Category Archives: playing in my art room

December 24, 2024 · 11:31 am

Day of Playing

Alexander Grey-Pexels

Since we’re having a quiet celebration at home today and tomorrow, I’m looking forward to playing in my art room.

I’m working on a new piece – a wood-burned and painted kingfisher on a nice piece of wood.

I’m painting it now, using a combination of alcohol inks for the background and acrylics for the kingfisher.

I’m learning so much each time I try to wood burn a new piece. I am now dreaming about other projects I’d like to do, so I’m hoping I can arrange time up in my art room to try to get them out of my head and onto whatever material is required.

(Monster Cat helping me while I’m at the computer. )

My newest challenge up there is that Monster Cat – aka Jet – desperately would like to come in and wreak havoc. I shut the door firmly and she waits outside, no matter how long I’m up there, meowing plaintively. It hurts my heart to hear her, but she really is a maniac when she is curious – which is all the time – and would really cause problems. My wood burning stuff is hot, too, of course, and I don’t want her (or me) to get burned.

So I turn up my music and drown out her meows, losing myself in the joy of playing.

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April 5, 2024 · 10:30 am

Woodburning Progress

Lowes

I’m finally making a bit of progress on my efforts to do woodburning in my art room. I’m working on a couple of things at the moment – a little owl on a small piece of wood and a larger wooden plaque.

It’s fun, but I’m still a bit intimidated by the whole process. I found that the special gloves I ordered that were stretchy and pretty comfortable – with only the first two fingers and thumb covered – didn’t really do the job. After only a very few minutes, I was feeling the heat and had to stop. I finally got some pretty used-up leather gloves that I had in the shop and cut them up in the same manner as the stretchy ones. They are more cumbersome, but they seem to protect my fingers and hand better. I’ll continue to use those.

Learning to use the various tips in the kit will take a long time. I’m only using two basic ones so far – one for outlining and lettering and the other for shading. I’m moving very slowly because I have little clue what I’m doing.

There are lots of people online doing woodburning via lasers and computers. They are doing some really nice things, but it’s a question of buying or writing computer programs that guide the lasers. My husband and I have done things like this in our shop, with metal, using computer-guided CNC equipment. It’s fun, but I don’t consider it very creative or real art. We do our mailbox decorations like this. I would rather try to do the woodburning myself, creating things manually.

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January 13, 2024 · 11:05 am

Fun Ahead!

Lowe’s

I’ve told you that I’m trying to learn how to do wood-burning, or pyrography. It’s difficult, to say the least, because you can’t hold the tool down close enough to the tip to allow you to feel in control, plus each tip does certain things best, and it takes a LOT of experimenting and practice to be able to choose the right one and use it effectively.

I have a tool now, and tips, and a holder, and safety stuff. I’ve been experimenting, and sometimes get excited about the results and many more times hit stumbling blocks. Example: I’ve learned how to transfer a design – should I choose to do something NOT freehand – but had a really hard time trying to do lettering around it. Needless to say, I have a LOT of practicing to do.

I got a fun package in the mail today – I ordered some different sizes and shapes of wood so that I have something to do the pyrography ON when I can –

I now also have a couple of different wood stains now, plus varnish.

SO – the only thing holding me back is

  • courage
  • practice
  • ideas
  • practice
  • time
  • practice
  • energy
  • practice
  • learning – videos
  • PRACTICE
Wikipedia

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October 12, 2023 · 8:56 am

Thursday 10-12-2023

The Epoch Times – artist unknown

istockphoto-Anastasiya Belevich-GettyImages

I’m driving myself to the ‘rescue mission,’ my wonderful hair stylist, Michael Remillard of Tangles, in Greenwood AR this morning. If you’re in the area, his phone number is 479-357-9305 and his salon is on the east end of the square in Greenwood. He is truly a miracle worker, rescuing me from looking like a ‘dandelion-gone-to-seed’ and transforming me to look like ‘someone-has-a-plan,’ – no easy feat. :0)

Mount_Magazine_State_Park

We’re having the first real ‘fall’ that I can remember. Usually here in Arkansas, we have the heat of summer followed by about 3 days of rain and ‘fall front,’ and then it’s COLD, like the flicking of a light switch. This year our weather has been really pleasant – so pleasant my husband and I have remarked on it several times. I’m really soaking it up, enjoying every minute.

