hmmm

Nice birthday yesterday.
Fired someone that really needed to go find something else to do with their life.
The entire team is so happy now.
Shopped at my favorite toy store for Christmas presents for the granddaughters.
Had a wonderful dinner out with my Handsome Husband.
And actually had a good night's sleep.

positive

stay positive ... stay positive ...

when people are nuts around you ...
stay positive ... stay positive ...

New Start

Replacing my management staff is sad and exciting.
Sad to lose my girls .. but so glad for the girls to be taking on new adventures. Will miss our day to day banter and easy friendship.
Exciting for a new beginning. It's like opening a new store. New life. New start. Scary. But exciting.

little reminders

It is so interesting to me how little things remind me of those I've "lost" ...

Sitting on a rock thinking "we are urchins, we cling to rocks" and a car drives up with a temporary license plate that has Janel's 50th birthday as the 'good through' date.   Hi Janel.

Interviewing a young lady and thinking that she so reminds me of my neice. "my mom shops here" I asked her what her mom's name is ... Jennifer ......   Hi Jenny.

Playing with my art supplies, trying to channel the skill of my aunt, and a paper drops out of a book ... her return address label.     Hi Rosemary.

Little things every day. Sometimes you feel surrounded. It's a good thing.

august

Had a great time at the Oregon Live Gathering (a bunch of ATCsForAll online friends) in Hood River, Oregon last weekend. Beautiful setting. Fabulous artists. Good food.
Drove up with my sister. It was a lot of fun.
My muse has come back.
I was afraid, after this past month, that I wouldn't be able to do art for awhile. My heart just wasn't in it.
Life goes on. Life is good. Celebrate friendship. Spread love.
... and do art.

My Heart Sister

Flag Day June 14, 2000 - aneurysm. Long, difficult recovery, but recover she did.
This Heart Sister of mine. Maid of Honor at my wedding. GoddessMother to my daughter. Friend for the majority of my life.
July 4, 2011 - lightning strikes again.
A few weeks ago I flew to Boise. I spent the day at my best friend's bedside in ICU. The next morning we turned off the machines and I flew home.
She was surrounded by the friends that loved her every minute. My own mother, who loved her as one of her own, sat with her all day on Monday, 8-8-11. She told her how much she was loved. She read to her. She left a little before 6pm. A little after 6pm my darling friend of almost 40 years passed away. It seems she was waiting for Mom to come tell her goodbye and that it was okay to go.
My heart is broken.
American holidays will never be the same for me.
Rest in peace my darling Janel. I am a better person for having known and loved you.

On we go to fun

Heading to a family reunion ... should be really hot. Should be fun.
Taking a cooler of beer and something or other to eat. Who knows.

Will head to see my parents for a day or so after that. Then home to go camping.

Had a fabulous day at work. Nice dinner out with my Handsome Husband.
Looks like we're off to a good start.

Musings

Finding out that someone whom you have trusted for a long time has blatantly lied ... for their perceived gain ~ hurts. Interesting that they don't realize that the perception of gain ... was way off base. Way off.

Just don't understand ...

When random acts of violence happen ... It just boggles my mind.

Rest in Peace Calvin Kitty ...

all is well

Great visit with my boss today.
My vacation will take place.
She DOES care. She IS here to support.
For this, I am thankful.

let it go

Looks like my vacation is partially cancelled. I really need my time off. Just don't have that extra person to help cover the store. We've been looking, have a good one on board, just won't be ready to cover the store yet ... if the promotion even goes through.
Meanwhile, as I have been trying to take care of my people ... I feel that I am allowing myself to be taken advantage of.
Guess it's time to put on my 'Donald Trump' hat and put my foot down.

Having fun creating

I have been having a blast creating this silly character ... a book in the making.

What fun!

I am SO excited about this silly play date I've scheduled online at AFA ...
So many amazing artists are planning to at stop by and art with us ...
I am beside myself ... OMG ... that makes two of me!! (pa dump bump)

A Play Date

I still haven't taken the plunge to host a swap on AFA (ATCsForAll), but I decided to host a play date! I actually have 2 days off in a row, so I set up a thread, invited 100 people, and ... we'll see what happens! Just a bunch of crazy artists playing with their art supplies and cracking silly jokes for a couple days! Should be fun!!!!

The responses that I have gotten from the invites have warmed my heart! I have sweet, funny friends all over the world. Sure makes me feel loved.

a rock ...

A friend of mine went to his homeland ... and sent me a rock (at my request)
Coming from Mt. Gerezim this rock must have witnessed such history.
According to my friend:
  "It may have been part of a Samaritan temple or a roman road ~ or both. Abraham may have tossed it around. Joshua may have kicked it. Jesus may have sat on it ~ well, the jesus bit I doubt. Truth is tho your rock has seen history, even the boring bit with the byzantines"

I love my rock. I have promised to never use it in any of my own rituals. I am honored that it was chosen for me and it is here.

Chin Up

Curled up in a ball. Cried. Was held by my Handsome Husband.

Today is a new day.

Trauma memories from 32 years ago ... can kiss my lily white ass!

I have an amazing man to stand beside me. I have a wonderful family.

That sick bastard is locked up and being some big convict's pet!

Yep. Today is a new day.

This date sucks

I let it go many years ago.

I learned to move on.

A part of me died that day.

Will I ever heal?

Mother's Day

Spent the day with our daughter and 4 of our granddaughters. Saw the new property that they sign papers for tomorrow! Almost 7 acres! Very cool. Lots of possibilities. Now cooking a great steak dinner ... then home to rest up for the work week.

All in all, a nice day!

a little bit of arches

Some arches that I made when Helen was here. I'm kinda likin' 'em.

It's a New Year!

Great New Year's at the canal. Fun with John & Helen. Loved visiting Maura's new house and meeting the boys that are in our Frith girl's lives. My heart is happy!

Wonderful time at Zoolights with the granddaughters last night.

Making art. Selling clothes. Laughing. Dancing. In Love.

Life is good!