Julie's Jewels of Thought

hmmm

2011-12-16T23:21:00.000-08:00

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

2011-09-24T23:23:00.000-07:00

stay positive ... stay positive ...

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

New Start

2011-09-11T11:25:00.000-07:00

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

2011-08-26T09:19:00.000-07:00

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

2011-08-25T21:37:00.000-07:00

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

2011-08-15T22:23:00.000-07:00

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

2011-07-08T00:46:00.000-07:00

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

2011-07-06T23:10:00.000-07:00

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 ...

2011-07-06T09:04:00.000-07:00

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

Rest in Peace Calvin Kitty ...

all is well

2011-06-29T20:40:00.000-07:00

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

2011-06-28T10:04:00.000-07:00

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

2011-06-12T22:52:00.000-07:00

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

What fun!

2011-06-06T19:14:00.000-07:00

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

2011-06-05T22:29:00.000-07:00

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 ...

2011-05-24T08:53:00.000-07:00

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

2011-05-19T15:39:00.000-07:00

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

2011-05-18T20:34:00.000-07:00

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

2011-05-08T19:03:00.001-07:00

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

2011-01-11T11:45:00.000-08:00

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

It's a New Year!

2011-01-03T20:18:00.000-08:00

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!

Snow

2010-11-22T20:50:00.000-08:00

I'm in retail ... now snow. biggest shopping day of the year is approaching ... now snow. putting chains on the car ... can we get a break here please?!

step away from the technology

2010-11-21T14:45:00.001-08:00

okay ... so with my favorite site being unavailable in the middle of the afternoon on my day off ... I am stepping away from the computer... don't look at art ... DO art ...

the god's must be crazy ...

my art friends ... I can't get to my art friends!!!

2010-11-21T14:02:00.000-08:00

We're having huge problems with our ATCsForAll site. I'm having withdrawl symptoms! It has made me realize that (unfortunately) I may have to use facebook contact more with my art friends. I would rather keep them separate (for the most part) ...

Hopefully, the moderators and "powers that be" can get the system upgraded before we lose contact with all those folks. Thankfully, I have a hard copy address book for those whom I have traded with, but .... I have no "regular" emails for these people ...

Interesting how these little things become a huge part of your life. Art should be freeing, not frustrating.

I just don't get it

2010-11-10T07:07:00.000-08:00

We try to set up "events" to drive business. The company sends out emails that undermine our efforts. We are only allowed to offer a certain amount off. Then the company comes behind and says they'll get more ...
I just don't get it. I just don't.

meeting

2010-11-07T22:30:00.000-08:00

You know ... sometimes technology just sucks. We had a store meeting tonight at work. A video was to be played that was to be accessed through our work computer. The bulk of our meeting was centered on this video. The video link didn't work. "It'll be up in 2 to 3 days" we were told by the Help Desk when we called. ARE YOU KIDDING ME?

Finding out 45 minutes before my meeting was to start was rather upsetting. I'm sorry, but that is simply unacceptable to me. They have known for How Long that this was coming up? They instructed us when and how, and then dropped the ball? Now I have to pull people away from doing their jobs to watch this during this next week?! How is that productive?

I love my job. I know, I know ... Go with the flow ... but, seriously?!

zentangle

2010-11-07T15:35:00.000-08:00

Played around a bit with zentangle-ing. It is rather meditative.

vacation

2010-10-22T17:16:00.001-07:00

ahh. Just started vacation. Tonight we drive to Idaho for a funeral tomorrow. Then on to the parent's. Mom's birthday is Tuesday and it'd be nice to see her and Dad. Will come home early in the week and probably talk the Handsome Husband into taking the trailer to a campground nearby so I can sit and do art all day, and read, and stoke the fire, and then he can come be with me at night after work. (he's not on vacation)

I was thinking of heading north, but really feel the need to stay close to home. Maybe I can talk my sister & her sweet hubby into coming down with their motorhome for a day or two (hint... hint). Quiet, alone time is always good, and I need to recharge before heading into .... Christmas in Retail .... I guess we'll see how I feel in a few days. :O)