“Creating with a kid” – Alisa Burke

This afternoon, after I’m home from my haircut, I’m hoping to spend time in my art room. It’s been several days, and I’m itching to make some progress up there.

I hope you have a stellar Thursday.

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September 4, 2023 · 11:25 am

Parade of Etchers

This is an etcher that belongs to my husband. He’s had it in the shop for years. He doesn’t use it much anymore, so he gave it to me. It’s a good tool, but it’s too bulky and heavy for my old hands to handle for the glassware I’m trying to etch.

I got this new one. It’s much lighter, but it only has grinding attachments, rather than etching ones, so I chose wrong when I ordered.

My brother-in-law suggested that I use the search term ‘engraver’ rather than etcher. I ordered this one, and it arrived yesterday. You use it like a pencil. It’s cordless, and hopefully good for my needs. My friend Marsha suggested that I use a jar to practice on, and I’ll do that. I’ll try it later today and let you know how it goes. :0)

A bit of yard work and some vacuuming first, though.

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August 20, 2023 · 10:04 am

Sunday 8-20-2023

Greenwood is just southeast of Fort Smith, Arkansas – just above the “Feels Like 110-115” part of the image. (High of 106 this afternoon). It’s always hot in the summer, but I don’t remember having so many days of ‘excessive heat warnings.’ I think that’s new, and I really don’t consider it a good thing. I’m always griping about the weather, it seems, but Mother Nature just can’t seem to get her head on straight. Thank goodness we’re spoiled by not having to be outside for work and having good air conditioning!

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LesterLousDesigns-Etsy

Yesterday I finally finished liquid etching the stencils on the glassware I’m working on in my art room. The etching worked, but I’m pretty disappointed at how delicate and faint the etching is, even though I left the medium on as long as they said was the LONGEST time to leave it on.

Today I’m going to start experimenting, using my Dremel tool. I’m going to see if I can add names to the glassware with the tool. I’ll keep adding and adjusting to see what I can make of this. This will be a long, slow process. I’ll take my time and just enjoy. (Actually, this is the part I enjoy the most. What I WANTED didn’t happen. Now I’m free to ‘play.’ If something fun comes of it, good. If not, I can always pitch these and start over with something else. :0) )

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Red and White 3 Disc Light-Weight Hand-Painted Wooden Dangle Earrings with Bling – Length: 2.5 Inches; Width: 1.2 Inches – $13.95 with FREE SHIPPING to the contiguous U.S. HandmadeHavenByLindaonEtsy

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Shout-out to Mary Lou – just thought of you when I saw this –

hahahahahahahaah

Hope you have a FUN Sunday.

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August 10, 2023 · 9:56 am

Thursday 8-10-2023

Adobe Stock

I’m relieved that the severe weather passed us by overnight. I never heard any rain if we had any. Everything, including flying hairballs, was predicted, and my weather thingie was flashing a tornado watch. Thankfully, we had a quiet evening and night and are fine.

Freepik

I spent some time in my art room yesterday, trying to get things put back in place. I had to move a LOT of stuff in order to clear space large enough for my husband to be able to use a ladder under the fluorescent light fixture, rewiring it so that it would accept LED tubes. The light is wonderful in there now, but the room looks a bit like a bomb hit.

I really need to go through and toss a bunch of stuff. Each time I work on a project I find supplies that have hardened up, no longer usable. This time, though, I really want to continue work on the Christmas presents and cards I have in mind, plus play with the new colored markers my husband got me, so I’m just going to concentrate on getting things put somewhere reasonable, clear off my drafting table, and then play. I can be more of an ‘adult’ later… :0)

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April 7, 2023 · 9:35 am

Playing in my Art Room

MSU College of Agriculture

While playing in my art room, painting some note cards to give our waitress at the Pizza Barn for her birthday, I caught the bug to do more. I haven’t painted note cards or stationery in quite awhile, but ideas are swirling around in my head now, so I might steal some time today to get back upstairs and play.

