So much time and so little to do . . . Strike that

I love that line from Willie Wonka & the Chocolate Factory. In the middle of his amazing chocolate factory, Mr. Wonka tells his group of golden ticket holders to hurry along as they have "So much time and so little to do. Wait a minute. Strike that. Reverse it." 

Oh, I've been feeling that way this week.

So much to do . . . my friends.

Such little time.

But, what is most important . . . is that I am doing.

And not only in my studio.

I'm feeling a little more focused these days.

I'm cleaning cupboards.

I'm organizing closets.

(well . . . only one so far . . . but that's something, right?)

I'm throwing things away.
Do you know that I had cake mix in my cabinet that expired in 2010?
Like, January of 2010?
I KNOW!
I digress . . . .

I'm walking.

I'm writing.

I'm reading.

I'm painting.

I even went to a Natural Health Foods Store today, to find

a natural way to deal with these unruly seasonal allergies I've been hit with.

I have never tried all natural remedies before, 

but have become more interested in it recently.

I have to say . . .

I have only tried this for one day, but I do feel relief.

Really.

Time will tell.

Stay tuned.

Oh . . .
and come back soon, will you?

I have just discovered I am on blog post # 595!!!
(CAN THAT BE? Wow . . . I sure talk . . . a lot)

And I just decided,
I need to do a BIG give-away when I hit #600!!!!

So, keep checking in.
You never know when the big 6-0-0 will arrive!!!

Standing Tall

I have a blessed life.

With each and every breath I take,

I am blessed.

From the very first ray of sunshine that falls from the sky,

to the very first sparkle of stardust at nightfall,

I am reminded of the blessings in my life.

I don't know if I always realized that.

I was too busy going through the motions

to really get it.

But now, after 40 years,

I finally see it.

I am blessed.

And with that affirmation,

comes strength.

The strength to stand tall.

For what I believe.

For what I feel.

For what I want.

For who I am.

And standing tall . . .

that is the biggest blessing of them all.

Peace, my friends.

Here's hoping you are standing tall, too.

What a Difference a Year (or two) Makes

Lately, I've been thinking about a past blog post that I wrote. It must have been a couple of years ago. I remember it so vividly. The day that I sat down at the computer and spilled my emotions right there onto the keyboard. I remember the feeling I had . . . emptiness . . . lost . . . unfulfilled . . . alone.

I wrote it back in February of 2010.

You can click here to pull up the original post, if you'd like. Or, I can give you the shortened version of it right now.

My life back in February of 2010 was different than it is today. I was working close to full time for an healthcare auditing company. I was a stressed mom of a 3 year old toddler and 6 year old, juggling most of our family responsibilities while my dearest PG travels so often for his job. And while the latter hasn't changed much . . . everything else has. The name of the post is "Only in My Dreams". In it, I tell the story of a recent visit to the local Michael's Art & Craft Store. I wrote:

"While I was there, I found myself drawn to the paint aisle.

Years ago, I was an artist. An artist with oil paints, that is.

I used to CREATE paintings . . . but it has been years

since I have picked up a paint brush."

I wrote that it had been years since I picked up a paint brush. I can't even believe it. Even then, back in February of 2010, my soul was calling for it. I went on to further write:

"Isn't it funny how we forget to look into ourselves?

To look at what our soul really longs for and what will fill our spirit?"

My friends, I am so glad that I finally looked into myself and found my spirit.

What's most interesting, is that it has never really left me. It was still around me . . .  I just wasn't listening to it. But now, I'm on a new adventure. Oh, and the colors on this adventure . . . they are wonderful.

Thank you for going on this journey with me.

Magnificent Monday Vlog #16

It's that time, again!

Pour the coffee, grab a chair, and let's talk . . .

Don't you just love where You Tube freezes these videos?

I mean . . . look at this photo above.

Just SILLY!!

I'm back in the studio this week, although the weather has been SO GORGEOUS that I easily could have done this Vlog from outside again. But, maybe next week.

Hope you have a MAGNIFICENT MONDAY, my friends!

xo xo

A New Suit

So, I bought a new bathing suit the other day. Yes, I just came back from Puerto Rico a couple weeks ago. And yes, I am buying a new bathing suit now. Sounds a little backwards, doesn't it?


