Zen Design via New Animal Book
Jeff Jett – LinkedIn
Kanno Hisao
Keith Anderson via Marianna Bellantoni
Monthly Archives: November 2019
Thoughts on a Tuesday 11-12-2019
Jeff Jett – LinkedIn
This morning was an adventure.
I had trouble sleeping last night, and so was up until about 2 a.m. or so. At around 5 a.m. our power started going off and coming back on again right away, over and over. We would just drop off to sleep again with a sigh and off again, on again. We finally gave up trying to sleep and got up for the day at 6. One of the reasons we were more awake that usual at that hour is that our generator is supposed to come on automatically when our power fails, and it didn’t.
I fed animals while my husband went out to look at the generator. By the time he came back in, I had lit a fire in the fireplace, because it was quite cool in the house by then (less than 20 degrees F. outside) and the generator does not run our heat or air conditioning, managing to serve hot drinks and a bagel with cream cheese. My husband had tried to jump start the battery on the generator with our truck and the jumper cables, but that didn’t work, either.
We had to wait another hour or so for O’Reilly’s, the car place, to open. I went around finding battery-powered lanterns while my husband went to buy a new battery for the generator. We installed it and got the generator going. HOORAAAAY! We went into the house to find the public power had finally come back on.
We let the generator run a bit, and then did the test it is supposed to be doing on a weekly basis before turning it off. We have NOW put it on our calendars the day and time the generator is supposed to test itself, so that we don’t miss it. Our insulation is so good now that we can’t hear it come on unless we have the doors open. We also put it on our ‘winter prep’ list to check when we bought the battery for the generator so that we can replace it, if needed, BEFORE something like this happens again.
Since this morning, I have been going around turning lights off. We turned many on while we didn’t have power – as a habit – and forgot to turn them off when nothing happened. We also had to go to ‘manual’ on getting our garage door up without power, and then had to figure out how to hook it up again so that we can push the button on our remote again. We reset all the clocks, turning off the alarm that was still beeping upstairs, etc.
This goes to show how spoiled we are – how dependent on electricity we are – and how very LUCKY we are that this morning served as a wake up call to be SURE we are prepared before we get snowed in!
Filed under Housekeeping - Maintenance, Thoughts on a ________
Art Room Magic
2 STAR art
I love working in my art room. I finally got things in order enough that I could start to experiment again. This time I’m trying to do a set of note cards and a journal with the Unicorn Spit. With this new paint, you do a quick burst of activity and then you have to let it dry before you start the next, so I go up and down the stairs a lot (good exercise!) while I’m trying things.
My wonderful sister-in-law, the one who sent me the kit, was asking if I had thought about doing earrings. I actually found several different shapes of light weight wooden earrings that I have ordered. I can’t wait to try this!
If you haven’t tried this, you really should. It’s SO much fun. I’ll try to have things ready to show you tomorrow.
Filed under playing in my art room
Foxy Perspective
Jeff Jett – LinkedIn
Jeff Jett – LinkedIn
Flying Hair Balls?
stormzonec
Rain, fog, wintry mix, flying hairballs, and MUCH colder temperatures are forecast for my area today. We are just southeast of Fort Smith, in Greenwood. With as warm as it has been, we don’t have to worry about any accumulation, but bridges and overpasses will get slick and it’s just a great day to stay inside.
Happily, I managed to finish cleaning out the flower planters in the front yard – 11 brick planters and two pots. When we have good weather again, I’ll tackle the remaining brick planters and pots in the back yard.
This is Memorial Park in the center of our small ‘square’ in Greenwood. People can have memorial stones made for their Veterans and have them added to the moving display. On Veterans Day you can see the flags placed at each of the stones remembering our veterans. More stones are added from time to time. I wanted to get one made for my husband, who served for 4 years in the Marine Corps during Vietnam, but he is adamantly opposed, since he wasn’t in combat, ‘only’ on a ship offshore all the hot spots during his time. I think he deserves to be there, but that’s a fight for another day. This remembrance makes me proud.