These are the ones I did for Mikey’s birthday present. They’re a combination of pastels and acrylic paint. I really enjoy experimenting with the combination of different media, so I’m going to play with more of that – including alcohol inks, bleeding tissue paper, and more.

I’m feeling very lucky these days to be able to spend my time reading good books, listening to music, playing in my square foot garden and other flower planters, experimenting in my art room, and finding fun things to share with you here on the blog.

Now, if I could just arrange for more time in each day – and the energy to keep hopping between fun things to do – my life would be complete! :0)

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November 3, 2022 · 10:36 am

Plans

edutopia.org

I’ve been dreaming about paintings with lots of texture lately. I know I won’t get up to my art room until I finish the yard work outside and we’ve done the things we need to in order to get ready for winter, but that doesn’t stop the dreams.

Osnat Fine Art

This one makes me drool, for example. Reacting to the lushness of the color and the desire to TOUCH it are both gut level responses. I’m not even really into abstract paintings, as such, but this one speaks to me.

I look forward to experimenting and playing when the time is right. Meanwhile, I’ll enjoy finding things like this that make my juices flow…

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August 18, 2022 · 9:59 am

Thursday 8-18-2022

PH-Hay-whats-up-Reddit-user-ThraShErDDoS-via-Imgur

Hi! We’re having another ‘cool’ day, at 86, for the high this afternoon. We tried to just have open doors and ceiling fans yesterday, but it was too humid. It’s humid again this morning, so we’re going to keep the a/c on, but I’ll take it. Such a nice relief.

Active Babies – Smart Kids

I had a good time in the art room yesterday and finished the cards that I hope my friend will like. I sent her pics to see what she says.

Facebook

Today is DAY 34 of my daily yoga practice. I’m having to push myself again, because my hips and knees have been talking to me for the past several days, but I’m concentrating on slow and steady, with fewer reps to get me through it.

Times of India

I’m now muttering to my scales that I don’t appreciate “sarcastic scale humor” whatsoever, but mine is delighting in its newfound ability to smirk and laugh at me. One of these days, I’ll wipe the smile off its face.

Nizar Fahmi

Just as I’m finishing my ‘last’ Linda Thomas paperback, I received part of my new order of her books yesterday. It’s getting harder to find used paperbacks by Linda Thomas, but I’ll redouble my efforts when I start getting low again. Right now I feel rich in books. :0)

One of the things on my to-do list today is to work on reorganizing some of my books. Hopefully, by the end of the day, I’ll have a better handle on things.

Have a wonderful day.

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August 13, 2022 · 10:26 am

Art

avanistudios.com-Teri Althouse

I didn’t get up to my art room yesterday. I ran out of afternoon and chose to do my yoga (DAY 28) instead. I’ll try to get up there today, though.

I’m making some Christmas cards for a dear friend who is giving me freedom and time, so it’s a joy from start to finish. :0)

I’m using regular card stock and envelopes. The main color background is from bleeding tissue paper in several colors. I’ll do some writing on the inside, leaving plenty of room for the recipient’s name and a message to be written by my friend. She wants me to sign the back of the card.

On the front, I’m using a combination of 3-D effects to make a simple Christmas tree.

I’m having such a good time. I look forward to each stage of this. :0)

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August 8, 2022 · 10:37 am

M-M-M-Monday 8-8-2022

cesarsway.com

I’m having trouble talking clearly because my mouth is full of basketball…. :0) (I laughed out loud when I found this photo.)

Cleveland Clinic

Things are good here today, except that I developed a sore throat last evening. It hurts to swallow and ‘someone’ has been busy with sandpaper inside my throat. I have some Chloraseptic Spray and should be fine very soon.

