EE'sBlahBlahBlog

Altered Couture - Misellaneous Ramblings and Vacation

2011-10-04T10:56:00.000-05:00

Have you ever wondered how to do something with those bits and pieces you have in your closet - You really don't want to throw them out - you really do like them the way they are - then you see one of those You Tube How To's and think - I can do that!

Although I do not have pictures to post today - I am excited about some of my ideas for a whole new added look to my fall/winter wardrobe. I have gathered over several trips to some garage sale - consignment stores a few items I will be taking apart and making one of a kind Altered Couture - Designed by The EE! I can't wait.

The pictures and the designing will have to wait until next week - I am flying out to Dallas to have some fun down time with my best friend. Although I do hope to find some possible unique and wonderful places in the big D to bring back to add to my project.

To wet your appetite - I found 2 brown skirts one with some type of design with beads running through it and another with some turquoise designs - the browns are basically the same and I am planning on chopping them up to make one really sensational fun skirt - Hard to picture I know - but just try.

I also picked up a man's sweater - with a great design running through it - I am going to chop it up and make a really cool sweater skirt to wear with black tights and boots! Drooling aren't you!

Laying in a neat pile for several years now are several pairs of blue jeans that are a mile long and really "ugly" as a pair of blue jeans go. But I have consulted my awesome creative genus - Dena - on how to really make a great designer skirt that doesn't look like mess. So that is also on my list of make overs.

Making my list and checking it twice Altered Couture by The EE is going to be HOT for the Fall and Winter!! Be Jealous is all I can say! You will want to create your own and I will be giving step by step instructions.

Along with these awesome creations I will be showing you how to make the most popular accessory - the "tie" belt with wonderful embellishments and maybe some added one of a kind must have jewelry pieces for added glam! You don't want to miss these how did you do that EE! I will show it all when I return.

Also, I will be posting pictures and how to's for my new art journals I have actually made but have not added the ribbons and rings. You are going to love them - love them. You will remember if you keep up with me that I teach and have even posted on some of my previous post "Trashy Happy" Art Journals! Well some of the finished ones I will be posted also after my mini vacation to the Big D Town!

Thanks for stopping by - If you are new to my blog, you are invited to go to my website to learn more about me at http//.www.twicechosen.net. You are welcome to send me your Altered Couture Design hints at ee@twicechosen.net.

EE has two new blogs that you will what to check out- http://pathswinthejourney.blogspot.com and http://dontstepinthegoatcheese.blogspot.com

A Trashy Happy Weekend

2011-10-03T08:43:00.001-05:00

There is nothing better than being able to create a wonderful creation from not so happy trashy objects.

If you know THE EE you know I don't like to "dig". I like a very neat and clean garage sales or consignment shops, to find wonderful trashy happy treasures, but I don't like to dig.

A couple of weekends ago I had a wonderful time going through a friends garage sale before the sale! It was great. My good friend "The Garage Sale Queen" can find the best "trashy happys" of anyone around and she also gives the greatest garage sales. She let me come in and look ahead of time for treasures.

I did ended up with numerous finds that I was able to share with others and some fun things myself as well. All in all I think I have now been converted!

Here is my awesome little lunch purse. When I get a free moment I am going to have it monogrammed no one else will snatch it! Not too trashy but a very Happy Find.

One of my fun finds was a sweater vest that ended up being chopped up to make covers for my camera and lens, along with a great camera bag that just looks like EE. Stay tuned for the designer skirt I am creating with the leftover fringe.

Pretty cool. I use a zigzag stitch to keep the yarn from raveling. It went together really fast. My new bag has lots of pockets inside and out.

Somehow I "inherited" a vintage 8 mm splicing machine - complements of my son - who inherited it from an antique shop owner. It may well be our "white elephant" gift that is passed back and forth or it may even become a lamp. Who knows.

As you can see I ended up with some fun and trashy happy and interesting finds. There is no telling what I will end up with next!

What interesting finds have you come across lately? Where is your favorite place to go searching for Trashy Happy Treasures?

Black Sheep- White Cow – Swimming Against the Status Quo

2011-09-14T16:53:00.000-05:00

The English language describes a black sheep as an odd disreputable memberor group, especially within a family. Typically this is a negative implication.In other languages the term white cow is the same definition.
From a psychology point of view it defines a group or members of one’s ownfamily who behave in a way such as to jeopardize the groups/family image – an unlikeablemember – an embarrassment if you will.

In 1988 Elizabeth Stone stated in her book Black Sheep/Kissing Cousins -''Theinclusion of the black sheep testifies to the family's dominant value, which isfamily unity.'' And she goes on to say ''the black sheep needs to be there forthe holidays to remind the rest of the family of how wonderful they are. 'Otherwise, one of the white sheep might lookquizzically at someone else and say, 'Hey, you look a little gray.' "

When I look back over my life’s journey I can pretty well tell you I was theblack sheep within all my groups – family – school – socially – professionally andas much as I hate to admit it my faith base family. There are times I think I actually broke themold of the Southern Bread Southern Belle!

Today, I am somewhat of a black sheep/white cow in many circles. I do not conform tojust the “Status Quo” folks but seem to take my individual stand. Many times my individual stand can rubagainst the favor of many.

For whatever the reason my childhood, teenage and early adulthood did not gowell. My parents did not know what to dowith me or for me, nor did my teachers – there is no doubt for whatever reasonI seem to make really poor choices. Theresults were not great and many to this day I sadly regret.

The flip side to all of this, it has open doors for me to counsel many youngperson and women who need to know that they are truly people of worth andvalue.

In a recent blog I referred to The Help book/movie. There are several scenes that I truly couldrelate to as far as rejection, not being a part of and even shunned.

Several years ago, I was in the midst of re-establishing myself. Finances were at an all time low. I can remember calling some of my “sistersand brothers” of the Faith. No onewanted or chose to help. I can rememberasking a couple of my close “sisters” to assist me with toilet paper/papertowels and other essentials. Not only was it degrading emotionally to ask forhelp, it was even more hurtful to never receive the first piece of paper towelor one role of toilet paper. Within that same time frame in the midst ofsharing my “need” two all so humble brothers, promoting helping hands, just flatout told me “NO” there was no help for me. You could hear the contempt in thevoice. Truly these are the moments I knew I was the“Black Sheep/White Cow” of my Faith Base Family! Why– because I had taken my stand on many issues over the years and many a timenot graciously. Remember – People remember the negatives far more thanthe positives in your life.

Another interesting scenario that comes to mind – Being at the wrong placeat the wrong time can also tag you as a Black Sheep/White Cow. As a young adult I went to stay with someFaith Base Family. Their “unsaved” sonand I went riding around – late at night – noting but hanging out. It caused a “Big Problems” – the worst wasthought – years and years passed and I remember sharing with his mom and anotherdear friend, wanting to clear the air. They rejected very clearly what I shared. They “wanted” to believe what they believed”.Apoor but innocent choice as a young adult was never forgiven or believed.

The stories and scenarios are more numerous than I care to remember.

So just why have i chosen to write this particular blog - what is my purpose? Because i want to state That it is Not a BAD Thing to Be a Black Sheep/White Cow! And it is not not to dog those that make one feel likethe Black Sheep/White Cow. For most Black Sheep/White Cows are wonderful - creative people that have rich real life experiences that should be embraced. We are certainly not Vanilla Folk!!

So for what it is worth - Here are some of my main lessons learned:

First and the most important lesson is to forgive and move on and to embellishmyself with love and forgiveness. I do not try and conform or pour myself intoa mold that is not made for me.

Secondly, I have learned to take my poor choices as a platform in order to teachothers. Taking one’s stand as anindividual is a hard and sometimes lonely place to be, but if you know you havetruth – then stand but don’t push it down the throats of those that have theirfingers pointing at you.

Thirdly, I have learned I don’t have to beg those to believe my change – my standor my conviction. I believe that I do have to make good choices and react toany one with respect for myself. Thisone has probably been the hardest lesson and I am not sure even today I do itas well as I should.

As I shared with a dear precious lady whom I respect and love so much –Being a Black Sheep/White Cow is not necessarily a bad thing. I do believe I am the President of “The Black Sheep/White Cow Club”.

For withinmy being are the war wounds from the past and some I will have from thepresent. They keep me humble – they keepme real and they keep me the individual Sassy Southern Belle I am..

9/11 - The Help - Mary Lou Galloway

2011-09-14T11:48:00.001-05:00

On Sunday - September 11, 2011, I realized just how deeply my pain of my life was. Even though there has been so much emotional and physical healing over my life, the memories that floated through my mind stung deeply. Ouch! Pain I thought you were gone!!

For all of us 9/11 will forever be deeply rooted within us. Each one of us have stories and emotions for this day that Changed The World as we knew it. For 9/11 not only changed me as an American, but it marked the beginning of every areas of my life being shattered apart, leaving me totally undone. My professional life, my personal life and even my spiritual life had been shattered.

Knowing my emotions were already in the ouch stage, I went recently to see The Help. The book itself had left me somewhat bittersweet for it allowed memories from growing up to spring forth! The movie was very well done in keeping with The Book. What I was not expecting was the emotional roller coaster it would take me on. There were so many scenes that jerked opened memories that had nothing to do with the movie but with my life and those that have been apart of my life. As I told my BFF I could write side bar emotional scenarios all through.

So with all that being said about 9/11 and The Help I will unfold for you some of my thoughts and I am sure many of you will have your own sidebar thoughts as well.

When my folks adopted me, my mother hired a young girl around 10 - 11 years old to play with me. Over the years she became a very important part of my life - my whole families life. My folks regarded her with great respect. In fact one of the facts about my folks that I must say was a very positive influence in my life was being raised to respect others for who they are, not for their ethnic differences.

Mother's name was Mary and this young lady's name was Mary. Thus she became to all of us Little Mary. She was academically very smart - She was very creative - and she played the piano like the keys were magic under her touch.

Mary Lou Galloway - how I wish I knew where you were - I would just say thank you for loving me right where I was - being their for those moments of sadness in my life as a young girl. I think of you often and would just like to know you are doing well.

Memories of Little Mary are highlighted with Playing "Daddy's Britches" laughing so hard I cried with wonderful delight - learning to play the piano by ear - playing with your doll - hugging me when I failed at so many thing - taking you to college and attending your bridal shower. You gave to us all so unselfishly.

One of the memories that stands out so vividly that was prompted by The Help, was when we went to South Georgia one summer. One of my aunts planned an outdoor cook out - and she did not want Mary to eat with us. Even as a young girl, I was so offended at her - I waited and ate with Little Mary. In looking back, I wish I could have just slapped my aunt for being so rude.

I don't remember the last time I actually saw Little Mary, I think it was some 30 plus years ago that I actually talked to her o the phone - Where ever you are today - Know that I love you dearly and I thank you all you gave of yourself to me and to my family.

For now I will end . . . Would love to hear your thoughts and memories from 9/11 and The Help.

Lens of Life

2011-08-29T16:37:00.000-05:00

Have you ever seen a website, read a letter or even heard a statement coming out of a person's mouth and it was like a a slap across the face! A You know what I am talking about - one of those Warning Signals like that of the blast from the Tornado Warning Signal that right on top of you.

Recently I had been looking up information about a Christian Based Non Profit for a new friend to contact. He wanted to give some time giving back to the community while here for several months.

As I began scrolling through candid pictures posted on this website, I could feel the slap hitting my brain hard! All of the volunteers of this inner city non profit - the volunteers - were all Caucasian. The inner city area they were working in was prominently African American.

After pondering this I decided they probably never thought how their website might have been perceived. Knowing these folks as I do, it was never intentional. It caused me to further ponder the question, do we as "Christians" just not think when we are out and about trying to "Win The World"? How do those folks looking back at us see?

This scenario reminded me of my families good friend, who was a minister in the inner city of Savannah Georgia - he related a story about food and can goods collected for Thanksgiving to the families within that inner city. He said - "One afternoon I was standing in the kitchen of a lady who was looking at a turkey so large that it would not even fit into her tiny oven and the can goods that were brought to her were items she had never even heard of."

Our perception of life can be seen from a multiple of different lens. Some of these lens can alter our perception of the reality of the true picture we are looking at. Sad but true.

Not only should we keep our lens clear - free of those clouded lenses that alter our perception, we also need to make sure that when those that look back at us see us through a clear lens as well

What lenses are you wearing today?

The Malignant Cancers to The Spiritman

2011-08-24T08:52:00.014-05:00

Today's world is hard to ignore looking at all circumstances surrounding us, as well as our own circumstances. Even Christians speak doubt - speak with fear - fear of the world more than speaking what The Word of God says.

Once our eyes focused on the circumstances, the whys and "the should of - could of - would of" instead of on THE TRUTH OF GOD'S WORD, Opening the door for Doubt to loom over us screaming. Immediately fear, anxiety and other negatives evades our thoughts - our actions and our reactions reflect Forcing The WORD to move to the back seat as theses Malignant Cancers begin rapidly feeding away at our Spiritman!

If not stopped these killers grow and will literally eat away our Spiritman! Fatal to not only our Spiritman but to our mind, emotions and our body, effecting our total well being.

In order to understand exactly what we are dealing with we take a piratical look at the definitions of - Doubt, Fear and Malignant Cancer, and how important it is for us to sink our teeth into The Truth of God's Word to escape!

Doubt is defined as being be undecided or skeptical; to fear. To "feel" uncertain. Disbelief - distrust.

Fear is defined as a distressing emotion aroused by impending danger, evil, pain, etc., whether the threat is real or imagined; the feeling or condition of being afraid

Malignant Cancer is defined a cancer disposed to cause harm, suffering, or distress deliberately; feeling or showing ill will or hatred, very dangerous or harmful in influence or effect, tending to produce death.

Have you noticed that today the media has gone to the extreme in putting doubt and fear into our normal everyday lives? Daily we are bombarded with News on Wall Street - Financial Instability - Earth quakes - Youth Rebellion - Tragedies in Families - Movies of Fatal Destruction - the list goes on and on. Doubt and Fear on Steroids non the less.

The foundation of the Church over the past number of years have been shaken as pastors, priests and many leaders have been exposed to hidden secrets. Leaving many to question the stabilization of Christianity.

What is the Cure for these Malignant Cancers? Is there any help for us or are we just doomed as many would like us to believe?

The answer to these questions is YES!

The Cure! The Word of God. The Blood of Jesus. The Name of Jesus.

At this point just what have you to loose? If the World is going to hell in a hand basket and your Final Destination is everything you fear - then why not.

It works - It heals - It keeps you healthy - Mind - Body - Soul and Spirit!

Character DNA _ Who Controls Yours?

2011-08-24T08:48:00.004-05:00

Recently I was visiting my brother, I had the rare opportunity to sit in total silence - - no television - no radio - no talking - only the gentle hum of the air conditioning unit - an occasional car going by and a lone bird chirped in the distance welcoming the day.

It had been two years since I have been home. It was good to be back. Not matter how often or how long it has been, I always allow my thoughts to thumb through the scenarios of the past, the present and even thoughts of the future. This rare extravagant ritual gives a cleansing of my soul and a renewal of who I am and where I am going.

This particular morning my thoughts focused on all the influences one is bombarded with from moment we arrive in this world to the time we leave this present world - Each and every one impact the shaping who - what and why we are. Thus forming the DNA of our Character.

Character Mr. Webster says is the mental and moral qualities distinctive to an individual. The distinctive nature of something.

DNA (Deoxyribonucleic acid) is said to be the self-replicating material present in nearly all living organisms as the main constituent of chromosomes. It is the carrier of genetic information

As I continued to ponder, it became clear that our Character DNA is also unique to each one of us just as our physical DNA is unique. It is the carrier of our character information. Character DNA has one unique quality that is so awesome unlike physical DNA.

Character DNA can be changed and filtered/changed totally on how any and all influences affect us. Very Cool! The choice of how our Character DNA can be controlled by our own self only if we filter in the good and filter out all those negatives that want to paralyze our whole entire being. Good or bad right or wrong it is our choice.

Since that rare quiet morning in Atlanta, I have continued understand all the different influences we experience and how many times we allow these influences effect our every day life - thus affecting our Character DNA.

So I would then ask, Do we just become puppets allowing all those influences to keep us from taking control? Do we even want to have control over our Character DNA?

What keeps us from putting a stop these influence that want to paralyze us - keeping us from trying to control our Character DNA? Knowing full well that it also keep us from enjoying everything in our life? Are we too lazy? Do we not care enough about our own selves? More often than not, we allow our selves to fall prey to those influences. We fall prey to the "The Puppet Syndrome" and our Character DNA is out of control - not controlled by ourselves. The truth is, the majority of folks accept the "Puppet Syndrome" and those outside influences to control their Character DNA.

We have spent billions of dollars on books, magazines, we have watched hundred of hours of talk and reality shows, searched out websites, blogs of thoughts and opinions of the why and what that makes us what we are. We buy into it running and searching and spending our hard earn dollars to find out how to fix us and how to break free from The Puppet Syndrome.

Now don't get me wrong,some of these sources are really excellent, but others just enhance those negative - paralyzing influences - adding even another layer of tangled strings that bind us.

WARNING! Taking control of our Character DNA might actually free you of all those puppet stings and you will begin enjoying your life - enjoy who you are!

As I see it, it is so simple and it is so clear! We can make these three simple steps and we are on your way to having a very healthy Character DNA! But it is not simple - some of us have been Puppets for a long time.

Although I do love those 3 little monkeys - You know the ones I am talking about.

Watch your eyes - Watch your mouth - Watch your ears.

Don't LAUGH ME OFF NOW. That wise old adage - The three little monkeys - Speak No Evil - Hear No Evil - See No Evil! It is a great rule of thumb in living our everyday life and controlling our Character DNA.

NO DON'T BURY YOUR HEAD IN THE SAND !

OK - Let me ask you some simple questions - be very honest with yourself. . . .

Your Mouth:

Do you allow your mouth to speak negative words about your life - about others - about just the simplest events in your life? How do you "feel" afterwards"?

Do you spend time tell others about all the bad - negative happenings - how angry you are - whether personal or otherwise. Do you feel better afterwards? (I am not talking about confiding in that one accountability person) Are you telling anyone and every one that will listen?

Do you just grumble and complain about the littlest experiences? Do these little experiences throw your whole day - your whole week off?

Your Ears:

Do you allow yourself to be influenced by what others tell you - what you hear on the news - talk shows, etc. What the weatherman says? Afterwards did you wish you had not allowed them to influence you but it is too hard to change now?

Your Eyes:

Do you allow yourself to be influenced by what you read - watch on TV and Internet? Are you seeking out shows and books and websites you would not want anyone to know about?

Are you allowing the events and circumstance of everyday to have such an effect on your life that you become fearful - negative - angry - bitter?

If you have answered yes - then you are allowing those influences to put puppet strings on your life - begin to tangle and control YOUR Character DNA.

STOP NOW! Take Control of YOUR Character DNA!!

As Joan Rivers use to say, "CAN WE TALK?"

For more years than I would even like to admit, I allowed circumstances, other people, events in my life to attach many puppet strings. I became a tangle mess. I did not know who I was - what I was or why I was. . . The harder I struggled, the more tangled the mess - my Character DNA was so overloaded with Life Puppet Strings it was choking the very emotional - spiritual and physical life out of me.

Anger Strings - Forgiveness Strings - Pity Party Strings - on and on - tangling and tightening every day!

How I wish I could tell you that my fairy godmother came in and waved her magic wand and I was totally transformed. Even when I took the right steps, it took years to grasp and understand that I did not have to allow any influence to put negative poisonous DNA strings into my Character.

Yes - Many times I would take one foot forward and then fall back and allow old strings - influences to reattach themselves.

Even though we are not totally void of influences, we do have the ability to choose how those influences feeds into it. We can cut all strings and influences - we are able to be the unique person we were created to be and our Character DNA can accent our life.

Remember we DO have a choice how any influences is going to affect our choices, our actions and our reactions. You CAN CUT YOURSELF FREE!!

Finally, just let me add - controlling your Character DNA is not a one time shot. Everyday one must keep a good check on their Character DNA.

Look at yourself!

What has influenced your Character DNA - Are you allowing the past - those folks who hurt you - angered you - being done wrong - to control your Character?

Barbie in The Box

2011-08-16T08:18:00.009-05:00

There she is Barbie - not much has changed with her over the years - except she has gone from being a brunette to being a Blondie. Maybe that is because the World has told us for years that "Blondes Have More Fun".

They may change her hair and change her clothes - but all in all when you find Barbie - you find her in a box - twist ties holding her in and sometimes almost impossible to get out of the box.

I remember one Christmas when I had bought my daughter a designer Barbie from a Doll Store - her head actually popped off leaving the twist ties still attached.

But this walk down Barbie lane is not really about Barbie. It is about us - women - especially us - Church Women. Cloned just like Barbie but we wear different clothes.

Well, as I told a good friend years ago I don't want to Be a "Barbie in A Box", I don't want to be known as just another "Church Lady" that has gone through all the ranks to become "Madam Church Matriarch" of the Local Church who is known by all because she seems to have her finger on every pulse. She is well versed and knows all the right things to say and is seen in all the right places and smiles that sweet little Church Lady Smile - but deep inside she knows she is bound by the twist ties and she can't get out of the Box! She can't really break loose and be real, she has to maintain her role within the confines of the Box.

Years and years ago, I taught about the "Barbie in The Box", and I broke free and clear from not only the Church box but of the Southern Bell Box. Two of the request that I made of God when I thought my whole life was over was to make me a "real" woman and to show me His way not man's way. Over the years He has done just that.

I was reminded of this teaching just recently when a precious young woman, whom I had been sharing God's Word with and seeing her life begin to bloom, told me about how "beat" up she was and how she just could not take her situation any longer. After a few gentle questions, she poured out her story of her and her husband going to counseling. The couple counseling them made her out to be the "bad" guy because she was struggling with forgiving him of indiscretions that had come to light. As I listened to her, I felt the pain and hurt that she was experiencing. I also could feel the frustration, because I knew exactly why she was experiencing these feelings, the couple as well meaning as they had been, had not taken in consideration the whole picture. They had just about thrown the baby out with the bath water. This sweet couple had bought into their role and even though they had similar experiences, they missed how much damage they had done - They were the Barbie Couple in the Box.

Not many days later I experienced another scenario, as a lady had become empowered in her new role within the Church house and was exercising her limited knowledge about a plan for the Church Body taking it to such an extreme that the whole purpose of the program faded. As I watched her, I realized that she positioned herself as the authority, when in fact she herself needed the affirmation that she was important. She had become the "Barbie in The Box" and knew only how to play the role she had been taught over the years.

