone who needs me, brightening your days with my funny, long, wordy emails and blog posts as well as sharing my art and photography. I hope I will be able to do this for a long, long time.

Happy Memorial Day!

I was thinking I should have saved this post for TT when I wrote it so I decided to use it today. I've been blessed with another good week for which I am thankful for despite the flat tire, Daddy's gas guzzling SUV which makes me want a small economical car that will run on our garbage or plug into a socket. But what if we didn't have enough garbage for it to run? Or our electric bill skyrocketd into the thousands of dollars? Or it ran out of juice? Scarey thought. LOL

This week I am ever thankful for the art I made last weekend. I finally uploaded some pics Monday night, but only got half way done. I printed pictures and shared them with our preacher, a fellow art lover. I told him I love sharing color with others. I will share more with other artist tonight at the art meeting. Thank goodness I can get prints for 7 cents each at Wolf camera on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. That is the only way I can afford them. I am not fond of Wolf's machines as I still prefer the old Kodak picture makers where I can crop them better. So once again my art makes me happy. I am so thankful for this outlet; this hobby; this love of mine. It is my passion. What are you passionate about?

I am thankful for the wonderful feedback I received this week. One friend said, "Do you know how inspiring you are?" I am so glad I can be an inspiration to others. I hope to always be that.

My church friend Nancy & I really overworked ourself hard trying to get ready for VBS, staying really late. She worked me like a Hebrew slave! LOL By Saturday, we both were too tired to go in to work on it. Sometimes it is about knowing your limitations. It is about knowing when to stop and rest before you kill yourself or make yourself sick. I know I tend to push myself beyond my limits.

I have been remiss in my quotes for some time nowbut I have 3 I'd like to share with you today....

"Some days you give more than you receive, but keep on giving!"
~me~

Art washes away from the soul the dust of every day life.
-Picasso-

So much art to do, so little time.
~me~

What are you thankful for this week? Care to share with us at Thankful Thursday at the following....
http://www.eph2810.com/

Redeemed through Christ's journey and His grace,
Becky

Taking a Stand

2011-05-26T08:55:00.000-07:00

It seems I am standing my ground, taking stands, picking and fighting my battles a lot more lately, but I will tell more on that later...

But first of all, we were just so thankful Daddy could attend Rhett's 13th birthday party!!! We brought the wheelchair for him to make it easier especially going out to the car. Although Daddy wouldn't look directly into the camera when I took pics nor smiled. It was a small gathering of family and friends. Rhett was getting few surprises except for one big thing. We decided to get him his own cell phone. We bought it hours before his party. I picked it out. A beautiful blue color with an orange cover. Rhett loves orange. In order to get it, Don had to trade in his old dinosaur phone and he got one just like Rhett's minus a cover. The neat thing about it was as Rhett was opening it, his Cissy called him on it! He has more texting capabilities than I do. His first text was to Austin. Just hoping & praying he doesn't go over his limit. He had a great 13th birthday.

Saturday night Don was driving us crazy trying to figure out his new phone. He was almost to the point of throwing it across the room after threatening to take it back and nearly cussing. I told Nancy that he did everything but cuss. Later he asked me if told her how close he came to cussing. It is funny how we do not like change. We want our old comfortable things not new fangled gadgets only a teenager can figure out without the bat of an eyelash. Sickening, isn't it? I seem to learn mine by trial and error. Mostly errors. LOL

In Sunday's paper was a special edition full of info for the incoming flux of soldiers from BRAC at Ft. Benning. There was a section for area churches, but they omitted the Churches of Christ in our community. This made me mad and Don even moreso. We took it to church with us. One of our deacons was rather non-chalant about it whereas Don wanted church members to start a phone chain of complaints to the local paper. Now my husband rarely gets mad or upset.

The next day, I decided to do something.... I emailed the editor of the special addition. He replied back right away, but I did not like what he had to say. I took offense at several things. He used the term of an "exhaustive" list of churches. I do not find religion to be exhaustive. So we had a bit of word banter back and forth. I did not ask for a listing to be exhaustive but inclusive. I looked up the meanings of anger, angry and mad in the dictionary before I sent my email back to him. I was not indignant or threatening. Nor was I a mad loon. I justified myself and my words with the the right ones which I knew were sent from above. I think any person whatever their religion would have been offended if their church was left out. He had to admit there is a difference between exhaustive and inclusive so I got my point across.

When I told Don what I done and was reading the emails to him, he got mad that I had put too much personal information about us in it. Then I got mad at him and wasn't going to read it aloud. I told him how he never supports me knowing he does support me. I could list the many ways. We just tend to say the wrong things in anger. Rhett was wanting the email to read badly, but I finished it. Then Don was proud of me at the end of reading it and said I did good. I was rather proud of me too. I sounded rather intelligent. So my non-existant journalism degree paid off.

I included alot of our church members in the email. Our ex-preacher's wife emailed back "Good for you for standing up for your beliefs." I got an "Amen!" from my friend Anne. And a "Go get 'em Tiger" from our preacher last night. Another member was going to reply to the editor himself if we had not received the last email that said I was right. It wasn't about being right. It was about standing up for your beliefs, your religion as well as oversights.

I did something sort of neat this week... I created another neat piece of artwork .... a 4x6 piece of watercolor paper was left at the arts center on the table. Someone had used it to test out paint colors so basically it was trash, but I took it home because I knew I could make art out of it. I saw red bird it in and played that up. I tested out more paint colors from our painting for upcoming VBS. I worked on it some more the night before last night mainly finger painting with my acrylics! LOL Then I used markers and a purple Crayola paint marker which I sort of blended. I colored in the background with a sky blue colored pencil, blending some of the colors. I really like it! To me it looks like you are looking thru a bunch of leaves and there is the red bird. The red, green an purple compliment each other. I think I will call it "The Red Bird". Like a Phoenix, it was has been reborn. It was left discarded & I made it into art. So give me your scraps and I will make them into art. LOL

Last night when I showed "Red Bird" to our preacher, he asked me if it was his. I had to tell him no. I do not give away my originals. I did tell him I'd make him a copy of it. This is his way of telling me how much he likes it which makes me feel good. He thought it would make excellent wallpaper.

I realize I have several pieces of art that are similiar to this. Maybe I should put them in a frame that holds 3 4x6's. I will have to see them in the frame first to see how they look side-by-side.

Besides finding acrylic paints on sale this week, a cricut cartridge on sale for my BFF church friend Nancy, I found 2 mini canvases with mini easels at Walmart. I had an idea for them until I begin "Red Bird".

Nancy & I stayed til after 11 last nite @ church working on painting our VBS soldiers! They are looking so good! We have even named them. The best one is Max which is the 1st one we did. Another lady helped paint him, but I had to go back & re-do some stuff like make the blacks darker. I always go back and do the shadowing. Our preacher likes him as Larry thinks he looks like he is walking off the cardboard! LOL I did take one pic of him with an unpainted helmet which makes him look a construction worker with a white hard hat! Max has beautiful long, flowing hair, a very wide nose typical of Biblical men from that era and area.

We were having trouble finding gold paint that works on the poster board donated to our church. Nancy did buy these Pilot gold & silver paint markers at Hobby Lobby. They are fine tip which isn't good for large areas, but it is SO pretty especially the gold. It is so shiney! I fell in love with these markers. When we got home, I told Don about the gold paint not working. He found me a bottle we had hidden at home which I was supposed to have used to paint a sax on this "person" he made out of nuts and bolts for Stephanie for Christmas. It represents her playing the sax in her band uniform. Both were put out on the counter. It is his way of saying, "PAINT THIS!" LOL

A bit of randomness...
It has been a good week and we are thankful. It was not without it's ups and downs as well as dramatic moments. I admit I lost what little patience I have at times. We are thanful to be here and not in a tornado struck area. We are thankful for all we have we often take for granted like air conditioning (my friend Bob) until it breaks down or ice in the ice maker (us). Thankfully I have a helpful hubby who can fix most anything. Today I matched up an old pair of pants with a newer top. A perfect match. Love it when that happens. I have noticed I have gone outside my color zones as of late which has been kind of fun on my art journey. This week I realized I can paint a fairly straight line which was brought to my attention. I am really comfortable with a certain red Crayola brush in my hand as if I were born with it. Some people were born with silver spoon rings on their fingers, I had to buy mine. I have felt really good this week for some unknown reason despite the sporadic downs I had. Its an imperfect world. We have our imperfections. So when we have a perfect moment in our lives, it means far more.

What are you thankful for this week? Care to share? Then please join us at the following...
http://womentakingastand.blogspot.com/

Happy Memorial Day weekend!

Another Postcard Swap Liberate Your Art

2011-05-23T11:12:00.000-07:00

I have something to look forward to... I and some of my other artistic friends are participating in another worldwide post card swap to Liberate Our Art! A post card swap is how I began this artistic journey I am on a few years ago. If you are interested in participating, please join us at the following...

theRAV is back!

Let's get our art Liberated and out there!

Catching Up & Cabagge Art

2011-05-20T08:12:00.001-07:00

The past prior 2 weeks were a sickly cough-filled nervous blur due to my raging sinus infection. It was one thing on top of another. Wrong dr's appointments for Daddy that luckily I called about beforehand. My car broke down one day. The serpentine chain broke, but thankfully because Don works for our church friend so he could borrow his car trailer to take it home to fix it. Thankfully I was able to drive Daddy's car. Dealing with the insurance on Daddy's car has been a royal pain in the patooty. No matter how hard we try, it is like damned if you, damned if you don't. Then one of Rhett's fish died. The 4th newest fish; the black Molle named Blackie by Rhett & Molly by me. It had fin rot. I was talking to Genie the night my car broke down, I saw the dead fish and just couldn't deal with it. It wasn't like it was the last straw and I broke down. I told Rhett & Genie it died. Genie is going "Oh, No!" while I scooped it up with the net & told Rhett I was fixin' to flush it down the toilet. If he wanted to say a prayer over it before I flushed it, he could. He did. I went on talking as if this was an every day event.

The day we took Daddy's car back, Don got to see how hard it was for me to pull out of our driveway. He said he'd put transmission fluid in it & he'd meet us there at their house. He knocked the wire that made the cool air come out of the top vents. So I had to changed cars with Daddy yet again the next day until he fixed that! I HAVE to have air! I get ill if I get too hot. You don't want me ill!

I know I did way too much while sick . I know I needed to rest more & take bettter care of myself as all my friends have adviced me, but I probably didn't. I stayed after church last Wed nite to help draw stuff for VBS when I should have went home. One person got on my last already nervous nerve & I had to leave.

It seems when I get sick now, I just don't feel like doing much of anything... email or art. This time I had one new art friend ask if I was ok which was nice. It is nice to be missed. But it wasn't all bad. We had good things happen to us as well. I had a windfall. I got better and I am thankful.

I shot myself in the foot for that 1st day of Market Days by not sending in my info early so I could get the same spot I had last year. It went to some husband & wife artists I know. I didn't have my usual beginner's luck. I got sunburned on my chest. Don was at a funeral for our son-n-law's sweet grandmother who died. Elisa said Mamaw is now singing and dancing at Jesus' feet. We had to wait until he got through to come get us. I hated I misse the funeral but felt I needed to make money. After that it is pretty much a blur.

Rhett had a jazz thing downtown to attend this past Sat morning so I took him to that instead of doing market days. The workshop was too advanced for him. It was something different to do. We left during the break. We went to Market Days, chatted with everyone. I recruited new folks for the PC arts too. I should have been a PR person! LOL

The abstract group was meeting at 12:30 so we got Church's chicken to take as seems to be our thing. I didn't have a lot of new stuff to bring. I did bring my ink pads as we were supposed to be making stamps out of stuff. I didn't advertise this. Sorry. Just didn't feel up to it. Really I did good to be there. It takes forever for us to get started. Not when I am the teacher. I was supposed to meet my friend Nancy at church later for more VBS artwork, but they went to Newnan for a chicken show & she was too tired to go, but it all worked out. She called sometime after 2 & couldn't believe we had not gotten started yet! Me either. I am surprised at my patience.

We had different things we could use as stamps. I tried a few things, but only got a couple of patterns. Nothing specatulor. Then the instructor cut the head off purple cabbage. I tried that with black ink before anyone else did. I LOVED IT! It made the neatest patterns! I just went with it. I didn't want to do anything else. They were pulling fishing wire thru paint as well as yarn. The colors used were not my colors. I may have ruined my stamp pad, but that is ok. I'll get another one. Others tried the cabbage, but didn't get the same thing I did. Cindy even tried it with paint. It was just meant for me. LOL As with all my stuff, I saw things in it & started coloring them with a black marker. I was in hog heaven. Quite content that I only made one piece of art while others made more than one. This is me. This my style. This is my thing. This is my niche. And I love it. It makes me happy. And I am ever thankful for the pleasure my art brings me.

Th other older lady artist taught me something... she showed me how to take a small white mat & find what I like best on my art. This worked as the left side of my piece was not that interesting. The right side had eyes. And of course I found hearts everywhere. If I don't call it Cabbage Art, I may call it "Eye Hearts". LOL

I made extra copies of my cabbage art. One to hang in the gallery and others to play with more later & I did. I think everyone can tell which one is mine from the distance. It has lots of movement. But it is a piece you need to see upclose. I am as excited about it as I was "It is what it is".

Then the other PC abstract artist had an old piece of a painting on loose canvas paper that had some raised areas from excess paint. I told her she needed to go over them with a colored marker. Well, I couldn't stand it. Before we left, I asked her if she was going to try it. I guess she read my mind or I sounded like a little kid because she told me I could take it & play with it. Ms. June said we should use an ink pad instead. The smallest one I had was a tiny red one that would work as it is not enclosed in the pad which my friend sweet Anne sent me. Now the background was lavenderish so this red really worked. Thank you Anne for that stamp pad! It turned out really cool.

Cindy, June & I work really well together. We don't have a problem collaborating at all. We talked about how some artists refuse to share their techniques. Thank goodness we are not like that. So we are trying to think of a name for ourselves which is hard as we all are very different. Rhett said "3 of a Kind", but we really are not.

I kept Ms June's idea about the ink pad in mind. I got some mats at the $ store. The pack had four 4x6 oval shapes in one packet so that was like a quarter a piece! Love it! I used the red stamp pad on it. It didn't work as well as it did on Cindy's art, but it made a neat red mat. It will go with several of my photos of my art. It is something different. You know I like different.

I took pics of all of this plus some more, but didn't feel like uploading last Sunday nite as my weekly ritual. We stayed after church & worked some more on VBS. That is a challenge when you have too many people and not enough work for them to do. Then they paint donkeys as Palomino horses while Nancy & I just shake our heads. LOL We do our own artwork for our room. We have found we work well with certain people whereas others get on our last nerve. Last nite when we got home I worked more on the cabbage art til bedtime instead of uploading.

I didn't get the other job at work. 80 others applied for it. Will tell more about that later.... My job duties changed again, but they are a bit easier & less stressful. So I guess it all worked out for the best. Just thankful to be over this sinus infection. I hope I can get my old spot back at Market Days next week.

Wed nite I was around bottle of acrylic paint. I had no paint brush. I had no good quality art paper. I only had notebook paper. I used a small glue stick as my brush! I was using ivy green and brunt red color, blending them in some areas. I added bright yellow dots from the end of the glue stick. These are not my normal colors. I really liked the yellow with it. But it wasn't until the next morning I added more yellows with a Crayola paint marker and liked it even better. Later I used a yellow paint marker and got some shiney areas. I realized my yellow highlighter was the same exact color so I used it to finish coloring the background yellow. I love the way some of the colors bled through giving it more texture. I printed this at Walmart yesterday. Last night I saw a Michael Jackson like face with sunglasses in a long dress! LOL This piece is so unlike me. I guess I went outside my box.

Rhett turned 13 on Thursday. Hard to believe I have a teenager now. We got him the cutest hat on sale at JCPenney's yesterday. We spent mother son quality time together. We ate at Applebee's. I got fajitas. but they were way too spicy for me. Never again!. I will make my own than you very much. We were able to watch and read the captions for "The Mentalist" and got home in time to see the ending. I am still rather upset about "Castle". LOL

I have some really good news... We are having a small intimate family birthday party for Rhett at our church tomorrow. My Daddy is going! He says he hasn't missed one of Rhett's birthdays yet. He is not going to miss this one. I as so excited; so happy. He will be in a wheel chair but that is okay. He will be there. And I am thankful.

Today is a good day because I received the glass infused pendent and key chain I made at employee appreciation week a few weeks ago. My pendant is just ok. I really like my key chain which is really long. It is reversible so I actually got three things. I will get a thick, sturdy cord so I can wear it as a necklace. You know me... I have to be different.

I printed my Cabbage art and have it framed in a very inexpensive but nice frame for Market Days. I brought it to work and I keep glancing over at it. Hope it sells well.

I have a lot of friends on my prayer list this week. My sweet friend Pat begins her chemo for breast cancer this week. Our friend Robbie fell. Our old neighbor, Terri has liver problems and will require surgery. She is younger than me.

I got to see my sweet friend Patti and I am thankful. What are you thankful for this week? Care to share. Then join us at the following...
http://womentakingastand.blogspot.com/

Then there is always one to rain on my parade of near perfect day to point out something that wasn't an oversight nor a mistake. I stood my ground and defended myself, but it will proabably be told that I have an attitude. Sigh. Oh, well...

More RAKs

2011-04-21T10:11:00.001-07:00

Well, I almost hate to post another post simply because it will cover up my last post of "It Is What It Is" which has my most recent art on it. I hate to cover Isla up! LOL She is my most fave art now and will be hard to top. Not that I try to out-do myself. But I think I can gladly give it up for my son's picture here. The things we give up for our sons...

So many things happened.... So much to remember and no time to post it all. Such is the current theme of my busy life now. Trying to leave out all the negatives and be thankful for the postitive things that have occured in our lives. Not the petty stuff or the petty people. Trying to just maintain in the many struggles of life with aging parents. Praying for patience(which I lack)while my art keeps me sane. Just praying, praying in general for many, many things. And many blessings have come forth from these prayers and from those prayers of my friends. My parents were blessed by others and we are indeed thankful for every blessing. We have future blessings to look forward to in the months ahead... We just have to get through the present and we shall with the good Lord's help.

I did want to mention last week I did a Random Act of Kindness (RAK) where I smiled at someone in the car next to me and they smiled back. I hope it made her day as much as it made mine. It might have been the only smile she received. Also I have been noticing others' expression when stopping at red lights. Everyone is so preoccupied in their thoughts probably thinking about the things they need to be doing or should have done. Or perhaps mulling over their problems. So if I can give someone a smile, maybe it will help.

Then this morning, I saw a mom with a car full of kids who looked totally exhausted before 8 am and looked like she forgot to comb her own hair. She did not see my smile, but I felt her exhaustion and frustrations. Been there, done that.

The art show was a bust due to extreme gusty winds from the storms last Friday. I was having to hold one of my "walls" that Don built with main force. I called it quits at 1 pm. I didn't sell anything, but Rhett sold some of his stars he made and designed which are pictured here where he has his mom's look of concentration. His artwork almost blew away and he was ready to cry. Still he was the "star" of the show so to speak! I am so glad he sold some things so it will hopefully be an encouragement to him to continue doing artistic things. He has gotten lots of great feedback from other artists and friends. Being cute helped too. He got tips instead of having to give back change!

A lady came up to my art display. She took quite an interest in my work. She liked one weird photograph in particular. It was of a broken doll. I saw it as I was leaving work one day a week or so ago. The head was separated from the doll's body. My friends told me this photo left you with the same feeling as if you looked at a war picture. The lady told me it was wrong on so many levels but that didn't bother me. I guess I take critism well now. She said she had stuff I might like. As we were packing up to leave, I thought about her and she showed up not long after that. She had 4 altered art books/magazines she was giving me plus an envelope of altered images and slide holder mounts I can use! I couldn't believe it. I couldn't let her leave empty handed. I asked her what piece of my art did she like and she said the broken doll! I let her have the photo which she said she was going to frame and hang on the wall at her house! My photo in someone's house! How cool is that?

Funny story about that broken doll... The body was still there the next day but not the head. Then the next day the body was moving back up the road to where I work. One friend said it reminded him of the movie "Chuckie". LOL

Because Don helped me set up & take down my art, I felt it was only fair we went with him to the hunting land to get the camper. I always love going there so I can take pictures. I enjoyed just sitting in the truck listening to the peace and quiet before getting out to take pictures. I got lots of tree faces and a caterpillar which all my friends/fans loved. I'd captured a lunar moth at work on my memory card. As digital camer buggs, we can't really say captured on film any more, can we?

I enjoyed looking at my newly acquired altered art books Sat nite. I can't wait to show them to Cindy, the other abstract artist in PC.

I have had my ups and downs this week as always. It seems you have something good happen then very depressing set backs that bring me down, but that is life or at least it is mine these days. Some days life just seems harder than previous days.

I was really tired yesterday after work. I still had to go to the store for my folks and make it to church. I just felt the need to get my hair washed so I did. I read my vamp book while I waited patiently. The hairdresser was someone I'd never seen before. She asked a lot of questions I didn't care for, but I answered her. Like "Do you prefer others washing your hair?" "No, I was just tired and felt I needed this today." I cannot tell you how much this relieved me. When she was finished, I parted my hair, scrunched it and left feeling like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders. Who knew just a simple little thing like this would help me so much? I am always saying it is the little things that mean the most to me. This was one of them.

I was lucky enough to talk to my BFF who I will be able to visit with on Friday! I am so lucky to have all the special friends I have in my life. Don't know what I would do without them.

Today I am thankful for the free barbecue chicken I had for lunch today.

What are you thankful for this week? Did you do any Random Acts of Kindness? If not, try mine. Also do a small thing for yourself this week. Please join us at Thankful Thursday to share your thankfulness at Lynn's place at the following...
http://www.spirituallyunequalmarriage.com/my_weblog/

Hoppy Easter! Hope you don't have any split hairs! LOL We are going to try a new kind of egg dying kit this year to make speckled eggs. Not that is the real meaning behind this holiday. Just another tradition for my son and I to do; more mother son art. More photo ops. We will all be in matching turquoise attire. Got Don turquoise striped tie on sale at JCP for $5! Just call us the Turq's! LOL

"It Is What It Is"

2011-04-15T07:50:00.000-07:00

I did this altered art at the art class last month and I fell in love with her. Her name is Isla. The title of it is "It Is What It Is". Isla hung in the art studio as a color copy for well over a month. I have been told it/she is "mesmerizing" by another artist. She is loved by many. She is now encased in a black frame and to be shown at the art show tomorrow. I am taking orders for her reproductions unless someone makes me an offer I can't refuse! LOL The lady who works at Wolf Camera loved her too and kept making such postive comments.

Isla inspired me to run around town looking for lacy things. I began at Hancock Fabricks two days after her creation. I took pics of myself thru many layers of lace. I bought small amounts of two pieces of lacey materials. I photographed my son, my mom, girls at church and my BFF church friend's daughter Tiffany who had the best shot. I found lacey blouses at Dillard's and captured my eye thru that lace. One was mint green which went well with my green eye. Some black lace made me look like I had a tatoo over my eye! LOL I found a bra at Khol's that worked well. My DIL cannot believe I put my eye in a bra! LOL What this artist will do for a photograph! So I have a series of these photos. The mint green one will be in the art show also. At Kohl's I found 2 glittery scarves on sale. One blue the other black. I prefer the blue one. They have sequins hanging down and they were used as a headband on a little girl, but I feel she is smiling too much in the photo. I wanted the same mood I had in Isla's which is more haunting than happy.