I am looking forward to a solitary Samhain celebration. I've been tossing around different ritual ideas for months. we'll see ...

girlfriends

2010-10-15T22:32:00.000-07:00

Sometimes I really envy women that have "girlfriends". I love and adore my handsome husband, but it would be nice to have a few friends to do "girl stuff" with. I guess if I didn't hole up in my house after work I may be able to cultivate some friendships.

journaling

2010-09-22T09:11:00.000-07:00

seems I suck at journaling! LOL. I forget to do it! I even bought an awesome journal that makes it real easy to do it daily. Just fill in the blanks. Ummm ... the blanks are still blank!

Back to it I go!

I've been doing some drawing lately. Not a lot, but some. It makes me happy. My handsome husband does it with me too, which makes me very happy.

Been busy at work (that's a good thing), but am feeling overloaded. So much to do and not enough time. I have a great crew, but we are all struggling to get things done. When it is all said and done, we are still having fun.

Phil and I went camping the other day ... One 24 hour camping trip ... first one in 7 or 8 years! That's way too long!! Have caught the bug again, so we'll be doing much more. The campground is only 10 miles away so it will be easy to go for short trips. I had planned to do some art, but found that just sitting by the fire and staring at the flames was what felt right. Relaxed so much (and quickly!) that we both slept for almost 12 hours!!

Happy Autumnal Equinox ... will be enjoying the evening tonight after work. Have all my supplies, just need a little focus.

Inconsideration

2010-07-06T21:28:00.000-07:00

Sometimes people just don't understand the impact of their actions on others.

An employee TELLS us she is taking next week off because they won a cruise- AFTER the schedule is posted and we already have 3 people on vacation! I will be gone, my team will be working overtime - and working HARD - to cover for this. I just want to scream at her, which I cannot do. How inconsiderate. How rude. How ... how .... how .. damned inconsiderate!

Time to hire about 3 new part-timers. Time to let her go do whatever it is that her husband wants her to do.

sidenote: I have NEVER heard of someone winning a trip that they could only take if they leave in 5 days. What a crock of bull. If you want to work something out, then talk to me ... but do not LIE to me ...

Soul Collage

2010-07-02T09:18:00.001-07:00

I spent last weekend in Bellingham with my sister. We went to a Soul Collage class. I'm hooked! Really gets you to look inward. A huge help with dissecting yourself. I love it!
Childlike

Jump

Haven't named this one yet ... still searching for what I was feeling as I built it...

May is on it's way!

2010-04-29T08:43:00.000-07:00

Azaleas, rhododendrens, poppies, fritilaria, pansies, daffodils, tulips, bluebell-type bulbs (not sure what they are, but have a ga-jillion in my yard. The apple tree is in full bloom. Lilacs are starting to open.

Beautiful, sunny morning (so far) ... time to go ride my new bike! I'll post some pix in a while.

What the future may bring!

2010-04-08T11:02:00.001-07:00

Been playing with some art supplies. Drawing, coloring with my Prismacolor pencils, journaling. Enjoying the time with paper.

Tony (son-in-law) came over yesterday. He is interviewing at this very minute for a job at the Port in Bremerton. We practiced interviewing ~ he is very qualified for this job! Exciting.

When this comes through we'll have our daughter and grandchildren so close by! No more missing those important things ... learning to crawl, easter egg hunts, concerts at school, track meets ... :)

some of my ArtFest products ..

2010-04-03T20:26:00.000-07:00

My making paintings out of pictures ... sucked.

notes to & from myself ... great techniques ... had to teach myself the journaling part. My housemates helped. I overthink it.

ArtFest 2010

2010-04-03T20:20:00.000-07:00

Ferry feet ... or are they fairy feet?

Sisters in heart and art!! On the ferry to Port Townsend!

ArtFest was great

2010-04-01T09:19:00.000-07:00

We had a fun time. We laughed, we drank, we made art. Met new people. Learned new techniques. (I need to upload my photos ... I seem to forget to use my camera! Silly me!)