Sad but true, we find this "Barbie in The Box" scenario over and over thought out the Church House of every denomination - and even in corporate business.

Women of the world, in every walk of life, are not looking for a text book answer they are looking for reality of who they are and why they are. Being real is so much of the time lost and it is shame that the Church House mass produces Church Women who are cold - uncaring and judgmental to those who are not in their box, but those who have never had a box!

Over the forty plus years as a Christian Woman - who believes the Word of God to be Truth - who believes Abba Father looks on the intent on the heart and forgives our sins and remembers them no more forever - and it breaks His heart when we dress ourselves in that Box and have tunnel vision into the lives of others.

Secondly I am convinced that if we do not take time to take a hard look at ourselves and learn about His Love and His Forgiveness and His way of seeing His Creation (others), then we are no more than a "Barbie in The Box" on the shelves in the Toy Department.

Many of the awesome mixed media artist and writers I follow have such a love and acceptance of our sisters of the worlds that share the common bond of hurt, and issues of self esteem. The Life Stuff that make us all weak at the knees and produce gallons of tears, and yet so many of my "Christian" Sisters can not take time enough to stop their narrow Barbie in The Box mentality that it wound and kills rather than heals and restores.

Don't Shout Me Down! You know it is true!

I will never forget the Sunday Morning I had the rug pulled out from underneath my feet - My whole entire Church World changed forever - and it has taken years and years for the Healing Balm to reach the deep gaping wounds that seem to just tear deeper an deeper. Nevertheless, I watched one of the most precious women of God walk through the fires of Hell and even though there were times I never thought Victory would come - It did - The Victory was not in they way we would want it to be, but it opened up how rich - Real in Him is. It separates those that only want to Hear His Voice and Walk His Walk . . . It truly altered my Walk forever.

wound upon wound - pain upon pain - tear upon tear - the days turned into weeks, and the weeks into months and the years into years - As Divine Revelation began to take over - I was brought back to that ole Hymn - "My Hope is Built on Nothing Less, Than Jesus Blood and Righteousness - I shall not TRUST the sweetest Frame, but wholly lean on Jesus Name."

Do I ever get use to seeing fellow sisters get wounded and shattered? No. Do I still want to rush in and intervene on their behalf? Yes! My Journey and lessons of life has taught me - It's all about HIM and doing it HIS way - It's all about loving The Barbie in The Box - Spending a lot of time on my knees - And Trusting His His Voice - Casting My Care - On Him. Is it ole age - LOL - No it is His Wisdom of Life.

The Barbie in The Box needs to break out and break free - Getting the Barbie out of the Box without popping her Head OFF - Well - Love - Prayer - Understanding - Not my time table - His timetable.

Break Free You Barbies in The Box - Break Free!!

My Goat Lists

2011-08-15T13:25:00.007-05:00

The dictionary definition of goat is 'a ruminant quadruped of the genus Capra'. What's that got to do with being angry? Given the meaning of 'get your goat', we might expect to find goat as a slang term meaning anger or annoyance. That meaning is recorded in the US book Life in Sing Sing, 1904, which goat is given as a slang term for anger.

Several things - persons - happenings - really seem to me can be summed up in the phrase "That Gets My Goat". Actually, they do not make me angry, but just don't understand why folks put themselves out there to be taken as just plain dumb - stupid - should know better, etc.

Here are a few things that "Get My Goat"!

Paragraphs after paragraphs of Religious Diatribes on Facebook. As well as telling everything you know about yourself, your family and those around you on Facebook.

Rude people - whether male or female - who could care less about the effect it has on those around them.

Women who use words that even make a sailor blush - and don't seem to care that it is offensive tot those around them.

Looking like you just rolled out of bed to come to Church. Whatever happened to just being plain respectful to the Creator Himself.

When you are a part of an office - be courteous - a Good Morning will not put you into overload. If you use the last piece of paper in the copier - fill it back up.

My list could go on and on - and I am sure your list could as well. Keeping in mind that we are all different and have different likes and dislikes - what gets my goat may not get yours.

But all in all - Rude Behavior - Disrespect - Foul Mouths - should be at the top of all of our Goat Lists.

So what's on your GOAT LIST???

Your Vote Counts! Or It Should

2011-08-03T14:47:00.014-05:00

Last night and through out the day today I have reflected on the voting scenarios - why we vote - the privilege of voting - the right to vote - who we vote for and why we vote for who we vote for.

Even with all the negatives that seem to be thrown around about candidates, those who are in office and those who want to be in office - we as Americans have the great privilege to go vote. We do not have to walk into a machine gun filled place to vote. We don't have to be told who we have to vote for and we don't even loose our life because we want to vote for someone different than those in leadership tell us to vote for.

We have the right to even voice our opinion on why we do or do not care for a candidate. Great debaters and arguments are openly aired without fear of being thrown in prison or losing one's life.

What I do find interesting is that we can't seem to have the voting machines - the method of counting votes correctly. It is 2011 - we have IPhones - IPads - computers that can zip out information in the blink of an eye - yet we don't seem to be able to have voting machines working correctly on Voting Day nor do we seem to get the tallies correct. One would think this would be a high priority for those responsible.

But that is not the point of this blog. I do want to say that it is up to each one of us as an American to not only vote but to know exactly why we are voting for the candidate(s) we cast our ballot for. We need to make it a priority to go vote - we have a great place to live - even in the midst of all the negatives - Living in America is awesome - and where in America we choose to live is our responsibility to be a part of making it the best place for ourselves - our family - our children and our heritage to come.

Know your facts - don't just depend on others opinions - all the political hype - but truly know who and why you are casting your vote. Be in the KNOW!

Make your Vote Count - You Count!

Our Life In Perspective

2011-07-07T10:10:00.008-05:00

Perspective - a technique of depicting volumes and spatial relationships on a flat surface. a picture employing this technique, especially one in which it is prominent - a visible scene, especially one extending to a distance; vista: a perspective on the main axis of an estate.

Time - A non-spatial continuum in which events occur in apparently irreversible succession from the past through the present to the future - The number of years, days, or minutes - One's lifetime - One's period of greatest activity or engagement - A person's experience during a specific period or on a certain occasion: had a good time at the party.

Everyday I am involved with folks looking at how to assist in changing and bettering lives of others in the world of philanthropy. The process of all of our projects is to put the total project in "perspective" a series of tasks. The outcome will bring folks together for them to share their stories and to grow and make their lives - their communities a better place to live and grow.

Last night I begin to wondered if I truly had a perspective on my own life. How I spent my time. Was I aware of those around me professionally and personally. Did I really make good use of my time and how much time and energy did I waste?

We live in a day and age that we get so caught up with Drama of others whom we don't even know and probably will never know - celebrities - folks highlighted in National and World News. We spend countless hours wanting to be in THE KNOW. We begin wasting valuable time, missing many awesome moments in our own lives that are forever lost? Time is irreversible!

So - I would ask you? What about Your Time? Are the seconds - minutes - hours slipping away - What about those wasteful irreversible successions of time? What have you missed because you were so caught up in "the moment".

Take a moment to look at your life over this past week and truly put into perspective - how much of the irreversible successions has been lost with nothing to show for it?

How much time have you spent glued to events that in the long run did not add or benefit you? The OJ Simpson trial - Princess Dianna - Casey Anthony - on and on the list of these type of events very few of us are personally involved or they play a significant role in our lives. Being aware is one thing - spending hours on in watching and talking and posting on Facebook and Twitter, etc - takes away those precious irreversible moments.

Someone shared with me a person on Facebook posted play by play coverage of the trial on Facebook. Hours and hours - days after day of watching the live court case of Casey Anthony. What will these hours spent gain her? What did she miss in her own life that she will never be able to get back?

Television - Internet - Facebook - Twitter, etc have become one of the most important time eaters of our life. They all have a place and all have are good tools if we use them in the perspective of our everyday lives.

How much time is too much time? If it takes away from enjoying a rich and full life filled with those memory moments that can enrich our journey - then that is too much time. If it takes away from those friends - family - doing our job - etc. That is too much time.

I would love to hear from you - Take a moment and e-mail me at ee@twicechosen.net and let me know your story of how you took Perspective on Your Life.

Lens Of Life

2011-06-23T16:20:00.007-05:00

Character DNA - Who Controls Yours?

2011-05-30T08:19:00.028-05:00

Thank You -2010 Women of Worth Contributors

2010-12-19T16:26:00.017-06:00

What an incredible year this has been for the 2010 Women of Worth Art Journaling/Scrapbook Classes. Each class was filled with more than just drawing, writing and words. The classes were filled with wonderful women unlocking their hearts and seeing themselves for the true women with worth and value.

As the last class of 2001 came to a closed, I knew that the Women of Worth is a vital key for women of all ages to unlock the barriers keeping them from being the true women they are destined to be.

Words seem very inadequate when it comes to those who made these classes a reality. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Dr. Ivye Allen
Mr. Seth Apter
Mr. and Mrs. Tommy Creel
Mr. and Mrs. Chris Crothers
Mr. and Mrs. Larry Dramer
Mrs. Sigrid Garner
Mr. and Mrs. Cameron Goddard
Ms. Lynne Hoppe - Adin, California
Ms. Lisa Kirk and Ms. Heather Miller, Cups of Brandon
Ms. Kimberly McMillan
Ms. Teesha Moore - Renton, Washington
Ms. Renita Peevy, Monkey Charms
Ms Veronica Jennings - Waldorf MD
Mr. and Mrs. Alan Summerlin
Ms. Diana Trout, SE Pennsylvania
Ms. Mara Villa, Pearl Public Library
Creating Keepsakes
First Baptist Church of Pearl,Mississippi
Foundation for the Mid South
Golden Paints
The Lydia Ladies Sunday School Class
Somerset Studios

Soon 2010 will be memories of people, places and happenings good and bad, each leaving an imprint. Thank you for making this year an imprint that has changed my life! I look forward to the 2011 classes.

May each of you have a Wonderful Christmas and a Proposer New Year with fresh awesome imprints!

Elizabeth "EE" Tabb-Sandifer

Mary - A Woman In Crisis - What We Can Learn

2010-12-13T10:37:00.008-06:00

It's coming up Christmas, an many are sad, depressed, and angry to name a few emotions. Through the years we have allowed our circumstances and past wounds, to dictate how we view one of the most precious times of the year. We enter into The Season dragging a bag filled with negative emotions, sadness, wounds from the past, hurts and disappointments. WAIT! STOP!!!Get rid of the Bag! You are not defined by your circumstances, past or present.

Let me give you the Gift of Why This Season - You Are Defined Not by Your Circumstance - but Whom You Are Called to Be - A Man or Woman of Worth!

Let's take a look at Mary - The Mother of Jesus! A Woman of Crisis? In reality Yes - In Truth - No - Mary is A Woman of Worth!

Mary is no doubt one of the first women whose "circumstances" made her a "woman in crisis". Some how we put such a romanticised views of Mary,the Manger and the Christmas Story, that we don't really take time to look at the "circumstances",and what we can learn about our own lives.

Mary a young girl - a teenager - begins to tell her family, Joseph and his family as well - that she was expecting - and that she was pregnant by the Holy Spirit. HELLO - can you imagine the first thoughts that went through these folks mind? Joseph himself did not immediately embrace what Mary told him. Can you imagine how Mary must have felt at that very moment, when Joseph hesitated - had to think about it? He wasn't convinced by what Mary told him, it was not until The Holy Spirit, visited him that he believed her. He was trying to find a way of "divorcing" her quietly. Mary, was certainly a young woman in crisis if we defined her by the circumstances. Let's also remember her circumstances she had not herself chosen. Stay with me here!

As Mary's story continues, Joseph took Mary with him to Bethlehem, an approximate four day journey,there were no fast food restaurants, one stop gas station stores and no motel that kept their lights on for them on this journey. Keep in mind that Mary was in the last days of pregnancy - and she was making this journey on a donkey. As they arrived in Bethlehem, Mary is in the beginning of labor she is tired, she is dirty from all the dust and the pain of contractions have begun. No No one cared, no one was concerned, no one opened their arms to her.

With no interest in the fact that the young girl was in labor, the very young woman tat that God had chosen to birth his Son, the Inn's owner in on a whim, offered them the stable - the damp, dark, smelly place where all the animals were kept This is not exactly we find on our mantel - what we see in one out of every other yard across the nation.

The reality of Mary's circumstance - an indention, a cave dug out below the Inn, it was dark, damp and dirty, filled with the inn's cows, sheep, chicken coops,the patron's donkeys,and probably mice. The aroma that filled the area was not of evergreen and spices but musty,animal scents. There was no decorator inspired nursery, no special hospital room for expectant moms, t was a bleak, smelly, stable. For Mary, there was no Center to assist her, no one, just her, Joseph and the animals - the reality of her circumstance. The world was too busy to notice or even care that Mary was about to fulfill the promise given to her - She would be giving birth to God's precious only son.

I have no doubt that that in the reality of her circumstance Mary had moments when the circumstances out weighted the Promise. Mary was truly a woman of crisis.

The bottom line is this Mary was not defined by her circumstance, she was defined by the Promise of God. Mary was a Women of Worth!

We also are not defined by our circumstance we are defined by the promise that God has given to us.The bottom line for all of us whether male or female, is that we are not defined by our circumstance, we are defined by the what God promised us. We have the opportunity to choose to be the man or Woman of Worth God has promised to us. We just have to make the choice.

Over forty years ago, I chose to give my life to Jesus. It has been a journey filled with circumstances, good and bad. Many of which I wish I could change, but we can not go backwards, we can only go forward. We chose each day what we are gong to do with it. For me, I have no choice but to believe the Word of God says about me and my future. For I know too much about His mercy and grace. My bag of negatives, sadness and disappointments dim in comparison with all that Jesus himself has given. His life - for me!

For those sceptics, let me just say, it is not about those that have hurt, disappointed me,the different religions, the Church House or even those Church men and women who has a hoop that no one can jump through. It is about the man Jesus himself, who was born to a woman in crisis in the midst of circumstances. His story can only be believed if you allow Him to touch your heart and mind. Am I wrong? Well, I am willing to wait and see.

Just as Mary was not defined by her circumstances, neither am I and neither are you. My wish for you this year is to turn from your bag filled with all the reason you have not to enjoy The Season and to experience the True facts about You! You are a Woman or Man of Worth and that you at this moment are being covered with my prayers of healing and blessing for you this year and the New Year to come.

May each of you today Find The Truth of Your Worth and Have The Best Merry Christmas you have ever experienced. May your New Year be filled with knowing You are A Man or Woman of Worth!!!

Paint The Moon - Blog - Awsome

2010-11-29T13:31:00.003-06:00

One of my most favorite newly found blog is Paint The Moon! Here is a a wonderful give away - for all you Photoshop lovers!! Inspired Giveaway -

click Here for Details

!http://paintthemoon.net/blog/2010/11/the-be-inspired-giveaway-photoshop-actions-for-photographers-create-fresh-inspire/

Paint the Moon Blog will spark that creative streak for all you photo taking lovers as well.

Women of Worth November Letter

2010-11-10T23:33:00.003-06:00

This post is to share with you the current and future plans for the Women of Worth Initiative and to ask for your help.

For years I have been teaching women to see themselves for who they are and not for whom their circumstances or others see them. Each one of us is a unique and wonderful, individually made. We are not a Barbie in A Box!

The Women of Worth bring classes that address a variety of topics through Art Journaling/Scrapbooking to women in crisis. Art Journaling/Scrapbooking is a healthy tool to Bringing real change to a woman in crisis—by assisting her to look at herself as a vibrant person who does not have to be controlled by circumstances. These classes facilitate powerful physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual healing and growth for women at various stages of their life.

Classes for 2010 were offered to the clients of the Center for Pregnancy Choices and the Center for Violence Prevention at no charge. Classes were held once a month on a Saturday from 10 to 2 with lunch provided. November’s class was cancelled due to not being able to provide child care. Many of the ladies are not able to participate because they have no one to keep their children. At this time solutions to the child care issue are being addressed.

On December 11th class will include a Christmas lunch for these ladies and their children. Mava Villa from the Pearl Public Library will be sharing all the Library has to offer, we will be doing a creative journaling page the children will be able to participate in as well and to give a glimpse of the upcoming 2011 calendar of classes.

The classes in 2011 will be available twice a month – one during the week and one on Saturday. Classes will not only include art journaling/scrapbooking but will also include health-wellness/asset-wealth building/education opportunities and community awareness. Invitations will be sent to the area churches to the ladies who would like to participate.

Art Journaling/Scrapbooking - a tool which allows a lady to be successful to heal not only emotionally, but spiritually, and even physically.

Education - Addressing needs and opportunities to strengthen education needs

Health and Wellness - Addressing physical, spiritual and mental well-being in order to comprehensively improve the health status within themselves and family.

Wellness and Asset Building – Promote a awareness of how to become financially secure

Community Awareness – Becoming an asset and partner within the community,

How can you help? I need your assistance in sponsoring the December class/Christmas lunch.

Secondly I am asking for you to become a 2011 lead sponsor for the 2011 classes to help offset the cost of supplies and lunches and as the issues of child care are address, fees for child care workers will be needed.

Thank you for your assistance in this important work to help transform the lives of the women in your community to become vibrant successful Women of Worth.

Your contributions can be made through the Foundation for the Mid South. 134 East Amite Street - Jackson, Mississippi 39201.

Women of Worth News and Updates

2010-10-12T19:58:00.028-05:00

"Let Go of Who You Think You’re Suppose to Be and Embrace Who You Are." Brené Brown

Women of Worth’s October Art Journaling/Scrapbooking Classes for Women in Crisis will be on Saturday, October 30th at from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm at the First Baptist Church of Pearl

The class will be “Trashy Happy” Art Journals - one of my favorite practical lessons of producing art journals and scrapbook pages is from items used around the house and from our mail boxes.

The class will include learning to write about “Me”.

What a great time we had in the September class. Each lady received a wonderful bag from Monkey Charms filled with a composition book, colored pencils, a packet of “how to’s “and some actual pages from my journals to give them examples of how to take the ordinary and make it extraordinary.

I want to thank all of you who made contributions to the Women of Worth Donor Advised Fund that made it possible to us to have art supplies and lunch for these wonderful women. Several mixed media artists from around the country sent art supplies and goodies to work with.

We will have some very wonderful handmade art journals from an mixed media artist from California who actually has made these journals even more wonderful with her artwork right inside the journals,
and an art piece from a mixed media artist from New York City.
The ladies will have an opportunity to “win” these awesome journals and art pieces.

Art Journaling/Scrapbooking is not about art but is a great tool allows a person to be successful to heal not only emotionally, but physically as well. It is a great key to unlocking the door of the extraordinary. These classes are designed to give a great opportunity for ladies to work through their everyday life experiences and find a way to express who they are in a positive manner. Ladies who attend these classes will to learn how to take their lives one step at a time and make their life's journey extraordinary looking not at their circumstances but at who they are as an extraordinary individual that can give back to those around them.

First Baptist of Pearl has graciously opened their doors to house the art journaling/scrapbooking classes for October, November and December.

We would love for you to be a contributor to the Women of Worth Donor Advised Fund to help offset the cost of art supplies and lunch. All contributions should be made through the Foundation for the Mid South - Women of Worth Donor Advised Fund.

Foundation for the Mid South
134 East Amite Street
Jackson, Mississippi 39201.

Please designate that your contribution is for Women of Worth

For any questions or want to know more about how you can be a part of Women of Worth, please do not hesitate to contact me either through e-mail at esandifer@fndmidsouth.org or you can reach me at 601-863-0487.

Women of Worth Art Journaling/Scrapbooking Classes

2010-10-06T14:57:00.002-05:00

Good Afternoon Everyone!

I am going to make this a quick note - as I am up to my nose in work this week.

The September Women of Worth Art Journaling Class was awesome! The class was taking the composition book - the ones you can get for around $1.00 and turning them into a treasured art journal with such wonderful healing properties as each lady worked on their book.

We had room for 20 - 10 signed up for the class and approximately 5 actually came to the class. I will shortly post a more detailed overview of the class with pictures. So stay tuned for this.

The next 3 classes have been scheduled for October 30th, November 13th and December 11th. One of the local Churches has graciously given us space to hold the classes and will give us space to also offer child care to those ladies who do not have anyone to take care of their children.

Last month I put out a request for those awesome artist I follow their blogs to send to me hints and wisdom on art - journaling - etc. I also ask for them to donate a piece of art for these ladies to receive! Well, I was so overwhelmed when several artists from different parts of the country sent supplies, wonderful art journals and pieces of their art. WOW! Not only was I speechless, but I knew there was such a unspoken bond with those who love to create and blog!! I give each one of you a standing ovation!!! Thank you Vee - Thank you Lynne - Thank you Seth!

I am so grateful to Ivye Allen, CEO and President of The Foundation for the Mid South for housing the Women of Worth as Donor Advised Fund in order to keep contributions and expenses accountable for. Please take time to look at the Foundation's website to see the awesome work for the past 20 years the Foundation has done in Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi!

Contributions can always be made through the Foundation for the Mid South to assist us in buying supplies and providing lunch for these ladies. Also, if you would like to join us in providing treasures from your art room/studio please do not hesitate a moment to do so! These ladies are so well worth pouring into their lives!

The October Class will be held on October 30th - This is going to be a great class that I have termed "Trashy Happy" Art Journals! This class will be consist of taking everyday items anyone has - the empty cereal box, oatmeal boxes and the circulars out of the mailbox, even those little cards that fall out of magazines - and making delicious art journals! My living room right now is covered with bits and pieces of these items that I have already applied gesso to give a step by step lesson on how to! Also this class will be dealing with writing about "me". Looking into yourself and writing, drawing, adding ephemera. If any of you would like to send me any hints, helpful lessons you have learned along the way, please do not hesitate to send them to me at esandifer@fndmidsouth.org.

The November and December classes are not complete firmed up as far as what is going to be taught, but it will deal with how to put joy in your holidays when you don't feel or want to. Looking at hard time circumstances and finding a positive way to go through holidays. More than likely the art journaling scrapbooking will cover several special ways to give one's creative work to someone else. I will keep you posed on these two classes. Your thoughts and hints on these two classes are also welcomed.

Ok - Back to work and I look forward to hearing from you.

Dine Out Oct. 5-6 and Support the Foundation for the Mid South

2010-10-01T14:35:00.000-05:00

Women In Crsis Art Journal Classes Contributions

2010-09-17T10:32:00.001-05:00

"If I take one step at a time, I'm less likely to rush past the extraordinary."
Several weeks ago I sent out an E-Note to let you all know that I would begin teaching Art Journaling/Scrapbooking Classes to Women in Crisis. It is hard to believe that these classes will start next Saturday, September 25th. The classes will be held on a monthly basis. I truly want to be able to assist these ladies to learn how to take their lives one step at a time and make their life's journey extraordinary looking not at their circumstances but at who they are as an extraordinary individual that can give back to those around them.