Times of India

Meanwhile, we gathered trash this morning to add to the GROUP of bags the trash people STILL haven’t picked up. I’m pretty disgusted with our ‘service,’ having had to regather the trash down at the bottom of the driveway TWICE since the pickup was supposed to happen LAST Tuesday. Three phone calls to Customer Service and one to-the-point email have resulted in two work orders, but no action. They won’t be able to say we didn’t have the trash down in time THIS week…. 8 days and counting. HOPING the work order will result in them picking up the trash today, rather than having to have to leave it out there overnight again until ‘regular’ pickup tomorrow.

front
inside

On my Christmas project, the 8 tote bags are finished and stored until gift-giving time. I finished the Christmas cards to go with them yesterday and I’m now trying to flatten them. When I feel energetic, I’ll put things away in the art room and think about a next project.

Giphy

I’m going to take it easy today, spraying my throat, sucking on Sucrets, and being lazy. I’ll do what I can on my yoga practice this afternoon – DAY 24.

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August 6, 2022 · 9:39 am

Good Saturday Morning 8-6-2022

Unknown

I wish I woke up eager to start the day, a smile ready. Instead, I always get up reluctantly, grudgingly, putting one foot in front of the other, trying to get morning chores under control quickly and then enjoy a cup of coffee.

Today is much nicer because I just finished chatting with our son. Before he moved to Thailand, he set up a secure chat program for us, as well as a conference call program, so we can have good communications even though he’s all the way across the world. He has recently purchased a condo and is having it renovated. Huge new windows have been installed that will be much more efficient and make his condo much quieter from the outside traffic. He’s now going to set up a 2nd bedroom to be a combination office and music room. I’m eager to see how he sets it up. We can type-real-time with each other, plus send pics, leave messages and pics, plus actually visit on video when we’re all up at the same time, so I get everything but his stellar hugs. Can you see me smiling?

Empowered Parents

Yesterday I got the Christmas presents I’ve made for friends protected from the elements and stored safely until gift-giving time. I also got some work done on the inside of the Christmas cards I’m painting. I may be able to finish them today – except for flattening them again.

Now Cook This!

I’m using the chicken we brought home from yesterday’s Lunch Bunch and making what we call “Main Meal Salad” for dinner tonight. I’ll sneak some extra veggies in there. My scales are finally beginning to notice my efforts on eating – or NOT eating – and I’m on DAY 22 on my daily-yoga-practice goal. (Picture my husband cheering me on in his recliner while chomping on some Fritos . :0)

Enjoy your Saturday.

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August 5, 2022 · 1:30 pm

More Fun Friday 8-5-2022

topinspired.com

We are home now from our travels today.

Everyday Psych

Lunch Bunch was a joy. Everyone was there for the first time in several weeks. All were feeling fine. We enjoyed a fun conversation with lots of joking and laughing and just the happiness of sharing time together again. Bud and Kay both have birthdays in the coming week, so next Friday will be celebration day.

We did our errands without incident – the exception was that our trash has still not been picked up. The lady said with the heat, they are picking it up earlier and there was a note saying our trash wasn’t there in time. I told her that we put it out first thing and that usually it’s still there in the late afternoon. She put in a second work order and hopefully it will be gone tomorrow.

Sawyer

I’m about to head upstairs to play in my art room. I’ll store the finished tote bags and work on the inside page of the Christmas cards. Things are starting to come together. :0)

http://www.pinterest.ph – Cat GIF Central

I’ll do my DAY 21 yoga practice late this afternoon.

I hope your Friday is a fun one.

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August 4, 2022 · 9:05 am

Thursday Thoughts 8-4-2022

Heartfelt – Artwork by Catherine Zarip

It’s quite overcast right now and we might get some rain. I couldn’t be happier about it.

The UCSB Current-UC Santa Barbara

In about an hour I’ll go down to get our mail (if it’s not raining), checking to see if the trash has been picked up. It’s supposed to be picked up on Tuesday. When I left yesterday to get my hair cut, I had to stop and use the trash bag I carry in the truck to pick up the strewn garbage. When I got to town, I called the trash people. The lady said she would create a work order so the trash would be picked up yesterday. I HOPE it was actually picked up. If not, I will call them again with some choice words.