Memorial Park, City of Greenwood AR
I’m going to TRY to clean up my art room today. With the combination of having a blast experimenting with the new kit of Unicorn Spit Stain/Glaze my sister-in-law sent me and then taking a set of shelves out to put in the new booth at the shop in Greenwood, it looks as if a bomb exploded. I’m going to concentrate on getting things so you can walk through the room without injury and MOST of the ‘stuff’ is put where it won’t fall down. :0) THEN, I’m hoping to PLAY some more up there!
littlekidsbigart
Also on the ‘should’ list for the day is a clean up of our office – but I’m studiously ignoring that for now – celebrating the fact I worked hard yesterday and that it’s definitely an inside day today!
I hope that the weather is nice where you are – OR that you have a nice warm, dry place to spend the day.
3rd Session the Charm?
design-dautore.com-Autumn Vibes-Sarah Patrick via Yolanda Vanveen
I’m about to go outside for the 3rd session of the day of trying to get flower planters cleaned out before our weather goes to pot tomorrow. I have finished finished 7 brick planters today. I have three more, plus 2 pots in the front yard. If I can finish ths, I’ll be happy with my efforts today.
My husband got me a nice roll-around, sit-down thingie that saves my back, so I think I have one more session in me before I’ll run out of both time and energy. 
This is the closest I could find to show you my wonderful gardening seat. Mine is red and has a small basket on one end, plus a rope and handle that allow you to pull it like the proverbial ‘little red wagon.” The seat turns, so it gives flexibility in how it is used. I love it.
While I was pruning and clearing out one of the planters, the wind picked up and all of a sudden it was raining leaves. The SOUND the leaves made was wonderful! I don’t think I’ve ever been in quite that position before, but it was a very special thing. My sweet elderly Molly (she is almost 15) was enjoying the sunshine and stayed right with me, keeping me company.
I just had lunch (it’s almost 4pm) and am finishing a cup of coffee. I’ll go see how much more I can clear before the day is gone.
Hope you’re enjoying your day, too!
Thoughts on a Sunday 11-10-2019
Beautiful World via George Dumaine
We just got home from grocery shopping and putting everything away. I’m now relaxing at my computer with a cup of coffee. Ahhhh!
First, I wanted to thank those of you who wrote encouraging messages about the way “Blasing Bright” looks, the booth that my friend Carla and I are sharing now at Rags & Roses in Greenwood, Arkansas. I think we managed to put things where they show up well, people can get to them to look more closely, and you’ve told me that it looks inviting. So THANK YOU. The shop is closed now until Tuesday, but I feel GOOD that I have some of my stuff ‘out there’ for people to see and possibly buy. If you’re in the area, the address is 100 North Main St. The hours Tuesday through Friday, are 11:00 – 6:00. Hours Saturday are 10:00 to 4:00. This is the first time I’ve enjoyed a local venue, and I’m hopeful that Carla and I can share this booth for a long time.
I am planning to spend much of the day out in the yard – or at least as long as my back holds out – cleaning out flower planters. We’ve had several freezes and things are looking pretty sad now. Today has been named, “The last good fall day” for awhile by the weather people, with a cold front coming tomorrow, along with rain, possible wintry mix, and MUCH colder temperatures, so today is the day to do all I can to have our yard look like someone cares.
On cleanup after the ‘gathering-and-processing-for-the-booth’ I need to work in our office and my art room. These are on the back burner, though, as far as priorities, due to the coming weather. I can work on both of THEM when the weather deteriorates.
With all the activity around here, I have ignored my exercising and my poor old body is complaining LOUDLY. I’m going to see how the yard work goes, and then at LEAST get in my yoga practice this afternoon.
Enjoy your Sunday!