Now I've signed up for Carla Sonheim's "art of silliness" online workshop. Draw, be silly, have fun. That's a good thing! What a wonderful teacher she is. What a positive force.

a few more of today's angels

2010-03-07T21:29:00.000-08:00

Here are a few more done today ... gettin' my whimsy going ... :O)

and ... some more Angels ...

2010-03-07T11:53:00.001-08:00

And ... some more :O)

Here are some Angels made the other day

2010-03-07T11:49:00.000-08:00

Had a fun play date at Leslie's ...

1000 Angels Project

2010-03-07T11:36:00.000-08:00

Here are a few of today's angels. I'm sure having fun ... I found a cute book at Borders that I got for $3 and it has such cute dogs ... aren't they angels on earth anyway?!

Art makes me happy

2010-03-04T22:58:00.000-08:00

Spent yesterday making 50 ATCs for ArtFest trading. Once I finally came up with a design I set up an assembly line and was able to crank 'em out. Made a few Shrinky Dink charms ... cute , but small.

Today I went over to Leslie's house and we worked on Angels for our 1000 Angels project. I finished 6 more. I did 2 more once I got home and have been working on a few more backgrounds. I'll get some posted soon.

Day off ... what to do?

2010-02-26T12:00:00.000-08:00

I've been doodling this morning, but must get something truly accomplished today ... just 'cuz.

Have been focusing lots of white light and positive energy my sister's way today. Candles lit throughout the house, chants chanted, energy out there!

Now to go grocery shopping, get a hair cut, order some refill ink for my Copic markers, do some laundry, and make some angels ... hmmm ... looks like I will get some things done today!

sometimes I just gotta whine

2010-02-14T10:06:00.001-08:00

Finally get a day off with Phil (first one in over 6 weeks) and I am sick. I am so upset. It's going to be probably a month or so before we get another day off together.
He made me a nice breakfast for Valentine's day ~ a veggie omelet and turkey bacon ~ I can't taste it very well ... I've been a lump on the couch for a few days now.
He apparently had made plans for our Valentines Day, and I can tell he's a little disappointed, but he hasn't told me what those plans had been. Guess we'll do it another time.
Okay ... I'm done whining now... well ... almost ... I just want a day or two per month with my love ... this is stretching out to be too long of gaps.
NOW I'm done whining ...

Garden is growing ...

2010-02-11T17:10:00.000-08:00

Snowdrops are blooming, as are the hellebores. Bulbs are popping up all over and little buds of green are showing all over the roses and honeysuckle. The columbine, hollyhocks, and lupine have all broken ground. I can see the poppies starting to poke up out of the dirt and the rhododendren buds are swelling.

We planted some primroses and pansies in pots by the door so we have happy flowers winking at us as we come and go.

aaaahhhhhh

Wolf Moon

2010-01-30T10:13:00.000-08:00

Meandering around the backyard last night ... cloudy ... spots of rain here and there ... I looked up and the clouds parted for just about 5 or 10 seconds .. the moon winked at me ... and was gone.
What a gift.

2010-01-29T09:42:00.000-08:00

My friend Cheryl was in town yesterday and came over for dinner and some ATC doodling time ~ what a delight!
Going to have to schedule some time with Helen to go to Yakima this summer ...

Beautiful full moon last night ... now I understand better why people have been a little snarky the past few days. Interesting how the phases of the moon affect people.

Spring is in the air

2010-01-27T13:46:00.000-08:00

Nuthatches, chickadees, rufus-sided Towhees, juncos, house sparrows all surrounded ~ and emptied ~ my little bird feeder. They have also finally discovered the feeder attached to the kitchen window. Previously the huge Flicker was the only one to feed there. So funny to watch this big bird squish itsself against the window to eat. Nothing like a close up of bird butt! LOL.

My hellebores are up and blooms getting ready to burst. The lupine is coming up. Bulbs are sprouting all over. Even the Mandarin Honeysuckle on the porch is budding out all along it's spindly branches.

We brought home some pansies and primroses the other day ... time to put some color in the pots outside the back door.