DepositPhotos

I’m on DAY 20 of my daily yoga practice. My husband told me I was “doing a good job” yesterday. I tried to get him to practice with me, but he scoffed at me, eating some Fritos…

everymum

I still don’t know if the Christmas cards I’m trying to paint will turn out reasonably or not, but I look forward to working on them each day.

I’ve been finding a lot of talented people’s work lately. It’s such a joy to discover someone creating breathtaking art in all its forms and be able to share it with you.

Have a great Thursday!

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August 3, 2022 · 8:51 am

Wonderful Wednesday

PBS – Shutterstock

I say, “Wonderful Wednesday” because I’m leaving in less than an hour to get a haircut. I look like a dandelion gone to seed right now and saying that I can’t wait to be ‘healed’ is a vast understatement.

It’s going to be hot today (102 degrees F.) with unknown heat index – SURPRISE! – but we might get RAIN tomorrow, so I have hope.

I’m looking forward to playing in my art room this afternoon. The jury is still out on whether the cards I’m trying to paint will be ‘keepers’ or not, but I’m having a great time experimenting with different ideas and techniques. One of the reasons I start making presents and cards for Christmas so early is that what I’m ABLE to do doesn’t match what I would LIKE to do, and so several false starts are inevitably involved.

Our tomatoes are mostly gone now. I have a few that may ripen, so I check the plants every few days for treasure. I will soon pull up the sweet red onions from the garden to start them drying.

I’m on DAY 19 of my yoga. I’m determined to keep on keepin’ on until this practice becomes as ingrained as brushing my teeth in the morning. This practice, I think, is one of the keys to my health, my ability to do what I want without a lot of pain. I want to live a long time so I can continue to annoy my husband. (53 years and counting…)

I hope you have something fun planned for today, or if not – you have a pleasant, happy Wednesday.

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August 2, 2022 · 3:58 pm

Starting to Take Shape

Gathered

Things are starting to come together on the Christmas cards I’m trying to paint. I’m trying to do stylized Christmas trees. I used bleeding tissue paper for the ‘leaves and branches’ part. Today I outlined the ‘tree’ with 3-D white paint, added a star on top and painted part of the ‘trunk’, for these are ‘live’ Christmas trees – the ones you can plant when the holiday is over.

I’m letting them dry now and will see what they look like tomorrow.

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August 1, 2022 · 3:45 pm

Fun Afternoon

Bruderhof Communities

I’ve been having a fun afternoon.

Once I finished vacuuming the first floor tiles and carpet, I made our lunch and then did the first of the month stuff. Then I headed up to my art room to see what I thought of my efforts yesterday on making Christmas cards for my friends to go with their presents.

So far, it looks like I have an interesting start to the cards that might work. (I used bleeding tissue paper on card stock yesterday and left them overnight to dry.) I took off the tissue paper this afternoon and am now trying to get the card stock to lie flat. (I put a gazillion sketch pads on top of the pile of them and will leave them until tomorrow, when I do the next step.)

I also took the tote bags I finished painting to spray the first side with some protective spray that will help avoid stains and increase the lasting power of the paint. I’ll spray the other side tomorrow.

I spent some time clearing off my drafting table so I have a good space to work tomorrow.

Now I’m going to do yoga practice # 17 and then dive back into my book.

Lovely afternoon!

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July 30, 2022 · 3:38 pm

I Have the FIRST Part…

jennawebbart.com

I made only messes in my art room yesterday in my effort to create a Christmas card design. I’ll try again today. I have an idea rattling around, but I don’t know whether it will turn out to be complete trash, as my two ideas did yesterday. “Hope springs eternal” ~ Alexander Pope.

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July 30, 2022 · 9:36 am

Last Saturday of July 7-30-2022

Nicky Litchfield Animal Artist-TheRoseGallery.co.uk

I love this painting!

We got rained out (hooray!) yesterday on grocery shopping. We’re supposed to get more today (HOORAY – AGAIN!) so we’ll leave soon to see if we can get our mail and replenish our food supply before the rain starts. We actually have the doors open this morning and the a/c turned off! This won’t last, but I’ll sure take it right now. :0)

americasbestpics.com

We tried three places yesterday to buy Mega Millions tickets. One place didn’t sell them at all. The two places where I’ve bought them before have changed ownership recently. They have applied for their licenses, but don’t have them yet. I was disappointed, then learned this morning the winning ticket was sold in Illinois….