Art Journaling/Scrapbooking is not about art but is a great tool allows a person to be successful to heal not only emotionally, but physically as well. It is a great key to unlocking the door of the extraordinary. These classes are designed to give a great opportunity for ladies to work through their everyday life experiences and find a way to express who they are in a positive manner.

Please join me in making these classes successful. Your contribution to assist in purchasing supplies and box lunches for these classes will be greatly appreciated. Contributions can be made through:

Foundation for the Mid South
134 East Amite Street
Jackson, Mississippi 39201.

Please designate that your contribution is for Journaling Classes.

For any questions you might have, please do not hesitate to contact me either through e-mail at esandifer@hotmail.com or ee@twicechosen.net

Kindest Regards,

Elizabeth

Francis Chan in God Declares His Glory

2010-06-28T11:33:00.000-05:00

Prodigal-Casting Crowns

2010-06-10T23:30:00.000-05:00

CASTING CROWNS 'LOVE THEM LIKE JESUS'

2010-06-10T23:24:00.000-05:00

Casting crowns - Stained Glass Masquerade

2010-06-10T23:20:00.000-05:00

Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir- I Never lost My Praise

2010-05-28T10:05:00.000-05:00

FOR EVERY MOUNTAIN ( BROOKLYN TABERNACLE CHOIR)

2010-05-28T07:26:00.000-05:00

Miracle Of Hope - Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir

2010-05-27T11:25:00.000-05:00

Jeff Fenholt's Testimony

2010-04-29T07:35:00.000-05:00

Paths Within The Journey

2010-02-24T21:25:00.004-06:00

Since December 11th of last year,the path on my journey changed dramatically. It all began when I made the choice of taking the interstate instead of the route through town. My intentions of going by the office of the apartment I live at, to ask them check out some issues in my apartment. That was the plan of action. Then a weekend of creating my annual Christmas Card with my two grandsons and finishing up the Christmas gifts - those trashy happies that are originals that I hoped everyone would love but you never know. Then one more week of work and Christmas Vacation begins!!!

Some ten minutes later the path I chose - without my permission - the path changed. An 18 wheeler came over into my lane of traffic and sent me flying. After hitting concrete pilings and heading straight for the other side of the interstate, my car some how ended somewhere in the median. A broken clavicle, a concussion, blood pouring out of a gash on the left side of my head and a car that will no longer be driven by anyone! The Path within my Journey Changed. . . . .

Since the accident, I have found many different paths that I had to take in order to get to an make since of where I was to be in my journey.

This weekend, I to reflect about paths, and choices within the journey that has been given to each of us the day we are born. Many of which are made for us and how we deal with them can open up many new paths and choices.

That is why I have decided to split my blog into two. EE's BlahBlahBlog will continue to be that of fun and artsy adventures. My new Blog will be serious - sometimes blunt thoughts from pondering that I believe need to be addressed, but many times we don't because we don't know how others might react. I will be posting my very first post sometime this week. So check out Paths Within The Journey This week I am working on my first post.

I look forward to hearing from you here at EE's Blah Blah Blog and Paths within the Journey!

I Did Not Lie!!!

2010-02-11T14:39:00.002-06:00

I did not lie to you when I said that I was back. Although there seems to be some continued delay.

Not only have I not been able to wrap my head around exactly what I needed/or wanted to write. I knew i did not want to go down a path of negatives or complaints in this journey I have been forced to walk since my accident on December 11th.

Although, at this point it really looks as if my journey will have a major turn for the better, on February 16th I will be having surgery to repair the clavicle bone in my left shoulder. Soon I will be a Bionic Woman!!!

Last week in a moment of sheer exhaustion from pain coming from my body, I sent out an e-mail to many people I know that are prayer warriors. The pain is better but my whole body has been on rebellion for around a month now. Good News is the Dr. says he can fix my shoulder and pain will dissipate. Yeah.

As I move forward, I am beginning to get some direction on blogging and also some of my creative juices are beginning to flow again. Which is a great thing.

This year I am going to learn Adobe Illustrator! That is the other piece I have yet to wrap my head around. But soon I hope.

Lots of what I was going to do for Christmas, I put off until Valentine's Day, which I am now putting off until Easter!

Keep on coming back. I will be posting again in no time.

The Weatherman says that we will have lots of snow by tomorrow - I am still a little sceptical as he/she has predicted this before and it passed us by. But I will have my camera ready just in case.

Since December I have many photographs that need my attention so I can share them with you and get them out the door as gifts for now Eater and not Christmas.

One of the fun little things I did was during a impromptu cleaning of my desk drawer, I did a journal page of interesting little pieces and tidbits that should probably been sent to the garbage can, but ended up on my page. It is fun and I promise to scan soon and post. What is in your desk drawer????

I have collected a few this and that's that I want to use within my art journal. Maybe I will take time to "play" during my recovery period. In order not to be totally idle during this time, I picked up form the Library yesterday a few top list books to prose over. Maybe it will spark some reflections of a good blog?

While waiting for a Friend I picked up an interesting magazine for professionals in the hair industry. There was a most interesting article on the "Queen" of Color. She is a beautiful woman and has very high business taste when it come to doing "color" . . . . Now that's a woman I want to do my color!!

Seriously. Here's a couple of quotes from her. "Drive is what separates achievers from everyone else!". . . very true.

"Don't look at the stupid fence, look over it - Look past it - Throw your heart over first and then jump after it." (This actually came from her horse trainer, but you know THIS WILL PREACH!!!!!

And this is great! "Failure is not an option". . . . . Now this one will also preach.

There you go a few explanations and a few tidbits of I have picked up along the way on this journey. . . . . .

Keep coming back and you won't be disappointed.

EE

I'M BACK!!

2010-01-11T22:39:00.002-06:00

Did you just think I had walked away and had nothing really to say or share?
Did you think I did not want to be a part of the world of blogging?
Did you wonder why all of a sudden I became silent?

If you had one of the questions, then WRONG!!

Two days after stating I was getting ready to write, I had a waltz with an 18 Wheeler. The 18 Wheeler won, but not really. I won because I am alive. My injuries were somewhat minor. A broken collar bone, a mild concussion and a little gash to the left side of my head.

It is with a humble heart, that I thank my daughter and son in law for taking good care of me. A few close friends checked in on me. How thankful I was to be apart of Christmas this year.

Believe it or not I actually went to Deer Camp, which for me is a first! My children backed me up and we headed off to celebrate New Year with relaxed clothes, good books to read, or at least I did. My daughter brought her scrap booking and my son in law headed to the deer stand. Of course my grandsons had their toys. Tripp did go to the deer stand with his dad, but he really enjoyed just hanging out.

The New Year brought the a purchase of another vehicle, PT each week, and of course lots of pondering and thoughts of life - the why and wherefores.

Saturday, after watching my grandson play his very first basketball game,I took time to go on a date with myself - one of those things I absolutely love to do. I go to Borders, order a large dark roast coffee and pull all the wonderful latest issues of Advanced Photo Shop and other Techie mags, along with a few Somerset Studio Mags to pour through to see what was new and what wet my appetite for creative inspiration!!!
And it did just that! the coffee was great, the mags were filled with great info as always, and the folks that were there were fascinating.

A group of gals with on man, were talking about a book one of the ladies was or had written. They laughed and talked and laughed and gave suggestions. The man with them talked with a very southern falsetto voice with droplets of sweetness. He seemed to give the impression he was a established writer giving loads of suggestions. One of the ladies tried to sound like Urkle and kept quoting the line "Did I do that?" They had a great time.I had a great time just listening to folks having fun and lots of laughs - not talking woe is me!

A group of older men were in deep conversation over sports. It is still hard for me to realize that older men get together probably more than older women to "gossip". This is so fun.

It was a great date!!

I have been back at work for almost two weeks now. Monday mornings I go to PT and it has been really hard. You don't realize how much your muscles and bones can hurt when they are "sick". But I am making the most of it, so they can get well fast! It was so good to be back at work.

Well, I am heading to bed. A little later than I had planned, but I wanted to pop in to say Here I am - back with lots of items to share.

One thing I did begin this weekend, is making a organization of my pixs. I have began with my digital ones. I began making an outline of the easiest way of finding them. If you have any suggestions - pass them on. I have even made an excel spread sheet to keep up with them. This may be over the top.

I hope you have not all disappeared, since I was MIA.

So stop back by and have a few laughs with me.

Stay Tuned - I promise I'll Be Back

2009-12-09T16:01:00.002-06:00

I have been running! Not necessarily with the wolves, but running nevertheless. So please do not think i have fallen off the face of the earth or just given up blogging all together. That is not the case.

In fact, I have been processing in overdrive (scary thought). If I could find away to attach the computer to my brain and just suck the thoughts right into my blog, well that might not be such a great idea either.

So I promise to catch everyone up! Thanksgiving Time - Holiday Creative Craftiness and a few profound topics as well. Yes and it is coming up Christmas and there are definitely lots of thoughts and sharing to be had.

So Stay Tuned and I promise to be back shortly.

And if you have not had a chance to make a Holiday Gift Contribution to the Foundation to the Mid South, it is still not too late. Click on the link and go for it. This is a good thing to do.

Holiday Gift Appeal Request

2009-12-03T14:56:00.001-06:00

Dear Friends and Family:

I am asking you to join me this year in making a Holiday Gift contribution to the Foundation for the Mid South? Please take a moment to read why I am asking you for a contribution.

Just a little shy of 10 years ago I became a part of the Foundation; it has become for me not just a job but a part of my heart. When I began seeing first hand the difference the Foundation has been making in

Twenty years ago the dream of three southern leaders --to make a difference in their three states (Arkansas, Mississippi and Louisiana)--came to reality through the birth of the Foundation for the Mid South. The Foundation is a regional community foundation that seeks to improve the quality of life for all residents. There is no other organization that works to lift up the needs of the Mid South and attracts resources from all over the world to create the conditions for positive change in the region.

The Foundation for the Mid South provides a bridge between national resources and expertise and our networks of local community leaders and grantees. As a partner, we are an entry point for major investment in the Mid South at the community and/or regional level.

Example: Did you know that According to the U.S. Census Bureau, only about 52 percent of Mississippi persons used the Internet in 2007, while nationally 64 percent reported having home access to the Internet. The Foundation provides a grant to reopen a rural Library, which had been closed due to lack of funding. A few weeks ago I stood at the newly remodeled library, which now has five computers, a copier, and fax machine, completed renovations to the physical structure and added books to the library.

Example: Did you know that 2.4 million of the nation's families are maintained by grandparents who have one or more of their grandchildren living with them--an increase of 400,000 (19 percent) since 1990. These families comprise 7 percent of all families with children under 18. The Foundation provided grants for capacity building to grandparent support organization who give kinship families (grandparents (and other relatives) raising grandchildren), working with some 75 families (ca. 180 children) in four counties.

Example: Did you know that Diabetes was the seventh leading cause of death listed on U.S. death certificates Foundation for the Mid South awarded a $150,000 grant to Christus St. Frances Cabrini Hospital in Alexandria, LA to create a prototype program for treating diabetes in rural areas. The program will be tested in Cabrini's service area and, if successful, spread throughout the Foundation's region and perhaps beyond.

The Foundation has been supporting Food Banks to see to it children in our region have food to eat before it became the buzz theme of the past several years! Supporting Grandparents raising grandchildren giving them the sources they need to be successful and not forgotten. The list goes on. Want to know more? Visit the Website at www.fndmidsouth.org.

The Foundation for the Mid South not only plays a vital role in the Mid South Region, but in our nation as well as we bring to the table our twenty year expertise of Community Development/Education/Health and Wellness and Asset Building. The Foundation was also a perfect partner after Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, and Gustav to aid in recovery. In the aftermath of the storms, we granted nearly $20 million!

Please join me in supporting the Foundation for the Mid South - you can either go to the website make an on line contribution or you can send your contribution to Foundation for the Mid South, 134 East Amite Street, Jackson, Mississippi 39201.

Kindest Regards,
EE Tabb Sandifer

Life - Little Irritations and Thanksgiving Thanks

2009-11-25T09:44:00.002-06:00

It is the Holiday Season and everyone is rushing about, making sure their traditions (whether they admit it or not) is exactly the way they want it to be. But there is always the little glitches that throw on for a loop. Not being able to find the right item, not having enough funds and trying to stretch the budget until it screams HELP!

For many it is a time of sorrow and depression, of times and folks lost. Circumstances that are not what one wants, broken dreams and day dreams of better and happier times.

My folks always made the holidays the one special time when all the errors and wrongs were wiped away and there was so much acceptance and love. And there was always the one incident or two that made my mother not happy with me. Which was a lot. . . .

Years later when I had my own home, it was always a struggle trying not to be disappointed with the actions of others. I guess it was not until I knew that the holidays needed to be special for my children, so they would grow up having wonderful memories to latch on for their families.

For the most part my daughter has come to be the one to make this a reality for us all. I guess for us it all begins with making the list for Thanksgiving Dinner, going to the grocery store together and cooking and fixing wonderful dishes for all to enjoy. We have fallen into a tradition that is filled with fun and enjoyment. Even my son in law gets in on the cooking. He smokes the turkey breast which is just beyond yummy.

My brother comes for a day or two. Thanksgiving evening our good friends/family Tommy and Gigi come for a visit and lots of laughs. We take pictures and tell great stories. On Friday, my daughter and son in law rise at the crack or even before the crack of dawn and go shopping. Their Holiday Date. . . .

It is one of those times that seem all right with us all. Even if it isn't . . . .

During the holidays I usually take the holiday weeks off. Sometimes I wonder exactly why it is that I do that. Most of the time I am alone and not sure exactly what to do with myself. I usually ponder and reflect and cry and write. Stay up late - get up early.

When I was first separated, my former best friend would invite me to spend time with her and her family. It was a great time of laughter and good food. She does not do that any more. In fact the last time I went to her home for Thanksgiving, it was most uncomfortable, for it was obvious I was not welcomed.

Last year I house/pet sat for friends. I was also invited to have a Thanksgiving Celebration with a family that is family but not family (a very long story). This year I have not even had the offer of meeting them for coffee as they came through town. I am sure they are just busy. It is hard to make something become something when there is very little to build on. It was a nice fairy tale dream, but reality hits you in the face and you realize, it is too hard to try and make it work.

I have had Dinners in my home and invited lots of folks who otherwise would be alone, but that has not happened in awhile, I think mostly because of the stretching of the funds just were not there, and having everything at my daughters.

All in all, folks stay within their comfort zone and lots of times that means being alone.

I guess because of all the time to ponder and process and think and remember, I realize that for the most part, it has to be a really divine call even for the holidays. Why you say? Well, the human nature and actions are more selfish than giving. It is all about what makes one comfortable and not what could make someone else feel wanted or apart of.

The question that one has to ask themselves is "What are you doing this for?" Is it for making yourself feel good or really to make someone else feel good without any strings attached?"

Ok - here are some examples - and I will tell you on the front end of this. These are also some of those little things that irritate me - Don't Laugh!!

1. When you fill your "good deed" duty in giving to the "Collect Can Good Drives". do you give those out dated cans that have been sitting in your pantry for years or do you to and buy those can goods that you know you would eat yourself? I had to really laugh this year, for as I was going through my pantry, I found cans that had been given to me when I first moved into my home here and they had to have been out dated when they were given to me - by years!!!

2. Do you wish your "relatives" just would not come to dinner because it is always a "scene" or an irritation? Yesterday I heard a young lady talk openly to others about her father and having to put up with him. Well you know, none of us are perfect and we all have "irritating" habits, but what happened to "Loving a person right where they are?" HELLO!

3. This is not exactly a holiday irritation, but it happened just recently and has really bothered me a lot! One Sunday morning at my Churchhouse, a man who has been in our Churchhouse for years, placed a chair in front of his chair (he is deaf) waiting for someone to "sign" the sermon for him. No one came, the sad part, two seats down is a person that does sign and they just ignored him. Now out of 3 thousand plus members you would think we could accommodate this one person. If I had known how to "sign" I would have made a leap over the chairs to accommodate him. How hard is it to provide this for this one person. You say, but it is just one person. Is there not a Bible story about Jesus taking off to go find that one lost sheep. Do we need to loose this one sheep because we are too selfish? And it is not like we are not aware of this one person's needs.

My list could go on and on. There are a lot of things and people that irritate me, but I try each day to put those irritations at the feet of my Jesus. I am sure those that don't invite me any more I have been an irritation to them.

This holiday I have been more than humbled by how Abba Father has brought little things I have done this year to be a healing balm to my being. A coworker said she was thankful for me because of something I said to encourage her. The mother of a coworker called me to thank me for a trashy happy I had given her. All in all these are the things that make those little irritations melt away, well most of them.

As the Holidays are upon us I am a rich woman for those that have come through my life. I get up every morning thankful for another day. I am thankful for grandchildren that show me how to enjoy the everyday and how to laugh. I am thankful for those friends and family who love me right like I am with all my little irritating habits. I am thankful for my Abba Father that embraces me and wraps me up in His arms guiding me through each and everyday. Who when no one else wanted me, He wanted me.

If you are waiting for someone else to give you a reason to be happy and joyful this Holiday Season - Don't! You are the only one that can do so. Get up - put the "Feel Sorry, Pity Party Hats" away and be glad you have another day to be a live and make someone else smile!

Oh and let me tell you a secret! It's not about you anyway, it is not about me either. It is all about what you do and say to make the difference in someone else's life. Even that checker at the store who never smiles.

I don't know what your life is about nor what irritates you but I wish each one of you a very Wonderful Holiday Season filled with great memories and meaningful reflections. . . . .

Spiritual Reflections from The Reality of Life

2009-11-16T22:57:00.006-06:00

There is one thing about EE that is sometimes from my own perspective seems to be more of a negative than a positive, but eventually turns into Spiritual Truths and Reflections that the Lord gives to me. I ponder things over and over. I weigh things out those that pertain directly to me and those things that just come across my knowledge base. So what do I do with all this pondering and reflecting? I take it to Abba Father for in depth conversations. ALL the Time! All the Time.

Prayer for me is a continual conversation with my Abba Father. It is on going. And yes it is sometimes one of those "I just don't understand why" conversations and at other times it is "HELP NoW!!!!

Believe me when I tell you "When Abba Father Speaks", I have to listen - even when I had a different point of view!!!

At times the process can hard on my emotionally and sometimes physically. It has gone on for years and years. Sometimes I can recognize it immediately and at other times it is like a velvet hammer, that comes down on me hard. In many ways, it is the price one pays for being an intercessor - a knee walker - a rug sucker! Yep that would be me. Intercessory prayer is no walk in the park. It is certainly not for the faint at heart.

The past several months has been that way.This time it has been a combination of scenarios that have hit me square between the eyes! the emotions have come in like pounding waves, many times leaving me crying violently into my pillow, so as not to disturb my neighbors. (That would not be a good thing) some has been from the disturbing reality of what I have been reading in the Word every morning. The old testament is tough stuff and God id not mess around. How thankful I am I was not living in those times, cause I think He would have long ago taken me out! I am not sure why He has given me such mercy and grace in the first place. I take two steps forward and fall back ten. Hey don't laugh! You know what I mean!

Dr. D. talked about that intimate relationship with Jesus. The weekend had already been a roller coaster ride for me. Emotions, knowledge of stuff happening all around me, and facing up to me and the fact that when I look in the mirror I can not even begin to understand how He (Jesus could love me. Oh I am so glad He does. I am so glad that I gave my life to Him so many, many years ago.(More on this later).

On Friday night I took some pictures with my cell camera in an awkward manner. Both of my grandsons were snuggled up with me, but I knew the moment was one of those divine moments, when reality and spiritual came together. A breath taking moment that I never wanted to ever forget.

This was also one of those times when information had crossed my knowledge base and all I could do was thank Him for what He had given to me and my children. My heart greived for those that I knew were walking in the agony of their choices and for those that choices were made for them, that would effect the rest of their life.

This one especially made me see myself laying on the Lord's chest. Have you not ever longed to just lay in His arms and let Him pour that healing balm over you, to feel His Love, to feel Secure?

This particular picture was a capture of a moment in time. The bonding of that love relationship between two brothers. i can just see how Abba Father looks at us, when we reach out to touch His face. Just wanting him. Just loving on our Abba Father.

I told a friend last night that these boys and some of my other creative soul mates are what keep me at least propped up when it comes to being balanced.

Everyday life is tough and most days for me it is dodging those spiritual fiery darts the enemy and is little retarded demons throw at me. I know that if there is any person that I can say Hates Me, it is the devil and his little retarded demons. Why? Because I love my Jesus and I am His child. It is not Church, it is not even about being termed "Christian". It is about knowing that each day, I struggle with life just like everyone else, and I know that if nothing else, when it comes to taking literally every thing to Abba Father, and I do mean everything.

Let me tell you - I do not classify myself as a "Church Lady", nor do I want to be classified as one. But I do classify myself as "A daughter of the Most High God". It is a real life journey with real life events and many are living in the war zone of the front lines. The bottom line, I would not trade it for a day in the life of a sinner. They may look like they have it made, and they may even think they have it made, but when it is all said and done, I will put my money on my JESUS.

Women of Worth Event

2009-11-12T12:45:00.002-06:00

This past Saturday, I had the pleasure of hosting Twicechosen.net's initiative Worth Of Worth Holiday Fun - Fashion and Food Event at the Club House of the apartments I live in.

It was great Fun! It was Fabulous! Fashions from Monkey Charms! Makeovers by Arbonne! Great Tips! Great Sharing! Not to mention - Food - Food - Food!

Everyone had a great time. Lots of laughter and lots of great insights on how to look like a Million on a dime, serve wonderful festive food and not break the grocery budget. A little goes a long way.

With a brief overview of Twicechosen.net and the mission of the Women of Worth Initiative, I shared a briefly my journey and the importance of all women knowing how worthwhile and valuable they are!

Janet Dominey, our key note speaker, shared her journey of being a homemaker for some 28 years to entering into a new journey with not one but two full time jobs, being on her own with four children. . . HELLO! Can you say panic button???? Not for Janet, she took the challenge and pulled herself and children up by the bootstraps. Her faith walk is incrediable.

Janet and I talked about how to make your fashion statement on a shoe string budget. Janet's outfit of a great pair of black dress pants, a leopard sweater and jacket and back boots cost her a mere $10 for all from a consignment shop.