Think I'll pour a glass of wine and go paint some angels ... 5 down ... 195 to go! (I figure my portion is about 200) I have 9 backgrounds started and some collage fodder lined up... 100 canvases on order, and some 50% coupons in my purse.

Plumber's Butt

2010-01-25T16:25:00.000-08:00

While meandering down the lighting aisle at Home Depot with my handsome husband ... we got to see much more than we bargained for. Note To All Men: please pull up your pants or at least wear underwear... eeewwwww

We did find a beautiful tiffany style hanging lamp for Phil to hang over his coffee bar in the kitchen... but was it worth the picture now etched into my brain?

2010-01-24T10:28:00.000-08:00

Finally finished two angels ...

the top one is #2

the second one is #1 ~ the child is my beautiful granddaughter McKayla about 10 years ago (has that much time gone by?!!)

1000 Angels

2010-01-22T12:16:00.000-08:00

1000 angels ... I have many backgrounds started (about 20)... just no complete angel yet
It's a wonderful project that my friend Leslie started. We'll end up selling them and the money going to a women's support group of some kind here in the U.S. ~ still to be determined.

My main medium is collage ... I've been painting backgrounds, and cutting out wings ... lots of wings ... Have gel medium and wonderful napkins (serviettes) on hand for other collaging elements. Now that I am started, I am getting more and more into layers ... as of yet, they are all still in my mind ~ but I'll be bustin' 'em out soon!

Going to movies

2010-01-12T01:23:00.000-08:00

We went to see Avatar in Imax 3D... wowza... I didn't realize it was a "war" movie (violence is disturbing to watch, for me anyway) ... and the 3D?! Holy mackerel! It was beautiful and amazing and ... I'm afraid of heights ... did I mention it was in 3D? Pandora was simply gorgeous though. Like being under the sea, but in the sky, and dry, instead.

I took myself to another movie a couple days later ... "It's Complicated". Funny! I just love Meryl Streep ... and she was fabulous in this too (of course!)

I keep forgetting to wear a big warm coat when I go to the theater. I always get cold. Watching people stumble with a big ol' tub o popcorn and seeing all the little bits of fluff go crunching down the aisle and all over the stairs always seems to delight me. Must be some evil twin inside me ...

I'm battling insomnia the past few days. Don't quite understand what the problem is ... although I have been eating more carbs than usual lately and that could be part of the problem. Que sera sera ...

Clare's 2 today

2010-01-05T16:58:00.000-08:00

Our sweet granddaughter is 2 today (#3 of the 4 girls)... We got a picture emailed (via phone) of her eating her birthday breakfast ... and then one with her birthday lunch ... wearing a birthday party hat.

Phil & I drove up to Dupont and Steilacoom to explore today. Dupont reminded me of Edward Scissorhands, although bigger houses and smaller yards ... I kept expecting to see sculpted topiary ... We stopped at Starbucks and bought Phil a new French Press for his coffee (I say 'his', but he makes it for me too!)

Now we are going to go out to a movie. I think we'll go see Avatar in 3D or maybe Sherlock Holmes ... or ... there are so many good movies out right now!! How is a girl to choose?

2010-01-02T20:30:00.000-08:00

I am not a very good journaler/blogger it seems. Hmmm ... maybe that will be my New Year's resolution!

Had a grand and wonderful New Year celebration with my sister and her hubby. We went to Whidby Island. Stayed at Fort Casey in a wonderful turn of the century "officer's house". We did some art and drank and ate and drank and went to the lighthouse and then drank some more and then did some more art and drank some more ... hmmm .... seems like some liquid was consumed! It was beautiful and fun and I just loved it! The Gorgeous blue moon came out and smiled upon us. My sister even got me to walk ... and I liked it! I'm so lazy when I'm not at work!

Hmm.. what has happened in the past few months? Our son got married ... wonderful, small, intimate ceremony at the Oregon coast. Our new daughter-in-law is adorable. She is a pre-school teacher and just ... wonderful.

We did a little fundraising within the family to send our nephew to New Zealand ... and it worked! He'll go in March. I'm filled with joy at this!!