Filed under exercise, Gardening, Mother Nature, Seasons
Sweet Pets, Great Talent
Kelly Armitage – LinkedIn
Kelly Armitage – LinkedIn
Gary Wing, LinkedIn
Gary Wing, LinkedIn
Filed under drawings, Gary Wing, Kelly Armitage
Delightful Deer
Jeff Jett – LinkedIn
Beautiful World
Beautiful World
Filed under Amazing Animals, Awe-Inspiring Photography
Booth Aftermath
shutterstock_WorkingMums
I have spent the whole time since I came home from putting up the rest of the items in our booth on two things:
THING ONE:
I made huge messes everywhere trying to gather, describe, tag, and put the items in bags to take to the booth. I also took a plastic set of shelves I had in my art room to the booth, so everything ON those shelves was scattered in the art room. I hadn’t cleaned up since playing with the Unicorn Spit, so suffice to say everything I looked at was shrieking at me. I’ve now cleaned the dining area table so that even my husband noticed the difference. I then tackled the big table beside my recliner in the living room that is a catch-all for everything I am doing, or want to do – such as books, magazines, things torn out of magazines… Finally, I made a serious pass in the art room. My drafting table is now clean and ready for work. I’ve grouped what I need to paint and personalize Christmas ornaments, organized wooden plaques, started grouping things to take to the booth at the proper time, etc.
THING TWO:
I spent the rest of the time making notes on the shop, plus an inventory of what I have in there, when it went in, price, etc., how many I have of each ornament to paint, when I want to change things out, and more.
I still have a lot more to do, but I’m going to relax a bit and join my husband, who is watching another football game…
Filed under Family, Housekeeping - Maintenance, I'm a slob
We Have a Booth!
The name of our booth is “Blasing Bright” – a combination of part of the last names of my friend Carla and her former partner. It’s a small booth, but in a good location in the shop of booths called, “Rags & Roses.” 100 N Main St, Greenwood, AR 72936, (479) 597-3107. The owner is Joanna Brandt, a truly lovely, intelligent, energetic lady. The hours of Rags & Roses are Tuesday – Friday, 11:00 -6:00, and Saturday, 10:00 until 4:00.
Carla and I arranged, rearranged, then decorated a bit for Christmas, then rearranged again before we found what we thought looked the best. Carla is one of my best friends, a joy to work with. We caught up with what’s been going on, shared lots of laughs and hugs.
This is my dear friend Carla Woolbright.
And this is me.
I’m taking another group of things today and then will keep all appendages crossed that we both get some nice sales. I’m really excited to have this opportunity to try to sell my work locally, all year ’round.
EXCITING AND FUN!
Secret
Alive Inside.org via Marianna Bellantoni
Filed under aging, Attitude, Encouragement, Favorite Quotes
Paul Militaru Photography
“Siesta After Lunch In Two” – Paul Militaru Photography
“Rest” – Paul Militaru Photography
“Love at First Sight” – Paul Militaru Photography
“Birds in Flight” – Paul Militaru Photography
Filed under Awe-Inspiring Photography, Paul Militaru Photography
More Beautiful Portraits by Niki Firmin
Niki Firmin – Poppy
Niki Firmin
Niki Firmin – Alma
Niki Firmin – Freddie
Filed under drawings, Niki Firmin - Pet Portraits
Thoughts on a Friday 11-8-2019
“October Flights” – Stesha and Lilya – Andy Seliverstoff
Summer is finally over here in Arkansas. I was beginning to wonder for a while if it would be perpetual! It’s crisp and brisk, with a definite nip in the air this morning – at 37 degrees F. The sun is shining and it’s a beautiful fall day.
Today will be a happy day for me.
We will leave for Lunch Bunch soon – an every Friday brunch/lunch with good friends we’ve been enjoying for over 17 years now. The core bunch, Linda, Kay and I, has been expended to include my husband, and Kay’s recently, with others joining us from time to time, such as sons, daughters, grandchildren, and other good friends. It’s a time to catch up, share what has happened – or is going to happen, our hopes, dreams, failures, happy and sad things – knowing we support each other. A very special group that means the world to me.