I could just stare at Isla forever and a day. I dare not put her up at work for that would be what I would do all day! LOL I most proud of her. In my opinion, she is one of my best pieces of artwork that I have created thus far. I have been told I need to put her on zazzle.com and I shall when I am less busy with an art show. I was even told she'd make a great postage stamp. She'd look good anywhere.

I hope to create more like her although maybe I should just leave well enough alone. Wish me luck on the art show tomorrow. Pray it doesn't rain.

FROG

2011-04-07T08:38:00.000-07:00

I guess I am a rebel. I don't always do things they way others do things. I have my own way of doing things. I don't always follow the instructions. I try to figure things out on my own which isn't always best I know. I guess that is one reason why I love art so much... no one can tell me I am doing it wrong or that I made a mistake except me. Well, they probably could but... that doesn't mean I would necessarily change my art. LOL Although I am very thankful for the job I have, I wish I had a more artistic job, but then I would probably have to still please someone other than myself. Life is hard for me now trying to please and take care so many people. I am still trying to be the good daughter, the good wife and the good mother. By being the good daughter, I have to let my family slide sometimes so I have not been the good wife and mother, but I am doing the best I can.

Yesterday on the way to work, I asked the Lord to give me something to say to Rhett's Bible class last night. First, I heard another inspirational message by Dr. Hal Brady of St. Luke United Methodist Church in Columbus, Ga on the radio for which I was thankful. His message was about a man who climbed a mountain, but got lost on that mountain. The man stated he didn't believe in God. When asked why, he said, "Because God didn't rescue him." Instead the town's people rescued him. DUH! Who did he think sent the town's people? Dr. Brady said we tend to let the world or people rescue us and not God. I know I tend to let others rescue me at times rather than God. I am thankful I heard this message so next time God can rescue me.

Secondly, I use an on line Christian service that sends me emails of ideas to teach 1year olds up to 11 year olds. My son is approaching his 13th year. I realize some of the activities and craft projects are too immature for him and his Bible study class. The theme I read yesterday was FROG (Forever Rely on God) which is pretty popular and perhaps overused. The craft project was to take paper bags, draw frogs and put eyes on them so the kids would remember what FROG stands for.

I had to work late. I had no paper bags much less wiggly eyes to glue on the nonexistent bags. I had to get gas then go to 2 different stores to get things for my folks as well as fish food for Rhett's fish. I had forgotten this item for days! So much for being a good fish mom! In a tired moment, I even told Rhett I had too many people to look after besides fish! I had to go by mom's, drop off the groceries and get Rhett. Needless to say we were late to church. There was this nagging voice in the back of my head saying, "Don't go. Just go on home. You are tired." But I ignored that Satanic voice and we went on to church anyway. Better late than not at all. I am thankful we went now.

This left me little time for my lesson, but I stood up and began. They knew FROG stood for something about God. They got the Forever part. I finally had to tell them as all their R guesses were becoming nerve-racking. So I told them R was for Rely. One girl wanted to talk about her problems with her boyfriend. I think they tend to see me as their friend or one of the girls and not their teacher so I have to remind them that I am the adult here teaching a class.

I told them about the FROG project. If they wanted to make this craft, we could do it another time. I told them often the 1st thing I do is call my mom, Don or my best friends when I have a problem or I email them. I know I should talk it over with the Lord first and not with others. I need to Fully Rely on God more myself so this was a lesson for me as well. I was thankful for this lesson.

I told them of Dr. Hal Brady's message of the morning. One girl said, "But you didn't you say he was Methodist?" Yes, yes I did. "Isn't what he says not the truth?" I had to bit my tongue. I would never say what he says is not true. Sadly the Church of Christ is against denominational churches. I had to tell her he was not saying anything scriptural; just telling a story that had a point to it. This is not the 1st time she has challenged me about what I say or do. There was nothing wrong with what he said. I had to stand my ground. But they all got that God did rescue the man by sending the people. Some even agreed God sent His angels to the lost man.

Then I told them about a wounded sheriff's officer in West Virginia that we needed to pray for and that we should make him a get well card. Of course they wanted to hear all the gory details about the shooting. Rhett was doing the sound effects of a guns going off. I told him to stop. The girls thought he sounded realistic which encouraged him to continue. I told him if he didn't stop, I'd make him stand outside the door! I told them the officer has a humble family with him that when asked what they needed, they say nothing. Other sheriff's departments are gathering donations for his family. This man is determined to walk again.

I asked them what they were supposed to remember...
First, they said too pray for the wounded officer which was excellent although I was still focused on FROG. Then they said, "Don't talk to your Momma first, talk to God." They learned well, my students. So did I. You can learn a lot from teaching. Your students can also teach you. I am thankful I am still able to learn new things.

I am thankful for the blessing my parents received this week when least expected. Things happen in God's time not our's.

We will be celebrating our 17th anniversary this weekend. Ironically today I received an invoice which had a stamp which had wedding bands on it! LOL

If you would like to participate in Thankful Thursday by sharing your blessings and thankfulness with Lynn and the rest of us, please go to the following...
http://www.spirituallyunequalmarriage.com/my_weblog/
I am thankful to be among you today. Lynn, I hope to meet you someday too and as you said, "Hopefully this side of heaven first."

Never Too Busy

2011-03-31T07:29:00.000-07:00

I have a very busy life now just like you or anyone else yet I always find time for others and sharing things I love with them except on here my blog lately or FB. I have had very few complaints thus far until recently. I have always been supportive of my friends, family and even strangers out in blogland. My in-boxes are full and overflowing yet I never complain to anyone or turn anyone away. There is always room in my in-box! LOL. It may take me years to catch up with myself, but I am not complaining. Yet I am always hurt by some of my family and folks I have admired if often from afar. I guess I take it as not being liked or accepted as if they don't find me,my info, emails, funny stories, photos or my art isn't up to their standards. Yet my friend Anne's words about never underestimating my talents keep reverberating in my head as well as the hymn "Days of Elijah".

Maybe my feelings are always easily hurt. Or maybe they are tender due to what all is going on in my life and dealing with my aging parents and I am wearing my feelings on my weary shoulders. Yet I wondered if I were a really successful person in my own art business or blog, would I be treated the same way? Then again, if I were more successful selling my art on a blog or on etsy, I might be hurt by someone's criticism or negativity towards me and my art. I am made of tougher stuff. Perhaps I need to put my big girl armored undies on, deal with it or not or just let it go! LOL

Even when I had hundreds of pen pals back in high school, I wrote to as many as I could write. I don't think I turned many away. I have always considered other's feelings first. I have never rained on someone's parade, but have been rained on many, many times. It is called caring. Not being rained on! LOL

Even if someone sends me a not so nice email be it political or politically incorrect or whatever I usually just delete it & go on with my life. I try to remember not to send that person anything ever again. I would never say "Do NOT send me any more of those!", cuss them out or be ugly to them in any way, form or fashion. Maybe it is called my tactfulness. Maybe it is just me not opening my mouth or penning words I might later regret. I always try to think before I speak or act unlike some people. I will leave off a list of names(Illy!.

Then to I have to remember I am not so sure the receiver of one of THE most beautiful email even believes there is a God. I have often heard a references to a Goddess or the powers that be. Where does this person think the latest success in life came from? I am so glad I know where and whom my many blessings come from.

To think I thought of taking a class from this person if I had the money! If this person doesn't have time for my emails now, who is to say the person will have time for them if I am that person's student? But then do I really need to take photo lessons? LOL Especially from someone I don't always like every single picture they take? I know this is the hurt talking. Trying to find fault when the fault is not mine, but their's. Their loss. It is days later now and some of the hurt has subsided. I have not even replied to the email & doubt I will. I certainly don't want to sound shrewish like some people. Just as I never replied to very negative emails in the past. This recent one brought up memories of those in the past. I know I need to leave the past in the past.

My friend Anne once again came to my rescue in another wonderful email. Lately I don't know what I would do without her and my church friend Nancy who have been my sounding boards, letting me vent & get everything out of my system. Usually after I talk to them, situations have improved. Nancy told me to that I am the Christian here and to be nice. I told her I would only be nice because she told me to be! LOL

There will always be someone to criticize; to rain on our parades. It is up to us as to how we deal with it. Hopefully I will deal better in the future than I did this week. I KNOW I am more confident in my art.

Always remember to make time for your real friends.
~me~

Sorry I haven't been on Thankful Thursday in a such a long while. I knew when I was typing this as an email to my real friends, that this would make a great TT post for today. If you would like to join us at Thankful Thursday, please go to the following...
http://www.eph2810.com/

Katherine

2011-03-09T08:55:00.000-08:00

I know. I know I haven't been on here in a long while. Life happened again. Too busy. My post to catch up would be an endless volume.

Today is a very sad day. Our preacher's wife Katherine passed away this morning. She was having problems and we were all concerned. Tests were being run.

A little girl named Jamie was experiencing breathing problems and had to be rushed to the hosptial. Last night we had a prayer chain for Jamie at 8 pm. So when Nancy called me this morning, I thought she was going to tell Jamie died NOT Katherine!

It was unexpected and such a shock. It is the same as the loss of a family member. We know she has gone to the Lord and her babies. It is just really hard.

I have lost a good, caring, loving, praying friend. She loved you and told you she loved you. She prayed for you always. She had the lovliest laugh and I loved making her laugh just to hear it. I will miss her.

I cannot stop thinking about our preacher, their daughters and grandchildren and especially Matt, their grandson they raised. You feel the family's loss. Please keep them in your prayers in their great loss.

My sweet friend Patti called me to check on me to see how I was doing after she read my email of Katherine's passing.

"My Artistic Life"

2011-02-17T08:06:00.001-08:00

This morning
I was blessed by
a beautiful orange ball of a sunrise.
So thankful for my eyes.

I had a three way
conversation
with a woman who "ma'amed me" to death
but I am still alive.

I somehow got a blood blister
on my index finger
I know not how
or why.

Snapped some cool shots
I'm hot!
On another artistic roll.
So thankful for my artistic eye.

Made new art
I shared
and passed along
making others belong
on this art journey I am on.

Then I discovered
yet another
wonderful art site
where I may can sell my work
but not my soul.

Here
I could spend years
but life calls...

Today has been a good day
with good art
good words,
good works,
and encouragements
from faithful friends.

I am ever thankful for my artistic life
being Don's wife,
Rhett's mom,
Lois and Frank's daughter,
and your friend
to the end.
~Becky Bristow Voyles~
Feb 16, 2011

Latest Abstract

2011-02-06T20:05:00.000-08:00

This is the abstract that I worked on for months since October. I love the Iris in the center of it. Then the red flowers. I wasn't sure of the name of those. I asked my plant friends who drew a blank or said it was the wrong flower. I finally found them online but I forget the name now. I thought the train represented a train wreck. I am sure a shrink would have a field day with it. A friend said it is not a train wreck because it is coming towards me bringing me good things; good news like selling a piece of my art! I like her version of it. I have cropped out the yellow snowman. Didn't want comments like "Who peed on your snowman!" LOL I have garnered lots of compliments on this one from other local artists.

These were taken before I added flesh color to the faces with colored pencils. When I got it color copied, the flesh tones washed out so it looked like this again. LOL

More Ups and Downs

2011-02-03T13:57:00.000-08:00

Saturday Rhett and I were at the library. We both have our own earphones. I love mine because I finally found a pair that fit perfectly in my small ears. Rhett prefers the larger ones. Mine cost $5 at Big Lots and are much better than the ones I got at the dollar store. A friend I have known since elementary school's husband sent me a link to one of THE funniest videos on Youtube. It was done by Jeanne Robertson. Here is the link...

Don't Bungee Jump Naked !
the URL YouTube video below requires audio

Click here: YouTube - JEANNE ROBERTSON VIDEO! Don't Bungee Jump Naked!
OR
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L1_W0LCHwK4&feature=email

So here I was trying to listen with my ear phones at the library.... It only seemed to be coming out of one ear phone. I turned it up. Still can't hear it. I turn it up more. Still can't hear it. So I turn it up full blast. There was a lady in a wheelchair next to me looking up genealogy. I noticed she was smiling. A library person came over to tell me I'd had to use earphones! I told her I was using them and showed them to her. I had them in the wrong slot! I apologized to the lady next to me. She told me it was ok with a smile. Leave it Becky. I sent it to all my friends and email buds. Our preacher's wife told me Sunday she laughed til she cried. Then I told her what I did.

Sunday there was an art show at the Joseph House Gallery which I attended. I ran into old friends and fellow artists. So glad I went for many reasons. It was good to just get out and do something fun for myself for a few hours. My friends were glad I did this also as they worry about me. Ah, to see art. I could see my art hanging up on the walls and I was a bit envious. I invited Rune, a 12 year daughter of an old co-worker who's family I know to my stamping class I will be teaching next Saturday. I am so excited about teaching this class. I got to meet Don Coker who used to illustrate for the local newspaper, but was laid off 20 months ago. I hate it that art isn't important to some. I do not have a shy bone in my body. I walked up to Don, shook his hand and said, "Hi! I am Becky. I am one of your Facebook friends!" LOL So much good art there. One quilter had painted a tree on her quilt with puff paint. The tree had a life of it's own. If I had the money, I would have bought it as the art I most wanted. Now I will have to try this! LOL

I even had time to work on a piece of small art I was inspired by on Saturday before evening church service. My friend Nancy at church had another idea for me. Like I needed another one! LOL

Sunday night I was at my mom's kitchen table working on a piece I'd made with a rubber stamp I made myself. I cut the design out of an art gum stamp. It was supposed to be a zebra design, but it is something else entirely. I didn't really care for it. I figure it will be a background piece somewhere down the road. Some parts are forming a neat design that I may hone in on.

If I tried to draw you, it would probably look like someone else! LOL I was just doodling on that piece, darkening some areas, joining other areas together. No real rhyme or reason. My mom was watching me. She asked me, "How do you know what to do?" I told her I didn't. I just do it. Can't explain it. It is instinctive. Sometimes it works. Other times it doesn't.

Monday after a bad morning, I had something wonderful happen... I sold some art!!!! Yeah me! I did this. The purchaser just had to have it before someone else bought it! I am so proud of myself as are all my family, friends and Facebookers! LOL I received a wonderful email from our preacher about this. Larry refers to himself and his wife as Southern Souls in the Lord. Love it. So you can only imagine how tickled fuchsia I was as well as how high I felt. Instead of simply emailing my closest friends, I called them. Genie thought something was wrong, but was relieved that it was something exciting for a change. We all need some good news instead of bad all the time.

And another child will be coming to my art class. Her parents were looking for something artsy for her to since she loves art. A kid after my own heart!

This piece of artwork I sold was one of my best and garnered the largest paid amount thus far. Because of this, Don said he will build me a studio once I get rid of some junk and old clothes at a yard sale!

Then reality hit the next day as it always does and the day was a real downer especially compared to Monday's extreme happiness, making me feel like a manic depressive, but I survived as I always seem to do. Life is a constant battle for others NOT to spoil your good moods and your day. I am so thankful for my son because even on the worst of days, he can make me smile and laugh forgetting about the things that tick me off.

Some times on bad days you just have to do something for yourself. Funny emails really help me. I vented to friends. They tell me they don't know how I put up with all the stuff that I contend with daily. I wonder myself sometimes. Maybe I am made of stronger stuff than them. I am not one to give up. I stick with stuff. I don't let people run me off. My job history proves this. 16 years at one place; almost 17 at another.

Wed nite there was more personal congrats and hugs from our preacher and his wife which made my night and the bad day was lessened. I was so thankful.

I am thankful for all my friends who support me, who encourage me, who let me vent, who offer advice, who pray for me, who love me unconditionally for who I am, who send me funny emails, who write to me, who share funny stories with me. I have had some really good words this week. So WORDS are the key word here. I wrote poetry this week. Monday I was inspired by birds singing in the rain. Rain seems to inspire me. What inspires you? I think I have inspired a friend to write.
Most writers have had really hard lives. I have had some hard moments and remembered one today.

This week I was someone's hero for little, small, simple things which blew me away and inspired me to wrote a poem about that. I told one friend about how once upon a time I was trying to write the most poems for the Guinness Book of World Records. Darryl couldn't believe that I had over 20,000 poems in bound composition books. Today I went on line to see what the record was. I'd have to write over 32,000 poems. I guess I better get to writing! LOL

I have been told I am special and not to forget it. I have been told the world deserves my art. I have been told I am on my way in the art world; that my name will be known. From their lips to God's ears.

Well, I finally got a green thumb... I was using a defective green paint marker. The round sponge tip in it fell out on the doodle I started. It messed up something I had done. 3 blue stamped squares, but it didn't make me mad, holler or carry on like people at work did this morning. This is going to be as bad as when Illy was here. I figure my muse wanted a green circle exactly where it fell. I tried to put the tip back in the pen, but it fell out yet again leaving another green blob, but green blobs don't bother me. I have went with them before. It added color to my doodle. So I made lemonade once again. I even got a heart shaped green blob! By then, I had green spot on my thumb! LOL It is probably the only way I will ever have a green thumb. I also learned something today... no two green paint markers are alike in color. And what you think will be greener on the other side is not always the exact color green you imagined it would be. I am full of cliches today.

Daddy's heart dr called and moved up his appointment a week earlier than scheduled. Mom figures they got the results of the heart monitor. I am hoping this doesn't mean anything bad. Thinking positive thoughts here. I have been reassured that they probably just moved it up to fill in a cancellation.

The art is oozing too and I am ever thankful as always. Today I re-found an old piece of artwork that had my raven stamp on it. It was to be a greeting card from theRAV. I fixed it better. It made me happy. What makes you happy?

At tonight's art meeting I hope to be an encourager for other artists.

What are you thankful for this week? Did you have a funny moment? Or two? Did you experience new things? Did you have something wonderful happen to you as I did? Were you inspired? If so how? What made you happy? Care to share? Then join us at Thankful Thursday at the following....
http://womentakingastand.blogspot.com/

On Another Artist Roll

2011-01-28T09:14:00.000-08:00

I am on another artistic roll.... I finished my doodle yesterday. I put on make up for the 1st time in awhile for the artist guild meeting. I wore the new necklace Kristina gave me for Christmas. I took my doodle with me to show my new artistic abstract friend Bobby Jones. He said it looked like something he would do.

The art meeting was interesting and inspiring. Diane Osborne paints houses in the Columbus, Ft. Benning area as well as all over the world. She has lead such an artful, creative life. She is an excellent speaker also.

After the meeting, I showed my doodle to Yuri, a colored pencil artist who has won awards. Bobby has also. Yuri liked my doodle. He paid me the best compliment. He said he'd like to have it! He suggested getting copies made at a printing place. I took his advice. When we left the meeting, I went over to Office Max and made some. They turned out really well except the flesh colored tones did not show up. I can add them to each copy. I had it shrunk down to fit on piece of cream colored linen textured paper. It looked really good on it, but by shrinking it, some things were cut off. The colors alterd a bit as well. So it would probably look good placed on a matt that color. The guy at Office Max who helped me really liked it. I told him it took me months to do it. While there I got one of those Kangaroo keepers for my purse cheaper than they advertise it on tv! It was $9.99. I also got a green alligator business card holder on sale for either $1.79 instead of $5.99 or 79 cents!I can't remember now. Still it was a better price.

We went to the store for my folks, got something for a late supper. After I ate, I carved what I thought would be a zebra design on an art gum eraser. It was really easy to do with a pair of scissors. I used my zebra skirt as an example to go by only it didn't turn out exactly like a zebra print! It is just a design. I stamped it repeatedly on a piece of notebook paper. It was just ok. Nothing to jump up and down about, but still art. Finished art at that. I used a blue marker to join some of the lines together. I trimmed it down to my liking. I figure it will be a background for something some day....

So I feel pretty good today. Once again my art made me very happy. Plus we get to wear jeans again of Friday at work!

I tried a Zataranin's shrimp alfredo. As Mr. Food would say... "It is so good!" Almost as good as the crab or shrimp alfredo at Red Lobster. I am just a walking addvertiser today! LOL

Hope your day is going well and you have a great weekend doing things you love to do. If it involves art, all the better.

Please check out my friend and author Lyn's blog...
http://lyndnielsen.authorweblog.com/default.asp?date=new&permid=35932

Not a Good Week

2011-01-27T09:58:00.000-08:00

This has been a not so good week for me. Problems arose as they always do, but I survived them. Many times I could have cried this week, but I did not given in to my tears. I had no pity parties of one. My faithful friends where my encouragers this week and I am truly thankful for all of them. My friend Bob still calls me a "Steel Magnolia" although I don't really think of myself as being that strong, but I guess I am. I must be. I am still here. I can recall many times in my life when I have been unbendingly strong like steel. Moments I am proud of. What my friends said made me feel good as did all the other "hang in there's" and "it will get better's" I received. The reminders of my many blessings of family and friends as well as the good Lord watching over me and my family

Yesterday I took Daddy to the foot dr today. Once again momma got the appointment wrong, but she says it was that dr's office that called changing the appointment. One of the receptionists worried that Daddy might have had dr's appointment elsewhere and would be charged for it. No time to call all of his docs. I was still mad because of what I had gone thru at work the previous day. Luckily they took him on back instead of making us come back on the 31st. They were not busy. I am now the person they call for his appointments.

They put Daddy's feet in whirlpool bath. I haven't seen my Daddy's feet in forever. Mom told me they were swollen at the ankles. When I pulled his socks off, I was so shocked and horrified. His feet are purplish due to his poor circulation. His toenails have always been knarly. They cut them. He has tender toes. Then it was much like when I get a pedicure as they filed off some of the nail. Betadine was put on his toes and in between them then lotion was added. His feet were going good.

Dr. Bernie was very forth coming with me without signing a hippa form & I was thankful. He asked if I was the granddaughter. LOL I guess I should have taken that as a compliment. I told him "Nah, I'm the daughter." They are treating him much like a diabetic due to his very poor circulation. Like a diabetic, he has to careful not to get an sores or ulcers on his feet. He has to go to this dr every 3 months. Because of his poor circulation issues Medicare pays for it.

Now I know why older folks tell younger folks to enjoy their youth. Aging is not pretty.

Communication is also good thing. I was charging my phone in the car because it was dead. Don was off today due to the cold, but I didn't know it & he forgot about Daddy's apptment. He forgets a lot of things now. He could have taken Daddy although it was probably a good thing I was there because I CAN hear whereas my parents cannot. He was able to pick up Rhett for me.

So when does life get easier?

A small blessing for me was hearing the song "Precious and Few" on the radio this week. It was as if a old, old friend visited me.

The week wasn't all bad. I had an exciting phone call.... I was asked to be Program chair person for the other Art Guild here in town IF the other lady does not want to do it or doesn't reply. Even if I don't get the position, it was an honor to be asked much like being nominated for an Academy Award. Even though I was unsure of myself in that position, I was told it was a learn as you go type of thing. Isn't that what life is all about? I will probably find out at the meeting tonight. My friend Bob gave me his vote of confidence that I would be good at this. Let's hope so. I could see myself doing it... lining folks up, introducing them at the meetings.

I have a lot of things to look forward to... the meeting tonight. Seeing some fellow artists that are friends. Hopefully being inspired. Like I need more inspiration. I did paint a little Sunday night. I completed the doodle I'd been working on for months so I now have a series of these doodles.