But the truth is I just decided, while visiting Puerto Rico, that I wanted a new suit. Because my old suit is . . . black. Solid black. And boring. And I have to say, not a single person at the resort had a black suit on. Seriously. Not a single person.



My new suit? Not so boring. With only a little black. But primarily robins egg blue and white. Floral. A touch of pizzazz. Just like me.



I've been a Black Bathing Suit beauty for years now. Frankly, because black is supposed to be . . . slimming. Right? But I ask you . . . is black really slimming when worn in the bathing suit form? I mean, size 22 is size 22, no matter what color the bathing suit is, right? And a black bathing suit really doesn't cover all those curves any more than a robins egg blue, white and black floral print one does . . . does it?



So, I've bought a new bathing suit.



I wonder whose idea it was to change swim suits. I mean, I really would have preferred to buy one like this . . .

photo found at www.fashion-era.com

But I couldn't find one that would work for me.



Ah, well.



Look out Summer . . . me and my pizzazzie swim suit are ALL ready for you!!!

Elizabeth and Me

When starting my blog a few years ago, I never imagined becoming friends with strangers. Or even considering a stranger a true, dear friend. But I have, and I do. All because of . . . the Internet.
I love that on any given day, I can sit at my laptop and be immediately connected with friends from all over the world. Some may be close (just blocks away), while others can be across the seas (Europe). But no matter how far away, I love that I can read a post from someone who is across the globe, and know that we are really all the same. The world seems so much smaller when I can read that a mother in France is going through the very same things I am going through, or that a gardener in Italy is also having challenges with her vegetables this season. Or perhaps, that there is an artist in Puerto Rico whose work inspires me so.

I love the Internet.

When Phil told me he had to visit Puerto Rico for work, and we decided that the girls and I could tag along, I have to admit . . . I had an ulterior motive.

Meet Elizabeth Gonzlez.

photos above taken from www.elizabethglz.com

Elizabeth is a fellow Hello Soul, Hello Business classmate, a Flying Lessons classmate, an amazing artist, and previous online, now BRAND NEW REAL LIFE friend!

For the past year, I have enjoyed all of Elizabeth's positive comments and joyful outlook on art and life during the various Facebook Groups we both are a part of. So, when I decided to join Phil on his trip to Puerto Rico, I had a strong desire to look up Elizabeth and MEET her . . . in the real world!!! After contacting her through one of our groups, we had arranged to meet for lunch at this lovely restaurant in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Lunch was so wonderful. Phil, Katie and Ella joined me for the day, and I am so glad that they were there with me. I love that this whole experience taught my girls how small the world really is, and how it showed them how exciting it is to meet a friend from another part of the world. They adored this whole adventure. And Elizabeth? Oh, I have to tell you . . . she is WONDERFUL!! It's funny . . . how after seconds of meeting her, I felt like we were old friends. So very easy to talk to, so kind, so thoughtful. Though are lives are different, our core souls are so very similar and I felt immediately welcomed and connected to this amazing woman.  She presented Katie and Ella with beautiful handmade tiles that were each personalized with their names. And I was given a BEAUITUFL piece of hers titled "A Mothers Love" that is proudly displayed in my home now. Such a generous, kind woman.

After lunch, we decided to continue our adventure to Old San Juan. We spent the day exploring (what felt like) each and every part of this beautiful and historic city. We walked, was talked, we laughed . . . and we connected.

While walking down one of the streets in Old San Juan, we stumbled upon a home that had one of Elizabeth's tiles built right in it's facade. It was one of the coolest moments, and I was so glad to be there and experience this with her.



Yes, we felt like we were with a rock star! We traveled to one of the shops in town that sells much of Elizabeth's work, and my girls felt SO SPECIAL to see the beautiful pieces right there, and know that we were spending the day with THE ARTIST!



A mid-afternoon stop for Ice Cream was the perfect way to rest up for the remainder of our day. (Note to self . . . maybe next time when traveling to a warmer, humid location, you should wear a hat! Or try something else with your hair . . . because you look ghastly!) ;)

I just love the sun shining brightly on us from behind in this photo above. Phil was the amazing photographer through-out this whole trip, and I love that he caught this photo of Elizabeth and me walking and talking. There was a beautiful breeze coming off of the ocean right about now, and I could have walked and talked with my dear new friend all day long. 