Work has been busy ... and then not busy ... and then busy ... we're happy and employed. As Martha Stewart would say, "It's a Good Thing". Sing, dance, sell pants ... not a bad gig!!

I'll try to be more diligent about updating my blog ... This is kinda cool! :O)

August has kicked my butt!

2009-08-30T12:10:00.000-07:00

Man, What a busy month this has been! Daughter's surgery, 30th class reunion, family reunion, busy at work ... and trying to make time for art!!

Had a great time snuggling the granddaughters in Boise. Nothing like a new baby smell ... and the adoration of the others! (well, Clare -#3 - still doesn't know what to think of me, but she did hug and kiss me goodbye! LOL)

30th class reunion was a BLAST!!! The women looked great and the guys got short, fat, and bald! FUNNY!!! There were a lot of us that went all the way from 1st grade thru 12th ... found ourselves sharing more grade school stories than anything else!!

Family reunion was nice and relaxing. It was great to have a "small" group. Really enjoyed SilverLake. What a beautiful place!

Now on to ART!!!!!!!!!!!! aaaaaaaahhhhhhhhh ............

2009-07-12T09:52:00.000-07:00

We've received pictures of our newest granddaughter. The kids settled on the name Eden Rose. I really think it is a beautiful name ... but I'll still call her Juliette ~ it's my perogative ... I AM the grandmother afterall!

In my art I have finally crossed the artistic hurdle of 4x4 chunky pages. I get it! How funny that it took me so long to be able to make a slightly-larger-than-an-ATC piece of art! I'm getting better at doing layers, although I have been drawing my ATCs more and more. My drawing seems to be more "cartoony" than realistic, but I am enjoying it.

I was in a "Skellie" swap recently and started getting all creative with the skeletons. I've been doing more and more. They make Phil and I laugh. Apparently, the girls at ATCsForAll laugh too. Since "laughter is the best medicine" I've become a laughter pharmacist ...

Lesson I've learned this week: Customers are NOT always right, but I must make them feel as though they are. Even when they are old hags.

The Baby is Here!!!

2009-07-03T07:20:00.000-07:00

My Jessica had her 4th baby this morning!! Healthy little girl. 6:50am, 7 lbs 4 oz, 21.5 inches long. No name ... can you believe it? no name ... I think Juliette would be a good name!! LOL

I'm hoping for a picture ~ at least on my cell phone! ~ soon! :)

Baby on the way ...

2009-07-03T01:05:00.000-07:00

My darling daughter called about 11:45pm ... water broke ... they're at the hospital now. Granddaughter #4 is on her way!!!

I still keep telling her that Juliette would be a wonderful name. She doesn't seem to agree with me ... ah the independence of our children.

I'm so proud of her. My daughter is a great mother. She has embraced the role with her whole being. I fought it. Thank goodness that Phil was here to be the daddy. He was the best role model for our children, and they've both gone forth and become good people.

2009-06-29T00:18:00.000-07:00

Here are some cards I made for some PIF trades for ATCsForAll this week.

The Fairy was drawn on Bristol Vellum that I had sprayed with Glimmer Mist and then drew with Micron Pen, then painted with Twinkling H2Os.

I drew the mermaid with Micron Pen and then colored it in with Prismacolor Pencils, then I painted Glass Bead Gel Medium over the card. It turned out looking like bubbles. It's really cool stuff!!

I'm shrinking

2009-06-28T23:57:00.000-07:00

I am on a mission to organize the closets! I have been going through my closet (one down, two to go) and trying on all my clothes. I have been losing weight and have shrunk out of a ton of my clothes. I have a huge pile started already. I'll be taking most to the store and offering them up to my employees. The rest I'll take over to the South Puget Sound Community College for their Women's work program. Helen ~ my sister ~ gets first pick. My god I have a ton of clothes. It's rather disturbing! I DO manage a women's clothing store, but, holy crap! I have way more clothes than a woman needs!!