I loved my friend Anne's interpretation of my doodle. Paulie, I promise I will upload it this weekend! LOL Her interpretation was so positive that it made me feel better about my life. As always my art is full of hearts. I like to think it is full of love. Anne mostly talked about the train coming in from the right. At least it was not leaving! She thinks it is an omen of good things on the way for me. There are 3 boxcars. This made me think the 1st car or gift was my being Vice President of the art center where we live. Anne says there are more and better things to come. I sure hope so. She also thought of "Soul Train". I took it to mean soul literally not like the tv show. Maybe because I poured my soul into it. There are a lot of eyes in it now. I need to ask her what they mean. It had lots of dots but I chose to come some of them up giving it a very texturized background making some things really stand out. It is like deciding when we should be in the background or when we should come forward. I cannot wait to hear what my artist friends have to say about it. Once again my art made me happy. I am thankful for this artist gift the good Lord saw fit to bestow upon me.

Hope your week has been better than mine and you had only blessings happen in your life. If you had problems, I hope you survived as I did and realized there are others out there who care for you especially ONE in particular. Jesus. I hope life gets easier for you if it has been hard for you lately. Keep the faith. There is always something to look forward to tomorrow....

What are you thankful for this week. Care to share? Then join us at the following at Lynn's place...
http://www.spirituallyunequalmarriage.com/my_weblog/

Lynn, I served my father, my parents and my Father this week.

First Odd Shot of 2011

2011-01-23T19:53:00.000-08:00

Bet you can't guess what this is!

Dear Blog and blogging friends,

I am sorry I have been away for what feels like forever and a day; a year quite literally. I knew I had a sinus infection but did not go to the dr until I had an upper respiratory infection that kicked my butt for awhile. I did not feel like sitting at a computer, reading nor writing emails so you know I was sick! I am better now but still have that nagging cough. I cannot get too hot or else it will bring on a coughing spell.

A lot has happened since my last confession. LOL My life as I knew it changed when my Daddy fell a few days after Thanksgiving. He is no longer able to drive and has been told he cannot drive anymore. My mom doesn't drive either and I am an only child so I am their only means of getting things done. We have been trying everything to keep Daddy's spirits up and keep him eating. After being sick, I lost a few pounds so he now weighs more than me, but not by much. He has been on a heart monitor for over a week now due to an irregular heart beat. The monitor had been a royal pain especially for my parents who don't know a lot about such devices.

We went to Indy for Christmas where we had snow. I was able to take some pics there. One I had pre-thought and prepared to take. I got the shot I wanted so I was like a little kid who had just opened a cool gift on Christmas day. The shot was taken on Christmas Day at my sister-in-law's house in Birdseye, IN. Got some cool pics of our Granddaughter Shelby.

Our New Years was rather uneventful. We stayed home and rang in the New Year with a glass of sparkling grape juice.

I was sick on my birthday which sucked, but I was still able to have lunch with my friend Anne who drove all the way down from Carrollton just to take me to lunch. Later I had my first meeting as Vice President of the PC arts. I had to ask if I could say stuff. I could and did. I am excited about it my position. Rhett & I took an art class where I nearly coughed my head off but we created art. It felt good to be creating it again as I had not felt like it nor had the time. I am collaborating with another artist. I took something she started and went with it. It has turned out pretty cool. It looks like a lot of snakes. I may call it the "The Snake Pit". LOL We'll see...

My art and blank canvases have been calling to me. Almost yelling my name or screaming "Paint me! Paint me!" I have 3 or 4 ideas I want to work on so badly I was able to begin one of them today. I let the paint dry. I uploaded pics and sent them out as emails as is my Sunday ritual. Well, it was until I got sick. It was nice to be missed by two of my friends. They knew it was usual not to get an email from me. The fact that they noticed made me feel good.

My Aunt in Montgomery passed away. We went to the funeral last weekend to represent my mom since she would not leave Daddy to attend. A former co-worker passed away also.

I haven't been taking as many pictures, but it hasn't really bothered me or made me feel as if I must take a pic every day. Although that is a thought. I feel like I need an artistic challenge. I used to participate in several things with other blogs and bloggers. I was thinking I need to re-connect or find a blog that is doing something creative with photography. Like I have time. Then I took this really odd shot today. It made me remember Odd Shots and wonder if others are still doing it. But most of all, it made me happy as my photography usually does. So I am content. Tired but content and now ready for bed.

I remain ever thankful for all my many blessings. Thankful to be blogging again although I know I am leaving a lot out like yesterday's key incident. At least I can still laugh at myself and the crazy things I do. But it's all good. It is my life and I love it.

Caroling

2010-12-19T18:01:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was yet another busy day. Took things to the church that were to go in the fruit bowls to be delivered to those in nursing homes, the hospital and my Daddy. I was torn in 2 directions because my BFF was in town for her future son-n-law's graduation. She, her daughter & son-n-law were stopping by my folk's house to see my Daddy which I thought was so sweet. They were running behind time because they stopped to get them a poinsettia. It was great to see them all again as always. I just cannot thank her enough for doing that visit.

We went back to the church to begin the caroling for those on our sick list. Daddy was the 2nd one on the list. I stood by him singing so he could hear as I knew he didn't have his hearing aids in. Tiffany handed him her list of songs and he sang along. It was when our preacher had prayer that mom and I started crying.

Then it was off to the hospital where my friend Mike E's mom was recently admitted for jaundice and too my pyridium as well a transfusion. She looked pretty good considering all that. I think she enjoyed us because she told us to come back. I think Mike really appreciated it. He was holding her hand when we entered.

Another stop at another nursing home where the lady had alzheimer's and was unaware of us. Then to see Mrs. Mavis. We surprised her with everyone. She thought it was just Nancy and I. Mrs. Mavis is greatly improved and can now use her hands again.

Rhett & I didn't have anything to eat all day so we were starving. I said I could eat a half of cow! We took the leftovers from the cow to my folks! LOL We also had something for Don.

We came home and I began wrapping presents. Didn't got to bed til late.

We have such a wonderful church family. I am so thankful for them.

Two Weeks in Review

2010-12-16T14:10:00.001-08:00

The week before last, We had our first Christmas party with one of my art groups which was fun especially for me. Don asked where my stuff was. As he went thru the gallery, he said, "This one looks like one of your's." It WAS my photograph! LOL At least he recognizes my style.

Friday I knew I had to call in a script for Daddy. I had to pick Rhett up from school. Then Daddy needed stamps. I called the neighborhood drug store to make sure they sold stamps. I figured I'd kill 2 birds with one stone & save gas. When I got to their house, Mom told me I had to go pay some bills. I still had to get yet another prescription! Mom thought that may have been part of the problem... he wasn't taking his pills. It is not like they cost him a lot. Their power and water which was due on 11/24 & the car payment. I thought I should put his checks in the bank 1st to make sure there was money in there. I thought it wise I go inside to the bank near their house where they know Daddy. I know I need to get a POA now for sure. Then I made the car payment. I had 10 mins to pay the power bill & water bill! Now I am in a car that the power window do not work! I made it just in time at the water works. A nice old security guard let me in at 1 min til. The clerks gave me a dirty look. I told him I could almost kiss him! Then I got his other script.

Daddy wanted me to come back @ 9 am to go pay his Visa bill. Aunt Betty was coming to see him & mom said she could pay it. He got mad and said "Whatever" which means he doesn't like it.

I still had to go get ready for the City's Christmas party. I'd bought a Reba (McIntire) black sequin cowl neck on sale. I'd gotten a pair of legging pants with smaller black sequins going up the sides of the legs on sale. I wore hot pink short boots and my white coat with the white fur collar. By the time I got ready I was so tired I felt I needed a drink!

We sat with my friend Debra and her husband as we usually do. Debra and I were busy catching up so Don went to get his food. I saw Tommy I knew he was coming with his sister Cathy. I went to speak to him. Cathy was already asking Don if they could sit with us. My friend Patti came later. Don let me fast dance with Tommy. Patti danced with him later. I didn't know the girl could dance! I got good pictures. I was thankful to be with my friends I sit with once at year at this party.

Saturday I go to my folks to pay Daddy's bill. I saw that it was due on the 10th! I could have paid it next week! Mom says he has to have things done right then. I paid our cell phone bill and got a few things, 3 Christmas gifts and some groceries for them.

I was thankful I got to talk to my cousin Patsy who had a stroke back during the summer. She is doing well. She goes to therapy 3 times a week which tires her out and she goes to bed afterwards. She had to go to the dr once a week. Her grandson and his wife moved in with her and take her to her appointments as she can no longer drive. Her right leg shakes now. I broke down on the phone with her because earlier I was telling Rhett about how Uncle Frank, Uncle Bert , Uncle R. F. and Daddy would pass who they said was their "favorite brother-in-law" around. They would say, "No, he's YOUR favorite brother-in-law!" Patsy laughed with me as she had heard this many times herself. I realized my Daddy is the only one of them left. That was when I lost it. Later Rhett asked me why I was crying.

I got to see Aunt Betty for a few minutes. She had gotten Daddy a pair of pjs for mom. I was relaying messages between her and Patsy. It was good day. I was thankful for that small blessing of talking to one relative while seeing another one.

We had to hurry home because we were going to a pig roast at church friend's house. They live out in Ft. Mitchell with land and horses. Don wasn't ready! He'd been hunting. We got lost. Brian was following us so it was the blind leading the blind. We ran into one of the deacons who knew where he was going. By getting lost, I was able to take pics of a field cotton! LOL I got pics of their horses too. One paint had a blue eye. There was a man there with a fancy camera so I asked him if he saw the horse's blue eye. He had not and he sounded excited about it. Last night Rhett zoomed in on the eye and you can even see the horse's eyelashes! So I cropped it with just the eye. It looks so cool. That will be my brother-in-law's Christmas present. Sh. Don't tell him.

We stopped at the car lot our friend owns where Don was working prior to his latest job. Joey still has a black Park Avenue. Don was thinking of getting it for Daddy and us taking over the payments on his car. This car doesn't have a radio. Aunt Pearl used to have a 5th Ave car which I loved and loved to drive. I hated it when they got rid of it. I wanted it! This one has black interior and black leather seats. It is not bucket seats either. My camero had black interior with leather seats and I said "NEVER AGAIN!" We will wait to see what his drs say before buying this one. It is an older model than mine.

It was pretty windy standing in the lot talking to Joey and my friend Nancy. I wound up taking a hay fever pill when we got home. I still had my bills to pay, one for mom and get them more groceries! I forgot the grocery list (which I seem to do a lot!) so I had to call Rhett from Walmart's. Just as I was about to reach for potato soup for our supper, a lady took the last 2 cans! I could have cried at that point. I had to ask a manager to get some more and I was thankful he did. Rhett & I didn't get home til after 9. Don was asleep on the couch. He didn't want soup then. I was so tired I could have cried. I fixed Rhett some chicken noodle soup and went to bed.

Sunday was church and lunch with friends. We had a singing at a church we attended before we got married. They wouldn't let us get married in that church and I swore I wouldn't set foot in it again. I had forgotten about my words. Don told me it had been over 16 yrs since I had been in it. The songs helped me. I was so relaxed I probably could have went to sleep.

Had to get milk and bread for my folks. They were having the yard raked when we arrived. I knew the yard men left. I was changing into a thicker sweater when I heard a leaf blower in the front yard. I looked out the bathroom window and saw it wasn't the yard men. I figured it was mom's icky neighbor. She called him a lot worse and he is probably everything she called him! I am throwing on this sweater, ordering Rhett to get my glasses, telling Don to come with me! I did have my sweater on before I got the door unlocked. I said, "EXCUSE ME! My mom just paid to have those leaves raked up and you are blowing them back in her yard!" He said he just paid his yard man over Friday and her yard men blew them back in his yard. He'd had his car washed and her guys blew leaves all over his clean SUV. Why it was not parked in his fenced in yard is beyond me. Then he said the other yard men did the same thing and he spoke to them about it but didn't do any good. He said this was the 3rd time it had happened. We knew nothing about it.

Don said it was technically city property. He didn't say it loud enough esp for me.

So here I am on the sidewalk, Mom is behind me. Don is standing on the porch and my child is there. The man got a smart tone and said "What do you want me to do, have my yard man come back?" I told him no that mom would try to get in touch with her yard man (which won't be easy). Also I told him, "You do realize my mother will get out here tomorrow and rake those up and she is too old to be doing it!" She even told him in a soft. meek voice so unlike my mother she would do this. It must have made him feel bad. He said he was just mad and he would blow them out of her yard. Not sure this is resolved. I am going to get some orange florescent spray paint and draw a line where mom's fence ends even though it will go across the sidewalk which IS city property. I am sure he heard me saying, "I just cannot believe how people act these days!"

I was so mad I was shaking when we came inside. Mom apologized to me! It was not her fault! I told her I had become her. I will not let anyone take advantage of my parents! We went back to church. I'd left my keys at mom's so I had to use Don's this morning.Aunt Pearl wanted to come stay this weekend but Momma told her she had her hands full with Daddy. Mom is not sure if she got mad or not but she can't worry about that.

The next day was another day, but I was in a good mood and thankful for that good mood. Thankful for everything esp my parents still being around. I can't remember much about the week now as I was so busy going taking Rhett to school, working, going to the store for my folks that I just veg on the couch once I get home. I haven't done much Christmas shopping either.

Last Friday we had a Christmas party at my friend Mike's house. He didn't have one last year since his mom was in a nursing home. This year he felt like he could have one. He almost started to call it off because he had another tear in retina but he got it repaired. He had no tree up this year which is so unlike him. He did have a lot of Santas displayed everywhere. I was able to see our good friend Anne for a couple of hours.

The next day, Rhett & I were decorating at the church for a Christmas fellowship meal that night. Only my friend Nancy and her daughter showed up! Later one of the decon's wife came to help. The only problem I have is once you get the stuff up, someone always comes in wanting to change it but she only changed 3 small things I could live with. We made tiny cards for the tables with my many Christmas rubber stamps. We laughed, joked, cut up and had fun but I was hungry and tired. I still had to go home to cook! I stewed about us not having any more help but if there had been more, certain people would have made us want to pull our's and their hair out so it worked out for the best. Nancy and I are too much alike it is not funny. I got THE most perfect Christmas photo. I am so proud of it. I also want to paint it. It is calling to me, "Paint me. Paint me." but there is no time for painting right now. Nancy has already put dibs on my 1st painting.

I dropped my cell phone and it died. I knew we'd have to get me a new on the next day. Why is everything falls apart or breaks right at Christmas time?

Our Christmas dinner was delicious as always. It was bittersweet because my parents could not attend, but we took them a plate of food. They were missed by others besides me. Daddy was most appreciative since his retirement party didn't bring him anything.

Sunday morning Bible class was meant for me. It was about Martha & Mary. I realized I had to let go of the angry feelings of no one showing up to help us decorate the day before. I did what I was meant to do and the good Lord knows this. We had lunch with friends at Cici's which was near where I would get my new cell phone. I am not in this century with my phone. Rhett loves it. I think he held it more than I did Sunday. He was doing all sorts of things with it. Sadly by getting a new phone, I lost my "Mandy" ring tone. My new one is "Ode to Joy" because it sounds Christmasy. Don's is "A Fifth of Beethoven". It is like his deep voice is saying, "You're in trouble now" to that tune! LOL I need a tooth capped but instead I bought a blue tooth! LOL So this week has been about learning to use my new phone. I knew I had to have one. I am thankful I have it.

Sun nite I burned my hand making cheese toast! Monday my coat re-hurt it. Tuesday the nurse bandaged it at work for me and gave me ointment, gauze and tape for it. I was thankful for these freebies.

I missed last week's Thankful Thursday due to being too busy nowadays but that does not mean I am no less thankful. Last week had it's ups and downs as each week does. Some more down than others. I have sent out my version of the 15 days of Christmas in photos and other Christmas images I found on the internet as well as some of my own. I have gotten lots of good feedback on them which makes me feel good as well as many "keep them coming!" It is rather funny to me, I may pick out an item that may have 12 images in it but it may not be exactly to my liking or is not Becky worthy. Then I will find something I like much better. It has been rather time consuming finding just the right image. Just as we want people to have the right image of us. It has become harder and harder to find a certain number of images to match the date so it has been a challenge. If I cannot find an image, I can always use my own photographs even if they do not have a number of images in them.

I had a lot of small blessings last week and some hard times, but I survived them all. On Monday I was thankful for the scarf my sister-in-law gave me for Christmas two Christmases ago. Instead of wearing it around my neck, I used it as a scarf over my head. I felt like an old lady but I didn't care because I was warm on that oh so cold windy day. Must remember to re-thank Kim.

Took Tues off to get my license renewed, take Daddy to his dr in a borrowed wheelchair. It was hard seeing him sitting in it. Thankfully he did not fracture his tail bone. He has tiny tears on 2 ribs which will be sore for another 6 weeks or so. Thankfully he had gained some weight although he said he had on too many clothes. He cannot drive until his heart doc okays it next month. I did errands for them which consists of going to the drug store only to be sent back to it again later. I am beginning to think I live there.

Yesterday Rhett forgot his trombone so I went back to get it for him. I am such a good mom. Don would not have gone back for it. I just don't want him to make a bad grade. So I was late to work, but it turned out ok. Some days I just feel like I have the weight of the world on my shoulders. This was one of them. Almost had a pity party on the way to work. I need a tooth capped; a new tooth. Dropped my phone Sat & it died so we had to get me a new one. I am now in this century and Rhett is thrilled. He has a new toy to play with. He knows how to work it better than I do. I need a new tooth yet I got a blue tooth! LOL Priorities. I have to have this phone with me now.

So I was having this little pity party with a blue tooth in my ear. Blue tooth on, no one calling. Then I thought "What if God called me on my bluetooth?" He would tell me that everything is going to be ok. To just give it over to Him and He will handle it. I immediately felt better. Although I have been grouchy at work for many reasons. One of them being....Illy is pulling another one of her stunts again. They don't know when she will be back. Some of the many notes she has sent as well as other things have nicely disappeared. I had to recopy time cards this morning, scan them and send them via email when I had other things to do. I do this every time yet nothing ever happens. But I cannot worry about that. I have enough to worry about now.

I feel terrible. I am such a bad friend.

Since my Daddy fell after Thanksgiving, I have been so busy. Mom can tell me he or she has a script that needs to be filled. I go to drug store to get it. When I get back, she has found another one for me to fill! Luckily the pharmacy is nearby. If I don't pay a bill when Daddy wants it paid, he says he will drive to pay it and he is in no condition to drive.

All my life my Daddy has told me daily who died as was listed in the newspaper. We do not get the paper. I have been really busy at work. I'd keep saying I was going to go on line to look up Iris' mom's obit, but never found the time. I guess I was still expecting Daddy to tell me.

Tuesday I knew my friend Iris was picking out something for her mom's funeral as she told me in an email which was harder than she thought it would be. That Tuesday was one of THE busiest days of my life. I had to take Rhett to school, get my license renewed, take Daddy to his regular dr in a borrowed wheelchair which was really hard seeing your Daddy in a wheelchair, get lunch, pick up scripts, go to the bank for Daddy, pay my own bill, pick up Rhett after drama class which let out at 4:45. Still had not checked the newspaper nor emailed Iris or called her. Rhett had a band concert at 6 pm.

It wasn't until yesterday, I finally remembered to look thru the paper where I saw the visitation was a little after the time I was to pick up Rhett. His band concert was at 6. There would have been no way I could have done it all & gotten to the concert on time. The funeral was yesterday at 10! I had been out one day. I was Wed because Rhett forgot his trombone. We were short staffed at work. Last night I called Iris' cell last night and left a message of apology, but she did not pick up. I feel terrible. I hope she is not too mad at me & can forgive me.

I have had a good hair week this week and I am thankful. We have another art party to go to Friday night. We are supposed to make baskets for some folks in nursing homes Saturday then go caroling. Nancy and I fear we will be the only ones again. Iris' mom was one of the ones we were going to do this for. I had this really strong urge that we should have done this last Sat but we couldn't since we decorated and had the dinner. Iris's mom passed away on Sunday. I just hope and pray no one else we are doing this for passes away!

My BFF will be in town Sat. Genie and Jena want to come see Daddy which is so sweet. I know she is thinking it may be the last visit. I want to be there when she comes then I feel bad since the caroling was my idea. I just cannot be in 2 places at once. Our preacher understands and told me not to stress about it. I just wish we had more time in December. It needs to be two months long. But then everyday should be a celebration of Jesus' birth.

What are you thankful for? Care to share? Then join us at the following....
http://womentakingastand.blogspot.com/ where Laurie talks about slim pickens at this Christmas time. It will be sort of a hard candy Christmas for us as well. I plan on giving my photographs as gifts this year. If only they will sell in the New Year...!

Emotional Roller Coaster

2010-12-02T09:45:00.001-08:00

Since Sunday, life has been an emotional roller coaster. I experienced several crying jags which I feel I am entitled. My parents cannot hear so they hear what they want to hear. First, mom told me the dr said Daddy had a heart attack. The nurse was helpful and informative which was surprising. She said his enzymes did not indicate he had one. I chased the dr at the hospital down. He told me he did not have a heart attack. He said they said they understood everything he said. I told him they cannot hear! He was wanting Daddy to go to a rehab nursing home. My mom does not drive so this would be really hard on us. We were leaning towards in home health care which is what we will be getting. We have to do what my parents and I feel is the right thing to do - not what others think is right.

It was a great shock to me to realize I now weigh more than my Daddy! Where has my father gone? I was so thankful my husband was there to help me Sunday in the ER especially when Daddy had to go to the bathroom. I don't know what I would have done without him.

You know my life is never without drama....

Rhett now has drama on Tues & Thurs which means he doesn't get out til 4:30 or 4:45. Luckily the boss let everyone off at 4 yesterday to go vote. I felt like this was a blessing; an unanswered prayer. I still had to pay on the loan at BB& T which I couldn't pay the day before because I left my check book in purse at home due to changing to a Christmas purse. It was raining. I go to open the bank door only it was locked. I am looking at the sign on the left door for the time as I knew it should be open. This mean lady that is over everyone that works there tapped on the other door pointing to a printed sign that said they had an emergency. I would have to go to the one on Broad St. in Phenix City. I knew I couldn't do this and still pick up Rhett. I am mad, but wondering what kind of emergency they had which required closing. I get in the car. I hear sirens. They are getting closer. I look behind me and a police car has pulled in behind me! I figure I cannot get out now and I have to pick Rhett up! Then a police car pulls in from the wrong side and is no aimed at my car! I am thinking they think I am a bank robber! No one is moving towards my car. I open my door and look back at the police car behind me. I close my door due to the rain. I throw up my hands in question hoping they won't think it is an aggressive move and shoot me! The police behind me knocked on my window and asked, "Did you see anything?" I said, "No, she wouldn't let me in!" The cop in the other car is digging in his trunk. I figure he is pulling his shotgun out. Another woman from inside the bank came out the front door to holler something to the 1st cop. Another car has pulled up beside him. I figure I can manage to pull out of there and I did. I told Rhett about it who didn't get as excited as I was except he was doing a tv update about it. Don called to make sure I got Rhett so I told him about it so he could watch the news. This bank was robbed! The man got away in a silver 4 door car. My car sometimes appears silverish so they probably thought I was him! Just think if I had gotten to that bank earlier... The good Lord is surely looking after me. So I was the one who drove away! LOL Just thankful I was able to!

I firmly believe your prayers worked...
The heart Dr. saw Daddy last night after Rhett & I left. We went by their house to check on things, get the paper & mail in, leave different lights on, etc. Daddy did fracture his tail bone, but no heart attack. They do not know why he fell except for the high blood pressure which they seem to have under control now. He has an irregular heartbeat which was probably another reason why the ER doc admitted him. This Dr said he does NOT need to go to a rehab nursing home; that he can just go home at his age and in his condition. They are going to do an MRI today. He may be able to go home later. A relief for us all.