Free Arts

I had fun experimenting in my art room yesterday afternoon, but only made messes. I have another idea to try today…

I hope you’re enjoying the last Saturday of July.

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July 28, 2022 · 9:14 am

Thoughts on a Thursday 7-28-2022

Helen

Isn’t this sweet? My heart just melted when I found it.

I’m leaving for a massage in about 20 minutes and I’m READY for it. I have a bunch of sore and tight places all over me, just crying out for Lynn’s expertise. Between the massage this morning and my yoga practice this afternoon, my body should be smiling.

We actually have a chance for some isolated showers today into Monday! I’m ready for THAT, too. Everything is really stressed, even with our daily watering. If we DO get some rain, don’t be surprised if you hear a big, “AHHHHHHHH!” from Arkansas.

If things work out as I plan, I’ll start making some Christmas cards this afternoon. I have an idea for what I’d like to do, but I have no idea if it will actually come together or not. I love being able to experiment in my art room.

Have a wonderful day!

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July 27, 2022 · 2:43 pm

Christmas Totes 1

I told you I would share the Christmas gifts I’ve been working on in my art room for the past month. I still need to make Christmas cards, bag them all up, and then store them until the proper time.

Carla – front (she and her son have built and run a race car.)
Carla back

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Kay – front – (Lunch Bunch friend who loves word search puzzles)
Kay – back
Linda – front – (Lunch Bunch friend – loves jigsaw puzzles)
Linda – back
Mikey – front – (our waitress at Lunch Bunch – is going to have a granddaughter soon)
Mikey – back
Nora – front – long time friend – pastel artist
Nora – back
Patty – front – (Lunch Bunch Friend – has pontoon boat, is very active)
Patty – back

There are two other totes, but I’m not showing them here. They are for dear friends who read my blog. :0)

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July 24, 2022 · 9:37 am

Sunny Sunday 7-24-2022

boredpanda.com

This wonderful photo and our weather are at war for who can make me melt into a puddle first. I say the sweet puppy, but our heat index will be 110 degrees F. today… UGH.

The Guardian

I’ve really been enjoying the time in my art room. I may finish the Christmas presents today. It’s so much fun to try to make things my friends will enjoy. They’re so good to me, and I want to give them at least a little something back. So there are lots of warm feelings, memories, appreciation and smiles in that room lately. The time there really helps me keep my cool about the rest of the stuff happening in the world and in my life. too.

Amber

Our dog has quite a sense of humor. She now thinks it’s funny to wake us up in the middle of the night barking at what my husband calls, “ghost gophers.” When we get up to check on things, there is never anything there. We don’t know if she smells something on the deck, or in the garage, is dreaming, or what, but it’s irritating when we are in the middle of some good rest and are jolted awake. Sometimes my husband goes downstairs and threatens her verbally. Sometimes we can ignore it and she stops. This morning it was closer to the time we normally wake up and she only did it for a few minutes, so we were able to catch a few more zzzz’s. It’s a good thing, with our own ‘old people’s weird sleep patterns’ plus Amber’s sense of humor, that we can take a nap during the day if needed.

Hoping for a quiet Sunday.

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July 18, 2022 · 6:02 pm

Nice Afternoon

Gfycat

I’ve had a very nice afternoon.

I turned on the a/c upstairs – it’s 104 F. actual temperature – who knows what the heat index is – and painted for a couple of hours this afternoon. Things are definitely coming together on the Christmas gifts I’m painting. I listened to some of my favorite music while I painted and had a great time.

Reviewed

I came downstairs and was going to read, but ended up asleep in my recliner with the book on top of me. :0) I feel much more rested now.

Tenor

Then it was about 5:00 and I hadn’t done my yoga practice for the day, so I did that, and earned my sparkly star on my calendar.