Renita Peevy and Heather May (Mother and Daughter Team) owners of Monkey Charms sent three great outfits that could be mixed or matched - the most expensive outfit could be had for $50. Including Jacket/Top/Scarf! You don't have to go overboard. A great necklace, a scarf paired with something out of your own closet. Makes a fab new look and you don't have to spend a fortune to do so.

Two ladies received make overs on the spot for participating in the W.O.W. Event! Janet did a great job on the makeovers and shared about Arbonne products, skin care,a great line of vitamins, supplements and health care products that are natural and chemical free! There is even a line for men.

Janet also shared her experience as an Arbonne Consultant. There are so many success stories of women who had to begin again and made themselves very successful with Arbonne.

Let me just say I am a supporter of Arbonne International not only because gives great rewards to its consultants, but it also gives back to charities that make a difference in the lives of women and their families. Arbonne is the number one donor to the Sojourner Center, a place for domestic violence victims to go. Arbonne also has helped with Faces In The Mirror, a charity that helps Cancer victims feel beautiful by providing them with make overs with healthy Arbonne products.

Fab food: Hot apple cider with cinnamon, spice cake with the slightest hint of orange in the cream cheese icing was served. To satisfy the chocolate lover in all of us fudge type brownies topped with a little chocolate flower was the rage of the day! Also served were homemade oatmeal/raisin cookies and chocolate chip cookies. Honey Roasted peanuts and a chex mix treat were scattered through out the club house in cute crystal containers. All I can say is Yummy Yummy! And it was. . . .

One of the biggest hits was the Gift Basket Giver Away - furnished by Janet Dominey!
Filled with over $150 worth of Arbonne Products. Ladies had the opportunity of going by the Office of the apartment complex and putting their name in the hat. Janet also furnished a number of other door prizes.

Renita and Heather May added to the success of the day by furnishing us with wonderful gift certificates for door prizes. What a great prize - a good reason to make a mad dash to Monkey Charms!!!

Lisa and Heather from Cups Brandon furnished a delicious gift certificate for a coffee and sweet delight.

Twicechosen.net furnished books to inspire women to claim their worth and value by several different authors as door prizes.

The Women of Worth Event was for the women of the apartments I live in. The management were so gracious to allow us to use the club house.

So as you can see we had a great day that was packed with Fun - Fashion and Food.

What a great event! What a great day! Thanks to everyone for making The Women of Worth Holiday Fun Fashion and Food Event such a success. . . .

Check my wbsite periodically for future Women of Worth Events. . . . .

The Grandmothers – Bless Be the Ties that Bind

2009-11-06T01:11:00.000-06:00

Tonight I sat and pondered over the day, reflecting on how God orders our steps. He has a plan even when we don’t see the plan.

Earlier I was sitting visiting my friend Sigrid. It was not a planned visit on my part or her part but tonight was one of those God planned visits. We talked about our lives, our children, our grandchildren, what God seemed to be doing in our lives. Where we had been and where we are now. It was truly a God time.

Just before the visit ended, I made the statement to her about how some folks had asked me over the years how she and I got along. She is one of those “good girls” that God always seem to put in my life. I on the other hand am bold and at time most blunt.

I remember the first time I met Sigrid. It was years ago at a high school ballgame. My daughter was still in junior high school. Before I ever laid eyes on her, God had me on my knees for her. That particular night I handed her a small gift and a promise to keep her and her husband Ronnie in my prayers. All I knew was that it was important that I be obedient to God on this request.

This past June Sigrid and I stood together arm in arm with our children praying over our new grandson Vaiden – praying for his healing. Only Abba Father knew that very night He talked to my spirit, that Sigrid and I would embrace each other’s children and share grandchildren.

So to answer how do Sigrid and I get along? We get along great! For the ties that bind us are not just children and grandchildren. We are sisters in the Family of God. It is one thing to be joined by our children, it is a power source when two grandmothers who love God and believe His Word come together in unison believing Abba Father to guide and direct the path of their grandchildren! It is a win - win….

The Word of God says that where two or more agree in His name. He is there with them and He will honor their prayers.

How DIVINE!!!!

Holiday Gift Challange!

2009-11-05T16:57:00.002-06:00

I am asking you to join me in making a Holiday Gift contribution to the Foundation for the Mid South. Here is why.

Just a little shy of 10 years ago I became a part of the Foundation, for me it is not just a job but a part of my heart. When I began seeing first hand the difference the Foundation has been making in the lives of others.

Twenty years ago the dream of three southern leaders --to make a difference in their three states (Arkansas, Mississippi and Louisiana)--came to reality through the birth of the Foundation for the Mid South. The Foundation is a regional community foundation that seeks to improve the quality of life for all residents. There is no other organization that works to lift up the needs of the Mid South and attracts resources from all over the world to create the conditions for positive change in the region.

The Foundation for the Mid South provides a bridge between national resources and expertise and our networks of local community leaders and grantees. As a partner, we are an entry point for major investment in the Mid South at the community and/or regional level.

An example of making the impossible possible:

An example of building today’s young people as tomorrow’s Leaders:

The Foundation has been supporting Food Banks to see to it children in our region have food to eat before it became the buzz theme of the past several years! Supporting Grandparents raising grandchildren giving them the sources they need to be successful and not forgotten. The list goes on. Want to know more click here-> Foundation for the Mid South.

The Foundation for the Mid South not only plays a vital role in the Mid South Region, but in our nation as well as we bring to the table our twenty year expertise of Community Development/Education/Health and Wellness and Asset Building. The Foundation was also a perfect partner after Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, and Gustav to aid in recovery. In the aftermath of the storms, we granted nearly $20 million!

Join me and all my fellow FMSers in supporting the Foundation for the Mid South - you can either go to the website here ->contribution to make an on line contribution or you can send your contribution to Foundation for the Mid South, 134 East Amite Street, Jackson, Mississippi 39201. .

Favorite Soul Mates

2009-11-05T10:43:00.008-06:00

There is no doubt in my mind that Abba Father personally knows those folks to place in our life that draws us away from the every day stress and strife to a place of fun - frolic -refuge and laughter. I am sure that Jesus had the disciples allow the children to come to him, He needed that deep soul cleansing laughter that only a child can give. It is free from malice, agendas and prejudices

He has blessed me with creative soul mates that are children. All shapes and sizes and ages. He has given me some of the most wonderful gifts of freedom and healing through these precious ones.

A soul mate can be defined as someone for whom you have a deep affinity and that is so true of those that have personally been chosen for me by Abba Father Himself.

Back in September I had a brief encounter with one of these little ones. Alas, I have no pictures of her - but she is the great granddaughter of my dear friend PJ. Immediately when my brother and I met her she offered us pieces of her art! She was not only creative but she was a giver! How awesome is that!!! No one told her to give, she offered her art freely and no strings attached. . . . There was that instant connection with a little being that instantly touched our hearts! Yes, I will have to ask PJ to send me a picture of her so I can share her with you!

Of course you know that my number one, closest to my heart soul mates, is my grandson Tripp. We share this bond that is definitely a gift from Abba Father, that is so much more than in our relationship than him just being my grandchild. He always draws me to the heart of Abba Father. We have great conversations about God and how we live - unbelievable the Wisdom that come out of his mouth!

This week, I had the pleasure of being around one of my most favorite little creative soul mates. Her name is Abby. Abby has a way of drawing one out of the adult over processed stressful mind, into the world of imagination! All of a sudden, you find yourself in a magical fairytale land filled with laughter and freedom to twirl and dance, kick off your shoes and feel your toes in the fresh green cool grass (it's always green and cool in fairy tale land)! I tell you it is awesome. She is an adorable little princess!

Abby and her brother Collin surprised me with a Frosty. Abby showed me her bag that was filled with french fries. I told her how I loved dipping french fries in my frosty, thinking she would try it. Her father told her to share a fry with me. That is just what she did. She gave me one french fry! How Fun!!

This is a sketch her father did from a photograph several years ago, but it captures that free spirit she has.

We had a grand conversation on the subject of tea parties, dressing up in fancy dresses, either black or pink, lots of jewelry and fancy shoes. . . . .She and I both love Olivia, as well! She sat in a little postal mailer box and it became a magic carpet sending her to far away places with strange sounding names . . . . . . It was just a great time.

As, you all know my other most wonderful creative soul mates is Joy. The other day her mom sent me this picture! How great is this. . . I now will have to go find me a "sleeping" box.

Creative Soul Mates, Spiritual Soul Mates, just plain ole Soul Mates are those folks that Abba Father sends into your life to bless and enrich your relationship with Him. When everyday life becomes bogged down with all the "Stuff", He sends the very one He has chosen to turn us back to Him.

Take time to look at life through the eyes of a child. Take time to laugh and allow yourself to put your toes in the cool green grass. Allow yourself the luxury of enjoying that creative soul mate Abba Father has sent your way. Your everyday life will become rich and fertile and spill over into the next day.

What a rich, blessed woman I am . . . . . . .

Art Journals - Journaling - A Healing Balm

2009-11-02T12:04:00.016-06:00

Journaling is one of those exercises I have practiced for years and years. Even though I was also Art Journaling, I did not know that is what I was doing until several years ago. Recently I have been allowing myself to expand my art journaling into not only a creative expressions but also a healing tool - a healing balm so to speak for myself. Years ago, I began a scrapbook about myself. It was a very difficult task. In fact it has been awhile since I have actually gone back to the unfinished pages, mainly because it is very painful. The art journalings has opened back a door to pick up those painful pieces of my life and be healed of the past. I expect before long you will also see my scrapbook pages of me. . . .

Somerset Studio publishes a Mag call Art Journaling. It is one of my favorite publications. And I do mean one of many - their publications by far are the best to gather inspiration, knowledge and become aware of other artists. I absorb each one mag from cover to cover.

Within my Art Journaling mag, you will find my notes and highlights and more notes. There is volumes of inspirations within each page. Each artist that is featured usually has a blog and/or a web site that must be checked out! All I can say is WOW - Thanks Somerset Studio! Most major bookstores like Barnes and Nobles/Borders carry these publications! Or you can go to their website at www.stampington.com.

Last week, I took a day to have all my med appointments, while waiting I was reading in the AJ Mag an article on Composition Book Journals done by Paula Bogdan (www.littlescrapsofmagic.typepad.com). Check her blog out it it great!!! Totally beyond awesome. I was inspired. It took me back to over 50 years ago, when my mother was covering these Composition books with felt and broken jewelry - using them as a telephone/address book. Who would have thought! I also had to laugh at a statement that Paula made was about the memories of elementary school "Sister" demands perfection. Well for me it wasn't a Sister as such it was a teacher, Mrs. Coleman!!! She probably should have been a Sister!!!!!!But I would love to have those composition books now to journal over and around. . . .

The other article was on Silhouettes by artist Diana Wakley - she rocks!!! - Check her blog out at (www.dinastamps.typepad.com). Using the ole cut up the magazine to produce cool silhouettes to use in your journal pages.

As soon as all the med exams were, I made a be line to the Dollar Tree and grabbed a couple of Composition Books ($1.00). When I finally got home, I carefully spread out with scissors, paints, a Vogue Magazine and a brand new composition book. It was great! (Yes, I have many journals - many - many unfinished projects of homemade journals, and scrapbook pages that need to be finished), but this was one of those, I must try this now moment whims just to see what I could come up with. It was like a kid in the candy store! I had so much fun. . . . I had one fab time - So let me share with you a few pages to wet your whistle.

Don't you just love the yellow with red polka dots.

This one is my all Southern Belle fussy page! I know it is a sin to cut up a brand new Vogue Mag but I just could not help myself. . . . .

There are a couple of new fun techniques I learned:
1. I put a manila envelope behind my paper before I begin painting the page. When I am working on a two page spread I put a manila envelope behind both pages.

2. If you have an ole credit card or a gift card, you can move the paint around easily and smoothly. I found this worked better than the little sponge brushes.

3. I have put droplets of two colors down and when moving the card through the paint, it give you a mixed color.

Here is one that I did spreading the two colors of paint.

I have completed about 40 pages, they are now ready for embellishments and journaling. Each will be a unique to where ever my profound mind leads me. The ideas I have in mind are really endless and I think this process will help me finish some other projects that have been sitting around waiting for me to pick them back up.

As I complete my pages, you know I will be back to share - so as always, stay tuned for some fab journal pages!!!! And with some more great tips! So go run over to your Dollar Store - grab a couple of Composition Books and get to painting! Let me know what inspiration you have come up with!

Random Weekend Happenings

2009-11-02T08:32:00.014-06:00

It is hard to believe that we are just weeks away from Thanksgiving and then there is Christmas!!!! I have been lagging behind on my blogs, as life for me is running at too fast. With a couple of unexpected adventures in between. This weekend, went by so fast my head is till spinning - Just where did it go?

Saturday was a day of great emotions from good to bad to just a total breakdown of crying and a small pity party! But no balloons or food to go with it!!!

The highlight of Saturday was when my children and grandchildren dropped by. They were going to all the grandparents’ homes and Tripp decided mine was to be the second visit.

Look at what I found when I opened the door:

How cool is this - A clone Space Ranger from Starwars!!!! Visiting me. I am so glad to see Him. Ohhh that's Tripp!

Not far behind was this fun little fellow in his Pumpkin Hat:
Nothing like being plopped down by the door! Vaiden always has the cutest looks on his face. His expressions are priceless. Here are a couple of better looks at his shirt and cap - Also notice those cool socks he has on.

We had a great visit and took time to make some Reece’s Peanut Butter Cup cookies and sugar cookies. Tripp and I love cooking together in the kitchen. The visit was ohh too fast, but I did get a few pictures of mama and daddy with the boys.

Not sure what Vaiden was going after, don't think he is into all the picture taking his EE enjoys.. . And that is not a witch that is me with my boys! My hair going everywhere - once again a Southern Belle No No.. . . .

This was the highlight of my Saturday. It went downhill from there. As I was doing the cleaning routine, I happened upon what made me sit down and cry! Here's the story.

Several months ago, I came in to find the maintenance man sucking water out of my carpet. The apartment above me had a weird glitch with their ice maker. Instead of making ice, it was making water and the water found its way down the wall to my apartment. It was not until Saturday that I found the water had been soaked up by my antique cookbooks and special food magazines I had collected for the past 30 plus years. Not to mention some of my favorite cookbooks, Death by Chocolate and my prized cookbook written my by bossman/mentor/friend. Pages stuck together - mold had formed on so many of them!

But you know, I probably needed a good cry anyway, and all these molded pages were just the catalyst to make that happen. How silly of me. . . .

My weekend ended with a twist. Christina asked if I would keep the boys while they went to small group. But what I found was a grandson with a new haircut. His aunt was on her way to "clean it up" a bit - My little boy grandson had emerged into a little man - how he has changed over the year!

And I had a chance to capture this priceless moment with Christina and Vaiden

At the end of the weekend, I took a deep breath - thank God for my family and headed off to bed . . and as for the cookbooks, as my relative Scarlett would say - I'll think about that tomorrow!

Endless Feast Louisiana

2009-10-30T23:14:00.015-05:00

Tonight the rain is a steady slow rain, good for thoughts of new things to come, past memories and some little reflections of pain here and there. There are several things I have intended to blog about, but this week has been filled with lots of work and not a lot of time to gather my thoughts.

One of the things I did promise was a run down on Endless Feast 2009, the Louisiana Feast, which was held last Sunday in LeFete, Louisiana at the Victorian Inn. Here is a picture of the outside of the Inn.

I did not actually take pictures of the front of the end, because you really could not see it for the trees and it just was not a great view. We got a little turned around, as Google/Map Quest Directions are not always reliable but we made it.

The food was very different from the prior feasts. I am not sure exactly what these appetisers were, but they looked interesting.

After being seated at another beautiful table, we were served a wonderful pumpkin and crab soup with little roasted pumpkin seeds. Then a salad that had the best fried oysters, which were actually harvested not far from where we were at.

It was the main course that sort of threw this southern belle for a loop. For those who know me well, know the wildest food I eat is a Krystal Burger with extra mustard. To my shock they served a roasted goat dish and then shrimp with Rosetta. The Chef who prepared this feast is well known in New Orleans, actually has several restaurants that are somewhat famous.

This is not the best picture of the goat, but it is plated beautifully. Somehow I can hear Billy Goat Gruff calling from under that Bridge. . . . That's my brother! (Sorry)

The dessert was an interesting custard like dish with some tart orange/banana sauce served over it with two little almond cookies.

All in all it was a wonderful to be able to attend all three feasts and I look forward to seeing how it plays out on the television sometime in early 2010.

Here is a picture of Dr. Allen our President (Foundation for the Mid South), she is one of my favorite people,and for reasons I can not tell, she knows there is always going to be a story when she chooses to sit near me! Well that is actually true of anyone that sits next to me (SMILE). She has a most fab laugh and has richly blessed my life over the past several years!

and my bossman Chris Crothers is the Foundation's Communications Director and m(friend, mentor, teacher and bossman) - He was a happy camper this day, as they had one of his favorite beverages.

As we headed home, I wondered what we would do this coming Sunday, when there was no feast to be headed to? Dr. A will be traveling, Dr. C will be doing his daddy and husband gig and I will be headed to the Churchhouse, maybe a little nap or two and then ready to go on Monday for a fresh new week of work and of course stories to tell. . . . We will all feast on different foods at different places.

The Birthday Party

2009-10-26T23:16:00.011-05:00

Over the past six years, I have watch my daughter put together some of the greatest parties. Everyone loves her parties. Tripp's Birthday parties have always been fun and always a big hit. This year was no exception. It was simple, just a few friends and just the right touch of whimsy.

Tripp chose five friends to go to the movies and then Pizza and Ice Cream Cake. Everyone seem to have such a good time, and the biggest hit were the gift bags filled with a simple activity book and crayons, some candy and a spiderman mask. After eating the kiddos stretched out on the floor in a huddle with their activity books and just had a great time hanging out with lots of laughter. It was so cool to watch. The moms, had a chance to relax and catch up with each other.

Here are a few shots taken with the Vintage Sony. . . .

Here is Tripp and his cousin Gavin. We headed early to the theater to purchase tickets and snack packs for everyone. . .

The party goers at the movies:

Just after the movies I got a quick snapshot before headed over for Pizza.

There they go with Charlie with the Party Goers:

Checking out the Gifts- Everyone is helping! What fun . . .

As promised, here is a look at the Birthday Trashy Happy Tower! I wrapped it in Red and Blue in honor of Spiderman! One of Tripp's favorite characters.

The items in this gift are inexpensive but fun. years ago Charlie's sister coined the term trashy happy about the gifts I give. Even though they are inexpensive, I try to make them fun and something the person would enjoy. This gift tower consisted of some small puzzles, assorted paint brushes, some paints, art book, some action character cars and a inexpensive digital camera. It was a big hit!

Coming up tomorrow - Endless Feast Louisiana. The final for 2009.

Also, I have a great story about my creative soul mate Joy and her "box"! You will not want to miss this one. It is so creative and it is so me! I may have to find me a box. . . . .

Grandparent's Dinner

2009-10-26T16:26:00.010-05:00

Every year on my grandson Tripp's Birthday, my daughter Christina hosts a grandparents dinner. It is a lovely tradition that we have now celebrated for 6 years. I am sure that we will do the same for Vaiden as he approaches his 1st birthday this summer.

This year Tripp decided he wanted to eat at a Mexican restaurant that is not far from the high school his father coaches at. It was a very rainy day outside, but a very bright and happy celebration inside.

Below are some pictures from this celebration. I gave some of the pictures a little mat around the pictures since the room had so much yellow in it, it made us all look very yellow. (smile). These pictures were made with the vintage Sony, but I believe the room was too dark and the flash did not seem to work.

Here is Tripp with his mother and dad (Christina and Charlie)

This picture is of Tripp and his grandfather Papa Sid: I found some great brushes for the border! Makes the picture very festive.

Charlie's folks are known as Ronnie Pops and Mama Sig: They are having a good time here with Tripp. Again, I found some fun brushes to make this picture really enhance the celebration.

This picture is Tripp with Charlie's Grandmother Manna Russell. She is Sigrid's Mother: Looks as if she and Tripp are having a great time.

You would think the camera would be nice about my picture - As you can see, I am well in need of a new hairdo and more make-up!! And were is my lip goop!!! It's not being vain, it is the southern belle syndrome coming out!!!

This picture is priceless. The expression on Vaiden's face one can see he is not a happy camper. And who would be happy strapped into this contraption! And not be able to share in the Mexican goodies!

The waiter's came out and sang to Tripp. His face says it all. He did not want that hat on his head! and when they smeared the whipped cream on his face, I thought he was going to really have issues!

We all had a great time - Enjoyed being with Tripp - the Food was excellent.

Saturday we celebrated his birthday at the movie theater and Pizza Hut. I will post picture shortly. And a look at my Happy Birthday Trashy Happy Birthday Package Tower!!!

Sunday I traveled to LeFete Louisiana to the last of the Endless Feasts Dinners. I will be sharing that soon, and letting you know this Southern Belle does not eat Roasted Goat!

So stay tuned for more upcoming pictures and stories. . . . .

Moments of Child like Faith

2009-10-21T22:16:00.003-05:00

One of my favorite times in the Churchhouse is when the children's choir sings. I never tire of listening to the voices of precious young children sing with their heart and with pricless antimation.

For years I have watched many children, now adults with children of their own, who are now apart of the children's choir at my Churchhouse. Many whom I have taught, prayed with and listened to their hearts, take their childlike faith into their everyday life as adults. Some continue to embrace their beliefs, some walk aaway allowing life's stesses turn their heads from what they learned as a child.

Tonight I gave a lot of thought about how much we as adults could learn about ourselves if we could grasp once again the faith and the we had as a child.

AddThis - The #1 Bookmarking & Sharing Service

2009-10-21T15:36:00.000-05:00

AddThis - The #1 Bookmarking & Sharing Service

Random Altered Art by EE

2009-10-20T23:13:00.008-05:00

<The Window

The Creekbank

The Tree

Tripp Time

2009-10-19T15:40:00.011-05:00

There is no time like the time I have with my grandson Tripp. This past Friday and Saturday were no exception. I had the great privilege of picking Tripp up from school on Friday.

There are a couple of little things that have become "traditions" with us. I always go by the convenience store to get him a drink and a snack. We always find a place to go if a larger snack time is needed.

The past several times I have picked him up from school, I was able to find these really cool juice drinks that have an action character on the top, that he can take off and play with. He loves these. I just hope the convenience store keeps furnishing me different characters (smile).

This Friday, Tripp decided he wanted to go to Cups - a local coffee shop that also has great chocolate milk and muffins. They keep a stack of board games for those who want to just hang out in a great atmosphere. That is exactly what we did.

Here are a few cool pictures of Tripp at Cups.