I was even more ticked off at this Dr C for getting us all upset about going to the rehab nursing home, but I will let it go as we are going home. We will do the best we can. If mom feels she needs help, then we will try to get hospice involved or do whatever is necessary.

I called my cousin Robbie for my parents because they wanted Aunt Va's wheel chair for Daddy. I was shocked that he called me last night. He said he'd clean it up for us and bring it to their house this weekend. So everything seems to be working out.

I know I had lots of friends and family praying for us. Thank you all for all your prayers. They worked! I received a wonderful email from our preacher & his wife. We love them and are so thankful for them. Don't know what we would do without them.

Daddy did fracture his tail bone, but he had no concussion or broken bones and we were thankful. He was able to come home from the hospital yesterday for which we were also thankful. We will receive in home health care.

Once again I sent out quotes of the day this week that went to other folks who needed them who replied to my friends who sent the quotes to them which made my day today. Yesterday I sent out my 1st day of Christmas email. I am going to try to do a different picture for each day. The 1st day of Christmas one was a beautiful holiday home scene/photo. Today was 2 angels I drew awhile back for the 2nd day of Christmas email which I have gotten lots of good feedback from. These two angels were something many people needed today so I have done my good deed for days! LOL

This is what my friend wrote and what his friend wrote...

This is what you sent me, and what I forwarded to Elsie yesterday. This was her response back to me this morning. She is a very sweet woman who lost her husband last year so she is adjusting to life without a partner now. I think she was married for almost 40 years.

Subject: Re: Quotes of the Day

Thank you so much for sharing these quotes with me. I do hope that what I say, what I do and how I act reflects Christ who lives in me. My prayer would be that all of God's people would walk in the light of Christ. My God bless your day and the year to come.

Your Sister in Christ,
Elsie

Would that we all could be like Elsie....

And despite whatever emotional roller coaster you may be on, remember to be ever thankful for your many blessings. Keep a positive attitude. If you would like to share your thankfulness with us Thankful Thursday, please join us at Iris' at the following...
http://www.eph2810.com/

Another Fall

2010-11-28T19:17:00.000-08:00

On Thanksgiving eve, after a fellowship meal at church I was bit concerned about myself. After having cricks in my neck for weeks, carrying a big heavy bag, I could hardly lift my right arm! Scary! I took a half of a muscle relaxer and did not cook my pies until Thanksgiving morning. Thankfully it got better. I'd also had another weird dream, but haven't gotten with my dream team about it yet.

Hope everyone had a happy Thanksgiving as did we. When Rhett was saying the blessing, I whispered for him to remember our health which he did. Just felt that was important this year. We had the best meal we have had in awhile especially my sweet potato casserole for me. I made Daddy a bowl of egg custard. He went back and ate it all which made me feel good. I don't fight shopping crowds in the wee hours of the morning. I like my sleep in my nice, warm bed thank you very much. I did manage some shopping and lucked up on some bargains. I buy things knowing I will alter them now. Does that make me an alterations lady? LOL

Had some funny things to share... like Rhett being in another play. This time it is a cowboy theme. I heard him telling his Daddy from Mom's kitchen that he would be playing the character of what I thought was "Horse Feathers" which I repeated as if he said "NEW YORK CITY"! Then Rhett said his name is "Horace Feathers". LOL

This morning the phone rang and I knew it wasn't good. Long story short, my father got dizzy & fell in the yard. We think he may have hit his head on the curb. Not sure if he blacked out. He crawled back to the house as my mom was still asleep. She was not able to get him inside so she called me. She had gotten him inside by the time we arrived, but we took him to the ER where we spent the ENTIRE day. His blood pressure was high. His ECG was irregular so they are keeping him overnight for observation just in case. Better safe than sorry. We went to eat, came back & he was still not in a room an hour & 30 mins later! But he is in one now. Please keep my Daddy in prayers. We are thankful there was no concussion or broken bones, but he will be sore for sometime.

Accidental Art

2010-11-21T17:45:00.001-08:00

I love when this happens. I call it "Accidental Art" by ~theRAV~ I am selling this as a photographic copy. $15.00 for a 5x7, $25 for an 8x10.

Becky aka ~theRAV~

On a Creative Bend

2010-11-18T14:19:00.000-08:00

What can I say about this week? I could say a lot; I could complain a lot about another Illy episode at work, but I won't. It wouldn't do any good anyway. I have complained by email to my close friends. By Wednesday, this week just felt like a week and a half, but I am in a much better mood today. There were the usual ups and downs, but mainly ups. The only real downer was my Uncle R. F. passed away. I am just thankful it wasn't on Thanksgiving because that would have made the holiday hard and really sad. But he is better off now. He is no longer suffering. My mom has taken it well in my presence.

Since Sunday when I took some of my abstract doodles in to the PC arts, Cindy's words have echoed in my head. I worked one all week nights until Tuesday night when I felt it was complete. I am pretty happy with it. Even thought about taking a piece of plywood, stapling black material to the plywood and placing pins to hold the abstract on the board to take pics of it. Then I thought a memory board would work. Just wonder which one would be cheaper? Never thought I'd want a solid black memory board, but it would certainly service a purpose here. I have always wanted a pink gingham one or a cream colored one with matching ribbons that reminded me of the sleeves on my wedding dress. It is a lattice work design or a repeating x design. It is on Don's stereo speakers and on our china cabinet.

I even got an idea that Don and I could make photo holders. I would love it if he would help me make stuff.... if I just could get him to do it. When I told this to my BFF Genie in an email, she said I was really "On a Creative Bend". I liked that. Even thought of using that as a suggestion for our abstract/non-realist group. Can't wait to suggest it to them. If they like it, if we use it, I am sure Genie will be thrilled!

I am being nominated as vice-president of the Phenix City Artist Guild! Of course I will have to be voted in, but just to be nominated is really awesome. I feel so comfortable; so at home with this group of artists like I belong. That is a wonderful feeling. I am thankful for all this.

Rhett went to his new pediatrician today and I fell in love with her. She was so sweet. She kept calling him "dear". The only problem I had was he had to fill out a question-aire which asked if he liked boys or girls; if he'd had sex; if there were guns in our home, etc. I almost started to x thru it, but I didn't want to cause waves on our 1st visit. He asked me if I read them. Even he couldn't believe the questions. He is in good health and I am so thankful. Maybe a little shorter than he should be even though I thought he was getting taller. I know he has grown because I had to buy him new pants. LOL He is almost as tall as me now. Just can't imagine him being taller than me and I will have to look up to him.

I have gotten good feedback from other PC artists who were so glad we painted the window; who are especially glad Rhett helped. They think it is wonderful as do I.

I had another weird dream last night. I dreamed Don bought us tickets to Hawaii! I'd forgotten stuff and had to go back. Then I was rushing to get to back to the airport in time and to my waiting guys. I kept going up and down stairs until I was hot and tired and literally hot in my sleep. I was so scared Don was going to be so mad at me if we missed our flight. I know the dream was telling me how unorganized I am.

I have been re-readingOn The Night of The Seventh Moon by Victoria Holt. I'd read this out of high school and was so enamored with it. Rereading it has made me question those feelings now. I am sure I was just a starry-eyed teenager then. I don't think the book had any bearing on my dream.

My friend Lyn's book II of Place of Sage is out in book stores now. She is on a book signing tour in Washington state. Please check it out if you have the time.

What are you thankful for this week? Care to share with us at Thankful Thursday? Then please join us at the following...
http://womantakingastand.blogspot.com/

"The Ever Changing Chattahoochee Art Show'

2010-11-13T17:38:00.000-08:00

After work Friday, I took my newly framed photograph to be hung inside the PC art gallery for "The Ever Changing Chattahoochee Art Show". It was well placed and looked really good hanging where it was hung. Not just because it was mine hanging there. It was just the perfect spot for it. There was some really good stuff. One lady. Dale, who is new to this guild, had a very neat idea. She painted a large canvas of what could be the Chattahoochee River. In small matching black frames she randomly placed some of her photos of the ever changing Chattahoochee. It should have won an award if any were given as well as Mrs. June's 3 dimensional layered painting.

Well, the art show was bit disappointing today. We had very few people show up for it. I am not one to just sit around and do nothing when I could be creating. After all, we were surrounded by all that beautiful art. So I went out to my car to get my purse which had my art journal my BFF Genie gave me. I knew I had all sort of pens, markers and crayons in it also. I began pulling them out, but everyone suggested I help paint one of the windows where Cindy, the other abtract artist had started some stems and leaves. I was scared I would mess up, but it can easily be wiped off. So I started painting flowers. I got so into it at one point, that I was sticking my tongue out unaware until another artist, Phyllis told me not to bite it off! I am used to this comment as this is one of my bad habits.

Painting these flowers sort of reminded me of the red & white verigated tulips I'd been looking for and sent links to via email recently. I started out painting red flowers. Then added orange ones and covered some of my red ones with orange, then purples and lavendars. It got good to me. I had so much fun. I also realized I saw a pattern in them. Cindy has her style and I have mine. Like my trees, I like to think my flowers are feminine. I really can't describe it. I can just see it; see my style in them. The other side of the window did not look as good as the side we painted on. I did snap pics of them as well as some other shots I hope to upload tonight or tomorrow.

There was supposed to be a Veteran's parade downtown around 1 pm. My parents were going to come to the show, but I told them to come around 3. They were bringing Rhett. I told Daddy he HAD TO bring his cane as it is so uneven ground around the art center. When Daddy walked in, the 1st thing he asked was "Where is your art? LOL So I gave them the grand tour.

Then I asked Rhett if he wanted to paint some flowers on the window where I had added more stems and leaves on the right side. He painted three roses and some grass. The grass was done with a weird looking brush. Not sure what it is called. It was sort of like a wide angle brush that fans out even more than a rake. Rhett was using his brush like a pencil. He doesn't know how to hold it like I do, but he still made recognizable roses. This made me realize I am quite comfortable with a brush in my hand. He had to get the hang of the odd brush, but he did well for the 1st time. I'll make an artist out of him yet! LOL We may go back over there tomorrow to paint some more. They want to do an undersea theme on the other window. It is a free day there tomorrow.

One of the officers at work brought his kids just as we should have been closing up. Bernard just loves my "Rainy Day in Ga" one! (Anne!) I told him how I want to duplicate it again so it can also hang in the Phenix City Library. I also told him I have magnets of it for $5 each I am selling. For now he wants two of the magnets; one for each kid. He'd love to have "Rainy" to hang in his dining room. I'd love for him to buy it! So the day was not a total loss for me. I think the others may have heard us talking about it. Since the magnets were not in the building, it is technically not a sale there.

We did wonder where everyone was today. We wondered what we can do to bring more folks in to the arts center. I know I emailed everyone I know. I put it on the bulletin board at work for the entire Gov't center to see. I put it on Facebook. It didn't hit me until later this evening that today was the Ga/Auburn game! I even watched the last part of the game. Shock I know.

My Uncle R. F. in Texas has not spoken since Sunday. There is blood in his urine now. My cousin Gail thought we would have been out there by now. Daddy is just not physically able to make that long trip and mom won't leave him. We are not taking Rhett out of school. Mom really doesn't want to go being the homebody she is.

Today was a good day. Hope your's was as well. Hope you were artistic in some form or fashion. Hope you tried something new artistically like I did.

I Had to Take Care of Me

2010-11-12T11:39:00.000-08:00

Let's just say our granddaughter Wesley Rose's birthday was different... being in a skating place with inflatables. The birthday room was far too small for the crowd of folks who came to her birthday. We as grandparents couldn't get in the room. I had to take pics from an awkward angle outside the door so needless to say, I didn't take many pictures. I got one good one of Wesley. Rhett got all hot and sweaty jumping. He was a referee in an inflatable ring until some kid grabbed him by the neck & took him down! I was not a happy momma at that point. Rhett did the right thing... he stayed down. Don went over to check on him to make sure he was ok and not dead! LOL Because Rhett got so hot, we had to go home for him to take a shower before going back to church. That turned out to be one of those Mom moments... where he came out of the shower and I could still see dirt on his arms! I am sure mothers everywhere could relate to this happening at least once in their lives. Yet the child says they washed.

It has been a pretty good week despite the fact that I had a terrible crick in my neck from last Wednesday. It was so bad I had to take a half a muscle relaxer at night which lead to having a weird, bad dream about a friend. I didn't go into details with her about the dream only asked her to please be careful and she said she would. One friend said I shouldn't tell her at all, but sometimes we just have to do what we think is right. My dream team has not gotten back to me on the meaning of my dream yet. I stood up to the bad guys in this dream so I was proud of myself. When they told me they would shoot me in my car, I told them, "Go ahead... I need a new car anyway!" LOL My dream would make a great CSI story, but without all the gore. Thankfully the crick in my neck is better now although I think it is still lingering around a bit because it bothers me some in my sleep. Last Sunday night I finally had to just lay down, get comfortable and rest in order for my neck to finally start getting better. I had to take care of me.

I got THE perfect frame on sale at Michael's for my photo in the upcoming art show this Saturday and I am thankful. I got some green music scrapbook paper early in the week. I only got 3 sheets of it. I planned to make a song bird with it. I told my friend Nancy about it. As I was gathering my stuff Wednesday morning, I placed my red cardinal on this paper and realized I want the music page as the background instead. I will still try it both ways.

My friend Iris' mom was in the hospital. I did two good deeds or Random Acts of Kindness on Wednesday. I paid my respects to an employee who passed away. I was able to run in and sign his visitation book before the visitation as I was in a hurry. Glen had been cremated so I didn't feel so bad about my rushing. I was the 1st one to sign it. Then I ran to pick up the pictures I took of the GED graduation at work last week. I came back by the assisted living nursing home where Iris' mom lives. There are actually 3 buildings. I went to the wrong ones at first! Then I went to the right one. Iris was sitting in the doorway when she saw me. I think I really surprised her. Here I was with a bad hair day and no make up on, but that shouldn't matter with friends. Luckily I had the pictures with me that I had taken when we had our girls weekend at her house in Madison last month. Hard to believe it has been over a month now. At least her mom got to see the pics and I saved postage. Her mom looked good. It was a good thing Iris came because she talked to the dr who was over medicating her mom! I was talking away when I realized church started at 7 now instead of 7:30 so Rhett & I were late for church, but I felt like I really needed to do this. I felt like I was doing what I was supposed to be doing at that moment in time. Sort of like in Laurie's post for Thankful Thursday. I was glad I went now and wouldn't trade that moment for all the tea in China. All the crab legs in the sea are reserved for Rhett.

We still had plenty of time to put up the Ten Commandments poster I'd gotten for our class as well as pass out bookmarks on the same subject. We had an interesting discussion too.

Visiting the nursing home made me think our church needs to do something for some of the folks we have had on our prayer list that are in nursing homes. Besides going to see Mrs. Mavis, I'd like for us to go caroling to Iris' mom and my friend Mike E's mom as well. Only I want to do it early in the month not wait until the last minute or right at Christmas when everyone is overwhelmed with the things they have to do at the last minute.

Rhett and I were off on Thursday for Veteran's Day. We slept late. I re-read old words. I like what I write even if I make a lot of typos. I never said I was perfect. I still had to print my 8x10 for the art show which meant going thru 3 memory cards before I found the photo I wanted. We got barbecue sandwiches which upset my tummy later. We got the glass cut for the frame. Then we went to the man who did the backing for my last framing for the art show this summer who did not charge me. I thought this would be interesting for Rhett to watch the man work his magic. I told the man I had to put my faith and trust in him last time. So I was not the least bit ill at ease with him yesterday. The glass I bought was not coming clean so he cut me a piece of window glass and kept my piece of glass he'd clean later which was fine with me. Rhett was amazed at what this man did. The man wasn't going to charge me again, but I couldn't let him do that. I gave him some money anyway. I am highly recommending him to everyone I know. I am so thankful for finding this nice man. He is an angel.

Then we went to turn in the Christmas card order for work. I was also meeting my two new friends who works at this office supply company now. One of them was the one I had the dream about. I took some of my latest artwork with me for them to see including the newly framed photograph for the art show. Jan, my other new friend liked my latest abstract I had with me! Annica gave me the red cap she knitted for me for Christmas all neatly wrapped. She made the tag herself. I had such a fit over the one she knitted for Kristina to take to the little girls in the hospital in Indy with cancer who have no hair, that Annica said she was going to make me one too! It is SO cute. I am so thankful I got it all done within a couple of hours. I am thankful I had yesterday off to do it otherwise it might not have gotten it all done today. Yesterday was a very good day and I am thankful. I am thankful for my new friends.

I am excited about the art show tomorrow & have invited everyone I know. Don wants to take Rhett hunting. Rhett has a cold so I do NOT want him to go. There will be a fuss. I will tell Don if he takes Rhett & he gets worse, then he will have to take off work to take him to the dr and pay the bill. Yea, right. Like that is going to happen. Rhett has a well check up with a new pediatrician next week which may have to be changed to a sick child visit.

I am so tired of dealing with other women's attitudes at work that I don't even have time for my own! LOL. Thankfully I was able to laugh at the absurdity of it all and not let them spoil my day today. Life is too good to led crazy people get to you.

Taking my art this afternoon after work so it can be hung for the show. We plan to watch a movie on Disney tonight called "Avalon High". I love stories and movies about King Arthur. Hope you have a great weekend.

What were you thankful for this week? Care to share with us at Thankful Thursday even though I am posting late? Then please go to the following...
http://womentakingastand.blogspot.com/

Zebra Flowers

2010-11-06T14:58:00.000-07:00

I took these a few weeks ago at a consignment shop. I have since printed the photo at Walmart with a black border around it. It is one of my new favorite pictures. I love it! Hope you like it too.

Rest, Change, Hymn Hum & Concern

2010-11-04T10:23:00.000-07:00

As I stated in a previous post, our weekend was about REST. I guess I needed it more than I knew. The verse "Come unto me ye who are weary laden" comes to mind. It was also about change. Change as in how we spent Halloween. Change in the fact that our son is growing up on us. But at least the family tradition of taking Halloween pictures at Elisa's has not changed. I realized I get kind of bossy when taking pictures. Funny that we can take charge of the things we really like to do in life. Where photography and art are concerned, I do not stand on the sidelines. I am in the game. I am in my element. I have had two photo ops this week. The 2nd one today made me feel like a professional photographer. Perhaps I have missed another calling.

Life is about change. My father was forced to retire this week due to his age and feebleness at age 85. He was very upset about it. Although I know it is for the best, I know it must be hard on him as a man. I just hope it doesn't put him into a downward spiral.

Then today I thought about the Serenity prayer...

God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.

Living one day at a time;
Enjoying one moment at a time;
Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
Taking, as He did, this sinful world
as it is, not as I would have it;
Trusting that He will make all things right
if I surrender to His Will;
That I may be reasonably happy in this life
and supremely happy with Him
Forever in the next.
Amen.
--Reinhold Niebuhr

I had several quotes of the day I sent out yesterday which was my BFF Genie's birthday. Ironically this was one of them...
Be the one who remembers to bring a camera.
-H. Jackson Brown, Jr.-
(I usually am the one!)

In yesterday's email, I added another lunch experience I am famous for. It is Not a quote but...
I went to a Chinese place for lunch yesterday because I wanted hot tea on that coolish day. The waitresses misunderstood me when I shook my head that it was just me. They thought I was waiting for someone. After waiting what I thought was too long, I finally had to tell them I was ready to place my order. They made a big production about my being alone! I haven't felt that uncomfortable in awhile. The owner is very religious and plays instrumental religious music. One hymn came on and I couldn't recall it. Of course it stuck in my head. I had to look it up on the internet when I got back to work. What would we do without the internet? My 1st search was unfruitful. I finally had to type in some of the words of the hymn. I typed in the most uncommon words in hopes of finding the title. I typed in "...I raise my Ebenezer..." and got the title "Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing." You are singing this now, aren't you? LOL If not, you are probably going to google it! If I had not found it, I would have emailed you K & Larry

If you do google something like this as I did, you will find several versions of the song and once you click on one, it will play several for awhile. I so enjoyed listening to everyone yesterday especially the ones that had a Irish sound to them.

Later I thought about the fact that I may have already sent an email out about this song because I seem to remember K and I talking about how beautiful it was; how one lady had the voice of an angel and could sing certain notes that K could once sing but cannot anymore. Then she went to a Church of Christ site and found more without instruments. This made me feel like I have Alzheimer's. LOL But perhaps it was another song. Anywhoo it led me to an instrumental of "A Time for Us", the theme song from "Romeo and Juliet" which I had not heard in ages and ages. It was like an old friend. It is wonderful that music can feel this way. Has a hymn touched you today? If so, which one?

Well, I am a little concerned about Daddy. When I picked Rhett up yesterday, Mom told me to go speak to him. I would have anyway, but knew something was up when she said that. Daddy told me about them letting him go at work as a part time bailiff the day before due to his age and feebleness. We knew it was coming and he is 85! He wasn't the only one they let go so it wasn't just him. He knew he'd fallen while at work. He admitted he staggers but refuses to use a cane and thinks someone saw him and told on him. He agrees it may be for the best as he didn't always feel like working somedays. As he was telling me this, I thought his speech was different. I got closer trying to watch his mouth. It seemed like the side the cancer was on wasn't working above his lip. Not where the cancer was. It just wasn't normal to me. He just sounded different. I think I know my Daddy pretty well to know he didn't sound like himself or when something is wrong. One word came out funny. I don't know how to describe it exactly esp in an email. I might could mimic it. It was almost like he was slurred. Of course he is more concerned about the money he will miss.

I asked mom if he'd been talking funny and she said she thought he was. She also said he took a flu shot. He was told he HAD to take one because if he didn't, if he got the flu, he might die. Mom said she would watch him carefully of course and let me know. I thought he might have been so upset about the loss of his job that he may have had a facial stroke. I haven't heard from mom this morning so I am thinking no news is good news. I will call her later. I was hoping they might be sleeping in. I talked to her and they are okay. She thinks he sounds better and he was just upset. I have had some wonderful emails from friends about this so they have been a blessing unto me, especially Annica's, Anne's, Cheryl's and Genie's sweet words. I am so thankful for my many wonderful friends. I am so thankful I still have my loving parents. I am thankful I had a few good hair days this week. LOL Sure I may fuss that a light switch isn't working. I fuss, get it out of my system and go on with life. Some days nothing seems to work right, but today has been a pretty good day thus far despite the light switch.

My mom has a full plate dealing with Daddy and her sister who is driving her crazy! I wish we all could go away to a nice quiet cabin just to get away from everything, but alas it will turn pretty cold this weekend and they would be better off at their nice warm home. But just thinking of it, was a nice release for me muchlike thinking of a walk along the beach. Ah, sigh.

Quote of the Day:
Pick up your brushes and paint today.
-Peter R. Stone-

I have an art meeting tonight. I am going to volunteer my services to create flyers. Granddaughter's birthday coming up this weekend. Art show next weekend. I am thankful for it all. What are you thankful for this week. Please share with us Thankful Thursday at the following...
http://womentakingastand.blogspot.com/ where Laurie has a really good post about gratitude.

Halloween 2010

2010-10-31T18:03:00.000-07:00

BOO!!!

This weekend was about rest. And change. I probably would not have gotten to go to Market Days anyway. We slept in. I think we all needed the rest.

Somehow I managed to fall up our back three steps yesterday! This is the 2nd time in a week or so that I have trully felt my guardian angel was with me. As I fell, I felt strong arms around me lifting me so my fall would not be so bad. Otherwise I would have hurt my wrists. Don came a few seconds later to help me up, but I was already getting up. Thankfully my knee is not really sore today.