When we return from Lunch Bunch, I’ll pack the truck again with things I’ll display in my good friend, Carla’s, booth in a local shop. We went together yesterday to look at things, bouncing ideas off each other, grabbing some supplies from a couple of places and finally sharing some tea and good conversation. I will pick her up this afternoon and we’ll go add my stuff to what is now OUR shop! She has already paid the rental fee for November, so I’ll pay for December. I’ll share pics of the shop and some other details with you later.
When I come home again from adding to our shop, I’ll do my elliptical trainer and yoga for the day, chores around the house, etc., and catch up with my husband and our pets, enjoying a quiet evening together.
Happy day! I hope that YOU enjoy one, too!
Filed under exercise, Family, Friendship, opportunities, Seasons, Thoughts on a ________
Unicorn Spit Christmas Ornaments
I’ve had a great time creating flat wooden Christmas ornaments painted with Unicorn Spit Stain/Glaze. These are some samples. There is a total of 16 different ornaments right now. I will add a name and the year on the ornaments at no extra charge. You can order multiples, but please understand that, though I will use the same colors, the blend will turn out differently on each ornament. Even the two sides of each ornament are different! :0)
In addition to the Unicorn Spit, I’m using black webbing paint. The finished ornaments are then sprayed with polyurethane to set the colors.
The ornaments are different sizes, as well. I’ve drilled a hole in the ornament, if needed, to attach a shiny silver cord for hanging.
If you are interested in looking at the other designs, please click on this link for my ArtFire shop.
I’m offering free shipping to the contiguous United States. If you live elsewhere, please contact me at lwlca47@gmail.com and we can figure out shipping.
Thanks for looking!
Filed under Holiday Gift Ideas, holidays, Lewis Art
Thoughts on a Thursday 11-7-2019
Beautiful World
I have to admit I’m still very disappointed to have learned that the wonderful order – and payment – for 40 plaques turned out to be a fraud. I’m grateful that our only loss was the joy of such a wonderful order and the chance to fulfill it. We were very lucky. I’m disappointed to have met someone who tried to hurt us. I always believe that people are good – until they show me they aren’t.
I’m very grateful to my husband, who – although believing the order was a scam from the first – offered to help me make plaques when I returned from the bank – before I told him that it was confirmed to be a scam. He’s definitely a keeper.
Since wonderful things can happen any time, my good friend Carla called yesterday to check on my husband and me – AND to make me an offer! She is renting a booth in one of our local shops and wanted to know if I wanted to bring some of my work to sell! She also offered me the chance to go in 50/50 with her! I’m thrilled. My husband and I are planning to visit the shop today and then I’ll call Carla back. They have a website, so I checked it out and found some really nice pictures and stellar reviews from people. I’m thinking that I will at least go 50/50 with her until the holidays are over, giving me a good chance to see if my work will sell or not. Isn’t life – and the friendship of dear people – amazing?!?
I finished listing my flat wooden Christmas ornaments on ArtFire. I’ll do another post to show you some of the ornaments. :0)
It’s raining again today, but it doesn’t seem like we received the downpours the weather people were forecasting.
Since my ego was smashed yesterday with the confirmation of the scam, I didn’t exercise at ALL, actually getting under my throw in my recliner and taking a nap. We went to get fried rice for dinner – a definite no-no for both of us, but SO delicious – AND I ate some ice cream before bed. Needless to say, my back and the scales were both letting me have it loudly this morning, so I will get back on the horse and be good again now that the pity party is finished. :0)
I hope that YOUR day today is full of good things, too.
Filed under Family, Friendship, Thoughts on a ________
Cautionary Tale
Alchemipedia-Blogger.com
I am in the middle of yet another of life’s character-building exercises.
I told you about the money order a customer was going to send for a huge (for me) order of plaques.