Here Tripp is enjoying his chocolate milk.

We are enjoying a game of Shuts and Ladders.

Later we went by Blockbuster and got a couple of action packed cartoon adventure movies for him and one for his mom and me to watch later on.

After getting with his mom and little brother, Vaiden (4 months), we headed out to Pizza Hut, then to Dairy Queen to order his Birthday Cake (6 the end of the week), and of course we had to run through and get us a ice cream before heading home for an evening of movies and time to snuggle.

On Saturday Tripp took off with me on some errands and then back to my place to assist me in making a giant cake to take to the Endless Feast in North Mississippi. It was a full day on Saturday.

Here's the finish cake. All ready to go.

His dad cook us a great hamburger on the grill and mom made us a sweet potato!! Yummy Yummy - I just have eaten good a lot lately. . . . . . Then it was off to bed for Tripp and off to my home for me.

Time with Tripp - it is the best time in the world. I am looking forward to having Vaiden join us when he gets a little older.

These pictures were made with my cell phone camera.

The Endless Feast 2009

2009-10-19T12:31:00.015-05:00

The Endless Feast travels the continent, bringing together local farmers and food artisans, food lovers and star chefs, as we explore the connection between the earth and the food we eat, one incredible feast at a time. Each episode introduces a different region and features a gorgeous feast staged in a stunning outdoor location, from farm fields to vineyards to urban community gardens, celebrating food at the source. The Foundation for the Mid South has underwritten the Endless Feast for Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi. (Click here to know more about The Foundation for the Mid South)

For the past two Sundays, several of my colleagues and I have been traveling to participate in these feasts, and the third feast will be outside of New Orleans next Sunday.

Two Sunday's ago, we were in Tyronza Arkansas at the Whitton Farms owned by Jill and Keith Forresters. This past Sunday we traveled to North Mississippi to Dockery Farms in Ruleville, Mississippi.

Both of these trips were great. We met incredible people, ate wonderful food that were produced and prepared by folks in these two states and saw how good food is not just something you get in a restaurant. These folks have brought together the labor of their hands to the table for incredible dining experiences.

Here are some of the highlights from Arkansas and Mississippi.

This table was at Whitton Farms go to there website here.

This picture is of a little boy who sat across from me. He was with his grandmother and his uncle (his uncle furnished the sweet potatoes for the feast). You can tell he really enjoyed the chocolate muffin.

Here is a platter of appetizers - Spicy Dip with fresh radishes and green onions, they also had several other platters filled with crustinies topped with Bree, pear butter and roasted pecans.

The menu was filled with Pumpkin_Sweet potato soup, salad with greens from the Whitton Farm, and several other farms, as well as a local cattle farmer furnished brisket which was tender and ohhh sooo good. It was a five courses mouth watering experience. Yumm Yumm.

Below is a picture of the tables at Dockery Farms in Ruleville, Mississippi. Click here to view their website.

The day was great! Cool - blue sky and lots of food. A different state and a different menu, different people.

These two little girls were playing with their dolls underneath the prep table. I wanted to crawl under there with them and play.

Here are some of the wonderful picked relishes and vegetable tray we indulged in. The pottery was from a local potter, McCarty Pottery, which I had the delight of sitting across from, as well as the granddaughter of the Dockery's. It was like being at a large family gathering.

Now the appetizers here as Mississippi as one could find, as was the menu. Here is a picture of the Hot Tamales they served us.

Along with the tamales they served fried green tomatoes with pimento cheese and duck and quail wrapped in bacon. This southern belle loves the fried green tomatoes and I had one too many but in all fairness I left the quail and duck to the others.

The menu included Molasses and Moonshine Brained Smoked Catfish - Pawns on Cheese Grits, Mustard and Turnip Greens - Sweet Potatoes. . . . Slim Fast this week, We left there with full bellies I assure you. . .

Next Sunday we go to a farm south of New Orleans, so stay tuned for more updates and pictures of our journey.

Keith Forrester from Arkansas says that if you know your farmer you know your food. Elizabeth Heiskell from Mississippi says that if you understand the land when you bring it to the table, you understand the importance of your farmer. But I especially embraced the statement Chef Mary Hoover from Mississippi made that in cooking you do it with lots of love. She is right.

As we drove back, the sun had set and the night was clear and quiet. I thought a lot about the past two weeks and the people we had met, a birds eye view of their everyday life, how those within a community came together to share with others.

For a few brief hours folks came together from all walks of life, professions, circumstances - we came together and enjoyed an afternoon of food, fellowship and each other. . . . . .

I think The Endless Feast 2009 will air sometime in April of 2010. I will keep you posted.

Painted Pumpkins

2009-10-13T13:09:00.021-05:00

On Saturday, I had the great opportunity of spending some one on one time with my grandson Tripp.

Tripp and I always enjoy doing some type of creative art project together. Saturday was no exception. After reading about Messy Pumpkins by Alisa Burke - Redefine Creativity - I thought this would be a great new medium to work with.

So early Saturday morning we took off to McDonald's for breakfast of Pancakes and orange juice, then on to scout out some great pumpkins to paint.

We found a variety of sizes that was just what we wanted.

After returning home, we covered the table with brown paper and laid out our find.

Tripp was a great help in setting up the paints and markers. Don't you love his art apron - an ole shirt of mine, to keep the paint from his good clothes.

Here Tripp is deep in thought as he is painting one of the little pumpkins.

Below is a peek at one of the small pumpkins Tripp did and a medium pumpkin I had given a prep to.

Since all the pictures were taken with my cell phone camera, the completed pictures really did not do the pumpkins justice, and the large pumpkin is still in progress. I will try and take some better pictures of the completed group.

Tripp's pumpkins have a more monochromatic shine, where my medium looks almost too white. It was actually covered in all different shapes and colors and EE in Hot sparkly pink all over it.

The Big Pumpkin is incomplete and we will share it with you as soon as it is completed. Time ran out and so did the energy. . . . .

Reflective Memories

2009-10-07T23:57:00.003-05:00

Thoughts trickle across my mind, of times past, of moments that are now just memories and reflections of lessons learned, some better than others. Voices from the past calling me to search out those profound events that stand forever - a branding point, that will forever keep me stable as I face realities of the present.

A phone call and a captured moment, when we both said I love you at the same time, the same moment! It was not that spoken by two lovers - it spoken by two spiritual creatures, who cherish the deep abiding shared love for the Love of their soul. . . . . Memories crashed into the very moment in time - both affixed on that divine intervention so many years ago. . . There is something so special - so holy - so healing. . . As I drove along the path to my destination . . . the anticipation of what the very close future would bring. . . . .

Then suddenly a new and wondrous moment was captured - the knowing - that deep knowing and understanding of when one's soul hits that realm of understanding in the spirit realm . . . . the unity of spirits join together in outrageous laughter . . . for Abba Father has filled his children with laughter and knowing of the moment experienced . . . that warm liquid honey that can only come from His manna poured out to sooth the soul of the inner being . . . . . He loves to see His children enjoy the pleasure of His company.

In the quiet last minutes of the night, I reflected on all the me mores of the day, I could feel His still small voice saying This is the day I have made for you - Rejoice for I love you my dear Elizabeth - for I called you by name and I formed you and knew you . . . . now you know Me.

Quick Updates

2009-10-06T23:32:00.003-05:00

The week has started off with a lot of "work" work. (Sigh)

Although on Monday a lot of work was completed on the homework assignments and some new information was added to the updated pages for the Website update. Actually we went ahead and deleted the old pages so when you go to the website, you get nothing.

Tonight I was able to add new artwork and quotes to some new pages. One I am a little iffy about, but will let it go for the moment. I may go back and change the wording. There are some new jazzy photos that need to be taken and added, but that all depends on my good friend, mentor and bossman! His plate is pretty full at this moment.

I can not wait to get the new and improved website up and running. A few more tweaks and tucks and it should be up and running very soon.

Below is one of my favorite pieces of Word Art I did for my website over a year ago. It contains words that have been used to describe me - by friends and family over the years. As of yet it has not made it back into the website, but you never know. It just might find a home there somewhere.

Unitl next time. .. . . . .

The Almost Perfect Weekend

2009-10-04T23:11:00.008-05:00

When it comes to The Perfect Weekend, I have come to look forward to the ones I spend with my grandsons. They are always filled with such fun! We have such a good time together. My oldest grandson, Tripp, as I have mentioned in a prior blog is my creative soul mate. We just have the best time together. We looked at a picture of him, trying to wear a pair of my glasses. So together we worked on a fun Altered Art piece. It is going to need some adjusting, but should have it ready to go later this week. We are also gong to add a great story to go with it.

Vaiden changes from day to day, but the pictures are getting to be really fun. This weekend, he began eating rice cereal from a spoon. So of course I had to take pictures of the event. I had problems with my vintage Sony last night, so I had to go back to my 35mm. You just can't take a chance on missing the moment. I will need to go have them developed and put on a disc. Bummer!!! I am so ready to share these with you.

Tripp and I also played with this picture. Instead of throwing it away, we Altered it to be used for a background of a journal page or scrapbook page.

Have researched some new websites and had a chance to review some new publications on adobe CS4. Have found some great hints for enhancing Altered Art.

This weekend, I also found out that most crafty stores that have a framing department will cut basic mats and back for the purchase of the mat boards. The one I went to was very helpful and the cost different in a pre-cut mat and a standard mat was amazing. $3.50 for pre-cut mat and $5.98 for a mat board, yielding 4 mats (8X10) opening. I also had them cut backings as well. If any one has a better deal, please let me know.

Last week, my good friend and boss came in with his Superman Lunch Box. I snapped the picture and then did this fast Altered Art piece for him. I have some other pieces in mind but wanted to share this with you.

If you will look very closely at his forehead, I actually put a image of Clark Kent changing into Superman. I still have not worked out the hues and saturation. But it was fun. I used a very parchment colored wash to give an old coloring book effect.

The weened was just about perfect - time with my grandsons, some altered art, some base pages added to the "My Connect The Dot Journal" and some homework on the Website finished. . . Hope your weekend was perfect as well.

Creative Soul Mates. . . .

2009-10-02T11:39:00.016-05:00

There is lots to be said for Soul Mates. I don't know if one can choose a Soul Mate, or just some how divinely give, but everyone needs a creative soul mate or two. . . .

I myself have been blessed with at least two! These two I consider to be my most "Creative Soul Mates" - Even today - they make me smile - make me laugh - make me giggle all over inside and out! They make me see life as a great big canvas - and permission to add dramatic color, texture and even color outside the box! For they so allow me to dance like no one is watching!!!!!! And of course to twirl and twirl and twirl. . . . . . .

Ok, This morning! A picture arrived of one of my creative soul mates. Doesn't it just say it all - This is not how she started off when she went to bed, but no one knows what took place during the night - although I am sure she was called up into one of those fairy tale moments where she had to go danced and celebrate and have tea with other creative soul mates! Look how she ended her night - still with her hand raised in total happiness!!! Sooo peaceful!

Of course I have not yet had a chance to write a story to go along or alter it in anyway - but you know I will!!!

She is truly what I call a creative being - whether awake or asleep.

Years ago the following picture was one of my inspiration photographs to bring whimisical alterations within the assistance of Photoshop. Researching all sorts of filters and colors and sketch options, A whole world of creative art and stories beganto pull me into the Whimsey of bringing the world of imagination from just a phtograph.

When I look at my dear little friend - whether face to face or in a pose like the one below - Great stories of a great adventures and fun always arise.

Here is one of my very first sketches I did with this picture:

And of course in my stash of photographs and altered sketches, I have a whole stack of wonderful stories of adventure and encounters. Who knows maybe a great book one day for all to read and enjoy!

Now this next "Altered_Photo" I adore for the rich imagination that immediately arises - doesn't it say so much about those wonderful dolls and stuffed animals that give us security and comfort! She is truly a doll herself. . Dreaming peacefully of far away places with strange sounding names - full of adventues . . . Maybe even a picnic or a tea party or two, wouldn't you like to know what she is dreaming!

My other most precious creative soul mate is my grandson Tripp. He truly rocks my world. There is nothing I love better than those moments when we are together! Whether it is spinning a tale, hosting an original game show, creating great works of art or long talks about everything you can imagine!

Here is a great picture of him hanging off the mantel. I love the way his hair fans out. . . . .

Here is the photograph "Altered"!! To be apart of a story I created for him - called "Haning On"! What fun we had with this!:

On a recent outing a local Coffee Shop I grabbed this moment fast from my phone camera! Later I began playing with it in Photoshop with different filters, colors and effects. Below are two of my favorite:

This one has sort of that ole hippy era - Age of Aquarius feel. . . The quote: "Dreams Dancing through the Corners of My Mind; Dreams of the Future - The Unknown of the Tomorrows, not yet Revealed" (Sounds sort of hippy doesn't it.)

As you can see below, a whole different effect from using monogramatic gradiantsgiving an almost a newspaper - antique feel.

So there you go - Two of my awsome Creative Soul Mates - a little peek inside my Altered Photos. I certainly hope this brought a smile to your face and a tickle to your creative soul to view life in a whole realm of Imagination. . . . . .

Some Fun Moments

2009-10-01T23:07:00.009-05:00

It is late and I have had a very long day, in fact a very long week, but I did have a few minutes the other night to play with some pictures that I took of my grandson. Check out these fun pictures. The expressions he gets on his face are so profound. Of course they were taken early in the morning. . .

I also played with some effects in photoshop - Thought they turned out to be really cool. Turning color into black/white then to a pencil sketch and a sepia tone, with some glazed edges. I am not sure I actually know to do all the different effects, but going through this one I really liked.

This next one I added a blue gradient and the color were all taken from the original picture.

Also, I took instructions from a great photographer and blogger - how to better present my photographs. I am so excited on how they out. Thanks so much Leslie!! I love them.

Website Updates: Yesterday I sent about an hour working on the website updates. It is closer to being uploaded. This weekend I plan on working some more homework assignments. It is exciting to see the new pages and know they will be on line soon. I can't wait to share them with you.

More pictures coming. I am planning on taking more pictures of my other grandson, this weekend. There are several I have already done, but want to add some new ones as well.

I did get a couple of more layout pages for the Connect the Dot Journal. My To Do List is still full and more exciting creations to experiment with.

Stay tuned for more art, stories and those profound explanations I seem to find along the journey of my life. . . . . .

Reflections of The Eaglet

2009-09-30T09:18:00.000-05:00

Yesterday I was reminded of a teaching from long ago. In fact I had almost forgotten how profound this lesson was and the impact that it had on my life.

Years ago, I had studied a teaching on the Eagle. It was one that I not only related to but embraced and taught - why I had forgotten this lesson or the impact that it had on me is really somewhat a mystery. So now I will just have to pull out and re-study – and refresh my spirit.

Not long after the study, I had the opportunity to teach at ladies retreat in Whitefish, Montana. It had probably more impact on me than on the ladies (smile). There in a corner of Whitefish Lake was a Rock - Just my size! To sit - To reflect - To understand the teaching of "The Eagle"

Two nuggets from the teaching of the Eagle:

1. In order for a baby Eaglet to survive - or have a better chance of survival if scientist or do not help them hatch from their egg . There is something about the “stress” of tapping against the egg, which brings strength and stamina to the eaglet. On the tip of an eaglet’s nose there is a hard little bump that helps the eaglet to break free. Helping him/her to break free can actually cause the eaglet not to survive. In our own lives – it is the pushing against those stressful times that actually make us stronger people.

2. When an eagle is older - with wings that have damage, or is sick - The eagle will take itself to the highest point in the mountains, pull all of it's feathers out - Dip in a cold brook and then lay itself naked on the rock for the sun to pull the poison out and renew their strength.
While in Montana - I actually found a large rock, I reclined on that rock -(clothed thank you - a southern belle would never lay naked on a rock in public!!) - and allowed the "Son" to bath His warmth and refresh me. Somewhere in all my photos - I actually have the picture of that rock.
The joy of blogging and sharing those life journey stories and my creative artsy side, I began to worriy about whether or not anyone was reading my tales and spins, enjoying my artsy side and also whether I was being followed. How foolish, I now feel to get so caught up with this.

I was graciously reminded by a couple of most wise ladies - of these very principles of why I even started all this. Not only did I regroup, but I have been so blessed by their wisdom, and it was through my blogging that I found their blogs, which really are two of my most favorite blogs and I come away each time I visit them with a rich blessing.
As on that day I sat on the “Rock” and Allowed the “Son” to heal my being – So this week I have been bathed with healing from two awesome wise creative women. . . . . .

Writer's Block - Overwhelemed - Re-Do the To Do List

2009-09-27T13:38:00.010-05:00

For a couple of days now, I have seemed to be in a writer's block - even though I have a list of things that I thought I wanted to write about,I am not sure that I have the "magic" to do so.

My cry for help in my last blog - gave me a great comment and encouragement. With some absolutely wise wisdom about asking folks to follow my blog around. Guess if one does not want to be a follower there is no crime in it. And Thanks Leslie!!!!

Today, I could not seem to find the "Internet" from my home today, so I came to a new little coffee/ice cream shop that has opened up recently. It is a great little place, the coffee is absolutely excellent. Very smooth rich coffee! Now I will tell you that the ice cream is pure sin. -Pure Sin!!! Nestled in a wonderful little brick building - a space that I would have loved to have had for a vintage book and art store, but this coffee/ice creamery shop is perfect.

TWO UGLY MUGS!!! What a great name! I have already done more the twenty questions with one of the owners. Michael Williams , he is a very pleasant man and has graciously answered my questions about coffee, ice cream and the gutsy decision to open a small business during what the world says about recession. But I am convinced that coffee and ice cream will never be in recession! He certainly seems to knows his business.

Here he is

Great smile - great attitude - maybe a new great friend. (He reminds me of a friend I knew in my younger years Don Ostergard, who had a Pub on the beach in Panama City. Who knows where he disappeared too.) And most gracious to answer the questions of this older southern belle.

After too much coffee and just a little ice cream - late last night, I once again decided I know I also need to regroup how I am approaching my "Creative To Do List" -How do I pack 24 hours within 24 hours, working full time, accomplishing projects and sleep some as well. It is all good! It will all fall into place I am sure.

Last night I drugged the printer, scanner and sewing machine back to the dining room. It is much more room to spread out than the guest room. I just can't seem to get the guest/art room to work.

Now my quest is to find a cabinet of some sort that is great for the dining room but will house my sewing machine, printer and scanner. The other obstacle is when I spread my work out, all over the dining room, and I need to be able to stash it fast if I need to when I am having company. Ohhh the perils of my dilemmas!!! I just laugh at myself . . . .

Information - Questions - Thoughts - Help!

2009-09-25T15:02:00.002-05:00

Today I am catching up loose ends at the office. And winding down for Friday afternoon with grandsons and playing with the Sony. I also hope to get some creative - inspiration - on some projects I have on my "Creative To Do List". Not that my list is creative - the projects are most creative and need some really inspiration to get them ready to present.

As I have been working diligently on my homework for my website, several questions have been coming up and I know I need more information - I have many questions and I have been pouring through lots on information and insights from those much more experienced in websites, blogging, and opening doors to those in the art world, or expanding my world. So here are some questions I am going to just throw our the to ya to see if someone is actually out there listening with teir eyes to what I have been saying - sharing - and if I need to change my ways so to speak! (smile with me now).

1. When one comments on someone's blog or website. Is it not good protocol to respond?
2. What is the protocol of sending an e-mail to a person who you really enjoy their art - website - blog, etc and want to let them know and also to make a connection.
3. Being from the south it seems as if there are not the opportunities to attend other artists workshops with out a great deal of travel expense and with as many online workshops, is there a guideline to what is a reasonable priced online workshop - or is it hit and miss?

You know us southern belles always know that there is a protocol and a "rule" about some of these subjects. Any help anyone can give me will certainly be appreciated.

Also, is there a best practice - protocol in connecting one's website, blog to other places like twitter, facebook, etc?

Oh and one other question (and I am sure there will be more). What is the protocol for asking others to "follow" your blog, visit your website often and signing up for a newsletter, etc?

Ok my fellow colleagues, friends, artists, waiting to hear back from you. Thank you in advance for any assistance you will give me.

No pictures for this one. But I am loving sharing my pictures with you guys. . . . .

Playing with The Sony

2009-09-25T00:25:00.005-05:00

Earlier tonight I ran to pick up the little cds for the Vintage Sony! It is so much fun knowing that I can actually take some type of digi pictures that are not only going to come out looking somewhat clear, but I don't have to wait too long to play and put some creative touches here and there and to post them.

I played some earlier tonight, but you will be able to see that getting to know this camera is going to take some time.

The following picture is of my grandson, which I just snapped fast to see if the little cd worked. He moved his hands in front of his face, just as I clicked. Too fast for me - Either that or he is not going to want to be one of my creative subjects?

I also tried shooting some of my doodling - these are some really fun doodles that I did last week with my other grandson. Thought they would make some fun items for one of my art journals.

What I found interesting, was the way the color washed out. I had to really adjust the brightness and contrast.

Here is a really fun doodle that began from a purple crayon and I found that the photograph made it look really washed out. Almost a black and white version.

Well, as you can see I definitely will have to take time to study the manual and search on line for some helpful hints. Maybe I will just do a series of shots from each type of settings this little vintage darling offers.

I have a list of creative "To Dos" that I must get going on. I'll just add the little vintage sony to the list I also have my 35mm camera I will be using as well.

Any suggestions will be welcomed.

Finished all my homework assignments on the website. Now it is a matter of my mentor teacher good friend bossman to give the OK. Time s getting close - it is going to be a great upgrade.

Thanks for stopping by. Ya'll are always welcome to stop by and let me know what you think.

Updates Updates Updates

2009-09-23T22:05:00.002-05:00

Just wanted to update everyone that the little CDs for the Vintage Sony should be in this week. Can't wait to see how well the new CDs work. Can't find any information on being able to take pictures in RAW, but it is able to take them in a TIFF format.

My mentor, friend, teacher, bossman worked with me today on updates to the new web pages. I have a few more homework assignments. It looks as if the e new updates will soon be up in the next few weeks. You are going to love the new pages.

Pictures - Pictures - Pictures - I am going to bring in more pictures on the blog and more information on my artwork. The little "Connect the Dots" is on the top of my list for sharing, as well as some great ideas for turning those everyday photos into some great gifts for the holidays.

I tried today to to incorporate Twitter with my blog and updated website. Any suggestions on how best to do this would be greatly appreciated. I don'[t know that I really understand how all that works.

Also, am looking at my sewing creations - a couple of projects that you will want to try to perk up your Fall and Winter wardrobe - and it won't break the bank.