I had an art meeting to go to about starting up an abstract artist group. I took a few things with me. My latest abstract was one of them. Cindy had a great book for inspiration. We tried to come up with a name for this group. My 1st thought was Abstract Artists of Alabama. Then we came up with Oddball Arts as well as a few others. As we were thinking of names I worked on my abstact, adding forest green leaves. I think I had some good ones this morning as I was waking up but cannot remember them now. We need a lot of people to attend this to keep the cost down. It is $25 to rent the room. So the more we have, the less we have to pay. I will be inviting EVERYONE I know!

Rhett had wanted to be a policeman for Halloween for a couple of years now. We found a costume at Walmart for a reasonable price. I realized we probably won't be able to find costumes in his size next year. I asked a friend at work for some pins and such for his costume. Gil supplied me with a couple of things as well as offered a lot of ideas.

As is our family tradition, we meet at our oldest daughters house and take pics of our granddaughters with Rhett. Tatum was a disco girl from the 70's with the funkiest shoes you have ever seen. Wesley Rose was the pretties fairie with gold glitter in her hair that shone in the sunlight. Rhett dropped his gun right almost as soon as we arrived. Elisa said, "You dropped your gun there, Barney!" So I think that may be his new nickname!

We took pics outside but the sun was so bright, it was hard for the kids to look at the camera. The leaves would create shadows on their faces. But we managed to get some really good ones. I haven't uploaded them yet.

This was a year of change.... Rhett was invited to a spend the night Halloween party. So this was the first time we didn't either go to the American Legion or go trick of treating with the girls or to a church that was hosting a Halloween party. I guess that means my baby is growing up on me.

I know he was leery as we entered the house with a rubber wild dog on the front porch and real dogs in the house. But he had a good time. I was told he giggled most of the night. They stayed up til 3. Brandon's mom told me she took the skeleton, Mr. Bones down from the shower because of Rhett who said it felt like someone was watching him go. LOL

It sure was quiet in the truck after we dropped Rhett off. We watched the show "Scared Shreckless" and it made me miss Rhett. It was pretty funny.

We picked Rhett up before church this morning. Rhett was a little ill at times from lack of sleep. I told him if whinned, he couldn't do it again. He slept some, but I took a nap after a great lunch. I think I slept hard enough for both of us!

Happy Halloween everyone!

A Little of this... A Little of That...

2010-10-31T17:54:00.000-07:00

Sorry I didn't send out a notice about the Columbus Artist Guild to all my in town friends and fellow art lovers. I almost didn't go to the meeting, but now am glad I did. It was supposed to be various artists displaying their works & held at the Britt David library where parking is limited. I now take two drinks with me.... leaded & unleaded Pepsi; regular Pepsi & caffeine free due to the fact they didn't have anything except diet drinks at one meeting.

I saw Bobby Jones, the artist I met at Arts on the River where I bought one of his ACEO trading cards. He remembered me, but said he never got an email from me. It made me think I had Alzheimer's because I was sure I emailed him. I know I emailed everyone about him. I just happened to have the pics I'd printed of my art this week with me so I was able to show him one of my newest abstracts which he liked. His website is:
http://www.straightlinez.com
so check him out if you haven't already.

We were inspired by questions like "How many of you feel the need to do art daily?", "How many of you did art this month?", "How many of you did art this week?" I, of course, raised my hand held high to these questions.

There was a lady potter name Elizabeth Satterfield from Hamilton, Ga who had an amazing story. Her grandmother & mom were potters also. She practically grew up on this much like my friend Chandi did. She went back to school to get a degree in Fine Arts. She had been an abstract artist painting huge pieces prior to her degree. As part of her curriculum, she had to take some pottery classes. When she walked in the pottery studio, she said it was like coming home. It smelled like her grandmother and she knew she'd found her calling. She also had to take photography. Her professor nearly cussed her out because her negatives were always dusty due to the pottery. He called her a "dauber" as in dirt dauber which led her to place dirt dauber nests on most of her pottery. Her pottery is a little bit different in style and texture. She makes what is called frog houses also. She tries to uplift the south in her work. Love that!

Lisa and Jim Moore displayed their art. Her's was jewelry inspired by an older piece she found in the 1930's and has tried to copy. Lisa is normally an abstract artist who is going to the other side - realism. She running in a lot of marathons also. Jim displayed his art on fishing lure which won him a ribbon at the art show.

Maggie Yanko of Russian heritage paints Russian style eggs.

A lady who will be at Christmas in the South displaying her Santas and other such dolls was very interesting and funny. She is the sister of former president Eric Maddox who videotaped the meeting. I loved the faces and materials on some of her creations. Her husband buys a lot of materials at estate sales for her. She is from Eufaula. So if you go to Christmas in the South be sure to stop by her booth to see these amazing faces.

Rebecca Kissell and her husband Bill make homemade soaps and were selling them. When her husband who is a school teacher retires next year, their business will probably become a full time job for him. Their company is called Secondhand Dogs Soap Co. Their website is:
http://www.secondhanddogssoap.com/
Most are unscented, but they do have Christmas soaps in Frankincense and Myrrh. I liked the Frankincense better. $6 a bar. Rebecca designed the labels for the soaps which are beautiful but small pieces of art. These soaps can be used on dogs as well. They are good to use on chigger bites too.

It was all encouraging to know what other artists can do.

Another Great Week in Review

2010-10-28T09:20:00.000-07:00

This weekend wasn't about me. It was about doing things for others and I am thankful I was able to help Chandi Saturday. When I talked to her, I would see glimpses of her mother, Pat, an old friend, former neighbor and 2nd mom to me. Then Sunday was a most excellent day for us. One of the best. We were so thankful to see our old preacher, his wife and sons as I stated in my previous posts.

Monday it rained which we badly needed even if it made taking my son to school and driving to work difficult. I felt like I was taking him to night school it was so dark! I did manage to capture another rainy day shot which everyone really likes. Still hard to believe it was taken in the morning and not at night. I think I will soon have enough for a series of these rainy day shots. The week thus far had it's various ups and downs, but nothing major thank goodness. Don started a new job this week and we are ever thankful for this blessing. We hope and pray it will not be temporary.

Tuesday I saw God. Well, I saw one of his many majesties. There were still lingering dark clouds from Monday's rains, but the sun was shining up through a cloud. I just cannot do it justice to describe what I saw. I knew it was a sign from God. I was in awe. So much so that I didn't reach for my trusty camera.

Tuesday after work I took my "song birds" to Walmart to see if they would print as 4x6's and they did! Yeah! The cardinal is the best of the two. They are both still works in progress. They just look a little too plain jane for me right now. I have another neat one I put a black border around on the machine at Walmart. No one knows what it is so they ask. It is black and white flowers I took at a consignment shop. Maybe I should frame it, take it there and ask the owner if she wants to sell copies even if she charges a commission fee.... So my art and photography made me very, very happy this week as it usually does. A photograph really is worth a thousand words and then some.

All week I dealt with that irritating skin tag on the upper inside of my thigh. It was like a thorn in my thigh! Even the band-aids were uncomfortable. One day I wore one of Rhett's Harry Potter ones thinking it might be better, but it wasn't! I finally found one that worked, but it did a number on my skin. I couldn't get in to see Daddy's dermatologist until 12/9 on Donny Osmond's birthday. Still I needed to make an appointment especially after Daddy having a skin cancer as well as Momma's skin problems and the oh so fair Irish skin I inherited from the Graddy's. I tried to get in with my regular doctor to have the skin tag removed. I don't like calling him now. The nurse doesn't call you until after 6 pm. She called while I was at Walmart printing pics only to tell me she'd call me back the next day with an appointment. That next day, my phone went off in my pocket playing "Oh Mandy..." which nearly scared the pee out of me! LOL By then the skin tag had finally turned black so I knew it was only a matter of time until it fell off. The nurse was going to give me an appointment on 11/4 (!). I explained it had turned black & I wouldn't be needing the appointment. I don't think she liked this too much. Oh, well....

I wore a new turquoise shirt I'd gotten at Sears on sale for $2.99. I went thru old pants tying to find soft pull on pants that would not be tight on my thighs. I found a pair of matching pants for this shirt thus making a new outfit. I wore these pants when I worked at JCP so they are probably around 30 years old! I loved the colors. They put me in a good mood on a dreary day. Amazing that color can do that for me.

I made Iris' corn salad recipe to take to church for finger foods last night. I didn't go by the recipe as I think I put to much Blue Plate mayo in it last time. I tasted it and it tasted good to me. After I'd gotten it mixed up really well, my mother took the plastic bowl and shook it up as if I hadn't mixed it well enough. This made me feel like a little girl again. It sort of ticked me off, but I just shook my head and let it go. Tiffany really liked this dish last nite. We didn't have a lot of folks there. I split a chicken salad croissant with Theopal so there would be enough to go round. K made these and they were very good. My corn salad went well with the taco soup. I was asked where my dip was but I didn't make that this time.

We receive a letter for our dear friend Helen. I was afraid to open it for fear it would say her daughter Barbara had succumbed to cancer, but thankfully that did not occur. Upon a friend's recommendation, Barbara went to the Winship Cancer Institute at Emory Clinic in Atlanta on 10/18 & was given a glimpse of HOPE. She is to return there on Nov 1st for an aggressive chemo treatment. On 10/19, she went for a ct scan & was notified the next day she had an absess in her abdomen. She was to go to Emory on 10/21 to have it drained. It was learned her red blood cells were low which required a transfusion before surgery. After this she was feeling much better.

On 10/25 Barbara and family set sail for a cruise. She talked often of visiting Key West & dining at the original Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville Cafe. So Barbara, Helen and Barbara's son Eric go to the 1st stop at Key West then to Nassau in the Bahamas & return on Sat., 10/30.

Helen asks that you keep them in your prayers and that Barbara's "final wish" will be completed without incident and will bring her much joy. She thanks each of you for your support and prayers. She thanked me, the church and everyone for lifting them up. I thank you for your prayers on their behalf.

This week my friend Anne and I have been dream interpreters for my friend Bob's latest dream. It was a lot of fun and we had some good laughs over it. Hope you have had a great week too. Care to share with us at Thankful Thursday? Then please join us at Lynn's place at the following...
http://www.spirituallyunequalmarriage.com/my_weblog/
where Lynn asks which scripture has an impact on your life or " a scripture verse that God is using in your life to craft your character or one that has exposed a lie, a verse that brought you peace or comfort or a passage that has inspired you to draw closer to Jesus."

I have several... When I first started making collage posters for church families that moved away, because the collages were often like patchwork, I thought of Joseph's coat of many colors and often used that on the matt of the finished piece of art. Gen. 37. When we did VBS the year before last, our theme was "Fishing for the Master" which made Matthew 4:19 very important to me... "Come follow me and I will make you fishers of men." The Song of Ruth is always one of may favorites too and we used it in our wedding so it holds a special place for me.

Helping Others

2010-10-24T18:55:00.000-07:00

This weekend was about helping others. It wasn't about me.

When I grew up, we had a neighbor named Pat. She was divorced with 2 kids and moved back home with her mother, Bea. They lived in a large house that was made into a duplex next door to us. I was older than her two children, David and Terri. Pat was always cool & in style with the latest fashions, took me places with them, taught me a lot and was like a 2nd mom to me. Later she would marry another man from Anniston, Alabama, move away and have a daughter name Chandi. Her name is pronounced Chandi.

I'd see Pat when I worked as a receptionist at a Hair Salon. Pat told me I shouldn't be working there and she was right. It was just a stepping stone to get to where I am now. Even then I was artistic and told by a hair dresser that I was wasting my tiem there. I have wasted a lot of time in my life.

Lo and behold when I married Don, Chandi was in Stephanie's class so we would run into each other at school functions especially band related ones. Chandi was a majorette.

It was always good seeing Pat. I'd see her at lunch sometimes in recent years. If I had not seen her in awhile, I'd ask mutual friends that worked with her how she was doing and to please tell her hello for me.

Chandi got married and had two girls. Rhett & I saw them and Pat at the movies when he was in elementary school. Rhett said he doesn't remember that day. I found Chandi on Facebook and we became friends there where I was able to keep up with Granny Bea and Pat thru her. I told Chandi about Market Days also as she was interested in trying it. I gave her as much information as I could via FB, emails and phone calls. Chandi set up her crafts Saturday at Market Days. She paints flower pots in Auburn & Georgia colors, birdhouses, she had wooden Christmas ornaments as well as trinket boxes. The trinket boxes reminded me of some of the artwork that Pat used to do back in the 70's and I told Chandi this.

Chandi wasn't feeling well when she set up. Once she was set up I went to see what all she had. I forgot my camera so I went back to take pics of her sitting there with her crafts as well as took individual shots of her items so she could put the photos on Facebook, hoping it would help her sell things even if I sold nothing.

I was thankful my friend Cheryl came to visit me at Market Days Saturday. I had not seen her in awhile. It was great to see her again and talk with her. She brought me a gift. Thanks, Cheryl!

Rhett & I took our sweet time packing up and unloading after Market Days. I managed to pinch my finger on the framework Don built for me, but it wasn't bad.

I really seem to be into birds lately. I'd gotten another smaller bird template. I had a small piece of scrap book paper I bought just because it had music notes on it. It was just perfect for this bird. I'd typed out the words "Song Bird" to go across the bird's width. I placed the Song bird on 1st a maroon Christmas colored card stock then put that on a dark forest green card stock so it appears double matted. I haven't measured it yet so it may be an odd size and hard to frame. Then I had some thin red card stock that had music on it. I cut the cardinal shape from the ornaments I bought on sale at JCP. I had one piece of a beautiful midnight blue thin cardstock with lighter shades in it which I placed this bird on and absolutely fell in love with it. I cut a bill out for the bird and may add some white and yellow stars to it. I placed "Song Bird" across this bird also. I plan to take them to Walmart to see how they will look as 4x6 photos. I have not tried to take photos of them yet.

Then Rhett & I wanted to watch a werewolf movie on Disney. He wanted to watch it in the dark so I had to stop being artistic. Don had not gotten home from work yet. So here we were sitting in the dark when he got home. I told Rhett Don wouldn't want to sit in the dark to eat his supper so he'd better go cut it on in his room & we 'd watch it in the dark there. I'd left the outside light on otherwise Don comes home to a dark house. Then the lights come on as we are going in Rhett's room which is now in the dark. Don couldn't figure out what we were doing. It was a really cut movie. Brook Shields was in it & played a good funny part. You should watch it if you can. You are never too old to watch Disney! LOL

Today we had a baptism at church. Their whole family was there. They had a herd and a half! LOL We went to lunch with church friends at El Vaquero. More friends joined us there. As we were waiting for our food, our old preacher, Damon, his wife Vaydra and their two boys came up to the table! I jumped up immediately to hug them. Rhett is a few months older than their son Jaden. We thought the boys would get to grow up together, but that did not happen. I got their address, phone number and emails. It was so good to see them again. I was so surprised to see them that I did not even think to grab my camera. I was a little hurt that Vaydra didn't remember my name. Who could forget Becky? Who could forget me? LOL

Nancy invited me to go with them to see Mrs. Mavis at the assisted living nursing home she is living in now. It had been awhile since I saw her. It was back last spring when Nancy, Tiffany, Doris, and I went to see her in another nursing home. The one she is in now is really nice. Mrs. Mavis has lost the use of her hands now and can no longer feed herself. We had a good visit with her. As we were leaving, I went to get my camera out of my purse. It wasn't there! Nancy was the voice of reason by telling me not to worry; that it was probably still on the church pew. She called Brother Larry while I went to the bathroom. Luckily it was there! I was so thankful.

If I had reached for my camera at El Vaquero, I would have panicked. Don would have had to take me back to the church to get it. I wouldn't have gone with Nancy and them to see Mrs. Mavis and I would have missed that.

We decided we are going to do something special for Mrs. Mavis at Christmas time. We are going to make her a wreath for her door. If she already has one, she can put in on another inside door. We found 2 roses at Big Lots; a red one and white one to go in the wreath. Nancy can make her one of those small Christmas trees she makes out of coat hangers. We will get other church memembers to come and sing Carols for her as well as the others at the facility. It was a very good day. Hope your's was too.

This Week in Review

2010-10-22T07:48:00.000-07:00

Rhett watches a cartoon "Phineas & Ferb" where they say, "Ferb, I know what we are going to do today..." I have begun saying this on occasion when we are about to go somewhere to do something together. Rhett thinks this is funny.

Most days I do know what I am going to do. I know I am going to get up every morning, get Rhett ready for school and myself ready for work. I know I am going to work and thankful I have a job to go to that provides for us. Some people cannot find jobs nowadays. I usually know what I am going to wear although sometimes I change my mind which is a woman's thing to do. Sometimes I change outfits several times. But this morning I knew what I was going to wear due to a very irritated skin tag on the inside of my upper thigh near my groin. I had to wear loose fitting running pants after I "doctored" my leg and put a bandage on it. I apologized for wearing them to work, but my supervisor did not care as long as I was there unlike some people namely Silly Illy Nilly Dilly. I am thankful for all the clothes that I have; thankful I had these pants today. Some people may not have enough clothes to wear.

This skin tag reminded me I needed to make an appointment with Daddy's cute dermatologist which I did although I cannot get in until December on Donny Osmond's birthday!

Some days I know what I am going to eat for lunch on my way to work in the morning before 8 am! LOL Other days, my hormones may be off and I may not have a taste for anything. Or if I get something, it may not be what I really wanted. Still I am most thankful for the food I eat. Some people may not have enough to eat.

Today was about doing some of the things I should have done earlier in the week although there was no great rush for them to be done. Today is about having lunch with a friend. This week has been about hearing old songs on the radio which for me have felt like an old friend. I sang my heart out along with them. An old Beatles song, another oldie but goodie, "Love Grows Where My Rosemary Goes, and "Take It Easy" by the Eagles. You are singing those songs now, aren't you? And as always it has been another week of an artistic idea or two or three or four for which I am ever thankful! It has been about making Christmas bird ornaments. Why am I so into birds lately?

I do hope it has been as good a week for you as it has been for me thus far. Here's hoping you have a wonderful weekend full of things you want to do that make you happiest and not just things you need to do.

Arts on the River & Glad to Be Here

2010-10-21T12:28:00.000-07:00

Well, thankfully this weekend was rather uneventful except not being able to go with my church friend Nancy to the Hummingbird festival as planned. I admit I was disappointed, but I did Market Days instead since Don didn't have to work & he could help me set up. Since I thought I wouldn't be here, I did not know it would last until 5 pm due to Boots on Broadway, honoring our soldiers. I did a new red, white & blue piece of artwork just for this day. I made a few copies of it - a 4x6 & a 5x7. I am still working on this since I am still finding more hearts within it. It is called "The Heart of the Matter". I like it. Rhett did too. I remained at Market Days til about 4:30 pm. I ran out of shade and was tired by then.

Arts on the River was also held downtown on the grassy center median a block up from Market Days. Rhett stayed with my art so I could go take a look at the other artists participating in this event. Later I found out the entry fee was $75 plus $15 for something whereas my fees were already paid. So I came out better.

The 1st artist I spoke to was Annetta Berry, an oil painter artist from Waverly Hall with an English accent. Her art was so very colorful. But the 1st artist's work I saw was Elsie Prather from Dothan, AL. She had all these swirly, circular abstracts I really, really, really liked. Did I mention I liked them? LOL She was so sweet. Although she was not the 1st artist I talked to, she kept thanking me and shaking my hand when I complimented her on her art. I told her and some other artists a little about myself being an abstract artist/photographer and the fact that I was back down a block at Market Days, inviting them to come see me, etc. Two artists did come down to see me! Elise was one of them. She hugged me like an old friend. Kindred souls;kindred artists.

There were several artists from the Columbus Guild, but I only spoke to one of them. When I told the artist I spoke to I was down at Market Days, he went "oh" like I was doing something way, way beneath him, but I didn't let that bother me one bit. No siree. I had to laugh at it. I didn't have to pay the fee that he did nor worry if I was even breaking even.

Tom Corley of the CAG had some beautiful paintings of buildings in Venice.

Then there was Peter Dobson, the artful Dobson. As I walked up to his spot, the 1st thing I saw was a cloud literally glowing yellow! I told him this then discovered he was English! He had the most amazing photographic art there. I was really pulling for him to win an award. He did all sorts of special effects with his photography like superimposing a sphere in his photographs. Awesome. He had one I wanted so badly. It was checkerboards fractured or fractal art. Unframed it was $70 so I had to walk away from it. He also lived in Wales in a town I couldn't pronounce although he tried to get me to say it, but I still couldn't get it nor did I have the patience for it. His wife, girl friend or whomever said she just calls the town "Mac". LOL He got an Honorable mention last year at this event. He has a website which is.... www.arttfuldobson.com I think you will really like his work as much as I do so please check him out.

Sue Jordan is an older lady artist who normally sets up at Market Days near the PC art people. She had given Rhett a small painting of birds prior to this event. She was set up at Arts on the River where she could display more and bigger pieces.

Fred Prieto of Columbus had some amazing photographs. He was rather talkative about his photos which were well displayed. They were given 3 hours to set up their artwork.

I met Melissa Brantley of Columbus who had a collage made out of tickets from clothes purchased that formed the $ sign which I thought was a clever idea. She also came down to see me later in the day. She bought one of my "Rainy Day" magnets. She loved that I had mini artwork. So thanks again for this idea, Genie & Anne!

There were several graphic artist beside Peter Dobson. Bobby Jones from Waverly Hall was another. There was something about him that was so familar as if I have met him before. It wasn't as in that "met you in another life" line. Bobby had worked at Ft. Benning as a graphic artist where there were lay offs then more lays offs. His friends encouraged him to go out on his own and he did. He is president & CEO of his own company is called ... StraightlineZ "Art is Everything...and... Everything is art!" The website is... www.straightlinez.com

Now he had those artist trading cards. ACEO cards is what I think they are called. I tried to walk away from one, but found I could not walk away. It was a black & white sketch of what looked like material. I knew I could do this myself and have done it the past. It is signed and dated on the back. After I bought it, he told me it was a shroud over a skeleton! Leave it to me! He thought he was a member of the CAG, but has not received anything. I told him I'd make sure he got info from now on. Interestingly, he is a member of the Joseph House. Some of his work is there now. It seems some artists or whoever came down from Atlanta and told the Joseph House they didn't have enough abstract artists! They welcomed him with open arms so there is hope for me yet! Just wish they didn't have such high fees.

The lady who was in charge of Arts on the River is Lois Tryon. She is also an artist that lives in Columbus. The site for Arts on the River is.... www.artsontheriver.com

I am not sure who won what awards. As we were leaving, I thought I saw red ribbon on one of Charles Willis' pieces of art.

This Saturday was very interesting. I am surprised I don't have whiplash because I felt like I was at a tennis tournament watching the people passing back and forth. A wedding party went by with the bride in the lead with her beautiful cream colored gown which she held high above gold glittery heels. I was never sure who the groom was as all the groomsmen followed then the bridesmaids in their navy blue gowns. I think they took pics somewhere on Broadway then returned to the Rankin building near me for a reception. The flower girls had such pretty matching dresses with big gold bows on the back. One groomsman had to buy himself a cookie on the way back! Pizzas were ordered from the pizza place on my right side.