Now I’m enjoying time on my computer and will soon fix dinner for us.

NICE afternoon.

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July 17, 2022 · 10:17 am

FUN

Randy Pausch – acolorfuljourney.com

I’ve been having a wonderful time for several weeks now, making Christmas presents for my friends. I got the idea for the theme of the presents several months ago, and ideas have been rattling around in my brain ever since.

I finally ordered the materials I needed and began to play as soon as they arrived. I looked on the net for some reference pictures for some of my ideas, and then began drawing my ideas with pencil. There are two sides to each present and 8 friends, so there was a lot of drawing.

I’ve been painting for about three weeks now, having a truly wonderful time in my art room. I’m not in any hurry. My goal is to make some progress on the project each day, but enjoying every minute of the process. I’m about to finish ‘Side 1″ of the 8 presents.

Making time to have FUN each day is important to your soul, your sense of worth, your outlook. It’s a buffer against whatever challenges with which you are dealing, replenishing strength and resilience you’ll need. A time for JOY gives you peace of mind, if only for a little while each day – a coping mechanism that is priceless.

I used to put time in my art room, time for reading, listening to music, playing in my garden or yard, writing this blog on my to-do list WHEN I COULD MAKE THE TIME – if possible when my work and other obligations are under control. Now I consciously make time to at least ONE of the things I love on a daily basis. I feel stronger, happier, and more alive since I switched my priorities.

NOTE: I have to admit (shhhhh!) I felt guilty when my husband came in for batteries for his remote for the TV this morning and had Amber hair all over the front of his shirt from getting down on the carpet to work in the area under the TV in the entertainment center. Looks like I should make time to vacuum the first floor carpet today…. :0)

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July 15, 2022 · 9:49 am

Thoughts on a Friday 7-15-2022

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I just love this photo. I WANT this sweet animal!

As far as I know, everyone will be at Lunch Bunch today. It’ll be a nice reunion. We have a few errands to do, but won’t be out long.

DepositPhotos.com

I’m having a lot of fun in my art room, working on the presents I’m painting for my friends for Christmas. I’m making 8 things, and I’m almost finished with some of the first sides. Apparently I smile while I’m painting – I’m finding my cheeks are hurting a bit in the evenings. :0)

Lucia Heffernan – MyModernMet

I’m going to do an extra-long session of yoga this afternoon. I missed it yesterday and my body is reminding me about it today. You would THINK that after so many RE-learnings of this lesson, the message would stick. All I can say is I’m fighting sloth, stubbornness, and stupidity – a pretty lethal combination.

This morning’s harvest. We went into withdrawal yesterday because we didn’t have any ripe tomatoes from our garden to eat. Today makes up for yesterday, with more coming, probably tomorrow. YUM.

Hoping for a safe, quiet day for all of us.

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July 14, 2022 · 10:12 am

Fun in My Art Room

Book Riot

Each afternoon I’m spending time in my art room, working on the presents I’m making for my friends for Christmas. I try to make progress on two of them each day, waiting for paint to dry on each before the next step. I’m making 8 presents, and each is different, so I’m taking my time and really enjoying the process.

We converted a third bedroom to be my art room several years ago. I go up there, shut the door, turn on music I don’t listen to anywhere else, and start experimenting, immersing myself in color, determination, hope, and fun.

Even when all I create is a mess, the time there is well spent. I emerge refreshed in spirit, free and happy. I’m very lucky to have a space like this.

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July 10, 2022 · 9:52 am

Feeling Lazy Sunday 7-10-2022

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I slept well – in fact, we even slept late – but I’m feeling lazy this morning. I have no excuses. I’ll have to push myself to get something done today.

I did go out a minute ago to get a pic of our elephant ear plants and to see if any tomatoes were ready to harvest. It’s warm, but cooler than yesterday.

The poor elephant ears have had a tough time this season. The main problem was that we needed to have our well house set up modified so we could have TWO irrigation systems, one for the back and the 2nd for the front. The one in the back was working, thank goodness, because the two tomato planters are on that one. We just got the 2nd one – the one for the front – Friday morning. The elephant ears are starting to perk up, and they look better since I cut off the dead stuff and cleaned up the planter. Hopefully, they’ll have an easier time now.