Tonight I had a couple thoughts for sharing in just that everyday life routine stuff, that I thought would ge fun. So as always, stay posted and come back often.

What to Do When you Step into THE POOO!

2009-09-22T12:38:00.003-05:00

Let me assure you - that at my fine ripe ole age of 60 - I truly try to avoid all scenarios that just might cause me to find my finely manicured toes in Poo of any kind. It is just not what I am all about!

Although when I was younger and not so wise, there was nothing more fun in finding good Poo but taking my finely manicured finger or little toe and stirring it up, especially if I wanted to make a point! Don't look so shocked sister! You have been known to stir the Poo as well.

For most of those who really know and love me - have managed to imitate me and my beautifully manicured finger, as I point it in just the right manner, after a disturbing display of Poo and in the most pleasant southern drawl state "Here Me and Understand Me Well". It was one of my most serious trademarks, especially when the Poo was given and it needed to be sent back. it took many years to "clean" this personality up! Still today, I have come across some who have not been around me since those Poo slinging days.

Being the fine charming southern belle that I am, there is an art of the stir, if you know what I mean, so that the Poo itself is not really disturbed, just "touched" as only a fine southern belle can do if she wants to make her point without causing too much of a disturbance, and especially when a more discrete approach is needed. You know all us fine upstanding southern belles knows when to stir it and when it is only appropriate to be discretely stir.

It us to be fun to just sit back and watch Poo Stirring by others - especially by my fellow Churchhouse Sisters in the south it is an art) One must be be very careful even when watching not to get to close for Churchhouse Sisters like nothing better than to include anyone and everyone within their reach. It takes Sharing to a whole new level. Once they put a little toe in the Poo and move it ever so slightly, it can cause a ripple effect that can become a Tsunami, destroying anyone that gets in it's path.(The stories I could tell you here - Never mind!)

Getting back to the present. Minding my own business, I must tell you that this one -really caught me off guard - how shocked I was when I realized that not only did my cute little manicured toe get into The Poo, I had walked blindly into the middle of "Professional Poo"! Professional Poo runs neck and neck with Churchhouse Sister Poo!! There I was standing with both finely manicured feet in The Poo (and it wasn't even mine - Nor did I want it! Oh NO!!! What do I do? How can I very gently step out of this Poo? Immediately I began to pray - Lord don't let me sink in the middle of this Poo!! You know I am truly innocent here and I need to stay that way!!!"

After much pondering and praying - I decided to graciously step back out of the Poo, even though there was the slightest little Poo left, I knew I could totally be Poo Free. This morning I awoke, with fresh - clean - well manicured feet and toes - all I had to do was defuse yesterday's Professional Poo. A quick little charming, gracious little note curtsying out. There - it was done. No More Professional Poo!

You would think, that my gracious southern charming note would have been greeted with much appreciation and understanding and that the who Professional Poo would be totally removed - not only from myself but from one of the other Poo participants. NOT!!! Receiving a note back insisting I stay in the midst of The Poo! For there seems to be Poo on my left and Poo on my right. And they somehow want me to join in their Poo. Now, I must decide what to do with the two little puddle of Poo!

Sometimes when you least expect it - You find yourself standing right in the middle of someone else's Poo. So what do you do when you find yourself standing in The Poo?
You smile a gracious southern belle smile and with the perfect southern drawl and respond - "Thank you so very much for including me".

Sugar - you know I will keep you posted. . . . . . on my dileima with The Professional Poo.

Highlighting My Friend PJ

2009-09-21T09:36:00.004-05:00

Several weeks ago I told my friend PJ that I wanted to highlight her here in my blog. She graciously consented.

Hello - This is My Friend PJ - You will really want to meet her!!!

PJ is a mother, a grandmother, a great grandmother
A Mixed Media Artist - Photographer - Designer
A Woman of God - A Great Friend - The List Goes On and On

PJ and I have known each other for over 40 years. WOW - now that is a long time. She was and is one of my dearest friends. There is no doubt that she inspires me!

When I met PJ, I was still trying to find myself (I was really a mess.) She always had a Word of Encouragement - a listening ear! There have been some really great moments that will forever be in my memory. Her son Prescott told her recently that what he remembers about me was I always used the term "Far Out" (from my California hippy days). How funny that this is what he remembers about me.

PJ is not only a great inspirational person, she is an awesome mixed media artist. Many of her paintings were done during Worship Services. How awesome is that!!! Her photography captures the very essence of the moment. This woman can even take a little piece of fabric and turn it into a designer outfit out. Her Afghans and crochet pieces are wonderful. Not to mention she is an awesome cook!!!! (Chili with Carrots)

I will never forget the phone call I received from PJ, as she told me of the experience she had with the Holy Spirit when she was alone in her room. It was from that point on, that God consumed her in all that she did. You could see His countenance, in her art and in her life. We talk a lot about people who just seem to "walk with God", this is PJ. She walks with God. She is comfortable with Her God. She never speaks negative or bad about anything or any one. She always sees the good in others.

PJ has experienced many trials and struggles in her life, but in all of them, she has walked with her head lifted up and a smile on her face. Truly the Grace of God has clothed her life. She has poured her life into the lives of others - to comfort them, to help them.

Her art is so reflective of who she is. Just recently my brother and I were able to spend sometime in her studio, a sense of peace enveloped us when we walked in - her paintings and prints were everywhere - it was more like walking into her heart than into a studio. You will want to go to her website at www.PJ's Room.com. Her self portraits and other works will bring a smile to your face.

No one would have known that it was the first time we had seen each other in approximately 25 years. We just took up where we left off. Here is a great picture of the three of us during our visit.

Guess I should really go back through my stash of photos and see if I can find some of those early years.

Good memories of a great friendship: Laughed together - Encouraged each other - Shared thoughts and dreams together - Held each other's arms up!

Some fun events through the years!

Enjoying her chili with carrots
Maple Nut Goodies and Real Cherry Cokes
Riding in her car named Jezebel - singing at the top of our lungs
Going to Bathtub Races
Pop Corn Balls
Krystal Hamburgers
Hot cups of coffee and good conversations
Checking out fabrics and patterns and artsy finds
Watching people - Laughing and enjoying each other's company

Also, Check out Rebecca - PJ's sister's website: Talk about another awsome woman of God and artist. www.rejoysart.com

All I can say is "Far Out! Near In and Further than That!!!"

TV Baby

2009-09-20T21:23:00.003-05:00

Television has been apart of my life since I was knee high to a duck. My folks had the first television in the neighborhood.

Just recently, while on a holiday, visiting my brother, I noticed he had the cabinet the very first television we had in his bedroom. The original television is long gone.

Here is a little picture of it.

The cabinet is beautiful even today.

One television we had was a portable that sat on a stand with rollers. Now mark my word. Common sense was not apart of the moment, as this story follows:

The television sat between the living room and dining room. Somehow I thought it would be such fun to "ride" the television. But when I too a leap, it fell over and literally exploded - sending my brother running aout the front door. It was a wonder I was not hurt, but only the television and the screen was in millions of pieces. Who knows what I was thinking.

Over the years, we have had different televisions, at one time my parents even had a small one in their kitchen, so they could watch the news during dinner.

Today televisions come in all shapes, sizes, styles.

Programs and Commercials have involved into every subject one can imagine. Which could take up many new blogs - but for now I just wanted to walk down memory lane. . .

On a different note. I rearranged some containers and dresser drawers to help utilize the art rooms space. I am contemplating finding several dressers in different sizes and shapes, painting them some great colors and storing my supplies and papers to make the room better organized - am also looking at building a cool desk either in my living room or dining room, to work on. The art room seems somewhat confined. . . . . Any suggestions?

A Little of This and A Little of That

2009-09-17T23:22:00.004-05:00

Today I had the pleasure of sitting in a seminar hosted by a publishing company on Adobe on Adobe CS4 - The facilitator has been with Adobe for years and is one of the best I have studied under. She covering various insights to "InDesign, Photoshop and Lightbox II". WOW - I never am disappointed - always taking away, a new technique, a new incentive. Today was no exception. My mouth watered during seeing all that Lightbox II has to offer. Adobe also has a great place to get tutorials on all their software. It is called Adobe.TV and it is sweet. Step by step tutorials - simple and easy to understand.

Before leaving this morning, I stood in the doorway of my art room, there lay the little connect the dot journal that needs attention, pictures that need scanning and items that need to be sorted and put away. It really looks great when every thing is in it's place, but I still find myself coming back to the living room and dining room to work. Now I need to rethink the whole art room and come up with a better solution.

It is really time to finish up the website, get a new handle on the art room, work on the Connect The Dot Journal, make a list of all those other little projects I need to get done and actually complete them before the Holidays. Ummmm - I have time for dusting and decluttering the rest of my home? Is there any time for rest and sleep? We'll see.

“Just the Facts Ma'am.”

2009-09-16T23:18:00.002-05:00

My father said more times than not, I could have won an academy award for being the Queen of Drama! Sad but true. Thank goodness I have since learned a simple but hard lesson. You must separate your feelings and emotions from the facts, especially when you find yourself those hard circumstances of life. Now mind you, I still have my moments, but they are mostly during the time I am alone in prayer over this or that situation and then it may really be a tear jerking, snot flying session. But it is never in public and never aimed at someone. Which has not always been the case.

As a life coach, I am somewhat grateful for those years I spent being a “Drama Queen”, for I understand and have a positive word, to be beneficial to others in their life journey - maybe even giving them a detour to a better path. It also gives me stories to share that will lead to hysterical laughter and we know laugher does us good.

For years I have been counseling folks of all ages. There are two common factors that hinder clear thinking – feelings and emotions. Feelings are the affective state of consciousness, such as that resulting from emotions, sentiments, or desires and can truly cloud ones thinking. Emotion is the mental state that arises spontaneously rather than through conscious effort and is often accompanied by physiological changes – a feeling - a mental agitation or disturbance.

Feelings and emotions many times give a false sense of ownership and security. Coupled together they can totally distort the facts surrounding a circumstance. Many times our actions and reactions are based on our feelings/ our emotions and not the facts. Respnding to the feelings and emotions can lead to a greater added problems in resolution. Burned bridges are almost impossble to repair.

Here is an example from my life as a young adult. After years of riding an emotional roller coaster – my parents and I were stale mated when any circumstance arouse – causing facts to be distorted, the emotions and feelings, from years of past scenarios on all three of our parts became “knee jerk” responses.

Late one winder night, my father began discussing with me the reasons I should not be reading a book my mother had found in my dresser drawer. I challenged him on it, knowing he was right,but I challanged him anyway, one word led to another word, and then the feelings and emotions on both parts took over. I found myself literally running out the kitchen door, to avoid a physical confrontation with him. He followed close behind, until we reached the driveway still covered with ice. There we were slipping and sliding across it. I am sure anyone passing by or looking out their window had quite a sight. As a gust of cold air hit our faces, the heightened emotions dissipated.

The facts were never the issue, the emotions and feels were only intensified and the outcome was a further breach in the fragile relationship. Years of this same “knee jerk” reaction continued – unresolved at my mother’s passing – unresolved at my father’s passing.

Professionally, personally and spiritually, I have found, when I separate my feelings and emotions and look strictly at the facts. Then and only then can true resolution be achieve. Many times, the resolution comes within me and I don’t make decisions based on what I feel, or what my emotions are saying.

Take it from this ole Southern Belle, Drama Queen – You are the one that can control your emotions and feelings. So in the words of Joe Friday: “Just the facts ma’am – Just the facts.” Then Victory is YOURS.

Website News: Just wanted to give you all a quick update. I have been working diligently to finish my assignments – my website mentor has me on task in completing the new pages. A few more tweaks and nips! I’ll keep you posted.

Also, I have been working on some fun little art pieces for special birthday gifts. If anyone has suggestions on how sketches made in CS4 can look better. My sketch outlines look more like grey pencil than black ink strokes. I also have been having some coloring issues.

Tomorrow I will be taking an update class on Adobe CS4 techniques which I am so excited about. They always inspire me.

“You Are Going to Hell!”

2009-09-15T10:07:00.002-05:00

Down through the ages, preachers, evangelists and Sunday School teachers have pointed their finger, turned red in the face and screamed at the top of the lungs, this phrase. Long exhaustive stories with the most dramatic emphasis have been given about those who have found themselves in Hell, because they did not listen to the warnings given them prior to their death.
There is no doubt the Word of God is very clear about Hell and how one finds their way there. Hello! Why would you want to go there? Especially if you knew you didn’t have to!

Depending on the translation being used you will find the word Hell, some 31 times. The Hebrew word “sheol” appears 65 times. In the Greek, “hades” in found some 10 places in the New Testament.

Hell is generally defined as the eternal fate of unrepentant sinners after this life. Hell's character is inferred from biblical teaching, which has often been understood literally. Souls are said to pass into hell by God's irrevocable judgment, either immediately after death. Modern theologians generally describe hell as the logical consequence of the soul using its free will to reject the will of God- It is considered compatible with God's justice and mercy because God will not interfere with the soul's free choice.

Even those that do not have a belief in God, Jesus and the Word of God, relate the “bad things” that happen to them, as “hell on earth”. Good versus Evil so to speak. The Truth and The Facts are so simple.

I must tell you though as a young person whose life was an endless stumble after another; it was not going to hell that bothered me, as much as not understanding my life’s circumstances that seem to bounce from one bad experience to another.
The night, over forty years ago, I stood in a Church in downtown Atlanta, surrounded by rejected from everyone I had known, family, friends – not even understanding myself, it was not the phrase “You’re Going to Go To Hell” , but it was the statement – “Choose Whom You Will Serve” – That night, my life would change forever. The journey from that point to this point today, has given me great understanding of the misunderstanding and even the condemnation we as believers have brought to others, by trying to horrific – angry, bulling agendas – not so much to “save their souls” but to control their lives, to add numbers to their roles.
The Facts: According to the Word of God: The Absolute “Higher Truth”
Results from rejecting God, whom by the way “created” you and you die –you will find your soul in Hell. All the amenities given on the front end – are yours – Eternal Torment.

Believing God – Believing The Son of God – Asking The Son of God into your Life - Not only do you do you give up your reservation from Hell, All the amenities given on the front end – are yours – Life – Abundant Life – Eternal Life – are all yours.
The Stumbling Blocks – Ourselves, People and NOT reading and BELIEVING the Word of God and applying what it says.

Twenty Five years ago, I came to a total halt. I had made the choice, I wanted to be a Child of God, but the effort seemed impossible. The Rules, The Regulations, The Do’s, The Don’ts! The Stumbling Blocks were getting bigger not smaller! The Word of God seemed “Greek” to me!!! God was probably like everyone else – saying Reject! Reject!

In the middle of the night, melted in the living room floor, I begged Him to just kill me. Obviously, this was not for me, and I could not meet the “standard”. It was not an audible, but it was a clear, gentle voice – “So you want someone else to raise your daughter?”

“NO!” I said aloud.

“So you want me to take your daughter?”

“NO” I said gagging through my tears.

“Then what do you want?”

“I want you to take everything I have ever learned, been taught, and read about you from a human perspective, and teach me Your Word – give me your Wisdom, Your Knowledge and Your Understanding, I want you to heal me – Mind – Body – Soul –Spirit, to show me His Love and how to live in His Love, and I want you to make me a balanced Woman – a good business woman – a Woman of God – Respected not rejected”.

He from that day forward has been true to His Word. It was not overnight and the lessons have been hard. He has held me firm to the prayers I have prayed. Do I believe that God is real? Yes, Do I believe that Jesus is the Son of God and willingly gave His life for me and all the mess in it? Yes Do I believe the Word of God, The Name of Jesus and The Blood of Jesus – is the greatest Power? Yes.
And I do know that the fact is clear. It doesn’t need to be shouted, or a finger pointed at you, but a clear calm fact. If you do not Believe God, ask His Son Jesus to be a part of your life, and you die – You have sealed your permanent Reservation in Hell. The only person who can make that choice is you.

My journey has been far from smooth, and even today, the testing of my life will put me in the floor – weeping and asking my Abba Father to help me. That is what a “Real Father” does. He dries my tears, gives me understanding and sends me down the path, sharing the truth of the lessons I have learned.

Being a Man or Woman of God is the toughest life you could ever walk. It is not for the faint at heart. For when you make the choice to be adopted into His Family, you become an enemy of the devil himself and all his demons. The War is on! Never fear – The Word of God – Gives us our instructions of how we can live in the midst of those battles, and it is ok to read the end of the Book – We WIN!!!
To look at my life’s journey from a strictly human point of view, the world’s point of view – I look somewhat like a failure, a foolish woman, with strong view points.

If you look at my life’s journey from a strictly religious view point – I look somewhat like a failure, a rebellious woman, who is not an acceptable “Church Lady” and surely I could not be “Right” with God! If you look at my life’s journey from God’s point of view, you will see a woman with an Alabaster Box, so filled with the rare precious perfume, a woman so in love with Her Jesus, she can’t be with Him enough. He has been with me every step of the way, even when I felt He had totally rejected and forgotten me, He is with me. . . . . . . . . I may have been rejected and scorned and left out and had a lot of problems – many of my own making, but every morning, all through the day and every night – I know I have a Father – Abba Father who loves me and cares for me and will be with me every step of my journey!

So I would say to you – Don’t miss Out! He wants to be Your Abba Father too! Make the Reservation for Eternal Life – (Not a Religion or Doctrine). The amenities are the BEST! I would rather be wrong, than to get to the end of my journey to find myself holding the “No Cancellation Reservation to Hell”.

Let Them Eat Cake. . . . Part 3: Adding the Jewelry

2009-09-12T17:33:00.010-05:00

The decorating of a cake, is like the bling bling of an outfit. A southern belle never goes out without her bling bling and neither does her cakes.

Whether it is one small accessory or pushing the envelope, you should always make sure your cake is finished. When I was in home economics it was said that99% is the presentation, from a glass or water to a 5 course meal. Presentation, Presentation, Presentation. Even more so when presenting a cake. It's the eye candy!!!

Does that mean you have to go extravagant? No. Some of the most elegant cakes are the simple - monochromatica small touch such as an initial, a small bouquet of flowers. The little black dress with pearls.

This is your blank canvas ,now add your creative impulses, add your personality. You are the one who decides what is too little and what ia too much. Remember - It's Just Cake.

In this day and time, you have all sorts cake jewelry. Take an afternoon stroll through a cake supply shop. There is no limit. It does not have to say, cake supplies, look at the fabric store, the craft store, the discount store. From, sugars, to miniature characters, ribbon, flowers, nuts, candies, sprinkles editable glitter, on and on. Even with a all the colors you have to choose from, you can paint a whole picture, just with icing!!!

Rule of Thumb: Take a few minutes on the front end, decide the theme, the style, what do you want the cake to look like. Next decide is it durable can you accomplish the deccorating in the time you need.

DON'T STRESS - keep IT FUN - ENJOY CREATING YOUR ART

Note: When I use fresh flowers, I cut the stems, and wrap them in a wet paper towel, then in plastic wrap twice. This keeps rhe flower fresh and doesn't allow the actual stem/or damp towel touching the cake.

I began designing and making cakes for friends, family and others over 25 years ago. Seeking out great taste and the making sure the presentation was a WOW, was my gift to them. For eleven years, I made a fresh cake each weekend for the children's department of my Churchhouse, so those who had given their time to teach, could have a little taste of sweet, along with a cup of coffee. They were truly my Guinea pigs. Each week a new cake, a new taste! It was great.

Below are several cakes I have done over the years. Take your blank canvas and let your imagination soar!

Here is a fun cake for the office. It is bright and cheerful

A 15 year old friend loves ballet. This cake has a silhouette from the Atlanta Ballet. It was a big hit

The guitar cake is an example of a character cake. I utilize the cake board, to continue the design

Recently, I had the pleasure of creating this wonderful - fun Grooms Cake. It was a joint efforts. My son in law hand drew the "A". My daughter did most of the piping and the writing was done with white chocolate letters! It was the hit of the Reception.

This Wedding Cake was done for a precious couple, I have watch blossom. Theirs is a fairytale romance and I had to give them a fairytale Wedding Cake. Simple and Elegant

Enjoy

Let Them Eat Cake. . .Part 2: The Icing On The Cake

2009-09-12T12:10:00.005-05:00

What is cake with out great icing. Icing can be as simple or as complex as you would like.

Remember how store bought cakes, have icing that taste like solid grease that leaves a thin film in your mouth. It's awful. There is never a "flavor", other than too sweet. The icing recipe below will have everyone asking for more.

Base Icing Recipe

1 - 2 pound package of confections sugar
1 - Cup Crisco (off brand shorting may not give the right consistency)
1/2 - Cup Water
1 - teaspoon each of vanilla and almond extract (my daughter uses 1 teaspoon of butter flavoring instead of almond

Rule Of Thumb: The "secret" for perfect icing. Mix for 10 minutes minimum. If need be rest your mixer after 5 minutes. The mixer I use in a stand alone, that mixes on it own, leaving me free to do other things. Many times, once the base ingredients are blended, I turn it on High and let her go.

Second Rule of Thumb: It is always smart to make more base icing than I needed. You will need enough icing for the crumb coat, if making a two layer cake the icing between the two layers and enough base to ice the cake nicely, be sure to account for the icing to be colored if different from base. Left over icing is good for those little muffins and will keep in freezer if wrapped in plastic wrap, and place in freezer bag.

Flavoring Base Icing: Flavoring icing is very easy. It is not necessary to buy a lot of fancy flavors. Prepackaged flavor icings (especially when they go on sell)is an inexpensive way to flavor your base icing. A little goes a long way. Store left over prepackaged icing the same as the base icing. A couple of teaspoons in the base icing is all that is need.

Strawberry Icing: Frozen packaged strawberries turn strawberry icing in to memories of days gone by. Let the package thaw and delete the 1/2 Cup of water from the base recipe. Use the thawed strawberries sparingly. Thawed strawberries have a lot of liquid and can quickly get too soft if you are not careful.

Cream Cheese Icing: Using the same as the base icing, substitute a small package cream cheese (room temperature) instead of Crisco. Cream Cheese Icing is a soft icing, To use cream cheese icing for piping designs and borders, use half cream cheese and half Crisco.

Chocolate Icing: A tablespoon of dark chocolate prepackage icing is great added to the base icing. Don't forget to add a teaspoon of instant coffee crystals. Another great chocolate icing is to blend 1/2 cup of real coco with the powdered sugar, 1/2 tablespoon of instant coffee, then make the base recipe.

Rule of Thumb: It is always best to use less and increase. Prepackage Icings seem to be really soft. When adding to base icing, add little teaspoons at a time until you get the flavor and not change the consistency of your icing.

Icings that are firm, not too soft is the best to work with. It is easier to to put through a decorating tip will hold its shape.