 Yes, here we are . . . (again, me on the left with the ghastly hair!!!) But two artistic souls sharing a special day. I am so grateful that I was able to meet Elizabeth, and am so grateful that she spent ALL DAY WITH US!!! The minute we returned to our hotel that evening, Ella (my 5 year old) asked where Elizabeth was, and she wanted to know when Elizabeth was going to come and visit us and our home!

Elizabeth, you are welcome to our home . . . AT ANY TIME! Oh, and did I tell you? We will probably be back to Puerto Rico next year . . . I can't wait to see you again!

Each friend represents a world in us, 

 world possibly not born until they arrive. 

~Anäis Nin

Magnificent Monday Vlog #15!

Happy Monday my friends! Time for another Magnificent Monday Vlog!!!!

I can't believe we are up to number 15 on the old VLOG list . . .

THANK YOU SO much for joining me week after week and spending some time with me.

This week, I'm spicing it up a little and adding some TEXT in the video!!!!

I KNOW!

Impressive, don't you think?

So . . . grab your coffee, pull up a comfy chair, and let's chat!

Oh . . . and we are OUTSIDE this time!!!! :)

Wishing you a wonderful day, my friend!

It's a New Day!

Sunday. The day of worship. The day of rest.

For me, Sunday is the day of new beginnings. A re-focus, so to speak.

A time to re-evalute the week that was, and to set goals for the week that will be.

I'm in a good place today.

Must be that Puerto Rico SUN that is still warming my heart.

I'm making a list today . . . a list of all the things I want to accomplish next week. I have been away from my lists for way too long. I think that is why I have stalled in this life of mine. Lists help me . . . they help me see what I have ahead of me. They help me feel so very good when I can cross things off of them as completed.

So much to do . . . and I'm ready.

I'll have a new VLOG tomorrow (Wahoooo!) sharing lots of things with you. But until then, here are a few more photos from our recent vacation. Oh, it was a good one, my friends. SO so good.

Our view from our balcony . . . seriously . . . absolutely breathtaking.

One of my favorite shots of the girls . . . so beautiful. I am blessed with these little souls.

PG going down the TORPEDO slide!!!! ahhhhhh!!!!

One of the highlights of the trip . . . I was able to meet fellow Hello Soul Hello Business classmate and artist Elizabeth Gonzalez! We spent the whole day in Old San Juan with her . . . and it was amazing. I'll share more of my experience of meeting an online friend with you during a post this week. I LOVE ELIZABETH!!!!

An amazing picture of the streets of Old San Juan. It really is as beautiful as it looks.

My second favorite photo of the trip. Love these girls!

Breakfast at the resort . . . I'm all ready for the day in my Puerto Rico inspired outfit!

My very own Bay Watch Babe!!! Hubba hubba! ;)

My view while lounging on Palomino Island. This photo is the epitome of my zen experience this trip.

So much more to share from this trip . . . I'll be back this week with a few more posts about it. Come back tomorrow, though, for my next Magnificent Monday Vlog!!!

Hugs! and Peace to you all!

xo xo xo

We're Back!

Yes . . . we are. And I feel . . . amazing.

Rested. Peaceful. Calm. Relaxed. Renewed. Did I mention . . . calm?

Yes, I feel calm. We've been back for two days, and I STILL feel calm.

I guess having views like this may have helped . . .

And seeing my daughter like this might have helped, too . . .

But then again, it may have been spending hours right here that really helped . . .

Oh, and maybe it was enjoying a ride like this that helped, too . . .

I have so much to share with you from our recent get-away to Puerto Rico! (YES!! We went to Puerto Rico . . . and it was honestly the very best vacation we have ever had. Really. THE BEST.) I'll be back soon sharing more photos and stories. Just wanted to leave a quick note right now.

Today, I'm off to purchase a new scrapbook to record all of our memories and photos of this trip in, and then . . . time to do the laundry!

I am feeling so peaceful, my friends. This is JUST what I needed.

Hugs to you all . . . and wishing you peaceful days and sunny skies where ever you may be!

xo

I'm off . . .

to sunny skies and happy drives . . .

to laughter and fun . . .

and major soul searching . . .



artwork by . . . me!



Wishing you sunshine, where ever you may be!

Peace, my friends!