I've been losing weight by cutting my carbs. I really am not trying that hard. I just have been NOT eating potatoes or bread (very often). I do read labels, and I drink a lot of Crystal Light. Drinking 1/2 gallon or more of ice tea every day is helping me! I love my Peach ice tea.

All Kinds of Art aThon (ATART)

2009-06-22T22:48:00.000-07:00

I had a fabulous weekend of creating art for the ATART on ATCsForAll. I made 22 trades!! I did some Zetti figures and painted them in with Twinkling H2Os that I really liked. Only traded one of those. Made some treasure maps with Micron pen on Alcohol Ink backgrounds... couldn't make them fast enough! I traded 8 of them!!!

This is truly my "art group". They are friendly, supportive, fun, funny, loving, and accepting. I cannot thank my sister Helen enough for introducing me to the site - and these wonderful women (and men). I even belong to a Pagan group that gives me great joy.

I am making art. I am happy. :O)

Nancy's Home

2009-06-16T12:09:00.000-07:00

My friend/cousin is home from Arizona. She is about 6 to 7 weeks later than usual. My goodness how I have missed her! She pulled up in her motorhome and stayed the night.

We took her out to dinner to a nice restaurant that we loved. Unfortunately ... it was the worst service I have had in many years at any place! I was embarrassed. The food was great, but I actually left no tip at all. I was just so disappointed! I don't know that I'll go back. How bizarre that in this economic climate we have recently had two of the worst customer service experiences at local restaurants. Interesting ...

Now that Nanc is back, I'll go haunt her at the Canal. We lived with her for 3 years or so and I just love being on the water. We're going to set up a time for my sister to come down and we'll have a girl's art retreat. I am so looking forward to having my friend home. At least I have someone close by that I can go hang out with.

Dinner with my Handsome Husband

2009-06-12T23:08:00.001-07:00

Phil and I went to dinner tonight at Cascadia in downtown Olympia. It was absolutely fabulous. Now that I have eaten there, I don't think I'll ever need to go back to McMinamins (however you spell it). Fabulous Beer Braised Beef for me ... wow ... yumm ... and Phil loved his fish and chips. Then we had an amazing ice cream dessert. We have decided that we can eat a great dinner at home and go there for dessert anytime (it's just down the hill from us) ... wow ... yummy!!!

We are going to clean out the camp trailer (1957 Dalton that we have refurbished) ... you know, we got it for $300 years ago. Love that trailer. It's 13 feet long (that includes the tongue!) and then we can refill it and start going camping again! There is a campground that is only about 20 to 30 minutes down the freeway and we can park it there and live in it all week and commute to work. It's time for campfires and stars... it fills your soul.

Just so you know ... my husband is amazing. He fills my heart. He makes me laugh -EVERY day. He adores me and I adore him. I am so blessed. We dance in our kitchen ... as we have for 25 years ... and we garden. He is the sweetest, most tender, kind, loving, supportive person I have ever met. I am in awe that I am his wife. How lucky am I?!!!

Art makes me happy

2009-06-12T09:30:00.000-07:00

I've decided that blogging could be a good thing for me. Writing things down. I used to do this. So I think I'll start this out with how art makes me happy.

My sweet sister Helen introduced me to ATCs last November. I've been bitten by the bug! I am really enjoying doing these little bits of creativity. Was involved in a local art group until recently. Their loss. Long story short ... some people make no sense. As Doris Day would sing, "Que sera sera". I really enjoy trading online with the ATCsForAll artists.

I am kind of obsessive-compulsive when it comes to art supplies now. If it looks interesting, I get it. Haven't tried all the things yet, but I am ready to!

Went to ArtFest with Helen and met wonderful artists there. We were in "house 15" and what a fabulous group of women! I am in awe of the talent. Very inspiring. Lovely, funny, sweet ladies!

My Handsome Husband, Phillip, is a great artist on his own. He loves what I am doing and puts up with the "art mess" that is encroaching every room of the house. He has begun drawing again. I just love it. He is a goldsmith by trade and I am always amazed at his work.

When it gets right down to it ... I am truly blessed with love, family, friends, and .... art!