After cake has been crumb coated let it set for a few minutes. Crumb coating keeps irritating crumbs from getting into your icing. It also acts as seal to keep your cake moist.

COLOR: One of the biggest decision in icing and decorating a cake is color. What colors do you want to use. There are a lot of shying away from color - especially with those old nasty tasting icing colors you buy in the grocery store that have been around since Noah.

No reason to shy away Now! The best icing colors that have ever hit the market are the powdered colors. Gel colors are also a great way of coloring your icing, many are in neon colors that are such fun. Most local cake supply shop and craft stores carry a great variety of colors.

Today's powder and icing colors have no after taste. If you are wanting to use Reds and Blacks. Go bold, without fear of aftertaste. Whether a little color or a lot of color the choices as conservative or wild as you will want.

Choose a color closest to the color needed. Icing will only absorb so much powder and gel. Don't waste coloring or icing by not having the right color.

Rule of Thumb: As Start with small amounts of color, then add to the icing, stirring well to blend the color in with the icing. Colors normally become darker.

Small plastic bowls are great for adding color to base icing. Make sure to have enough base icing for the color(s) being mixed. It is better to have too much, than match the color on a second mix.

Applying icing begin with the middle top of the cake, working out. Put a couple of nice table spoons of icing in the middle of cake, spread towards edges. add more icing as needed. At the edge of he cake work a little icing down the beginning of the sides.

Smooth Icing: Once the top of cake is completed, put a tablespoon at the edge of cake, work down wards, going around the cake counter clock wise. When entire cake has been iced, let it sit for a few minutes. Take a sheet of paper, place on top of your cake and gently rub your hand around the paper, moving to the sides. The paper will smooth the icing out. It only takes a light touch. (Placing the paper on the icing before it is set will pull rhe icing up.)

Decorating Tips: There are many decorating tips that can be used to decorate a cake. Two basic tips can make a cake look fabulous: The Star tip ( size #27) and the round tip (size #4). These two tip sizes run around 79 cents each.

Rule of Thumb: A different tip for each color you plan on using. A couple for each tip will be necessary as well.(For example: Three colors, three tips, three couplers)

Icing Bags: Icing Bags come in all sizes and materials. I use the plastic disposable bags for cakes with lots of colors. They run around 20 cents a piece. Featherweight bags are durable and soft, they are made from flexible polyester. They are reusable and cost vary according to size. They run between $3 and $10.

NOTE: Craft stores and many cake supply shops have decorating classes as do many junior colleges. Learning the basics of cake decorating opens unlimited doors for being creative and artistic. *WILSON ENTERPRISES* is one of the most popular supplier for cake decorating supplies. Each year they publish a Year Book filled with ideas,tips, pans of the most popular characters, as well as regular cake supplies.

Before investing in lots of supplies, purchase a few tips, some disposable bags and practice. An inexpensive smooth plastic place mat, a bowl of basic icing, is a great way to practice with decorating tips.

A star tip is an excellent tip to cover your cake with a little practice, a cake look professionally made. Most of your character pans use the star tip method.

Getting started with the tip and Bag: Put the base of the coupler inside the bag, cut a small hole across the bag, add the tip and fastener part of the coupler over the tip screw into place to secure. Place enough icing in the bag approximately half full. Twist the bag and runs your fingers downward towards the tip to allow air bubbles to be released.

Top of Cake: Holding the bag upright, press firmly and release. Make one or two stars, then move down staggering as you go. Close random stars, cover top of cake filling in any gaps you see between stars Remember Squeeze and release.

Side of Cake: Make long strokes from top to bottom, bottom to top working counter counter clockwise. Keeping the strokes close, fill in any gaps, gently the same stroke method.

Around Edge of Top and Bottom of Cake: A quick and wonderful pattern to "finish" the base staring. Start at a point just at the top of the edge of cake, working counter clockwise, make small cursive lower case "e's, over and under, continuing around to the start point. Do the same around the edge of the bottom of the cake. It is a very professional touch.

The "Round Tip" is used for writing names and sayings. it is also used to make the outlines on character cakes.

Plan your cake and design. Begin simple and have fun. Use your imagination and your creativity.

Check out Let Them Eat Cake. . . . Part 3: Adding the Jewelry on putting the final touches on your cake. I will also share some random cakes I have done through the years.

Let Them Eat Cake . . . . .Part 1 - Just Cake

2009-09-10T16:53:00.012-05:00

One of my favorite art forms is making cakes that bring smiles to the everyone and make the taste buds stand up and cheer! Forget those cakes that you pay a fortune for that taste like plastic icing and the cake is dry with no flavor.

Here is a great way to make your everyday box cake mix scream Celebration!

My First Must and Rule of Thumb: A product called "Pan Grease" from CK South. Once you use it, you will never use anything else. Your cakes, cupcakes, muffins, are guaranteed to come out with out any sticking. I use an inexpensive foam brush from the paint department. I store my bush in a zip lock bag, ready to be used again.

Note: If you are making a 2 layer cake, you will want to have your icing completed before the cake is baked. See Part 2 - The Icing on The Cake

Making the Cake:

White Cakes Mixes: Follow the directions on the box, 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract and 1 teaspoon of almond extract. It is divine. Another great combination is 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract and 1 teaspoon of butter flavoring.

Flavored Cake Mixes: (lemon, strawberry, etc): I always start with a box if white cake mix and a half a box of the other flavor of cake mix. (You will have to divide ingredients by half for the second cake mix. You can save the unused portion of dry cake mix by putting the bag with a zip lock container. Add 1 teaspoon vanilla and 1 teaspoon almond.

Chocolate Cake: (milk, German choc late, dark chocolate): Add 1/4 of instant coffee crystals. It brings out the chocolate. Very decadent. (I do not use any extra flavoring)

Red Velvet Cake Mix: There is no since in buying all that red food coloring any more. You can find Red Velvet in a mix. I add a half a box of white cake mix. Your cake will be moist and most delicious. Most Red Velvet Cakes made from scratch are dry and leaves an aftertaste.

Your pan should be filled 3/4 full. Less will not be enough, more will be too much. Left over cake mix is a great way to make little muffins.

After baking you will want your cake to cool. Then take a large serrated knife, bring it straight across the cake level with the pan, slice off top. This portion is referred to as "cake top". (You can put the "cake top" in a plastic bag and throw it into freezer and use for " an emergency desserts".

Some have found success in using a long piece of dental floss, bringing straight across the cake level with the pan. The knife is good for me.

Place your platter, cake stand or "cake board*" on top of cake pan and turn over. If you have used "pan grease" your cake will slide right out.

*Covered cake board:You can find cake boards and dollies at your local cake supply store. They come in different sizes and shapes. This gives a very professional finish to your cake.

For 2 layer cakes, you will want to cut across the top of the cake just like the first layer. You will want a nice layer of icing on your first layer. Then gently the second layer on top of the bottom layer. For those run away crumbs, gently brush them off the cake and platter.

Crumb coat your cake: Take a thin layer of icing and ice your cake all over. This will give you a good surface to begin icing and decorating your cake.

You will find icing directions and how to ice your cake in Part 2 - The Icing on the Cake.

Returning to Reality

2009-09-08T22:41:00.003-05:00

After a long weekend with my brother, I am back home, Where did it all go? It did not take long for the reality to hit fast.

Somehow it is just like any other time away from what you do on a daily basis. We all have to come back to our daily routine, those that are in our lives on a daily basis.

The good news is when one comes back to their everyday, some element that enhances your everyday is so ripe. Whether it is a memory, a new find, a renewal with a freind from the past. It can be carried into your everyday return.

I can not wait to introduce you to my good friend of over forty years, we spent some time together this weekend. She is an incrediable artist - I have some great pictures of her Art Sudio.

Have you had a holiday or a visit away, maybe even a long weekend? What did you bring back to your everyday?

Countenance of A Negative Spirit

2009-09-07T10:16:00.005-05:00

Over the past several days I have had the luxury to be lazy, relax, take a deep breath and the opportunity to read up on blogs that I follow, check what is being said by friends and family through e-mails and other social venues.

It is wonderful to be able to just take time to reflect and ponder. Which is not always a good thing because it brings out the profound thinking I tend to do.

This morning after reading several blogs, I began to think about how we seem to cloth ourselves in negative thinking and outlooks, fears and phobias and before we know it, our countenance takes on a negative aroma, that is distinct to others.

What is it about our everyday lives that keep us from being the positive, happy - joyful beings we were created to be?

Ok - ok! The number one answer is what we are told the economy is. Secondly it is what our present circumstances are and thirdly, the effect others have upon us. Whether it is a family member, a friend, a co-worker or even the lady that is at the window of our favorite fast food establishment.

Here are a couple of things that have struck me as almost being oxymoron:

You are pressured on your job. But do you realize you have a job? What is the unemployment rate today? You are not in that number!!!!

You have a roof over your head but you complain about where you live and who your neighbors are, on and on and on. But do you read how many people today have lost their homes? You are not homeless!!!!

Your child doesn't do or act are think like you would like. But what about that parent who has lost their child, whether through sickness, or an accident? You have your child. Go hug and give big sloppy kisses to him/her. It will make YOU smile....

You only have a jar of peanut butter. But what about the person standing on the corner who doesn't have any food nor means to get food. You have Peanut Butter!!!!

The list can go on and on and on. Preachers like to put together these sad and heart pulling stories to get us to do right, be right and act right. Nevertheless, here we are in our own circumstances, and we just can not deal. The negative thoughts weigh us down and our Countenance is anything but positive.

A couple of thoughts that might just give you the spark you need to change that negative to a positive.

First a little song from years ago: "You've got to accent the Positive, element the Negative, latch on to the Affirmative and Don't Mess With Mr. In Between.

Second what would happen if we just reverse our thinking about all of our lives. The job - can we smile just because we have a job to go to. Can we be smile to the co-worker who is never nice to anyone?

And what about this - take your jar of peanut butter and ask some one to share it with you? It only takes two spoons.

Why not just Sing out loud now! I'm going to Accent the Positive - Element the Negative - Latch on to the Affirmative and Will not mess with Mr, In Between!!!!

The next time you go to the store, drive through your favorite fast food, run into your neighbor. Give them a smile and say Hello - I am so glad to see you today!

Last week I had called a woman who over the years has influenced my life greatly. I had shared with her a scenario about something, She said: Why does this bother you? and my response was "It doesn't" I just wanted to share. Later I began to think about her response. It was a big slap of reality. Somewhere deep down I had allowed this to stay in my memory bank, I deep down wanted the response to be "Oh, I can't believe that happen to you, you poor dear". (Laughing out loud at myself now.)

She in her wisdom, defused a negative spark that could have well blown into a Countenance of Negative.

I am waiting to hear your singing out loud with Me!!! It is all good.

Hold It - Smile - Say Cheese!

2009-09-05T18:59:00.017-05:00

Posing, smiling and saying cheese has been apart of my families life as far back as I can remember. For all sorts of occasions my father had us in front of the camera! You can imagine how much laughter came from those moments when he began using a time delay, so he himself could join us.

My father loved photography in all its elements. He passed this love down to both my brother and myself. He knew cameras and the gadgets and all that went with Photography. During his latter years,Daddy would restore old photographs back to pristine condition for others. He had his artsy side as well, printing photographs on mediums, aside from the standard photo paper. Maybe this is where my love for mixed media started. I have often wondered how much fun he would have had today with all the opportunities we have with Adobe CS4.

Daddy had all sorts of cameras,flash attachments and and developing equipment. You always knew when he was developing his photographs, as the aroma of the developing solutions filled the air. I am always a little sad that I did not take interest in this particular element of photography.

His camera bag was always filled with film and in the early days, those little flash bulbs that popped when the flash went off, along with all sorts of gadgets. Even a bag that had two sleeves with no neck so he could take the film out of the camera so as not to expose the film when the camera was opened.

One of the first camera I ever owned was a little square brown plastic box like camera called "The Brownie". Today it sits high on top of one of my bookcases, along with a few other old cameras he had.

My interest in photography about thirty years ago took a turn when I was not at all satisfied with just the every day square or rectangle photo of someone standing smiling or frowning back at you, along with everything you did not want in the picture captured as well. I wanted to do something different - I wanted those captured moments to be an ahhhh moment when someone looked at them.

Following the work of "World Known" photographers and artists, I began being a ole groupie - drooling at their work - beyond anything of a snapped picture - phenomenal. Photographers, Joe McNally (www.joemcnally.com/blog) and Don Warren (www.warrenproductions.com) share the ranks of my all time favorites. I actually got ro see Don and his crew first hand at work. Awesome!!! They are so cool and laid back.

All in all what I have learned from seeking out and researching on how to become a better photographer - a better artist which I must admit, at times takes me over the edge at the endless possibilities. . . .

My love for photography as an art medium, has blossomed. Here is my First Rule of Thumb: Don't be over critical of you own work, even some of the "worst" photographs can be very one your favorite piece of art. Second Rule of Thumb: Allow yourself to think of the possibilities in creating your own treasured work. And of course - Have fun - fun - fun with it.

Through the years have used everything from that first little Brownie to an awesome vintage Sony. This year I had some great success with my cell phone if you can believe that. The little HP Digital I used began turning pictures into candidates for the cranberry juice commercial, when the guy accidentally spilled juice on the lady's calender and all her appointments washed off. It will soon be sitting with the other cameras, on top the bookcase. Recently I found myself with out access to a digital camera and began using my old Cannon 35mm. Glad I did! For now I am using both the vintage Sony and my Cannon. Whether it is a cell phone camera or a top of the line Nikon. It is all in how you see your photographs and your imagination.

Does it really matter what camera you use. For me probably not. For Joe and Don, probably so. All in all take your photos and create your own style - your own work of aer.

As always, thanks for stopping by y'all, come again soon!

So Which Plan Am I On?????

2009-09-04T10:47:00.005-05:00

Since my last post, my body got the best of me!! Think one of those Bulls stayed around to see if I would give in or fight back. And for those of you who really know me, I never give in!!!! So I am not exactly sure of which plan I am on right now, I just know there it is a good plan.

It has been a true labor just to get up each morning and get done what was required for the day. Have no worries!!! When things get off course, you must just take a deep breath, put a smile on your face and never let them see you sweat! (Of course you do know that southern belles never - never - sweat. They just glow)

There are several blogs in the cooker and yes even some more fun pictures!! The Camera Blog will be rolling out as quickly as I can get to the pictures, which I know I have promised but the energy level has been on empty! But it is on it's way.

So if you have been back and have not seen any progress in my blogs I certainly extend my apologies. I will be back sooner than you think to get some really fun and funny blogs out to you! It's all good!

Have a Wonderful Holiday and Lots of Good Wishes to you all.

Stay Tuned for great stories, funny stories, creative ideas and all those mind tapping thoughts I will be bringing your way!!

Smooches to All.

Finally The Bulls and Clock Got the Best of Me

2009-08-28T08:27:00.002-05:00

Wednesday afternoon, I could feel my body was not happy with me. I had pushed it to the limit and it rebelled. Now I can tell you I really felt as if the bulls had run me over and the clock was laughing.

Thursday I did stay in and slept most of the day, which has made me feel so much better, and have definitely began a list of how I need to rearrange my schedule and not let this happen again anytime soon.

I looked for more pictures and actually found not find the ones I had wanted to share, but I did find the first little camera I owned. The little brown box camera - The Brownie! Somehow I had forgotten I still had it. This weekend, I will be posting the Camera Blog. You are going to love the story with some great pictures to go along with it.

Two art pieces for pages for the website have finally been finished. I will be getting with my Mentor, Bossman, Good Friend this next week to finalize more pages. As soon as all the updates and modifications have been made, I will be launching the new improved site.

There is a great deal of organization I need to be doing and am making a long list and checking it twice on how to make the best use of time so I can get the art pieces I am working on - new Art Journal, altered scrapbooks completed.

Last year I had a friend ask me if I ever completed any of my projects. Actually I have, but I certainly fall short in having it all done. . . . .

How do you keep on task with your projects? Any suggestions that would be of useful value to not only me but to others in stretching our 24 hours to accomplish all that we need and want to get done?

Running with The Bulls or Maybe Just the Clock. . .

2009-08-26T13:41:00.002-05:00

What is that saying about the road to somewhere we don't want to go is paved with good intentions? Last night I dashed home and began opening my collection of photos, trying to find the ones I had wanted to add to my blog about Cameras. But alas, I got bogged down in going through the pictures and trying to get all those little "must dos" done before the clock struck Midnight! LOL.

Where does the time go? You would think that twenty four hours would be plenty of time to accomplish all that I want to accomplish! But ohhh no. One must sleep and bath and wash clothes, not to mention keeping one's nest somewhat clean. . . . .

But alas, the clock did strike 12 and I had tons of things to do before going to bed, when I finally got there, my mind began to swirl with all the things I want to create and do and share . . .

So I ask you, are we running with the Bulls in our everyday life and are there those everyday events that we could just not do? I have not yet decided that I can go too long with out at least an hour or so of sleep. From past experiences, I don't mind having little sleep, but my half full glass, or my overflowing glass, starts to get sloshed around and oops, I am having to clean up the spills, not to mention I don't seem to want to give out my "Get Out of Jail Free Cards" so freely. Of course, all of us southern belle's know that - Too much lack of sleep makes one cranky and does not help one's "beauty" inner or outer.

So what am I going to do to not get run over by the bulls? I am making a list and reorganizing my every days to see what can be tossed and what can be moved around to give me more opportunity to create and write and twirl amongst my day job.

There are a couple of fun whimsical ideas I want to share, so as I am organizing and re-organizing, with you in the next day or so. You don't want to miss this.

The "Camera" post is coming soon. Need a few more minutes to find all that need to go along with it.

Also, am working diligently to get the new pages to the website finished that you are going to absolutely love!!!!

Ok, I can hear the sounds of the bulls coming and the clock is ticking, but I must share with you this little story. Don't think I even have the first picture of this, so you will have to use your imagination. Yesterday, I thought about this wig I had when I was in junior high school and began to laugh out loud so hard, I almost had to pull over so I could wipe the tears away.

Somewhere in the early sixties, someone came out with this wig. It was like a hat with furry type hair on it. You could get it in all sorts of colors. My mother, actually bought me one in white. It was the coolest thing I owned at the time. I can remember thinking I must look like a great model or something. In looking back, don't you know all those adults were rolling in laughter when they saw this sight.

I know you must have memories of crazy items that made you think you were soooo cool, but in fact you brought laughter to hose around you!!!

And what keeps the bulls and time from running over you????

Ok time to let the bulls pass on by.. . . . . .

Is Your Glass Half Full or Half Empty

2009-08-24T22:16:00.003-05:00

I was going to write a delicious expo on all the cameras I have had through my life, but will wait until I can find some really cool pictures that will give you the ole "flamingo-eye" view of my dramatic antics when posing as a child and some I have taken. You will want to return often with great anticipation for you will not know what antics I will share or what trashy happys I will pass on for your enjoyment. But just a little while longer for the Camera stories. Also, I will have some new pictures I took tonight while playing with my ole 35mm camera. It will be lots of fun!!!

In anticipation of turning sixty not long ago (hard to believe isn't it), it was one of my goals to embrace each day as a blank canvas and fill it with good thoughts and fun celebrations of all those little happenings we pass by and seeing all of my glasses as being not just half full but over flowing. Well, as you know all good plans come to a halt every once in awhile and the glass begina to creeps to half empty. So what does one do? Plan B - Plan C until you get to Plan Z.

It is always those little events that seem to make our glass slosh over. Like finding a mess left in your office by a co-worker that was in a hurry and did not take time to at least take her trash bag iwht her. Inside you want to take the bull by the horns - but wait, do you want to really be like all those others with half full glasses, grumbling and mumbling and taking on the little ant hills or is it mole hills. That is what makes our glass half empty and before long it it totally empty and we regret and forget what we have stood for.

Would it not be so much more fun to just give out "Get Out of Jail Free" cards just for fun, overlooking others faults and short comings. Would you not like to have a bunch of those "Get out of Jail Free" cards for yourself? To keep your glass half full and better yet over flowing? That's what I want in my next sixty years.

We all have had the opportunity to look into the faces of children, whose eyes are wide with anticipation and wonder. Their smiles are real and they just don't have half filled glasses. They are always (for the most part) filled to over flowing.

Our lives are filled with lots of circumstances that are not fun to deal with, but we have to take it one step at a time and allow those little circumstances to pass with a "Get Out of Jail Free Card", fill some one's glass to over flowing and you will always find your glass brimming over.

Remember - Check back often, as you never know what wonderful whimsical post you will find from me next. Pictures will be forth coming and more creative ideas to inspire you and to keep your glass brimming over with laughter.

Tell me - is your glass half full or half empty and what are you doing to fill it to brimming over?

Forgive - Forgiven - Forgiveness

2009-08-24T09:00:00.002-05:00

Recently an early morning news/talk show interviewed a lady about forgiveness. She related a story that I had heard more than once about a teenager who had thrown a frozen turkey and it had hit the windshield of a lady's car and she ended up in pretty serious condition. Later as the story goes, she chose to forgive this young man. The talk show interviewee stated that we should not always forgive quickly. Nor should we forgive everyone. Even though the "Religious" teaching tell us that we should.

If you strip away all the "religious" teachings on forgiveness and just look at the factors of what happens when one forgives. Even the medical journals indicates one holds grudges, stays angry, suppresses all those hard feelings towards others, it causes the body to become sick,everything from mental depression, to health problems such as cancer and arthritis.

So my questions is this. If unforgiveness causes you to be sick, have mental problems, as the list goes on and on, why are we not making "forgiveness" a high priority on our list? Hello! Why would we want to cause ourselves to be sick? This is not just a "religious" matter it is a piratical everyday matter. Make the right choice - FORGIVE OTHERS, FORGIVE YOURSELF!

Give yourself a free gift today - give others a free gift. Forgive. Take a deep breath and look at life in a whole new set of eyes. The eyes of forgiveness.

From a personal standpoint, I struggle even today about the forgiveness factor. You want to hold those feelings of what someone did or didn't do, what they said or didn't say. You know the only one getting all wound up inside was me. The one it was effecting was me.

How sad for the lady on the news how. She will never really be set free until she freely forgives. Should you forgive everyone? Yes. Even those who have done really "bad" things? Yes. Forgiveness is just one of the platforms in how we should live.

Forgive - It's the right thing to do for YOU!!!

It's All About Journals

2009-08-23T00:20:00.010-05:00

As I promised in my previous blog, I am going to share some early, early journal pages and one of my first homemade journals. That part I am going to do. I had wanted with such high hopes to be able to surprise you with some latest additions. Especially the newest journal I have just begun, but alas, the camera situation remains a little difficult and will be great for an EE story during another blog.