The order was supposed to be for all five of the plaques I painted using Unicorn Spit. He said his administrative assistant messed up and sent the wrong amount in the money orders. I told him I would refuse delivery of the package and that he should send another for the correct amount. He then said he wanted to increase the order, wanting 40 (FORTY!) plaques in all, 8 of each of the five designs. We went back and forth, but I asked him to stick to the original order, and then, if he was happy, he could order more.
The money orders for too much money were delivered by FEDEX while my husband and I were out doing errands. :0( My husband was angry. I ended up taking them to the bank in order to ask them how long I would need to wait to be SURE they were good before I filled the order. She said 14 business days, and then noticed a number you could call to verify the money orders. She called, putting it on speaker phone. It was an automated system, asking for the number on the money order and then the number of the post office issuing it. She keyed them in and we were told the numbers didn’t match anything in their system – and so were fraudulent.
SO – I am pinning them up on the pegboard on the wall in front of my computer to remind myself that I do NOT need yet another character-building exercise. At least I wasn’t dumb enough to ship the plaques I had ready, or buy wood for the 35 more plaques my husband and I would have been cutting out, finishing, and putting hangers on as quickly as we could to fill the order within the time frame.
I did NOT deposit them. I am out only –
- the delight of the biggest order in my life
- the time I spent with the customer who turned out to be a rat
- the anguish of my husband getting angry over the whole thing
I am considering myself lucky that I had a big sense of ‘too good to be true’ and did what I could to make SURE it was legitimate before getting my family in financial jeopardy.
A cautionary tale…
Thoughts on a Wednesday 11-6-2019
Jeff Jett – LinkedIn
It’s rainy here today. We are forecast to receive over 2 inches of rain by the end of the day tomorrow. Good thing we live on top of a ridge line. I hope we don’t have flash flooding in the area.
It looks like the wonderful sale of all of the plaques I’ve painted with the Unicorn Spit is falling through. I met the customer on LinkedIn. He has said he has sent a money order, but says his administrative assistant made it out for a wrong amount, wanting me to send him the difference. Shrieks of scam. I’m really disappointed. I’ll have to refuse delivery on the money order. Bah Humbug. It MAY still work out, but I won’t hold my breath.
I’m listing Christmas ornaments on ArtFire today.
Otherwise, we are hoping to enjoy a quiet day.
I hope you enjoy YOUR day, too.
Filed under Thoughts on a ________
Victoria Veluz Art
Victoria Veluz – Addison
Victoria Veluz – Murph
Victoria Veluz – Addison and Murph
Filed under drawings, Victora Veluz
The Wonderful Work of Bethany Kerr
Behany Kerr Fine Art – Etsy
Behany Kerr Fine Art – Etsy
Filed under Bethany Kerr, Watercolors I Love
Thoughts on a Tuesday 11-5-2019
Cheap Trip via Martha Kirkendall-Ghearing
Things sometimes happen fast.
Yesterday we stopped at the post office before going to my husband’s dental appointment. As we started to leave, my husband backed the Corvette into the back of a parked truck. After surveying the two vehicles, the nice man in the truck couldn’t find any damage and waved us off. Our Vette, however, was a different story. The right rear is smashed – and it’s fiberglass. After the dental appointment (which went well, even with the blood thinners, thank goodness) we drove back, stopping at our insurance agent’s office. We agreed to take the ‘Vette to a local repair shop for an estimate. We did that today – $3400+ damage. :0( Thankfully, our deductible is $500, which we can scrounge up. We will take it in again when the repair shop gets the backlog of “deer hits” cleared out. They’ll call us.
On further research, I have learned that depth perception can be affected by a stroke. My husband and I have talked about it and he has agreed to take things a bit more slowly, particularly when backing up, and give his senses more time to react. He really doesn’t like it when “I” drive, so maybe he’ll take this seriously.
Yesterday the only exercise I got was bowling last night with our good friends. We really enjoy catching up with them, getting some good exercise (whether or not we bowl well) and having ice cream – a real treat – afterwards. I was creaky this morning, so I am doubly serious about getting my exercises in. I have finished my 35 minutes on my elliptical trainer and will soon go and do my equal session of yoga stretches.