All the little kids wanted to take my INSPIRE rock I use to hold down my bio page. One little girl picked up one of my baskets of older artwork, but thankfully put it on the other side of the table! I found out the hard way that the sun shines on my side of Broadway in the late afternoon. I had to move away from my set up to not be in the sun as it was hot. By doing this, I got to better observe people's reactions to my work. Their reactions were worth this as I got a lot of ooh's and ah's. LOL

I even got a little sunburned esp on the nose and neck making me a redneck! LOL Later we went out to eat because a transformer blew the power out at home. Good excuse not to cook. Rhett & I were pretty silly. Penny would call it punch drunk from being tired. Don asked me if I got sunburned. I thought my lips felt chapped. Rhett tapped my nose and asked if it hurt. It didn't. He told me, "Then you are not sunburned" just as serious and straight faced sort of like his momma. That is when I lost it, became silly and we got the giggles. I love so my life.

Be sure to check out the art if you get the chance.

Sunday nite after uploading pictures, the memory card for my camera didn't want to work once inside the camera. It nagged at me all day long Monday. I went to Walmart to see if the card would still work and thankfully it did. I made a cd just in case. I had never made a photo cd before and it didn't put my pics in the order I took them. I tried it again in the camera. It still wouldn't work. Because I'd taken the time to load only the really good pics on that cd, I tried to load all in a different order thinking they would be in the order they were taken on memory card. WRONG! This caused me to have not 1 but 2 discs which would cost more. I decided to just take the 1st disc because it was cheaper. Then I got really down and depressed thinking it was my camera. All I could think about was getting home to try Don's memory card in my camera to see if I did indeed have a bad memory card or my worse case scenario - something was wrong with my camera.

I get to mom's to pick up Rhett who had a magic trick for me before I can even get in the door! It was cool & he wouldn't show me how he did it.

On the way home Monday evening, near our house, a blue SUV at a stop sign on decides it can make it before I cross the bridge on Sanfort Rd. I threw on my newly worked on breaks and went "Uh-oh". I just knew I was going to hit it broadside, but the good Lord was surely watching over us because I stopped without crashing into it. As Momma would say, "Stopped on a dime and gave you 10 cents change." There was only enough room for the car to barely pass, but I like to think there was an invisible angel standing there between us and that car! I told Rhett the Lord was surely with us. I was so thankful it was a near miss. We are so thankful to still be here. Rhett said he saw his whole life pass before his eyes. Later my friend Bob would say if his whole life flashed before his eyes, he'd be there awhile. LOL

So today the 1st quote of the day coincidentally is:
Blink your eye - that's how fast life can change.
-H. Jackson Brown, Jr.-

I got Don's camera as soon as we got inside and told him about our near miss. Well, Rhett I were vying to do this, talking over each other. It WAS my memory card that wasn't working. Thank goodness it was not my camera! I put that memory card aside and put in a new one. So thankful my camera still works. I realize I have had it for several years now, but it has become like my right hand; apart of me. I would be totally lost without it. Of course I could have started using Don's camera if mine had not worked, but it wouldn't be the same.

I know Minnie Pearl used to say, "So proud to be here" and so are we.

Tuesday I had a dental cleaning and the dentist informed me I will need a crown for Christmas! Afterwards I went to a consignment shop and got several pairs of pants that just fit me. One pair of jeans has pearls and studs on it! I put my Reeboks in the shoe shop to be reglued. I paid my JCP bill and saw my friend Jimmy. It was nice to visit with him for a good awhile without customers interupting our visit. I got Rhett some things to wear. I seem to be buying him a lot of red and black lately; his school colors and one of fave color combinations. I got his Christmas gift to his Daddy, two bird ornaments which had THE uglies tan ribbon with a silver glitter bell & peach colored pipe cleaner bow on it. YUCK! I couldn't wait to get home to yank that off! Jimmy even told me I could make that only better. All on sale. YEAH me!

When I got home, after we ate, I did yank that tackiness off and used the birds as a template using Christmas cardstock to make Christmas bird ornaments. I realized the more I add on to it, the more I will have to charge to make them. But this will probably be the Christmas craft I make as Chistmas gifts this year.

I'd almost forgotten today was Thankful Thursday. This week has been such a good, blessed one. Hope your's has been as well. What are you thankful for? Care to share? Then join us at Thankful Thursday at Lynn's place at the following....
http://www.spirituallyunequalmarriage.com/my_weblog/
where she posted 10 things no one knew about her. Hmmm. What can I tell you about me that you don't already know?

1. My least fave color is pea green.
2. I don't like lima beans. They make me gag!
3. When I get a tickle in my throat & cough, it will set off a sneezing fit.
4. I can find a template out of most any object or use it as rubber stamp.
5. I interpreted a friend's dream this week & it fit him to a t which was kind of eerie but cool.
6. I am a pack rat. I throw nothing away.
7. I gorge out on certain foods. I love buttered popcorn at the movies and will eat it until it almost makes me sick. I will say "Never again", but always do. Rhett and I just cannot sit thru a movie without popcorn.
8. I can hold the toes on my right foot weird so that one sticks up on way and the one next to it is not as high but sticks out too.
9. I cannot swim, but I sure can dance!
10. When I get cold, I sneeze. Sometimes if I drink tea at an eatery, I will start sneezing & have a sneezing fit.

I Choose

2010-10-18T06:26:00.001-07:00

Dr. Hal Brady's local radio inspirational message this morning was a good one.
It was about attitudes and how they determine our day.
We choose how we are going to feel today.
We choose to be happy or not.
We choose to be angry or argumentative (Illy!)
I choose to be happy today.
I have decided today is going to be good day.
I am going to be a good person
and be nice to everyone.
I am going to smile and laugh alot.
I plan to have a fun day.
I plan to do at least one or two random acts of kindness before today's end.
How about you?
What do you choose to be today?
~Becky~

Lame But Thankful

2010-10-15T07:51:00.001-07:00

Last Friday I had a rather really upsetting occurrence happen in my life, but I got it all straightened out - thank goodness. Don thought it was funny whereas I did NOT! It is like I have become the parents of my parents. I am the one who has to go the Principal's office, so to speak.

Don helped me set up for Market Days Saturday, but Rhett and I had to take it all down, put it in the monster truck, take it home and unpack it. Two very nice young soldiers helped us take the "walls" that Don built for me to hang my artwork. I guess R & I looked pretty pitiful trying to take them to the truck. I was so thankful for these guys.

I finally got to meet my friend Annica who worked for an office supply company we use at work. We had been like ships passing in the night, never meeting for years. She came to my 1st art show with the guild, but since we didn't know each other, we probably walked right by without knowing it. I had told Annica I was going to start calling her "Wilson" because she was like Tim the Tool Man's neighbor on "Home Improvement". LOL Annica is one of the sweetest ladies I had ever talked to on the phone. I don't know what it is with me... I think these people I talk to on the phone are blonde, but they always have darker hair. A Annica didn't look the way I thought she would. LOL This is not the first time that has happened.

Annica brought a bag of caps she knitted for little girls who have cancer. Our granddaughter Shelby thought of the idea so her mom asked people to donate ribbons or whatever so she, Kristina could make bows. Shelby has been in the newspaper in Indiana about her idea! Since Annica knits, she volunteered to make caps. They are so cute! I had a "fit" over a burgundy one with a white bow, the 1st one I picked up out of the bag Annica brought. "Fit" is a southern term if you didn't know that! LOL There was another really delicate cap; oh so soft. I had such a fit over the red one that Annica is going to make me one for Christmas! Yeah me! She also makes purses. I love the shoulder bag she made which was done in fall colors and lined with pretty checkered materials. I should have had a fit over the purse as well! LOL It was so nice to finally meet Annica and her husband who seems just perfect for her. They bought my "Rainy Day in Ga" magnet. We have since been emailing back & forth up a storm, but it has not brought any much needed rain to Georgia. LOL

It has been a rather calm and uneventful week this week and I am thankful. Just an ordinary life. Well, maybe not so ordinary.... We got Rhett's Halloween costume. I was thankful we found one to fit at Walmart as it was cheaper. I made him try it on in the costume dept. He went, "Really Momma?" Yes, really. He says this a lot lately. I have noticed I have been saying "That was lame" a lot this week as well.

An art activity was a bust on Monday evening because it WAS really lame. So Wednesday nite we gathered leaves before class. I tried my very best to be artistic with those leaves, but they just wouldn't cooperate. I hate it when that happens. I was unimpressed with my outcome. It was really lame too. I think my muse is on vacation on a sunny beach somewhere.

Speaking of leaves, I had found leaf card holders at Kohl's but only got three of them. They were able to find me more from another store. I use these to hold pics of my son. I traced the oak leaf on cardboard to make a template. I gave one to my BFF Nancy at church Wednesday night. Wednesday nite I saw old pics of Rhett when he was smaller. So cute! Nancy let me borrow one to have copies made of his cuteness with is mouth wide open.

I got new glasses this week for $20 like Rhett! I love my pretty pink Jessica McClintlock glass case even more. I'm trying to get used to bifocals & trying not to feel like an ole lady! LOL I went with the bifocal lines because it was cheaper. $20 is a lot cheaper than $75 any day of the week! Rhett told me they make me look younger. Thank you, Sweetie. Such a diplomat. He will make a good husband when his wife asks him, "Does this make me look fat?"

This week Rhett cooked his 1st cake. Well, it was one of those mini cakes, but still a cake. In fact, he cooked two so far this week. My little chef. So proud of him and thankful for him. Even shared the 2nd one with is Daddy.

I admit I am a little disapointed I won't be going to the Humminbird festival in Hogansville, Ga tomorrow. My BFF church friend Nancy doesn't feel like she can leave her hubby Tom after he almost died last month. Not that I blame her. I just sort of figured she would change her mind about going.

This week I am thankful for finally meeting a new friend. I am thankful for having a normal week even if some parts of it were lame. What are you thankful for? Care to share with us at Thankful Thursday? Then please join us at the following...
at http//www.spirituallyunequalmarriage.com/

Girl's Weekend

2010-10-07T09:18:00.001-07:00

I had The best girl's weekend this past weekend! After getting lost, Jody & I arrived just in the nick of time to go with Iris to pick my BFF Genie up at the Huntsville airport. Iris was going to have Genie's senior picture from our annual blown up and the word "Wanted" put on it to hold up, but Iris' daughter Meredith talked her out of this. It was a good thing because my BFF Genie doesn't like to draw attention to herself. Genie was calling me as we were on the elevator at the airport to get her. Somehow Genie had managed to hurt her foot the day before. I noticed she was walking funny. I found it interesting that I know her that well, but after over 50 years of friendship, I suppose I should know her very well. We drove back to Iris's to await the arrival of our other friend Connie who also got lost.
Unlucky for me, I was having a bout with the runs. Iris bought us all these special glasses with our names on them. They had a very unique blue curly stem. She had a bottle of champagne and we had a toast to friendship. One glass only even for the non-drinkers. Of course I took pictures of my glass and bubbly inside it! We had lasagne, salad with homemade garlic rolls Iris made for us. We sat around the table talking and laughing. Then Iris pulled out her annual. She had where we had signed it marked. I honestly don't remember what I wrote in her's, but it all came back to me as she read it. Ever the writer, it was almost a full page long! It began with "How 'bout ya?" which was something Iris always said back then. This brought back so many memories I'd forgotten. I could tell Genie was getting tired. She was the first one to call it a night after teaching half a day, catching a plane and probably suffering from jet lag.

I used an old beige shoulder bag for this trip instead of the purse Kristina gave me with my art on it. I happened to have some Pepto in it, but I don't know how old they were because they tasted really OLD. I worried they would make me sicker. I think I had to get up twice during the night, but slept fairly well considering I was in a strange bed without my own pillow and I did wake up shaking once thinking I had a stomach flu. Genie & I shared the same room which had a window, but was it was covered up from the inside so there were no windows in the room. We cracked the door and sunlight came in from there. Having visited before, I knew what should have a closet was attic storage. I mentioned it would make a great room for a vampire. A vampire's lair. Keep this in mind for later...

Luckily I did feel better in the morning. Iris had made breakfast crepes consisting of sausage, eggs and cheese. Yum. I'd always wanted to have crepes before but never had them until now. They were delicious. Iris had prepared alot beforehand. I am not that organized. Martha Stewart has nothing on her and I told her this!

We went to a festival much like the Cotton Pickin' Fair in Gay, Ga only not as large. It was interesting to see new and different things such as LARGE paper mache pumpkins in orange and BLACK with their faces carved out and painted inside. I'm still trying to figure out how they were painted on the inside. The lady wanted $135 for them. No one seemed to be buying. I tried taking a pic from the other side, but didn't get a good one due to all the people passing by. There seems to be a fair amount of artists in Madison, Alabama. There was a gallery I went inside. I saw a studio which let in a lot of sunlight. Small but cute. Very well organized where mine is not; its all over the house! Don will tell you this. There were some abstracts so I got some ideas. Not to be bragging, but I think we have better artists at home. One artist drew very good pencils portraits, but then the mouth or some other part would be sliding off. Even I thought that was weird! I guess the artist was trying to be like Salvador Dahli. LOL I did buy a zebra watch band for $4. I got business cards and info sheets to check out later. I could probably submit my art for this festival, but it would be a long, long way to have to go for an art show. I have gotten spoiled by doing in town market days less than six miles from home.

We came back to Iris's for lunch which was to be chicken salad, my favorite. Iris is a lot like Genie is - a very fancy cook whereas I am not so much. I thought she had celery in it, but discovered she was putting green grape halves in it, toasted almonds and some sort of yellowish sauce she wouldn't tell me. She was making a corn salad which I'd never tasted before. I worried the barbecue corn chips wouldn't agree with my tummy. And she made cornbread. I was thinking it was a very different combination. As I was dipped out a helping of the chicken salad, I saw it had rice in it as well big chunks of chicken. The corn salad was very good, but I would leave the onions out of it. The cornbread really brought out the flavor. Because of my upset tummy, I ate lesser portions which is probably a good thing. LOL

Then we went to the Rocket Center in Huntsville. I was really missing my hubby and son so they could share this. Believe it or not I did not take as many pictures because I do want to come back there with them. Iris got a discount for the center and paid our way inside. There was a circle frame that reminded me of the movie "Stargate" and my wild imagination was creating scenarios of astronauts traveling through time! LOL Genie took lots of pics for her class as well as bought a book. I bought Rhett a few small things. He really liked this cool pencil that is lavender, shaped like a rocket at the top and changes color when you touch it! He knew it did this before I did!

Then we went back to Iris's to change for dinner. We went to a steak and seafood place called Connor's in Westbridge Street mall. There was a small body of water and this mall structure is built over it. It used to have several gondolas, but only has one now. So it has a very Italian feel to it. Walking through it makes you feel like you are in another country or at least I did. I was missing walking with Don and holding his hand, wishing he and Rhett could be there to share it with me. At Connor's I got lobster bisque soup then a 10 oz ribeye steak which I couldn't eat all of it. I think it was the best I have ever had. After we ate, we walked around and looked in shops I had never entered before such as Anthropology, but had heard about. So colorful. Got lots of ideas here with pieces of materials to use as wall hangings, a paper mache wild animal heads. Took neat pics of gigantic white stone horses outside another eatery, a huge fortune cookie in an art gallery. That was obviously meant for me. A cold front had moved in and we were getting blown away. Since there was only one gondola and it was lite up, I didn't think my camera would do it justice. It just looked like a half moon sliver.

Iris' daughter worked at a store called Papaya. Rhett called me while we were inside, but I had trouble hearing him with all the music. I was loving the prices of the clothes. I couldn't find the sweater I really liked in my size, but Genie got a black pea coat for $23! Wish I had gotten me one too.

Back home at Iris', I called Rhett and talked to Don. Afterwards we all sat in the living room talking and laughing. Iris and I went to bed about midnight. The next morning I awoke to another story idea about vampires and Iris's house. I shared it with Meredith, Iris' daughter then everyone. We all could collaborate on it. I already had the dedication to all my friends there and this weekend. Of course they all laughed at me.

That last morning we went to a country club called the Ledges up on a mountain, passing the biggest Church of Christ I have ever seen. The leaves were beginning to turn on the trees on the way up. The mansions built here were out of my world. Huge, huge houses with very little land. The clubhouse we were going to looked like a castle. The inside made you feel as if you just stepped back into an earlier century. It was very dark. I didn't like the dark colors so much. I had eggs benedict for the 1st and last time. I don't like my eggs runny so I ate the outer part. I wasn't impressed with it. I am not fond of English muffins. Too pickie I know. Although I am willing to try new foods, I realize I am just a plain ole country girl at heart. I like normal foods.

They had a variety of deserts. The red velvet cake looked good but it had raspberries flavor in it which I don't like so I was glad the others tried it first. Genie got a lemon tart. Connie got a pound cake that had an almond topping again I was glad I didn't get that one. Iris got a chocolate one with some ice cream. I decided on a two layer chocolate cake square. Iris was watching me as I tasted it. I made a face. I told them this always happens to me especially if we go to Golden Coral or Ryan's. I think the chocolate cake is going to taste like a chocolate cake only it doesn't. Don said it is my hormones. Iris tasted of it and said it had armeretto in it and that is why. So at least I know I am not going crazy! LOL

I'd taken some pics before we ate. We just left our purses to go outside to get the mountain view. It was weird to not worry about your purse. As we were leaving, we took a few more pics of the front of the castle like building. Then we drove around looking at all the many mansions.

When we got back to Iris' where we took more pics of us outside the house. All too soon we had to start bringing our packed bags down. I changed clothes. I knew I'd be hot in the car on the drive back home with sun shining in on us. How do you say good bye to good friends and a great weekend? You don't. You plan to get together again in July at Iris' condo in Gulf Shores!

On the way home Sunday, Rhett was calling me to ask, "When are you coming home, Momma?"

I am so thankful for this girl's weekend. I cannot stop thinking about it and reliving it. We had so much fancy food it is hard to come back down to earth to reality and eat at Burger King. I am thankful nothing bad happened while I was gone. The weather was just perfect as if the whole weekend was meant to be. The good Lord truly smiled down upon us.

Monday morning was back to reality. Don had blocked me in which made me late for work. He went out to his truck in a tank top and silk boxers only to realize fall has arrived in the south! LOL

Having sent this out as an email to all my friends, my friend Anne paid me one of the best compliments I have ever received. Besides saying I should be a writer, she said she felt as if she were there.

What were you thankful for this week? Want to share? Then join us at Lynn's at Thankful Thursday at the following...
I had The best girl's weekend this past weekend! After getting lost, Jody & I arrived just in the nick of time to go with Iris to pick my BFF Genie up at the Huntsville airport. Iris was going to have Genie's senior picture from our annual blown up and the word "Wanted" put on it to hold up, but Iris' daughter Meredith talked her out of this. It was a good thing because my BFF Genie doesn't like to draw attention to herself. Genie was calling me as we were on the elevator at the airport to get her. Somehow Genie had managed to hurt her foot the day before. I noticed she was walking funny. I found it interesting that I know her that well, but after over 50 years of friendship, I suppose I should know her very well. We drove back to Iris's to await the arrival of our other friend Connie who also got lost.
Unlucky for me, I was having a bout with the runs. Iris bought us all these special glasses with our names on them. They had a very unique blue curly stem. She had a bottle of champagne and we had a toast to friendship. One glass only even for the non-drinkers. Of course I took pictures of my glass and bubbly inside it! We had lasagne, salad with homemade garlic rolls Iris made for us. We sat around the table talking and laughing. Then Iris pulled out her annual. She had where we had signed it marked. I honestly don't remember what I wrote in her's, but it all came back to me as she read it. Ever the writer, it was almost a full page long! It began with "How 'bout ya?" which was something Iris always said back then. This brought back so many memories I'd forgotten. I could tell Genie was getting tired. She was the first one to call it a night after teaching half a day, catching a plane and probably suffering from jet lag.

I used an old beige shoulder bag for this trip instead of the purse Kristina gave me with my art on it. I happened to have some Pepto in it, but I don't know how old they were because they tasted really OLD. I worried they would make me sicker. I think I had to get up twice during the night, but slept fairly well considering I was in a strange bed without my own pillow and I did wake up shaking once thinking I had a stomach flu. Genie & I shared the same room which had a window, but was it was covered up from the inside so there were no windows in the room. We cracked the door and sunlight came in from there. Having visited before, I knew what should have a closet was attic storage. I mentioned it would make a great room for a vampire. A vampire's lair. Keep this in mind for later...

Luckily I did feel better in the morning. Iris had made breakfast crepes consisting of sausage, eggs and cheese. Yum. I'd always wanted to have crepes before but never had them until now. They were delicious. Iris had prepared alot beforehand. I am not that organized. Martha Stewart has nothing on her and I told her this!

We went to a festival much like the Cotton Pickin' Fair in Gay, Ga only not as large. It was interesting to see new and different things such as LARGE paper mache pumpkins in orange and BLACK with their faces carved out and painted inside. I'm still trying to figure out how they were painted on the inside. The lady wanted $135 for them. No one seemed to be buying. I tried taking a pic from the other side, but didn't get a good one due to all the people passing by. There seems to be a fair amount of artists in Madison, Alabama. There was a gallery I went inside. I saw a studio which let in a lot of sunlight. Small but cute. Very well organized where mine is not; its all over the house! Don will tell you this. There were some abstracts so I got some ideas. Not to be bragging, but I think we have better artists at home. One artist drew very good pencils portraits, but then the mouth or some other part would be sliding off. Even I thought that was weird! I guess the artist was trying to be like Salvador Dahli. LOL I did buy a zebra watch band for $4. I got business cards and info sheets to check out later. I could probably submit my art for this festival, but it would be a long, long way to have to go for an art show. I have gotten spoiled by doing in town market days less than six miles from home.

We came back to Iris's for lunch which was to be chicken salad, my favorite. Iris is a lot like Genie is - a very fancy cook whereas I am not so much. I thought she had celery in it, but discovered she was putting green grape halves in it, toasted almonds and some sort of yellowish sauce she wouldn't tell me. She was making a corn salad which I'd never tasted before. I worried the barbecue corn chips wouldn't agree with my tummy. And she made cornbread. I was thinking it was a very different combination. As I was dipped out a helping of the chicken salad, I saw it had rice in it as well big chunks of chicken. The corn salad was very good, but I would leave the onions out of it. The cornbread really brought out the flavor. Because of my upset tummy, I ate lesser portions which is probably a good thing. LOL

Then we went to the Rocket Center in Huntsville. I was really missing my hubby and son so they could share this. Believe it or not I did not take as many pictures because I do want to come back there with them. Iris got a discount for the center and paid our way inside. There was a circle frame that reminded me of the movie "Stargate" and my wild imagination was creating scenarios of astronauts traveling through time! LOL Genie took lots of pics for her class as well as bought a book. I bought Rhett a few small things. He really liked this cool pencil that is lavender, shaped like a rocket at the top and changes color when you touch it! He knew it did this before I did!

Then we went back to Iris's to change for dinner. We went to a steak and seafood place called Connor's in Westbridge Street mall. There was a small body of water and this mall structure is built over it. It used to have several gondolas, but only has one now. So it has a very Italian feel to it. Walking through it makes you feel like you are in another country or at least I did. I was missing walking with Don and holding his hand, wishing he and Rhett could be there to share it with me. At Connor's I got lobster bisque soup then a 10 oz ribeye steak which I couldn't eat all of it. I think it was the best I have ever had. After we ate, we walked around and looked in shops I had never entered before such as Anthropology, but had heard about. So colorful. Got lots of ideas here with pieces of materials to use as wall hangings, a paper mache wild animal heads. Took neat pics of gigantic white stone horses outside another eatery, a huge fortune cookie in an art gallery. That was obviously meant for me. A cold front had moved in and we were getting blown away. Since there was only one gondola and it was lite up, I didn't think my camera would do it justice. It just looked like a half moon sliver.