Nevertheless, let's talk about journals and journaling. I have been journaling for ever. I foolishly burned a lot of my journals from my early twenties, not that they were so bad, but they sounded so young and stupid. Which many of us southern belles are when we are in our twenties. Now I wish I had not burned them, for what giggles and laughter would they produce. My advice - think twice before destroying your journaling and you don't have to tell it all in your journal! Laughing out Loud!!!

Journaling is a great way to not only show a road map of one's life journey, but it is a way to express one's thoughts about life, love and all the in betweens. I journal a lot, but am not tied to journaling everyday. Many people do journal everyday. I have friends and a foster sister that have kept journals since grade school.

Your journal can be anything from a spiral notebook to handmade journals. The choices are limitless. As well as what you use to write with,draw and color with within your journal. It is yours, make it what you want it to be.

What you put in your journal is strictly up to you. You may use and have more than one journal at time, a journal for different things. Journaling from your computer is a great way to make quick entries. Just make sure you back up - back up - back up.

Let me share a few of my journal pictures that I drew at the end of a journaling page, a page where I did my journal page in a very elementary picture to describe some emotions I was feeling at that time.

This first picture is just a simple flower I drew at the end of a page. Nothing fancy.

This next picture is a fun face and the words added "Amuck" Some days one feels as if they are running about wildly.

Lastly is a picture of big red lips and a pair of glasses, I added to a couple of pages of some writing I cut out that I enjoyed.

All of these drawings are from journals that I write my conversations to the Lord and other items that I cherish. Cards from friends, pictures drawn by grandson.

I have journals from notes from teachings I have heard, conversations I have with God (I share it all with Him Now), art journals with fun fabrics and papers and findings and cute expressions and lots of pictures and drawings. I also create what I would call altered journals, made from books, where I cut and past and tear and write and color and paint. Several are still not completed, but that's OK, they are apart of my creative work and I add to them as I am inspired.

Here is one of my early hand made journals (or journal cover) that can be used by inserting a spiral journal, when I fill the pages up, I simply take out the filled journal and replace it with a fresh new notebook. It was made from a hard cover book, that I covered in beautiful paper inside and out, the spine is from a piece of fabric scrap that I loved and it complimented the paper and two very beautiful ribbons to hold the notebook in place. So here is the outside and inside of the journal.

This journal I keep on the nightstand by my bed to remind me everyday to create and to write!

Journaling and making journals is a wonderful art, and a great way to express one's self. It is also a great way to heal hurts and wounds.

In upcoming blogs, I will give more information on journals and journaling. We will see what the camera dilemma holds.

Happy journaling! Would love to hear about how and what you journal.

Website Updates

2009-08-22T11:49:00.004-05:00

Last night I spent time with my mentor - teacher - Bossman - friend, and his children. It was a great time of working on the website - He is the BEST!!!! I on the other hand am a continued work in progress. Although I know I have learned a lot, I have so much more to learn and remember......

Today I am working on pages that will be on the website shortly. Chris worked on my buttons and template so it will be easier for me to create new pages without getting all tangled up in my buttons and techie stuff. I will keep you posted when it is ready to debut.

Before heading over to his home, I had time to get a few more pictures of my Art Room to post. You must tell you if you are squeamish about "clutter" and OCD about everythinhg matching, you might just want to skip the pictures. Please keep in mind that every thing has it's place and the alikes are together. I actually found a drawer for millions of rulers I seem to have collected.

So here goes.

This picture is a close-up of my colored pencils in fun glass mugs.

WARNING: May cause weakness and faint at heart: LOL The right side of my Art_Room

It is a work in progress. But Trust me it is so wonderful to know I can put my fingers on whatever I am looking for. Also, keep in mind this is not only my Guest Room, for those that do come visit. It is also where I keep toys for my grandchild en, my vacuum cleaner, and what you did not see my "Christmas/fabric/other treasures closet.

I will never forget my x-husband asking me one time - Just how many storage units do you have? He was dating a lady with not only a house with a garage, but about 5 storage units.

I am happy to tell you all I have a 2 bedroom apartment and everything has its place. Except for a few items that need their own box or container.

Now, I still use my dining room to sew and there are many times I will work on the blog and art work in the living room from time to time. Every once and awhile I will crawl up in my bed and just write and write and write.

So there you have it. Where EE Works when she is not works when she is not working.

My next blog will be on journaling. Pictures from some of my journals, journals I made when I was first beginning to create my own journals. And a sneak preview of the EE's Connect The Dot Journal. So come back soon.

Where Are The Pictures?

2009-08-20T23:39:00.004-05:00

Ok, I have traveled extensively all over the web searching out my most favorite designers and artist. Looking at their Websites, their blogs and I feel that I stand naked amongst them!

There are stories, probably seem like excuses of why I have the plan Jane blog and an unfinished website. But that is all getting ready to Change! Yes, it is going to begin with a peek at my guest/art room. It is probably not as awesome as those that you see in "Where Women Work" published by Somerset Studio, but it is my little place. Please keep in mind I still find myself creating and doing all all over my apartment. It should be known as the artsy place where not only do I work, but live when I am not at my "real work".(How wonderful it would be to do this full time). One day maybe .. . .

I have just finished a major de-cluttering of this room and taking the awful bordello bed cover, which looked as if it had come straight from a southern bordello and so not my Wimsey fun self. I inherited from an almost former roommate.. A really long story. . . . for another place and time.

My best friend brought me a shower curtain that matched one I already had. So taking the my whimsical flamingo bathroom, and turned my guest/art/storage room into a great place to create and those creative forces that keep my mind swirling.

One curtain became the curtain over the big window. and the other a duvet cover. I only had to add some great polka-dotted strips and like making a giant pillow case, I had a one of a kind whimsical duvet. I made pillow covers to cover the matching pillows to the awful original cover.

Ok, let me try and put up picture one. Keep in mind this picture was taken by my phone camera. I have two sicko cameras and am waiting on one if my mentor can find discs t o fit it. Ughhhh. A good digi camera is on the top of my wish list! And of course another "story" to come

Secondly, I began putting alikes together,(papers, pens, fabrics, whirly-giggs,etc.) and a place for my printer and scanner. It is not perfect and I many things that need to be done to get the room better organized, but that will require several days of moving books and furniture and the Closet!! (Christmas Stuff is in "The Closet").

Ready? Here is a "flamingo-yes" view of my workspace.

It's a start. Yeahhh - Expect lots more pictures, including journal pages and the grand piano cover I designed! It is so cool. And much, much more!!!

Time to turn into a pumpkin. Good Night all.

Peanutbutter - Krystals and Coca Cola

2009-08-20T08:39:00.002-05:00

My father use to make banana sandwiches with peanut butter/mayo - it did not take much to make lots of sandwiches. The mixture increased as he would squish together the banana, peanut butter and mayo to make this rich gooey spread. It was ohhh so good.

Somehow I never did like jelly with my peanut butter. I like marmalade with my peanut butter and you can't beat honey mixed in with the peanut butter. There are times I like to sprinkle a nice coating of cinnamon across the top of the peanut butter.

And nothing say yummmmmy like a toasted peanut butter sandwich! It's warm - it's gooey and ohhhh sooooo good.

I never thought I would use this line - "I remember when" there was just one or two choices of peanut butter. Peter Pan Peanut Butter was the first to arrive on the grocery store shelves in 1928 (I was not there for this) followed not long afterwards in 1932,by Skippy, and then two years later Skippy brought to us the crunchy peanut butter. Big Top came along in 1955 and in 1958 Jif was added to our choices. Jiff now operate the world's largest peanut butter plant ~ churning out 250,000 jars every day! Now that's a lot of peanuts!!!!!

If I had a choice to make and believe me there are more choices, by each peanut butter company, smooth, crunchy, honey roasted, with jelly already there, natural peanut butter with the oil floating around the top of the jar. You can even buy the peanut butter and jelly sandwich already prepared with the crust cut off. Takes all the fun out of the preparation of the peanut butter sandwich. I like Peter Pan and my daughter prefers Jiff - as she says, every good mother serves Jiff!

There is something so yummy about opening a new jar of peanut butter, as you peel back the seal of a new jar of peanut butter the aroma of peanuts hits your nose immediately and your mouth waters just thinking about that first bite. Peanut Butter - It's a good thing!!! Forget the bread - just indulge in spoonful of that rich - luxury goo.. . . . . mmmmmmmm - sooooooo soooooo good.

Now for some of us with very discriminating taste - There is the Krystal Hamburger. It is small it is square and it is has a distinct taste that stays with you long after it is eaten. in 1932 the Krystal began its way into the American culture - now Krystal is one of America's largest Restaurant chains. You won't find them above the Mason Dixon line it is a southern fare. There is no doubt that it is an acquired taste. Being a fan of this little burger since around 1955, I find myself still indulging at least once a year - I can still breath down around 6 at one sitting as long as they are fresh and have lots of yellow mustard. I am sure there is no nutritional value to them, except for the mustard and I have a friend that tells me she knows they are "steamed" from under the arms of the cooks and there is the roomer they derived from the earthworm. yikes!!! But once a year - it's just one of those delicacies one has to partipate in.

Of course, being the Southern Belle that I am, and an original Atlanta Girl, it is only fitting that the preferred beverage of choice for peanut butter and a Krystal Burger is the Coca Cola, followed secondly by a diet Coca Cola. Any other beverage does not give the full benefit one obtains in the satisfaction of sinking their teeth into a soft gooey peanut butter sandwich or a hot mustard filled Krystal.

Ohhh the joys of being a true southern belle. . . . . . .

Southern Summers

2009-08-19T22:32:00.003-05:00

As I stepped into the parking lot this afternoon, thunder moving closer and closer and the beginning of rain drops began splashing down, the air was filled with the aroma of wet hot pavement, sending my senses flying back through time to other moments just like this one. Extraordinary how our brain is sparked by our senses. Later as I stepped out of my car, another smell of hot wet humidly - yes it is definitely a southern summer.

Summertime and the Living is Easy - well, for me it has been one of my busy times. A new grandson, lots of research both professionally and personally, creating a cover for a grand piano, on and on the list goes.

It is within those moments that our senses pick up those memory moments that give us that brief moment to remember the simple things and we smile, we sigh and we then turn to continue on our busy lives - even in the summertime.

For us here in the south, summer will remain for a little longer, school is back in session and for some reason we don't have the cool crisp weather that seems to be associated with a new school year. Nevertheless, the smells of the hot steamy pavement and the sounds of yellow school bus passing by, I found myself remembering how much I enjoy being in the south in the summer. . . . . .

Once again a side note: I am trying to find a working camera, so I can begin to post pictures of my new Connect the Dots Journal, maybe tomorrow. . . . And on Friday I will have a working session with my mentor and boss on getting my Website in order.

Thanks for stopping by and keep on coming back, for you don't want to miss what might just pour into my blog.

If you are a regular reader of my blog, please hit the follow this blog. I would love to have you as a follower. EE

What Would It Be Like To. . . . .

2009-08-19T07:43:00.002-05:00

Yesterday as I was making notes and allowing my mind the freedom to wonder around aimlessly I begin to think about "What It Would Be Like To . . . . .

Let me first make this disclaimer - I enjoy my life and appreciate all that I have had,in no way does this list mean that I am not enjoying or disappointed in my life. Just day dreaming mind wondering aimless with thoughts. . . .

What Would It Be Like To . . .

Live at Buckingham Palace - and who exactly would be your friends? Your neighbor? what would you do everyday. . . . Do you think the Queen scrapbooks? Or is creative with all those leftover hats? Would she ever paint a room Lime Green and have funky type furniture in hot pinks and purples?

To to the grocery store and be able to purchase anything and everything you wanted, without having to go strictly what was on your grocery list? Or just to be able to purchase everything on your grocery list without having to worry if you are still within your budget . . . .

To have free and full access to all the art supplies and a subscription to "ALL" of Somerset Studio publications . . . .

To buy clothes and shoes and accessories for each day of the week and not have to worry about the price or whether or not it was an actual need, but actually a want because you absolutely adore that outfit. . . .

To go on vacation wherever you would like to go and not worry about having a tight budget and buy gifts for all your friends and family that are wonderful and not just a plastic flamingo or key chain that you paid 5 times more than it was worth, because they will be disappointed if you did not bring back something. . .

To have the vehicle that you really want and not have to worry about whether it will get you to and from work or to be able to just drive it no matter where you wanted to go without worrying if would make it there and back. . . .

To live in a home that each room had just the right space with just the right furniture so everything had a place. . .l Like your sewing machine and all the threads and bobbins and pins and needles without having to drag it out and put it back. (Laughing out loud).. . . .

To call Paul Deen up and say hi y'all how's it going today - what's for dinner!

Of course my list could go on from the everday to the whimsical.

Over the years I find that it is fun to see just how the Lord gives me creative ideas whether going to the grocery store, or helpoing find the bargain of what I am seeking or enjoying a moment when I stumble on a special treat.

On the bookshelf a shoe that I covered in a wonderful piece of fabric to mimic an expensive pair of shoes I well out of my price range reminds me of the gift of creative artsy whimsy I have been blessed with. This shoe has brought laughter to many over the years and many complements during the season that I wore them. The mate was given to a special young lady that I share a kindred spirit who embraces those joys of life as I do.

On a side note, as much as I was all geared up to work on my new Connect the Dots Journal - I alas fell asleep on the sofa. When I woke up - well it was bedtime.
But there is always tonight . . . .

What is your "What Would It Be Like List?"

The Bestest In All The World

2009-08-18T11:15:00.002-05:00

Today I celebrate just being apart of today!

Each morning I wake up determined to pour positive encouragement into the lives of others because so many do the same for me. Each of us is given the same amount of time each day. What we do with that time can be crucial in the lives of others.

So much of what we read and hear is negative - from the new media, from those that we come in contact with - whether in person or through a social network like facebook.

Here are some typical negatives:

Mondays - Having to get up - Having to go to work - Having to go to School - the list goes on and on - and includes things that irritate us about others.

Why not just enjoy each day. I had a friend on facebook comment about his grandchild telling him that he was their BFF. Now that is the BESTEST!

This morning I struggled with the positive/negative "feelings". My Bossman took a few minutes and didn't criticized but just listened. He could have blown me off but he didn't. Then I read the note from my friend about his grandchild. And I smiled.

What are the things that make you smile? What are the positives of your day? My foster mother use to sing to me and I have sung to my children and friends, the ole song - You've got to Accent the positive - Element the negative - Latch on to the affirmative and don't mess with Mr. InBetween.

Today - I paint my blank page with smiles and the faces of my grandchildren and the faces of my precious children, friends and my Bossman! Adding the embellishments of breath,having another day to give back to others, a job to go to and transportation to get there - a home and being able to just twirl! Last but not at all least, my Abba Father, who makes it all possible and who furnishes me with the day - even Mondays.

What's will you paint on your blank page today? What is your BESTEST?

EE's Connect the Dots Art Journal

2009-08-17T23:20:00.002-05:00

What is it about a journal that makes it really intimidating? The fresh new blank pages, the sound you hear when you first open your journal. That catch in your throat as you realize that it becomes really personal as soon as you put that first Word, that first swipe of paint, etc. All of a sudden it is defined! Well maybe!

After pouring over all those wonderful creative art books and visiting lots of new websites, seeing how others "create", I spent the majority of my late night evenings this weekend, cleaning up and organizing my "stuff" so to speak. It is all I could think about as I left my office this afternoon.

While cleaning and de-cluttering, I cam across a wonderful annual scrapbook (2005) - (6" by 6"), I had few random dates and a couple of notes. It is just the perfect size to turn into a really awesome Whimsical Art Journal.

I took a deep breath and began rummaging though a stash of fabric, paper scraps and whirley giggs. I spotted the paper - white with little dots in all sorts of colored dots.PERFECT!! YES!! "EE's Connect The Dots Art Journal!

There you have it - A little 6" X 6" spiral- art journal just waiting to be filled!

Picture will be forthcoming. I do promise.

Come on and Colnnect the Dots with your own creation. Can't wait to hear what you have created.

EE

Where In The World Is EE?

2009-08-17T15:17:00.002-05:00

The excuses are many, but alas, I have allowed all things to become more important than writing. Work - redoing my website (not finished!!!) and life in itself. All true but very poor excuses. (smile).

On Friday, August 15th, I took myself on an afternoon date! What fun - I really enjoy spending time at my favorite bookstore, with a great cup of coffee and an extremely sinful pastry, I pour over all those wonderful magazines and books that blows a budget out the water. I was inspired and took great notes on future projects, quotes and wants.

One of the things I read - which in fact I already knew for a good blogger is to write something everyday!

There were several wonderful blog sites that just inspired me! One in particular was Rubyellen Brather's site www.mycakiesblogspot.com. She sated that everyday we should celebrate something - Getting excited about that Peanut butter sandwich! Yes!! this my type of thinking. Everyday there is something to celebrate!!!!

Today I am celebrating taking the initiative to write this page. Thanks Rubyellen for the inspiration!!!!

And of course - Realizing the use of "I" and "!" was overdone. Made you smile though.

What will you celebrate today?

ABOUT THE HOW

2009-01-16T11:03:00.000-06:00

There are things that cross our path that just make us smile and send our thoughts scampering into times past.

I have been researching and making notes upon notes on how I want to restructure my website. I have actually one back to the drawing board to start over from scratch. During my research into various websites and defining the actual purpose of my website I came across a variety of quotes, that not only made me smile, made my thoughts go scampering into times past, but that reflect me.

Maybe some of these will also do the same for you.

* Work and play are the same when you are following your energy and doing what you want all the time, the distinction between work and play dissolves.

* Within the open unguarded movements of childhood we discover that we truly resonate as long as I can remember I have enjoyed working with paper, glue, paint and found objects. My goal is to maintain the same excitement and uncluttered instincts about making art that I felt in childhood.

*There is an intimacy/riskiness in “showing” ones “art” that is unmatched.

*Every artist should be an exhibitionist.

*I am never happier than when I am making things or thinking about making things. It is an experience I cannot imagine being without.

*If man understood all the great mysteries he would not need the Arts.

Of course the following is probably one of my most favorites. Especially since it seems to reflect my artsy nature in using those things found.

*It has a flat out ring of truth about it and I see evidences of it every day. I like to collect neglected and easily overlooked objects – dumpster finds and broken widgets. To me these objects have a quality of authenticity and a workman like charm that is missing from priceless cargo. My artwork is for celebrating the humble and neglected.

*Is that not great!! I remember as a child taking scraps of fabric and making clothes for my dolls. I also use to take found objects to make doll furniture for them. Trashy Treasures!!

*Everything I am doing as an adult artist is grounded in things made up when I was a kid. I suddenly realized how much I rely on my child self for making of my ideas, my methods and my enthusiasm.

*You will do foolish things, but do them with enthusiasm.

As I pondered and looked at these different quotes, I realize how many people don’t see their creations whether it be food, sewing, scrapbooking, journaling, music, etc as art. But it is. Take time to ponder the things you do. Let yourself go and
Enjoy what you create. Bring out your child like thought pattern and go one step further with it.

Even the most vanilla personality person can find their creations art if they will just allow themselves the freedom to enjoy it.

Today I think I am going to actually create a new twist in my journaling and scrapbooking with the use of an old childhood favorite – water colors. Come on with me and let yourself go and ENJOY that child within you!!!

WORDS

2009-01-06T14:49:00.002-06:00

There is a fine line in what one should or should not say about another. Whether spoken or written.

The rule of thumb is so simple – that it became a power line in the movie Bambie – It came from Thumper’s mother – “If you can’t say something positive then just don’t say it”.

I would suggest that one thinks before they speak and ask the question – Why am I saying this or writing this? What is my purpose in doing so?

The second rule of thumb is even more simple – Don’t speak for God! He does not need you to do so. Unless, you have had a divine revelation – then don’t say what He will or will not do or what He thinks. You may not even know! Or He has told you something that is for you and more than likely not for someone else.

I ran across an article steps to Character building. This step jumped out at me:
Speak humbly. Let no arrogance come from your mouth (1 Samuel 2:3). Don't be cocky. People aren't impressed with your opinions. Take this tip from Benjamin Franklin: "[I developed] the habit of expressing myself in terms of modest diffidence, never using when I advance anything that may possibly be disputed, the words certainly, undoubtedly, or any others that give the air of positiveness to an opinion; but rather I say, I conceive or apprehend a thing to be so or so. This habit I believe has been a great advantage to me." It would be a great advantage to us as well.

The Word of God say: Those who control their tongue will have a long life; opening your mouth can ruin everything. Proverbs 13:3

The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences. Proverbs 18:21

So my words today are to encourage you to be careful little mouth what you speak and be careful little fingers what you write.

Now, go out there and tell someone how wonderful they are!! Accent the positive and let God do His job.

If you are not getting paid for your opinion - it is probably best to keep it to yourself.

Through the Eyes of A Child

2009-01-05T11:03:00.002-06:00

Yesterday I attended the birthday party of a four year old little girl. I watched the sparkle in her eye. She was so engaged with the balloons, the cake and her presents. She was happy and giggled and would run on her tiptoes. I watched as she took little bites of icing, making it a moment – enjoying each and every bite.
As I looked around, the adults did not seem to have that same sparkle, the same enthusiasm. They did not taste the sweet magic of the icing nor did they seem to hold the same enthusiasm of just being a part of the celebration. They were there out of duty. For me it was a time of celebration and thanksgiving. For this precious little girl was four years earlier the chosen child of her parents. Four years ago was a divine moment that her life was changed from having no future, to having a wonderful future. She has been given the opportunity to become someone. As the party left as fast as it came, I was ever struck by this little girl’s embrace of life, of wonder and of joy. I am often reminded that each day is a blank canvas for us to paint our day on. What will your canvas look like today? Will you see the wonder of the morning – smile at the burst of the opportunity to twirl and dance as if no one watching? Or will you returned to your designated perch and just go through the motions of your routine responsibilities.

Where in life do we lose our enthusiasm and sparkle? Is there a rule that says – no more – you are now an adult? When was the last time you walked in the rain – or stomped in a mud puddle? Or just laughed until you just about wet yourself?
This same little girl was in my home during the holidays and I watched her as she allowed the branches of the Christmas tree to just tickle the tips of her fingers and she jumped and squealed with delight at making cookies. It was so contagious.
So as you look at your life and this new year, let me suggest you take a peek through the eyes of a child.

Go get you some finger paints and create a piece of Art. Enjoy it – smile and laugh.
Make yourself laugh at yourself. What have you stopped doing because you are just too prim and proper?

Twirl and dance – its ok – nobody has to see.