Today is a truly gorgeous day – sunny and 70 degrees F. It just doesn’t get better than this. I’m hoping we get just a FEW more days like this…
I’m having fun in my art room. I have almost finished the 2nd group of 8 flat wooden Christmas ornaments painted with Unicorn Spit. I have the first 8 listed on ArtFire, offering to add a name and the year at no extra charge, and free shipping. As soon as I finish getting the rest listed, I’ll give you the URL of the page in case you’re interested.
A good friend of mine told me about a new app that offers reward points for your shopping. It’s called FETCH REWARDS. You shop, scan your receipts using the app and your phone, and then you can get gift cards and other stuff when you accumulate enough points. I think it’s a fun idea. If you’re interested, please Google it and see if it appeals to you.
Have a great rest of the day!
Question?
KristinaSteiner-wordpress.com
I’m am on book #40 in the 50-book “In Death” series by J.D. Robb (Nora Roberts). I’m reading them all again before I allow myself to dive into the newest one in paperback, “Connections in Death.” I’ve been so busy having fun in my art room and trying to fit in 70 or so minutes of exercise into my day that I’ve been reading in fits and starts, just a bit at a time, but I’m loving living in Eve Dallas’ world again.
I’m also reading several other books at the same time, trying to learn some things here and there. :0) I honestly don’t know how I would survive without reading. Physical books are a treasure trove to me. E books are great for learning things and to take while traveling. Computers are wonderful for expanding your horizons.
I just wish there were more time in the day and I had unlimited energy!
Filed under Hobbies, Reading is FUNdamental
Thoughts on a Monday 11-4-2019
Jeff Jett – LinkedIn
We are having a lovely fall day today! Sunshine-y, 61 degrees, no rain. Can’t ask for more. :0)
I’ve told you about Tri-Hill Pest Control in Fort Smith AR before. Aldopho, their man, is outside now spraying around the house where he couldn’t because of rain when he was here recently. In addition to that, I received a bill from them I didn’t expect. I pay for the year, and had already sent in my payment for NEXT year, so this was unexpected. I called and talked to Jerry. He looked us up and told me that their new computer system had issued the invoice when it SHOULD have issued a CREDIT. Can’t get a better answer than that!
I also had made a note to call City Hall today regarding the Angel Tree they put up every year for Christmas. I just wanted to get a feel for when it would be up so that we could plan to go in, get an angel from the tree, and shop for goodies for a sweet child in our community. The lady I talked to was putting the tree up as she was talking to me! We’ll stop by tomorrow and choose a child. We alternate between a boy and and a girl each year. This time, I think we’ll choose a girl.
My scales continued to smirk this morning, showing another .2 lbs of lard gone. Infinitesimal – but “I” noticed. :0) I’m hoping to break into another 5-pound territory by the end of the week. 
We leave for the dentist soon for the 2nd step in my husband’s implant. I’m a bit concerned about the fact that he’s on blood thinners, but everyone at our dentist’s office Wes Moore, DDS, in Fort Smith, is competent, so he is in good hands. We’ll run errands and eat out on the way home.
I’m having great fun making flat wooden Christmas ornaments using the Unicorn Spit Stain/Glaze. Here is one of them –
I’m going to personalize these with a name and the year. I’ve done 8 different ornaments so far, and will start the second group of 8 this afternoon, unless I run out of time.
We’re going bowling this evening with good, long-time friends. I always look forward to catching up with them. You would think that we would be getting reasonably good at the game by now, but NOOOOO! Each of us has a good night from time to time, but we’re pretty pathetic otherwise. We either celebrate or commiserate afterwards by getting ice cream at Braums. :0) With my elliptical trainer, yoga, and bowling, this old lady will have a GOOD amount of exercise today.
I hope YOUR Monday is pleasant – if not ENJOYABLE.
creativeartworksblog 