Iris' daughter worked at a store called Papaya. Rhett called me while we were inside, but I had trouble hearing him with all the music. I was loving the prices of the clothes. I couldn't find the sweater I really liked in my size, but Genie got a black pea coat for $23! Wish I had gotten me one too.

Back home at Iris', I called Rhett and talked to Don. Afterwards we all sat in the living room talking and laughing. Iris and I went to bed about midnight. The next morning I awoke to another story idea about vampires and Iris's house. I shared it with Meredith, Iris' daughter then everyone. We all could collaborate on it. I already had the dedication to all my friends there and this weekend. Of course they all laughed at me.

That last morning we went to a country club called the Ledges up on a mountain, passing the biggest Church of Christ I have ever seen. The leaves were beginning to turn on the trees on the way up. The mansions built here were out of my world. Huge, huge houses with very little land. The clubhouse we were going to looked like a castle. The inside made you feel as if you just stepped back into an earlier century. It was very dark. I didn't like the dark colors so much. I had eggs benedict for the 1st and last time. I don't like my eggs runny so I ate the outer part. I wasn't impressed with it. I am not fond of English muffins. Too pickie I know. Although I am willing to try new foods, I realize I am just a plain ole country girl at heart. I like normal foods.

They had a variety of deserts. The red velvet cake looked good but it had raspberries flavor in it which I don't like so I was glad the others tried it first. Genie got a lemon tart. Connie got a pound cake that had an almond topping again I was glad I didn't get that one. Iris got a chocolate one with some ice cream. I decided on a two layer chocolate cake square. Iris was watching me as I tasted it. I made a face. I told them this always happens to me especially if we go to Golden Coral or Ryan's. I think the chocolate cake is going to taste like a chocolate cake only it doesn't. Don said it is my hormones. Iris tasted of it and said it had armeretto in it and that is why. So at least I know I am not going crazy! LOL

I'd taken some pics before we ate. We just left our purses to go outside to get the mountain view. It was weird to not worry about your purse. As we were leaving, we took a few more pics of the front of the castle like building. Then we drove around looking at all the many mansions.

When we got back to Iris' where we took more pics of us outside the house. All too soon we had to start bringing our packed bags down. I changed clothes. I knew I'd be hot in the car on the drive back home with sun shining in on us. How do you say good bye to good friends and a great weekend? You don't. You plan to get together again in July at Iris' condo in Gulf Shores!

On the way home Sunday, Rhett was calling me to ask, "When are you coming home, Momma?"

I am so thankful for this girl's weekend. I cannot stop thinking about it and reliving it. We had so much fancy food it is hard to come back down to earth to reality and eat at Burger King. I am thankful nothing bad happened while I was gone. The weather was just perfect as if the whole weekend was meant to be. The good Lord truly smiled down upon us.

Monday morning was back to reality. Don had blocked me in which made me late for work. He went out to his truck in a tank top and silk boxers only to realize fall has arrived in the south! LOL

Having sent this out as an email to all my friends, my friend Anne paid me one of the best compliments I have ever received. Besides saying I should be a writer, she said she felt as if she were there.

What are you thankful for this week? Care to share? Then please join us for Thankful Thursday at Lynn's at the following...
http://www.spirituallyunequalmarriage.com/

Quote of the Day:
A returned smile can change everything.
-H. Jackson Brown, Jr.-

A Good Week

2010-09-30T07:49:00.000-07:00

Well, Monday was a good day for me. My work bought us all three new shirts. I have a beautiful, oh so soft, sage green polo shirt, a regular PINK polo (of course!) and long sleeve striped maroon shirt. All with the work logo on them. I wore the green one Tuesday and the pink one on Wednesday. It was cool enough to wear the long sleeve shirt in the mornings but NOT the still hot afternoons.

I went to the hormone dr on Monday. My blood pressure bottom # was 70! My cholesterol was really good; down from March. She said she doesn't know what I have been doing, but it has been working. I had weaned myself off some of the meds as they tore my stomach up and I was tired of going to the bathroom sometimes 3-4 times a day! So she cut back my high blood pressure pills to one a day as well as my cholesterol to every other day. Because I am doing so good, I do not have to go back there unless needed! She told me I could save on the co-pays. Yeah! I am SO thankful. I can just go to my regular dr now. This works out perfectly. I went to him last March when my allergies & asthma kicked in. That should be when these new scripts expire. I had not lost any weight, but I had not gained any either. Maintaining.

Rhett's disk from school worked on our home computer last night - thank goodness! So it was a good day. Too bad everyday cannot be like this one. Hope your week has been as good as mine thus far.

I find it a bit ironic that my 1st doodle on clean my doodle pad is of an abstract black car on a black road done with THE largest Marks a Lot marker on the market complete with red tail lights. Who knew I could draw something that even resembles a car? Rhett will be so proud of me! LOL. I esp find it ironic since I am about to embark on a new traveling journey. Not taking it as a bad sign here due to the blackness. I know it is my intuitiveness or subconscious coming out in my art. And Don drives a black truck but I am still not taking that as a bad omen. I used one of those white-out correction tape "thingies" (as Rhett would say) to make one long window, but it started coming off so I had to paint over it with white-out. LOL . It is hard to tell if this is car or truck. Not that it matters. There is even a tiny white line on the road drawn beneath the vehicle that represents the white line in a real road. It just blows me away! I just realized this is not my 1st road I have drawn. Roads seem to be an occurring theme with me as well as time. Found a neat scrapbook paper set at Michael's yesterday as well and idea for Christmas card for this year.

Tuesday was a good Tuesday for me. My friend Mike sent me another one of his school newsletter he sends out. He uses the Ralph Marston motivationals I forwarded to him via email. He now has the link so I no longer need to forward them to him. Mike told me his newsletter reaches 1600 families! WOW!!! It gave me chills. So I sent this along to the guy who puts them on our bulletin board at work so he would know who far his good deed goes. Then it hit me, how our emails and our blogs reach out to SO many people. Possibly more than 1600. And if the things we write about have to do with the Lord and we are reaching other souls.... Some who may never have known Jesus ... priceless. So never think what you do is worthless. Never think you are not touching someone's life.

I found a shady parking spot at lunch for which I was thankful. I am sure my care thankful too! LOL I had a good lunch. I was able to color with two new markers. A bit of pine green here, filled in a scumbled Christmas tree from last year, added some metallic silvery navy there and there. Coloring one small spot at a time. That would make a great title for an art blog. LOL

Speaking of coloring, I let someone's attitude color my afternoon as I let someone's rude email color my life last week. Really need to stop doing this. People need to get over themselves and stop pretending like you don't go to the bathroom!

I got the pics of Tiffany's birthday printed for Nancy. Printed them at Wolf camera for 7 cents a piece!!!! Yeah me! I will be printing all of mine there from now on! Got her a piece of 12x12 maroon scrapbook paper at the neighboring scrapbook store to use as one of the backgrounds for the photo frame for her mother-n-law's Christmas present. She really liked it. Also got a pretty scrapbook butterfly for Tiffany since she loves butterflies. I let Nancy borrow the chipboard bird I bought so she can make birds with her pretty cardstock. I'd previously advised Nancy to take a pic of Tiffany in the dressing room with her cell phone when getting her senior pics taken. I am such a good friend. I love it when I help folks save money. If I were a photographer, I wouldn't charge an arm and a leg for copyrights especially to my friends and family.

It has been a hectic week, but then when is my life not hectic? LOL Just seemed more so this week. So many things to do, so little time. And of course I procratinate as always waiting until the last minute.

What are you thankful for this week? Please share your Thankful Thursday with us at the following...
http://eph2810.com/

Be sure to read Laurie's wonderful post at http://womentakingastand.blogspot.com

Please keep me in your prayers for traveling mercies. Thank you! Happy TT and have a great weekend.

I am Praying

2010-09-23T09:18:00.000-07:00

Well, I am hoping and praying that I will not have any more bad Fridays from here on out! I am praying for my family that we all remain safe, healthy and happy. I am praying that Don will find a job soon since he cannot get unemployment this time around. I am praying that I will sell some of my art at Market Days this Saturday as we need the money. I am praying for all my friends esp my BFF Genie still dealing with her mom's death; for our friend Tom who nearly left us a few weeks ago. I am praying Nancy will get some much needed rest after Tom's recent health scare. I am praying Daddy's face will heal well and neither he nor my mom will fall hurting themselves. I am praying my car will last a little while longer as we cannot afford another one now. I am praying for Helen, her daughter Barbara and her son during their difficult time. I am praying for my dear friend Cheryl who has an infection in her leg.

I am thankful my weekend improved from Friday. I am thankful last week is over and done with. I am thankful Don and I are ok. I am thankful Rhett & I got to watch "Wall.e" Saturday. I am thankful I cooked and we ate hamburgers at my parents house Saturday night. I am thankful for the green frog I saw on the window pane at church Sunday and took a picture of with the clouds in the background so it looks like he was in the sky. Surreal. I am thankful for the new tv shows that are coming on like "Chuck" ,"Castle" and all the others. I am thankful for my cousin Lance who came through for us and his help even if he wanted no thanks. I was raised you thank people when they do something for you. I am constantly surprised by people's actions as you will see below...

Tuesday was Tiffany's 18th birthday and we celebrated with her family along with other members of our church family including our preacher and his wife. I was the official photographer as always. I didn't take as many pics as I did last year, but I got some really good ones. In one, Tiffany reminds me of someone I have seen on tv, but I cannot think of who the actress is and it is killing me. It will hit me eventually. I did something different this birthday celebration... I took pics of Tiff outside where there was a table set up. There was a floral arrangement as a backdrop in one. When I parked, I noticed several benches (Paulie!) and knew I wanted to take a family portrait there which I did.

We have a fairly new member Katelen who is Tiffany's friend whom I think Rhett is a bit jealous of. Katelen is so animated and funny. So expressive. I think I saw a little bit of myself in her. I took a pic of Tiff and Katelen then added Rhett in the middle. After all the group shots, Katelen wanted some funny pics on her cell phone. I think I fell in love with her cell phone! Made me want one, but I don't have one like it because I have my trusty camera. Then they had to do a "gangsta" pic. I think Katelen's pic was better than the one I took on my camera. She will put them on Facebook so we will have access to it. SO cool. I had SO much fun taking pictures. Don told Rhett, he should tell everyone, "Look at my two girlfriends." Rhett liked that idea. Cannot wait to upload these pics and print them for my friends Nancy and Tiffany.

Yesterday at lunch, I didn't have anything to read so I got a "Paper Craft" magazine. I think that was the name of it. I loaned it to my friend Nancy last night. It is about card making and was filled with some neat ideas I will attempt. I was thankful for this magazine. Did you know there is a National Card Making Day Oct. 2nd? Inside this magazine, there was a page of paper flowers where they used what I call "rick-rack" which is wavy hemming tape was used as the stem. I thought this was a neat idea and could envision flowers on cards stock like visions of sugar plums dancing in my head. There was a small article about spray ink on watercolor paper which got my interest.

I had to pay my Sears bill. I saw Aunt Betty there. It was good to see her. She looked good and was getting about well esp with her walker. Of course I just had to quickly run into Jo-Ann's while there where I bought some of that "rick-rack for $1 to try. I got a few other things. More of those boxes so I can make more Smile boxes as gifts. In my rush, I looked for spray inks while there but didn't see any.

Since Don hasn't been working, his attitude is different. He is far more opinionated now and voices his opinions. Rhett had mentioned to me one of his teachers said something about all the talking that was going on in her class. This teacher called the house yesterday. Rhett is not in trouble. She was just calling all parents to talk to them about this problem hoping this would help resolve it. Then he told me what he said and I went ,"God Bless America! Why didn't you just tell her to call me?" I am thinking of calling the school to tell them to call me only now! He told her she must not have been teaching long and could not get control of the class! Great! She has only been teaching 2 years. Now she may take it out on Rhett. He also asked if parents could still come in and observe. Since he doesn't have a job, he could do this. Shaking my head here. He needs to find a job!

Instead of having our preacher paint our scarred wall in the classroom, last night my class and I put up some peach colored paper across the center of the wall covering most of the ugly spots. We are going to put some of the vines I made for VBS on the sides as a border. I want to do something about the "Ten Commandments" as well as put up some of the artwork we do.

I was very tired last night, but ate a good ole baloney sandwich with Fritos! But I am refreshed this morning. Rhett has his 1st pep band performance at his school's football game this evening. I will be the proud mom in the stands taking pics and not going to my art meeting.

Then I got really miffed, steaming and shaking my head as well as shaking from anger and nerves! I asked an "acquaintance" certainly NOT a friend about the spray ink and about something I ordered from her in the past only to be told this:

About the sticky tape. “IF” I offer it again in the future, it will be only to my current customers, that frequently come to events and/or place Stampin’ Up! orders. Since you don’t fit either category, I thought I’d let you know where you can order it yourself. You can find it here:

Although I appreciate the links, I am still shaking my head in disbelief that she would say this to me! I have been nothing but nice to her. I held classes which increased her income. I just did not do it on a regular basis. I even had folks praying for her when she had breast cancer. I will not purchase anything else from her again! I know she stopped sending me stuff which I used to pass on to my friends. If she was still doing that, I would no longer pass them on to try to help her business. I guess she doesn't need my business anymore! Well, I can make my own cards and art just fine without her! I will no longer send her any quotations that might help her either.

This person had said something snotty in an email in the past. My friend Cheryl wanted her # s or email so she could call her and tell her off then, but I didn't not give it to her. I let it go. I cannot let this one go. I do not care if you know her or tell her this either.

I am not replying back to her email at all although apart of me wants to state what I have stated here and then some but I am not that kind of person. I am done with her. I normally give people 3 chances, but not this time. I have already sent my emails out to my friends. Some know her and some have replied that know her that they will not be buying anything else from her again!

Another friend said this...
"I don't know this person, but she is one of those kinds of people that it is best to just let drift out of your life. Life is just too short to waste time trying to figure out why someone you thought of as a friend would treat you this way. I have had to do this in the past a few times. It is a hurtful process, but I have learned one thing from it: true friends are precious and a true friend would not treat you this way. Consider it a lesson learned and get on with your life. You will be much happier without her unhappiness clogging your road to success." And she is so right. What she said reminded about my "friend" Bonnie who I had to let drift out of my life.

This really makes me thankful for my true friends in my life.

Then I found a copy of a note Rhett had written me that simply said"

"Dear Mom,
I love you.
Rhett"

Earlier this morning, I sent out this Quote of the Day...
What would you attempt to do if you knew you would not fail?
-Robert Schuller-

I think our answers to this question depends on what is going on in our lives at the time when we read that quote. When were younger we probably would have answered differently. Back then, the world was our's to conquer and it is still is! I would have answered differently say at age 30 than now. I would have taken a bigger risk with my life which would have hurt my parents. But I am meant to be where I am not. Today all my hopes and dreams are centered around my art and my family. I would like to hear what you would attempt to do if you would not fail.

Only one friend has replied back about this quote. This friend said this...
"I think I would know my scriptures more thoroughly and try to convert the world. I know....sounds kind of lame, huh? Most of my aspirations are small, but I would love to be able to communicate better with people. I think if I were more articulate and better able to remember where just the right scripture is located WHEN I need it, I would be able to bring others to Christ. My sisters, in particular, are not very religious. They used to be, but life has taken its toll on both of them and they lost their hold on faith. They give him lip service, but never attend church and don't even want to talk about religious matters. So, that's what I would do, if I knew I would not fail." Awesome thought.

Sorry I was late with my TT post last week. If you would like to participate in Thankful Thursday, please go to the following.....
http://www.eph281.com/

The Link to "Rainy Day in Georgia"

2010-09-21T21:10:00.000-07:00

Tonight I realized how remiss I have been in not posting at least the link to the Columbus Artist Guild's art show held in July. I'd sent it out as an email to all my friends, but neglected to post it here. I apologize for this error. So here is the link to my "Rainy Day In Georgia"....

http://www.columbusartistsguild.org/2010membersshow/page7vz.html

Please tell what you think of it.

So Very Thankful

2010-09-17T09:52:00.000-07:00

We had an event last Friday. I was so mad! Husbands handle things differently from moms. I finally calmed down enough to be able to eat supper where I got a baked potatoe with my fish at Capt D's please. Very good. You can sub it for fries for 29 cents.

Saturday Market Days were unsuccessful once again. I was placed near the other PC arts people and could talk to them, but I was underneath where the pigeons roost and poop! Thankfully they didn't poop on my or my art! But I did get to see a lot of old friends. Two old JCP co-workers I had not seen in foever and a day. One hasn't aged since she walked out the door. Makes me sick! LOL

afterwards Rhett & I went to the Jr. League attic sale and timed it just right. My friend Nancy called to say her husband Tom was in the hospital and he almost didn't make it to there in time! Thankfully he is improved now and is back at home. I found a bunch of frames. The later you go to this sale, everything is half off. We were given a sack. If you can fill it up, it is only $5. I had 5 frames, a plastic kitchen fork, a Christmas ornament for Nancy. Mine would have been a little over $5 anyway. Rhett got a Scenic game for 50 cents! He is so lucky.

I'd overheard people talking about the new Fresh Market at Market Days. Rhett & I tried to find it the previous weekend but I was one shopping area away from it. So we rode over there. They have the best roasted chicken salad. I got some fancy yet inexpensive crackers. We went to Target where Rhett got a pretzel while I ate the chicken salad. I love good chicken salad. It was more than I normally pay at Publix but well worth it. There was some left over for Don later in the week.

Monday morning was not a good day dealing still dealing with Friday's event. I was late for work due to this, but I had told my boss I would be late for this reason. I got stuff to make me a sandwich with on the way to work thus saving some money.

Tuesday was my JCP breakfast. As I rounded the corner, I didn't expect as many folks to be there but there was a good crowd. Jimmy and Patsy did well. It was great seeing everyone again. As Jimmy was about to tell everyone to go eat, I reminded him we needed a prayer and I gestured to Mr. Booker, a previous manager after my working days.

The thing I remember most about Mr. Booker was he remembered all the retirees as if they worked for him. Then several died all at once. When Mr. Booker led that prayer at that breakfast, he almost broke down mentioning those that passed on. So I had to tell him about this. I told him who I was, how long worked there, from 1975-1990. I grew up there so these people were and still are my family. I almost made him cry when I told him about that prayer. I felt I was truly meant to be there that day just to tell him what I did.

Jimmy bought my breakfast. The eggs were a bit runny and I worried about them. The eggs and mushrooms where making my tummy roll. I was able to show Jimmy my Springer art since I was taking it to get it measured for a piece of plexiglass since the heat and humidity is started to make some things come unglued.

The previous day I'd received a card from our dear sweet friend Helen. Her daughter Barbara's cancer is still progressing despite chemo and radiation. Hospice has been called in. Barbara has a son that is either a day older than Rhett or a day younger. So please keep them in your prayers during this difficult time in their lives.

Daddy had his appointment to have the rest of cancer removed from his cheek. I drove them. I also signed the forms to get information on them. Daddy's dr is a real hottie! Daddy had basal cell cancer. It it the good kind to have and was in a good location. Once it gets near the eyes, it can spread and go into the brain.

Before the dr got started, he asked if we heard what happened to his nurse. Her parents were out of town so she went to cut their grass. She was on a riding mower. Her parents have lot of cats. She ran over one and cut off it's tail. Being in the medical field, she knew what to do so she put the cat's tail in a chest of ice, grabbed the cat and headed to Walmart. Do you know why she went to Walmart? Because they are the best retailers in the world!

So they removed about two layers out of Daddy's cheek. It is about the size between a dime and a nickel. My cousin Les asked it that would be a dime? LOL It will leave a scar but we don't care. When I heard the good news that it was the good kind of cancer, I could have jumped for joy.

My cell phone went off playing "Mandy" and I apologized to the dr. It was Don. The dr said it was ok and he almost started to sing along so you KNOW I like him!

They got all of the cancer. The stitches were placed inside and will dissolve so he won't have to go back for 4 months. He did well with the surgery except the next day, there was some blood and drainage which the Dr expected. Daddy didn't have to take any pain meds. We are just so very thankful. Thank you for all your prayers.

Wednesday nite we had a good Bible class. Casey finished her Smile box. I took a pic of it. We talked about hymns we liked so we sang some of them. Casey was singing off key on purpose and I'd have to tell her to stop. When the 1st bell rang, we sang until the 2nd rang. We had to hurry so we speeded up the song really fast. I got so tickled I couldn't sing. It was the best laugh I'd had all week and was much needed. I am sure the Lord was laughing with us. So thankful for laughter and my sense of humor.

So life is good. Well, it was until my breaks started making a grinding noise. I called Don who had taken Mom to my obgyn for me. Mom said I may like my dr but he killed her. He was in uncharted territory! She was a bit dizzy afterwards and had to hold onto Don. I was thankful for him. He told me I had to come straight home so he could check my breaks out.

This meant we had to exchange vehicles today which means driving the monster truck which you know I hate to do. Don always pulls in backwards when he parks. It just kills me sometimes. Momma said he must have been born backwards. LOL So he reminded me last night to take the emergency break off before I pulled out of the driveway. It beeped so I stopped in mid drive. I thought I'd released the break but I didn't. I stop in front of the house, blow for him which he cannot hear. I blow 3 more times. He came then. He is yelling at me because I pulled out with the brake on which I couldn't find until he got there! I was so mad I told him he never does anything for me! I know that was way wrong because just took mom to the dr for me. He is taking my car to have the brakes fixed. I meant to say he isn't helpful towards me. I was so mad I took off not worrying if I would get a dent or scrap in his precious truck! It got my mind off driving the dang thing as I stewed on the way to work. Guess he should make me mad about it more often so I can just drive it. NOT!

I was late to work and apologized to my boss who found my morning story funny but I am determined to have a good day today.

Sorry I didn't have time to get on here yesterday for Thankful Thursday. Just had a lot going on this week. But we are so thankful about Daddy.

Praying Mantis Photo

2010-09-12T19:23:00.000-07:00

Well, here it is folks... the long awaited photo of the praying mantis that was on my car. There are more where it looks like he is walking on the traffic light but I am saving that for the next art show I enter. I am doing it this way for fear of someone stealing the pic, using it, etc. I may post them later.

The Praying Mantis

2010-09-10T07:09:00.001-07:00

Lately I haven't been taking a lot of pictures. At least not as much as I normally do. Nor have I been really artistic. Just a few lines of color added here and there to something I am currently working on. But when I was uploading pictures Tuesday nite, I realized I now have a pattern to my art. I have 18 pieces I did this year that are similar yet differing themes.

You are not going to believe this.... First it was dozens of dragonflies I saw for weeks and weeks on end. Then yesterday as I was leaving Peachtree mall, a praying mantis was on my windshield! Was that a sign I needed to pray more? Immediately I started reaching in my purse for my camera. At the traffic light near the Krystal, I snapped the 1st photo where I'd left an open space and a car pulled in front of me. I drove slow like an old, old lady. The mantis was staying on for dear life. His wings spread when got over 35 mph. I didn't know they had wings! At the light near Logan's, I got a pic where it looks like the mantis is walking on the traffic lights! Everytime I'd try to take the shot where he was looking at me, he'd turn his head. I'd tap on the windshield to no avail. I'd look at other cars to see if they saw him or this crazy lady knocking on her windshield. No one saw it be me. He stayed on until I turned on 17th Street them flew away.

When I showed the photos to Don last evening, he said I need to put this one in a show. Can't wait to upload these pics, send and post!