We had two tomatoes ready to come in this morning, and they’re beautiful. We’re becoming totally spoiled, enjoying ripe tomatoes for lunch and dinner each day. :0)
YouTube – Suda the painting elephant – uploaded by F. Schleyhahn

I spent a good amount of time in my art room playing yesterday. The presents I’m making are starting to come together now. I really get into the zone when I’m up there, listening to wonderful music, playing in my paint, enjoying when our dog or cat come up to visit. Having some ‘alone’ time is what my soul needs sometimes. I’m lucky I have a place I can get it.

MyRecipes

I don’t have to cook this evening! We’re having “Main Meal Salad” tonight with leftover chicken from the Lunch Bunch. We both enjoy this every once in awhile. I’m even able to sneak in a couple of extra veggies without my husband complaining…

We’re looking at what I hope will be a quiet day. I hope yours is enjoyable, too.

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July 8, 2022 · 9:35 am

Hot Friday

The Sun

A heat index today of around 115 is TOO hot for this old lady. I just took some water out to pour into the elephant ear planter. Our plumber hasn’t been able to make time to put in our 2nd watering line for the planters in the front yard, so things are just drying up. The thing I care about the most in the front is the elephant ears, so I’ll concentrate on those. – UPDATE – Our plumber just drove up, ready to work on the 2nd line we need! HOORAY!!!!

Benjamin Franklin Plumbing
Final Fantasy XIV Promotional Site

We will go to Lunch Bunch soon to catch up with our friends. I don’t know if one of them will be back from her visit in Tennessee, but I’ll be happy to see whoever is there.

Caters News Agency – Cristina is Painting

I’m making steady progress on the Christmas gifts. I’m spending some wonderful time up in my art room each day, taking my time, listening to music while I’m painting, enjoying time to myself and the joy of trying to make something my friends will like. :0)

I got some new things added to my Etsy shop yesterday. I’ll add some more today. It’s fun to give my shop a bit of a new look.

Yesterday I wrote to Dr. Singer at our veterinarian’s office via email to tell him how impressed I was with Emma and the rest of his staff on handling the possibility of a fire and handling customers in the middle of it. I’m hoping they will get something special, including raises. :0)

Have a wonderful Friday!

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July 7, 2022 · 10:07 am

Thankful Thursday

Greater Good Science Center – UC Berkeley

I’m thankful for air conditioning when we are under a ‘dangerous heat advisory’ through to the weekend with a heat index of 115 for Friday. I just went out to our shop to get some things to add to my Etsy site and the heat slammed me in the face the minute I opened the door to go out. I was REALLY glad to get things done out there and back into the house. (My dog, Amber, and my cat, Abby, accompanied me, and even THEY were happy to get back inside the cool house.)

I’m thankful that, even though my garden is pretty much over for the season (except for a couple of zucchini plants, red onions, and tomatoes) I had a nice harvest this morning.

I’m thankful to be having such a wonderful time starting to paint the totes I’m giving for Christmas this year. My ideas are starting to come together. My head and heart are full of memories of each of these wonderful friends as I picture their faces as I paint. I listen to some of my favorite music up there AND I’m ALSO thankful I can turn on the a/c upstairs so it cools off while I paint! :0)

tendencee.com.br

(I’m hoping that my husband and I look like this wonderful couple when we grow up.) I’m thankful that our day so far is quiet and happy. Sharing your life with someone is one of the most challenging and rewarding things you might be lucky enough to do.

I hope you have lots of things for which you’re thankful, too.

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July 6, 2022 · 3:21 pm

Art Therapy

Tanglewood Moms – iStock

I was a bit down when I went up to my art room a couple of hours ago. Now I’m grinning like this beautiful child while she enjoys making art.

Playing with different media, steeped in lots of different colors, fills something deep within me, healing places I hadn’t realized needed it. It’s wonderful therapy and I’m so lucky to have a place I can escape and do something that brings me joy.

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