This morning there was a big fire ant on the roof of my car! What next? Not sure I want to know! My camera wouldn't focus on it so I let that one go. It wasn't as exciting as the mantis anyway.

Please remember to keep Daddy in your prayers next Tuesday, the 14th as he goes back to have the rest of the cancer removed from his face. Thank you.

Labor Day and the Rest of the Week

2010-09-09T07:14:00.001-07:00

Don was in Indy for Austin & Shelby's birthday parties so Rhett & I had the whole long Labor Day weekend ahead of us.... I'd said we were not taking Rhett out of school for birthdays this year as kids are only allotted 10 excused sick days nowadays. He was out 6 days last year and we got a notice that if he was out anymore, we would have to appear before a board! I did not like this one iota.

Friday night we watched "Camp Rock - the Final Jam" on Disney. I knew we were going to see "Eclipse" at the cheap movie on Saturday. When we woke up Saturday morning, I said, "Ferb, I know what we are going to do today..." That tickled Rhett. We went to lunch then to the movie. It had been awhile since I read the book so I didn't pick up on everything. I had forgotten some things which again bothered me that I may have Alzheimer's. LOL This movie was a little bit different; a little bit surprising for me, but still I enjoyed it. Can't wait for the next one!

Then we went to pay bills afterwards. One the way to the new mall, we witnessed a wreck. A car came flying, turned too late and plowed into the side of another car! It looked like an older person driving. All I could see was white hair. The people inside the car that got hit looked at the driver like they were crazy and they couldn't believe the person hit them. Rhett had never seen anything like it before. He was literally shaking after he saw it happen. I reached and took his hand.

I had to pay my Kohl's bill. This is the only store Rhett wants to go inside to look at clothes. So I took advantage of his willingness. I got him several things on sale. Some t-shirts for $2.00!! Love it!! I found some leaf picture holders. They are more like metal leafs with clips behind them to hold a photo for $1.39 each. I all the had - four; two different kinds of leaves. I let mom pick one she wanted. I will give her a pic of Rhett for it later. I want to go on-line to see if I can get more of these. They would make great gifts. I have since went on-line but couldn't find them. I emailed Kohl's hoping they can find me some more. So keep your finger crossed for me. Just one now. LOL

We got home around 9 pm. The door wouldn't unlock. I tried. Rhett tried. I called Don up in Indy & told him to come home to unlock the door for us. LOL Yeah, right. So we had to go to mom's to spend the night. I was so thankful I still have another place I can call home and still go to if need be as in a case like this. I was good to sleep in my old bed again. I slept well til the early morning when I heard cars cranking up and the morning paper hitting the porch. Mom fixed breakfast before Rhett and I went to church. A luxury we don't normally have on Sundays as we are always in a rush out the door to church. I had to wear the same jeans & pink tennis shoes I had on from the night before to church. But I know God doesn't care what I wear just as long as we are there.

After church, we got gas. I took mom's spare key with me to try it which got stuck in the door! I had to go pee really bad so I had to go behind the house. I was well hidden. Just as I was pulling my jeans up, I heard a car. Lo and behold it was a police car! At least we know they are driving by the house after two robberies. As the car was passing slowly, we were walking up the embankment. I knew the cop was going around the circle. I tried the key again. When he reached the stop sign, I waved at him. I explained what happened and asked if he could help me get the stuck key out of the door. I told him we lived there. I guess we looked honest enough that he believed me and didn't ask for id. He tried. It wasn't working. His cell phone rang. His ring tone was a turkey call! I asked if he was a hunter & he said he was. I told Rhett not to tell Don because he'd want that ring tone! LOL Luckily he was able to get the key out. So we headed back over to mom's.

Don called me & told him what happened. He was sort of mad that I didn't have the policeman try to open the door! DUH! Our preacher had recommended a man who had visited our church a few times who used to be a locksmith. Don asked me to call another member who has helped us with fixing stuff in the past. I called him an hour before church asking if he'd help me after church and he said he would.

Some folks wanted to go out to eat after church since there was no school on Monday. Last year we all watched a movie. Then one person didn't want to go to Country's til tomorrow. Because of this, all were just going to go home til it was decided by another we were indeed going to Country's. I gave Rhett money & let him go with Nancy & Tiffany since I was going to meet Garry back at the house. It is nice to have close church friends you trust your child with.

Rhett asked me if Nancy was my best friend. I told him she is my best church friend because Genie and Penny still hold that honor. No one can replace them. They are all like the sisters I never had. I probably don't call Genie as much as I used to whenever I had a problem. She is still my go person. Now I ask her advise via email. Nancy is my closest friend as far as distance is concerned besides my mom.

I tried the lock again and still no luck. I saw a truck pulling up thinking it was Garry's brother-in-law's truck. I heard a voice ask me, "How are you doing?" I had no idea who it was and the tree was in the way. It was Garry's youngest son and his wife who were home visiting. Daniel was able to get the lock open about the time his dad arrived. Afterwards they sprayed the lock with WD40. I was able to get inside the house to take my hbp medicine. I had missed two doses. I was so thankful for these church friends coming to my rescue. Church friends are the best. Then I was able to go join everyone at Country's later a bit harried, but present and accounted for.

Later that nite I told Don he couldn't go out of town without us again! Every time he does, something always goes wrong. We didn't do much Labor Day except sleep late. Got ice cream. Took mom to the store which was an experience as is everything in my life these days.

Tuesday I was late to work because of Rhett's extreme s-l-o-w-n-e-s-s which made me yell at him. After I dropped him off at school, I saw he left his English book in the car. So I had to turn around & go back to drop it off. I left him a note inside his book apologized for yelling at him. I told him I go out of my way for him because I love him. I knew this would probably make him cry. I also sent him an apology email. That afternoon when I picked him up at mom's, he hugged me, told me he loved me and he got my note which did make him cry at school. Then he told me that was his stay-at-home book! I really didn't need to take it back to school! So I was late for nothing. Well, except to apologize to my son for yelling at him.

We are thankful for the safe return of our family especially Don! We sat, talked, caught up as he told us about his weekend up in Indy. Rhett was wired for sound literally. He kept making comments, sounds and gestures to everything that was said. Some was funny while he sometimes got on my last nerve. I'd snap my finger at him for him to stop. He just thought that was funny and would snap his finger back at me. I realized he reminded me of the black guy in the "Police Academy" movies that did all the sound effects. When I told Don this, he busted out laughing because Rhett did almost sound like that guy! Rhett had eaten a banana sandwich at Mom's. I told him he could NOT have one ever again!

Don wanted me to upload the pictures he took so we could see them better. He had a really good close up of Shelby at her birthday party. I sent that one out to family as well as some others. While looking at my pics in Picasa, I realized my art now has a pattern to it. The doodles I have done over the past year are all similar. I have about 18 of them!

I couldn't get out of the door yesterday morning so Don had to open it for me. I got almost to the bridge to Columbus when Don called me. I had Rhett's bookbag & trombone! So I had to go back home. Another day I was late for work.

Then today on Wednesday, my friend Anne said my art is spiritual. No one has ever said that before. That made my day. My fortune cookie for Wednesday said this: "An unexpected visitor will bring you good blessings." We'll see.... I need all the blessings I can get!

I got really depressed yesterday concerning a matter about my Daddy. Don could tell something was wrong. I didn't eat supper. I wasn't hungry to begin with then was too tied up in knots plus I need to shed some weight. I just enjoyed being with my family and calming down. Art always makes me feel better; takes my blues away.

Wednesday night we worked on our Smile boxes again in Bible class. The pretty colored stones ontop of Casey's fell off due to the hot glue sliding off. I can take one row of them and possibly put on a barrette. We will see... Savannah decided to repaint her's because she didn't like it. Mine is coming along just wonderfully. It is looking more like a seasonal box. I have 3 pine trees against a baby blue sky on one side with grass beneath it. A yellow sun with pink clouds streaking to represent a sunset on another side. I put a face inside the sun. It is not quite finished yet. I used my fave blue acrylic paint called Manganese Blue on another side. I will add stars and a half moon next week. Then I painted a maroon heart on the last side. I will add highlights to the heart next. The inside is painted strawberry ice cream colored pink. I have a big white cloud on the top of the box. I will add the word "SMILE" across it as my last step. I showed the kids the original idea from a magazine which was done with crayons. I admit mine looks a whole lot better. I could make these as Christmas gifts this year! Better get started now!

On a church sign this morning....
Jesus is our BFF. Who is your's?

I have to tell you my son is such a good child. Not only did he make all A's & B's, with one A being in pre-Algebra, he sent a special email out from God to the boy he has been having problems with at school! I know he was thinking this might help. I just hope and pray it doesn't cause more problems. But I am so proud of him!

Please keep my family in your prayers on the 14th. That is when we go back for the rest of the cancer to be removed from Daddy's face. Also please me in your prayers that I will have a successful Market Days on Saturday and sell some art! We really need the money now that Don has been laid off yet again. Thank you so much.

What are you thankful for this Thankful Thursday? Please share with us at the following...
http://www.eph2810.com/

Angels in the Clouds

2010-09-06T17:00:00.000-07:00

This was something I did awhile back. It had just been lying about so I snapped a picture of it a week or so ago. I figured I would just use it as a background piece in some other art. I wasn't thrilled with it until today. This was done with plastic wrap dipped in micropore ink pads. These ink pads only come in limited colors. I have black, blue and red. It wasn't until I was playing with this in Picasa just a few minutes ago, turning it about that I noticed the images of the black robed woman near the top center. The thought that first came to mind was "Angels in the Clouds" thus the title. Now I sort of fancy it. Hope you do too. Hope you can see her and other angels I saw in it. I like to think of it as the angels that watching over us. I do not see it as foreboding or a bad omen. Just more art by the RAV which hasn't been on here in far too long. I am sure Paulie will agree!

Hope you have had a great Labor Day weekend.

Jury Duty

2010-09-03T07:46:00.000-07:00

Sorry I haven't been back on here sooner. Thankfully I did sell something at Market days Saturday even if it was something small and inexpensive. It is still a sale. I had some stress factors last week. Later on Saturday afternoon I started feeling a bladder infection coming on so I took it easy the remainder of last weekend. I rested, napped, drank plenty of water and crangrape juice. Just didn't feel like being on the computer nor uploading photos as is my Sunday nite ritual.

I had jury duty this week. Thankfully my bladder infection was better. Imagine my surprise Monday morning when I saw my sweet friend Patti crossing the street to go to jury duty! I thought I was seeing a vision of an angel. I did! She did have the sunlight behind her golden curls. So we sat together, talked, caught up and addressed cards to a mutual friend and her son who's birthday is coming up this week.

Yesterday morning I arrived early after dropping Rhett off at school. It was rather coolish, but I stood outside my car parked in the shade, listened to traffic crossing the Chattahoochee, and saw several dragonflies. I have been seeing an abundance of them lately. Sometimes 4 at different times of the day. Sometimes 3 at one time. One even lit on my antenna, but flew away before I could reach back for my camera. I was thankful I got to take pictures of different scenery that I would not have seen if I didn't have jury duty. I watched a bunch of birds on a wire. I had to laugh at them. They will flap their wings and determinedly squeeze in between other birds. From where I stood, it didn't look like there was room for them to fit but they did. Some flew away instead when they didn't fit. If I had been one of the birds already on the wire, I probably would have been knocked off! LOL It is amazing they are not knocked off. Then there were the lone birds way on the end by themselves. I tend to like my space so I probably would have been one of those loners. I so enjoyed watching them. It also reminded me of a funny cartoon Rhett and I love to watch about birds. I think it is called "The Birds". We showed it to my cousin Lance when he was here this time last year. Lance is a birder and a bird himself!

Jury duty was an experience I will never forget. I was thankful I wasn't called to be an actual juror as I don't like judging folks. I have to admit all the men did look guilty to me. I realize that is a judgement in itself. If that is wrong then I am sorry. I know you are supposed to be innocent until proven guilty. It was a learning experience I'd rather not experience again. One man hit another man in the head with a metal baseball bat twice! The freakiest part was that bat was brought in as evidence. I felt like I was in the middle of a CSI episode or on a lawyer show. I learned they actually did have a jail cell in the back during a recess while waiting outside the very ancient ladies rest-room. I watched them put a young woman in that cell. This made me so thankful I am a good person and glad I have never experienced anything like that even though I work in a prison. There is a difference. I am not in a cell just an open cubby I wish had doors. I can leave everyday. It made me thankful for my freedom.

All the cases were "disposed" of so we were only there three days. I will not be called as a juror for two years. Wouldn't it be unreal if Patti and I were called back at the same time again? During this time, I got have lunch with my mom at Red Lobster. Then I had a scrambled dog from Dinglewood.

This week I painted my nails zebra stripes myself and did an ok job. I saved myself $13 by doing this myself. Some of my friends said they liked mine better than when I paid to have them done. I used some old Revlon French white polish which is already starting to chip. At Rite Aid I'd bought a bottle of black polish that has a really long haired brush for $3.99. I am sure it is for Halloween. I probably should buy another bottle just in case.

Last night in the Bible class I teach, we worked some more on our "Smile" boxes. Once again, I learned something from Casey. I wasn't going to paint the inside of my box which is turning out really well if I says so myself. I have baby blue skies, 3 pine trees, grass, a sun with pink cotton candy clouds streaking as if it is a sunset. I plan to paint a smiling face on the sun if possible. I borrowed Casey's idea and painted the inside a strawberry ice cream colored pink. My biggest brush was really retarded. I may just toss it out it is so bad. It is a # 9 Crayola. I think I got it in a pack of them perhaps from Jo-Ann's.

Now I had this all typed up ready to send yesterday. but got busy as I have been trying to catch up after having jury duty. Sorry. Yesterday we learned the bad news that my husband has been laid off work yet again. Please pray he can get unemployment again until he finds something or gets recalled back to work. Thank you! It is not like we haven't been down this road before. It seems we keep going down this same road.

I am also thankful for the wonderful art meeting we had last night. A precious 81 year old male artist spoke to us. He is a Godly man and his words brought tears to my eyes as well as others. It was like hearing a sermon only better because he talked about his conversations with God. I haven't tried to look him up on the internet but his name is Milton Lenoir. I am not sure if I spelled his last name correctly but he does beautiful work. I call them masterpieces yet he does not. Look his work up if you get a chance.

Milton asked to see our work which was hanging in the gallery. He liked my "I Love Ewe" abstract. He told us we have to please ourselves first. Prayer doesn't hurt either. He says to do and paint what you love.

I was so thankful for my friend Patti being there this week. I was so thankful to hear Milton talk last night. I think I could listen to him talk forever. What were you thankful for? Would you like to share with us as Thankful Thursday? Then please join us at Iris' at the following...
http://www.eph2810.com.

Amebas

2010-08-27T07:09:00.001-07:00

Well, I took a magic carpet ride this morning... I was in the shower when the bath mat slipped and I sled! Now I know what it feels like to surf! LOL

Yesterday I had CAG art meeting which was a bit boring interesting at the same time. It was about the artist Caravaggio. I'd stopped to grab a Pepsi to take because sometimes they only have diet drinks and I cannot drink them. They make me feel really weird. Don was picking Rhett up from a dance at school and dance he did! Takes after his mom. Rhett was going with me to library because he had a poster due today & needed to look stuff up. A lady artist named Wave made the most wonderful desert that I must get the recipe.

It seems I am constantly discovering things about life and myself. Rhett had took make a small poster about organism and amebas. Rhett took in the wrong book inside the library, but didn't come get my keys to exchange it not that I would have let him go back out to the car by himself. So that meant we had to do it at home with our slow dial up computer. I was frustrated because when you try to look up one thing it was directing you to other links which directed you back to where you began! Should have just googled which I did later. I called my friend Jimmy for some help and he was helpful esp since he taught science! I was thankful. Mike, I didn't want to bother you since it was after 9.

As I looked at all these organisms and amebas, I realized they looked a lot like some of my art work esp when using plastic wrap and ink. So we made a background page doing this with mostly blue ink, a little black and a tiny bit of red on an 8x10 piece of paper. We adhered google images of organisms and an ameba randomly. It looked pretty cool I thought. Then we adhered that to a 12x12 white scrapbook page as we had no poster board. Nor was I going back out to get one! I love it when I use what I have in the house.

Afterwards, I liked the ameba so much that I drew my own version of one! Who knew? Life imitating my art and vice versa. I will probably place it on black scrapbook paper and frame it! "Ameba" by the RAV. LOL This opened up a whole new door for me artistically...

Aristic Weekend, A Terrific Tuesday and Daddy

2010-08-26T06:58:00.000-07:00

Rhett & I went to the Springer Pre show last Friday nite. At 1st I didn't see my piece, but then I found it farther into the room. It was placed on a black pedestool against the wall, not hung up on the wall. There were several ladies from the PC art group there as we entered. None from Columbus although a few had some art hanging in it. This one lady artist named Phyllis had several pieces. One was the cowboy I liked as well as a huge golden beach & sky with a light sage green water. The details of the waves was awesome! I told her she was very good;she was very talented. So I met new artists. We were able to take photos so I have pics of some of the work I really liked. A french man did an out of this world abstract of Dracula which of course I loved! I was able to compliment him on it the next day. Cindy, the PC artist I really like had a neat vampiric one where she actually had the perhaps original medicine cabinet from the Springer! The lighting in the room was just perfect for this. It was as if the moon was actually reflected in her painting. I guess you will just have to be in suspense until I upload pics! LOL

We stayed about an hr. We were both tired of standing, but were unsure what was supposed to take place. Then we met Don at La Cantina, but I doubt we will be eating there again. Rhett wouldn't eat his enchilada. It tasted like it had nasty barbecue sauce on it!

Illy had told me the Soul Propriertors would be playing for free on Broadway. She went to school with most of them including Sam, my old boss' son, a guy from the IT at work who has sent me some of his amazing photos, and another high school alumni. When we finished eating, we stood listening for a moment. They were playing something Don nor I had ever heard. A nice lady told us we could sit down w/ her in some black iron chairs provided for eating outside eateries. They started playing Chicago then Don decided we'd sit & listen. I was singing along when Rhett said, "You know this song?" I told him I had the album! They took a break & Don was ready to go. You know I could have stayed til the party ended! LOL I went over to speak to Sam & Donny who were sweating up a storm! Sam kissed me on the cheek. Donny & I talked for a few minutes. It was kind of neat to do something different for a change of pace. It had rained so it wasn't too hot.

Saturday Market days was another bust, but I still enjoyed it despite sweating between breezes! LOL. I had 2 new pieces. My newest "Be Happy" and a replica of the one I made for Jena. I gave Ira, the organic farmer the photo I took of him with his sunflowers. I showed him "Be Happy" with one of his sunflowers. He told me it would sell but alas it didn't. He was out of sunflowers this time, but he would show everyone the photo I took. That was kind of neat. Then he'd tell everyone I took it! He thought my photo made them look even better than reality!

The lady who bakes that is set up across from me looked at my photo books. She likes several but especially Don's baby birds, but not enough to buy it. Don thinks my price was too high. She wants to know if I can make postcards of my pics which I have checked into. It shouldn't be that hard. Now I just have to see which photos she wants made into postcards. A new art project.

We took everything home & unloaded. Rhett & I went back to the Springer because I could pick up my art if it had not sold instead of someone having to pick it up for me on Monday. I hate to ask Daddy to drive anymore than he has to drive. Don does get off earlier so he would have had to pick it up. The Springer had a block party going on. There were mist sprayers in 2 places which felt really good that hot Saturday. We got sandwiches from Country's and split a tea. I'd have to keep getting up to get "mistified" as Rhett called it since we were under a big tent which held the heat. Believe it or not I bought small one birthday gift while there really cheap for Steph's birthday next month. It was almost time for it to be over so we went to where the art was located. None had been sold. A lady did buy an awesome photo taken of inside the Springer. It was of the carpet on the stairs. There were 2 much better than that one, but to each his or as in this case, her own. There was one of inside the theatre part as well as a mirror in the Springer that were so excellent. This photographer even took the same photo I did but her's is much better. A totally different color which makes me think she photoshopped it.

I could have donated my piece to the Springer, but I brought it home. Not that I was overly attached to it. Donations are a tax write-off, but Don doesn't know how to do that when doing our taxes. Maybe they would have displayed it somewhere eventually. I am thinking of putting plexiglass over it to preserve it. I will put in Market Days for awhile. Or take it to the PC gallery. I only upped my price on it rather high because they got a 40% if it had sold. I can sell it for much less now.

I will have magnetS of "Rainy Day in Georgia" for sale at the next Market Days. My friend Bob bought one this week. So far we have had a pretty artistic weekend. Hope you have had a good one.

Tuesday I woke up too early with a hymn humming in my head. A great way to start my day. I cannot remember the hymn now and it is driving me crazy. Rhett and I enjoyed a few good laughs on the way to school.

I had to take Rhett to the eye doctor since he'd been complaining about not being able to see the board. I had no problems checking him out of class for his appointment. Once they were testing his eyes, I was really concerned that he was not able to see some of the letters. I was thinking I was a terrible mother waiting too long to take him to the doctor. We also learned he is a tad bit color blind. He gets this from Daddy. I actually carried the gene that gave it to him. If Rhett should have a daughter, then her son will likely be color blind.

We knew he needed glasses, but he was right at the cusp for wearing them. He is nearsighted like me. Just another thing I passed on to him. As we were about to check out, the nurse said, "We'll look at frames..." I had planned on going to JCPenney's since I had a coupon or LensCrafters. I figured it wouldn't hurt to look at these frames anyway. She told Rhett to pick out a pair, asking him what color he liked. Then she said it would be $10 for his exam & $10 for the frames unless they were a pair about $130.00. This didn't register with me. Rhett tried on a blue pair. I am not used to him wearing glasses yet. Then she handed him another pair of blue frames that were in our price range. These looked better on him. Again she told me it would be $10 for his exam and $10 for the frames. I couldn't believe it! I even had to ask, "I will not have to pay anymore?" Nope. I could have danced a jig and hugged her! This was such a blessing. I am so thankful I have this vision insurance now. His glasses should be ready by Friday. This was turning out to be our lucky day

When we left, we headed to my friend Bob's house to drop off my "Rainy Day In Georgia" magnet he wanted. Bob wasn't home when we arrived. He had a dr's appointment also so I got Rhett a drink. Then we went to pay my Dillard's bill. Rhett wanted to check out a sequel game at Game Stop which was on sale for less than $5! I told him he is one lucky little boy.

We so enjoyed our visit with Bob! It was great to see him again, to talk and to laugh for laugh we did. We'd just talked about my cell phone playing "Mandy" when my cell phone rang. It was kind of weird. I didn't recognize the number. It was a 919 area code. The older sounding lady asked, "Is this Momma?" I told her she had the wrong number. She called back my number without the area code. She said she was trying to reach her mother. I told her "I'm not yo mamma!" LOL

Just when things are going great, when you least expect it, life throws you another curve ball. One you didn't see coming. Yesterday the dr called Daddy about the biopsy on his face. It came back cancer. I don't what kind. He has an appointment on the 14th for the dr to go back in and get all of removed. I will go with them, fill out the forms to get more info and find out what type of cancer. Please keep my dear sweet Daddy in your prayers. Thank you.

Quotes I needed today:
Speak with a future in your voice.
-H. Jackson Brown, Jr.-

Remember, there's never been a day when a million miracles didn't happen.
So why not one today just for you?
-H. Jackson Brown, Jr.-

Artists are just children who refuse to put down their crayons.
-Al Hirshfeld-

What were you thankful for this week? Care to share with us at Thankful Thursday? IF so, please got to the following...
http://womentakeingastand.blogspot.com